MOTORIZED MONOPOD JIB FOR CAMERAS

Number: 20170010521
Published: 2017-01-12
Filed: 2016-09-26
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Roberts; Vincent H. et al.
CPC: H04N23/66; F16M13/04; F16M11/10
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Motorized monopod camera-jib hardware for cinematography.

Abstract

One embodiment provides a monopole for a camera, including: a pole of length sufficient for two handed operation; an offset arrangement attached to an end of the pole, the offset arrangement comprising a first element connected at an angle to the end of the pole and a second element connected to the first element; the first element rotating about a first axis with respect to the end of thepole; the second element rotating about a second axis with respect to the first element; a camera mount attached to the second element, wherein the camera mount rotates about a third axis with respect to the second element; and at least one motor aligned with the first, the second or the third axis and imparting movement to the camera mount with respect to the pole in at least one degree of freedom selected from the group consisting of tilt, panand roll. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example motorized monopod jib for cameras.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an example motorizedmonopod jib for cameras.

FIG. 3 illustrates another side view of an example motorized monopod jib for cameras.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an example motorized monopod jib for cameras.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of theexample embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope ofthe embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative of example embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Claims

1. A monopole for a camera,comprising: a pole of length sufficient for two handed operation; an offset arrangement attached to an end of the pole, the offset arrangement comprising a first element connectedat an angle to the end of the pole and a second element connected to the first element; the first element rotating about a first axis with respect to the end of the pole; the second element rotating about a second axis with respect to the first element; a camera mount attached to the second element, wherein the camera mount rotates about a third axis with respect to the second element; and at least one motor aligned with the first, the second orthe third axis and imparting movement to the camera mount with respect to the pole in at least one degree of freedom selected from the group consisting of tilt, pan and roll. 16. A method for operating a camera attached to a monopole, comprising: grasping the monopole with one or more hands; said monopole comprising a pole having an offset arrangement attached to an end of the pole, the offset arrangement comprising a first element connected at an angle to the end of the pole and a second element connected to the first element; the first element rotating about a first axis with respect to the end of the pole; the second element rotating about a second axis with respect to the first element; a camera mount attached to the second element, wherein the camera mount rotates about a third axis with respect to the second element; and at least one motor aligned with the first, the second or thethird axis; and providing control input to the monopole to move the camera mount with respect to at least one element selected from the group consisting of the first element, the second element, and the pole; whereby the at least one motor automatically imparts movement to the camera mount in at least one degree of freedom selected from the group consistingof tilt, pan and roll in response to the control input. 20. A system, comprising: a monopole for a camera, comprising: a pole of length sufficient for two handed operation; an offset arrangement attached to an end of the pole, the offset arrangement comprising a first element connected at an angle to the end of the pole and a second element connected to thefirst element; the first element rotating about a first axis with respect to the end of the pole; the second element rotating about a second axis with respect to the first element; a camera mount attached to the second element, wherein the camera mount rotates about a third axis with respect to the second element; one or more orientation sensors; a controller operatively coupled to the one or more orientation sensors; and at least one motor operatively coupled to the controller and aligned with the first, the second or the third axis; wherein the at least one motor responds to outputs of the controller to impart movement to the camera mount with respect to the pole in at least one degree of freedom selected from the group consisting of tilt, pan and roll.