Apparatus and methods for stabilization and vibration reduction
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An aerial vehicle comprising:
- (a) a vehicle body coupled to one or more blades configured to provide lift to the aerial vehicle;
(b) an apparatus connected to the vehicle body and configured to stabilize at least a portion of an imaging device, said imaging device comprising (1) a first housing containing an optical unit and a processor configured to control rotation of the optical unit, the optical unit comprising a lens and a photosensor, and (2) a second housing containing a non-optical unit and not the optical unit, the non-optical unit comprising a memory device to store image data captured by the imaging device, wherein the second housing (1) is not supported by a frame assembly, and (2) does not rotate with the optical unit, and wherein the apparatus comprises;
(i) the frame assembly supporting the optical unit of the imaging device without supporting the non-optical unit of the imaging device, wherein the frame assembly comprises (A) a first frame member that supports the optical unit and an inertial measurement unit, and (B) a second frame member that bears weight of the first frame member, and wherein the frame assembly is configured to permit rotation of the optical unit about at least a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis;
(ii) a motor assembly coupled to the frame assembly, wherein the motor assembly is configured to drive the frame assembly in response to a signal provided by the inertial measurement unit so as to permit rotation of the optical unit about at least the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis, and wherein a motor of the motor assembly utilizes 5 Watts or less to drive a corresponding frame member of the frame assembly.
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Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for stabilizing an imaging device and methods of using the same for a wide variety of applications including photography, video, and filming. Also provided are unmanned vehicles including aerial vehicles that contain the apparatus disclosed herein.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An aerial vehicle comprising:
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(a) a vehicle body coupled to one or more blades configured to provide lift to the aerial vehicle; (b) an apparatus connected to the vehicle body and configured to stabilize at least a portion of an imaging device, said imaging device comprising (1) a first housing containing an optical unit and a processor configured to control rotation of the optical unit, the optical unit comprising a lens and a photosensor, and (2) a second housing containing a non-optical unit and not the optical unit, the non-optical unit comprising a memory device to store image data captured by the imaging device, wherein the second housing (1) is not supported by a frame assembly, and (2) does not rotate with the optical unit, and wherein the apparatus comprises; (i) the frame assembly supporting the optical unit of the imaging device without supporting the non-optical unit of the imaging device, wherein the frame assembly comprises (A) a first frame member that supports the optical unit and an inertial measurement unit, and (B) a second frame member that bears weight of the first frame member, and wherein the frame assembly is configured to permit rotation of the optical unit about at least a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis; (ii) a motor assembly coupled to the frame assembly, wherein the motor assembly is configured to drive the frame assembly in response to a signal provided by the inertial measurement unit so as to permit rotation of the optical unit about at least the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis, and wherein a motor of the motor assembly utilizes 5 Watts or less to drive a corresponding frame member of the frame assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification