# US 2021/0344818 A1 · Camera Assembly with Concave-Shaped Front Face > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0344818 A1 - Document ID: US20210344818A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/365,850 - Filed: 2021-07-01 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-04 - Assignees: Google Inc. - Applicants: Google LLC - Inventors: Mark Kraz; Kevin Edward Booth; Tyler Scott Wilson; Nicholas Webb; Jason Evans Goulden; William Dong; Jeffrey Law; Rochus Jacob; Adam Duckworth Mittleman; Oliver Mueller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210344818A1 ## CPC - H04N 23/51: Housings - G02B 1/11: Anti-reflection coatings - G02B 5/208: {for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation} - G02B 7/021: {for more than one lens} - G03B 11/04: Hoods or caps for eliminating unwanted light from lenses, viewfinders or focusing aids - G03B 17/02: Bodies - G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings - G03B 31/00: Associated working of cameras or projectors with sound-recording or sound-reproducing means - G08B 13/19619: {Details of casing} - H04N 7/183: {for receiving images from a single remote source} - H04N 23/52: Elements optimising image sensor operation, e.g. for electromagnetic interference [EMI] protection or temperature control by heat transfer or cooling elements - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04R 1/023: {Screens for loudspeakers} - H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles} - H04R 1/04: Structural association of microphone with electric circuitry therefor (in electric hearing aids H04R25/00) - H04R 1/406: {microphones} - H04R 27/00: Public address systems (circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; {monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007}; amplifiers H03F) - G02B 27/0006: {with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B)} - G02B 27/0018: {with means for preventing ghost images (anti-reflection coatings G02B1/11)} - H04R 2227/003: Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet - H04R 2227/005: Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## 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 ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A camera device, comprising: a housing; an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene; at least one infrared (IR) illuminator positioned with the housing, the IR illuminator configured to selectively illuminate the scene; and a front face that is at least partially concave-shaped and coupled to the housing, wherein the front face is positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the front face prior to entering the image sensor, the front face positioned in front of the IR illuminator such that IR light from the IR illuminator is directed through the front face. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, wherein the IR light from the IR illuminator is directed through an outer section of the front face, and wherein the outer section includes a portion corresponding the IR illuminator, the portion being at least semi-transparent to IR light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The camera device of claim 3, wherein the front face is positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through an inner section of the front face prior to entering the image sensor, and wherein the inner section of the front face is separated from the outer section of the front face by a bounding component, the bounding component configured to inhibit transmission of light from the outer section to the inner section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, wherein the housing is radially symmetric and wherein the housing has an axis of symmetry that runs through the front face. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, wherein the concave shape of the front face extends around an entirety of an outer periphery of the front face that attaches to the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, further comprising: at least one visible illuminator positioned within the housing, the visible illuminator configured to convey status information of the camera device to a user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The camera device of claim 7, wherein an outer section of the front face further includes a portion corresponding to the visible illuminator, the portion being at least semi-transparent to visible light, and 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 of the front face. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The camera device of claim 7, wherein an inner section of the front face is substantially transparent to IR and visible light, and wherein an outer section of the front face is coated with a thin film that is substantially transparent to IR light and substantially opaque to visible light. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The camera device of claim 7, further comprising: a light guide configured to direct light from the visible illuminator outward through an outer section of the front face. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The camera device of claim 10, further comprising an anti-reflection coating applied to the front face. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, wherein the IR illuminator is configured to emit a particular wavelength of IR light and wherein an 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, wherein the housing and the front face are symmetrical around a central axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, wherein an outer surface of an inner section of the front face is substantially flat. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, 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 an outer section of the front face 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, wherein an outer section of the front face includes one or more microphone apertures, the camera device further comprising: 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 housing via the one or more microphone apertures. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, further comprising an anti-reflection coating applied to the front face. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, further comprising: a base assembly, the base assembly coupled to the housing via a mechanical joint, the base assembly configured for attachment to a surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The camera device of claim 19, wherein the mechanical joint comprises a ball and socket joint. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The camera device of claim 20, wherein the ball and socket joint comprises a socket defined in the housing and a ball extending from the base assembly.