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Interchangeable mounting platform

  • US 9,781,312 B2
  • Filed: 02/01/2016
  • Issued: 10/03/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An assembly for interchangeably mounting onto a plurality of different types of base support comprising a first type of base support and a second type of base support, wherein the first type of base support is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and the second type of base support is a handheld support member, the assembly configured for both aerial imaging and handheld photography comprising:

  • a payload configured to obtain image data, wherein the payload comprises or is operably coupled to a transmitter for transmitting the image data to a terminal, wherein said terminal is provided separately from the payload or located remotely to the payload; and

    a mounting platform coupled to the payload via a first coupling, wherein the mounting platform comprises one or more sensors configured to obtain sensing data indicative of a spatial disposition of the mounting platform or the payload, wherein said sensing data is transmitted to the terminal, and wherein said mounting platform is configured to be releasably coupled via a second coupling to each of the first type and the second type of base support, and wherein the second coupling is a quick release coupling such that the quick release (1) is carried out manually without the use of tools and (2) enables the first type of base support and the second type of base support to be releasably coupled to and decoupled from the mounting platform,wherein the mounting platform is configured to establish electrical communication with each of the first type of base support and the second type of base support separately, such that (1) the electrical communication is established with the first type of base support when the mounting platform is coupled to the first type of base support via the second coupling and is receiving power from a first power source on the first type of base support, and (2) the electrical communication is established with the second type of base support when the mounting platform is coupled to the second type of base support via the second coupling and is receiving power from a second power source on the second type of base support;

    wherein the electrical communication is configured to initiate a recognition of whether the mounting platform is coupled to the UAV or to the handheld support member;

    wherein the mounting platform is configured to control the spatial disposition of the payload relative to each of the first type of base support and the second type of base support based on the sensing data; and

    when the mounting platform is coupled to the UAV and upon establishing the electrical communication between the mounting platform and the UAV, a first set of control signals is obtained by the mounting platform to control the spatial disposition of the payload relative to the UAV; and

    when the mounting platform is coupled to the handheld support member and upon establishing the electrical communication between the mounting platform and the handheld support member, a second set of control signals is obtained by the mounting platform to control the spatial disposition of the payload relative to the handheld support member.

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