US007614804B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 7,614,804 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`I<irn
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 10, 2009
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`(54)
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`(75)
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`SECURITY CAMERA
`
`2007/0126872 A1*
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`6/2007 Bolotine et a1.
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`........... .. 348/151
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`Inventor: Young Sang Kim, Kwachon (KR)
`
`(73)
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`Assignee: Nuvico, Inc., Englewood, NJ (US)
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 391 days.
`
`Primary ExamineriMelissa J Koval
`Assistant ExamineriAutumn Parker
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiDay Pitney LLP
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`(21)
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`Appl. No.: 11/511,989
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`(22)
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`Filed:
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`Aug. 29, 2006
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`(65)
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`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0056708 A1
`
`Mar. 6, 2008
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`G03B 17/00
`(2006.01)
`H04N 5/225
`U.S. Cl.
`..................................... .. 396/427; 348/373
`Field of Classification Search ............... .. 396/419,
`396/427; 348/208.3, 151, 373, 375
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`(57)
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`ABSTRACT
`
`A security camera includes a base and a cover haVing a clear
`transparent dome. A gimbal base is mounted on the base and
`is tiltable with respect to a first axis parallel to said base
`substantially through a 90° angle. The gimbal base is also
`rotatable through an angle of at least 360° about a second axis
`perpendicular to the base. A camera module holder/bracket is
`attached within the gimbal base, and a camera module
`attached to the holder/bracket. The camera module holder/
`
`bracket enables the position of the camera module to be
`adjusted along a third axis perpendicular to the gimbal base.
`A gimbal cover, haVing a hole for the camera lens, covers the
`gimbal base. Together, the gimbal cover and gimbal base
`completely enclose the camera module.
`
`6,268,882 B1*
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`7/2001 Elberbaum ................ .. 348/151
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`7 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
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`28
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`16
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`$28
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`AXIS EXHIBIT 1011-1
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 10, 2009
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`FIG.1
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`FIG.2
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`FIG.3
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`FIG.4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 10, 2009
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`Nov. 10, 2009
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`US. Patent
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`1
`SECURITY CAMERA
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to security cameras which are
`mounted on ceilings or walls for surveillance purposes.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Security cameras of the subject type are extremely well
`known in the art. Indeed, cameras of this type have become
`virtually ubiquitous as the need for security, particularly in
`public and commercial establishments, has grown in recent
`years.
`Two deficiencies in security cameras heretofore available
`have motivated the invention of the present security camera.
`Firstly, because of the manner in which the camera modules
`in prior art security cameras have been mounted, they are
`severely limited in the amount they may be tilted, such that
`they can be tilted to at most an angle of about 65°. This
`severely limits the potential coverage of a security camera
`from a particular mounting position.
`Secondly, camera modules ofthe prior art security cameras
`have generally been aimed to take in the area to be placed
`under surveillance. Then, a separate dome liner is fitted into
`the dome portion of the cover of the security camera to make
`it difficult for one in the vicinity from determining the exact
`direction in which the camera is pointed and to reduce reflec-
`tions. Such dome liners are imperfect in that they are provided
`in one type intended to be used in all tilt orientations of the
`camera module, namely, they have a gap which runs from the
`top to the edge ofthe liner. Of course, this readily enables one
`to determine which way the camera is pointed and only par-
`tially reduces reflections.
`These short comings are addressed and overcome by the
`security camera of the present invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, the present invention is a security camera
`which has a base which is mounted, perhaps using a surface
`mounting plate, on a ceiling or high on a vertical wall. A
`gimbal base is attached to the base through a slot in the gimbal
`base which enables the gimbal base to be tilted about a first
`axis parallel to the base. The gimbal base is also rotatable
`about a second axis perpendicular to the base.
`A camera module holder/bracket is threadingly attached
`within the gimbal base. A camera module is mounted on the
`holder bracket. Its position along a third axis perpendicular to
`the gimbal base is adjusted by rotating the holder/bracket
`within the gimbal base. The camera module is mounted so as
`to have a view in a direction parallel to the third axis.
`A gimbal cover having a hole for the camera lens aligned
`with the third axis is attached to the gimbal base to enclose the
`camera module holder/bracket and camera module com-
`
`pletely within the gimbal base and gimbal cover.
`The present invention will now be described in more com-
`plete detail with frequent reference being made to the figures
`identified below.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the security camera of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a side view of the security camera shown in FIG.
`
`1;
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the security camera with a
`surface mounting plate;
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`10
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`FIG. 4 is a side view of the security camera shown in FIG.
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`3;
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`FIG. 5 is an exploded view ofthe security camera shown in
`FIGS. 3 and 4;
`FIG. 6 is a plan view of the base of the security camera;
`FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away and exploded view of the
`security camera;
`FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7;
`FIG. 9 is view similar to those of FIGS. 7 and 8;
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a gimbal cover for the
`security camera;
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a gimbal base for the
`security camera;
`FIG. 12 is a plan, and partially cut-away view ofthe gimbal
`base and gimbal cover attached to one another;
`FIG. 12A is an enlarged view ofthe circled area of FIG. 12;
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a camera module holder/
`bracket for the security camera;
`FIG. 14 is a plan view of the camera module holder/
`bracket; and
`FIG. 15 is a partially exploded and cut-away perspective
`view of the security camera.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Turning now to these figures in greater detail, FIG. 1 is a
`perspective view of the security camera 10 of the present
`invention. The security camera 10 includes a base 12 and a
`cover 14 which includes a transparent dome 16 through which
`a camera within views an area subject to surveillance for
`security purposes. The dome 16 is typically made from a
`high-impact clearplastic material. Opening 18 is provided for
`electrical conductors, not shown in FIG. 1, to pass from
`within the security camera 10 for connection and hook-up to
`circuitry in the building or other area to be observed.
`Although referred to as base 12 of the security camera 10,
`the base 12 is most commonly mounted on a ceiling with the
`cover 14 and dome 16 oriented in a downward direction.
`
`Alternatively, the security camera 10 may be mounted high on
`a wall and out of easy reach of those in the building or area
`under surveillance. In such case, the base 12 is attached to the
`wall or other vertical surface, and the cover 14 and dome 16
`are oriented outwardly from the wall.
`FIG. 2 is a side view of the security camera 10 shown in
`FIG. 1. It will be observed in FIG. 2 that the base 12 and cover
`
`14 form a shoulder 18 running circumferentially about the
`security camera 10. Shoulder 18 is useful when flush/mount-
`ing the security camera 10 in a ceiling or wall through a hole
`having a diameter less than that of the cover 14 but greater
`than that of the base 12.
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the security camera 10
`wherein a surface mounting plate 20 is provided for use in
`situations where flush mounting is not possible. In such situ-
`ations, surface mounting plate 20 is first mounted on the
`surface, such as a ceiling or wall, on which the security
`camera 10 is to be deployed, then the base 12, not visible in
`FIG. 3, is mounted within the surface mounting plate 20.
`FIG. 4 is a side view of the security camera 10 shown in
`FIG. 3. It will be noted that surface mounting plate 20 has a
`knock-out access hole 22 for electrical connections to be
`
`made to the security camera 10.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded view ofthe security camera 10 shown
`in FIGS. 3 and 4 inverted relative thereto. It will be noted in
`
`FIG. 5 that shoulder 18 is primarily formed by flange 24
`which extends radially outward from base 12. Flange 24 is
`provided with several holes so that screws 26 may be used to
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`US 7,614,804 B2
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`3
`mount the base 12 to the surface mounting plate 20 where the
`latter is used. In any event, screws 28 are to secure cover 14
`and dome 16 to base 12 about the flange 24.
`Within the security camera 10 as shown in the exploded
`view of FIG. 5 are a gimbal base 30 and gimbal cover 32. As
`will be discussed in greater detail below, the gimbal base 30
`and gimbal cover 32 are snappingly attached to one another to
`form a housing for the actual camera for the security camera
`10.
`
`As implied in FIG. 5, the gimbal base 30 is mounted within
`base 12. FIG. 6 is a plan view ofthe base 12. The floor 34 of
`the base 12 is used to mount circuit boards, not shown in FIG.
`6 and not required for a full discussion of the present inven-
`tion. At the center of the floor 34 of the base 12, however, is a
`circular pedestal 36 on which the gimbal base 30 may be
`mounted. At the very center of pedestal is a threaded hole 38
`into which a screw may be driven to secure the gimbal base 30
`to the floor 34 of the base 12. Adjacent to the circumferential
`edge of the circular pedestal 36 is a resilient cushion 40 to
`protect the gimbal base 30 when the latter is tightly secured
`thereto.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 7, a partially cut-away and exploded
`view of the base 12, cover 14, exclusive of dome 16, and
`gimbal base 30 and gimbal cover 32, a screw 42 is disposed in
`screw hole 38 in pedestal 36 to secure gimbal base 30 thereto.
`Gimbal base 30 is generally hemispherical in shape and has a
`slot 44 which runs from the bottom, or pole, ofthe hemisphere
`substantially to its equator. More specifically, the slot 44 runs
`for an arc of approximately 85° on the surface of the hemi-
`sphere formed by the gimbal base 30. Adjacent to the polar
`end of slot 44 is a hole 46 ofdiameter slightly greater than that
`of the head of screw 42. As shown in FIG. 8, the hole 46 is
`placed onto and over screw 42, and the gimbal base 30 is
`rotated so as to secure the gimbal base 30 to the pedestal 38 by
`means of screw 42 whose head is wider than slot 44, as shown
`in FIG. 9.
`
`Referring again to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, camera lens 48 views
`outwardly through hole 50 in gimbal cover 32. As was the
`case with gimbal base 30, gimbal cover 32 is also generally
`hemispherical in shape, hole 50 being at the pole opposite to
`that ofthe gimbal base 30, that pole being located at an end of
`slot 44 adjacent to hole 46. Together, then, gimbal base 30 and
`gimbal cover 32 form a sphere whose equator 52 is the joint
`therebetween. It will be apparent, particularly from FIG. 7,
`that the greater part of the sphere formed by gimbal base 30
`and gimbal cover 32 extends beyond cover 14, exclusive of
`dome 16. As will be described below, the camera within the
`sphere formed by gimbal base 30 and gimbal cover 32 has a
`base mounted more or less at the center thereof. As a conse-
`
`quence, because slot 44 in gimbal base 30 extends for an arc
`of approximately 85°, the camera, which has a base mounted
`beyond rim 54, may be oriented azimuthally anywhere
`between 0°, or straight down when the security camera 10 is
`mounted on a ceiling, to almost 90°, or laterally outward, and
`has an unobstructed view anywhere in the range therebe-
`tween. This adjustment, known as the tilt, is made about an
`axis passing diametrically through the sphere formed by the
`gimbal base 30 and gimbal cover 32 and parallel to the floor
`34 of base 12. This is the first of the three axes, relative to
`which the position of the camera may be varied, referred to
`above in the summary of the invention.
`The second of the three axes extends perpendicularly from
`screw 42 which secures gimbal base 30 to pedestal 36 on floor
`34 of base 12. Once the camera is oriented at the desired
`
`azimuthal, or tilt, angle, the gimbal base 30 and gimbal cover
`32 may be rotated about the second axis by at least 360° to
`orient the camera lens 48 in a desired direction. This adjust-
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`ment, known as the pan, may be limited by the amount of
`slack in any electrical connections running between the cam-
`era and circuit boards mounted on the floor 34 of base 12.
`
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of gimbal cover 32 showing
`hole 50 more clearly. On the edge of the gimbal cover 32 is a
`ridged area 56. There is another at a diametrically opposed
`location not shown in FIG. 10. One quarter of the circumfer-
`ence around the edge of the gimbal cover 32 from each of
`these ridged areas 56 are hooks, to be shown below, on the
`inner surface of the edge of the gimbal cover 32. When the
`gimbal cover 32 is manually squeezed at the ridged areas 56,
`it is deformed sufficiently so that the hooks release from a
`groove about the edge of the gimbal base 30 to permit the
`removal of the gimbal cover 32 therefrom.
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of gimbal base 30. At least
`three features are worthy of note. As indicated above, a
`groove 58 runs about the edge of the gimbal base 30 so that
`gimbal cover 32 may be attached thereto. Openings 60 are
`provided in gimbal base 30 for electrical connections running
`between the camera and circuit boards mounted on the floor
`
`34 of base 12. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, threads
`62 are provided within gimbal base 30 for positioning a
`camera module holder/bracket,
`to be described below,
`therein.
`
`FIG. 12 is a plan, and partially cut away, view ofthe gimbal
`base 30 and gimbal cover 32 attached to one another. Camera
`64 is partially seen through the portion ofgimbal cover 32 that
`has been removed. Running around the edge of the gimbal
`base 30 is the groove 66 referred to above. FIG. 12A is an
`enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 12 within the dashed
`circle. There, hook 68 is engaged in groove 66 to secure
`gimbal cover 32 to gimbal base 30.
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a camera module holder/
`bracket 70 of the present invention. The outer surface of
`camera module holder/bracket 70 has threads 72 so that
`
`holder/bracket 70 may be threadingly engaged with threads
`62 in gimbal base 30.
`Camera module holder/bracket 70 also has a pair of
`upstanding posts 74 in diametrically opposed positions adja-
`cent to threads 72. Their purpose will be described below.
`FIG. 14 is a plan view of camera module holder/bracket 70.
`It will be noted that holder/bracket 70 has a central opening 76
`about which are disposed holes 78, 80 in alternating posi-
`tions. These holes 78, 80 are provided so that industry stan-
`dard camera modules may be installed in holder/bracket 70.
`One set of holes 78 is used for 38x38 mm camera modules;
`the other set of holes 80 is used for 42x42 mm camera mod-
`ules.
`
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of security camera 10, with-
`out dome 16, wherein gimbal cover 32 has been exploded
`from gimbal base 30 and partially cut away. Within gimbal
`base 30 is camera module holder/bracket 70 which is thread-
`
`ingly engaged therein. Camera 64 is part of a camera module
`which includes a camera base 82 having various electronic
`circuit elements not shown in FIG. 15. Holes 78 or holes 80
`are used to mount camera base 82 to camera module holder/
`
`bracket 70. Upstanding posts 74 engage within sleeves 84
`inside gimbal cover 32 when the latter is attached to gimbal
`base 30. This enables the user to turn to camera module
`
`holder/bracket 70 by turning the gimbal cover to make a final
`adjustment to the position of camera 64 along the axis of the
`sphere formed by the gimbal base 30 and gimbal cover 32,
`which axis is the third axis, relative to which the position of
`the camera 64 may be varied, as discussed above. This
`enables various types of fixed and vari-focal lenses to be used
`with camera 64, as the height of the camera module is adjust-
`able by tuming the camera module holder/bracket 70.
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`Modifications to the above would be obvious to those of
`
`ordinary skill in the art, but would not bring the invention so
`modified beyond the scope of the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A security camera, said security camera comprising:
`a base for said security camera;
`a gimbal base attached to said base, said gimbal base being
`tiltable with respect to a first axis parallel to said base
`and rotatable about a second axis perpendicular to said
`base, said gimbal base having a hemispherical shape
`having a pole and an equatorial edge, said gimbal base
`further having a slot running from said pole substantially
`to said equatorial edge, said gimbal base being attached
`to said base through said slot so that said gimbal base
`may be tilted relative to said base through an angle
`approaching 90° while remaining attached thereto;
`a camera module holder/bracket attached within said gim-
`bal base and movable along a third axis perpendicular to
`said gimbal base;
`a camera module attached to said gimbal base, said camera
`module having a camera and a camera lens, said camera
`module being mounted on said camera module holder/
`bracket so that said camera lens has a view parallel to
`said third axis; and
`a gimbal cover, said gimbal cover having a hole for said
`camera lens, said hole being aligned with said third axis,
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`6
`said gimbal cover being attached to said gimbal base to
`enclose said camera module holder/bracket and camera
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`5
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`module within said gimbal base and gimbal cover.
`2. A security camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
`base has a pedestal for mounting said gimbal base thereon,
`said pedestal having a threaded hole for attaching said gimbal
`base thereto with a screw.
`
`3. A security camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
`gimbal base and gimbal cover together have a spherical shape
`when attached to one another.
`
`10
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`4. A security camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
`camera module holder/bracket is threadingly attached within
`said gimbal base and is moved along said third axis perpen-
`dicular to said gimbal base by rotating said camera module
`holder/bracket relative to said gimbal base.
`5. A security camera as claimed in claim 1 further com-
`prising a cover for said base.
`6. A security camera as claimed in claim 5 wherein said
`cover includes a clear transparent dome to protect said gimbal
`base, gimbal cover and camera module therewithin.
`7. A security camera as claimed in claim 1 further com-
`prising a surface mounting plate for mounting said security
`camera on a surface.
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