Compound Dome Camera Assembly with Segmented Viewing Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video surveillance systems with multiple fixed cameras and a panable, tiltable zoom (PTZ) camera are complex and costly, and when installed outdoors, they are prone to failure due to environmental exposure.

Innovation Solution

A simplified camera assembly with a two-part design featuring an array of fixed cameras and a PTZ camera enclosed by an integrated compound viewing cover, which can be formed from two separate sections with different optical and absorption characteristics, providing improved optical performance and protection from the elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed cameras and a PTZ camera are mounted in a common enclosure, then wide field coverage and detailed zoom capability are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurveillance coverage capabilityVSAvoidcamera assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fixed cameras and a PTZ camera into a single integrated housing with a unified compound viewing cover, merging what would traditionally be separate surveillance devices into one compact assembly, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive surveillance capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common enclosure and compound viewing cover serve multiple functions simultaneously: they protect all cameras from environmental elements, provide a unified structural framework, and enable both wide-field monitoring and targeted zoom surveillance through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple cameras are installed in a common enclosure, then geometric calibration framework and environmental protection are provided, but reliability decreases due to multiple failure modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compound viewing cover is divided into multiple separate sections, each dedicated to specific cameras, allowing individual replacement or maintenance of camera subsets without affecting the entire system, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single compound viewing cover is used for all cameras, then construction is simplified and cost is reduced, but optical performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidoptical performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the compound viewing cover are designed with locally optimized properties - some sections are fully transparent for maximum optical clarity, while others are translucent for privacy or aesthetic purposes, allowing each area to serve its specific optical function while maintaining overall construction simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10148916B2Compound dome camera assembly

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 EPILOG IMAGING SYST

AI summary

In one aspect, the invention provides an imaging system adapted to simultaneously receive light from wide and narrow fields of view, with the wide filed image data collected by an array of fixed position cameras, and the narrow field data collected by a panable, tiltable room camera at higher resolution than the fixed array in a selected orientation, and a compound viewing cover that includes two separated pieces interlocked with one another.