Camera pointing mechanism using proximate magnetic sensing
First Claim
1. For use with a car having a top, a mechanism for pointing an imaging system having a center of gravity, the mechanism comprising:
- a tilt gimbal adaptable to support the imaging system and allow the imaging system to rotate about a first axis of rotation that extends through the center of gravity of the imaging system;
a pan gimbal supporting the tilt gimbal and rotating about a second axis of rotation;
a housing for supporting the pan gimbal and the tilt gimbal, the housing being mountable to the top of the car;
means, responsive to a first control signal, for rotating the pan gimbal;
means, responsive to a second control signal, for rotating the tilt gimbal; and
means for generating the first and second control signals, wherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal includes a pan gear attached to the pan gimbal, a longitudinal axis of the pan gear being coaxial with the second axis of rotation; and
an electric motor and at least one gear for allowing the electric motor to drive the tilt gear,wherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal further includes means for sensing the position of the pan gimbal, the sensing means including a magnetized portion on the pan gear and at least one magnetic sensor proximate the pan gear, andwherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal further includes a circuit board mounted proximate the pan gear and a circuit for driving the motor, the circuit and the at least one magnetic sensor being mounted on the board.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low profile, low cost pointing mechanism for an imaging system. The inventive pointing mechanism (500) includes a mechanism (502, 504) for supporting the imaging system so that it is movable from a first pointing angle to a second pointing angle. A second mechanism (570, 580, 584, 542) is included for driving the supporting mechanism (502, 504) to change the pointing angle thereof in response to signals from a control system. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive pointing mechanism (500) includes a tilt gimbal (502) located at the center of gravity of the imaging system and a pan gimbal (504). The pan and tilt gimbals (502, 504) are driven by pan and tilt stepper motors (542, 526) in response to commands from a joystick (568) on a remote control unit (566).
50 Citations
9 Claims
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1. For use with a car having a top, a mechanism for pointing an imaging system having a center of gravity, the mechanism comprising:
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a tilt gimbal adaptable to support the imaging system and allow the imaging system to rotate about a first axis of rotation that extends through the center of gravity of the imaging system; a pan gimbal supporting the tilt gimbal and rotating about a second axis of rotation; a housing for supporting the pan gimbal and the tilt gimbal, the housing being mountable to the top of the car; means, responsive to a first control signal, for rotating the pan gimbal; means, responsive to a second control signal, for rotating the tilt gimbal; and means for generating the first and second control signals, wherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal includes a pan gear attached to the pan gimbal, a longitudinal axis of the pan gear being coaxial with the second axis of rotation; and
an electric motor and at least one gear for allowing the electric motor to drive the tilt gear,wherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal further includes means for sensing the position of the pan gimbal, the sensing means including a magnetized portion on the pan gear and at least one magnetic sensor proximate the pan gear, and wherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal further includes a circuit board mounted proximate the pan gear and a circuit for driving the motor, the circuit and the at least one magnetic sensor being mounted on the board. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification