# US 2025/0168477 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 2025/0168477 A1 - Document ID: US20250168477A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 19/033,243 - Filed: 2025-01-21 - Published: 2025-05-22 - 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/US20250168477A1 ## 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} - G02B 13/14: for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation ({G02B13/008, } G02B13/16 take precedence) - G03B 11/04: Hoods or caps for eliminating unwanted light from lenses, viewfinders or focusing aids - G03B 15/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units - G03B 17/02: Bodies - G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings - G03B 17/55: with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft - 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 23/11: for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths - 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) - G08B 5/36: using visible light sources - G08B 13/19656: {Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet} - H04N 23/50: Constructional details - H04R 1/086: {Protective screens, e.g. all weather or wind screens} - 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 A camera device comprising: a housing; an image sensor positioned within the housing and having a field of view corresponding to a scene; an imaging region contiguous with the housing and having an inner section and an outer section, the inner section positioned in front of the image sensor such that light from the scene passes through the inner section prior to entering the image sensor, the outer section positioned between the inner section and the housing, the outer section having one or more microphone apertures; one or more microphones positioned to receive audio via the one or more microphone apertures; and an illuminator configured to emit visible or infrared (IR) light. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The camera device of claim 1, wherein one or more sections of the imaging region are substantially transparent to one or more wavelengths of IR light and substantially opaque to visible light. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The camera device of claim 2, wherein: the one or more sections are included in the outer section of the imaging region; the illuminator is an IR illuminator, the IR light from the IR illuminator directed through the one or more sections included in the outer section of the imaging region; and the one or more sections included in the outer section of the imaging region are at least semi-transparent to the IR light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The camera device of claim 3, wherein: the inner section of the imaging region is separated from the outer section of the imaging region 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 one or more sections of the imaging region are larger than the inner section of the imaging region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The camera device of claim 1, wherein the outer section of the imaging region extends around an entirety of an outer periphery of the imaging region that attaches to the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The camera device of claim 1, wherein: the illuminator is configured to illuminate visible light; and the illuminator is positioned within the housing, the 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: the outer section of the imaging region further includes a portion corresponding to the illuminator, the portion being at least semi-transparent to visible light; and the imaging region is positioned in front of the illuminator such that light from the illuminator is directed through the outer section of the imaging region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The camera device of claim 7, wherein: the inner section of the imaging region is substantially transparent to IR and visible light; and one or more sections are included in the outer section of the imaging region, the outer section coated with a thin film comprising the one or more sections, the thin film being 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 imaging region. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The camera device of claim 10, wherein the housing is radially symmetric, the radially-symmetric housing having an axis of symmetry running through the imaging region. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The camera device of claim 1, further comprising a mounting assembly configured to thermally couple the image sensor to the imaging region such that heat from the image sensor is dissipated to the imaging region. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The camera device of claim 1, further comprising an ambient light sensor configured to detect ambient light corresponding to the scene. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The camera device of claim 13, wherein the imaging region is positioned in front of the ambient light sensor such that light from the scene passes through an outer section of the imaging region prior to entering the ambient light sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The camera device of claim 13, wherein the outer section of the imaging region includes a portion corresponding the ambient light sensor, the portion being at least semi-transparent to visible light. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The camera device of claim 1, further comprising 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 17 (depends on 1) The camera device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-reflection coating applied to the imaging region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The camera device of claim 1, 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 19 (depends on 18) The camera device of claim 18, wherein the mechanical joint comprises a ball and socket joint. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The camera device of claim 19, wherein the ball and socket joint comprises a socket defined in the housing and a ball extending from the base assembly.