EP1969571A2

EP1969571A2 - Video door viewer

Info

Publication number: EP1969571A2
Application number: EP07709619A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Suzette M. Fowler; Daniel B. Fowler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-05
Filing date: 2007-01-05
Publication date: 2008-09-17
Also published as: WO2007081894A2; WO2007081894A3; CN101523454A; JP2009522940A; CA2636104A1

Abstract

A video door viewer includes a camera housing mounted proximate to an exterior side of a door, and a display housing mounted proximate to an interior side of the door, the camera housing containing a digital imaging device for producing an image from light received through a lens piece with a pinhole in the camera housing and displaying the image on a display in the display housing. A power control is incorporated into the display housing for controlling power to the digital imaging device and to display generation circuitry and the display. A power source, such as one or more batteries, is also contained within the display housing.

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATION

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

VIDEO DOOR VIEWER

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 60/756,512, filed January 5, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is in the general field of security and imaging devices and building and property security electronics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Conventional door viewers use fixed glass optics in a cylindrical housing which extends through the cross-section of a door at eye level. The small diameter of the through-hole and lens provides a very limited and distorted "fish-eye" view to the user of the scene on the opposite (exterior) side of the door. These types of fixed optical door viewers use simple lens systems that require the observer to position his eye immediately adjacent to the viewing aperture and provide a limited and generally poor quality view of the exterior. The quality of the viewed image is also largely dependent upon ambient lighting on the exterior side of the door, and there is no means for controlling the quality of the image.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides an integrated, on-demand door viewer security system (also referred to herein alternatively as the "video door viewer" or "door viewer" or "digital door viewer") which includes a liquid crystal type display and a miniature electronic digital camera, such as a CCD or CMOS type camera, and a lens piece with a pinhole lens. The video door viewer provides an instant screen display of the scene on an opposite, exterior side of a door by push-button control on the interior side of the door. The door viewer enables viewing of the scene by a user from a comfortable distance and displays a superior clear image from a digital chip camera which is mounted to a door or any other structure. The invention further includes systems and designs for maximizing efficiency of manufacturability, operation, installation and maintenance of the video door viewer.

[0005] The video door viewer is designed for original or retrofit installation whether by door manufacturers or in existing installed doors, or for replacement of conventional fixed optical "peepholes" or other viewing tube type devices previously installed in residential or commercial entry and exterior doors. The video door viewer includes two main components, a camera housing which is mounted external to a door or other structure, and a display housing which is mounted internal to the door or other structure. There is no mechanical connection between the camera housing and the display housing. In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display is used as the display in the display housing mounted on the interior door surface, preferably directly to the interior surface of a door at a desired height. The liquid crystal display is mounted upon a panel or chassis together with control circuitry, a power source, power and video signal wiring harness, power on/off switch. Within the camera housing is a digital camera and related components. In one representative embodiment, the digital camera is a CCD or CMOS type chip camera, with required control circuitry, a pinhole lens, camera housing and power and video signal wiring harness that is mounted in a door through-hole, with the pinhole lens extending to or located at or near the exterior surface of the door. The video door viewer is totally integrated and self-contained, and functions in a stand-alone manner and requires no connection to any external power via wiring or to any external monitors or displays. The video door viewer is designed to be installed in any new construction or retrofitted to existing doors in hotels, apartments, condominiums or any residential or commercial dwelling. The video door viewer can use an existing viewing tube hole, or be installed by drilling a small diameter hole through a door. The video door viewer eliminates the necessity of positioning the eye directly on a standard peephole viewing tube, and provides a much superior image/display of a wide-angle view of the exterior scene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a representative embodiment of a video door viewer of the invention;

[0007] FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of image display and packaging components of a video door viewer of the invention; [0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective assembly view of an embodiment of camera, lens and housing components of the video door viewer of the invention;

[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly view of an alternate embodiment of camera, lens and housing components of the video door viewer of the invention, and

[0010] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a video door viewer of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown installed in a door D a video door viewer, indicated in its entirety by the numeral 1, and including the two main components of a display housing 10, and a camera housing 20. The display housing 10 is mounted to an interior side Dj of door D, and the camera housing 20 is mounted to or at an exterior side D_e of door D. A through-hole D_t is formed in the cross- section of the door D for passage of an electrical connection between the camera housing 20 and the display housing 10, as further described. The camera housing 20 is spaced from and not connected to the display housing 10 and vice versa. The through-hole D_t is solely for the purpose of passage of a wire connection between the camera housing 20 and display housing 10, and is not necessary at all in wireless versions of the video door viewer which utilize wireless digital camera. There is no mechanical connection between the camera housing 20 and the display housing 10. The electrical wire connection 212 between the camera housing and display housing 10 is not a mechanical connection.

[0012] As further shown in FIG. 4, the camera housing 20 is made up of a bezel 201 with internal threads 202 for receiving a lens piece 203 therein. An internal cavity 2011 of the bezel 201 is configured to receive and hold a digital camera, such as a CCD or CMOS type imaging device or sensor, indicated generally at 204. In one embodiment, the general configuration of the internal cavity 2011 is rectangular in order to receive and hold the digital camera 204 which includes a circuit board 2041 which is rectangular. In another embodiment, the internal cavity 2011 has a generally cylindrical configuration in order to receive and hold a round circuit board 2041 of the digital camera 204. The internal cavity 2011 of the bezel 201 further includes one or more focal stops 2012 against which the circuit board 2041 of the digital camera 204 is positioned. The focal stop or stops 2012 are dimensioned to position the digital camera 204 a precise distance from the lens piece 203 for optimal focusing and image generation. Only minimal fine focus adjustment of the lens piece 203 within bezel 201 is required for optimal imaging due to the precise positioning of the digital camera 204 against the focal stop(s) 2012. This enables factory or manufacturing settings of the camera housing 204 to be perfect or near perfect for optimal performance of the video door viewer immediately upon installation.

[0013] Subcomponents of the camera 204 include a printed circuit board 2041 and associated electrical components such as 2042 which may be mounted on a side of the circuit board 2041 opposite to the light-receiving side. Any suitable digital imaging device can be used as camera 204, including those available for example from Videology Imaging Solutions, Inc. and Misumi Electronics Corp. The internal cavity of the bezel 201 is preferably in a generally rectangular configuration for receiving and mounting a rectangular (square) circuit board which is connected to the digital camera 204. Although not limited by dimensions, the relatively small size of such integrated digital imaging devices such as camera 204, for example as residing on a printed circuit board with approximate dimensions of 15mm x 15mm or smaller, allows the camera housing 20 and bezel 201 to be correspondingly small in size, for example in an approximate range of 20mm to 30mm or less in diameter or width for compact and inconspicuous installation in any door.

[0014] The lens piece 203 is a type of light focusing or light directing device with optical properties and may include one or more optical elements made of optical or other translucent material. The lens piece 203 has a pinhole 205 proximate to an optical lens or other light-focusing or light-directing device for directing light to the camera 204. For some installations, the pinhole 205 of lens piece 203 may alone function as the light-focusing or light-directing structure within the camera housing 20, or may be combined with one or more optical elements, such as an optical lens or optical device for directing and/focusing light upon the camera 204. The use of a pinhole 205, generally regarded as a relatively small opening in the approximate size range of 0.1mm to 5.0mm, provides significant optical and structural advantages for this application, including a wider angle view than conventional peep hole optics, less distortion of the perceived image, the ability to be precisely fabricated from any suitable material including plastics and metals, ease of focusing, e.g. focal plane adjustment, and superior resistance to external forces such as environmental conditions and vandalism. As used herein, the term "pinhole" refers to a light- admitting aperture in the lens piece 203 which is less than 10mm in diameter and preferably less than 5mm in diameter and more preferably less than 2mm in diameter.

[0015] External threads 206 on the lens piece 203 engage with the internal threads 202 of the bezel 201. The spacing of the lens piece 203 from a light-receiving surface of the camera 204 can be adjusted by rotation of the lens piece 203 about the cooperating threads to focus light on to the camera. Focal adjustment of the lens piece 203 can be done manually or with a tool (not shown) which engages the lens piece. A high bond strength adhesive ring 207 is provided for attachment of the bezel 201 about the opening of through-hole D₁ in door D. The adhesive ring 207 can be applied to an inside surface 211 of the bezel 201 to attach the bezel 201 and the entire camera housing 20 to the exterior side D_e of door D. A protective release layer (not shown) can be applied to the side of the adhesive ring 207 which faces away from bezel 201 for protection in packaging and handling prior to installation. f0016J Electrical leads 212 run from the camera 204, and particularly from circuit board 2041 and/or components 2042, through the through-hole D₁ to the display housing 10. Alternatively, the video door viewer 1 can be configured for wireless connection of the digital camera/image generation device with the display. As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the display housing 10 includes a chassis generally indicated at 101 which includes a mounting frame 102 and wall structures 103 which project from the mounting frame 102. The wall structures 103 define one or battery compartments 104 for holding batteries B in electrical connection for powering the camera and display circuitry. A central cavity 105 is dimensioned to receive a display 106, such as a liquid crystal type display (LCD), with associated circuitry mounted opposite a display side of the LCD device and thus encapsulated within the central cavity 105 of the chassis 101. Any suitable image display device may be used, including but not limited to LCDs as available from Link-Sun Electronics Ltd. and Videology Imaging Solutions Ltd. Flush external surfaces of the mounting frame 102 are positioned against an interior side D; of door D and attached thereto by fasteners or adhesive strips 1021.

[0017] The display 106 is framed and secured to the chassis 101 by one or more frame retainers 107. As further shown in FIG. 2, additional display components may include a matte 108, which may be a non-opaque material to further define the viewing area of the display and conceal components within the chassis 101, an optical layer 109 such as a filter or anti-glare shield which also functions to, protect .the surface of the display 1061. A cover 110 extends about the perimeter of the chassis 101 and encapsulates and frames the described components. The cover 110 is engaged with the chassis 101, preferably by tabs 1011 which snap-fit into detents 1102 in the interior of side walls 1101 of cover 110.

[0018] A power button 112 is preferably mounted within cover 110, and spring-biased to make momentary contact with a switch connected to power circuitry within the chassis 101. When powered by operation of the power button 112, the circuitry generates and displays an image as it appears before the lens within the lens piece. Other operation and control of power to the imaging circuitry is possible, such as by remote control, wireless control or networked control.

[0019] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the camera housing 20, which has an alternatively configured bezel 220 which is designed to fit substantially within the through-hole D_t in door D, and substantially flush which the exterior surface D_e of the door D. The bezel 220 has a generally cylindrical body 221 which, as shown in FIG. 6, fits within a cylindrical hole or through-hole D₁ in door D, and a flange 222 configured to fit flush against the exterior surface D_e of the door D. or optionally against a mounting ring 207 positioned about the through-hole D_t. The cylindrical body 221 is a first part of the camera housing 20 which is located within the door D, and the flange 222 is a second part of the camera housing which is located external to the door. In this embodiment, the through-hole D₁ does not have to extend at the illustrated diameter entirely through the cross-section of the door D as shown, but only to the extent of the depth of the cylindrical body 221 which is within the door D, with the remainder of the through-hole D₁ big enough only to accommodate a wire connection between the camera housing 20 and display housing 10. Internal threads 223 are formed within the flange 22 and body 221 to receive the lens piece 224. The lens piece 224 may be positioned substantially within the through-hole D₁ in door D. The frontal surface of the lens piece 224 is preferably substantially flat as illustrated in order to maintain the substantially flat and flush configuration of the camera housing 220. Rotational adjustment of the lens piece 224 within the bezel 220 for focusing can be accomplished by use of a tool (not shown) which engages the frontal surface of the lens piece 224. The cooperating threads of the lens piece and bezel are of a gauge suitable for fine scale focal adjustment of the lens piece 224 within the bezel 220 for optimal focusing of light on to a light-receiving surface of the digital camera. A focusing reference mark 2221 can be made on the flange 222 to gauge the relative position of the lens piece 224. Other configurations of the lens piece 224 are possible. An internal cavity of the bezel 220 is configured similar to that of bezel 201 as previously described to receive and mount the camera 204 within the bezel 220, preferably with a generally rectangular configuration to receive and mount a rectangular (square) circuit board associated with the digital camera or other imaging device.

[0020] Without limitation to the scope of the invention as claimed and equivalents thereof, alternate and equivalent embodiments of the described video door viewer provide on-demand, personal security viewing, integrated component modules, viewing confidentiality, no external data/power cabling, no external signal transmission, easy installation and operation. Additional features of alternate embodiments include an integrated video display component module with a color LCD video panel of any size, including sizes in the range of approximately 5.0 inches diagonal dimension or larger or smaller, 12VDC direct current battery power supply, normally open momentary closed (NOMC) power switch, 500 viewing cycle or greater battery life (2 second average individual view cycle duration time), a molded, low profile, integrated display housing, battery housing and mounting frame and mounting bracket (chassis), concealed yet easily accessible battery compartment, quick connect fastener integrated into the module frame and mounting bracket designed to allow the entire module to be joined to camera housing through a hole in the door with no additional fastening requirements and thereby securing the module into the operational position.

[0021] Additional features include: quick connect coupling video input signal cable, quick connect coupling power output cable, a camera housing designed to be mounted on the external door surface, molded integrated camera housing; quick connect fastener integrated into the module frame and mounting bracket designed to allow the entire module to be joined to display component module housing through a hole in the door with no additional fastening requirements and thereby securing the module into the operational position.

10022] A preferred digital camera imaging device is an interline transfer CCD sensor and an integrated pinhole lens, e.g. f3.7mm/F2.0, designed to maximize field of view and image quality.

[0023] A sensor management circuit board design can be used to minimize the quantity of integrated circuit devices. Quick connect coupling power input cable and video output cables can be used to connect the video door viewer to other devices such as a home security system or computer.

[0024] Still further additional features of the video door view include a color LCD panel subassembly; an LCD display panel having a diagonal dimension of approximately 5inches or larger or smaller; an integrated door viewer system that includes a camera subassembly; an integrated door viewer system that includes a chip-type camera which is mounted entirely within the camera housing with the camera housing residing external to the door, internal to the door, or partially internal and partially external to the door; a pin hole lens, wide angle pin hole lens or simply a pin hole in the camera housing; color image generation of the scene external to a door; an LCD subassembly with a mounting fixture to fasten the subassembly to the interior vertical surface of a standard residential door.

[0025] As described, a battery powered version of the integrated self- contained video door viewer requires no external data/power cabling; is activated by a user pressing a normally open, momentary closed micro switch; includes a micro switch mounted in and integrated with the LCD panel frame/mounting unit; has a camera subsystem mounted through the door in a standard diameter hole in a door; a display housing frame that conceals and houses all functional subassembly components and incorporates an accessible battery compartment for 12 volt DC power supply for both the display device (such as an LCD panel) and an imaging device such as a CCD or CMOS type digital camera.

[0026] The integrated video door viewer is installable in standard residential or commercial doors in approximately 20 minutes using standard tools (such as a screwdriver, drill). Depending upon particular configurations, the display housing extends approximate 1 inch from the interior door surface, and the camera housing extends approximately ¹A inch or less from the exterior door surface.

Claims

1. A video door viewer comprising: a camera housing adapted to attached to a door, a digital camera and a lens piece in the camera housing, the lens piece providing a light path from an exterior of the door to the digital camera; a display housing spaced from and not connected to the camera housing, the display housing having a chassis configured to fit against an interior side of the door and hold a display device, a power source and circuitry for generating and displaying an image.

2. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the camera housing has a generally cylindrical external configuration, and an internal mounting structure for receiving and mounting a digital camera within the camera housing, the internal mounting structure including at least one focal stop against which a circuit board of the digital camera is positioned at a precise distance from the lens piece.

3. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the camera housing has a planar surface configured for placement against an exterior surface of the door.

4. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the lens piece is held by the camera housing external to an exterior surface of the door.

5. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the lens piece is held by the camera housing substantially within the opening in the door.

6. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the lens piece comprises a pinhole and is engaged with the camera housing by cooperating threads.

7. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the digital camera comprises a CCD.

8. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the digital camera comprises a CMOS device.

9. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the digital camera further comprises a circuit board which is aligned with the lens piece by contact with a focal stop in an internal cavity of the camera housing.

10. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the camera housing includes a bezel with a portion which fits inside the opening in the door and a mounting flange which fits substantially over an exterior surface of the door outside of the opening in the door.

11. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the lens piece and the digital camera are located substantially within the opening in the door.

12. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the camera housing is adhesively attached to an exterior of the door and does not extend into the opening in the door.

13. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the camera housing has a generally cylindrical external configuration, and a rectangular internal structure for receiving and mounting the digital camera.

14. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the lens piece has a pinhole for admitting light to the digital camera.

15. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the bezel or lens piece includes a marker for measuring a position of the lens piece relative to the bezel.

16. The video door viewer of claim 1 wherein the camera housing is located partially within the door and partially external to the door.

17. A video door viewer comprising: a camera housing; a lens piece and a digital camera within the camera housing, the camera housing adapted to be mounted proximate to an exterior surface of a door; a display housing spaced from and not connected to the camera housing; a display, power source and image generation circuitry within the display housing, the image generation circuitry connected to the digital camera, the display housing adapted to be mounted proximate to an interior surface of the door, and power control for controlling power to the image generation circuitry for display of an image obtained by the digital camera on the display.

18. The video door viewer of claim 17 wherein the camera housing is located external to the door.

19. The video door viewer of claim 17 wherein a first part of the camera housing is located within the door, and a second part of the camera housing is located external to the door.

20. The video door viewer of claim 17 further comprising an optical component within the lens piece positioned within the camera housing to direct light to the digital camera.

21. The video door viewer of claim 17 wherein the lens piece comprises a pinhole for admitting light to the digital camera.

22. The video door viewer of claim 21 wherein the lens piece comprises a pinhole and a lens for admitting light to the digital camera.

23. The video door viewer of claim 21 wherein the lens piece comprises a pinhole and an optical device for admitting light to the digital camera.

24. The video door viewer of claim 17 in combination with a door and wherein the camera housing is located partially within the door and partially external to the door.

25. The video door viewer of claim 17 in combination with a door wherein the camera housing is adhesively secured to an exterior surface of the door.

26. A video door viewer comprising: a camera housing mounted to an exterior side of a door, the camera housing containing a lens piece and a digital camera, the lens piece having external threads engaged with internal threads in the camera housing, and a pinhole for admitting light into the camera housing and to the digital camera; a display housing mounted to an interior side of the door and spaced from and not connected to the camera housing, the display housing including a chassis which carries a display, a power source and image generation circuitry, the display housing further having a power control button for controlling power to the digital camera, image generation circuitry and the display.

27. The video door viewer of claim 26 wherein the pinhole in the lens piece is an annular opening with a diameter in the approximate range of 0.1mm to 2mm.

28. The video door viewer of claim 26 wherein the lens piece projects from the camera housing.

29. The video door viewer of claim 26 wherein the camera housing further comprises a reference mark for marking a position of the lens piece within the camera housing.

30. The video door viewer of claim 26 wherein the camera housing has a cylindrical body which extends only partially through a cross-section of the door and which is not connected to the display housing, and a flange which extends over an exterior surface of the door proximate to an opening in the door in which the cylindrical body of the camera housing fits.