PORTABLE SYSTEM FOR HIGH QUALITY VIDEO RECORDING

• US 20130162852A1
• Filed: 12/23/2012
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
• Original Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Boyle, Christopher T., Sammons, Alexander G., Marton, Denes, Taylor, Scott K., O'Callaghan, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,704,904 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/211.99
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00

Abstract

This invention relates to the automatic pointing of a pointing device, such as a camera, without the assistance of a person who operates the camera. Systems and methods are disclosed wherein the system is substantially stationary during recording but is portable to the venue of recording. For the purpose of recording, the camera turns automatically to optically follow the person, animal, or object that is being recorded. The present invention provides for high quality video recording; the high quality video recording here refers to features of the inventive systems and methods that provide for smooth camera motion necessary to take enjoyable videos for personal or for commercial use. This invention provides a portable system that automatically records videos from the vantage point of a sports fan, of a spectator or of a competition judge.

Claims

1. ) A system for automated orientation of a pointer to point at a freely moving target, said system comprising:

a) a positioner for orienting the pointer;

b) a remote unit, collocated with the target, said remote unit used to obtain information regarding the location of the target; and

c) a base station configured to command said positioner to orient the pointer at the target and to regulate the velocity of the orienting.

2. ) The system of claim 1, further comprising the pointer.

3. ) The system of claim 2, wherein said pointer is a camera.

4. ) The system of claim 3, wherein said base station also commands said camera.

5. ) The system of claim 3, wherein said system is sized to be portable.

6. ) The system of claim 3, wherein said positioner comprises at least one encoded wheel to assist determining the orientation of the camera.

7. ) The system of claim 3, wherein said camera is integrated with said positioner.

8. ) The system of claim 3, further comprising at least one feedback device that provides feedback to the target regarding the orientation of said camera.

9. ) The system of claim 8, wherein said at least one feedback device comprises at least one light source.

10. ) The system of claim 8, wherein said at least one feedback device comprises at least one collimated light beam, the orientation and edges of said at least one collimated light beam carrying information regarding the orientation of the camera.

11. ) The system of claim 1, further comprising an orientation controller, wherein said orientation controller comprises said positioner and said base station in a common housing.

12. ) The system of claim 1, wherein said remote unit comprises a sensor to receive signals from components of a global positioning system.

13. ) The system of claim 12, wherein said remote unit and said base station are communicatively coupled.

14. ) The system of claim 13, wherein said base station communicates orienting commands to said positioner.

15. ) The system of claim 14, wherein the orienting commands are based at least in part on coordinates computed from data acquired by said sensor to receive signals from components of a global positioning system.

16. ) The system of claim 14, wherein the orienting commands are based at least partly on data regarding an initial orientation of the pointer.

17. ) The system of claim 14, wherein the orienting commands are based at least partly on the velocity of the target.

18. ) The system of claim 14, wherein the orienting commands are based on data regarding an initial orientation of the pointer and partly on the velocity of the target.

19. ) The system of claim 1, wherein said remote unit comprises a user interface that can be used to override the commands of said base station.

20. ) A method of video recording a freely moving target by a camera mounted on a portable but substantially stationary base that permits orienting the camera, said method comprising the steps of

a) periodically receiving signals relevant to the location of the target by a remote unit collocated with the target;

b) periodically transmitting information related to the location of the target to a control unit;

c) determining turning angle and velocity values for orienting the camera;

d) commanding a positioner to orient the camera based on the determined turning angle and velocity values.

21. ) The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of

a) determining whether movements of the target warrant commanding the positioner to orient the camera based on the determined turning angle and velocity values if the determined turning angle and velocity values are outside of a designated deadband;

and

b) only commanding the positioner to orient the camera if the determined turning angle and velocity values are outside of the designated deadband.

22. ) The method of claim 21, wherein the deadband may be zero or negative.

23. ) The method of claim 20, wherein the determined velocity values depend on the determined turning angle values.

24. ) The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of computing camera adjustment parameters from the group of zoom, focus, and aperture and commanding the camera to use the computed parameters during recording.

25. ) The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of determining the initial orientation of the camera before commanding the positioner to orient the camera based on the determined turning angle and velocity values.

26. ) The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of collocating the remote unit with the camera before determining the initial orientation of the camera.

27. ) The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of

a) locating the remote unit away from the camera a distance dependent on the desired precision of the orientation of the camera;

and

b) locating the remote unit near the center of the field of view of the camera.

28. ) The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of moving the remote unit with the aid of an oriented light beam to assist the step of locating the remote unit near the center of the field of view of the camera.

29. ) The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of orienting the camera at the remote unit to effect the step of locating the remote unit near the center of the field of view of the camera.

30. ) A portable system comprising:

a) a first component sized so as to be portable and stationary when said first component is assembled for use;

b) said first component connectable with a camera, wherein the camera, when connected, is turnable;

c) a second component that is associated with a recording subject;

d) wherein said first component turns the camera depending on the location of said second component such that the camera optically follows said subject moving to different locations.

31. ) The portable system of claim 30, wherein said second component comprises a user interface controllable by the subject.

32. ) The portable system of claim 30, wherein said first and second components are communicatively coupled and uniquely paired so as to ensure that communication is restricted to communication between components of the same system.

33. ) The portable system of claim 32, wherein said first component transmits feedback to said second component for use by the subject.

34. ) The portable system of claim 30, wherein said first component turns the camera based on the velocity of the subject.

35. ) The portable system of claim 30, wherein the velocity with which the camera turns is dependent on changes in the location of the subject.

36. ) The portable system of claim 30, wherein said first component also controls the zoom of the camera.

37. ) The portable system of claim 30, wherein said system comprises a backlash compensator to effect smooth turning of the camera.

38. ) The portable system of claim 37, wherein said backlash compensator comprises at least one encoded wheel.

39. ) The portable system of claim 37, wherein said backlash compensator comprises at least two encoded wheels.

40. ) The portable system of claim 37, wherein said backlash compensator operates with a set backlash value.

41. ) The portable system of claim 37, wherein said backlash compensator determines backlash every time when the system is powered up.