Omnidirectional Multi-Camera Housing with Rotatable Track Plate

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security or monitoring cameras with fixed image sensors or lens configurations require multiple housings for varying field of views, leading to increased installation effort, cost, and licensing fees, with limited flexibility in using different lenses.

Innovation Solution

An omnidirectional user-configurable multi-camera housing with a rotatable track plate and camera assemblies, allowing for adjustable positioning and rotation of multiple cameras within a single housing, enabling customizable field of views and lens configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed camera housings are acquired for different fields of view, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the installation effort and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidinstallation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple camera housings with different fields of view are merged into a single omnidirectional housing that can accommodate multiple image sensors (e.g., 360-degree, 180-degree, and narrow-angle sensors) in one integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate housings and reducing installation effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The omnidirectional housing is designed as a universal platform that can support various types of image sensors and lens configurations within a single housing, allowing one housing to perform multiple functions that previously required several separate housings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed camera housings are acquired for different fields of view, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the licensing fees increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidlicensing fees

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple camera housings with different fields of view are merged into a single omnidirectional housing that can accommodate multiple image sensors (e.g., 360-degree, 180-degree, and narrow-angle sensors) in one integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate housings and reducing installation effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The omnidirectional housing is designed as a universal platform that can support various types of image sensors and lens configurations within a single housing, allowing one housing to perform multiple functions that previously required several separate housings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a fixed lens is used in multi-sensor cameras, then the device structure is simplified, but the flexibility to use different lenses is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidlens flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable mounting structures that allow lenses and image sensors to be dynamically repositioned and reconfigured, transforming a static fixed-lens design into a dynamic system that can adapt to different lens options and field of view requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9690172B2Omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 ARECONT VISION COSTAR LLC

AI summary

An omnidirectional user configurable multi-camera housing includes a top plate including one or more electronic circuit boards thereon; a track plate secured to the top plate by a plurality of first fasteners, wherein the track plate is rotationally movable with respect to the top plate via a respective curve-shaped opening that accommodates movement of a respective first fastener within the respective curve-shaped opening; a plurality of camera assemblies secured to the track plate by a plurality of magnetic devices, each of the camera assemblies including a camera and a bracket, movably installed on the track, wherein each of the camera is rotatable on a respective bracket in a plane perpendicular to the track plate, and wherein each of the bracket are rotatable in a plane including the track plate; and a transparent cover for covering the plurality of camera assemblies installed on the track plate.