Apparatus, system and method for tracking subject with still or video camera

• US 10,536,671 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2016
• Issued: 01/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Musco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Musco Corporation
• Inventors: Crookham, Joe P., Roorda, Douglas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shibru, Helen
• Application Number:
  US15/145,950
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 348157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/262 Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists scheduling strategies for dispatcher in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/4881; arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/06; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a time schedule or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/667 Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and system for controlling camera aiming and operation through a convenient and intuitive interface using correlative touch and feel, which allows a camera operator to primarily pay attention to a game or event, while simultaneously controlling a still or video camera in three control dimensions, with a high degree of accuracy or quality.

Claims

1. A system for a user to record by video action at an event at an event location while being able to watch substantially continuously the event comprising:

a. a camera with mechanized zoom, pan and tilt to allow two-degree freedom of movement adjustment of aiming direction, and field of view and zoom adjustment;

b. a manually operated control operatively connected to the camera to control zoom, pan, tilt, and field of view adjustment;

c. a correlation between the manually operated control and the camera to allow;

i. correlative touch and feel control of the camera to track the action during recording of the event without material disruption or obstruction of the user'"'"'s view of the event; and

ii. provide audible or tactile feedback to the user under one or more conditions where said one or more conditions comprises one or more of;

1. control of the camera outside a predefined area associated with the event or the event location;

2. loss of tracking the action at the event at the event location.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the manually operated control comprises one or more of:

a. a touch screen;

b. a joystick; and

c. a hand held control with levers and/or buttons.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the manually operated control comprises a touch screen including a display and the correlative touch and feel control of the camera comprises software wherein:

a. a camera space image of the event or event location is correlated to a range of pan and tilt adjustments of the camera on the display;

b. touch of the touch screen display permits (i) tracking of the action at the event at the event location and (ii) repositioning of the camera within the range of pan and tilt adjustments.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the tactile feedback comprises physical structure on the manually operated control which indicates some end of range of pan or tilt, or some characteristic or boundary of the event or event location.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the physical structure comprises one or more of:

a. a tactilely discernible variation on the manually operated control;

b. an adjustable member;

c. a differentiated texture or surface.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the manually operated control further comprises camera record, pause record, stop record instructions or other camera operation instructions.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the manually operated control is in operative communication with the camera via one or more of:

a. wired connection;

b. wireless connection;

or

c. a combination of two or more of the above.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the pan and tilt control are provided via a first manually operated control and the zoom control is provided by a different manually operated control.

9. A kit for a user to record by photograph or video an event at an event location while being able to watch substantially continuously the event comprising:

a. a camera with mechanized zoom, pan and tilt to allow two-degree freedom of movement adjustment of aiming direction and field of view and zoom adjustment;

b. a touch screen comprising a manually operated control operatively connected to the camera to control at least zoom, pan and tilt;

c. software providing a correlation between the manually operated control and pan, tilt, and zoom of the camera to allow correlative touch and feel control of the camera to allow the user to adjust the camera during recording of the event without material disruption or obstruction of the user'"'"'s view of the event; and

d. one or more overlays for the touch screen, said overlays having custom sizes or shapes based at least in part on the event or the event location and which restrict touch and feel control to predefined locations when said one or more overlays are placed on the touch screen.