Semi-autonomous dolly

• US 10,037,034 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2016
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mega Trax Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mega Trax Corporation
• Inventors: Kuklish, David, McCain, Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Shardul D
• Application Number:
  US15/195,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20170023940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 701 23
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/425 along guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/02 Control of position or course in two dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00

Abstract

Various systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system comprises a track comprising one or more sections, the track including track indicators readable by a track indicator sensor and used to determine a dolly'"'"'s position on the track, and the dolly including one or more sensors and a processor, the one or more sensors including the track indicator sensor, the processor executing instructions that control an operation of the dolly including moving the dolly at least semi-autonomously along the track based on the track indicators, wherein moving the dolly at least semi-autonomously includes one of moving the dolly autonomously and moving the dolly semi-autonomously.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

track comprising a plurality of connectable, modular track sections, the plurality of connectable, modular track sections including a first track section and a second track section;

reusable, removable connector for physically holding a first end of the first track section to a first end of the second track section and maintaining alignment of the first track section and second track section so that a dolly may travel between the first track section and second track section, and wherein the connector physically connects to a fixture holding the first track section and second track section substantially stationary relative to the ground or another structure; and

the dolly including a wheel bogie, the wheel bogie including a first wheel that interfaces with a first surface of the first track section and a second wheel that interfaces with a second surface of the first track section thereby restricting movement of the dolly in first direction relative to the track, wherein the first direction is a direction other than along the track, the dolly including a first drive wheel by which the dolly is propelled along the track using a motor, and the dolly including a mounting point for physically attaching a payload.

2. The system of claim 1, including a second motorized drive wheel by which the dolly is propelled along the track, the first and second motorized drive wheels forced against one or more surfaces of a track section to increase frictional traction of the first and second motorized drive wheels.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first track section and the second track section each include two or more track indicators readable by a track indicator sensor of the dolly and used to determine a dolly'"'"'s position on the track.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first track section and the second track section have one or more of a different curvature and different length.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the track is reconfigurable and the plurality of modular track sections are portable.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modular track sections include a section of monorail track.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first track section includes a vertical curve.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first track section includes a horizontal curve.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first track section is straight.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first track section includes a compound curve.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein restriction of the movement in a first direction relative to the track allows the dolly to invert when traveling along the track without falling off the track.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein wheel bogie is articulated to move one or more of horizontally and vertically.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the alignment of the first track section and second track section includes usage of one or more registration pins.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the reusable, removable connector physically holds the first end of the first track section to the first end of the second track section and maintains alignment of the first track section and second track section so that a dolly may travel between the first track section and second track section by clamping onto the first track section and second track section.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixture includes adjustable bipod legs.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the payload includes one or more of a light, a camera head, a microphone, and stunt rigging.