AU644449B2 - Aerial camera apparatus - Google Patents

Description

644449 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: ANTHONY WILLIAM HERBERT ANTHONY WILLIAM HERBERT CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

AERIAL CAMERA APPARATUS Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos. PK0944 filed on 2 July, 1990 and PK2759 filed on 12 October, 1990.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 THIS INVENTION relates to an aerial camera apparatus and particularly relates to a lighter than air aircraft supporting an aerial camera.

Aerial photography has been widely used to obtain photographic images of a ground surface. It is known to support cameras in aeroplanes or helicopters to enable the ground to be photographed or filmed; however, a disadvantage with the use of such aircraft is their expense and the fact that it is difficult (ever with helicopters) to provide a stable platform thereby allow-ing long exposure photography.

In an attempt to overcome costs, it is known to usecheaper forms of aircraft such as balloons which can be inflated with a lighter than air gas such as hydrogen or helium or heated air. For instance, British Patent Specification 2153322 describes an aerial spraying and photographic system where a pair of cameras are supported above a ground surface by an inflated balloon. However, a disadvantage with this system is that the apparatus does not provide a stable enough plaform to allow the cameras to take long exposure photographs or to allow the cameras to pan.

Another disadvantage with the above system is that the cameras cannot rotate or pivot about a vertical or horizontal axis and therefore the area which can be photographed is relatively small. The camera also lacks directional control by an operator.

It is an object of the invention to provide a Sr tich can support a camera and which may substantially overcome -*he abovementioned disadvantages or it 3 provide the public with a useful choice.

It is another object of the invention to provide an aerial camera apparatus supporting a camera wherein the camera can rotate or pivot about a vertical and horizontal axis.

In one form the invention resides in an aerial camera apparatus comprising a hollow body adapted to accommodate heated air or a lighter than air gas to provide lift to the apparatus; camera support assembly supported by the hollow body and adapted to support a camera; camera rotating assembly to rotate the camera relative to the camera support assembly; height adjusting means to adjust the height of the apparatus above a ground surface; and stabilising means to stabilise the apparatus substantially against movement relative to the ground surface.

The camera support assembly may support one or more cameras. By cameras is meant any apparatus which can record and/or transmit an electromagnetic image. Puch cameras include still cameras, video cameras, moving film cameras or a combination thereof. The camera may include automatic film winding means, and may have automated functions relating to zoom, and image enhancing features.

Ths camera may include a visible light camera, infra-red camera, ultra violet camera and the like.

The hollow body may be in the form of a flexible material which can be inflated by lighter than air gas such as 4 helium, hydrogen or a mixture of lighter than air gases. The hollow body may also be filled by heated air in the normal manner. The flexible material comprising the hollow body may be elastic or alternatively may be substantially nonextensible. Alternatively, the hollow body may be substantially rigid in configuration to accommodate the gas.

The volume of the hollow body may vary depending on the type of gas used and the weight which is required to be lifted by the hollow body and these variations would be evident to a person skilled in the art. It is preferred that the hollow body comprises a flexible substantially non-extensible material which upon deflation can be folded into a compact size. The hollow body may include one or more stabilising fins which may be located on an upper surface thereof. The body may be compartmentalised to maintain lift if one or more compartments are punctured.

The lower end of the hollow body may be provided with one or more attachment points to allow the camera support assembly to be supported by the hollow body.

The camera support assembly may comprise a base member and a housing. The housing suitably extends about a camera supported by the camera support assembly to protect it against adverse environmental conditions such as rain, dust etc. The housing may include a window to allow a camera located within the housing to take images of the ground surface. The window suitably extends 3600 about the housing to allow the camera to take 3600 views. Alternatively, a number of separate windows nay be provided. The window may comprise glass, plastic or other optically transparent material or alternatively, a material which is transparent to the particular type of radiation to be sensed by the camera.

It is possible for the window to comprise a mere opening in the housing. A rain deflector may be provided above the window to deflect rain away from the window.

The base member may comprise a substantially dished portion and a platform.

The camera rotating assembly Lcitably enables the camera to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis. It is preferred that the camera may also be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis.

To rotate the camera about a substantially vertical axis, the camera may be mounted relative to an upper end of a rotatable shaft which extends vertically in use. The rotatable shaft may comprise a lower end rotatably support by the camera support assembly.

A first drive means may drive the rotatable shaft about its longitudinal axis. The first drive means suitably 2C comprises a drive motor having an output shaft operatively connected to the rotatable shaft. Suitably, a gear or gear assembly is used to couple the output slft of the drive motor to the rotatable shaft. It is preferred that the drive means is supported by the camera support assembly and preferably is support by the platform.

The camera may be rotated or pivoted about a substantially horizontal axis by a second drive means.

Suitably, the second drive means pivots or rotates a camera 6 mount to which the camera is supported. The camera mount is preferably in the form of a plate which may be pivotally connected to pivot about a horizontal axis to a camera mount support. The camera mount support may be secured relative to an upper part of the rotatable shaft.

Suitably, the second drive means is supported by the camera mount support and may comprise a second drive motor operatively connected to the camera mount to pviot or rotate it about a substantially horizontal axis. A rack and pinion assembly may be used.

The height adjustment means may be in the form of a flexible substantially inextensible member which couples the aircraft to a ground surface at various heights. Suitably, the height adjustment means is connected to a winch or like member such that upon operation of the winch or like member, the height of the aircraft above the ground surface is adjusted.

The stabilising means suitably comprises a plurality of tethers. The tethers are preferably coupled to the camera support assembly. The tethers may comprise wires, ropes or like members and are suitably spaced apart to stabilise the aircraft against movement. The tethers may be connected to a ground surface or to a vehicle such as a trailer.

A monitor may be provided to allow the image provided by the camera to be viewed from a ground surface.

The drive means to rotate the camera may be powered from a power source on the ground surface with suitable electric wires coupling the power source battery) to the various 7 drive motors, or from a power source in the housing.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments thereof in which FIG 1 is a view of a lighter than air aircraft according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 2 is a view of a preferred camera support assembly and camera rotating assembly; FIG 3 is a view of Fig 2 showing a modified camera.; FIG 4 shows a preferred camera support assembly and camera rotating assembly according to an alternative embodiment in the absence of a formed window.

FIG 5 shows a preferred circuit diagram.

Referring to Fig 1 there is shown a lighter than air aircraft. The aircraft includes a hollow body 11 having an inflation/deflation valve 12. Hollow body 11 is made from flexible substantially gas impervious material and can be inflated by hydrogen or helium to provide lift to the aircraft. A stabilising fin 13 is provided on the top surface of hollow body 11 to stabilise the hollow body against 2 rotation.

The lower end of hollow body 11 includes a plurality of connecting rings 14 to which a camera support assembly can be coupled via wires 16. A swivel ring 17 may be provided to prevent unnecessary rotation of camera support assembly should hollow body 11 rotate.

Camera support assembly 15 comprises an upper housing 18 and a base member 19. Upper housing 18 includes a hollow domed portion 20 and a lower window 21 in the form of a r 8 transparent bubble which extends 360'. A rain deflector 22 is provided above window 21 to deflect rain from the window.

An inspection hatch 23 is located on housing 18 as is a lift handle 24.

The camera support assembly 15 is stabilised against movement by stabilising means in the form of a plurality of tethers 25 which are attached to a lower portion of base member 19 and to a ground surface. By coupling tethers 25 to the lower portion of base member 19, the view from the camera in camera housing 15 is not obstructed by the tethers 25. A height adjustment means in the form of a flexible wire 26 couples base member 19 to a winch 27 which may be manually or electrically operated. A monitor 28 can be provided to allow the image produced by camera 29 to be viewed from a ground surface. Electric cables 31 may be associated with the height adjustment means 26. Electric cables 31 may provide signals to activate drive motors located within the camera support assembly 15 and may also relay data to and from the camera. A table 30 is conveniently provided to house monitor 28 and 2C winch 27 and the table may be weighted by weights 31 fastened to the table legs.

Referring to Fig 2 there is shown d preferred means by which a camera can be mounted and rotated. Referring to Fig 2 there is shown the base member 19 of camera support assembly 15. Base member 19 comprises a substantially dished portion 35 and an upper platform 36.

A rotatable shaft 37 is journaled for rotation at its lower end 38 into base member 19. Rotatable shaft 37 is M 2 1 r. 9 hollow for reasons which shall be described with greater detail below. Shaft member 37 is caused to rotate about its longitudinal axis by a first drive means 39 which comprises a first drive motor 40 having an output shaft 41 to which is connected a first gear 42 which couples to a second gear 43 located about shaft 37. In this manner, operation of first drive motor 40 will cause shaft 37 to rotate in either a clock, *se or anti-clockwise direction depending upon the rotation of output shaft 41. First drive motor 40 can be powered by a battery 44A. Furthermore, the polarity can be reversed thereby allowing first drive motor 40 to rotate either in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. First drive means 39 is supported by platform 36 by a C-section as shown.

The upper end of hollow shaft 37 supports a camera mount support 46. Camera mount support 46 comprises a substantially hollow body having a forward end 47 to which is pivotally mounted a camera mounting plate 48 to enable camera mounting plate 48 to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis in use. A camera 29 is secured to camera mounting plate 48 and can abut against an upturned lip 49. Plate 48 is caused to pivot by a second drive means 49 comprising a second drive motor 50 having a worm gear 51 attached to its output shaft, the worm gear operating a rack and pinion gear assembly 52, the rack portion 53 being connected to plate 48 whereby upon operation of the rack and pinion assembly, rack 53 is caused to move in a linear fashion thereby pivoting plate 48.

lii iC ii JII ii 111 *1 U The polarity of second motor 50 can be changed thereby having its output shaft rotating in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction as desired. Second motor 50 can be powered by a battery 55 or by a remote power source (not shown). Second drive means 50 can be housed within camera mount support 46.

It can therefore be seen that in this arrangement, camera 29 can rotate about a vertical axis upon rotation of shaft 37 and can rotate or pivot about a horizontal axis by pivoting of plate 48. In the embodiment, the output of camera 29 can be connected to electrical wires 56 which extend through hollow shaft 37 and to monitor 28 on the ground surface.

Fig 3 shows a modification to the camera of Fig 2.

In this embodiment, camera 29 has a view finder 60 into which is fixed a miniaturised video camera 61 thereby allowing the image from camera 29 to be previewed. Again, the operation of 29 can be remotely controlled from the ground surface through electric wires 56. Fig 3 also shows a slight modification to 23 the pivoting arrangement in that a return spring 64 can be provided to assist in biasing platform 48 to a predetermined position.

Fig 4 shows an alternative arrangement of the camera support assembly. In this arrangement, camera support assembly comprises a base member 70 having a lower wall 71.

Lower wall 71 houses a mounting plate 72 including a collar portion 73 into which can be rotatably mounted shaft 74.

Shaft 74 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis by a first I 1 1. 1' drive means substantially identical to that shown in Fig 2 which rotates gear 75 in a similar manner. Shaft 74 is coupled to a support rod 76 which is generally U shaped in configuration and which is rotatably mounted to housing 18 through a bearing assembly 77.

Rotation of shaft 74 thereby causes support rod 76 to rotate as well. A turning disc 77 is rigidly attached to support rod 76. A pivoting plate 78 is attached to turning disc 77 and can pivot about a substantially horizontal axis in a manner similar to that disclosed in Fig 2. A camera (not shown) is supported to plate 78. A housing 79 locates below turning disc 77 to house a second drive motor and a rack and pinion assembly substantially as shown in Fig 2. Shaft extends through shaft 74 and through housing 79 and functions to accommodate the output electrical wires of the camera (not shown). The arrangement as shown in Fig 4 is particularly preferable to hold housing 18 to base member 70 in circumstances where a window is not used.

Fig 5 shows a particular circuit diagram to activate the various electrical components of the apparatus.

Thus, one advantage of the lighter than air aircraft as illustrated in the embodiment is that the particular arrangement to allow a camera to pivot about a vertical and horizontal axis is both reliable and robust and relatively simple to assemble. The camera can be rotated 3600 about a vertical axis and can pivot about a horizontal axis thereby providing the greatest versatility in photographing a ground surface. The tethering cables 25 are conveniently located 0_ Senr-:e:d to rely on the aplicaon(s) listed in the declaration under Article 8 of the PCT.

(Coninued over) 12 below the camera lens and therefore do not obstruct the view.

All electronics can be operated by way of electronic wiring through the winch set-up from a remote control unit.

While radio control may be used, it is not desirable as interference from other radio control signals (such as model aircraft and radio controlled garage doors) could lead to interference. A remote control unit on the ground surface can be used with a monitor and function knobs or a joystick arrangement to control the horizontal and vertical movement of the camera as well as zoom operations, picture taking, film advancement and the like. The main parts of the apparatus can be set up in a utility or trailer for ease of operation and mobility. Optionally, a gyro stabiliser or laser can be used to prevent vibration of the camera to further assist in its ability to take clear pictures.

It should be a preciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim i, wherein said hollow body comprises a flexible inflatable member.
2. 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said hollow body is formed with a stabilising fin.
3. 4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the camera support assembly comprises a base member and a housing to house a camera. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the housing includes a window to allow the camera located within the housing to view a ground surface.
4. 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the window extends 3600 about the housing.
5. 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 including a rain deflector disposed above the window.
6. 8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the pieceding claims, wherein the camera rotating assembly cozprises a rotatable shaft extending vertically in use, the camera being mounted relative to an upper end of the shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported adjacent a lower end by the camera support assembly and first drive means operatively associated with the shaft to rotate the shaft about its longitudinal axis. i' I I" I- -'e 14
7. 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first drive means comprises a drive motor having an output shaft, a first gear coupled to said output shaft which operatively engages a second gear about said rotatable shaft. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera rotating assembly comprises a camera mount to which the camera is supported, said camera mount being pivotally movable about a substantially horizontal axis by a second drive means.
8. 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the camera mount comprises a plate which is pivotally connected to a camera mount support.
9. 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the camera mount support is mounted adjacent an upper end of sai, -otatable shaft.
10. 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10. 11 or 12 wherein said second drive means comprises a second drive motor operatively connected to a rack and pinion assembly, the rack being mounted to said camera mount such that operation of said second drive motor causes the rack to adopt linear movement which results in pivoting of said camera mount.
11. 14. The apparatus as claimed in arty one of claims 8 to i& wherein said first and/or second drive motor comprises electric motors powered by a battery located within said camera support assembly. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said height adjustment means comprises a flexible member connected at one end to the camera support and adjacent the other end to a winch or like winding mechanism.
12. 16. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stabilising means comprises a plurality of spaced tethers connected at one end to a lower part of the camera support and at the other end to a i ground surface or a vehicle. i U
13. 17. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a ground based monitor coupled to the camera to allow images from the camera to be transmitted to the monitor.
14. 18. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including ground based controls which control the rotation and/or operation of the camera.
15. 19. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS SEVENTH DAY OF OCTOBER 1993 ANTHONY WILLIAM HERBERT by his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO. U may substantially overcome -he abovemenionea u-ticvca± 16 ABSTRACT An aerial camera apparatus comprises a hollow inflatable body (11) which can be inflated by hydrogen or helium. A camera support assembly (15) is located below and supported by body Camera support assembly houses a camera which can be rotated about a vertical and horizontal axis by the various drive motors. A height adjusting means (26) enables the apparatus to be winched to various heights. The apparatus is stabilised by a number of stabilising means (25) in the form of tethers. The apparatus is particularly suitable for aerial photography or video photography of ground surfaces in an inexpensive and effective manner. The camera can be controlled by remote or radio control and a ground based monitor can be used to view the images from the camera. r U