Abstract: A method for generating an infrared (IR) beam for illuminating a scene to be imaged comprises providing at least two IR emitters, including a first IR emitter operable to emit a wide beam component of the IR beam, and a second IR emitter operable to emit a narrow beam component of the IR beam, wherein the wide beam component has a linear profile that has a lower standard deviation than a linear profile of the narrow beam component. The method also comprises selecting a desired linear profile for the IR beam, and selecting a power ratio of power directed to the first IR emitter and power directed to the second IR emitter that produces the IR beam with the desired linear profile when the narrow beam component and wide beam component are combined.

Abstract: A method for generating an infrared (IR) beam for illuminating a scene to be imaged comprises providing at least two IR emitters, including a first IR emitter operable to emit a wide beam component of the IR beam, and a second IR emitter operable to emit a narrow beam component of the IR beam, wherein the wide beam component has a linear profile that has a lower standard deviation than a linear profile of the narrow beam component. The method also comprises selecting a desired linear profile for the IR beam, and selecting a power ratio of power directed to the first IR emitter and power directed to the second IR emitter that produces the IR beam with the desired linear profile when the narrow beam component and wide beam component are combined.

Abstract: A security camera includes a camera head and a cable assembly with an integrated processing module. The camera head contains a lens and an image sensor, while the processing module contains image processing circuitry for processing images obtained using the image sensor and power circuitry used to power the image processing circuitry and the camera head. A cable connects the camera head and the processing module. The processing module is sized to fit through an aperture in a mounting surface that can be covered by the camera head when the camera head is mounted to the mounting surface, which facilitates ease of installation.

Abstract: A ceiling mount for a security camera includes a back end located in a ceiling space when the ceiling mount is mounted, a front end located below the ceiling when the ceiling mount is mounted, and a spring-loaded clamp to clamp the ceiling mount to the ceiling. The spring-loaded clamp includes a spring connected to a force application member. The clamp can be locked in a loaded state before the mounting process begins. When in the loaded state the spring in the clamp is sufficiently deflected to allow the ceiling to pass between the front end and the force application member. During mounting, once the back end has been pushed into the ceiling space the clamp can be released from the loaded state, which allows the spring to push the force application member against the ceiling and secure the ceiling mount to the ceiling.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at a security camera having dual communication ports. The camera includes a camera body mountable to a mounting surface and comprising an aperture, a lens, an imager, primary communication circuitry comprising a primary communication port accessible from outside the camera body, secondary communication circuitry comprising a secondary communication port accessible from outside the camera body, and control and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the imager and to the primary and secondary communication circuitry. The primary communication port is on one side of the mounting when the camera body is mounted and the secondary communication port and the aperture are on an opposing side of the mounting surface when the camera body is mounted. A digital communication signal is sent to the secondary communication port when the secondary communication port is coupled to an active link.

Abstract: A method for generating an infrared (IR) beam for illuminating a scene to be imaged comprises providing at least two IR emitters, including a first IR emitter operable to emit a wide beam component of the IR beam, and a second IR emitter operable to emit a narrow beam component of the IR beam, wherein the wide beam component has a linear profile that has a lower standard deviation than a linear profile of the narrow beam component. The method also comprises selecting a desired linear profile for the IR beam, and selecting a power ratio of power directed to the first IR emitter and power directed to the second IR emitter that produces the IR beam with the desired linear profile when the narrow beam component and wide beam component are combined; and directing power to the first and second IR emitters at the selected power ratio to generate the wide and narrow beam components, and combining the generated wide and narrow beam components to produce the IR beam.

Abstract: A ceiling mount for a security camera includes a back end located in a ceiling space when the ceiling mount is mounted, a front end located below the ceiling when the ceiling mount is mounted, and a spring-loaded clamp to clamp the ceiling mount to the ceiling. The spring-loaded clamp includes a spring connected to a force application member. The clamp can be locked in a loaded state before the mounting process begins. When in the loaded state the spring in the clamp is sufficiently deflected to allow the ceiling to pass between the front end and the force application member. During mounting, once the back end has been pushed into the ceiling space the clamp can be released from the loaded state, which allows the spring to push the force application member against the ceiling and secure the ceiling mount to the ceiling.

Abstract: A security camera includes a camera head and a cable assembly with an integrated processing module. The camera head contains a lens and an image sensor, while the processing module contains image processing circuitry for processing images obtained using the image sensor and power circuitry used to power the image processing circuitry and the camera head. A cable connects the camera head and the processing module. The processing module is sized to fit through an aperture in a mounting surface that can be covered by the camera head when the camera head is mounted to the mounting surface, which facilitates ease of installation.

Abstract: A method for generating an infrared (IR) beam for illuminating a scene to be imaged comprises providing at least two IR emitters, including a first IR emitter operable to emit a wide beam component of the IR beam, and a second IR emitter operable to emit a narrow beam component of the IR beam, wherein the wide beam component has a linear profile that has a lower standard deviation than a linear profile of the narrow beam component. The method also comprises selecting a desired linear profile for the IR beam, and selecting a power ratio of power directed to the first IR emitter and power directed to the second IR emitter that produces the IR beam with the desired linear profile when the narrow beam component and wide beam component are combined; and directing power to the first and second IR emitters at the selected power ratio to generate the wide and narrow beam components, and combining the generated wide and narrow beam components to produce the IR beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at a security camera having dual communication ports. The camera includes a camera body mountable to a mounting surface and comprising an aperture, a lens, an imager, primary communication circuitry comprising a primary communication port accessible from outside the camera body, secondary communication circuitry comprising a secondary communication port accessible from outside the camera body, and control and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the imager and to the primary and secondary communication circuitry. The primary communication port is on one side of the mounting when the camera body is mounted and the secondary communication port and the aperture are on an opposing side of the mounting surface when the camera body is mounted. A digital communication signal is sent to the secondary communication port when the secondary communication port is coupled to an active link.