Self articulating behind-wall camera

Abstract

In one general embodiment, a system for viewing partially or fully enclosed areas comprises a camera coupled to a first end of an elongated member and a viewing device operatively coupled to the camera. The system also includes a controller coupled to a second end of the elongated member for controlling at least one of the member, the camera, and the viewing device, wherein the elongated member has a cross sectional area of less than about one square inch at a point toward the first end of the elongated member. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for viewing partially or fully enclosed areas, comprising:
 a camera coupled to a first end of an elongated member;   a light source coupled towards the first end of the elongated member for illuminating a view of the camera;   at least one communication interface coupled to said elongated member; and   a controller communicatively coupled to the elongated member through said at least one communication interface for controlling at least one of the elongated member, the camera, and the light source;   wherein the elongated member has a cross sectional area of less than about one square inch at a point toward the first end of the elongated member.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to a viewing device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated member is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof relative to a viewing device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes at least one of a control to toggle power to the camera, toggle power to the light source, a control to rotate the elongated member, a control to zoom the camera, and a control to position a center of view angle of the camera. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication interface is a wireless radio. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the wireless radio is Bluetooth enabled. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the wireless radio is Wi-Fi. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage media communicatively coupled to the elongated member and the controller for storing images captured by the camera. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a center of view of the camera can be selectively positioned at an angle of between 0 and about 135 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a distance estimating device for estimating a distance from a longitudinal axis of the elongated member to an object in a view of the camera. 
     
     
         11 . A system for viewing partially or fully enclosed areas, comprising:
 a camera coupled to a first end of an elongated member;   a light source coupled to the first end of the elongated member to provide illumination for the camera; and   at least one communication interface coupled to said elongated member and configured to communicatively couple to a controller, wherein the controller provides interface for controlling at least one of the elongated member, the camera, and the light source;   wherein the elongated member has a cross sectional area of less than about one square inch at a point toward the first end of the elongated member.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is a smartphone. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is a tablet device. 
     
     
         14 . A system for viewing partially or fully enclosed areas, comprising:
 an elongated member with a first end configured for both positional and angular control;   a camera coupled to the first end of the elongated member;   a light source coupled to the first end of the elongated member to provide illumination for the camera; and   at least one communication interface coupled to said elongated member and configured to communicatively couple to a controller, wherein the controller provides interface for controlling at least one of the first end of the elongated member, the camera, and the light source;   wherein the elongated member has a cross sectional area of less than about one square inch at a point toward the first end of the elongated member.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the communication interface is a wireless radio. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless radio is Bluetooth enabled. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless radio is Wi-Fi. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is a smart device.