Aerial sensor system and mounting assembly therefor

• US 9,796,482 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2016
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coriolis Games Corporation
• Original Assignee: Coriolis Games Corporation
• Inventors: Apkarian, Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W B
• Application Number:
  US15/349,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20170166326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/20 Rotors; Rotor supports
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

An aerial sensor system is disclosed. The system includes an aerial vehicle, a camera, and a sensor mounting assembly coupled to the aerial vehicle and to the camera. The sensor mounting assembly permits the camera to be positioned radially outwardly from the aerial vehicle in all spherical positions.

Claims

1. An aerial sensor system comprising:

an aerial vehicle;

a camera; and

a sensor mounting assembly coupled to the aerial vehicle and to the camera, the sensor mounting assembly permitting the camera to be positioned radially outwardly from the aerial vehicle in all spherical positions;

wherein the sensor mounting assembly permits the camera to be pointed radially outwardly from the aerial vehicle in all spherical directions unobstructed by the aerial vehicle and the sensor mounting assembly.

2. The aerial sensor system of claim 1, wherein:

the sensor mounting assembly comprises at least a first arm coupled to the aerial vehicle and to the camera, and

the first arm and the camera are rotatable together around the aerial vehicle.

3. The aerial sensor system of claim 2, wherein:

the sensor mounting assembly comprises a second arm coupled to the aerial vehicle and to the camera, and

the second arm and the camera are rotatable together around the aerial vehicle.

4. The aerial sensor system of claim 3, wherein:

the first and second arms are rotatably coupled to the aerial vehicle in series, and

the second arm and the camera are rotatable together around the aerial vehicle independently of the first arm.

5. The aerial sensor system of claim 2, wherein:

the camera is movably mounted to the first arm and movable along the first arm.

6. The aerial sensor system of claim 2, wherein:

the first arm is rotatable around the aerial vehicle with an angular range of at least 180 degrees.

7. The aerial sensor system of claim 2, wherein:

the first arm at least partially surrounds the aerial vehicle.

8. The aerial sensor system of claim 3, wherein:

each of the first and second arms at least partially surrounds the aerial vehicle.

10. The aerial sensor system of claim 1, wherein:

the camera is movable around the aerial vehicle with at least two degrees of freedom.

11. The aerial sensor system of claim 1, wherein:

the camera is movable around the aerial vehicle about at least two axes.

13. The aerial sensor system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one motor, the at least one motor is collectively operable to selectively move the camera around the aerial vehicle.

14. The aerial sensor system of claim 2, further comprising:

at least one motor, the at least one motor collectively operable to rotate the first arm and the camera around the aerial vehicle.

15. The aerial sensor system of claim 2, further comprising:

a sensor mount coupled to the first arm, the sensor mount having a sensor mount connection rotatable about a mount axis relative to the sensor mount, and the sensor mount connection coupled to the camera.

9. An aerial sensor system comprising:

an aerial vehicle;

a camera; and

a sensor mounting assembly coupled to the aerial vehicle and to the camera, the sensor mounting assembly permitting the camera to be positioned radially outwardly from the aerial vehicle in all spherical positions;

wherein;

the sensor mounting assembly comprises at least a first arm coupled to the aerial vehicle and to the camera, and

the first arm and the camera are rotatable together around the aerial vehicle

the aerial vehicle has an aerial vehicle bounding box,

the first arm is rotatable around the aerial vehicle about a first axis, and

the first axis intersects the aerial vehicle bounding box.

12. An aerial sensor system comprising:

an aerial vehicle;

a camera; and

a sensor mounting assembly coupled to the aerial vehicle and to the camera, the sensor mounting assembly permitting the camera to be positioned radially outwardly from the aerial vehicle in all spherical positions;

wherein;

the camera is movable around the aerial vehicle about at least two axes;

the aerial vehicle has an aerial vehicle bounding box, and

each of the two axes intersects the aerial vehicle bounding box.

16. An aerial sensor system comprising:

an aerial vehicle;

a camera;

a sensor mounting assembly coupled to the aerial vehicle and to the camera, the sensor mounting assembly permitting the camera to be positioned radially outwardly from the aerial vehicle in all spherical positions; and

a second camera,

wherein the sensor mounting assembly is coupled to the second camera, the sensor mounting assembly permitting the second camera to be pointed radially outwardly from the aerial vehicle in all spherical directions unobstructed by the aerial vehicle and the sensor mounting assembly.