High performance aerial videocamera system

• US 6,542,181 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aerial Videocamera Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aerial Videocamera Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Houska, Richard V., Wallace, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Vu
• Application Number:
  US09/586,035
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 348/144, 348/143, 348/148, 348/61, 348/208
• US Class Current: 348/144
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An aerial videocamera system for installation on an airplane comprises a videocamera/recorder which has an internal stabilization system, a camera mounting enclosure that provides a weather-proof enclosure with vibration isolation for the videocamera, and a pan/tilt head that bolts to a spar attachment plate and provides variable control to the camera in both the pan and tilt axis. The spar attachment plate is secured to the airplane and provides an access point for cabling carrying power, position control signals, and camera video and control to connect the externally mounted systems to components housed in the cabin. In the cabin, a pan/tilt controller processes input control signals from a joystick mounted on a control wand and outputs control and power signals to control the position of the videocamera. The control wand precisely positions the remote camera and controls the camera functions. A power package draws DC power from the airplane battery and converts it to AC power for the active components.

Claims

1. An aerial videocamera system adapted for installation on an airplane comprising:

a externally-mounted subsystem having a vibration compensation system and a videocamera system, said vibration compensation system having structurally integrated components and dynamically coupled components, said videocamera system adapted for positioning and controlling a videocamera in a protective enclosure, wherein said structurally integrated components resist turbulence induced vibration and transmit airplane vibration, said structurally integrated components comprise;

a rigid mounting assembly adapted to be detachably mounted to an external surface of said airplane and provide a mounting plate;

a pan/tilt assembly adapted to mount on said mounting plate, said pan/tilt assembly adapted to position a payload attached to a positioning mount; and

a camera assembly attached to said positioning mount whereby said camera assembly receives minimal turbulence induced vibration and all airplane vibration;

an onboard subsystem comprising a power subassembly able to adapt airplane power for use by electronic components and an operator assembly able to control camera positioning, imaging and control; and

cabling interconnecting said externally-mounted subsystem and said onboard subsystem;

whereby an operator in a cockpit of said airplane is able to control said videocamera producing vibration free images.

2. The aerial videocamera system of claim 1 wherein said rigid mounting assembly comprises a strut attachment mechanism, a spar and a mounting plate.

3. The aerial videocamera system of claim 1 wherein said dynamically coupled components include;

a vibration absorption sleeve sheathing said videocamera and filling a space between said videocamera and said protective enclosure;

said vibration absorption sleeve having a spring constant and viscous damping coefficient selected to dampen a vibration of said high-wing aircraft to a predetermined level; and

a camera motion compensation system able to compensate for said predetermined level of vibration.

4. The aerial videocamera system of claim 1 wherein said operator assembly includes:

a control wand adapted to provide mounting and ready access and manipulation of videocamera controls;

an integrated color display mounted on said control wand facing said operator, said integrated color display adapted to show what said videocamera is recording;

a pan/tilt joystick positioned on said control wand to facilitate manipulation by a hand, said pan/tilt joystick adapted to utilize a pan/tilt controller to control a pan/tilt assembly to position said videocamera;

a camera zoom control positioned on said control wand to be actuated, said camera zoom control adapted to control the zoom of said videocamera; and

a camera start/stop control positioned on said control wand to be activated, said camera start/stop control adapted to start and stop recording by said videocamera.

5. An aerial videocamera kit adapted for installation on an airplane comprising:

a videocamera/recorder adapted to be operated remotely, and provide motion compensation for frequencies greater than a predetermined threshold;

a camera mounting enclosure adapted to allow operation of said videocamera, provide a weather-proof case for said videocamera, provide vibration isolation for said videocamera and receive airplane vibrations through a mounting point of a collar around said camera mounting enclosure;

a pan/tilt head adapted to variably position a mounting bracket in a pan and a tilt axis in response to input control signals, said mounting bracket adapted to support said camera mounting enclosure through said mounting point;

a spar attachment assembly adapted to be secured to an airplane and provide a strong attachment point for said pan/tilt head, said spar attachment assembly transmitting vibrations from said airplane to said strong attachment point;

a control wand adapted for precise remote camera positioning and control, said control wand located in a cockpit of said airplane;

a pan/tilt assembly adapted to receive signals from said control wand and translate said signals into control commands for said pan/tilt head;

a power package adapted to draw DC power from an airplane battery and supply AC power to said control wand, videocamera and pan/tilt assembly and head; and

cabling adapted to carry power, position control signals, and camera signals among said control wand, pan/tilt controller, video camera, pan/tilt head and power package, said cabling sufficient to be dressed from said cockpit through an access port and to said camera mounting enclosure and pan/tilt head.

6. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said videocamera recorder is a digital videocamera recorder.

7. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said motion compensation system operates for frequencies greater than 23-28 Hz.

8. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said vibration isolation includes a foam sleeve with predetermined spring constant and viscous damping coefficient.

9. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said mounting bracket motion spans 360°

in the pan axis.

10. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein mounting bracket motion spans 180°

in the tilt axis.

11. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said mounting bracket supports up to 20 lbs at airspeed up to 100 knots.

12. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said control wand incorporates a display.

13. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 12 wherein said display is a LCD display.

14. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said control wand incorporates a joystick.

15. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 14 wherein said pan/tilt controller interprets inputs from said joystick using proportional control.

16. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said control wand incorporates a camera zoom control.

17. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said control wand incorporates a camera start/stop pushbutton control.

18. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 17 wherein said a wand stabilization mechanism is a velcro strap for leg mount.

19. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 17 wherein said a wand stabilization mechanism is a foot for placement between the legs of said operator.

20. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said control wand incorporates a wand stabilization mechanism.

21. The aerial videocamera kit of claim 5 wherein said power package draws 12 VDC power and provides up to 100 watts of 115 VAC.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein said large amplitude wind forces are up to those generated a speed of 100 knots.

22. A method of stabilizing a high-performance aerial videocamera suspended from an airplane in a pod assembly including an environmental enclosure comprising:

rigidly mounting said pod assembly to said airplane;

said pod assembly resisting large amplitude wind forces acting perpendicular to said pod assembly;

passing small amplitude high frequency wind force vibrations to said environmental enclosure;

attenuating airplane vibrations and said small amplitude high frequency wind force vibrations by a foam material having a predetermined spring constant and predetermined viscous damping coefficient, said foam material wrapped around said videocamera inside said environmental enclosure; and

compensating for motions within a predetermined frequency band using a motion compensation system supplied with said videocamera.

24. A method of modeling the dynamic relationships and properties of an aerial videocamera system to determine the properties of a foam material;

comprising

selecting a videocamera with a predetermined cutoff frequency of a motion compensation system and specified compensation vibration amplitude;

entering variables representing airplane vibration frequency and amplitude and a camera mass of the motion compensation system inside said aerial videocamera;

applying the three dimensional equation of motion for a mass suspended by springs and dash pots; and

determining a foam spring constant and foam viscous damping co-efficient required to enable said foam material to reduce said airplane vibration amplitude below said specified compensation vibration amplitude.