# US 9,521,301 B2 · Fixed view magnetic camera

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- Number: US 9,521,301 B2
- Document ID: US9521301B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/931,366
- Filed: 2015-11-03
- Published: 2016-05-05
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-11-03
- Assignees: Alarm.com Incorporated
- Applicants: Alarm.com Incorporated
- Inventors: Gary Bart
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9521301B2

## CPC

- H04N 23/51: Housings
- F16M 11/041: {Allowing quick release of the apparatus}
- F16M 11/14: with ball-joint (ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 {; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30})
- F16M 13/00: Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)}
- F16M 13/02: for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
- F16M 13/027: {Ceiling supports}
- G08B 13/19619: {Details of casing}
- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- F16B 2200/83: Use of a magnetic material
- G02B 7/28: Systems for automatic generation of focusing signals
- G03B 3/00: Focusing arrangements of general interest for cameras, projectors or printers
- G03B 13/20: Rangefinders coupled with focusing arrangements, e.g. adjustment of rangefinder automatically focusing camera
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)
- 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)

## Abstract

At least one aspect of present disclosure is directed towards a camera that includes a magnetic base and a removable main camera unit. The removable main camera unit may include an outer casing, a processor, a lens housing, a wireless communications interface, and an inner casing. The inner casing may reside within the outer casing and includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion. The non-metallic portion may form a non-metallic region that may extend from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the inner casing. The removable main camera unit may be configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the inner casing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A camera, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
an outer casing;
a processor;
a lens housing;
a wireless communications interface; and
an inner casing that resides within the outer casing and includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the inner casing, wherein the non-metallic portion of the inner casing includes plastic,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the inner casing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The camera of claim 1, wherein the outer casing includes plastic.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The camera of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication interface resides within the inner casing and is configured to wirelessly transmit data away from the metallic portion of the inner casing and towards the non-metallic portion of the inner casing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The camera of claim 1, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate within the range of 45° to 75° from the central axis of the inner casing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The camera of claim 4, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate at 60° from the central axis of the inner casing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The camera of claim 1, further comprising:
a heat sink that is configured to transfer heat away from the processor to a thermally conductive metal strip that is located around the circumference of the removable main camera unit; and
an air gap that exists between the metallic portion of the inner casing and the non-metallic portion of the inner casing to dissipate heat.

### Claim 7

A camera, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
an outer casing;
a processor;
a lens housing;
a wireless communications interface; and
an inner casing that resides within the outer casing and includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the inner casing, wherein the non-metallic portion of the inner casing includes an uncovered opening in the inner casing,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the inner casing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The camera of claim 7, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate within the range of 45° to 75° from the central axis of the inner casing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The camera of claim 8, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate at 60° from the central axis of the inner casing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The camera of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication interface resides within the inner casing and is configured to wirelessly transmit data away from the metallic portion of the inner casing and towards the non-metallic portion of the inner casing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The camera of claim 7, further comprising:
a heat sink that is configured to transfer heat away from the processor to a thermally conductive metal strip that is located around the circumference of the removable main camera unit; and
an air gap that exists between the metallic portion of the inner casing and the non-metallic portion of the inner casing to dissipate heat.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The camera of claim 7, wherein the outer casing includes plastic.

### Claim 13

A camera, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
an outer casing;
a processor;
a lens housing;
a wireless communications interface; and
an inner casing that resides within the outer casing and includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the inner casing, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate within the range of 45° to 75° from the central axis of the inner casing,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the inner casing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The camera of claim 13, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate at 60° from the central axis of the inner casing.

### Claim 15

A camera, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
an outer casing;
a processor;
a lens housing;
a heat sink that is configured to transfer heat away from the processor to a thermally conductive metal strip that is located around the circumference of the removable main camera unit;
a wireless communications interface;
an inner casing that resides within the outer casing and includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the inner casing; and
an air gap that exists between the metallic portion of the inner casing and the non-metallic portion of the inner casing to dissipate heat,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the inner casing.

### Claim 16

A device, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
a processor;
a lens housing;
a casing that includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the inner casing, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate within the range of 45° to 75° from the central axis of the casing;
a wireless communication interface, wherein the wireless communication interface resides within the casing and is configured to wirelessly transmit data away from the metallic portion of the casing and towards the non-metallic portion of the casing,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the casing.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate at 60° from the central axis of the casing.

### Claim 18

A device, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
a processor;
a lens housing;
a casing that includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the casing, wherein the non-metallic portion of the casing includes plastic;
a wireless communication interface, wherein the wireless communication interface resides within the casing and is configured to wirelessly transmit data away from the metallic portion of the casing and towards the non-metallic portion of the casing,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the casing.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate within the range of 45° to 75° from the central axis of the casing.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, further comprising:
a heat sink that is configured to transfer heat away from the processor to a thermally conductive metal strip that is located around the circumference of the removable main camera unit; and
an air gap that exists between the metallic portion of the casing and the non-metallic portion of the casing to dissipate heat.

### Claim 21

A device, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
a processor;
a lens housing;
a casing that includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the casing;
a heat sink that is configured to transfer heat away from the processor to a thermally conductive metal strip that is located around the circumference of the removable main camera unit;
an air gap that exists between the metallic portion of the casing and the non-metallic portion of the casing to dissipate heat; and
a wireless communication interface, wherein the wireless communication interface resides within the casing and is configured to wirelessly transmit data away from the metallic portion of the casing and towards the non-metallic portion of the casing,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the casing.

### Claim 22

A spherical camera unit, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
a processor;
a lens housing;
a heat sink that is configured to transfer heat away from the processor;
a wireless communications interface configured to wirelessly send or receive data;
an inner casing that includes a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein an air gap exists between the metallic portion and non-metallic portion that aids in the transfer of heat away from the processor; and
an outer casing that provides a physical barrier between at least the metallic portion of the inner casing and the magnetic base,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force that binds the inner casing of the removable main camera unit to the magnetic base through the outer casing.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The spherical camera unit of claim 22, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the inner casing.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The spherical camera unit of claim 23, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate within the range of 45° to 75° from the central axis of the inner casing.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The spherical camera unit of claim 24, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate at 60° from the central axis of the inner casing.

### Claim 26 (depends on 22)

The spherical camera unit of claim 22, wherein the wireless communication interface resides within the inner casing and is configured to wirelessly transmit data away from the metallic portion of the inner casing and towards the non-metallic portion of the inner casing.

### Claim 27 (depends on 22)

The spherical camera unit of claim 22, wherein the non-metallic portion of the inner casing includes plastic.

### Claim 28 (depends on 22)

The spherical camera unit of claim 22, wherein the non-metallic portion of the inner casing includes an uncovered opening of the inner casing.

### Claim 29

A device, comprising:
a magnetic base; and
a removable main camera unit that includes:
a processor;
a lens housing;
a casing that includes at least a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion, wherein the non-metallic portion forms a non-metallic region that extends from at least a first boundary of the metallic portion to a second boundary of the metallic portion through a central axis of the casing, wherein the non-metallic portion of the casing includes an uncovered opening in the casing;
a wireless communication interface, wherein the wireless communication interface resides within the casing and is configured to wirelessly transmit data away from the metallic portion of the casing and towards the non-metallic portion of the casing,
wherein the removable main camera unit is configured to be removably coupled to the magnetic base based on a magnetic force between the magnetic base and the metallic portion of the casing.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate within the range of 45° to 75° from the central axis of the casing.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The device of claim 30, wherein the first boundary and the second boundary of the metallic portion each terminate at 60° from the central axis of the casing.

### Claim 32 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29, further comprising:
a heat sink that is configured to transfer heat away from the processor to a thermally conductive metal strip that is located around the circumference of the removable main camera unit; and
an air gap that exists between the metallic portion of the casing and the non-metallic portion of the casing to dissipate heat.