Aerial movement system having multiple payloads

• US 9,477,141 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cablecam, LLC
• Original Assignee: Cablecam, LLC
• Inventors: Wharton, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling, William C
• Application Number:
  US13/600,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20130050652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 352/243, 352/34, 212/76, 348/143, 348/144, 348/145, 348/146, 348/147, 348/159, 396/7, 396/12, 396/13, 396/9, 248/317, 248/323, 248/328, 248/329
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/425 along guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

A system for aerially moving a payload, the system having at least two payloads, at least one platform for carrying the at least two payloads, at least one line connected to the at least one object, the at least one line connected to the at least one platform in at least four locations, and at least one reel and motor coupled to the at least one line connected to the at least one platform, such that the at least one reel and motor in conjunction with the at least one line is capable of moving the at least one platform carrying the at least two payloads in at lest two of the x-, y-, and z-directions.

Claims

1. A system for aerially moving a payload, the system comprising:

at least two image capturing devices;

at least one platform for carrying the at least two image capturing devices;

at least one line connected to the at least one platform, the at least one line connected to the at least one platform;

at least one reel and motor coupled to the at least one line connected to the at least one platform, such that the at least one reel and motor in conjunction with the at least one line is capable of moving the at least one platform carrying the at least two image capturing devices in a x-, y-, and z-direction, wherein

the at least two image capturing devices are cameras, the cameras being configured such that a line of sight of a first of the least two cameras intersects with a line of sight of a second of the at least two cameras at a first intersection point.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least a third camera, the third camera having a line of sight which intersects with the line of sight of the first camera at a second intersection point.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the line of sight of the second camera intersects with the line of sight of the third camera at a third intersection point.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein each of the first, second, and third cameras include a prime lens.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a third camera, the third camera capturing images along a third line of sight wherein the third line of sight is independent of the first and second lines of sight.

6. The system of claim 2 further comprising a fourth camera.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the fourth camera is capable of zooming in and focusing on objects in a line of sight of the fourth camera.

8. The system of claims 7 further comprising a gimble, the gimble being operably attached to the fourth camera so as to enable the fourth camera to move rotate independent of any of the at least one platform and any other cameras.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one microphone attached to the at least one platform.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the at least one microphone is a digital microphone.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising at least two digital microphones attached to the at least one platform.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the system includes an array of digital microphones.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least four lines and at least four reels and motors wherein the at least four lines and the at least four reels and motors are connected to the platform and such that the at least four reels and motors in conjunction with the at least four lines are capable of moving the at least one object carrying the at least two payloads in a x-, y-, and z-direction.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein each of the four lines are capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the at least two payloads.

15. A method of providing three-dimensional images utilizing aerially moved cameras, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching a first camera to an platform capable of carrying multiple payloads;

configuring the first camera to capture images along a first line of sight;

attaching a second camera to the platform;

angling the second camera to capture images along a second line of sight such that the second line of sight intersects the first line of sight at a first intersection point;

attaching at least one control line to the object

attaching at least one reel and motor to the object; and

,

moving the object in the x-, y-, and z-directions utilizing the at least one control line.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

attaching at least one additional camera to the platform; and

,

angling the at least one additional camera to capture images along at least one additional line of sight, the at least one additional line of sight intersecting the first line of sight at at least one additional intersection point.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

attaching at least one additional camera to the platform; and

,

capturing images along a third line of sight using the third camera, the third line of sight being independent of the first and second lines of sight.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of attaching at least one microphone to the platform for capturing sound related to the captured images.

19. A method of providing three-dimensional images utilizing aerially moved cameras, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching a first camera to an platform capable of carrying multiple payloads;

configuring the first camera to capture images along a first line of sight;

attaching a second camera to the platform;

angling the second camera to capture images along a second line of sight such that the second line of sight intersects the first line of sight at a first intersection point;

attaching at least one control line to the object, the at least one control line including a transmission medium;

combining the images captured by the first and second cameras into a single signal and transmitting the single signal from the platform along the transmission medium.