FLYING DEVICE AND IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE

• US 20170152060A1
• Filed: 03/23/2015
• Published: 06/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: MORISAWA, RUI
• Granted Patent: US 10,442,552 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/08 with two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/02 characterised by special use
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/24 using steam or spring force jet aircraft B64D27/16
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/294 Rotors arranged in the UAV body
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/299 Rotor guards ducted or shrouded rotors B64U30/26; guards used as ground propulsion B64U60/60
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/23 with each propulsion means having an individual motor
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/50 with landing legs
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

[Object] Provided is a flying device with high safety taking into consideration the influence on a user using the flying device and on surroundings in flight. [Solution] Provided is a flying device including a flying mechanism, and a covering member which is supported by a frame surrounding the flying mechanism and covers at least a portion of the flying mechanism.

Claims

1. A flying device comprising:

a flying mechanism; and

a covering member which is supported by a frame surrounding the flying mechanism and covers at least a portion of the flying mechanism.

2. The flying device according to claim 1, wherein

the covering member is made of a sheet-like member which deforms according to an external force and is restored in shape when the external force is removed.

3. The flying device according to claim 1, wherein

the covering member is made of a sheet-like member having a mesh structure.

4. The flying device according to claim 1, wherein

the flying mechanism includes a propeller and a drive part to rotatably drive the propeller, and

the covering member covers at least an upper face side of the propeller.

5. The flying device according to claim 4, wherein

the covering member covering a lower face side of the propeller is open at a position corresponding to the propeller.

6. The flying device according to claim 5 comprising:

a leg protruded from an opening of the covering member.

7. The flying device according to claim 6, wherein

the leg and the frame are connected by a frame connecting member having elasticity.

8. The flying device according to claim 1, wherein

a central frame provided at a central portion of the flying device and the frame are connected by a frame connecting member having elasticity.

9. The flying device according to claim 8, wherein

a center guard to cover the central portion of the flying device is provided in an inner space covered by the covering member, and

a control part to drive the flying mechanism is stored in a space formed by the central frame and the center guard.

10. The flying device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an image-capturing device that includes an image-capturing unit to capture an image of a subject and an imaging control unit to control the image-capturing unit,

wherein at least the image-capturing unit is disposed so as not to be covered by the covering member.

11. The flying device according to claim 10, wherein

the image-capturing unit is in a spherical shape and is rotatably provided to the frame.

12. The flying device according to claim 11, wherein

the frame is formed to protrude more than the image-capturing unit.

13. An image-capturing device comprising:

a flying mechanism;

a covering member which is supported by a frame surrounding the flying mechanism and covers at least a portion of the flying mechanism; and

an image-capturing part to capture an image of a subject.

14. The image-capturing device according to claim 13, wherein

the image-capturing part includes an image-capturing unit and an imaging control unit to control the image-capturing unit, and

at least the image-capturing unit is disposed so as not to be covered by the covering member.

15. The image-capturing device according to claim 14, wherein

the image-capturing unit is in a spherical shape and is rotatably provided to the frame.

16. The image-capturing device according to claim 15, wherein

the frame is formed to protrude more than the image-capturing unit.