WO2018177564A1

WO2018177564A1 - Mounts for mobile devices

Info

Publication number: WO2018177564A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/062706
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergi GRAU PANIELLO; Alexandre GRAU PANIELLO; Jordi QUEROL DUASO
Original assignee: Grau Paniello Sergi; Grau Paniello Alexandre; Querol Duaso Jordi
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2017-05-25
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

The description relates to a mount for a mobile device. The mount may comprise a first rotation shaft; a first motor to rotate the first rotation shaft; a support for releasably attaching the mobile device on the first rotation shaft; a communication module configured to establish a communication with the mobile device; a control module configured to receive data from the mobile device through the communication module and to drive the first motor depending on the received data, so that the movement of the support is achieved.

Description

Mounts for mobile devices

This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application EP17382161.2 filed March 30, 2017.

The present disclosure relates to mounts for mobile devices. BACKGROUND Nowadays, different mounts for mobile devices (e.g. cameras, mobile phones or tablets) are known. Basically, the main function of a mount is to provide the ability to hold the attached mobile device fixed in a specific orientation until the user needs to change its position. This way, the mount allows the user to move the mobile device around the panoramic rotation axis, the front tilt rotation axis and/or the lateral tilting rotation axis with much more control when compared to hand-holding the mobile device.

For example, ball mounts are known. A ball mount comprises a ball joint configured to allow movement of all axes of rotation from a single point. This kind of mount comprises a ball, which attaches to the mobile device (for example, through a support), and a socket, which attaches to a tripod or any other element such as a head-mounting element or a chest-mounting element. The socket is where the ball rotates and also contains the controls for locking the ball. Some ball mounts have only one control for both ball and pan lock (that is, the control locks the ball and/or the movement around the panoramic rotation axis of the mount) while others have individual controls for the ball and pan. In any case, said controls are used to tighten or loosen the joint and prevent or allow movement of the attached device. On the other hand, some ball mounts have independent panning control, which allow the entire joint mechanism to be rotated horizontally 360°, while maintaining the orientation of the ball joint.

Other mounts for mobile devices are the pan-tilt mounts. A pan-tilt mount has separate axes and controls for tilting and panning, so that a certain axis can be controlled without risk of affecting the other axes. It is possible to find different pan-tilt mounts. For example, these mounts can come in two types: 2-way (in which the mount has two axes and controls, one for panoramic rotation and one for front tilt rotation) and 3-way (in which the mount has three axes and controls, one for panoramic rotation, one for front tilt rotation and one for lateral tilt rotation).

In any case, in the aforementioned mounts and others, the described controls must be operated manually. This way, for moving the mobile device through the mount, the presence of a user near the mobile device is required.

On the other hand, when the target to be captured, for example, is moving, it can be difficult to control the movement of the mobile device through the mount to which is attached, for following it. This difficulty is increased when the user of the mobile device is also in movement.

Consequently, there is a need for mounts that at least partially solves the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a mount for a mobile device is provided. The mount may comprise:

• A first rotation shaft;

· A first motor to rotate the first rotation shaft;

• A support for releasably attaching the mobile device on the first rotation shaft;

• A communication module configured to establish a communication with the mobile device;

• A control module configured to receive data from the mobile device through the communication module and to drive the first motor depending on the received data, so that the movement of the support is achieved.

With the provision of the first rotation shaft and the first motor to rotate the first rotation shaft, the support may be moved around a first rotation axis. Furthermore, with the provision of the control module, said movement of the support may be automatically performed according to data received from the mobile device. In some examples, the mobile device will be held by the support so that the mobile device may be moved according to data received from the mobile device itself. Consequently, no user is required for causing the movement of the support of the mount (for example, when the support hold the mobile device). At this point it is important to note that the mobile device may also receive data from the mount, that is, the communication established between the mount and the mobile device may be bidirectional.

The mount may be used for following a target (for example, a moving target) through a camera comprised in the mobile device held by the support. On the other hand, the mobile device may receive data relating to a desired movement of the mobile device (through the mount) from an external system and data may be processed by the control module causing the desired movement of the mobile device, that is, a remote control of the movement of the mobile device (or of its camera) may be obtained.

The data received by the control module may comprise the angular displacement of the first rotation shaft. Said angular displacement may be, for example, the degrees that the first rotation shaft must rotate according to its current position or the position to be reached by the first rotation shaft with respect to a starting or reference position of said shaft.

Regarding to the first motor, it may be, for example, a brushless electric motor.

In some examples, a mobile device may be defined as any computing or electronic system typically small enough to be handheld. The computing system may have an operating system running on it and can run various types of application software, known as apps. Most handheld devices can be equipped with, for example, Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi or Zigbee capabilities that can allow connections to the Internet and other devices, such as the described mount. Examples of mobile devices may be, for example, tablets, smartphones, mobile phones or cameras. In the present examples, it is important that the mobile device comprises a built-in camera (e.g. a video camera).

According to some examples, the first rotation shaft may be a panoramic rotation shaft, a front tilting rotation shaft or a lateral tilting rotation shaft.

The panoramic rotation shaft may be a shaft that can move around a vertical axis (the panoramic rotation axis) with respect to the mount. The front tilting rotation shaft may be a shaft that can move around a horizontal axis (the front tilting rotation axis) with respect to the mount. The lateral tilting rotation shaft may be shaft that can move around a horizontal axis in a perpendicular direction with respect the plane of the support (or the plane of the mobile device if is held by the support) (the lateral tilting rotation axis).

In some examples, the mount may comprise:

• A second rotation shaft;

• A second motor to rotate the second rotation shaft;

wherein the control module is configured to receive data from the mobile device through the communication module and to drive the first motor and/or the second motor depending on the received data.

This way, the support may have a second movement through a second rotation axis. The second rotation shaft may be selected from a panoramic rotation shaft, a front tilting rotation shaft or a lateral tilting rotation shaft. For improving the operation of the mount, said second rotation shaft may be different of the first rotation shaft, that is, if the first rotation shaft is a panoramic rotation shaft, the second rotation shaft may be a front tilting rotation shaft or a lateral tilting rotation shaft. In some examples, the first rotation shaft is a panoramic rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft is a front tilting rotation shaft.

The data received by the control module may comprise the angular displacement of the second rotation shaft. Said angular displacement may be, for example, the degrees that the second rotation shaft must rotate according to its current position or the position to be reached by the second rotation shaft with respect to a starting or reference position of said shaft.

Furthermore, the second rotation shaft may be arranged between the first rotation shaft and the support. Alternatively, the first rotation shaft and the support may be attached on the second rotation shaft. Any configuration is possible.

Regarding to the second motor, it may be, for example, a brushless electric motor. According to some examples, the mount may further comprise: • A third rotation shaft;

• A third motor to rotate the third rotation shaft;

wherein the control module is configured to receive data from the mobile device through the communication module and to drive the first motor, the second motor and/or the third motor depending on the received data.

The data received by the control module may comprise the angular displacement of the third rotation shaft. Said angular displacement may be, for example, the degrees that the third rotation shaft must rotate according to its current position or the position to be reached by the third rotation shaft with respect to a starting or reference position of said shaft.

Consequently, the support (or the mobile device if is held by the support) may be moved around three axes, that is, the panoramic rotation axis, the front tilting rotation axis and the lateral tilting rotation axis.

Said third rotation shaft may be selected from a panoramic rotation shaft, a front tilting rotation shaft or a lateral tilting rotation shaft. As described above, for improving the operation of the mount, each shaft may be of a different type, that is, if for example the first rotation shaft is a panoramic rotation shaft, the second rotation shaft may be a front tilting rotation shaft or a lateral tilting rotation shaft. If for example the second rotation shaft is a front tilting rotation shaft then the third rotation shaft may be a lateral tilting rotation shaft. Thus, in some examples, the first rotation shaft is a panoramic rotation shaft, the second rotation shaft is a front tilting rotation shaft while the third rotation shaft is a lateral tilting rotation shaft.

The position of said third rotation shaft with respect the first and second rotation shafts and the support may have any configuration. This way, for example, the second rotation shaft may be attached on the first rotation shaft and the third rotation shaft may be arranged between the second rotation shaft and the support.

Alternatively, for example, the third rotation shaft and the support may be attached on the first rotation shaft, which may be attached on the second rotation shaft. Any configuration is possible. Regarding to the third motor, it may be, for example, a brushless electric motor. In some examples, the mount may comprise a socket configured to attach or arrange the mount on a surface. Thus, the mount may be attached, through the socket, on, for example, a head-mounting element, a chest-mounting element, a handlebar- mounting element, an arm-mounting element, a suction cup-mounting element o a tripod legs.

According to some examples, the communication module may comprise a short- range wireless communication module, such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.1 1 o Zigbee. The main goal of the communication module is to establish a communication with the mobile device in order to at least the control module receives data from the mobile device and determines the movement of the support depending on the received data. As described above, the mobile device may also receive data from the mount through the communication established between the mobile device and the mount.

Furthermore, the mount may comprise a stabilizer module for stabilizing the support in a predefined position. If the mobile device is hold by the support the stabilization of the support causes the stabilization of the mobile device. The predefined position may be selected, for example, from the horizontal position or the vertical position of the mobile device, when the mobile device is hold by the support.

In any example, the mount may also comprise a power supply module to power some elements of the mount. For example, the power supply module may power the motors, the control module, the stabilizer module, the communication module, etc.

The power supply may be configured to be connected to the mains or may be autonomous.

According to another aspect, a method of following a target by a camera of a mobile device held by a mount as described above is provided. The method may comprise:

• Identifying the target to be followed from at least one feature of the target;

• Activating the camera of the mobile device;

• Connecting the mobile device to the mount;

• Locating the target to be followed in the images captured by the camera; Starting the recording of the images captured by the camera, said images comprising the target;

During the recording of the images:

o Obtaining data relating to the position of the target with respect to the position of the mobile device;

o Sending data, based on the obtained data relating to the position of the target, to the mount for causing the movement of the mobile device according to the movement of the target, so that the target is always in the field of view of the camera;

Stopping the recording of the images.

This way, it is possible to use the mount describe above for following a target through a camera comprised in a mobile device held by the support of the mount, without requiring the presence of a user. The mobile device automatically follows the target (for example, a moving target) from data received by the mount from the mobile device relating to the position of the target with respect the mobile phone. Consequently, the camera may capture images of the target even when the target is moving and/or the mount is moving. The captured images may be recorded in a video file or pictures.

In some examples, the method may comprise receiving the feature of the target for identifying the target to be followed. This way, on one hand, the feature of the target may be always the same (for example, if the target wears a device emitting a light with a predetermined wavelength, the mobile device is pre-configured for locating said light) so that the received feature may be said pre-configured feature. On the other hand, the feature may be selected, for example, by a user from at least one image captured by the camera built-in the mobile device, the captured image showing the target. The feature may be, for example, a colour in the target, a shape in the target or a face (when the target is a person or animal).

This way, the detection of the target may be manually or automatically performed. For example, a user may manually select a region of interest comprising the target (e.g. it is possible to manually select a skier in the snow) or the selection of the target may be automatically performed based on patterns predefined by the user itself (e.g. a photo of the target to be followed) or patterns defined by other users (e.g. provided via a cloud platform). In addition, the patterns may be defined by default in the mobile device (for example, through an app running on the mobile device), such as "follow the driver", "follow the tennis ball", "follow the white billiard ball", etc. According to some examples, locating the target to be followed in the images captured by the camera may comprise:

o Analysing if the target to be followed is in the images captured by the camera;

o In case of negative result, sending data to the mount for causing the movement of the mobile device until the target to be followed is located in the images captured by the camera.

When the identified feature of the target is located in the images that the camera is capturing, the camera of the mobile device, by means of the mount described above, may follow the target. In case of the target is not in the images that the camera is capturing then the mount requires receiving data from the mobile device for scanning the environment around the mobile device until the target is located. Once the target is located the camera can follow the target and record the captured images of it. Furthermore, the method may comprise storing the recorded images in a memory module, said memory module being able to be comprised in the mobile device (the device memory itself, either the internal memory or a memory card) or being able to be this memory module external to the mobile device (e.g. in a cloud server). In another aspect, a computer program is provided. The computer program may comprise program instructions for causing a mobile device to perform a method as described above of following a target by a camera of a mobile device held in a mount previously disclosed. The computer program may be embodied on a storage medium (for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a USB drive, on a computer memory or on a read- only memory) or carried on a carrier signal (for example, on an electrical or optical carrier signal).

According to another aspect, a mobile device for following a target through the camera of the mobile device is provided. The mobile device may be held by a mount previously described. The mobile device may comprise: • The camera;

• A communication module;

• Means for identifying the target to be followed from at least one feature of the target;

· Means for activating the camera of the mobile device;

• Means for connecting the mobile device to the mount by means of the communication module;

• Means for locating the target to be followed in the images captured by the camera;

· Means for starting the recording of the images captured by the camera, said images comprising the target;

• During the recording of the images:

o Means for obtaining data relating to the position of the target;

o Means for sending data, based on the obtained data relating to the position of the target, to the mount through the communication module for causing the movement of the mobile device according to the movement of the target, so that the target is always in the field of view of the camera;

• Means for stopping the recording of the images. At this point it is important to note that the described means may be, for example, electronic means, computing means or a combination of both.

Furthermore, the mobile device may comprise a memory module for storing the recorded images. The memory module may be comprised in the mobile device (the device memory itself, either the internal memory or a memory card) or may be a memory module external to the mobile device (e.g. in a cloud server).

In some examples, the communication module may comprise a short-range wireless communication module such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.1 1 o Zigbee. Basically, to establish communication between the mobile device and the mount, the technology used in the communication module must be compatible with the technology of the communication module of the mount.

In yet another aspect, a mobile device is provided. The mobile device may comprise:

· A camera; • A communication module;

• A memory and a processor, embodying instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the instructions comprising functionality to execute a method as described above of following a target by a camera of a mobile device held by a mount previously disclosed.

The mobile device may comprise a memory module for storing the recorded images. The memory module may be comprised in the mobile device (the device memory itself, either the internal memory or a memory card) or may be a memory module external to the mobile device (e.g. in a cloud server).

Furthermore, the communication module may comprise a short-range wireless communication module such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.1 1 o Zigbee. Basically, to establish communication between the mobile device and the mount, the technology used in the communication module must be compatible with the technology of the communication module of the mount.

According to another aspect, a method of controlling the movement of a mobile device held by a mount described above is provided. A camera of the mobile device may be configured to capturing images during the movement of the mobile device. The method may comprise:

• Activating the camera;

• Connecting the mobile device to the mount by means of a first communication module;

· Receiving data, through a second communication module, from an external system relating to the desired movement of the camera;

- Sending data, based on the received data from the external system, to the mount through the first communication module for causing the movement of the mobile device according to the desired movement.

This way, the movement of the mobile device may be controlled from a remote location through an external system with respect the position of the mobile device, that is, the external system takes control of the mobile device through the mount that hold it. Thus, a user in a remote location may move the mobile device according its requirements and see the images captured by the camera of said mobile device. In another aspect, a computer program comprising program instructions for causing a mobile device to perform a method as described above of controlling the movement of a mobile device held by a mount previously disclosed. The computer program may be embodied on a storage medium (for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a USB drive, on a computer memory or on a read-only memory) or carried on a carrier signal (for example, on an electrical or optical carrier signal).

In yet another aspect, a mobile device for controlling its movement when the mobile device is held by a mount disclosed above is provided. A camera of the mobile device may be configured to capture images during the movement of the mobile device. The mobile device comprising:

• The camera;

• A first communication module;

· A second communication module;

• Means for activating the camera;

• Means for connecting the mobile device to the mount by means of the first communication module;

• Means for receiving data, through the second communication module, from an external system relating to the desired movement of the camera;

- Sending data, based on the received data from the external system, to the mount through the first communication module for causing the movement of the mobile device according to the desired movement. The first communication module may comprise a short-range wireless communication module such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.1 1 o Zigbee. Basically, to establish communication between the mobile device and the mount, the technology used in first the communication module must be compatible with the technology of the communication module of the mount.

On the other hand, the second communication module may comprise a short-range wireless communication module such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.1 1 o Zigbee.

In another aspect, a mobile device is provided. The mobile device may comprise:

· A camera; • A first communication module;

• A second communication module;

• A memory and a processor, embodying instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the instructions comprising functionality to execute a method described above of controlling the movement of a mobile device held by a mount previously disclosed.

The first communication module may comprise a short-range wireless communication module such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.1 1 o Zigbee. Basically, to establish communication between the mobile device and the mount, the technology used in the communication module must be compatible with the technology of the communication module of the mount.

On the other hand, the second communication module may comprise a wide-area wireless communication module based on, for example, GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G or satellite technologies.

Additional objects, advantages and features of embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a mount for a mobile device according to some examples;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the mount of Figure 1 , according to some examples; Figure 3 shows a front view of the mount of Figure 1 when the mobile device is attached to it, according to some examples;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface for selecting at least one feature of the target to be followed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES Figure 1 shows a mount for a mobile device according to some examples. As can be seen in the figure, the mount 10 may comprise a support 14 for handling a mobile device 15; a first rotation shaft, which in the present examples is a panoramic rotation shaft 1 1 ; a first motor 12 (e.g. a brushless electric motor) to rotate the panoramic rotation shaft 1 1 around a vertical rotation axis 13 with respect to the mount. The mount 10 may also comprise a base 17 comprising a housing into which the panoramic rotation shaft 1 1 and the first motor 12 may be comprised, the panoramic rotation shaft 1 1 being attached of fixed to the housing. The support 14 may be attached to the cited base 17 by means of a pillar 23 or like (see Figure 2) so that the rotation of the base 17 around the vertical axis 13 (i.e. the panoramic rotation axis) cause the movement of the support 14 around this axis.

At this point it is important to highlight that although the mount 10, by means of its support 14, can held a variety of mobile devices including a camera, a tablet, and the like, the mount 10 is shown in Figures 1 to 3 to hold a smartphone 15 by way of example, but not of limitation.

The support 14 may be configured to receive the mobile device 15 and hold it. For doing this, the support may comprise a first guide element 18a and a second guide element 18b so that the mobile device 15 may be inserted in said guide elements. These guide elements may comprise inside a retainer (e.g. a rubber or like) for avoiding the fall of the mobile device from the support 14. Alternatively, the support may comprise, for example, a spring loaded clamp or an adjustable mobile device cradle.

The mount 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3 may also comprise a second rotation shaft, which in the present examples is a front tilting rotation shaft 21 ; and a second motor 20 (e.g. a brushless electric motor) to rotate the front tilting rotation shaft 21 around a horizontal rotation axis 19 (i.e. a front tilting rotation axis) with respect to the mount

10. This front tilting rotation shaft 21 can be arranged between the panoramic rotation shaft 1 1 and the support 14, that is, the front tilting rotation shaft 19 and the support 14 may be attached on the panoramic rotation shaft 1 1 . This way, the support can be moved around the vertical axis 13 (the panoramic rotation axis) and around the horizontal axis 19 (the front tilt rotation axis). Furthermore, as can be seen in the figures, the mount 10 may comprise a display screen 20; a communication module 22 for communicating the mount with the mobile device and/or a control module 16 connected to the communication module 22, to the first motor 12, to the second motor 20 and/or to the display screen 20.

More specifically, the display screen 20 may show information about the mount 10, such as the level of the battery of the mount, the connection or not of the mount 10 to the mobile device 15, etc.

The communication module 22 may comprise a short-range wireless communication module such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, IEEE 802.1 1 o Zigbee. The main object of said communication module 22 is to establish a communication with the mobile device 15. Said communication between the mount 10 and the mobile device 15 may be secured by means of, for example, cryptographic keys and/or an SSL tunnel established between them. In addition, the communication established between the mount and the mobile device through the corresponding communication modules may be bidirectional, that is, the mobile device may receive data or control signals from the mount (for example, data or control signals for providing information about the status of the mount) and the mount may receive data or control signals from the mobile device (for example, data or control signals for causing the movement of the mount as described).

Furthermore, the communication module 22 may comprise, alternatively or additionally, a wired communication module such as a serial port, for example USB, micro USB, mini USB, Firewire or Ethernet, or an audio jack. This port may be used to connect the mount 10 to the mobile device 15 in a wired manner or for updating the mount as described below. On the other hand, the communication module 22 may comprise, also alternatively or additionally, a wide-area wireless communication module based on, for example GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G or satellite technologies, or a short-range low power wireless communication module for connecting the mount 10, for example, to an Internet of Things (loT) network or to a remote mobile device as will be described later. With respect to the control module 16, it may be configured to receive data from the mobile device through the communication module 22 and to drive the first motor and/or the second motor depending on the received data, so that the movement of the support in any of two axes (in the panoramic rotation axis 13 and the front tilting rotation axis 19) is achieved.

The control module 16 may perform these actions by means of electronic and/or computing means. Said electronic/computing means may be used interchangeably, that is, a part of these actions may be performed by electronic means and the other part by computing means, or all described actions may be performed by electronic means or all described actions may be performed by computing means.

Examples of a control module 16 comprising only electronic means (that is, a purely electronic configuration) may be a programmable electronic device such as a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

An example of a control module 16 comprising only computing means may be a computing device, which may comprise a memory and a processor, the memory being adapted to store a set of computer program instructions, and the processor being adapted to execute these instructions stored in the memory in order to generate the various events and actions for which the control module has been programmed. The memory may be comprised in the processor or may be external to it. In this case, the memory may be, for example, a magnetic disk (e.g., a hard drive), optical disk (e.g., DVD or CD), a memory card, a flash memory (e.g., a memory stick) or a solid- state drive (SSD based on RAM, flash-based, etc.). On the other hand, the cited computer program (i.e., the set of computer program instructions) may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the method. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program (e.g. the memory previously disclosed). For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk. Further, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means.

When the computer program is embodied in a signal that may be conveyed directly by a cable or other device or means, the carrier may be constituted by such cable or another device or means.

Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance of, the relevant actions.

In addition, the control module 16 could also have a hybrid configuration between computing and electronic means. In this case, the module could comprise a memory and a processor to implement computationally part of its functionalities and certain electronic circuits to implement the remaining functionalities.

In the present examples, the control module is a computing system 16. This way, the processor could be a microcontroller STM32F107VC of the ST Microelectronics company. Said microcontroller comprises an ARM Cortex M3 core to 72 MHz. The memory is a small memory EEPROM (M24512 model, also of the ST Microelectronics company) comprised in the microcontroller. The capacity of this memory is 512 Kbytes and can communicate through I2C communication lines with the microcontroller.

Additionally, an integrated circuit for protection the microcontroller against possible electrostatic discharges may be mounted.

The hardware directly associated to the microcontroller comprises a quartz crystal, for example, of 25 MHz, required to generate the clock signal of the microcontroller, and a set of decoupling capacitors required to reduce switching noise levels. The hardware associated with the EEPROM comprises only two bias resistors to raise the voltage of I2C communication lines, going directly connected to microcontroller. The firmware of the microcontroller may be defined as the computer program that governs the behaviour of the control module, said firmware being able to be stored in the EEPROM memory described above. This way, the firmware is the previously disclosed set of computer program instructions configured to receive data from the mobile device through the communication module and to drive the first motor and/or the second motor depending on the received data, so that the movement of the support in the panoramic rotation axis and or the front tilting rotation axis is achieved.

For doing this, the microcontroller may comprise at least:

- An input/output channel to connect to the communication module 22. This way, data can be sent to the mobile device 15 and/or received from said mobile device;

- An output channel to connect to the first motor 12. This way, it is possible to drive the first motor depending on data (subsequently processed or not by the microcontroller) received from the mobile device;

- An output channel to connect to the second motor 20. This way, it is possible to drive the second motor 20 depending on data (subsequently processed or not by the microcontroller) received from the mobile device.

Furthermore, the microcontroller may comprise, if the mount 10 comprises the display screen 20, an output channel to connect to the display screen 20.

In some examples, the mount 10 may also comprise a third rotation shaft (not shown), which in the examples could be a lateral tilting rotation shaft; and a third motor (not shown) (e.g. a brushless electric motor) to rotate the lateral tilting rotation shaft around a perpendicular axis (a lateral tilting rotation axis) with respect to the centre of the support 14. This way, the support 14 could be moved in all axes of rotation (panoramic rotation axis, front tilting rotation axis and/or lateral tilting rotation axis). In these examples, the control module must be also configured to drive the described third motor both hardware and firmware level.

Thus, at hardware level, the microcontroller may have an output channel to connect to the third motor so that the microprocessor may drive said third motor depending on data (subsequently processed or not by the microcontroller) received from the mobile device.

At firmware level, the firmware may consider the presence of the third motor. In addition, the mount 10 may comprise a socket (not shown) arranged, for example, under the base, the socket being configured to attach or arrange the mount 10 on a surface. This way, the mount 10, for example, may be attached to a head-mounting element for attaching the mount on the head of a user, a chest-mounting element for attaching the mount on the chest of a user, a handlebar-mounting element for attaching the mount on a handlebar (e.g. of a bike or a motorbike), an arm-mounting element for attaching the mount on an arm of a user, a suction cup-mounting element for attaching the mount on a surface, or tripod legs for arranging the mount on a surface. On the other hand, the mount 10 may comprise a power supply module to power some elements of the mount. For example, the power supply module may power the motors, the control module, the stabilizer module, the communication module, etc. The power supply may be configured to be connected to the mains or may be autonomous.

Following, several methods involving the use of a previously described mount 10 will be disclosed.

Because the mobile device may be a, for example, a smartphone or a tablet (even a camera), some or all these several methods may be implemented by computer programs such as apps (i.e. only computing means). In this case, the mobile device 15 may comprise a memory and a processor (e.g. a microcontroller) and the computer program may comprise program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor for causing the mobile device to perform the methods. The memory may be comprised in the processor or may be external to it. In this case, the memory may be, for example, a magnetic disk (e.g., a hard drive), optical disk (e.g., DVD or CD), a memory card, a flash memory (e.g., a memory stick) or a solid- state drive (SSD based on RAM, flash-based, etc.).

On the other hand, the cited computer program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the method. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program (e.g. the memory previously disclosed).

For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk. Further, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means.

When the computer program is embodied in a signal that may be conveyed directly by a cable or other device or means, the carrier may be constituted by such cable or other device or means.

In cases in which the mobile device 15 is an electronic device (that is, a purely electronic configuration with only electronic means), the mobile device may be a programmable electronic device such as a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). This way, the methods may be executed by electronic circuits.

In addition, the mobile device 15 may also have a hybrid configuration between computing and electronic means. In this case, the module may comprise a memory and a processor to implement computationally part of its functionalities and certain electronic circuits to implement the remaining functionalities. A first method implemented by the mobile device 15 may be a method of following a target by a camera of the mobile device 15 held by a mount for a mobile device (for example, the mount 10 as described above). The method may comprise:

· Identifying the target to be followed from at least one feature of the target;

• Activating the camera of the mobile device;

• Connecting the mobile device to the mount;

• Locating the target to be followed in the images captured by the camera;

• Starting the recording of the images captured by the camera, said images comprising the target;

• During the recording of the images:

• Stopping the recording of the images. At this point, it is important to highlight that steps of the method may be performed in any order. Thus, for example, step of activating the camera of the mobile device and step of connecting the mobile device to the mount may be performed in different order as described. Furthermore, step of connecting the mobile device to the mount may be performed before opening the app (if the mobile device is a computing device such as a tablet or a smartphone or even a camera) implementing the method or may be performed during the execution of the app. Regarding to step of activating the camera, it may be performed automatically, for example, by the app during its opening.

On the other hand, as a skilled person knows it, a mobile device may also comprise at least a camera and a screen for displaying the graphical user interfaces (GUI) generated by the different apps and by the operating system running on the mobile device.

In some examples, the method may comprise receiving the feature of the target for identifying the target to be followed. This way, on one hand, the feature of the target may be always the same (for example, if the target wears a device emitting a light with a predetermined wavelength, the mobile device 15 may be pre-configured for locating said light) so that the received feature may be this pre-configured feature. On the other hand, the feature may be selected, for example, by a user from at least one image captured by the camera built-in the mobile device, the captured image showing the target. As can be seen in Figure 4, the target 40 to be followed may be identified by selecting a feature of the target (the feature may be the entire target) in a graphical user interface 41 comprising at least an image captured by the camera of the mobile device. The feature may be, for example, a colour in the target, a shape in the target or a face (when the target is a person or animal). In any case, the feature is received by the app executed on a mobile device 42.

This way, the detection or selection of the target may be manually or automatically performed. For example, a user may manually select a region of interest comprising the target (e.g. it is possible to manually select a skier in the snow) or the selection of the target may be automatically performed based on patterns predefined by the user itself (e.g. a photo of the target to be followed) or patterns defined by other users (e.g. provided via a cloud platform). In addition, the patterns may be defined by default in the mobile device (for example, through the app running on the mobile device), such as "follow the driver", "follow the tennis ball", "follow the white billiard ball", etc.

For connecting the mobile device 42 to the mount 10, a communication must be established between the communication module 22 of the mount and the communication module of the mobile device. In the present examples, the communication is established by Wifi. This way, the mount 10 may generate a Wifi and the mobile device 42 may connect to said Wifi generated by the mount. In some cases, a password may be required for establishing the communication. Alternatively, the establishment of the communication between the mount 10 and the mobile device 42 may be performed by means of other short-range wireless communication technologies, wired communication technologies or wide-area wireless communication technologies as described above.

Step of locating the target 41 to be followed in the images captured by the camera may comprise:

o In case of negative result, sending data to the mount 10 for causing the movement of the mobile device until the target to be followed is located in the images captured by the camera.

When the identified feature of the target is in the images captured by the camera, the app may cause the camera of the mobile device 42 (for example, because the app receives an order from the user acting on a control element displayed in the GUI for starting the recording of the target), by means of the mount 10 described above, follows the target from data sent by the app to the mount through the communication established between the mobile device and the mount. Data may comprise information about the position of the target with respect to the mobile device and, from this information, the mount may determine the movement of the support to follow the target.

More specifically, when the feature of the target is identified by the app and said target is moving, the app must understand the movement of the target (for example, the movement may be represented by a mathematical formula) so that the mobile device may communicate with the mount and send it a data packet or data frame indicating the position of the new centre, that is, the position of the mobile device so that the target is in the centre of the images captured by the camera of the mobile device. The format of the data packet may comprise, for example, a byte structure in that a vector in which the centre must be moved for focusing the centre of the camera in the target is indicated. This way, the data packet may indicate if the mount (that is, the mobile device) must be moved to the left or to the right, up or down, etc. according, for example, to the following fields:

· one byte of start of the frame: FF; • one byte indicating the angular displacement around the vertical axis (in the present examples, the panoramic axis). According to the value of this byte, the panoramic rotation shaft 21 , by means of the first motor, may be moved X degrees to the left or to the right. The values of said byte may be:

o 00 00 may correspond to the initial point of reference (0°); o 00 01 to 01 68 may be a displacement from 1 to 360° respectively to the right or to the left according to, for example, the shortest distance. That is, to perform a movement around the panoramic axis, the panoramic rotation shaft may perform all the round about itself or may travel the shortest arc distance. This way, for example, if the target moves 20° to the right and the following movement is rotate to 10° to the right of the initial or reference position of said shaft, the panoramic rotation shaft may perform all the round about itself following to the right or rotate 10° to the left (i.e. the optimal movement);

• one byte indicating the displacement of the horizontal axis. According to the value of said byte, the front tilting rotation shaft 21 , by means of the second motor 20, may be moved Y degrees up or down. The values of said byte may be:

o 5A may correspond to the centre (0°);

o 59 to 00 may be the angular displacement from 1 to 90° respectively to down;

o 5B to B4 may be the angular displacement from 1 to 90° respectively to up;

• one byte end of frame: F0.

In any case, the movements may be performed according to the reference point (0,0) corresponding to the initial position of the horizontal and vertical axes.

This way, the data packet or data frame sent form the mobile device 15 (i.e. the app in the present examples) to the mount 10 for executing each movement may be:

Clearly, if the mount comprises a lateral tilting rotation shaft, at least one byte for indicating the displacement of the perpendicular axis will be comprised in the data packet.

In summary, data received by the control module of the mount may comprise the angular displacement of the first rotation shaft (in the present examples, the panoramic rotation shaft) and the angular displacement of the second rotation shaft (in the present examples, the front tilting rotation shaft). If the mount comprises a third rotation shaft (for example, a lateral tilting rotation shaft), the received data may also comprise the angular displacement of said third rotation shaft.

Following, examples will be described.

Displacement example: Supposing that from the initial point of reference (0,0), the support must make a movement of 21 ° to the left and 13° upwards for turning and centring an object in the field of vision of the camera of the mobile device, which would correspond to the coordinates (-21 ,13) of the reference plane. These correspond to the hexadecimal values 01 53 horizontal and 67 vertical according to the reference settings described above. The frame sent would be:

FF I 0153 I 67 j F0 |

The horizontal axis being initially at the reference point 0, it would move to the left on the horizontal axis up to 01 53 since the distance would be shorter to the left.

A second movement of 5° to the right and 4° downwards with respect to the actual position would represent a displacement of 16° to the left and 9° upwards from the reference point of the system, corresponding to the coordinates (-16,9). These correspond to the hexadecimal values 40 horizontal and 63 vertical. At the moment of performing the second movement with respect to the reference point (0,0) the second frame would be sent to position the support at the corresponding point:

FF I 0158 I 63 I F0 I

In this case the minimum distance of the arc on the horizontal axis would make this axis move to the right. It should be noted that the reception of a new positioning frame while the support is moving due to the reception of a previous frame, will override this movement to meet the new, most actual position.

As described above, in order to receive the signals described, the mount 10 may implement a physical connector through which it can receive the data or it will integrate a wireless Wifi or Bluetooth communication module within its electronics, in addition to other components such as an analogue-to-digital converters (ADC) and digital-to-analogue converters (DAC) that allow to translate the data frame received into the signals, which will make the horizontal and vertical motors (the first and the second motors) rotate in the correct direction during the necessary time according to the inclinations of the axes indicated. The electronics may integrate a microcontroller, which may interpret the data received and convert them into signals that activate the motors in the correct manner to displace the shafts to the new point, signal that will be sent by the outputs of the microcontrollers to the controller of each one of the motors.

In case the target 41 is not in the images that the camera is capturing then the app may send data to the mount 10 for causing the camera of the mobile device 15 scans the environment around the mobile device until the target is located by the app in the images that the camera is capturing. Once the target is located, the app may cause the camera may follow the target and record the captured images as described above.

This way, during the recording of the images, the method may comprise:

· Obtaining data relating to the position of the target with respect to the position of the mobile device;

• Sending data, based on the obtained data relating to the position of the target, to the mount for causing the movement of the mobile device according to the movement of the target, so that the target is always in the field of view of the camera (for example, in the centre of the field of view).

Finally, the app may stop the recording of the images captured by the camera from a received order, the order being able to be generated, for example, when the user acts on a control element displayed in a GUI on the screen of the mobile device, when the user sends a voice command to the app through a microphone comprised in the mobile device, when the user acts on a control element displayed in a GUI of a wearable (e.g. a smartwatch) connected to the mobile device, when the user covers the camera, when the user acts on the volume button comprised in the mobile device, etc.

The recorded images may be stored in the memory of the mobile device (the device memory itself, either the internal memory or a memory card) or may be stored in a memory external to the mobile device (e.g. in a cloud server). Another method involving the use of a mount 10 as previously disclosed may be a method of controlling the movement of a mobile device held by the mount, a camera of the mobile device being able to be configured to capture images during the movement of the mobile device, the method comprising:

• Activating the camera;

· Connecting the mobile device to the mount by means of a first communication module;

• Receiving data, through a second communication module, from an external system relating to the desired movement of the camera;

It is important to note that steps of the method may be performed in any order. Thus, for example, step of activating the camera of the mobile device and step of connecting the mobile device to the mount may be performed in different order as described.

Furthermore, step of connecting the mobile device to the mount may be performed before opening the app (if the mobile device is a computing device such as a tablet or a smartphone or even a camera) implementing the method or may be performed during the execution of the app.

Regarding to step of activating the camera, it may be performed automatically, for example, by the app during its opening. For connecting the mobile device 42 to the mount 10, a communication must be established between the communication module 22 of the mount and the first communication module of the mobile device. In the present examples, the communication is established by Wifi. This way, the mount 10 may generate a Wifi and the mobile device 42 may connect to said Wifi generated by the mount. In some cases, a password may be required for establishing the communication.

Alternatively, the establishment of the communication between the mount 10 and the mobile device 42 may be performed by means of other short-range wireless communication technologies, wired communication technologies or wide-area wireless communication technologies as described above.

Furthermore, the mobile device may receive data relating to the desired movement of the camera (i.e. the movement of the support that hold the mobile device), through a second communication module, from an external system.

Consequently, a communication between the mobile device and the external system (e.g. another mobile device, a computing system such as a server or a cloud) must be established. Due to the external device may be far from the mobile device, the second communication module may be a wide-area wireless communication module based on, for example GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G or satellite technologies. This way, for example, the app implementing the method may receive data from the external device through Internet. Furthermore, data received by the app may be sent from the external system as an electronic message (for example, a SMS, an email, a Whatsapp or Telegram message, etc.).

In any case, mobile device must process received data for sending data, based on the received data from the external system, to the mount through the first communication module for causing the movement of the mobile device according to the desired movement as previously described.

In summary, the described second method allows controlling the movement of the mobile device by means of the movement of the support of the mount from an external system, that is, a user of the external system may choose what he/she wants to see through the camera of the mobile device. In addition, the images captured by the camera may be recorded and stored in a memory, which may be in the mobile device and/or in the external system.

It is important to highlight that more than one external system may be connected to the app (running on the mobile device) implementing the second disclosed method. Normally, only one of these external systems connected to the app may control the movement of the mobile device. This way, it should be possible that each user of the external systems may choose to see what is retransmitting the mobile device through its app or may choose to control its movement. If one user of an external system is controlling the movement of the mobile device the app running on the mobile device may send data to the other external systems (for example, to an app running on the external systems) indicating that one user is controlling the movement of the mobile device so that the external devices, through its app, shows the option of controlling the movement of the mobile device disabled.

Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow. If reference signs related to drawings are placed in parentheses in a claim, they are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim. Further, although the examples described with reference to the drawings comprise computing apparatus/systems and processes performed in computing apparatus/systems, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the system into practice.

Claims

1 . A mount for a mobile device, the mount comprising:

· A first rotation shaft;

• A first motor to rotate the first rotation shaft;

· A control module configured to receive data from the mobile device through the communication module and to drive the first motor depending on the received data, so that the movement of the support is achieved.

2. The mount according to claim 1 , wherein data received by the control module comprises the angular displacement of the first rotation shaft.

3. The mount according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first rotation shaft is selected from:

• A panoramic rotation shaft;

· A front tilting rotation shaft;

• A lateral tilting rotation shaft.

4. The mount according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

• A second rotation shaft;

· A second motor to rotate the second rotation shaft;

5. The mount according to claim 4, wherein data received by the control module comprises the angular displacement of the second rotation shaft.

6. The mount according to any of claims 4 or 5, wherein the second rotation shaft is arranged between the first rotation shaft and the support.

7. The mount according to any of claims 4 or 5, wherein the first rotation shaft and the support are attached on the second rotation shaft.

8. The mount according to any of claims 4 to 7 when claim 4 depends on claim 3, wherein the second rotation shaft is selected from:

• A panoramic rotation shaft;

• A front tilting rotation shaft;

• A lateral tilting rotation shaft;

wherein the selected second rotation shaft is different from the selected first rotation shaft.

9. The mount according to any of claims 4 to 8 when claim 4 depends on claim 3, further comprising:

• A third rotation shaft;

· A third motor to rotate the third rotation shaft;

10. The mount according to claim 9, wherein data received by the control module comprises the angular displacement of the third rotation shaft.

1 1 . The mount according to any of claims 8 or 9, wherein the third rotation shaft is selected from:

· A panoramic rotation shaft;

• A front tilting rotation shaft;

• A lateral tilting rotation shaft;

wherein the selected third rotation shaft is different from the selected first rotation shaft and the selected second rotation shaft.

12. The mount according to any of claims 1 to 1 1 , further comprising:

• A socket configured to attach or arrange the mount on a surface.

13. The mount according to claim 12, wherein the socket is configured to attach the mount to at least one of the following: • A head-mounting element;

• A chest-mounting element;

• A handlebar-mounting element;

• An arm-mounting element;

· A suction cup-mounting element;

• A tripod legs.

14. The mount according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the communication module comprises a short-range wireless communication module.

15. The mount according to any of claims 1 to 14, further comprising:

- A stabilizer module for stabilizing the support in a predefined position.

16. A method of following a target by a camera of a mobile device held by a mount according to any of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising:

• Activating the camera of the mobile device;

• Connecting the mobile device to the mount;

• Locating the target to be followed in the images captured by the camera; · Starting the recording of the images captured by the camera, said images comprising the target;

• During the recording of the images:

• Stopping the recording of the images.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

• Receiving the feature of the target for identifying the target to be followed.

18. The method according to any of claims 16 or 17, wherein the feature of the target for identifying the target to be followed is selected from: • A colour in the target;

• A shape in the target;

• A face when the target is a person or animal;

• A type of light provided by a device worn by the target.

19. The method according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein locating the target to be followed in the images captured by the camera comprises:

20. The method according to any of claims 16 to 19, further comprising:

· Storing the recorded images in a memory module.

21 . The method according to claim 20, wherein the memory module is comprised in the mobile device.

22. A computer program comprising program instructions for causing a mobile device to perform a method according to any of claims 16 to 21 of following a target by a camera of a mobile device held in a mount according to any of claims 1 to 15.

23. A computer program according to claim 22, embodied on a storage medium.

24. A computer program according to any of claims 22 or 23, carried on a carrier signal.

25. A mobile device for following a target through the camera of the mobile device, the mobile device being held by a mount according to any of claims 1 to 15, the mobile device comprising:

• The camera;

• A communication module;

• Means for identifying the target to be followed from at least one feature of the target; • Means for activating the camera of the mobile device;

• Means for starting the recording of the images captured by the camera, said images comprising the target;

• During the recording of the images:

o Means for obtaining data relating to the position of the target;

• Means for stopping the recording of the images.

26. The mobile device according to claim 25, further comprising:

• A memory module for storing the recorded images.

27. The mobile device according to any of claims 25 or 26, wherein communication module comprises a short-range wireless communication module.

28. A mobile device comprising:

• A camera;

• A communication module;

· A memory and a processor, embodying instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the instructions comprising functionality to execute a method according to any of claims 16 to 21 of following a target by a camera of a mobile device held by a mount according to any of claims 1 to 15.

29. The mobile device according to claim 28, further comprising:

• A memory module for storing the recorded images.

30. The mobile device according to any of claims 28 or 29, wherein the communication module comprises a short-range wireless communication module.

31 . A method of controlling the movement of a mobile device held by a mount according to any of claims 1 to 15, a camera of the mobile device being configured to capture images during the movement of the mobile device, the method comprising:

· Activating the camera;

32. A computer program product comprising program instructions for causing a mobile device to perform a method according to claim 31 of controlling the movement of a mobile device held by a mount according to any of claims 1 to 15.

33. A mobile device for controlling its movement when the mobile device is held by a mount according to any of claims 1 to 15, a camera of the mobile device being configured to capture images during the movement of the mobile device, the mobile device comprising:

• The camera;

• A first communication module;

• A second communication module;

· Means for activating the camera;

34. The mobile device according to claim 33, wherein the first communication module comprises a short-range wireless communication module.

35. The mobile device according to any of claims 33 or 34, wherein the second communication module comprises a short-range wireless communication module.

36. A mobile device comprising:

• A camera;

• A first communication module;

• A second communication module;

• A memory and a processor, embodying instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the instructions comprising functionality to execute a method according to claim 31 of controlling the movement of a mobile device held by a mount according to any of claims 1 to 15.

37. The mobile device according to claim 36, wherein the first communication module comprises a short-range wireless communication module.

38. The mobile device according to any of claims 36 or 37, wherein the second communication module comprises a wide-area wireless communication module.