IP Library Granted Patent US 10,277,785
Granted Patent B2
US 10,277,785 · App. 15/710,770 · Granted Apr 30, 2019

Camera assembly with concave-shaped front face

Inventors: Mark Kraz (Santa Clara, CA); Kevin Edward Booth (Mountain View, CA); Tyler Scott Wilson (San Francisco, CA); Nicholas Webb (Menlo Park, CA); Jason Evans Goulden (Los Gatos, CA); William Dong (Redwood City, CA); Jeffrey Law (San Francisco, CA); Rochus Jacob (San Francisco, CA); Adam Duckworth Mittleman (Redwood City, CA); Oliver Mueller (San Francisco, CA); Scott Mullins (San Francisco, CA); Brian Conner (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
H04N5/2252G02B1/11G02B5/208G03B17/08H04N5/2256H04N7/183H04R1/023H04R1/028H04R1/04H04R1/406
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,277,785
App. No.
15/710,770
Granted
Apr 30, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and (3) a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor; where the front face includes: (a) an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and (b) an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and where the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

Claims (43)

1. A camera assembly adapted for use in a smart home environment, comprising:

a housing;

an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene in the smart home environment; and

a concave-shaped front face positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor;

wherein the front face includes:

an inner section corresponding to the image sensor; and

an outer section between the housing and the inner section, the outer section having a concave shape that extends from an outer periphery of the outer section to an inner periphery of the outer section; and

wherein the concave shape extends around an entirety of the outer periphery.

2. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the configuration of the housing and the front face is further configured to inhibit direct sunlight from entering the image sensor.

3. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front face is configured to inhibit water accumulation on the front face while the camera assembly is oriented in a downward position.

4. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing and the front face are symmetrical around a central axis.

5. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front face is further configured to inhibit water entry into the camera assembly.

6. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the inner section is substantially flat.

7. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer section is composed of a plastic; and

wherein the inner section is composed of a glass.

8. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner section is bonded to the outer section via a waterproof adhesive.

9. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner section is separated from the outer section by a bounding component, the bounding component configured to inhibit transmission of light from the outer section to the inner section.

10. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising one or more infrared (IR) illuminators configured to selectively illuminate the scene; and

wherein the front face is positioned in front of the one or more IR illuminators such that light from the one or more IR illuminators is directed through the front face.

11. The camera assembly of claim 10 , wherein the inner section is substantially transparent to IR and visible light; and

wherein at least a portion of the outer section is coated with a thin film that is substantially transparent to IR light and substantially opaque to visible light.

12. The camera assembly of claim 10 , wherein one or more IR illuminators are configured to emit a particular wavelength of IR light; and

wherein at least a portion of the outer section of the front face is coated with a thin film that is substantially transparent to the particular wavelength of IR light and substantially opaque to visible light.

13. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting assembly configured to thermally couple the image sensor to the front face such that heat from the image sensor is dissipated to the front face.

14. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an anti-reflection coating applied to the front face.

15. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a visible illuminator configured to convey status information of the camera assembly to a user;

wherein the front face is positioned in front of the visible illuminator such that light from the visible illuminator is directed through the outer section; and

wherein the outer section includes a portion corresponding the visible illuminator, the portion being at least semi-transparent to visible light.

16. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect ambient light corresponding to the scene;

wherein the front face is positioned in front of the ambient light sensor such that light from the scene passes through the outer section prior to entering the ambient light sensor; and

wherein the outer section includes a portion corresponding the ambient light sensor, the portion being at least semi-transparent to visible light.

17. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing ring positioned between the front face and the housing so as to inhibit water entry into an interior of the camera assembly.

18. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer section of the front face includes one or more microphone apertures; and

wherein the camera assembly further comprises:

one or more microphones positioned to receive audio via the one or more microphone apertures; and

one or more membranes positioned between the one or more microphones and the one or more microphone apertures, the one or more membranes configured to inhibit water entry into an interior of the camera assembly via the one or more microphone apertures.

19. The camera assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer section of the front face includes a reset aperture; and

wherein the camera assembly further comprises:

a reset button positioned to be engaged by a user via the reset aperture; and

a sealant positioned between the reset button and the reset aperture, the sealant configured to inhibit water entry into an interior of the camera assembly via the reset aperture.

20. The camera assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of illuminators configured to convey information to persons in a vicinity of the camera assembly; and

a light guide configured to direct light from the plurality of illuminators outward through the outer section of the front face.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2018
From: MULLINS, SCOTT; CONNER, BRIAN
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 047086/0788 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2017
From: KRAZ, MARK; BOOTH, KEVIN EDWARD; WILSON, TYLER SCOTT; WEBB, NICHOLAS; GOULDEN, JASON EVANS; DONG, WILLIAM; LAW, JEFFREY; JACOB, ROCHUS; MITTLEMAN, ADAM DUCKWORTH; MUELLER, OLIVER
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 044415/0432 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 20, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044567/0001 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 29609550 · Jun 30, 2017
Provisional Application 62560611 · Sep 19, 2017
Related Publication 20180191929A1 · Jul 5, 2018
Cited By (2)
US 12,244,914 US 12,266,257