WO2015101822A1

WO2015101822A1 - Camera stabilisation mounting

Info

Publication number: WO2015101822A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/002748
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kin Leung
Original assignee: Mastortech Limited
Priority date: 2014-01-02
Filing date: 2014-12-12
Publication date: 2015-07-09

Abstract

A platform assembly for a camera and a positioning method thereof are disclosed. A hand-held platform (18) has a pistol grip support (11) movable relative thereto by a pitch motor (22) and a roll motor (21). An orientation sensor in the platform (18)controls the motors (21,22) to automatically maintain the platform in a horizontal plane. The pistol grip support (11) is capable of rotation relative to the camera platform (18). Yaw motion of the platform is achieved by movement of the user's arm, by use of a yaw motor in the support (11), or via a yaw motor of a base station (40).

Description

Camera Stabilisation Mounting

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a stabilisation mounting for a camera, particularly a video camera, which is capable of being hand-held, and capable of maintaining a horizontal viewing plane.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

One problem with hand-held cameras is the effect of vibration and movement on the viewing direction. Typically a hand-held camera is subject to instability because of the difficulty of holding the camera still. A moving camera, for example a vehicle mounted camera, is subject to instability due to movement of the vehicle out of the viewing plane. A hand-held camera on a moving vehicle suffers both forms of instability, and this instability is exacerbated in a video image. Moving the camera, for example in a video panning shot, tends to emphasize instabilities.

U.S. patent 8,179,078 contains an extensive review of prior art camera stabilisation techniques, and discloses a camera stabilisation platform with rotation sensors for the pitch and yaw (pan) axes. The platform is adapted to a particular camera device.

This prior device principally relies upon two handholds to control movement in the roll axis, and has pitch and yaw sensors, placed respectively on the pitch and yaw axes, to provide a control signal for pitch and yaw motors, whereby a camera on the mount is stabilised.

See-saw type automatic roll control is also disclosed in the prior art, but has certain control and displacement limitations by virtue of the frame-like design of the prior stabilisation platform. Professional stabilized camera platforms, such as STEADICAM™ tend to be bulky, heavy and expensive; they may also require specialist storage and maintenance, and detailed training in the use thereof. What is required is an improved camera platform capable of maintaining a horizontal viewing plane with simplicity of construction and comparatively light weight. Such a platform should be comparatively inexpensive and give stabilized pictures and video of high quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a platform assembly for a camera, said assembly being adapted for single handholding and comprising a camera platform for supporting a camera thereon, and a support arm, said platform being mounted to said support arm with capability of relative movement in pitch and roll about respective pitch and roll axes, and wherein said roll capability comprises rotation.

Unlike the prior art the assembly of the invention is capable of maintaining the camera platform in a horizontal plane, thus avoiding the disturbances which are often apparent in a hand-held camera, particularly during panning.

In one embodiment the assembly includes one or more electronic orientation sensors in or on the camera platform for detecting angular movement in pitch and roll, and a pitch motor and roll motor for effecting correcting motion to the platform.

The assembly is in one embodiment self-contained, and comprises batteries or the like to provide electrical energy to the orientation sensor and motors. In one embodiment the assembly is held in one hand via a substantially vertically orientated pistol grip, and can be panned by movement of the user's arm. In this condition of use, the centre of gravity of the assembly may be arranged to substantially coincide with a vertical (panning) axis of the assembly. This arrangement both reduces strain on the user's arm in applying a correcting torque to the pistol grip, and also minimizes the electrical consumption of the pitch and roll motors. The generally vertical axis of the pistol grip may pass between a camera on the assembly and a roll motor mounted on the pistol grip, and for this purpose the pistol grip may include a rearwardly cranked extension. The platform assembly may further include a capability for relative movement in yaw about a yaw axis. The yaw axis is mutually orthogonal to the pitch and roll axes, and in a horizontal plane. In an embodiment of the invention the yaw axis is defined between portions of said support arm, and in one embodiment below the camera platform in hand-held use.

Movement in yaw is determined by a yaw motor which may be responsive to user controls such that the camera platform is commanded to more leftwards and rightwards. An orientation sensor may also be adopted to detect angular movement in yaw, and the yaw motor may be utilized for effecting automatic correcting motion to the platform.

In an embodiment the assembly further includes a locking device whereby movement about one or more of the roll, pitch and yaw axes may be prevented. Such a locking device may be electrical or electronic and for example in the form of a manual switch whereby movement of a respective roll, pitch or yaw motor may be frozen. In the event of locking movement about one or two axes, the remaining one or two axes may continue to permit movement under manual control, or with automatic stabilization. It is also envisaged that all three axes may be locked, so that movement of the platform with respect to the support arm is prevented.

In an embodiment of the invention an orientation sensor for detecting movement in pitch may automatically freeze movement in roll and/or yaw should pitch movement move outside a predetermined pitch range, for example ± 45 degrees. Such freezing motion may be enabled by for example a switch, and may furthermore automatically freeze and unfreeze motion in roll and/or yaw; thus, when enabled, this feature permits relative movement of camera in roll and/or yaw whenever motion in pitch is within the permitted range. The permitted range may furthermore be adjustable, for example as a ± angular range, and may be selectable for pitch movement above the horizontal, pitch movement below the horizontal, or both.

The invention may include apparatus for adaptive control of one or more motors whereby the power supplied to a motor is variable dependent upon the mass or inertia of a camera mounted on the camera platform. Such apparatus may include, for example a PID controller, whereby motion of the camera platform is continually monitored so as to achieve a target of, for example, angular acceleration, angular speed, positional accuracy, and/or maximum power consumption.

Adaptive control parameters may be retained within an electronic memory of a control microprocessor, and applied automatically upon selection or detection of camera type. Alternatively or additionally camera type, or the salient features thereof (e.g. mass) may be entered manually via a keypad or the like.

The platform assembly of the invention may further include a mechanical and/or electrical interface whereby the support arm is attachable to a base station, control inputs for manipulating the assembly being provided on the base station in substitution of corresponding control inputs from the platform assembly.

In one embodiment of the invention, a platform assembly having capability of relative movement in two axes, is adapted for movement about a third mutually orthogonal axis upon attachment to a base station. Thus a platform assembly having relative movement in pitch and roll may be adapted to relative movement in yaw with respect to the base station, the yaw motor being provided on the base station and having a rotational axis substantially coincident with the gripping axis of said support arm. The invention may comprise a platform assembly and base station, in combination.

In the alternative a platform assembly having capability of relative movement in two or three axes is adapted for attachment to a base station whereby movement in one of said two or three axes is fixed, movement about the fixed axis of the platform assembly being provided in or on the base station. In an embodiment, the base station comprises a transverse beam having orthogonally directed handgrips at the ends thereof; the handgrips may be independently pivotable and lockable in a desired orientation, for example facing vertically down in use. One or both handgrips may be pivotable about the long axis thereof, in the manner of a twist grip, to determine motion of the platform assembly about an axis, for example the yaw axis.

The base station may incorporate a detachable remote control for activating one or more functions of the camera and/or platform assembly, and when installed on the base station such remote control may be operable by the thumb of a hand gripping a handgrip of the base station.

The base station may include a detachable or rechargeable power pack for providing some or all of the power required by the base station and/or platform assembly and/or camera.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method of providing positioning of a handheld camera in a horizontal plane, said method comprising mounting a camera on a platform assembly according to the invention, holding said assembly via the support arm in a single hand, and stabilising said camera by motorised movement of the camera platform in pitch and roll under control of an orientation sensor for the camera platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the appended claims and from the following description of several embodiments shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting according to the invention carried in one hand and having a camera mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mounting and camera of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the mounting and camera of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the mounting and camera of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the mounting and camera of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a schematic front elevation showing rotatability of the camera mounting about the roll axis. Fig. 7 shows the mounting of Fig. 6 with smart phone in landscape orientation. Fig. 8 shows the mounting of Fig. 6 with tablet mounted thereon. Figs. 9-1 1 show an embodiment with a movable yaw axis.

Figs. 12 & 13 illustrate schematically a base station for the mounting of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to Figs. 1 -5, a hand-held camera mount 10 comprises a single handgrip 1 1 which is cranked upwardly and backwardly to define a generally upright planar support 12 which defines orthogonally thereto a generally horizontal roll axis 13.

An 'L' shaped frame member 14 has one leg 15 pivotable about the roll axis 13, and another leg 16 which defines orthogonally thereto a generally horizontal pitch axis 17. A camera platform 18 is pivotable about the pitch axis 17, and supports a removable camera 19, for example a digital SLR camera, a cell phone, a tablet, a compact disc camera or an action camera.

It will be understood that the roll and pitch axes 13, 17 may be used to maintain the direction of view 20 of the camera in a substantially horizontal plane, notwithstanding relative movements of the handgrip 11, as will be further explained below. The leg 15 is mounted with respect to the support 12 via a roll motor 21 , and the platform 18 is mounted with respect to the leg 16 via a pitch motor 22. Thus it will be understood that arcuate movement of the respective motor 21 , 22 will result in corresponding movement of the camera platform 18 in roll and pitch.

The handgrip 1 1 is generally configured as a trigger grip whereby the palm and fingers provide the gripping force and the thumb is capable of independent movement. In the illustrated embodiment thumb switches 23, 24 are provided for manual control movement of the camera platform about the pitch axis 17, one switch 23 pitching the platform 18 downward when pressed, and the other switch 24 pitching the mount 18 upward when pressed. Other kinds of switch, for example a rocker or wheel switch, are possible. A power on-off switch 26 is conveniently located at the front of the handgrip for operation by a forefinger. Other switches may be provided for manual control of roll, if desired, for example to create special effects.

The camera platform 18 includes a support casing 25 within which is mounted a solid state orientation sensor of conventional kind such as a vibrating structure gyroscope. Such a sensor is capable of determining absolutely the orientation of the platform 18, and is further capable of giving corrective electronic signals to the motors 21, 22 so as to automatically maintain a horizontal viewing direction for the camera.

Panning of the camera (rotation about a generally vertical yaw axis) can be achieved by arcuate movement of the hand, and the orientation sensor is used to automatically correct any tilting of the camera platform about the roll and pitch axes 13, 17.

An important attribute of the invention is that the handgrip 1 1 is fully rotatable about the roll axis 13. Thus the orientation of the handgrip in the vertical plane is not restricted, and the handgrip 1 1 may be below the platform 18 (as illustrated), or above the platform, or to one side of the platform. Furthermore, the handgrip 1 1 may be moved arcuately with respect to the camera mount, without restriction, should the holder of the handgrip wish to do so. This aspect of the invention is illustrated schematically in Fig. 6, and shows alternative handle positions at 90°, 180° and 270° about the roll axis. Any intermediate handle position is obtainable whilst maintaining the camera platform 18 substantially horizontal.

Movement about the pitch axis is typically ± 85°, so that the camera can face substantially down and substantially up in addition to any pitch position between these directions.

The embodiment of Figs. 1-5, unlike the prior art, is capable of being held in one hand, and may be made of lightweight materials such as plastic and aluminium. Batteries for electrical power may be housed within the handgrip 1 1. Rearward cranking of the handgrip ensures that the centre of gravity is generally above the vertical gripping axis 27, so that the user need not have to exert an arcuate force in order to maintain the handgrip in a substantially vertical orientation, neither rolling to one side nor pitching forward or backward. The roll axis 13 is arranged to pass close to the centre of the mass movable about the roll axis (camera, camera mount, pitch motor and frame member), and the pitch axis 17 is also arranged to pass close to the centre of the mass movable about the pitch axis (camera and camera mount).

The relatively simple 'L' shaped frame member provides the necessary axes of movement in roll and pitch, yet is small and thus of low mass and low cost. Furthermore such a bracket may be easily sized to suit the dimensions of the camera to be mounted, whilst maintaining the centre of mass substantially on the vertical gripping axis 27. For example either leg 15, 16 may be made longer or shorter (see 'X' and Ύ' of Fig. 2), and the rearwards cranking of the handgrip may be increased or decreased (see 'Z' of Fig. 4), according to requirements of design and balance.

In a practical embodiment, the motors 21 , 22 are brushless D.C. motors having a rotational positional accuracy of ± 0.05 degrees, and a corrective speed of ± 180 degrees per second. The solid state gyroscope may employ a 32 bit microcomputer, and the camera mount may have a working current in the range 150-200 mA.

In use it is envisaged that initialisation after switching on will take 15 seconds or less. Within this period the camera platform 18 will stabilise (level) in the horizontal plane, according to detection of movement inputs at the handgrip 1 1. The speed and direction of movement in translation and rotation are sensed by the solid state gyroscope, and using conventional predictive, differentiation and integration techniques, the motors 21 , 22 are energised to maintain the platform horizontal. Typically one or more PID controllers are utilised to ensure that each motor rapidly reaches a desired rotational position.

As noted above Fig. 6 illustrates the possibility of moving the handle 1 1 angularly about the roll axis to any desired orientation, thus increasing the possibilities of supporting the camera in confined locations, whilst maintaining freedom from roll induced camera shake.

Fig. 6 shows a smart phone in portrait orientation, and secured by a standard screw mount 28; other kinds of mount are of course possible, including slides, rails, forks and clamps. Such mounts may facilitate easy and rapid exchange of camera.

Fig. 7 illustrates a smart phone in landscape orientation, and in Fig. 8 a tablet computer is illustrated to emphasize the versatility of the invention. Unlike the prior art, the mounting of the invention is suitable for a wide range of recording devices, including camcorders and conventional mobile phones, and is thus not restricted to a particular recording device. Both video and still images may be recorded using the invention.

Figs. 9-1 1 illustrate an alternative embodiment having capability of relative movement in yaw, in addition to relative movement in pitch and roll; features corresponding to the embodiment of Fig. 4 carry the same reference numerals.

A yaw axis 31 is generally orthogonal to the roll and pitch axes, and passes through the handgrip 1 1. At the upper end of the handgrip is defined a yaw plane 32 in which relative angular movement of the lower handgrip 1 1 is permitted relative to the upper rearwardly cranked limb 33. A suitable low friction bearing (not shown) is provided at the interface so as to permit swivelling substantially free of friction. Within the handgrip is provided a yaw motor (not shown) adapted to drive the upper limb 33 about the yaw axis, and thereby the camera platform and camera. A suitable control button or rocker switch 34 provides control of the yaw motor, and for example such a switch may be provided on either side of the handgrip to give intuitive left and right motion. The switch or switches may have functionality of returning the camera platform to the central position (straight ahead) as illustrated in Fig. 9. In addition to manual control of yaw, the assembly may include automatic yaw stabilization whereby an orientation sensor controls the yaw motor to maintain a predetermined yaw orientation.

Fig. 1 1 illustrates the camera 19 at a yaw angle of 90° with respect to the handgrip 1 1 (compare Fig. 8).

The yaw range (for example ±180 °) may be settable by the user, either via a control on the device, or remotely. As with many settable features of the invention, inputs may be via, for example, a personal computer and USB cable, or wirelessly, to an electronic processor within the platform assembly.

Such a processor, for example mounted within the handgrip 1 1 , may provide many control functions, some of which may be pre-set, and some of which may be user enabled. Functions may be selected and/or adjusted using controls on the handgrip, and are typically of a kind familiar to users of electronic devices - for example having menu driven capabilities. A first such function may freeze one or more axes 13, 17, 31 on demand, either in the mutually orthogonal condition of Fig. 1 or at any selected angular orientation. Freezing may be by electrically locking a respective motor against rotation, or by engagement of a latch - such as by engagement of a tooth with a toothed wheel. Freezing of one or more of the axes does not prevent relative motion about the unfrozen or unlocked axes.

In a second function an orientation sensor may freeze an axis if motion about another axis is outside a predetermined range. Such freezing may be temporary, for example whilst the motion is outside the permitted range, or may be semi-permanent until a separate release function is activated by the user. The range of restricted motion may be settable by the user, or may be pre-set to protect the device from misuse or harm. A third such function may apply a variable amount of power to one or more motors in order to maintain a target parameter, for example speed or accuracy of position. This function may also assist in preserving or maintaining life of the power source, which is typically a rechargeable battery. The user may have the option of selecting a high degree of stabilization with rapid response, or a lower degree of stabilization at a slower speed, but with longer battery life. This capability may also be pre-set at manufacture to distinguish between regular and premium versions.

A fourth function may allow for variable power to compensate for the mass and/or inertia of the selected camera. This function may operate automatically by detecting a physical feature of the camera, or may operate automatically upon detection of an electronic camera signature, or may be selectable manually by the user from a menu.

In another embodiment, the platform assembly may be attachable to a base station through which the assembly and camera may be operated remotely. Such an apparatus is illustrated schematically in Figs. 12 and 13 and carries a camera mount 10 substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1-5.

The base station 40 has a transverse beam 41 with two depending handgrips 42, 43 and an upstanding mount 44, which is of any suitable size and shape to firmly engage and hold the handgrip 1 1 ; a plug and socket arrangement is suitable and is disconnectable on demand - for example by pressing spring loaded latch button 45. The base station allows two-handed operation of the camera, which may in certain circumstances allow better control thereof. Necessarily certain control functions of the platform assembly are replicated in the handgrips of the base station in order to permit control of the camera mount. Other functions, such as setting parameters and limits need not be replicated. Typically one or both of the handgrips 42, 43 will replicate controls accessible from the handgrip 1 1, or such controls may be distributed between the handgrips 42, 43; for example yaw control and pitch control of a three axis platform assembly may be provided on respective handgrips 42, 43, along with a button for activating the camera to take a picture.

The design of handgrip 1 1, 42, 43 is not important to the present invention, save that it must be comfortable and functional; any design commensurate with standard ergonomic practice will suffice. In the alternative or additionally a remote control 46 may be housed in a clip 47 so as to be accessible with a thumb of the right hand when holding the handgrip 43; a button 48 is provided, for example to control tilt of the camera, to control left/right movement of the camera and/or to control rotation of the camera; the remote control may be removed for activation by a third party. The remote control may have other features associated with the camera 19, for example focus and zoom, or with the camera mount 10. Communication from the remote control may be by wire, but is preferably wireless using, for example, a BLUETOOTH™ protocol.

In a refinement, the part of the mount 44 immediately adjacent the assembly 10 may be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis so as to provide independent yaw motion with respect to the transverse beam 41. For this purpose a co-axial electric motor 49 is provided on the transverse beam 41 and is operable to move the camera mount arcuately about the substantially vertical axis 50. In this case it will be understood that corresponding motion about axis 31 of Figs. 9-1 1 is not required. A suitable motor control is provided on one or both of the handgrips 42, 43, for example in the form of a twist grip having a respective rotational axis 51 , 52. Such an arrangement may be particularly useful in providing yaw motion to a two axis platform assembly, such as depicted in Fig. l . The motor for such a rotatable mount is typically provided on the cross beam, and controlled via one or both of the handgrips 42, 43. Communication between the base station 40 and the platform assembly 10 may be by suitable wired connector, or wirelessly using for example a BLUETOOTH ™ protocol. Each handgrip 42, 43 may be rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis 53 so as to be independently fixed at a desired orientation. For this purpose a respective nut or thumbscrew 54 is provided to clamp the handgrip in the desired orientation. Fig. 13 shows both handgrips mounted in the opposite direction so as to permit the camera mount 10 to be underslung. The handgrips may be set in mutually different orientations if required.

The transverse beam 41 may also comprise a centre section 55 to which the motor 49 is attached, and outer limbs 56, 57 independently pivoted to the centre section about respective vertical axes 58, 59. Arcuate tracks 60, 61 limit pivoting to about 90° to the rear, but a greater or lesser pivot angle may be provided. The outer limbs are fixed at a desired angle by suitable nuts or thumb screws 62, as illustrated. This arrangement permits the handgrips 42, 43 to be set at a comfortable spacing, and provides a further range of adjustment. Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate the limbs 56, 57 in the in-line condition.

A power pack 63, which may be detachable or comprise a housing for a battery, is provided for providing power to the motor 49 and to other components of the mount or camera which require to be powered. An on/off switch 64 is illustrated. The power pack 63 may provide substantially all of the power requirement of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 12-13.

The components of the base station 40 are typically of light weight and stiff material, such as a suitable grade of plastic, or aluminium. The handgrips 42, 43 may include non-slip sleeves to ensure that a firm grip can be maintained in use.

Amendments and alterations to the invention are of course envisaged within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A platform assembly for a camera, said assembly being adapted for single handholding and comprising a camera platform for supporting a camera thereon, and a support arm, said platform being mounted to said support arm with capability of relative movement in pitch and roll about respective pitch and roll axes, and wherein said roll capability comprises rotation.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 and further including a pitch motor and a roll motor, whereby said relative movement is effected.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said pitch motor is co-axial with the pitch axis.

4. An assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said roll motor is coaxial with the roll axis.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein said roll motor comprises a roll motor body mounted on said support arm, and a rotatable roll motor armature.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 and including a bracket connected to said roll motor armature at one end, the other end of said bracket having said pitch motor mounted thereon.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein said pitch motor comprises a pitch motor body mounted to said bracket, and a rotatable pitch motor armature connected to said platform.

8. An assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said bracket is substantially 'L' shaped, the pitch axis passing through one arm thereof, and the roll axis passing through the other arm thereof.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the pitch and roll axes coincide.

10. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said support arm comprises a handgrip.

1 1. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein in one orientation said support arm extends on a yaw axis substantially orthogonally to said pitch and roll axes.

12. An assembly according to claim 1 1 wherein said yaw axis intersects said platform.

13. An assembly according to claim 1 1 or claim 12 wherein said yaw and roll axes coincide.

14. An assembly according to any of claims 10-13 wherein said handgrip is a pistol grip having thumb actuated pitch control for a pitch motor.

15. An assembly according to claim 14 and further including a pitch-up thumb switch and a pitch-down thumb switch.

16. An assembly according to any of claims 10-15 and including a forefinger actuated on/off switch.

17. An assembly according to any preceding claim and further including an orientation sensor for said camera platform whereby relative pitch and roll is controlled.

18. An assembly according to claim 17 wherein said sensor is contained within said platform.

19. An assembly according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein said sensor comprises a solid state electronic gyroscope.

20. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein said camera platform is adapted to receive one of a still camera, a video camera, a combined still and video camera, and a computer device incorporating a camera.

21. An assembly according to claim 20 wherein said camera is one of a smart phone and a tablet computer.

22. An assembly according to any preceding claim and further including a base station comprising a transverse beam having handgrips at opposite ends thereof and substantially at the centre a mount for said support arm.

23. An assembly according to claim 22 wherein said mount comprises a yaw motor for providing relative yaw motion to said support arm.

24. An assembly according to claim 22 or claim 23 wherein one or both of said handgrips are independently pivotable about a long axis of said beam and lockable in a desired orientation.

25. An assembly according to any of claims 22-24 wherein one or both of said handgrips is pivotable about a long axis thereof in the manner of a twist grip.

26. An assembly accordingly to any of claims 22-25 wherein said base station includes a detachable remote control for operating one or more functions of said platform assembly and a camera mounted thereon.

27. A method of providing positioning of a hand-held camera in a horizontal plane, said method comprising:

mounting said camera on a platform assembly according to any of claims 17- 19, holding said assembly via said support arm in a single hand, and stabilising said camera by motorised movement of said camera platform in pitch and roll under control of said orientation sensor.

28. A method of providing positioning of a hand-held camera, said method comprising:

mounting said camera on the camera platform of a platform assembly according to any of claims 22-26,

mounting said support arm on said base station,

stabilizing said camera by motorized movement of said camera platform in pitch and roll under control of an orientation sensor, and

moving said camera in yaw from said base station.

29. A platform assembly for a camera, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. A method of positioning a hand-held camera in a horizontal plane, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.