Variable field of view camera

A method for capturing visual images with a camera, the method comprising:

• removably coupling a lens cover to a camera housing to block a lens of the camera with a cover plate over a lens of the camera;
• rotating the cover plate from a blocking position that blocks the lens to a first open position in which light enters the lens along a field of view;
• reflecting light from a mirror on an inner side of the cover plate into the lens along the field of view;
• rotating the cover plate to a second open position;
• receiving light along the field of view without reflecting from the mirror;
• rotating the lens cover about the field of view with the cover plate in the first open position;
• capturing visual images from light reflected by the mirror to the field of view as a reflection axis of the mirror rotates about the field of view;
• rotating the cover plate greater than 90 degrees to a third open position;
• reflecting light from the mirror at an end user being captured as a visual image by the camera, the mirror reflecting an area behind the end user;
• coupling a presence detection sensor to the cover plate proximate the mirror;
• and
• detecting a person behind the end user when the cover plate is in the third open position.

A camera comprising:

• a housing;
• a lens coupled to the housing and having a field of view;
• an image sensor aligned with the lens to capture visual images from light passed through the lens along the field of view;
• and
• a lens cover removeably coupled to the camera at the lens, the lens cover having a mount with an opening aligned to the lens field of view, a cover plate that blocks the opening, a hinge rotationally coupling the cover plate to the mount to rotate the cover plate between a blocking position that blocks the field of view and an open position that exposes the field of view, and a mirror coupled to the cover plate inside surface, the mirror directing a reflection to the field of view in the open position;
• wherein:
• the hinge rotates the cover plate to a first open position of less than 90 degrees that reflects light from a reflection axis to the camera lens field of view;
• the hinge rotates the cover plate to a second open position of greater than 90 degrees that reflects the light at an end user in the camera lens field of view;
• and
• the hinge rotates to a third open position of greater than 180 degrees that reflects light away from the camera lens field of view and the end user in the camera lens field of view.