Patent Application
20090196597
The present invention relates to a mechanical device for mounting and positioning directionally sensitive electronic apparatus. In one example, the mount is constructed for holding and positioning a small camera.
The field of remote image capture is growing rapidly. Remote image capture has been found to be useful in security applications, as well as for monitoring environmental, commercial and industrial processes. In a typical remote imaging application, cameras are mounted in strategic positions in an area, and the cameras communicate image or video data to a central monitoring station. In one example, the remote imager is an Internet camera that communicates image data to a computer attached to the Internet. In another example, the remote imagers are miniature cameras that communicate on a private network. Once such camera and camera network is described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/847,471, entitled “Network Sensor System and Protocol”, which is incorporated herein. It will be understood that many other different types of sensors, imagers, and cameras may be used in a remote imaging application.
In setting up a remote monitoring system, each camera is usually mounted to a stable support surface, with the camera's imager being directed toward an area of interest. To facilitate a more flexible installation, cameras are often mounted using a ball-andjoint or universal camera bracket. In using such a bracket, each camera is usually screwed or bolted to a first part of the bracket, and then the first part of the bracket frictionally engaged to a second part of the bracket. In this way, initially attaching a camera to a bracket often requires the use of tools, and can be a time consuming and cumbersome process. For example, the camera is easily dropped and damaged during the installation process. In a similar manner, removing a camera from its mounting bracket suffers from the same deficiencies. After installation, these brackets allow the camera to be tilted and panned to a particular position, and then a mechanical locking mechanism secures the camera into that position. If the camera positioning needs to be adjusted, the locking mechanism is loosened, the camera repositioned, and then the locking mechanism is tightened. In this way, repositioning cameras can also be a time consuming and cumbersome process. In another disadvantage, the locking mechanism or the ball-andjoint structure may interfere with positioning, thereby limiting how the camera can be positioned.
Accordingly, there is a need for a camera mount that allows for simple installation and removal of a camera, while enabling flexible positioning and orientation.
Briefly, the present invention provides a magnetic directional mount for easily mounting, positioning, and orienting an electronic device. The device may be a camera or other sensor device, or may be another directionally sensitive device such as a microwave or radio wave antenna. When constructed as a camera mount, the camera mount has a camera part that has an image sensor, electronics, battery, and communication components. The housing for the camera part has a generally concave mounting surface, with a magnet positioned inside the camera housing and adjacent to the camera mounting surface. A base part has a base mounting surface that is constructed to be attracted to the magnet. In one example, the base mounting surface is dome-shaped, with a convex curvature constructed to mate with the concave curvature of the camera mounting surface. The base part is mounted to a stable support, and the camera mounting surface brought near the base counting surface. The magnetic attractive forces pulls the camera part firmly to the base part, thereby securely positioning and orienting the camera. However, the camera may be readily repositioned by pushing the camera into a new position. The size and shape of the complementary mounting surfaces may be selected according to positioning requirements.
Advantageously, the mounting system provides a 3-dimension universal positioning mechanism for the camera or other electronic device. The camera may be easily attached or detached from its base part. Further, the camera may be easily adjusted for optimum positioning and orientation. Finally, because the camera mount system has no ball or joint structure, the camera may be freely moved into any position on the base mounting surface. It will be appreciated that the size and shape of the base mounting surface may be adjusted according to how much orientation flexibility is required. For example, the base mounting surface may be dome-shaped. The dome is typically a hemi-sphere or quarter-dome, but may be constructed to be nearly fully spherical in shape, thereby allowing a broader range of orientation. Similarly, if less flexibility is needed, the size and shape of the dome may be reduced.
Referring now to
In one example, the convex surface 17 is in the shape of a dome. The dome may be spherically shaped, or may have a different aspect ratio, such as an elliptical shape. The dome may be, for example, a hemisphere, which is conveniently shaped for mounting on a wall surface. In another example, the dome may be a half dome, which fits conveniently at the intersection of two surfaces, or the dome may be a quarter dome which fits conveniently at the intersection of three surfaces. It will be appreciated that the size and shape of the dome may be adjusted according to specific mounting and directional requirements. Typically, the dome 17 will have a smooth surface, although protrusions may be added for providing particular stop positions. The dome 17 is typically constructed of a material that is attracted by magnetic force, such as a ferrous or metallic material. The dome may be entirely constructed of such magnetic -material, or may have a coating or layer on its inner or outer surface for providing such attraction. It will also be appreciated that the dome 17 and the mountain base 19 may be integrally formed, or be made of separate pieces.
The camera portion 14 has a housing 22 for holding an image sensor 28 and supporting electronic and communication circuitry. Also, the housing 22 may hold a battery for providing power for sensor 28 and the electronic circuitry. Housing 22 has a concave portion 24 sized to cooperatively mate with the domed surface 17. A magnet 26 is mounted in the housing adjacent to the concave surface 24. It will be appreciated that magnet 26 may be a button magnet, strip magnet, or other shaped magnetic device. Although magnet 26 is contemplated to be a permanent magnet, in some cases an electromagnet or other temporary magnet may also be used.
To position and orient a camera, the base portion 12 is securely attached to a stable surface. The camera portion 14 is simply brought near the base part 12, so that the dome convex surface 17 is brought into contact with the concave surface 24 on the camera housing 22 as illustrated in
In this way, camera mount system 50 provides a universal positioning mechanism for camera 14. Advantageously, camera 14 may be easily attached or detached from its base part 12. Further, camera 14 may be easily adjusted for optimum positioning and orientation. Finally, because the camera mount system 50 has no ball or joint structure, the camera 14 may be freely moved into any position on the dome 17. It will be appreciated that the size and shape of the dome 17 may be adjusted according to how much orientation flexibility is required. For example, dome 17 may be nearly fully spherical in shape, thereby allowing a broader range of orientation. Similarly, if less flexibility is needed, the size and shape of dome 17 may be reduced. Although
Referring now to
Camera mount 90 shows just two alternatives that may be readily made to the directional mount. In one alternative, a locking mechanism 91 is provided. The locking mechanism 91 is disengaged while the camera 14 is moved into position, and then tightened or engaged when the camera is properly placed. In this way, the camera 14 may easily be repositioned using the dome and magnet structure, but may be held fixedly in place by the locking mechanism 91 after the camera is in the desired orientation. Such a locking mechanism would also be useful in other mounting devices, such as mount for a satellite dish. In this construction, the magnetic mounting structures may be used to readily position the satellite dish into its optimal position, and when properly place, the locking mechanism is engaged to fix the satellite dish into place. With the locking mechanism engaged, movement due to wind, vibration, or bumping may be avoided. It will be appreciated that the locking mechanism may take several alternative forms, such as lock screw, set screw, adhesive, straps, or snaps, or other mechanical locking structures.
Mount 90 also shows another alternative where the magnet 92 is positioned in the dome, instead of in the camera. The magnet 92 may be a single magnet, such as a bar magnet, or may be a set of magnets, such as a set of button magnets. Although magnet 90 is typically a permanent magnet, an electro magnet may be substituted in some systems.
Referring now to
Camera portion 114 has a housing 122 holding an image sensor 128. Image sensor 128 may be, for example, a CCD sensor for taking image or video information. Electronic components within housing 122 are used for capturing, processing, and communicating the image or video information. Housing 122 has a concave portion 124 constructed to mate and cooperate with dome surface 117. A magnet (not shown) is positioned inside housing 122 adjacent to the concave surface 124. Accordingly, when camera portion 114 is brought near base portion 112, the magnet is drawn toward dome base 117, thereby frictionally holding camera portion 114 against base portion 112. Although camera 114 is securely frictionally coupled to base portion 112, the camera 114 may be readily repositioned on dome 117.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Although the camera mount has been described as having the concave surface on the camera portion and the convex surface on the mount, it will be appreciated that other constructions may be provided. For example,
While particular preferred and alternative embodiments of the present intention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that many various modifications and extensions of the above described technology may be implemented using the teaching of this invention. All such modifications and extensions are intended to be included within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.
