Positioning apparatus for photographic and video imaging and recording and system utilizing same

• US 9,441,781 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2012
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motrr, LLC
• Inventors: Bevirt, JoeBen, Guyot, Josh
• Primary Examiner(s): Henn, Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US13/676,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 34821199-2114, 348373-376
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/12 in more than one direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/041 for balancing rotational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/566 Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera if integral part of camera body G03B17/02
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2206/00 Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects

Abstract

A multi-axis positioning device adapted to hold and position an electronic device such as a smart phone. A system using the positioning device and a smart phone adapted to utilize the smart phone to provide positioning commands to the positioning device. The system may provide positioning commands based upon pre-programmed instructions, or may position based upon analysis of the images being taken in real time.

Claims

1. A system for imaging, said system comprising:

a positioning base unit, said first positioning base unit comprises;

a first positioning mechanism portion adapted to rotate a first portion of said positioning base unit around a first axis; and

a second positioning mechanism portion adapted to a second portion of said positioning base unit around a second axis, wherein said first positioning mechanism portion is coupled to said second positioning mechanism portion with a rotatable coupling; and

an electronic device removably attached to said positioning base unit, wherein said electronic device comprises;

a camera; and

electronics adapted to provide positioning commands to said positioning base unit,

wherein said rotatable coupling is adapted to rotate said first positioning mechanism portion relative to said second positioning mechanism portion along a range from a first position wherein said first axis and said second axis e parallel, to a second position wherein said first axis and said second axis are perpendicular.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said positioning base unit comprises control electronics adapted to drive said first and said second positioning mechanism portions.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said electronic device is a smart phone, and wherein said smart phone comprises a program application adapted to send position commands to said positioning base unit.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said program application comprises instructions for the tracking by said camera of an imaged object.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a remote driver, said remote driver coupled to said positioning base unit, said remote driver adapted to provide positioning commands to said electronic device.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said remote driver is coupled to said positioning base unit via a wireless network.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said remote driver comprises a mobile touch device.

8. A positioning base unit, said positioning base unit comprising:

a first positioning mechanism portion adapted to rotate a first portion of said positioning base unit around a first axis, said first positioning mechanism portion comprising a first base portion and a first rotating portion; and

a second positioning mechanism portion adapted to a second portion of said positioning base unit around a second axis, said second positioning mechanism portion comprising a second base portion and a second rotation portion,

wherein said first positioning mechanism portion is coupled to said second positioning mechanism portion with a rotatable coupling, and

wherein said rotatable coupling is adapted to rotate said first rotating portion relative to said second base portion along a range from a first position wherein said first axis and said second axis are parallel, to a second position wherein said first axis and said second axis are perpendicular.

9. The positioning base unit of claim 8 wherein said first rotating portion comprises:

a first motor; and

control electronics for said first motor.

10. The positioning base unit of claim 9 wherein said second rotating portion comprises:

a second motor; and

control electronics for said second motor.

11. The positioning base unit of claim 10 wherein said first base portion is electrically coupled to said first rotating portion with sliding contacts adapted for continuous rotation.

12. The positioning base unit of claim 11 wherein said second base portion is electrically coupled to said second rotating portion with sliding contacts adapted for continuous rotation.