US006268882B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`US 6,268,882 B1
`Elberbaum
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`
`(54) DOME SHAPED CAMERA WITH
`SIMPLIFIED CONSTRUCTION AND
`POSITIONING
`
`(75)
`Inventor: David Elberbaum, Tokyo (JP)
`(73) Assignee: Elbex Video Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/224,473
`(22)
`Filed:
`Dec. 31, 1998
`(51)
`Int. cl’ see eeeeeeeeee cee eeseee case eeeeeesse eeeeeeeaee seeneesees H04N 7/18
`(52) U.S. C1. eee scceseseecseecssscneceneeseess 348/151; 348/143
`(58) Field of Search 0... 348/143, 151,
`348/152
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,852,754 * 12/1998 Schneider... .cceesseecseeeeees 396/427
`* cited bv
`examiner
`
`y
`Primary Examiner—Vu Le
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Helfgott & Karas, PC.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A television camera apparatus for surveillance applications
`includes a television camera having a base plate to be
`attached to a supporting structure, a camera holderfixed to
`the base plate and a camera bodyprotruding from the camera
`holder. The camera body includes two antipodal segments
`spaced from each other and fixedly attached to the camera
`holder and having chord planes facing to and parallel to each
`other and a central segment disposed between the antipodal
`segments and having a shape of an arcuated drum having
`two sides parallel to each other and a thickness slightly
`smaller than the distance between the chord planes of the
`two antipodal segments facing each other. The central seg-
`ment housesa picture pickup element, a lens and a lens pane
`which has a curvature surface of a diameter equal to that of
`the central segment so that the television camera looks like
`a dome-shaped television camera.
`
`5,153,623 * 10/1992 Bouvier .......cesceseseeseeeeeee 396/427
`5,818,519 * 10/1998 Wren w..cccccccsecseseeeseseeesees 348/151
`
`46 Claims, 31 Drawing Sheets
`
`Base plate
`3
`
`!
`
`3B Snap Hook 3A Holder Hook
`
`Snap lock
`rceptacle
`98
`
`9
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`Vertical
`
`FIG. 1A
`
`axis
`
`Horizontal
`axis
`
`| H
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-2
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`Base plate
`
`3
`
`I
`
`3B Snap Hook
`
`
`Snap lock
`rceptacle
`9B
`
`3A Holder Hook
`
`FIG. 1B
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-3
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-4
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-5
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-6
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-7
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 31
`
`o© A
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`XIS EXHIBIT 1013-8
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-9
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`FIG.4B
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-10
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 31
`
`
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-11
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 of 31
`
`21A FIG.5A
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-12
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-13
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-13
`
`

`

`Sheet 13 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`U.S. Patent 9‘Dld
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-14
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-15
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-16
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 16 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`L.
`
`~ 9L
`
`on
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-17
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`FIG. 8
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-18
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 18 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-19
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 19 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-20
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-20
`
`

`

`Sheet 20 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-21
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 21 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`65U
`
`63
`
`Ke
`
`65L
`
`Pa
`
`68
`y/
`
`68
`J
`
`68
`>
`
`N79
`
`N70
`
`AN70
`
`68
`
`FIG. 9C
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-22
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 22 of 31
`
`FIG. 10A
`
`80
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-23
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 23 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-24
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 24 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`QO
`©
`
`-o
`
`O
`LL.
`
`B>)
`
`2
`
`3
`
`a|
`LO
`©
`
`65Uate
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-25
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 25 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`H
`90
`ASS J
`le |
`
`
`aNae,
`
` q
`
`
`
`FIG. 11A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ve.
`
`=f aUnt _
`rN
`
`
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-26
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 26 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
` FIG. 11B
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-27
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-27
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 27 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-28
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 28 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-29
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-29
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 29 of 31
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-30
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-30
`
`

`

`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 30 of 31
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`59S
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-31
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-31
`
`

`

`Jul. 31, 2001
`
`Sheet 31 of 31
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`FIG. 14A
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-32
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-32
`
`

`

`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`1
`DOME SHAPED CAMERA WITH
`SIMPLIFIED CONSTRUCTION AND
`POSITIONING
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to a television camera apparatus
`used for surveillance applications.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
`
`Surveillance television cameras are commonly mounted
`onto a wall, pole, ceiling or other fixed base positions by
`using an extended arm, known as a camera mount. The
`extended arm or the camera mount includes a swivel joint
`which permits the positioning of the horizontal and vertical
`axis of the camera in order to direct the camera lens toward
`its intended observation end. Other surveillance cameras are
`
`mounted onto a remotely controlled positioning device such
`as pan-tilt heads consisting ofa fixed body whichis attached
`to a wall, pole or ceiling and a movable body to which a
`television camerais attached. The remotely controlled pan-
`tilt head employs motors and powertransmission assemblies
`consisting of gears or rollers or belts and pulleys or chains
`and the like and such pan-tilt heads are generally constructed
`so that the television cameras rotate angularly about their
`vertical and horizontal axes. In many cases the television
`cameras are covered by a housing which is bulky and as a
`result the entire camera assembly, be it remotely controlled
`or fixedly positioned, becomes large and heavy andthis is
`very disturbing to the architecture of buildings andinteriors.
`Some well-known dome housing for television cameras
`and and/or television cameras mounted inside domeenclo-
`sure are commonly used for concealing the camera and
`diminishing the damage to the building architecture or the
`interiors. However, such dome-shaped housing and enclo-
`sure made of plastic materials are difficult to manufacture
`with a perfect optical clearance, and therefore such domes
`cause optical distortions and introduce other optical imper-
`fections into the optical path of the television camera lens.
`Other well-knowntelevision camerasare fixedly mounted
`inside a housing having dome-shaped covers and/or dome-
`shaped enclosures in which the lens faces a portion of the
`dome which has a good optical clearance. Such dome-
`shaped television cameras are re-positioned by rotating the
`entire dome along with the television camera and thereby
`ensuring that the television camera lens remains positioned
`against the same clear optical path or portion of the dome.
`However, even such rotating domes do not provide a perfect
`clear optical path and moreover, such domesrotating with
`the television cameras are complicated in their structure.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide televi-
`sion cameras that can be concealed and that are enclosed in
`
`a dome shaped enclosure having a perfect and clear optical
`path and which can befixedly positioned to observe a given
`scene, or remotely controlled to reposition the television
`camera lens by angularly rotating the domestructure about
`its horizontal and vertical axes for observing different
`scenes.
`
`invention is to mount
`Another object of the present
`television cameras that are enclosed in a dome shaped case
`so as to be concealed when mounted on wallor other vertical
`surfaces or recessed inside a wall or other vertical structure.
`
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
`direct drive pan and tilt motors for remotely positioning the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`pan andtilt axes of a television camera enclosed in a dome
`shaped enclosure having a perfect and clear optical path. A
`direct drive positioning device incorporating a slip ring
`assembly in the central shaft of the motoris disclosed in U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 09/112,120 filed Jul. 8, 1998.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The foregoing and other objects and features of the
`present invention will become apparent from the following
`description of preferred embodiments of the invention with
`reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a remotely repositioned
`television camera enclosed in a dome shaped case of the
`preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the major
`parts of the camera of FIG. 1A;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B show an exploded perspective view of
`the camera body shown in FIG. 1A ofthe preferred embodi-
`ment of the invention;
`FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a fixedly positioned
`television camera enclosed in a dome shapedcase of another
`preferred embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view along axis V—V
`of FIG. 3A;
`FIG. 3C is a partion exploded perspective view on axis
`H—Hof FIG. 3A;
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and an exploded
`view, respectively, of a center segment of the dome which
`incorporates the lens of the camera of the preferred embodi-
`ment of the invention;
`FIG. 5 showsa perspective view and an exploded view of
`a wall mounted camera body shown in FIG. 1A;
`FIG. 5A showsanother perspective view and an exploded
`view of a wall mounted camera body shownin FIG. 1A;
`FIG. 5B shows yet another perspective view and an
`exploded view of a wall mounted camera body shown in
`FIG. 1A;
`FIG. 6 showsa perspective view and an exploded view of
`a wall mounted fixedly positioned television camera shown
`in FIG. 3A;
`FIG. 6A showsa perspective view and an exploded view
`an embodiment of a wall mounted fixedly positioned tele-
`vision camera shown in FIG. 3A;
`FIG. 6B showsa perspective view and an exploded view
`of another of embodiment of a wall mounted fixedly posi-
`tioned television camera shown in FIG. 3A;
`FIGS. 7A and 7B show a perspective view and an
`exploded view, respectively of a drop ceiling mounted
`camera shown in FIG. 1A;
`FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an outdoor mounted
`camera body shown in FIG. 1A;
`FIG. 8A shows an exploded perspective view of a modi-
`fied camera body of FIG. 1A sealed for outdoorinstallation;
`FIG. 9 showsan exploded perspective view of an embodi-
`ment of the camera body shown in FIG. 8A enclosed into an
`outdoor cover and supported by a pipe;
`FIG. 9B is an exploded perspective view of a flange
`assembly of the camera body of FIG. 9A;
`FIG. 9C showsconnections between the camera body, the
`pipe and the flange assembly of FIG. 9A;
`FIGS. 10A-10C show exploded perspective views of a
`modified camera body shown in FIG. 3, enclosed in an
`outdoor cover and supported by a pipe;
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-33
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-33
`
`

`

`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`3
`FIGS. 11A-11C show another perspective view and
`exploded view of the camera body shown in FIG. 10,
`enclosed in an outdoor cover and supported by a pipe;
`FIGS. 12(a—-e) respectively show perspective views of
`different dome-shaped covers for covering the cameras of
`FIG. 1, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10;
`FIG. 13 showsin detail a sealing between a camera holder
`and a camera body of FIG. 8A;
`FIG. 14 showsa perspective exploded view of an outdoor
`mounted camera body of FIG. 8; and
`FIG. 14A showsin detail a cable inlet of an outdoor base
`plate shown in FIG. 8.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4
`layer 4C of a PCB assembly 4P. The other end of the slip ring
`assembly uses a socket and plug connection (not shown) to
`connect the rotating rings to the innercircuits of the televi-
`sion camera. The aforementioned U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 09/112,120 filed Jul. 8, 1998 discloses the use of a
`slip assembly ring inside the center shaft of a motor for
`directly driving the television camera.
`The motor 7D is a well-knownstepping motorthat can be
`precisely controlled, to provide a very accurate positioning
`at electronically controlled speed.
`The use of direct drive motor 7D incorporating the slip
`ring assembly 7C in the center of the shaft of the motor
`makes it possible to rotate the camera body 7 about its
`horizontal axis H directly without the use of gears, belts and
`pulleys, chains and sprockets, rollers or the like and further
`enables the construction of a slim cylindrical camera body,
`such as the camera body 7.
`A television camera apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and
`The electrical contacts 4B are extended through copper
`lines 5C shownin dotted lines inside the camera holder 5 so
`1B looks like a well-known dome shaped camera enclosure
`used in surveillance systems comprising a portion having a
`that the PCB 4Pofthe slip ring assembly 7C which consists
`transparent or semitransparent dome. The television camera
`of a matching numberof conductive layer 4C will make an
`1 comprises a base plate 3 which is fixedly attached to a
`electrical contact with the extended copper lines 5C of the
`ceiling or a shelf or any other horizontal plane and contains
`electrical contacts 4B. Therefore, when the camera holder 5
`electrical contacts 4A for propagating power, control, video
`is attached to the rotor of the motor 7D of the camera body
`and other signals to a matching set of electrical contacts 4B
`7 by the screws 5E, the contacts 4B become electrically
`of the camera holder 5 and a pair of holder hooks 3A for
`connected with the slip ring assembly 7C through the
`locking the camera holder 5 into the base plate 3.
`extended copper lines 5C and the conductive layer 4C while
`The camera holder5is fixedly attached to the rotor of the
`the camera body 7 can be freely rotated about the horizontal
`axis H.
`motor 7D of the camera body 7 shown in FIG. 2, and as will
`be explained later this allows the camera body 7 to rotate
`freely around its horizontal axis H inside the camera holder
`5. The lower section of the camera body 7 protruding from
`the camera holder 5 is an elongated dome shaped enclosure;
`therefore when a cover 9 is locked onto the base 3 through
`snap hooks 3B and a snap hook receptacle 9B it covers the
`base plate 3, the camera holder 5 and a portion of the camera
`body 7; thereby the television camera 1 looks like a well-
`known dome shaped television camera. FIGS. 1A and 1B
`enhance the camera sections and segments as well as its lens
`pane, however the camera body can be tinted in a darker
`gray level or in any tint that matches the lens panetint,
`thereby the segmentedlines and the lens pane are indiscern-
`ible.
`
`The lower camera portion of the camera body 7 consists
`of left and right-handed elongated segments 8L, 8R of the
`domeenclosure and a center segment 8 of the dome having
`a shape of an arcuated drum or a disc. The center segment
`8 contains the lens and picture pickup elements, such a
`well-known CCDdevice, and the elongated dome segments
`8L and 8R which support the center segment8 contain a tilt
`motor 8A and bearings, shafts or other well-knownpivoted
`rotating joint parts (not shown) which are extended together
`with the circular center of the center segment 8 along the V
`axis for rotating the center segment 8 about the V axis.
`Theleft and right-hand elongated segments 8L and 8R are
`fixedly attached to the opposite sides of the body of the
`upper base 7B and have identical segmented curves to match
`the segmented curve of the center segment and the diameter
`of the upper base 7B makes the assembly of the elongated
`segments 8L, 8R, the center segment 8, the upper base 7B
`and the upper base cover 7A form together the elongated
`domestructure of the camera body 7, which can be equated
`to a cylindrical enclosure with a hemispheric bottom and a
`flat top.
`The panning motor 7D whichrotates the television cam-
`era body 7 about the horizontal axis H directly rotates or
`drives the camera body 7 in a well-known panning
`movement, while thetilting motor 8A which directly rotates
`the center segment 8 about the vertical axis V causes a
`well-known tilting movement of the center segment. The
`lens 8Z shownin FIG. 4B which is mountedinside the center
`segment 8 has its optical center corresponding to the lens
`axis L and aligned to coincide with the V axis and the H axis.
`The vertical axis V (tilt) which is orthogonal
`to the
`horizontal axis H (pan) along with the lens axis L (lens)
`which is orthogonal to the vertical axis V (tilt) and the
`horizontal axis H (pan) all intersect at the center core of the
`hemispheric or dome shaped portion of the television cam-
`era 7 so as to provide for all-around unobstructed panning
`and tilting movement within the television camera surround-
`ing.
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-34
`
`The camera holder 5 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a set of
`electrical contacts 4B, a set of protruding convexes 5A to
`which the holder hooks 3A are locked when the camera
`
`45
`
`holder 5 is attached to the base plate 3 shown in FIG. 1B and
`dual arms 5D for permanently bolting the camera holder 5
`onto the studs 3C of the base plate 3.
`The camera body 7 consists of an upper base 7B and an
`upper base cover 7A, a panning motor 7D and a slip ring
`assembly 7C. The slip ring assembly 7C is mounted inside
`the exact center hole of the rotor shaft of the panning motor
`7D and the panning motor is mountedinside the exact center
`of the upper base 7B so that the center of rotation of the slip
`ring assembly correspondsto the horizontal axis H. The slip
`ring assembly 7C per se is a well-known assembly of
`rotating conductive metal rings along with complementary
`mounted conductive metal brushes that provide pressure for
`a continuouscurrent flow through the metal rings during the
`rotation of the metal rings.
`The slip ring assembly 7Cis provided for feeding power,
`control signals and external sync. to the camera and a video
`signal, an audio signal and data signals from the camera
`through the hollow shaft 7S of the panning motor 7D and an
`opening 7R in the upper base cover 7A for connecting the
`brushesof the slip ring assembly 7C through the conductive
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-34
`
`

`

`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`5
`The fixedly positioned television camera 10 of FIGS.
`3A-3C is enclosed in an elongated dome shaped camera
`enclosure similarly to the television camera 1. The television
`camera 10 is manually positioned or directed to observe
`fixedly a surrounding scene, in two ways,first by adjusting
`the vertical inclination about the V axis and second by
`rotating the camera body 17 aboutits horizontal H axis.
`Similarly to the television camera 1, the television camera
`10 comprises of a base plate 13 for mounting the camera on
`the ceiling, shelves or other horizontal surfaces, an upper
`base or platform 15 which attaches the camera body 17 to
`the base plate 13, left and right-handed elongated segments
`of the dome enclosure 18L and 18R and a center segment 18
`having a shape of an arcuated drum ora disc.
`The center segment 18 contains the lens and the picture
`pickup elements such as a well-known CCD device, and the
`elongated dome segments 18L and 18R which support the
`center segment 18 contain shafts or other well-known piv-
`oted rotating joint parts (not shown) which are extended
`together with the circular center of the center segment 18
`along the V axis for providing that the center segment 18 can
`freely rotate about the V axis.
`The left and right-handed elongated segments 18L and
`18R are fixedly attached to the opposite sides of the upper
`base 15 and because the left and right-handed elongated
`dome segments 18L and 18R have identical segmented
`curves to match the segmented curve of the center segment
`18 and the diameterof the base plate 13, the assembly of the
`elongated segments 18L, 18R,the center segment 18 and the
`base plate 13 form together the elongated domestructure of
`the television camera 10 which looks like a well-known
`dome shaped television camera.
`The upper base 15 comprises dual protruding hooks 15A
`that match dual cutouts 13A in a rim 13Bofthe base plate
`shown in FIG. 3C. The hooks 15A can be inserted through
`the cutouts 13A andslid into between the rim 13B and the
`inner surface of the base plate top 13C and thereby provide
`for freely rotating the television camera 10 aboutits hori-
`zontal axis H andpositioning the lens axis L to adjust to any
`surrounding scene.
`Onthe other hand, the center segment 18 can be manually
`adjusted to any inclination angle about its vertical axis V,
`thereby completing its all-around positioning for observing
`a scene surrounding the television camera 10.
`The upper base 15 further comprises two tongues 15B for
`locking the center segment 18 to its vertical position about
`its horizontal axis V and two rims 15C for locking the
`horizontal position of the upper base 15 about its horizontal
`axis H.
`
`The doubling of the vertical and horizontal locking facili-
`ties is not mandatory; however such arrangement would
`provide the locking from two opposingsides behind the side
`covers 19.
`
`The locking of the horizontal and vertical set positions of
`the television camera 10 isthefinal process after the camera
`is installed and this mandates a simple access to the camera
`locking facilities; therefore the two covers 19 are locked
`between and onto a rim 18Z of the elongated segments 18L
`and 18R by two snap hooks 19A, covering the two spaces
`between the center segmentand the base plate 13 containing
`locking screws 13D and 15D. Each cover 19 is removed by
`releasing the snap hooks 19A for providing access to the
`locking screws 13D for the horizontal rim 15C and screws
`15D for the vertical tongue 15B.
`The horizontal
`locking screws 13D mounted onto an
`angle support 13E are positioned toward the rim 15C at an
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`angle complementary to the angle of the rim 15C and when
`the screws 13Dare fastened they lock the upper base 15 into
`the horizontal set position about the horizontal axis H by the
`pressure of the tightened screws 15D.
`The vertical locking screws 15D are mounted onto hold-
`ers 15E whichare parallel to the tongues 15B and when the
`screws 15D are fastened they drive the tongue onto the body
`of the center segment 18 by the screw pressure, thereby
`locking the center segment 18 into its vertical set position
`about the vertical axis V.
`
`The center segment 8 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B consists of
`two half center segment covers 8B and 8D, a lens with a
`picture pickup device 8Z and a lens pane 8C. The diameter
`of the curvature of the surface of the lens pane 8C isidentical
`to the diameter of the elongated dome; therefore the lens
`pane 8C can beinstalled into the half center segment cover
`8B in a perfect matching circular surface.
`The size and shape of the lens pane 8C is similar to
`commonly used sunglasses and it is very simple to produce
`such panein a perfect optical clearance, with no distortion.
`It is also very simple to darkly tint the lens pane 8C and the
`half center segments 8B and 8D identically; thereby the lens
`pane 8C becomesinconspicuous.
`The center segment 18 of FIGS. 3A-3C is very similar in
`its construction to the center segment 8 shown in FIGS.
`4A-4B, except for the pivotally rotating joint parts (not
`shown) which in the center segment 8 are connected to a
`tilting motor 8A that providestheir tilting movement, while
`for the center segment 18 no suchtie-upto a tilting motor is
`needed.
`
`It can be clearly seen that the center segments 8 and 18
`can be fixedly set or remotely rotated around their vertical
`axis V and that
`the camera body 7 of FIG. 2 and the
`television camera 10 of FIGS. 3A-3B are similar in their
`inconspicuous appearance, with the exception that the cam-
`era body 7 is longer. Both the camera body 7 and the
`television camera 10 look like an elongated dome or a
`cylinder that is domedat its lower end or the optical pickup
`end and is perpendicularly flat at
`its upper end or the
`mechanical attaching end, and which can befixedly set or
`remotely rotated about
`its horizontal H axis to observe
`surround scenes.
`
`It will also become obvious that the camera body 7 and
`the television camera 10 can be combined with camera
`holders or base plates for mounting on vertical structure
`such as walls, poles and the like.
`A television camera 20 of FIG. 5 comprises the camera
`body 7, a wall mounting plate 23, a camera holder 25, an
`upper cover 29 and a mounting box 21 to be embedded
`inside a vertical structure such as a wall or a pole. The wall
`mounting plate 23 uses screws 21D or other fasteners for
`attaching the plate to the mounting box 21 through mounting
`holes 23D; similarly screws 25E or other fasteners may be
`used for attaching the camera holder 25 perpendicularly to
`the wall mounting plate 23, with the camera holder 25
`having its center 25A coincide with the outer surface 23E of
`the wall mounting plate; thereby the horizontal axis H of the
`camera body 7 is aligned with the outer surface 23E.
`The camera holder 25 is also fixedly attached to the rotor
`of the motor 7D of the camera body 7 shownin FIG. 2, using
`screws 5E,and this allows the camera body7 to rotate freely
`about its horizontal axis H under the camera holder 25 and
`
`inside a cutout 23F of the wall mounting plate 23.
`The camera holder 25 shown in FIG. 5 comprisesa set of
`electrical terminals 25B which are extended through copper
`lines 25C, shown by dotted lines under the camera holder 25,
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-35
`
`AXIS EXHIBIT 1013-35
`
`

`

`US 6,268,882 B1
`
`7
`so that the top section of the slip ring assembly 7C shown in
`FIG. 2 which consists of a matching number of conductive
`layer 4C will make an electrical contact with the extended
`copper lines 25C of electrical terminals 25B. Therefore,
`when the camera holder 25 is attached to the rotor of the
`motor 7D of the camera body 7 by the screws 5E the contacts
`25B becomeelectrically connected with the slip ring assem-
`bly 7C through the extended copper lines 25C and the
`conductive layer 4C while the camera body 7 can be
`remotely rotated about the horizontal axis H.
`When the top cover 29 which is a semicircular cover
`having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the
`camera body 7 is locked onto the camera holder 25 using
`screws 29D it covers the camera holder 25 and a top portion
`of the camera body 7 along with the cutout area 23G in the
`wall mounting plate through which wires and mounting
`screws are reachable and visible. Thereby the half of the
`television camera 20 is exposed, which looks like a half
`covered elongated dome shaped television camera that is
`mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall, to be remotely
`rotated to observe varying scenes in front of the wall.
`However, the television camera 20 obviously limits the
`rotation of the camera body 7 aboutits horizontal axis H to
`less than 180°, or to an angle in which the lens pane 83 is
`not optically obstructed by the wall mounting plate 23.
`A television camera 20A of FIG. 5A also comprises the
`camera body 7, a wall mounting plate 23A, camera holder
`25, an upper cover 29A and a mounting box 21A to be
`embedded inside the vertical structure such as a wall or a
`
`pole. The wall mounting plate 23A uses screws 21D or other
`fasteners for attaching the plate to the mounting box 21A
`through the mounting holes 23D. Similarly, screws 25E or
`other fasteners may be used for attaching the camera holder
`25 perpendicularly to the wall mounting plate 23A with the
`camera holder 25 having its center 25A protruding from the
`outer surface 23H of the wall mounting plate. This enables
`camera body 7 to rotate 180° about the horizontal axis H of
`camera body 7 without having the lens pane 83 optically
`obstructed by the wall mounting plate 23A.
`The cutout 23J in the wall mounting plate 23A is smaller
`than the cutout 23F of the wall mounting plate 23 to match
`the smaller segment of the camera body 7 that projects into
`the mounting box 21A.Similarly, the mounting box 21A is
`shallower than the mounting box 21.
`The wall mounting plate 23A further comprises two rims
`23K each projected from the outer surface 23H of the
`mounting plate to cover one side of the segment of the
`camera body 7 which extends from the outer surface 23H
`and up to the semicircle line 7L of the camera body 7 and
`each rim has a cutout portion 23M through whichthe lens
`pane 83 will not be optically obstructed when the camera
`body is rotated to its extremeleft or right position, thereby
`providing for an 1800 horizontal positioning angle aboutthe
`horizontal H axis with no optical obstruction.
`The elongated semicircular cover 29A is similar to the
`semicircular top cover 29 of FIG. 5 but is elongated to the
`same extent to that the camera body 7 center protrudes from
`the wall mounting surface 23H and when the top cover 29A
`is locked onto the camera holder 25 it covers the camera
`
`holder 25 and the top portion of the camera body 7 along
`with the cutout area 23N in the wall mounting plate 23A
`through which wires and mounting screwsare reachable and
`visible. Thereby the television camera 20A looks as a
`partially covered elongated dome shaped television camera
`that is mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall to be
`freely and remotely rotated up to 180° about its horizontal
`axis H to any andall scenes in front of the wall.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`The camera 20B of FIG. 5B also looks like a partially
`covered elongated dome shaped television camera that can
`be rotated up to 180° about its horizontal axis H without
`obstructing its optical path,
`the television camera 20B,
`however, can be installed flush onto a vertical surface such
`as a wall or a pole without the use of a mounting box to
`provide for mounting the television camera 20B in places
`were mounting boxes cannot be buried inside the vertical
`structure.
`
`A television camera 20B of FIG. 5B also comprises the
`camera body 7, wall mounting plate 23B, camera holder 25
`and upper cover 29B. The wall mounting plate 23B uses
`screws 23V orother fasteners for attaching the plate directly
`to a vertical structure such as a wall, through the mounting
`holes 23D, similarly, screws 25E or other fasteners may be
`used for attaching the camera holder 25 perpendicularly to
`the wall mounting plate 23B with the camera holder 25
`having its center 25A protruding from the outer surface 23P
`of the wall mounting plate by such an extent to allow free
`rotation of the camera body 7 aroundits horizontal axis H,
`without being obstructed by the wall mounting plate 23B.
`Instead of two rims 23K of the wall mounting plate 23A
`projecting to cover two sides of the camera body7, the wall
`mounting 23B comprises a single rim 23R surrounding the
`camera body 7, extending from the mounting plate outer
`surface 23P up to the semicircle line 7L of the camera body
`7 and having a cutout portion 23S through which the lens
`pane 83 will not be optically obstructed when the camera
`body is rotated to its extremeleft or right position, thereby
`providing for an 180° horizontal positioning angle about the
`horizontal H axis with no optical obstruction.
`The elongated semicircular cover 29B is similar to the
`elongated semicircular top cover 29A of FIG. 5A but is
`further elongated to the same extent such that the center of
`the camera body 7 protrudes from the wall mounting outer
`surface 23P and whenthe top cover 29B is locked onto the
`camera holder 25 it covers the camera holder 25 and the top
`portion of the camera body 7 along with the cutout area 23T
`in the