Background
Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter relates to mounts for security devices.
Background Art
[0002] Many types of security devices are in common use today. Examples of security devices
include, but are not limited to, motion sensors such as infrared motion sensors and
ultrasonic motion sensors, security cameras such as still image cameras, visible wavelength
video cameras, and cameras sensitive to invisible wavelengths such as infrared or
ultraviolet, light beam interruption sensors, chemical detectors such as smoke alarms,
carbon dioxide detectors, and explosive gas detectors, sound detection devices such
as glass breakage detectors or microphones, water sensors, and pressure sensors. Some
security devices have specific mounting requirements and are mounted in a specific
place and/or orientation to properly operate. Some security devices have a specific
detection pattern or direction of sensitivity that is pointed in the proper direction
to allow for detection of the threat from a specific location.
[0003] Some security devices are designed to be used with a particular mount. One type of
mount that is commonly used is a tilt and swivel adapter that is attached to a standard
electrical junction box. Such a tilt and swivel mount allows the installer or user
to change the azimuth and elevation of the security device to virtually any angle,
providing a great deal of flexibility. Such a mount can be useful for some applications
where a wide range of angles are needed for different installation situations.
[0004] Some security devices are designed to operate at a specific angle for their azimuth
and/or elevation. In some cases, a specific mount is supplied with the security device
to provide for the one specific angle. One example of this is a security device to
be mounted on a ceiling and designed to point straight down, so the mount is designed
to hold the security device in that position and is provided with the security device.
[0005] KR20100009894 discloses a light protection apparatus for an infrared camera.
[0008] US2013/169805 describes a device for preventing diffused reflection of lighting for photography
using a monitoring camera.
[0009] US2008/170121 discloses a vandal-proof rack structure for a surveillance monitor.
[0010] US2010/220192 describes a device for monitoring a privacy sensitive area, includes an image receiving
device, such as a camera, disposed inside a housing chassis.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification,
illustrate various embodiments. Together with the general description, the drawings
serve to explain various principles. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 A and 1B show an embodiment of a motion sensor body on a mount, where the mount
is oriented in a first orientation in FIG. 1A and in a second orientation in FIG.
IB;
FIG. 1C and ID show oblique views from the front upper right and the rear lower left,
respectively, of the same embodiment of the motion sensor with the mount in the first
orientation as shown in FIG. 1 A;
FIG. 1E shows a rear view of the embodiment of the motion sensor body of FIG. 1A-D;
FIG. 2A and 2B show vertical cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a security
apparatus mounted with its functional plane at two different fixed angles, respectively,
as determined by the orientation of the mount;
FIG. 3 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a security apparatus
with a fixed azimuth angle;
FIG. 4 shows a rear view of another embodiment of a sensor body of a security apparatus
similar to the security apparatus of FIG. 1A-D but with a fixed azimuth angle;
FIG. 5A and 5B show horizontal cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a security
apparatus set to two different azimuth angles;
FIG. 6A and 6B show horizontal cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment
of a security apparatus set to two different azimuth angles;
FIG. 7A shows a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a security apparatus
with the stem of the mount held in the socket by a snap-in mechanism;
FIG. 7B shows a rear view of the socket of the embodiment of the sensor body of the
security apparatus of FIG. 7A;
FIG.8 shows a side view and a top view of a detection pattern for an embodiment of
a motion sensor;
FIG. 9A-C show a three view orthographic projection of an embodiment of a mount suitable
for embodiments;
FIG. 9D and 9E show two different embodiments of covers for the mount of FIG. 9A-C;
FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of mounting a motion sensor;
FIG.11A and 11B show oblique views from the front upper right and the rear lower left,
respectively, of an embodiment of a camera having a camera body and a mount;
FIG. 11C shows a rear view of the embodiment of the camera body of FIG. 11A/B;
FIG. 11D-G show side views of the embodiment of the camera of 11A/B with the camera
set to different elevation angles;
FIG. 11H and 11J show top views of the embodiment of the camera of 11A/B with the
camera set to different azimuth angles (FIG. 11I was skipped to avoid confusion);
FIG. 12A and 12B show cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a security apparatus
set to two different angles;
FIG. 13A and 13B show cross-sectional views of yet another alternative embodiment
of a security apparatus set to two different orientations; and
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of mounting a security apparatus.
Detailed Description
[0012] The invention is defined by the appended claims.
[0013] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by
way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings.
However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings
may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures
and components have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in
order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present concepts. A number of
descriptive terms and phrases are used in describing the various embodiments of this
disclosure. These descriptive terms and phrases are used to convey a generally agreed
upon meaning to those skilled in the art unless a different definition is given in
this specification. Some descriptive terms and phrases are presented in the following
paragraphs for clarity.
[0014] Magnetic material is a material that may be attracted to a magnet. Magnetic material
may or may not remain magnetized without an external magnetic field. Examples of magnetic
material include a magnet, steel, or other ferromagnetic materials.
[0015] A magnet is a magnetic material that generates a magnetic field, or is magnetized,
even if the magnet is not being subjected to an external magnetic field. A magnet
may also be referred to as a permanent magnet.
[0016] Ferromagnetic material, for the purposes of this disclosure, including the claims,
refers to a magnetic material that does not generate a significant magnetic field
of its own, or is not magnetized, without the presence of an external magnetic field.
Ferromagnetic materials are attracted to a magnet. Ferromagnetic materials may include
iron, nickel, cobalt, and many of their alloys, such as many steel alloys, as well
as some compounds of rare earth metals. For the purposes of this disclosure, ferromagnetic
materials include ferrimagnetic materials that are attracted to a magnet.
[0017] A security apparatus is an apparatus used for some type of security or monitoring
application such as monitoring an area for some type of activity or event or providing
an area with acoustical waves or electro-magnetic radiation such as radio waves, or
light in the visible or invisible spectrum. Examples of a security apparatus include,
but are not limited to, motion sensors such as infrared motion sensors and ultrasonic
motion sensors, occupancy sensors, cameras such as still image cameras, visible wavelength
video cameras, and cameras sensitive to invisible wavelengths such as infrared or
ultraviolet, light beam interruption sensors, chemical detectors such as smoke alarms,
carbon dioxide detectors, and explosive gas detectors, sound detection devices such
as glass breakage detectors or microphones, water sensors, pressure sensors, speakers,
ultrasonic transducers, infrared illumination sources, and visible light illumination
sources.
[0018] One example of a security apparatus is a motion sensor designed to monitor an area
of about 16' x 16' (about 5 meters squared) for minor body movement and an area of
about 20' x 20' (about 6 meters squared) for major body motion. A mount is included
to allow the motion sensor to be mounted within a one of two height ranges at the
discretion of the installer: about 6' 6" - 8' 6" (∼2m - 2.6m) or about 8' 6" - 11'
10" (∼2.6m - ∼3.6m). If the motion sensor is to be mounted in the higher height range,
the mount is attached to the wall in a first orientation, but if the motion sensor
is to be mounted in the lower height range, the mount is attached to the wall in a
second orientation.
[0019] The mount can be mounted along a vertical line on a flat wall or in a corner. Two
holes can be drilled on the vertical line to accommodate the two mounting screw holes
in the base of the mount. To attach the mount to the wall in the first orientation,
the mount is installed with the stem sloping downward and the "10°" marking upright.
To attach the mount to the wall in the second orientation, the mount is stalled with
the stem sloping upward and the "5°" marking upright. Once the mount is attached to
the wall, the socket on the back of the motion sensor is slipped on the stem with
the motion sensor upright. If the mount was installed in the first orientation, the
motion sensor will look like it is pointed about 10° down, but if the mount was installed
in the second orientation, the motion sensor will look like it is pointed about 5°
down. This is accomplished due to the elevation angle of the motion sensor being dependent
on the angle between the socket and the horizontal plane of the motion sensor, the
angle of the stem from horizontal, and the orientation of the mount.
[0020] In one example, the angle between the socket and the horizontal plane of the motion
sensor is about 7.5° and the angle of the stem from horizontal is about 2.5°. If the
mount is attached to the wall in the first orientation with the stem sloping downward,
the angle of the motion sensor from horizontal is equal to the angle between the socket
and the horizontal plane of the motion sensor plus the angle of the stem from horizontal,
or about 7.5°+2.5°=10°. If the mount is attached to the wall in the second orientation
with the stem sloping upward, the angle of the motion sensor from horizontal is equal
to the angle between the socket and the horizontal plane of the motion sensor minus
the angle of the stem from horizontal, or about 7.5°-2.5°=5°.
[0021] The example motion sensor can monitor an area about +/- 45° from its pointing direction
for a total azimuth coverage range of about 90°. Thus, an entire room can be covered
by mounting the sensor in one corner. For other applications, the motion sensor can
be mounted on a flat wall and an azimuth angle selected for the motion sensor by positioning
the stem of the mount at an appropriate location within the socket.
[0022] Another example of an embodiment of a security apparatus is a video camera designed
to be mounted on a wall and pointed at a specific area of interest. The video camera
includes a camera body that has a field of view dependent upon the lens and image
sensor used for the camera body, and a socket on the opposite side of the camera body
from the lens. The socket has a concave spherical dome shape made of steel that has
been snapped into a cavity on the back of the camera body.
[0023] The video camera also includes a mount that has a base designed to be attached to
a wall with a stem extending from the base. The end of the stem is shaped to fit the
shape of the concave spherical dome shape of the socket. The end of the stem has a
surface area that is significantly smaller than the area of the socket so that the
end of the stem can be positioned at many different places within the socket. The
stem includes a magnet, such as a neodymium magnet, so that if the end of the stem
is placed at a point in the socket, the end of the stem and the socket are magnetically
attracted to one another.
[0024] A user or installer can attach the mount to the wall using screws or some other attachment
mechanism. Then the camera body is positioned with its field of view aimed at the
area of interest by positioning the end of the stem in the socket at the appropriate
place to aim the camera body. Once the stem is inserted into the socket at the appropriate
place, magnetic force holds the camera body in the desired orientation, that is with
the desired elevation angle and azimuth angle, to monitor the area of interest. A
high friction surface treatment may be applied to the end of the stem and/or the socket
so that normal vibrations and shock from things such as slamming a door do not cause
the orientation of the camera body to change.
[0025] Reference now is made in detail to the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings
and discussed below.
[0026] FIG. 1A and 1B show an embodiment of a motion sensor body 110 on a mount 120, where
the mount 120 is oriented in a first orientation in FIG. 1A and in a second orientation
in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1C and 1D show oblique views from the front upper right and the rear
lower left, respectively, of the same embodiment of the motion sensor 100 with the
mount 120 in the first orientation as shown in FIG. 1A. The motion sensor 100 includes
the motion sensor body 110 and the mount 120, which is separable from the motion sensor
body 110 and capable of being mounted in at least a first orientation or a second
orientation. The motion sensor body 110 may include a top side 115 which is positioned
at the top of the motion sensor body 110 when the motion sensor body 110 is in an
upright position and configured for normal functionality of the motion sensor 100.
[0027] The motion sensor 100 has a detection pattern extending from the front of the motion
sensor body 110. The shape of the motion sensor pattern varies between embodiments,
but in general is bounded on the top by a functionality plane of the motion sensor
body which emanates from the front of the motion sensor body 110 at an elevation angle
that typically is measured as some number of degrees from horizontal when the motion
sensor body 110 is positioned with its top side 115 up.
[0028] The motion sensor body 110 also includes a back side 111 that faces away from the
detection area of the motion sensor 100. A socket 112 is recessed into the back side
111 of the motion sensor body 110 at an angle to the functionality plane which may
be called a first angle. Any exterior portions of the socket 112 protruding from the
motion sensor body 110 are considered a part of the back side 111 so even if the socket
112 does not extend past the plane of the flat part of the back side 111 into the
motion sensor body 110, the socket 112 can be considered to be recessed into the back
side 111 of the motion sensor body 110. The socket 112 includes a top wall 112T and
a bottom wall 112B which are substantially flat, as well as a rear-facing surface
112R which may be curved and may include a magnetic material.
[0029] The mount 120 includes a base 121 and a stem 122 which may be separate pieces or
may be formed together as a single article. The base 121 is designed to be attached
to a vertical wall 102 in either a first orientation as shown in FIG. 1A or a second
orientation as shown in FIG. 1B. Any type of attachment can be used, according to
the embodiment, including, but not limited to, glue, nails, tape, double-sided adhesive
pads, magnetic attraction, or screws. In the embodiment shown, a first screw hole
125A and a second screw hole 125B in the base 121 can be used with screws to affix
the mount 120 to the vertical wall 102. In the first orientation, a substantially
flat first side 122A of the stem 122 is facing up and a first end 121A of the base
121 is at the top of the mount 120 as shown in FIG. 1A. In the second orientation,
a substantially flat second side 122B of the stem 122 is facing up and a second end
121B of the base 121 is at the top of the mount 120 as shown in FIG. 1B. The first
side 122A is the opposite side of the stem 122 from the second side 122B. In the first
orientation of the mount 120, a first marking "A" 129A is upright, but in the second
orientation of the mount 120, a second marking "B" 129B is upright. The markings can
be any word, number and/or symbol and can be useful to the person attaching the mount
120 to the wall 102 to determine which orientation the mount 120 is in.
[0030] A proximal end of the stem 122 is attached to the base 121, and a distal end of the
stem 122 is formed to fit into the socket 112 with the first side 122A and second
side 122B in close proximity to the top wall 112T and bottom wall 122B of the socket
112. In some embodiments, the distal end of the stem 122 includes a magnetic material,
so the magnetic material is near the distal end of the stem 122. The stem 122 extends
from the base 121 at a second angle from horizontal. The second angle can be any angle,
depending on the embodiment, but in some embodiments, the second angle is between
about 2 degrees and about 25 degrees, and in at least one embodiment, the second angle
is about 2.5 degrees.
[0031] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show the motion sensor body 110 in an upright position and the
stem 122 of the mount 120 inserted into the socket 112 where it may be held in place
by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic
material in some embodiments. In FIG. 1A with the mount in the first orientation,
the angle of the motion sensor body 110 with respect to the mount 120 is set so that
the functionality plane of the motion sensor body 110 is set at an angle from horizontal
equal to the first angle plus the second angle. In FIG. 1B with the mount in the second
orientation, the angle of the motion sensor body 110 with respect to the mount 120
is set so that the functionality plane of the motion sensor body 110 is set at an
angle from horizontal equal to the first angle minus the second angle. The first angle
is the angle between the functionality plane and a central axis of the socket 112
and the second angle is the angle between the central axis of the stem 122 and horizontal
when the mount 120 is affixed to a vertical wall 102.
[0032] FIG. 1E shows a rear view of the embodiment of the motion sensor body 110. The motion
sensor body 110 has a top side 115 and a back side 111 with the socket 112 recessed
into the back side 111. The socket 112 includes a curved rear-facing surface 112R
between the top wall 112T and the bottom wall 112B, that in some embodiments includes
a magnetic material, such as steel. In at least one embodiment, the steel magnetic
material snaps into a cavity on the back side 111 of the motion sensor body 110 to
form at least part of the socket 112.
[0033] In at least one embodiment, the curved rear-facing surface 112R of the socket 112
is shaped as a section of a sphere with a given diameter, and the distal end of the
stem 122 is shaped as a section of a sphere with a diameter about the same as the
given diameter. In another embodiment, the curved rear-facing surface 112R of the
socket 112 is shaped as a section of a cylinder with a given diameter, and the distal
end of the stem 122 is shaped as a section of a cylinder with a diameter about the
same as the given diameter. The distal end of the stem 122 is positionable at a first
location in the socket 112 to set the motion sensor body 110 at a first azimuth angle
from the stem 122, and the distal end of the stem 122 is positionable at a second
location in the socket 112 to set the motion sensor body 110 at a second azimuth angle
from the stem 122.
[0034] FIG. 2A and 2B show vertical cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a security
apparatus 200 mounted with its functional plane 218 at two different fixed angles,
respectively, as determined by the orientation of the mount 220. The security apparatus
200 includes a sensor body 210 and a mount 220. The security apparatus 200 can be
any type of device used for a security application including, but not limited to,
a camera of any type, a motion sensor, a light beam interruption sensor, a chemical
detector, or a sound detector.
[0035] The sensor body 210 includes a socket 212 is recessed into the sensor body 210 at
a first angle 219 from a functionality plane 218 of the sensor body 210. The vector
230 shows the centerline of the socket 212 as well as the centerline of the stem 222.
The socket 212 includes a first wall 212T and a second wall 212B opposite from the
first wall 212T. In at least one embodiment, the first wall 212T and the second wall
212B are substantially flat, and a distance from the first wall 212T to the second
wall 212B at an inside portion of the socket 212 is less than a distance from the
first wall 212T to the second wall 212B at an outside portion of the socket 212 so
that the socket 212 is tapered.
[0036] The functionality plane 218 extends from the sensor body 210 and may depend on the
functionality of the security apparatus 200. In at least one embodiment where the
security apparatus 200 is a motion sensor with a fixed detection pattern, the functionality
plane 218 is a plane bounding the top of the detection pattern. In some other embodiments
where the security apparatus 200 is a camera, the functionality plane is a plane bisecting
a field of view of the camera or bounding an edge of the field of view. In some other
embodiments where the security apparatus 200 is a sound detection device, the functionality
plane is set to the plane of highest sensitivity of the sound detector. In some embodiments,
the functionality plane is not tied to the actual function of the security apparatus
200, but is simply an arbitrary plane extending from the sensor body 210, such as
a plane bisecting the sensor body 210.
[0037] The mount 220 includes a base 221 and a stem 222. The base 221 is adapted to be affixed
at a mounting plane. In FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B the mounting plane is aligned with a vertical
wall 202. A proximal end of the stem 222 is attached to the base 221, and a distal
end of the stem 222 is formed to fit into the socket 212. The stem 222 has a first
side 222A and a second side 222B opposite from the first side 222A. In at least one
embodiment, the first side 212A and the second side 21B are substantially flat sides
and the stem 212 is tapered from the distal end to the proximal end to fit into the
socket 212. The centerline 230 of the stem 222 extends from the base 221 at a second
angle 226 from a normal vector that is perpendicular to the mounting plane. The second
angle 226 can be any angle, depending on the embodiment, but in some embodiments,
the second angle 226 is between about 2° and about 25°, and in at least one embodiment,
the second angle 226 is about 2.5°.
[0038] The angle 232A/B of the functionality plane 218 with respect to the normal vector
234 to the mounting plane is different depending on how the stem 222 is inserted into
the socket. The mounting plane can have any orientation, but in the embodiment shown
in FIG. 2A/B, the mounting plane is aligned with the vertical wall 102 making the
normal vector 234 a horizontal vector in the embodiment. In FIG. 2A the stem 222 is
inserted into the socket 112 with the first side 222A of the stem 222 in close proximity
to the first wall 212T of the socket 212 and the second side 222B of the stem 222
in close proximity to the second wall 212B of the socket 212. A first end 221A of
the base 221 may be oriented up with the base 221 attached to the vertical wall 202.
With the stem 222 inserted as such, the functionality plane 218 of the sensor body
210 is set at an angle 232A from the normal vector 234 equal to the first angle 219
plus the second angle 226.
[0039] In FIG. 2B the stem 222 is inserted into the socket 112 with the first side 222A
of the stem 222 in close proximity to the second wall 212B of the socket 212 and the
second side 222B of the stem 222 in close proximity to the first wall 212T of the
socket 212. A first end 221A of the base 221 may be oriented down with the base 221
attached to the vertical wall 202. With the stem 222 inserted as such, the functionality
plane 218 of the sensor body 210 is set at an angle 232B from the normal vector 234
equal to the first angle 219 minus the second angle 226.
[0040] In some embodiments, the first angle 219 between the functionality plane 218 and
the socket 212 is between 0° and 45° and the second angle is about 2.5° so that the
difference between the angle of the functionality plane and the normal vector 234
to the mounting plane between the two ways of inserting the stem 222 into the socket
212 is about 5°. In at least one embodiment, the first angle 219 is about 27.5° and
the second angle 226 is about 2.5° making the angle 232A with the stem 222 inserted
into the socket in the first way equal to about 30° and the angle 232B with the stem
222 inserted into the socket in the second way equal to about 25°. In at least one
other embodiment, the first angle 219 is about 7.5° and the second angle 226 is about
2.5° making the angle 232A with the stem 222 inserted into the socket in the first
way equal to about 10° and the angle 232B with the stem 222 inserted into the socket
in the second way equal to about 5°.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a security apparatus
300 with a fixed azimuth angle. The security apparatus 300 may have a vertical cross-section
that is similar to the security apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2A/B. The security apparatus
300 includes a sensor body 310 with a socket 312 recessed into the sensor body 310
at an angle to a centerline 340 of the sensor body 310. In some embodiments, the angle
between the angle of the socket 312 and the centerline 340 may be about 0° as is shown
in FIG. 3.
[0042] The security apparatus 300 includes a mount 320 with a stem 322 formed to fit into
the socket 312. The shape of the socket 312 and the stem 322 can be any shape, depending
on the embodiment, as long as the stem 322 can be inserted into the socket 312. In
at least one embodiment, the socket 312 and the stem 322 are round and the sensor
body 310 can rotate around the centerline of the stem 322. In other embodiments, the
stem 322 and the socket 312 have 4 flat sides so that the sensor body 310 cannot rotate
around the stem 322. In some embodiments, the shape of the stem 322 and socket 312
are substantially rectangular so that the stem 322 can be inserted into the socket
312 in only two different ways as described for FIG. 2A/B above. In other embodiments,
the shape of the stem 322 and socket 312 are substantially square so that the stem
322 can be inserting into the socket 312 in four different ways, at least two of which
are consistent with the two different ways as described for FIG. 2A/B above. In at
least one embodiment, the motion sensor body 310 is set to a substantially fixed position
once the stem 322 is inserted into the socket 312 with an azimuth angle of about zero
degrees from the stem 322.
[0043] In some embodiments, the socket 312 includes a first magnetic material 313, the end
of the stem 322 includes a second magnetic material 328, and the stem 322 is held
in the socket 312 by magnetic force. In some embodiments, the first magnetic material
313 and the second magnetic material 328 are magnets oriented to attract one another.
In other embodiments, the first magnetic material 313 is a ferromagnetic material
such as steel, and the second magnetic material 328 is a magnet. Any type of magnet
can be used, depending on the embodiment, but in at least one embodiment, the second
magnetic material 328 is a neodymium magnet. The strength of the magnet may vary between
embodiments depending on the mass of the sensor body 310, distance between the first
magnetic material 313 and the second magnetic material 328, the type and size of the
first magnetic material 313 and the second magnetic material 328, and the application.
The magnet may be chosen to allow the stem 322 to be easily pulled from the socket
312 by a person, but to still have enough force to keep the stem 322 from being easily
dislodged from the socket 312 if bumped or subjected to normal building vibrations.
In at least one embodiment, the magnet used for the magnetic material 328 is chosen
to exert about 2 pounds of force (about 10 Newtons) between the mount 320 and the
sensor body 310.
[0044] FIG. 4 shows a rear view of another embodiment of a sensor body 410 of a security
apparatus similar to the security apparatus of FIG. 1A-D but with a fixed azimuth
angle. The sensor body 410 has a socket 412 recessed into a back side 411 of the sensor
body 410. The socket 412 is formed to hold a stem of a mount by having 4 sides that
fit in close proximity to the 4 sides of the stem so that the sensor body 410 is set
to a substantially fixed position with respect to the mount when the stem is inserted
into the socket 412. In at least one embodiment, the fixed position of the sensor
body 410 has an azimuth angle that is about zero degrees from the stem. While in some
embodiments, a stem can be inserted into the socket 412 in four different ways, at
least two of the ways are consistent with the two different ways as described for
FIG. 2A/B above.
[0045] FIG. 5A and 5B show horizontal cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a security
apparatus 500 set to two different azimuth angles. The security apparatus 500 may
have a vertical cross-section that is similar to the security apparatus 200 shown
in FIG. 2A/B. The security apparatus 500 includes a sensor body 510 and a mount 520.
The sensor body 510 includes a socket 512 recessed into back of the sensor body 510
with two substantially flat walls, a top wall (not shown) and a bottom wall 512B opposite
from the top wall, and a concave rear-facing curved surface 512R between the top wall
and the bottom wall. The shape of the concave rear-facing curved surface 512R may
be a section of a cylinder with a given radius, a section of a sphere with a given
radius, or some other shape, depending on the embodiment.
[0046] The mount 520 includes a stem 522 formed to fit between the top wall and the bottom
wall 512B of the socket 512. The shape of the end of the stem 522 may be a section
of a cylinder with about the same radius as the cylinder used for the curved surface
512R of the socket 512, a section of a sphere with about the same radius as the sphere
used for the curved surface 512R of the socket 512, or some other shape. The end of
the stem 522 is variably positionable in the socket 512 to set the sensor body 510
at a plurality of azimuth angles between a first azimuth angle 542A and a second azimuth
angle 542B. In some embodiments, the sensor body 510 is pivotable on the stem 522
in a plane parallel to the stem 522 to set the azimuth angle. The azimuth angle 542A/B
in at least some embodiments is measured between a centerline 530 of the stem 522
and a centerline 540 of a functional area of the sensor body 510. In at least one
embodiment, the first azimuth angle 542A is equal to about 45 degrees to the right
of the stem, and the second azimuth angle 542B is equal to about 45 degrees to the
left of the stem.
[0047] In some embodiments, the socket 512 includes a first magnetic material 513, the end
of the stem 522 includes a second magnetic material 528, and the stem 522 is held
in the socket 512 by magnetic force. In some embodiments, the first magnetic material
513 is a ferromagnetic material such as steel, and the second magnetic material 528
is a magnet. Any type of magnet can be used, depending on the embodiment, but in at
least one embodiment, the second magnetic material 528 is a neodymium magnet. The
strength of the magnet may vary between embodiments depending on the mass of the sensor
body 510, distance between the first magnetic material 513 and the second magnetic
material 528, the type and size of the first magnetic material 513 and the second
magnetic material 528, and the application. The magnet may be chosen to allow the
stem 522 to be easily moved within the socket 512 or pulled from the socket 512 by
a person, but still have enough force to keep the stem 522 from being easily moved
in the socket 512 if bumped or subjected to normal building vibrations. In at least
one embodiment, the magnet used for the magnetic material 528 is chosen to exert about
5 pounds of force (about 20 newtons) between the mount 520 and the sensor body 510.
The force used for this embodiment may be higher than the force used for the embodiment
of FIG. 3A/B because the embodiment of FIG. 3A/B holds the stem 322 on all four sides
and allows for less movement of the stem than the embodiment of FIG. 5A/B which only
holds the stem 522 on two sides.
[0048] FIG. 6A and 6B show horizontal cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment
of a security apparatus 600 set to two different azimuth angles. The security apparatus
600 may have a vertical cross-section that is similar to the security apparatus 200
shown in FIG. 2A/B. The security apparatus 600 includes a sensor body 610 and a mount
620. The sensor body 610 includes a socket 612 recessed into back of the sensor body
610 with two substantially flat walls, a top wall (not shown) and a bottom wall 612B
opposite from the top wall, and a concave rear-facing curved surface 612R between
the top wall and the bottom wall. In embodiments, the concave rear-facing curved surface
612R includes two or more magnets placed near the socket with a magnetic pole facing
into the socket.
[0049] The mount 620 includes a stem 622 formed to fit between the top wall and the bottom
wall 612B of the socket 612. The end of the stem 622 is variably positionable in the
socket 612 to set the sensor body 610 at a plurality of azimuth angles. The end of
the stem 622 includes a magnetic material 628 which in some embodiments is a magnet
with an opposite magnetic pole facing the end of the stem. The azimuth angle 642A/B
in at least some embodiments is measured between a centerline 630 of the stem 622
and a centerline 640 of a functional area of the sensor body 610.
[0050] The security apparatus 600 includes a first alignment mechanism to position the end
of the stem 622 at a first location in the socket 612 to set the sensor body 610 to
a first azimuth angle 642A of about 45 degrees The first alignment mechanism includes
a first magnet 613A near the first location in the socket 612 to attract the magnetic
material 628 in the stem.
[0051] The security apparatus 600 includes a second alignment mechanism to position the
end of the stem 622 at a second location in the socket 612 to set the sensor body
610 to a second azimuth angle 642B of about -45 degrees. The second alignment mechanism
includes a second magnet 613B near the second location in the socket 612 to attract
the magnetic material 628 in the stem.
[0052] The security apparatus 600 includes a third alignment mechanism to position the end
of the stem 622 at a third location in the socket 612 to set the sensor body 610 to
a third azimuth angle of about 0 degrees The third alignment mechanism includes a
third magnet 613C near the third location in the socket 612 to attract the magnetic
material 628 in the stem.
[0053] In at least one embodiment, the magnetic material 628 includes a magnet with its
north pole facing the socket. In those embodiments, the first magnet 613A is placed
near the socket 612 with its south pole facing into the socket 612, the second magnet
613B is placed near the socket 612 with its south pole facing into the socket 612,
and the third magnet 613C is placed near the socket 612 with its south pole facing
into the socket 612
[0054] In other embodiments, end of the stem is held in the socket by friction between first
and second walls of the socket and first and second sides of the stem, or a snap-in
mechanism. FIG. 7A shows a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a security
apparatus 700 with the stem 722 of the mount 720 held in the socket 712 by a snap-in
mechanism. The security apparatus 700 includes a sensor body 710 with the socket 712
recessed into the back of 711 the sensor body 710. A portion of the back of the sensor
body 711 including the socket 712 is shown in FIG. 7B. The socket 712 includes a slot
715 in the rear surface 712R of the socket 712 backed by a cavity 716. In some embodiments,
the slot 715 includes one or more detents, such as the first detent 717A, the second
detent 717B, and the third detent 717C which may be wide points in the slot 715. The
stem 722 has a protrusion extending from the end of the stem 722 that includes a head
726 and a neck 724. The head 726 is adapted to be pushed through the slot 715 into
the cavity 716 with the neck 724 extending through the slot 715. The head 726 is further
adapted to not easily pull back through the slot 715, which may be accomplished by
an arrowhead shape to the head 726. In some embodiment, the neck 724 may be sized
to fit tightly in the slot 715 so that there is a resistance to move the neck 724
out of one of the detents 717A-C. In some embodiments, the head 726 and neck 724 may
have a slot cut through them to allow them to more easily contract and expand.
[0055] The sensor body 710 can then be positioned at various azimuth angles by sliding the
neck 724 through the slot 715. An alignment mechanism, such as one of the detents
717A-C, may be used to position the end of the stem 722 in a particular location in
the socket 712 to set a particular azimuth angle. In other embodiments the alignment
mechanism is a sub-socket, or deeper portion, , in the rear facing surface 712R of
the socket 712 to hold the end of the stem 722, a detent on one of the walls of the
socket 712, or a visible marking on the sensor body 710. In the embodiment shown,
the first detent 717A may be used to position the stem 722 at a first location in
the socket 712 to set a first azimuth angle, the second detent 717B may be used to
position the stem 722 at a second location in the socket 712 to set a second azimuth
angle, and the third detent 717C may be used to position the stem 722 at a third location
in the socket 712 to set a third azimuth angle of about 0 degrees. The stem 722 may
also be positionable between the first location in the socket 712 and the second location
in the socket 712 to vary the azimuth angle.
[0056] FIG. 8 shows a side view 801 and a top view 802, respectively, of detection pattern
for an embodiment of a motion sensor 810. The detection pattern can also be thought
us as monitored volumes of space by the motion sensor 810 in a room 800. Side view
801 shows a vertical planar cross-section of the room 800 as shown by the cross-section
line A:A in top view 802. Looking first at the side view 801, the motion sensor 810
is mounted on a wall of the room 800 at a height 815. The detection pattern of the
motion sensor 810 is bounded on its top by functionality plane 818 which extends from
the motion sensor 810 at an elevation of an angle 812 below horizontal so that the
functionality plane 818 also forms the angle 812 with the floor at a distance 819
from the motion sensor 810. The motion sensor 810 is mounted at an azimuth angle 816
to set the coverage area of the detection pattern as shown in the top view 802.
[0057] The motion sensor 810 monitors several tiers, or rows, of monitored volumes that
project from the motion sensor 810 at different elevations. In the side view 801,
the monitored volumes without hatch lines, such as monitored volume 864, are behind
the cross-sectional plane A:A, and the monitored volumes with the hatch lines, such
as monitored volume 854, are intersected by the cross-sectional plane A:A. The various
tiers intersect the floor of the room 800 in arcs, as shown in the top view 802. The
locations where the even numbered tiers hit the floor are shown without hatch lines,
and the locations where the odd numbered tiers hit the floor are shown with hatch
lines in the top view 802.
[0058] Looking now at both the side view 801 and the top view 802 together, the highest
tier 850, which includes the monitored volume 854, is an odd numbered tier and includes
monitored volumes 851-856. The next even numbered tier 860 includes monitored volumes
861-866. Additional alternating odd tiers 871, 873, 875, 877 and even tiers 872, 874,
876 each include a set of monitored volumes. The number of tiers and number of monitored
volumes per tier shown in FIG. 8 are shown as an example, but any detection pattern
can be used depending on the embodiment.
[0059] A human 891 is shown in FIG. 8 moving through the room 800. As the human 891 moves
through the room 800 in the direction 892, she passes through multiple monitored volumes
of multiple tiers. At her initial location, the human 891 is intersecting monitored
volume 854 of tier 850. Infrared radiation generated by the warmth of her body is
directed from the monitored volume 854 onto one or more detector elements in the motion
sensor 810. As the human 891 moves in the direction 892, she moves out of the monitored
volume 854 and into monitored volume 864, followed by moving from monitored volume
864 into monitored volume 855 and so on. The motion sensor 810 detects that the infrared
radiation has moved between monitored volumes and can use that information to indicate
that motion has been detected. The motion sensor 810 can then generate one or more
of an audible indication, such as a siren or warning voice, a visual indication, such
as turning on a light, or a actuating a strobe light or rotating light, generating
an indication on a wired circuit, such as closing a switch or sending an ethernet
message, and/or sending a radio frequency message, such as a message sent over a Wi-Fi
(IEEE 800.11) network or Zigbee (IEEE 802.15) network.
[0060] Note that a combination of the elevation angle 812 of the functionality plane 818
of the motion sensor 810 and the mounting height 815 of the motion sensor 810 determine
the distance 819 from the motion sensor 810 that the detection pattern extends. So
if a constant distance 819 for the detection pattern is desired, if the height 815
changes, the elevation angle 812 of the functionality plane 818 needs to change to
keep the distance 819 constant. If motion sensor 810 has a body and a mount as shown
in FIG. 1A-E or FIG. 2A/B, the orientation of the mount may be changed as the mounting
height 815 is changed to keep a constant distance 819.
[0061] In one example, the functionality plane extends 818 from the sensor body at an angle
of about 27.5°. A mount is provided with a stem that protrudes from the base at an
angle of about 2.5° from horizontal if the mount is attached to a vertical wall. So
if the mount is attached to the vertical wall in the first orientation, the functionality
plane 818 extends from the motion sensor at about 27.5°+2.5° = 30°. If the mount is
attached to the wall in the second orientation, the functionality plane 818 extends
from the motion sensor at about 27.5°-2.5° = 25°. So if it is desired that the distance
819 for the detection pattern to extend from the motion sensor 810 is about 16 feet
(about 5 meters), a mounting height of about 9' 4" (about 2.8 meters) would extend
the detection pattern to about 16 feet (about 5 meters) if the mount is attached to
the wall in the first position, and a mounting height of about 7' 6" (about 2.3 meters)
would extend the detection pattern to about 16 feet (about 5 meters) if the mount
is attached to the wall in the second position. This can be shown by using a trigonometric
formula to solve for the mounting height based on the distance 819 and the elevation
angle 812 using the formula:

where α is the elevation angle 812,
d is the distance 819, and
h is the mounting height 815.
[0062] This shows an example of selecting an orientation to use to affix the mount to the
vertical wall based on a mounting height, a target coverage area, and the detection
pattern of the motion sensor body. Once the orientation is selected, the mount can
be affixed to the vertical wall in the selected orientation at the mounting height
and the stem of the mount inserted into the socket with the motion sensor body in
an upright position. In some embodiments, an azimuth angle 816 for the motion sensor
body is also determined based on the target coverage area and the detection pattern
of the motion sensor body. To set the azimuth angle, the end of the stem is inserted
into the socket at an appropriate location in the socket to set the motion sensor
body at the determined azimuth angle 816.
[0063] FIG. 9A-C show a three view orthographic projection of an embodiment of a mount 900
suitable for embodiments of a security apparatus. FIG. 9A shows a side view, FIG.
9B shows a front view, and FIG. 9C shows a top view of the mount 900 in the first
orientation. The mount includes a base 901 and a stem 902 extending from the base
901. The base 901 of this embodiment is configured to be attached to either a flat
surface or an interior corner of two surfaces where the surfaces may be vertical walls.
The base 901 includes two screw holes 905A, 905B which can be used to attach the base
901 to either the flat surface or the interior corner. Other embodiments may use other
mechanisms to attach the base 901 to the surface including, but not limited to, glue,
nails, rivets, tape, double-sided sticky pads, magnetic attraction, or any other attachment
mechanism. If the base 901 is attached to a flat surface, the back surface 903M of
the base 901 is held flush against the wall that is coincident with the mounting plane
of the mount 900. If the base 901 is attached to an interior corner of two surfaces
that meet in the mounting plane of the mount with the normal vector of the mounting
plane bisecting the interior corner, the left angled surface 903L is held against
one of the surfaces of the interior corner, and the right angled surface 903R is held
against the other surface of the interior corner.
[0064] The mount 900 is shown in the first orientation with the stem 902 sloping down, or
extending from the base at an angle below a normal vector to the mounting plane. In
the first orientation, the first side 902A of the stem 902 is facing up, and the first
screw hole 905A is above the stem 902. A first marking 909A on the mount 900 is positioned
to be upright if the mount 900 is affixed to a vertical surface in the first orientation.
The mount 900 can also be attached to the vertical surface in a second orientation.
In the second orientation, the first side 902A of the stem 902 is facing down, a second
side of the stem 902 opposite from the first side 902A is facing up, and the second
screw hole 905B is above the stem 902. A second marking 909B on the mount 900 is positioned
to be upright if the mount is affixed to the vertical surface in a second orientation
with the second side of the stem facing up. The first marking 909A and the second
marking 909B can be any type of marking but in at least one embodiment, the markings
909A/B indicate an elevation angle for the security apparatus if the mount is affixed
to the wall.
[0065] FIG. 9D shows an embodiment of a cover 980 to hide the base 901 and mounting screws
of the mount 900 of FIG. 9A-C if the mount 900 is affixed to a flat surface. The cover
980 slides over the mount 900 with the stem 902 protruding through the hole 982. In
some embodiments, the cover 980 may snap into place over the base 901 to keep the
cover 980 in place. The sides of the cover, such as the right side 983R, may cover
the gap created by the angled surfaces 903L/R of the base 901.
[0066] FIG. 9E shows an embodiment of a cover 990 to hide the base 901 and mounting screws
of a mount 900 of FIG. 9A-C if the mount 900 is affixed in an interior corner. The
cover 990 slides over the mount 900 with the stem 902 protruding through the hole
992. In some embodiments, the cover 990 may snap into place over the base 901 to keep
the cover 990 in place. The right side 993R and left side 993L of the cover 990 fit
into the corner where the mount 900 is attached.
[0067] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart 1000 of an embodiment of a method of mounting a motion
sensor. The method starts to mount the motion sensor at block 1001 and a motion sensor
body is obtained at block 1002. The motion sensor body includes a socket and a detection
pattern with a functionality plane bounding the top of the detection pattern. The
socket is recessed into a back side of the motion sensor body at a first angle from
the functionality plane of the motion sensor body.
[0068] The flowchart 1000 continues at block 1003 with obtaining a mount. The mount includes
a base and a stem. The base is adapted to be affixed to a vertical wall in either
a first orientation or a second orientation. A proximal end of the stem is attached
to the base, and a distal end of the stem is formed to fit into the socket of the
motion sensor body. The stem extends from the base at a second angle from horizontal.
[0069] An orientation is selected at block 1004 to use to affix the mount to the vertical
wall, from either the first orientation or the second orientation, based on a mounting
height, a target coverage area, and the detection pattern of the motion sensor body.
The mount is affixed on the vertical wall at block 1005 in the selected orientation
at the mounting height. At block 1006 the stem is inserted into the socket with the
motion sensor body in an upright position to situate the motion sensor body on the
mount. Once the stem is inserted into the socket on the motion sensor body, the functionality
plane of the motion sensor body is set at an angle from horizontal equal to the first
angle plus the second angle if the mount is affixed to the vertical wall in the first
orientation, and an angle from horizontal equal to the first angle minus the second
angle if the mount is affixed to the vertical wall in the second orientation.
[0070] In some embodiments, the method also includes setting an azimuth angle. In such embodiments,
the flowchart 1000 includes optional block 1007 to determine an azimuth angle for
the motion sensor body based on the target coverage area and the detection pattern
of the motion sensor body, and positioning the end of the stem at an appropriate location
in the socket at optional block 1008 to set the motion sensor body at the determined
azimuth angle. The method concludes at block 1009.
[0071] Examples of various embodiments are described in the following paragraphs:
An example motion sensor includes a motion sensor body that includes a socket and
a detection pattern with a functionality plane bounding the top of the detection pattern,
wherein the socket is recessed into a back side of the motion sensor body at a first
angle from the functionality plane of the motion sensor body and the socket comprises
a substantially flat top wall, a substantially flat bottom wall opposite from the
top wall, and a rear-facing surface comprising a first magnetic material. The example
motion sensor also includes a mount that includes a base and a stem, the base adapted
to be affixed to a vertical wall in either a first orientation with a substantially
flat first side of the stem facing up, or a second orientation with a substantially
flat second side of the stem facing up, a proximal end of the stem attached to the
base, and a distal end of the stem comprising a second magnetic material and formed
to fit into the socket with the first and second sides in close proximity to the top
and bottom walls of the socket, wherein the stem extends from the base at a second
angle from horizontal and the first side is the opposite side of the stem from the
second side. With the example motion sensor body in an upright position and the stem
of the mount inserted into the socket and held in place by magnetic attraction between
the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material, the functionality plane
of the motion sensor body is set at an angle from horizontal equal to the first angle
plus the second angle if the mount is affixed to the vertical wall in the first orientation,
and the functionality plane of the motion sensor body is set at an angle from horizontal
equal to the first angle minus the second angle if the mount is affixed to the vertical
wall in the second orientation. In some example motion sensors, the motion sensor
body is set to a substantially fixed position with an azimuth angle of about zero
degrees from the stem when the stem is inserted into the socket. In some example motion
sensors, the second angle is about 2.5 degrees. Some example motion also include a
first marking on the mount positioned to be upright if the mount is affixed to the
vertical wall in the first orientation, and a second marking on the mount positioned
to be upright if the mount is affixed to the vertical wall in the second orientation.
In some example motion sensors, the base is adapted to be affixed at an interior corner
of the vertical wall. In some example motion sensors, the socket further also includes
a concave rear-facing curved surface between the top wall and the bottom wall, and
the distal end of the stem is variably positionable in the socket to set the motion
sensor body at a plurality of azimuth angles between a first azimuth angle and a second
azimuth angle. Some example motion sensors also include a first alignment mechanism
to position the distal end of the stem at a first location in the socket to set the
motion sensor body to the first azimuth angle of about 45 degrees, a second alignment
mechanism to position the distal end of the stem at a second location in the socket
to set the motion sensor body to the second azimuth angle of about -45 degrees, and
a third alignment mechanism to position the distal end of the stem at a third location
in the socket to set the motion sensor body to a third azimuth angle of about 0 degrees.
In some example motion sensors, the first magnetic material comprises steel shaped
to form the rear-facing surface of the socket, and the second magnetic material comprises
a magnet. Any combination of elements described in this paragraph may be used in various
embodiments.
[0072] An example method of mounting a motion sensor includes obtaining a motion sensor
body comprising a socket and a detection pattern with a functionality plane bounding
the top of the detection pattern, wherein the socket is recessed into a back side
of the motion sensor body at a first angle from the functionality plane of the motion
sensor body, and obtaining a mount comprising a base and a stem, the base adapted
to be affixed to a vertical wall in either a first orientation or a second orientation,
a proximal end of the stem attached to the base, and a distal end of the stem formed
to fit into the socket, wherein the stem extends from the base at a second angle from
horizontal, The example method also includes selecting an orientation from the first
orientation or the second orientation to use to affix the mount to the vertical wall
based on a mounting height, a target coverage area, and the detection pattern of the
motion sensor body, affixing the mount on the vertical wall in the selected orientation
at the mounting height, and inserting the stem into the socket with the motion sensor
body in an upright position to situate the motion sensor body on the mount. In the
example motion sensor, the functionality plane of the motion sensor body is set at
an angle from horizontal equal to the first angle plus the second angle if the mount
is affixed to the vertical wall in the first orientation, and the functionality plane
of the motion sensor body is set at an angle from horizontal equal to the first angle
minus the second angle if the mount is affixed to the vertical wall in the second
orientation. Some example methods also include determining an azimuth angle for the
motion sensor body based on the target coverage area and the detection pattern of
the motion sensor body, and positioning the end of the stem at an appropriate location
in the socket to set the motion sensor body at the determined azimuth angle. Any combination
of elements described in this paragraph may be used in various embodiments.
[0073] An example security apparatus includes a sensor body comprising a socket, wherein
the socket is recessed into the sensor body at a first angle from a functionality
plane of the sensor body, the socket comprising a first wall and a second wall opposite
from the first wall, and a mount comprising a base and a stem, the base adapted to
be affixed at a mounting plane, a proximal end of the stem attached to the base, and
a distal end of the stem formed to fit into the socket, wherein the stem extends from
the base at a second angle from a normal vector that is perpendicular to the mounting
plane and the stem comprises a first side and a second side opposite from the first
side. In the example security apparatus, the functionality plane of the sensor body
is set at an angle from the normal vector equal to the first angle plus the second
angle if the stem is inserted into the socket with the first side of the stem in close
proximity to the first wall of the socket, and the functionality plane of the sensor
body is set at an angle from the normal vector equal to the first angle minus the
second angle if the stem is inserted into the socket with the first side of the stem
in close proximity to the second wall of the socket. Some example security apparatuses
also include a first marking on the mount positioned to be upright if the mount is
affixed to a vertical surface in a first orientation with the first side of the stem
facing up, and a second marking on the mount positioned to be upright if the mount
is affixed to the vertical surface in a second orientation with the second side of
the stem facing up. In some example security apparatuses, the base is adapted to be
affixed at an interior corner of two surfaces intersecting in the mounting plane.
Some example security apparatuses also include comprising a cover to hide the base
of the mount. In some example security apparatuses, the first wall and the second
wall are substantially flat, and a distance from the first wall to the second wall
at an inside portion of the socket is less than a distance from the first wall to
the second wall at an outside portion of the socket, and the first side and the second
side are substantially flat sides and the stem is tapered from the distal end to the
proximal end to fit into the socket. In some example security apparatuses, the sensor
body is set to a substantially fixed position with respect to the mount when the stem
is inserted into the socket. In some example security apparatuses, the fixed position
of the sensor body has an azimuth angle that is about zero degrees from the stem.
In some example security apparatuses, the sensor body is pivotable on the stem in
a plane parallel to the stem. In some example security apparatuses, the first wall
and the second wall of the socket are substantially flat, and the socket further comprises
a curved rear-facing surface between the first wall and the second wall, and the first
side and second side of the stem are substantially flat and are formed to fit into
the socket in close proximity to the first and second wall of the socket when the
distal end of the stem is inserted into the socket. In some example security apparatuses,
the distal end of the stem is positionable at a first location in the socket to set
the sensor body at a first azimuth angle from the stem, and the distal end of the
stem is positionable at a second location in the socket to set the sensor body at
a second azimuth angle from the stem. In some example security apparatuses, the curved
rear-facing surface of the socket is shaped as a section of a cylinder with a given
diameter, and the distal end of the stem is shaped as a section of a cylinder with
a diameter about the same as the given diameter. In some example security apparatuses,
the curved rear-facing surface of the socket is shaped as a section of a sphere with
a given diameter, and the distal end of the stem is shaped as a section of a sphere
with a diameter about the same as the given diameter. In some example security apparatuses,
the distal end of the stem is variably positionable in the socket to set the sensor
body at a plurality of azimuth angles between the first azimuth angle and the second
azimuth angle. In some example security apparatuses, the first azimuth angle is equal
to about 45 degrees to the right of the stem, and the second azimuth angle is equal
to about 45 degrees to the left of the stem. Some example security apparatuses also
include a first alignment mechanism to position the distal end of the stem in the
first location in the socket, a second alignment mechanism to position the distal
end of the stem in the second location in the socket, and a third alignment mechanism
to position the distal end of the stem in a third location in the socket to set the
sensor body at an azimuth angle of about 0 degrees from the stem. In some example
security apparatuses, an alignment mechanism is used to position the distal end of
the stem in the first location in the socket. In some example security apparatuses,
the alignment mechanism comprises a sub-socket or a detent in the rear-facing surface
of the socket, a detent on the first or second wall of the socket, or a visible marking
on the sensor body. In some example security apparatuses, security apparatus also
includes a first magnet positioned near the distal end of the stem with a first magnetic
pole facing the distal end of the stem, a second magnet placed near the first location
in the socket with a magnetic pole opposite of the first magnetic pole facing into
the socket, and a third magnet placed near the second location in the socket with
a magnetic pole opposite of the first magnetic pole facing into the socket. In some
example security apparatuses, the distal end of the stem is held in the socket by
friction between first and second walls of the socket and first and second sides of
the stem, or a snap-in mechanism. In some example security apparatuses, the socket
comprises a first magnetic material, and the distal end of the stem comprises a second
magnetic material, and the distal end of the stem is held in the socket by magnetic
force. In some example security apparatuses, the first magnetic material comprises
steel, and the second magnetic material comprises a magnet. In some example security
apparatuses, the steel magnetic material snaps into a cavity on the back of the sensor
body to form at least part of the socket. In some example security apparatuses, the
magnet includes neodymium. In some example security apparatuses, the first magnetic
material includes one or more magnets placed near the socket with a magnetic pole
facing into the socket, and the second magnetic material includes a magnet with an
opposite magnetic pole facing the distal end of the stem. In some example security
apparatuses, the sensor body comprises a motion sensor with a fixed detection pattern.
Any combination of elements described in this paragraph may be used in various embodiments.
[0074] FIG. 11A and 11B show oblique views from the front upper right and the rear lower
left, respectively, of an embodiment of a camera 1100 having a camera body 1110 and
a mount 1120. The camera 1100 may be considered a type of security apparatus and other
types of security apparatuses may be similarly used with the mount 1120. The mount
1120 is separable from the camera body 1110 and adapted to be affixed to a surface,
such as a vertical wall, a ceiling, a flat surface, a pole, and/or a corner, depending
on the embodiment. The camera body 1110 may include a top side 1115 which is positioned
at the top of the camera body 1110 when the camera body 1110 is in an upright position
and configured for normal functionality of the camera 1100. The camera body 1110 has
a field of view extending from the camera body 1110 defining the image capture area
which may be any field of view depending on the lens, the image sensor, and the general
configuration of the camera body 1100. The field of view has a vertical viewing angle
and a horizontal viewing angle, which are defined with the top side 1115 of the camera
body 1110 oriented up. Either angle may be of any size with many embodiments having
vertical and horizontal viewing angles ranging between about 10° and about 180°.
[0075] A centerline of the viewing angles may be defined as the direction that the camera
1100 is pointed and may be used to calculate an elevation angle and an azimuth angle
of the camera 1100 in some embodiments. The elevation angle may be defined as the
deviation of the direction of the camera 1100 from horizontal. The azimuth angle may
be defined as the angle that the camera 1100 is pointed projected onto a horizontal
plane. In some embodiments, the azimuth angle is considered to be 0° if the camera
is pointed in a direction that is perpendicular to a vertical wall on which the mount
1120 of the camera 1100 is attached.
[0076] FIG. 11C shows a rear view of the embodiment of the camera body 1110 of FIG. 11A/B.
The camera body 1110 includes a back side 1111 that in some embodiments faces away
from the field of view of the camera 1100. A socket 1112 may be recessed into the
back side 1111 of the camera body 1110. The socket 1112 includes as a concave curved
surface 1112R which includes a first magnetic material. In at least one embodiment,
the first magnetic material, such as steel, is shaped to form the concave curved surface
1112R and snapped into place in a cavity of the camera body 1110 to form the socket
1112. In some embodiments, the concave curved surface 1112R of the socket 1112 is
shaped as a section of a sphere. While the socket 1112 is shown on the back side 1111
of the camera body 1110, other types of security apparatuses may also include a similar
socket positioned anywhere on that security apparatus.
[0077] Referring back to FIG. 11A/B, the mount 1120 includes a base 1121 and a stem 1122
which may be separate pieces or may be formed together as a single article. The base
1121 is designed to be attached to a surface, such as a vertical wall. Any type of
attachment can be used, according to the embodiment, including, but not limited to,
glue, nails, tape, double-sided adhesive pads, magnetic attraction, or screws. In
the embodiment shown, a first screw hole 1125A and a second screw hole 1125B in the
base 1121 can be used with screws to affix the mount 1120 to the surface. The stem
1122 is attached to the base 1121. The end of the stem 1122 is formed to fit into
the socket and includes a second magnetic material. In at least one embodiment, the
second magnetic material includes a magnet. In at least one embodiment, the end of
the stem 1122 is a distal end, a proximal end of the stem 1122 is attached to the
base 1121, and the stem 1122 has four substantially flat sides tapered from the proximal
end to the distal end.
[0078] The end of the stem 1122 may be curved and may match the curve of the concave curved
surface 1112R of the socket 1112. In at least some embodiments, the end of the stem
is shaped as a section of a sphere with a diameter between about 100% and about 90%
of the diameter of the spherical shape of the concave curved surface 1112R of the
socket 1112. The end of the stem 1122 has a surface area that in some embodiments
is smaller than the surface area of the concave curved surface 1112R of the socket
1112. In some embodiments, the surface area of the end of the stem 1122 is less than
half of the surface area of the concave curved surface 1112R of the socket 1112. In
at least one embodiment, the surface area of the end of the stem 1122 is less than
25% of the surface area of the concave curved surface 1112R of the socket 1112 to
allow for flexibility of positioning the end of the stem 1122 in the socket 1112 while
still providing enough surface area contact to hold the camera body 1110 in position.
[0079] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show the camera body 1110 in an upright position and the stem
1122 of the mount 1120 inserted into the socket 1112 where it is held in place by
magnetic attraction between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material
with both the azimuth angle and elevation angle at about 0° with respect to the mount
1120. The stem 1122, however, can be inserted into the socket 1112 at different positions
to set different orientations (azimuth/elevation angles) of the camera body 1110.
So the field of view of the camera body 1110 is set to a first orientation if the
stem 1122 is inserted into the socket 1122 at a first position, and the field of view
of the camera body 1110 is set to a second orientation if the stem 1122 is inserted
into the socket 1112 at a second position. In at least one embodiment, the first orientation
has a first azimuth angle and a first elevation angle, and the second orientation
has a second azimuth angel and a second elevation angle. Where the movement of the
stem 1122 in the socket 1112 can vary both the azimuth angle and the elevation angle,
the movement of the resulting field of view can be said to have at least two degrees
of freedom. Some embodiments may allow for additional degrees of freedom such as rotation
of the field of view. Other embodiments may have only a single degree of freedom,
such as to vary only the azimuth angle (as shown in FIG. 1A-E).
[0080] FIG. 11D - 11G show side views of the embodiment of the camera 1100 of FIG. 11A/B
mounted on a vertical wall 1102 and set to different elevation angles. The base 1121
of the mount 1120 is attached to the vertical wall 1102 in all of FIG. 11D - 11G.
While four different elevation angles are shown, embodiments may allow for any number
of elevation angles to be set for the field of view for the camera body 1110 within
any range, although in at least one embodiment, the elevation angles may range from
about -45° to about 45°. In another embodiment, the elevation angles may range between
from -30° to about 0°, and in yet another embodiment, the elevation angle may be fixed.
[0081] In FIG. 11D, the stem 1122 of the mount 1120 is inserted into the socket 1112 at
a first position. Because of the curved shape of the concave curved surface 1112R
of the socket 1112, the camera body 1110 is set to a first orientation, which in FIG.
11D has an elevation angle 1150D of about 45° with the azimuth angle not shown in
the side view. The elevation angle 1150D in this embodiment is measured between the
centerline 1140 of the field of view of the camera body 1110, and a horizontal plane
as represented by the dashed line.
[0082] In FIG. 11E, the stem 1122 of the mount 1120 is inserted into the socket 1112 at
a second position. Because of the curved shape of the concave curved surface 1112R
of the socket 1112, the camera body 1110 is set to a second orientation, which in
FIG. 11E has an elevation angle 1150E of about -45° with the azimuth angle not shown
in the side view. The elevation angle 1150E in this embodiment is measured between
the centerline 1140 of the field of view of the camera body 1110, and a horizontal
plane as represented by the dashed line.
[0083] In FIG. 11F, the stem 1122 of the mount 1120 is inserted into the socket 1112 at
a third position. Because of the curved shape of the concave curved surface 1112R
of the socket 1112, the camera body 1110 is set to a third orientation, which in FIG.
11F has an elevation angle 1150F of about 0° with the azimuth angle not shown in the
side view. The elevation angle 1150F in this embodiment is measured between the centerline
1140 of the field of view of the camera body 1110, and a horizontal plane as represented
by the dashed line, which is parallel to the centerline 1140 in the third orientation.
[0084] In FIG. 11G, the stem 1122 of the mount 1120 is inserted into the socket 1112 at
a fourth position. Because of the curved shape of the concave curved surface 1112R
of the socket 1112, the camera body 1110 is set to a fourth orientation, which in
FIG. 11G has an elevation angle 1150G of about -30° with the azimuth angle not shown
in the side view. The elevation angle 1150G in this embodiment is measured between
the centerline 1140 of the field of view of the camera body 1110, and a horizontal
plane as represented by the dashed line.
[0085] FIG. 11H and 11J (no FIG. 11I was included to avoid confusion) show top views of
the embodiment of the camera 1100 of FIG. 11A/B mounted on a vertical wall 1102 and
set to different azimuth angles. The base 1121 of the mount 1120 is attached to the
vertical wall 1102 in both of FIG. 11H and 11J. While two different azimuth angles
are shown, embodiments may allow for any number of azimuth angles to be set for the
field of view for the camera body 1110 within any range, although in at least one
embodiment, the azimuth angles may range between about -45° to about 45°, and in another
embodiment, the azimuth angle may be fixed.
[0086] In FIG. 11H, the stem 1122 of the mount 1120 is inserted into the socket 1112 at
a fifth position. Because of the curved shape of the concave curved surface 1112R
of the socket 1112, the camera body 1110 is set to a fifth orientation, which in FIG.
11H has an azimuth angle 1160H of about 45° with the elevation angle not shown in
the top view. The azimuth angle 1160H in this embodiment is measured between the centerline
1140 of the field of view of the camera body 1110, and a vertical plane perpendicular
to the wall 1102 as represented by the dashed line.
[0087] In FIG. 11J, the stem 1122 of the mount 1120 is inserted into the socket 1112 at
a sixth position. Because of the curved shape of the concave curved surface 1112R
of the socket 1112, the camera body 1110 is set to a sixth orientation, which in FIG.
11J has an azimuth angle 1160J of about -45° with the elevation angle not shown in
the top view. The azimuth angle 1160J in this embodiment is measured between the centerline
1140 of the field of view of the camera body 1110, and a vertical plane perpendicular
to the wall 1102 as represented by the dashed line.
[0088] Due to the geometry of the socket 1112 and stem 1122, in at least some embodiments,
the possible range of the azimuth angle may be dependent upon the elevation angle
and/or the possible range of the elevation angle may be dependent upon the azimuth
angle. In the embodiment shown, the socket 1112 and stem 1122 are configured to allow
elevation and azimuth angles ranging from about -45° to about 45°. But as the absolute
value of one of the angles increases, the possible range of the other angle decreases.
So for example, if the azimuth angle is set to 45°, the elevation angle may not be
variable at all and may be limited to about 0°. But if the azimuth angle is set to
about 20°, the elevation angle may have a possible range that is less than the full
range of -45° to 45°, but much greater than 0°, such as about -20° to about 20°, and
if the azimuth angle is set to about 0°, the elevation angle may have its full range
of about - 45° to about 45°.
[0089] In embodiments, the camera body 1110 is held in place by magnetic attraction between
the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material when the stem 1122 of
the mount 1120 inserted is into the socket 1112. To help resist drift in the orientation
of the camera body 1110 due to vibrations, shocks, or casual contact with the camera
body 1110, some embodiments provide a high friction surface on at least one of the
end of the stem 1112 or the concave curved surface 1112R of the socket 1112. A high
friction surface is any surface treatment that increases the coefficient of friction
between two surfaces compared to the coefficient of friction between a smooth end
of the stem 1122 with nothing covering its raw material, and the concave curved surface
1112 with a smooth surface and nothing covering its raw material. In at least some
embodiments, the coefficient of friction is increased by at least 50% which are referred
to as very high friction surface treatments. The high friction surface can be any
type of treatment of the surface on the end of the stem 1122 and/or the concave curved
surface 1112. In some embodiments, a texture is added to the surface of the raw material.
The texture can be created in many different ways, depending on the embodiment and
the type of material. Non-limiting examples of creating a texture include etching
the surface of the material after it is formed, or, if the material is molded, texturing
the mold used to form the stem 1122 or the socket 1112. In some embodiments, a high
friction coating may be added to the end of the stem 1122 and/or the concave curved
surface 1112R of the socket 1112. An example of a high friction coating is a rubberized
paint, In some embodiments, a textured coating, such as a texturized powder coat or
a texturized paint, may be applied to create a high-friction surface. Some embodiments
may use a combination of textured surface, high friction coating, and/or textured
coating to create the high friction surface.
[0090] So in at least one embodiment, with the stem 1122 of the mount 1120 inserted into
the socket 1112 and held in place by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic
material and the second magnetic material, the field of view of the camera body 1110
is set to a first orientation if the stem 1122 is inserted into the socket 1112 at
a first position, the field of view of the camera body 1110 is set to a second orientation
if the stem 1122 is inserted into the socket 1112 at a second position, and the field
of view of the camera body 1110 is set to a third orientation if the stem 1122 is
inserted into the socket 1112 at a third position. In such an embodiment, the field
of view of the camera body 1110 varies with at least two degrees of freedom between
the first orientation, the second orientation, and the third orientation.
[0091] FIG. 12A and 12B show cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a security apparatus
1200 set to two different angles. Depending on the embodiment, FIG. 12A/B may represent
vertical or horizontal cross-sectional views, but will be discussed as vertical cross-sectional
views herein, so that FIG. 12A shows a first elevation angle 1252A and FIG. 12B shows
a second elevation angle 1252B. The security apparatus 1200 includes a sensor body
1210 and a mount 1220. The sensor body 1210 includes a socket 1212 recessed into back
of the sensor body 1210 with a concave rear-facing curved surface 1212R. The shape
of the concave rear-facing curved surface 1212R may be a section of a sphere with
a given radius, or some other shape, depending on the embodiment. In at least some
embodiments, the socket 1212 is shaped to appear circular if viewed from the back
as shown in FIG. 11C.
[0092] The mount 1220 includes a stem 1222 formed to fit into the socket 1212. The end of
the stem 1222 is variably positionable in the socket 1212 to set the sensor body 1210
at a plurality of elevation angles between a first elevation angle 1252A and a second
elevation angle 1252B as well as a plurality of azimuth angles. The shape of the end
of the stem 1222 may be a section of a sphere with about the same radius as the cylinder
used for the curved surface 1212R of the socket 1212, or some other shape, as long
as it allows for placement within the socket 1212 to vary both the azimuth and elevation.
The elevation angle 1252A/B in at least some embodiments is measured between a centerline
1230 of the stem 1222 and a centerline 1240 of a functional area of the sensor body
1210. In at least one embodiment, the first elevation angle 1252A is equal to about
45 degrees, and the second elevation angle 1252B is equal to about -45 degrees.
[0093] The socket 1212 includes a first magnetic material 1213, the end of the stem 1222
includes a second magnetic material 1228, and the stem 1222 is held in the socket
1212 by magnetic force. In some embodiments, the first magnetic material 1213 is a
ferromagnetic material such as steel, and the second magnetic material 1228 is a magnet.
Any type of magnet can be used, depending on the embodiment, but in at least one embodiment,
the second magnetic material 1228 is a neodymium magnet. The strength of the magnet
may vary between embodiments depending on the mass of the sensor body 1210, distance
between the first magnetic material 1213 and the second magnetic material 1228, the
type and size of the first magnetic material 1213 and the second magnetic material
1228, and the application. The magnet may be chosen to allow the stem 1222 to be easily
moved within the socket 1212 or pulled from the socket 1212 by a person, but still
have enough force to keep the stem 1222 from being easily moved in the socket 1212
if bumped or subjected to normal building vibrations. In at least one embodiment,
the magnet used for the magnetic material 1228 is chosen to exert about 5 pounds of
force (about 20 Newtons) between the mount 1220 and the sensor body 1210.
[0094] Some embodiments may include an alignment mechanism to encourage the location of
the stem 1222 at specific locations within the socket 1212. In some embodiments, the
end of the stem 1222 may include an indentation to engage with a plurality of with
protrusions located at specific places in the socket 1212, and in other embodiments,
the end of the stem 1222 may include a protrusion to engage with a plurality of indentations
on the socket 1212. In at least one embodiment, the socket 1212 includes at least
one indentation shaped to accept the end of the stem 1222 to provide one or more pre-defined
orientations of the sensor body. Other embodiments may include other types of alignment
mechanisms.
[0095] FIG. 13A and 13B show cross-sectional views of yet another alternative embodiment
of a security apparatus 1300 set to two different orientations. Depending on the embodiment,
FIG. 13A/B may represent vertical or horizontal cross-sectional views or a cross-sectional
view in some other plane, so the angles 1362A/B discussed could represent azimuth
angles, elevation angles, or some other orientation between the centerline 1330 of
the stem 1322 and the centerline 1340 of the body 1310. An orientation can be represented
as a combination of a particular azimuth angle at a particular elevation angle. The
body 1310 includes a socket 1312 that includes a first magnetic material. In some
embodiments, the magnetic material may include one or more magnets 1313A-C.
[0096] The mount 1320 includes a base 1321 and a stem 1322 that includes a second magnetic
material and is formed to fit into the socket 1312. The base 1321 is adapted to be
attached to a surface. In some embodiments, screw holes 1325A/B may be used to attach
the base 1321 to the surface, but other embodiments may use other attachment mechanisms.
The stem 1322 is variably positionable in the socket 1312 to set the body 1310 at
a plurality of orientations (a plurality of azimuth angles and a plurality of elevation
angles), a plurality of azimuth angles or a plurality of elevation angles with respect
to the mount 1320. The second magnetic material in the stem 1322 may be a ferromagnetic
material such as steel in some embodiments. In at least one embodiment, the stem 1322
is constructed from steel. When the stem 1322 is inserted into the socket 1312, the
body 1310 is held in place by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic material
and the second magnetic material.
[0097] In the embodiment shown, the socket 1312 has a concave curved surface shaped as a
section of a sphere with a given diameter and an end of the stem 1322 is shaped as
a section of a sphere with a diameter that is about the same to a little bit smaller
than given diameter. In some embodiments, the end of the stem 1322 has a surface area
at least as large as a surface area of the concave curved surface of the socket 1312
and may be at least a hemisphere in size or larger. In some embodiments, the entire
stem 1322 may constitute the end of the stem 1322 and be shaped as a section of a
sphere.
[0098] FIG 13A shows the stem 1322 inserted into the socket 1312 at a first position to
create a first orientation 1362A for the body 1310. The first orientation 1362A can
be represented as a first elevation angle and a first azimuth angle. FIG 13B shows
the stem 1322 inserted into the socket 1312 at a second position to create a second
orientation 1362B for the body 1310. The second orientation 1362B can be represented
as a second elevation angle and a second azimuth angle.
[0099] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart 1400 of an embodiment of a method of mounting a security
apparatus. The security apparatus may be a camera, a motion sensor, or any other type
of security apparatus. The method starts to mount the security apparatus at block
1401 and a security apparatus body having a field of view is obtained at block 1402.
The security apparatus includes a socket that includes a concave curved surface with
a first magnetic material. The flowchart 1400 continues at block 1403 with obtaining
a mount having a second magnetic material. At block 1404 the mount is affixed to a
surface, such as a wall, a ceiling, a post, or any other type of surface that allows
the security apparatus to be positioned as desired. The stem is inserted into the
socket at a first position at block 1405 to set the field of view of the security
apparatus body to a first orientation. Magnetic attraction between the first magnetic
material and the second magnetic material holds the security apparatus body in the
first orientation at block 1406.
[0100] In some embodiments, the method also includes changing the orientation of the security
apparatus. In such embodiments, the flowchart 1400 includes optional block 1407 to
move the security apparatus body to place the stem into the socket at a second position
to set the field of view of the security apparatus body to a second orientation, and
the security apparatus is held in the second orientation by magnetic attraction between
the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material at optional block 1408.
The method concludes at block 1409.
[0101] Examples of various embodiments are described in the following paragraphs:
An example camera includes a camera body having a field of view and comprising a socket
that includes a concave curved surface comprising a first magnetic material and a
mount comprising a base and a stem attached to the base, the base adapted to be affixed
to a surface, and an end of the stem comprising a second magnetic material and formed
to fit into the socket. In the example camera, with the stem of the mount inserted
into the socket and the camera body held in place by magnetic attraction between the
first magnetic material and the second magnetic material, the field of view of the
camera body is set to a first orientation if the stem is inserted into the socket
at a first position, and the field of view of the camera body is set to a second orientation
if the stem is inserted into the socket at a second position. In some example cameras
with the stem of the mount inserted into the socket and held in place by magnetic
attraction between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material, the
field of view of the camera body is set to a third orientation if the stem is inserted
into the socket at a third position. In some example cameras the field of view of
the camera body varies with at least two degrees of freedom between the first orientation,
the second orientation, and the third orientation. In some example cameras the first
orientation comprises a first azimuth angle and a first elevation angle, and the second
orientation comprises a second azimuth angel and a second elevation angle. In some
example cameras the concave curved surface of the socket is shaped as a section of
a sphere with a given diameter, and the end of the stem is shaped as a section of
a sphere with a diameter between about 100% and about 90% of the given diameter. In
some example cameras the end of the stem has a surface area at least as large as a
surface area of the concave curved surface of the socket. In some example cameras
the first magnetic material comprises one or more magnets, and the second magnetic
material In some example cameras the first magnetic material comprises steel shaped
to form the concave curved surface of the socket, and the second magnetic material
comprises a magnet. In some example cameras the end of the stem has a surface area
of less than half of a surface area of the concave curved surface of the socket. In
some example cameras the end of the stem is a distal end, a proximal end of the stem
is attached to the base, and the stem has four substantially flat sides tapered from
the proximal end to the distal end. Some example cameras also include a high friction
surface on at least one of the end of the stem or the concave curved surface of the
socket. In some example cameras the high friction surface includes a textured surface,
a high friction coating, or a textured coating. Any combination of elements described
in this paragraph may be used in various embodiments.
[0102] An example method of mounting a security apparatus includes obtaining a security
apparatus body having a field of view and comprising a socket that includes a concave
curved surface comprising a first magnetic material, obtaining a mount having a stem
comprising a second magnetic material, affixing the mount to a surface, and inserting
the stem into the socket at a first position to set the field of view of the security
apparatus body to a first orientation. In the example method the security apparatus
body is held in the first orientation by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic
material and the second magnetic material. Some example methods also include moving
the security apparatus body to place the stem into the socket at a second position
to set the field of view of the security apparatus body to a second orientation. In
some example methods, the security apparatus body is held in the second orientation
by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic
material. The security apparatus may be a camera, a motion sensor, or any other type
of security apparatus. Any combination of elements described in this paragraph may
be used in various embodiments.
[0103] An example security apparatus includes a body comprising a socket that includes a
first magnetic material, and a mount comprising a stem that is formed to fit into
the socket and includes a second magnetic material. In the example security apparatus,
if the stem is inserted into the socket, the body is held in place by magnetic attraction
between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material. In some example
security apparatuses, the body is set to a substantially fixed position with respect
to the mount when the stem is inserted into the socket. In some example security apparatuses,
the stem is variably positionable in the socket to set the body at a plurality of
azimuth angles or a plurality of elevation angles with respect to the mount. In some
example security apparatuses, the stem is variably positionable in the socket to set
the body at a plurality of azimuth angles and a plurality of elevation angles with
respect to the mount. In some example security apparatuses, the plurality of azimuth
angles include azimuth angles of about 45 degrees and about -45 degrees and the plurality
of elevation angles includes elevation angles of about 0 degrees and about -30 degrees.
Some example security apparatuses also include a first magnet positioned in the stem
with a first magnetic pole facing away from the mount, a second magnet placed in a
first location in the socket with a magnetic pole opposite of the first magnetic pole
facing into the socket, and a third magnet placed in a second location in the socket
with a magnetic pole opposite of the first magnetic pole facing into the socket. In
some example security apparatuses, if the stem is inserted into the socket with the
first magnet in close proximity to the second magnet, the body is positioned at a
first orientation with respect to the mount, and if the stem is inserted into the
socket with the first magnet in close proximity to the third magnet, the body is positioned
at a second orientation with respect to the mount. In some example security apparatuses,
the first magnetic material comprises steel, and the second magnetic material comprises
a magnet. In some example security apparatuses, the steel magnetic material snaps
into a cavity on the back of the body to form at least a part of the socket. In some
example security apparatuses, the socket comprises a concave curved surface shaped
as a section of a sphere with a given diameter, and an end of the stem is shaped as
a section of a sphere with a diameter between about 100% and about 90% of the given
diameter. In some example security apparatuses, the end of the stem has a surface
area at least as large as a surface area of the concave curved surface of the socket.
In some example security apparatuses, the end of the stem comprises at least a hemisphere.
In some example security apparatuses, the socket comprises a concave curved surface
and an end of the stem has a surface area of less than half of a surface area of the
concave curved surface of the socket. In some example security apparatuses, the socket
comprises a concave curved surface and the mount comprises a base attached to a proximal
end of the stem and adapted to be attached to a surface. In some example security
apparatuses, a distal end of the stem is formed to fit in the socket and the distal
end of the stem has a surface area of less than half of a surface area of the concave
curved surface of the socket, and the stem extends from the base and has four substantially
flat sides tapered from the proximal end to the distal end. Some example security
apparatuses also include a high friction surface on at least one of the end of the
stem or the concave rear surface of the socket. In some example security apparatuses,
the high friction surface includes a textured surface, a high friction coating, or
a textured coating. Any combination of elements described in this paragraph may be
used in various embodiments.
[0104] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an",
and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, reference to an element described as "a monitored volume" may refer
to a single monitored volume, two monitored volumes, or any other number of monitored
volumes. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally
employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the term "coupled" includes direct and indirect connections. Moreover,
where first and second devices are coupled, intervening devices including active devices
may be located there between. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities
of elements, percentages, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to
be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Interpretation
of the term "about" is context specific, but in the absence of other indications,
should generally be interpreted as ±5% of the modified quantity, measurement, or distance.
The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within
that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 2.78, 3.33, and 5).
[0105] The description of the various embodiments provided above is illustrative in nature
and is not intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Thus, different
variations beyond those described herein are intended to be within the scope of the
embodiments of the present invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the intended scope of the present invention. As such, the breadth and
scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary
embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and
equivalents thereof.
1. Verfahren (1000) zum Anbringen einer Sicherheitseinrichtung, wobei das Verfahren Folgendes
umfasst:
Erlangen (1002) eines Sicherheitseinrichtungskörpers, umfassend eine Buchse und mit
einer Ebene einer Funktionsfähigkeit, wobei die Buchse in eine Rückseite des Sicherheitseinrichtungskörpers
in einem ersten Winkel von der Ebene der Funktionsfähigkeit des Sicherheitseinrichtungskörpers
vertieft ist;
Erlangen (1003) einer Halterung, umfassend eine Basis und einen Schaft, wobei die
Basis ausgelegt ist, um an einer vertikalen Wand in entweder einer ersten Ausrichtung
oder einer zweiten Ausrichtung fixiert zu werden, ein proximales Ende des Schafts
an der Basis befestigt ist und ein distales Ende des Schafts ausgebildet ist, um in
die Buchse zu passen, wobei sich der Schaft in einem zweiten Winkel von der Horizontalen
von der Basis erstreckt;
Auswählen (1004) einer Ausrichtung für die Halterung aus der ersten Ausrichtung oder
der zweiten Ausrichtung zur Verwendung beim Fixieren der Halterung an der vertikalen
Wand auf Grundlage einer Anbringungshöhe, eines Zielabdeckungsbereichs und der Ebene
der Funktionsfähigkeit des Sicherheitseinrichtungskörpers;
Fixieren (1005) der Halterung an der vertikalen Wand in der ausgewählten Ausrichtung
in der Anbringungshöhe;
Einführen (1006) des Schafts in die Buchse, wobei der Sicherheitseinrichtungskörper
in einer aufrechten Position ist, um den Sicherheitseinrichtungskörper an der Halterung
in einem Erhebungswinkel der Ebene der Funktionsfähigkeit der Sicherheitseinrichtung,
der durch die ausgewählte Ausrichtung, den ersten Winkel und den zweiten Winkel festgelegt
ist, anzuordnen;
wobei die Ebene der Funktionsfähigkeit des Sicherheitseinrichtungskörpers auf einen
Winkel von der Horizontalen gleich dem ersten Winkel plus dem zweiten Winkel eingestellt
ist, wenn die Halterung in der ersten Ausrichtung an der vertikalen Wand fixiert ist;
und
die Ebene der Funktionsfähigkeit des Sicherheitseinrichtungskörpers auf einen Winkel
von der Horizontalen gleich dem ersten Winkel minus dem zweiten Winkel eingestellt
ist, wenn die Halterung in der zweiten Ausrichtung an der vertikalen Wand fixiert
ist.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Sicherheitseinrichtung einen Bewegungssensor
umfasst, der ein Erfassungsmuster aufweist, das an der Oberseite durch die Ebene der
Funktionsfähigkeit begrenzt ist.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, ferner umfassend:
Bestimmen (1007) eines Azimutwinkels für den Sicherheitseinrichtungskörper auf Grundlage
des Zielabdeckungsbereichs und des Erfassungsmusters des Bewegungssensors;
Positionieren (1008) des Endes des Schafts an einer geeigneten Stelle in der Buchse,
um den Sicherheitseinrichtungskörper auf den bestimmten Azimutwinkel einzustellen.
4. Sicherheitseinrichtung (100), umfassend:
einen Sensorkörper (110), der eine Buchse (112) umfasst, wobei die Buchse (112) in
einem ersten Winkel von einer Ebene einer Funktionsfähigkeit des Sensorkörpers (110)
in den Sensorkörper (110) vertieft ist, wobei die Buchse (112) eine erste Wand (112T)
und eine zweite Wand (112B) gegenüber der ersten Wand umfasst;
und eine Halterung (120), die eine Basis (121) und einen Schaft (122) umfasst, wobei
die Basis (121) ausgelegt ist, um an einer Anbringungsebene fixiert zu werden, ein
proximales Ende des Schafts (122) an der Basis (121) befestigt ist und ein distales
Ende des Schafts (122) ausgebildet ist, um in die Buchse (112) zu passen, wobei sich
der Schaft (122) von der Basis (121) in einem zweiten Winkel von einem Normalvektor,
der senkrecht zur Anbringungsebene ist, erstreckt und der Schaft (122) eine erste
Seite (112A) und eine zweite Seite (112B) gegenüber der ersten Seite (112A) umfasst;
wobei die Ebene der Funktionsfähigkeit des Sensorkörpers (110) auf einen Winkel von
dem Normalvektor gleich dem ersten Winkel plus dem zweiten Winkel eingestellt ist,
wenn der Schaft (122) in die Buchse (112) eingeführt ist, wobei sich die erste Seite
des Schafts (122) in großer Nähe zu der ersten Wand der Buchse (112) befindet; und
die Ebene der Funktionsfähigkeit des Sensorkörpers (110) auf einen Winkel von dem
Normalvektor gleich dem ersten Winkel minus dem zweiten Winkel eingestellt ist, wenn
der Schaft (122) in die Buchse (112) eingeführt ist, wobei sich die erste Seite des
Schafts (122) in großer Nähe zu der zweiten Wand (112B) der Buchse (112) befindet.
5. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach Anspruch 4, ferner umfassend:
eine erste Markierung (129A) an der Halterung (120), die positioniert ist, um aufrecht
zu sein, wenn die Halterung (120) an einer vertikalen Fläche in einer ersten Ausrichtung
fixiert ist, in der die erste Seite des Schafts (122) nach oben zeigt; und
eine zweite Markierung (129B) an der Halterung (120), die positioniert ist, um aufrecht
zu sein, wenn die Halterung (120) an der vertikalen Fläche in einer zweiten Ausrichtung
fixiert ist, in der die zweite Seite des Schafts (122) nach oben zeigt.
6. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 5, wobei die Basis (121) ausgelegt
ist, um an einer Innenecke von zwei Flächen, die sich in der Anbringungsebene schneiden,
fixiert zu sein.
7. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, wobei der Sensorkörper (110)
an dem Schaft (122) in einer Ebene parallel zu dem Schaft (122) schwenkbar ist, um
einen Azimutwinkel für den Sensorkörper einzustellen.
8. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 7, wobei die erste Wand (112T)
und die zweite Wand (112B) der Buchse (112) im Wesentlichen flach sind und die Buchse
(112) ferner eine gekrümmte, nach hinten weisende Fläche (112R) zwischen der ersten
Wand (112T) und der zweiten Wand (112B) umfasst; und wobei die erste Seite und die
zweite Seite des Schafts im Wesentlichen flach und ausgebildet sind, um in großer
Nähe zu der ersten (112T) und zweiten Wand (112B) der Buchse (112) in die Buchse (112)
zu passen, wenn das distale Ende des Schafts (122) in die Buchse (112) eingeführt
ist;
wobei das distale Ende des Schafts (122) an einer ersten Stelle in der Buchse (112)
positionierbar ist, um den Sensorkörper (110) auf einen ersten Azimutwinkel von dem
Schaft (122) einzustellen; und
wobei das distale Ende des Schafts (122) an einer zweiten Stelle in der Buchse (112)
positionierbar ist, um den Sensorkörper (110) auf einen zweiten Azimutwinkel von dem
Schaft (122) einzustellen.
9. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach Anspruch 8, wobei das distale Ende des Schafts (122) variabel
in der Buchse (112) positionierbar ist, um den Sensorkörper (110) auf eine Vielzahl
von Azimutwinkeln zwischen dem ersten Azimutwinkel und dem zweiten Azimutwinkel einzustellen.
10. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach Anspruch 8 bis 9, ferner umfassend einen ersten Ausrichtungsmechanismus,
um das distale Ende des Schafts (122) an einer ersten Stelle in der Buchse (112) zu
positionieren, um den Bewegungssensorkörper (110) auf den ersten Azimutwinkel von
ungefähr 45 Grad einzustellen; einen zweiten Ausrichtungsmechanismus, um das distale
Ende des Schafts (122) an einer zweiten Stelle in der Buchse (112) zu positionieren,
um den Bewegungssensorkörper (110) auf den zweiten Azimutwinkel von ungefähr -45 Grad
einzustellen; und einen dritten Ausrichtungsmechanismus, um das distale Ende des Schafts
(122) an einer dritten Stelle in der Buchse (112) zu positionieren, um den Bewegungssensorkörper
(110) auf einen dritten Azimutwinkel von ungefähr 0 Grad einzustellen.
11. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 9, wobei ein Ausrichtungsmechanismus
verwendet wird, um das distale Ende des Schafts (122) an der ersten Stelle in der
Buchse (112) zu positionieren.
12. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 11, wobei die Buchse (112) ein
erstes magnetisches Material umfasst und das distale Ende des Schafts (122) ein zweites
magnetisches Material umfasst und das distale Ende des Schafts (122) durch magnetische
Kraft in der Buchse (112) gehalten ist.
13. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, wobei der Sensorkörper (110)
auf eine im Wesentlichen feststehende Position in Bezug auf die Halterung (120) eingestellt
ist, wenn der Schaft (122) in die Buchse (112) eingeführt ist.
14. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 13, wobei der Sensorkörper (110)
einen Bewegungssensor umfasst, der ein Erfassungsmuster aufweist, das an der Oberseite
durch die Ebene der Funktionsfähigkeit begrenzt ist.
15. Sicherheitseinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 14, wobei der zweite Winkel
ungefähr 2,5 Grad beträgt.