Contactless transmission of power and information signals in a continuous rotation pan/tilt device

• US 20030090353A1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jack Van De Vorst, Suzette Robinson
• Original Assignee: Jack Van De Vorst, Suzette Robinson
• Inventors: Vorst, Jack Van De, Robinson, Suzette
• Application Number:
  US10/260,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20030090353A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 335/220
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for operating a pan/tilt device has been developed. The apparatus is capable of rotating greater than a full circle due to the presence of a single inductive core. The segments of the core are separated by an inductive gap that prevents contact between the segments. Both power and control signals to the pan/tilt device are transmitted across the core.

Claims

1. An apparatus for operating a pan/tilt device, comprising:

a first frame that is capable of continuously rotating the pan/tilt device;

a second frame that is capable of tilting the pan/tilt device, where the pan/tilt device is attached to the second frame;

an inductive core comprising,

a stationary segment,

a rotating segment, and

where the stationary segment and the rotating segment are separated by an inductive gap; and

where the inductive core transmits power and control signals for the pan/tilt device across the stationary and rotating segments.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the control signals comprise data signals.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, where the control signals comprise video signals.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, where the control signals comprise power feedback signals.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, where the inductive gap is filled with a dielectric material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, where the inductive gap is filled with air.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, where the power and control signals are transmitted at a frequency greater of 1 Megahertz or greater.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, where the control signals are modulated prior to transmission across the inductive core.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, where each modulated control signal has a separate carrier frequency.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, where each separate carrier frequency is separated by 10 MHz.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, where the control signals are modulated by amplitude modulation.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, where the control signals are modulated by frequency modulation.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, where the power transmission is controlled by an optical interface.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, where the power transmission is controlled by a radio frequency interface.

15. An apparatus for operating a pan/tilt device, comprising:

means for continuously rotating the pan/tilt device;

means for tilting the pan/tilt device; and

means for transmitting control signals to the pan/tilt device through an inductive core.