Self-stabilizing spherical unmanned aerial vehicle camera assembly

• US 10,370,119 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2018
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• 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:
  US16/135,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20190009924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/04 for assembling or disassembling parts
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/006 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• 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 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. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprising:

a mounting cage;

a stabilizer assembly with a plurality of motors, wherein the stabilizer assembly is disposed within the mounting cage and connected to a center portion of the mounting cage such that roll, pitch, and yaw of the mounting cage are controlled based on position of the stabilizer assembly; and

one or more cameras located on an exterior of the mounting cage.

2. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer assembly connects to a central member connected to the mounting cage via an inner frame member and an outer frame member, such that the inner frame member and the outer frame member rotate.

3. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the plurality of motors are coupled to the stabilizer assembly each via a correspond arm, such that the roll, pitch, and yaw of the mounting cage are controlled based on control of associated motors.

4. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the mounting cage has associated wires disposed in or adjacent to associated members of the mounting cage.

5. The UAV 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.

6. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras comprises a plurality of stereoscopic cameras adapted to obtain panoramic images free from obstructions from the mounting cage.

7. The UAV of claim 1, further comprising an on-board processor for processing signals from the one or more cameras.

8. The UAV of claim 7, wherein the on-board processor communicates with a mobile device for control of the UAV and for providing images or video from the one or more cameras.

9. The UAV of claim 1, wherein the one or more cameras comprise a plurality of cameras configured to obtain 360 degree×

180 degree stereoscopic photo/video content.

10. A method comprising:

providing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprising;

a mounting cage;

a stabilizer assembly with a plurality of motors, wherein the stabilizer assembly is disposed within the mounting cage and connected to a center portion of the mounting cage such that roll, pitch, and yaw of the mounting cage are controlled based on position of the stabilizer assembly; and

one or more cameras located on an exterior of the mounting cage.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the stabilizer assembly connects to a central member connected to the mounting cage via an inner frame member and an outer frame member, such that the inner frame member and the outer frame member rotate.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of motors are coupled to the stabilizer assembly each via a correspond arm, such that the roll, pitch, and yaw of the mounting cage are controlled based on control of associated motors.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the mounting cage has associated wires disposed in or adjacent to associated members of the mounting cage.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the stabilizer assembly is operable for rotating the spherical camera mounting cage assembly about a central axis with respect to the stabilizer assembly.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more cameras comprises a plurality of stereoscopic cameras adapted to obtain panoramic images free from obstructions from the mounting cage.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising an on-board processor for processing signals from the one or more cameras.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the on-board processor communicates with a mobile device for control of the UAV and for providing images or video from the one or more cameras.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more cameras comprise a plurality of cameras configured to obtain 360 degree×

180 degree stereoscopic photo/video content.

19. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprising:

a spherical camera mounting cage;

a stabilizer assembly with a plurality of motors, wherein the stabilizer assembly is disposed within the spherical camera mounting cage such that roll, pitch, and yaw of the mounting cage are controlled based on position of the stabilizer assembly; and

a plurality of stereoscopic cameras coupled to an exterior of the spherical camera mounting cage assembly.

20. The UAV of claim 19, wherein the stabilizer assembly connects to a central member connected to the mounting cage via an inner frame member and an outer frame member, such that the inner frame member and the outer frame member rotate.