Operator supported remote camera positioning and control system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A remote camera positioning system for use and support by a sole operator, comprising:
- a camera;
a camera positioner supporting said camera, said camera positioner having an operator interface to enable an operator to support said camera positioner and spatially maneuver said camera through said camera positioner, said camera positioner disposing said camera at least three feet away from said operator interface;
a monitor for viewing images generated by the camera, said monitor having monitor attachments for mounting the monitor on an operator interfacing with said operator interface, in the operator'"'"'s field of vision, whereby a sole operator can support, position and maneuver a camera out of arm'"'"'s reach for obtaining an expanded range of views and monitor the camera'"'"'s views in a self-contained manner.
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Abstract
A remote camera positioning system provides a camera on a positioner, such as an elongated boom, out of the operator'"'"'s reach. The positioner provides an operator interface, such as grips and optionally a body harness, to enable the operator to support, control and maneuver the position of the camera. A monitor for displaying images generated by the camera is mounted to the operator to enable the operator to view and control the camera images in a self-contained manner.
41 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A remote camera positioning system for use and support by a sole operator, comprising:
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a camera;
a camera positioner supporting said camera, said camera positioner having an operator interface to enable an operator to support said camera positioner and spatially maneuver said camera through said camera positioner, said camera positioner disposing said camera at least three feet away from said operator interface;
a monitor for viewing images generated by the camera, said monitor having monitor attachments for mounting the monitor on an operator interfacing with said operator interface, in the operator'"'"'s field of vision, whereby a sole operator can support, position and maneuver a camera out of arm'"'"'s reach for obtaining an expanded range of views and monitor the camera'"'"'s views in a self-contained manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An operator supported camera positioning and control system, comprising:
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a camera positioner, said camera positioning including a elongated boom having an operator interface at a proximal end and supporting a camera assembly at an opposite, distal end, said operator interface including two hand grip surfaces spaced apart along the length of the boom;
said camera assembly including a camera;
a camera-side servo having an output shaft and a camera support arm extending transversely from the output shaft, said camera being mounted to said camera support arm;
a boom-side servo having a second output shaft and a servo support arm extending from said second output shaft, said camera-side servo being mounted to said servo-support shaft; and
a break-away member having a shaft with a weakened portion and a planar platform to which the boom-side servo is mounted, said breakaway member being removably attached to the distal end of said elongated boom;
at least one hand operated controller for said camera-side servo and said boom-side servo, said controller being mounted on said boom adjacent one of said hand grip surfaces;
a monitor for viewing images generated by the camera, said monitor having line of sight connectors for mounting the monitor on the operator in the operator'"'"'s field of view;
a power pack for supplying power to the monitor, the servos and the camera, said power pack having connectors for mounting the power pack to the operator;
a video recorder for storing images generated by the camera, said video recorder having recorder connectors for mounting the video recorder to the operator; and
image cabling for transmitting signals from the camera to the monitor, said image cabling extending along an interior of the boom;
power cabling for coupling the power pack to the monitor, camera and servos; and
control cabling for transmitting control signals from the controller to the servos.
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Specification