Self-stabilizing spherical unmanned aerial vehicle camera assembly

• US 10,106,277 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2016
• Issued: 10/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl Michael Neely
• Original Assignee: Carl Michael Neely
• Inventors: Neely, Carl Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Holder, Anner N
• Application Number:
  US15/289,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20180002035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/04 for assembling or disassembling parts
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/006 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/16 with five or more distinct rotor axes, e.g. octocopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/80 Arrangement of on-board electronics, e.g. avionics systems or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/87 Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/26 Ducted or shrouded rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/60 with rolling cages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/204 using stereoscopic image cameras stereoscopic photography G03B35/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2213/001 Constructional or mechanical details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/685 performed by mechanical compensation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/00 Details of television systems scanning details or combination thereof with generation of supply voltages H04N3/00

Abstract

A self-stabilizing spherical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) camera assembly, including: a stabilizer assembly; a plurality of motors coupled to the stabilizer assembly; a spherical camera mounting cage assembly disposed about and coupled to the stabilizer assembly; and a plurality of cameras coupled to the spherical camera mounting cage assembly. Preferably, the plurality of cameras include a plurality of stereoscopic cameras coupled to an exterior of the spherical camera mounting cage assembly. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV camera assembly is capable of taking/recording 360 degree×180 degree stereoscopic photo/video content. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV camera assembly can also be used with various real-time visualization and control technologies.

Claims

1. A self-stabilizing spherical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) camera assembly, comprising:

a stabilizer assembly;

a plurality of motors coupled to the stabilizer assembly;

a spherical camera mounting cage assembly disposed about and coupled to the stabilizer assembly; and

a plurality of cameras coupled to an exterior of the spherical camera mounting cage assembly, thereby unobstructed by the stabilizer assembly.

2. The UAV camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motors comprises one of a plurality of propellers and a plurality of ducted fans operable for lifting and controlling the UAV camera assembly.

3. The UAV camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer assembly is operable for tilting the spherical camera mounting cage assembly about two axes with respect to the stabilizer assembly.

4. The UAV camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer assembly is operable for rotating the spherical camera mounting cage assembly about a central axis with respect to the stabilizer assembly.

5. The UAV camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a plurality of stereoscopic cameras adapted to obtain panoramic images free from obstructions from the stabilizer assembly.

6. The UAV camera assembly of claim 1, further comprising an on-board processor for processing signals from the plurality of cameras.

7. The UAV camera assembly of claim 6, wherein the on-board processor communicates with a mobile device for control of the UAV camera assembly and for providing images or video from the plurality of cameras.

8. A method for providing a self-stabilizing spherical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) camera assembly, comprising:

providing a stabilizer assembly;

providing a plurality of motors coupled to the stabilizer assembly;

providing a spherical camera mounting cage assembly disposed about and coupled to the stabilizer assembly; and

providing a plurality of cameras coupled to an exterior of the spherical camera mounting cage assembly, thereby unobstructed by the stabilizer assembly.

9. The method for providing the UAV camera assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of motors comprises one of a plurality of propellers and a plurality of ducted fans operable for lifting and controlling the UAV camera assembly.

10. The method for providing the UAV camera assembly of claim 8, wherein the stabilizer assembly is operable for tilting the spherical camera mounting cage assembly about two axes with respect to the stabilizer assembly.

11. The method for providing the UAV camera assembly of claim 8, wherein the stabilizer assembly is operable for rotating the spherical camera mounting cage assembly about a central axis with respect to the stabilizer assembly.

12. The method for providing the UAV camera assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a plurality of stereoscopic cameras adapted to obtain panoramic images free from obstructions from the stabilizer assembly.

13. The method for providing the UAV camera assembly of claim 8, further comprising providing an on-board processor for processing signals from the plurality of cameras.

14. The method for providing the UAV camera assembly of claim 13, wherein the on-board processor communicates with a mobile device for control of the UAV camera assembly and for providing images or video from the plurality of cameras.

15. A self-stabilizing spherical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) comprising:

a substantially spherical body comprising a stabilizer assembly, a plurality of motors coupled to the stabilizer assembly, and a spherical camera mounting cage assembly disposed about and coupled to the stabilizer assembly;

a plurality of cameras coupled to the spherical camera mounting cage assembly, with views unobstructed by the substantially spherical body; and

a processing device communicatively coupled to the plurality of cameras and the plurality of motors for control thereof.

16. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV of claim 15, wherein the plurality of motors comprises one of a plurality of propellers and a plurality of ducted fans operable for lifting and controlling the UAV camera assembly.

17. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV of claim 16, wherein the stabilizer assembly is operable for tilting the spherical camera mounting cage assembly about two axes with respect to the stabilizer assembly.

18. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV of claim 16, wherein the stabilizer assembly is operable for rotating the spherical camera mounting cage assembly about a central axis with respect to the stabilizer assembly.

19. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV of claim 16, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises a plurality of stereoscopic cameras adapted to obtain panoramic images free from obstructions from the stabilizer assembly.

20. The self-stabilizing spherical UAV of claim 19, wherein the on-board processor communicates with a mobile device for control of the UAV camera assembly and for providing images or video from the plurality of cameras.