Covert Aircraft Camera with Fixed Lens and Adjustable Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cameras for aircraft surveillance are bulky, costly, and difficult to integrate into confined spaces due to their focusing configurations, and they struggle with extreme environmental conditions and low-light situations.
Innovation Solution
A covert camera design featuring a front panel with a hidden lens and adjustable camera mount that allows for focus without moving the lens, combined with infrared and motion sensors, and a small profile to blend in with aircraft components, enabling effective surveillance in extreme conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional camera with adjustable lens positioning is used, then focusing capability is achieved, but the camera size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lens from the adjustable positioning mechanism, fixing the lens in place while placing the sensor on an adjustable mount. This separates the focusing function from the lens, allowing focus adjustment through sensor positioning alone, thereby simplifying the overall camera structure while maintaining focusing capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the lens to achieve focus (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by moving the sensor relative to the fixed lens. This reversal of the traditional focusing mechanism eliminates the need for complex lens positioning systems while achieving the same focusing effect
2Volume of moving object
If a small profile camera is used, then the camera can be integrated into confined aircraft spaces, but the sensor positioning and focusing options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the camera mount, allowing the sensor to be repositioned relative to the fixed lens. This dynamic positioning capability enables focusing adjustment and adaptation to different surveillance requirements within a compact camera body, maintaining versatility despite reduced size
3Device complexity
If the lens is fixed in position, then the camera structure is simplified and size is reduced, but the ability to adjust focus is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the adjustable camera mount as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed lens and the sensor. This mount serves as the mediator that enables focus adjustment by positioning the sensor at appropriate distances from the fixed lens, thereby achieving focusing capability without moving the lens itself
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The camera provides effective covert surveillance in aircraft environments with a small profile, adjustable focus, and low-light capabilities, while minimizing size, cost, and power consumption, and can be integrated into tight spaces without compromising image quality.
Implementation Method 1
A lens can be in or near the aperture, the lens having a field of view
Data Source
AI summary
A covert camera for surveillance in an aircraft comprises a front panel that can have an appearance other than a conventional camera. The front panel can include at least one aperture therethrough. A lens can be in or near the aperture, the lens having a field of view. A camera mount can be positioned on the front panel. The camera mount can include a sensor capable of receiving an image of at least a portion of the field of view. The camera mount can be capable of adjustment without movement of the lens.