AERIAL SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR IMAGE CAPTURE
First Claim
1. An image capturing mechanism for capturing an image of a target, the image capturing mechanism comprising:
- a support platform;
a camera platform suspended from the support platform by a support cable, a first end of the support cable mounted to the support platform and a second end of the support cable mounted to the camera platform;
a camera mounted to the camera platform; and
a stabilization mechanism associated with the camera to stabilize at least one of the captured images and the camera.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image capturing mechanism for capturing an image of a target includes a support platform, a camera platform suspended from the support platform by a support cable, a camera mounted to the camera platform and a stabilization mechanism associated with the camera. A first end of the support cable is mounted to the support platform and a second end of the support cable is mounted to the camera platform. The stabilization mechanism stabilizes the captured image of the camera. Methods for capturing images utilizing the image capturing mechanism and advertising that may be associated with the device are also disclosed. An advertising medium is mounted to the support platform or the camera platforms to provide noticeable advertising space in a venue where the image capturing mechanism is utilized.
129 Citations
38 Claims
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1. An image capturing mechanism for capturing an image of a target, the image capturing mechanism comprising:
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a support platform;
a camera platform suspended from the support platform by a support cable, a first end of the support cable mounted to the support platform and a second end of the support cable mounted to the camera platform;
a camera mounted to the camera platform; and
a stabilization mechanism associated with the camera to stabilize at least one of the captured images and the camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An image capturing mechanism for capturing images ina venue having an obswerved area, a seating area and a line of sight, the image capturing mechanism comprising:
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a support platform movable relative to the venue, the support platform being positioned outside of the line of sight;
at least one camera winch mounted to the support platform;
a camera platform suspended from the support platform by at least one support cable, the at least one support cable secured to the at least one camera winch, the camera platform being movable at least in a vertical direction relative to the support platform through actuation of the at least one camera winch;
a camera mounted to the camera platform; and
an advertising medium mounted to at least one of the camera platform and the support platform. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An image capturing mechanism for capturing images in an arena having a seating area and an observed area, a line of sight being defined between the seating area and the observed area, the image capturing mechanism comprising:
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a support platform movable relative to the arena, the support platform being movable outside of the line of sight;
a camera platform suspended from the support platform by a plurality of support cables, the camera platform being movable relative to the support platform; and
a camera movably mounted to the camera platform for capturing images of at least one of the seating area and the observed area. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of capturing images in an arena including a seating area and an observed area with an image capturing mechanism including a supportt platform, a camera platform suspended from the support platform by a plurality of support cables, a controller and a camera that is movable relative to the arena, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) positioning the support platform over at least a portion of the observed area;
b) moving the camera platform relative to the support platform into an image capturing position;
c) moving the camera relative to the camera platform to direct the camera onto a target, the camera platform moving from a generally horizontal position relative to the observed area to a position where the camera platform defines a camera pitch angle relative the horizontal position;
d) focusing the camera on the target;
e) capturing an image of the target utilizing the camera and communicating the captured image to the controller; and
f) storing the image. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An advertising mechanism mounted within a venue for imarting advertising to indivioduals at the venue, the advertising mechanism comprising:
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a first anchor nounted to the venue;
a second anchor mounted to the venue;
a transport cable having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to the first anchor and the second end being secured to the second anchor;
a support platform movably mounted to the transport cable; and
an advertising medium mounted to the support platform such that the individuals are attached to the support platform and advertising medium as the support platform moves relative to the transport cable. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. An image capturing mechanism for capturing an image of a target, the image capturing mechanism comprising:
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a support platform;
a camera platform suspended from the support platform by a plurality of support cables. a first end of each of the support cables mounted to the support platform and a second end of each of the support cables mounted to the camera platform; and
a camera mounted to the camera platform, the support platform and the camera platform being coaxially mounted on a camera axis, each of the plurality of support cables defining a support angle relative to the camera axis. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification