WO2021156783A1

WO2021156783A1 - A self-adjusting stand

Info

Publication number: WO2021156783A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/050901
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ritambra Das
Original assignee: Ritambra Das
Priority date: 2020-02-05
Filing date: 2021-02-04
Publication date: 2021-08-12

Abstract

A self-adjusting stand (100) comprises one or more legs (102) having a respective first end (1022) and a respective second end (1024), each leg capable of extending and retracting independently and the respective second ends (1024) being adapted to be placed on a surface (202), a head (104) connected with the one or more legs (102) proximal to the respective first ends (1022), and adapted to mount an equipment (204), a motion control module (108) connected with the one or more legs (102), one or more sensors disposed at one or more positions on the one or more legs (102) and the head (104), a microcontroller connected with the motion control module (108) and the one or more sensors and a power source to provide electrical power to the motion control module (108), the one or more sensors and the microcontroller.

Description

A SELF-ADJUSTING STAND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to technologies involved in smart equipment and more particularly to a self-adjusting stand for mounting an equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stands have long been used around the world for variety of purposes. They may be used to mount equipment or support other structures and equipment. For Example: Equipment such as rifles, cameras, microphones etc. may be mounted on a stand for achieving the required stability while shooting or recording. The stand may have one or more legs depending upon the application such as a tripod or a quadpod stand. A tripod stand is one of the most commonly used stands that is generally used by photographers as well as by rifle users.

Referring back to the above-mentioned example, equipment such as rifles, cameras etc. are required to be mounted on a stand before use. The placement of the stand such as a tripod stand is often done manually which requires human efforts and is time consuming. In case of rifles and camera, time is the more important parameter as it is a matter of being ready to shoot in the right place and at the right time, especially when a user cannot afford to miss a shot. Similarly, placement of the microphone at the correct distance and place is a really important parameter for perfect sound recordings. Additionally, this problem aggravates when ground not flat, or is rough or unstable such as in hilly, rocky or snowy areas. In such places, the correct and stable placement of the stand becomes a really difficult task.

Accordingly, already existing technologies have number of drawbacks and there remains a need to have a self-adjusting stand for mounting an equipment, which overcomes the aforesaid problems and shortcomings or at least provide a viable as well as an effective alternative.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a self-adjusting stand for mounting an equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to utilise one or more sensors to determine the orientation and the position of the self-adjusting stand with respect to a ground.

Yet another object of the present invention is to enable remote actuation of extension and contraction functions of the self-adjusting stand.

Yet another object of the present invention is to utilise artificial intelligence and robotics to enable the self-adjustment of the stand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a self-adjusting stand. The self-adjusting stand comprises one or more legs having a respective first end and a respective second end, each leg capable of extending and retracting independently and the respective second ends being adapted to be placed on a surface; a head connected with the one or more legs proximal to the respective first ends, and adapted to mount an equipment; a motion control module connected with the one or more legs; one or more sensors disposed at one or more positions on the one or more legs and the head; a microcontroller connected with the motion control module and the one or more sensors; and a power source to provide electrical power to the motion control module, the one or more sensors and the microcontroller. Further, the one or more sensors are configured to sense, and measure one or more sensing parameters selected from an angular orientation of the stand, distance of the head from the ground and a condition of the surface. Furthermore, the microcontroller is configured to actuate the one or more sensors to sense, and measure the one or more sensing parameters, determine one or more movements of the one or more legs required to adjust the self-adjusting stand in a desired orientation based on the measured one or more sensing parameters; and actuate the motion control module to facilitate the determined one or more movements of the one or more legs required to adjust and securely place the self-adjusting stand in the orientation on the surface.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the motion control module comprises one or more of a rotation mechanisms and a linear actuator provided in each of the one or more legs to facilitate extension or retraction functions.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more sensors are selected from group comprising gyro sensors, Infrared (IR) sensors, ultrasonic sensors, roughness and surface sensors.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the self- adjusting stand further comprises a communication module to connect the self-adjusting stand to one or more computing devices over a communication network to enable remote adjustment of the stand.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the self- adjusting stand further comprises a display module, configured to display information received from the one or more computing devices over the communication network, one or more computing devices being associated with a user and/or team of the user.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the self- adjusting stand further comprises a user interface including one or more physical or touch based buttons to actuate the extension and retraction of the self-adjusting stand.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the surface is selected from a wet surface, rocky surface, sandy surface, grassy surface, dry surface or a snowy surface.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the equipment is selected from a rifle, a camera or a microphone.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the self- adjusting stand further comprises an extendable central leg provided centrally between the one or more legs connected with the head and a handle attached with the head.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more legs are provided with traction enhancers at the respective second ends, the traction enhancers being selected from rubber grip, spikes, vacuum suction cups and traction gels, configured to firmly secure the position of the one or more legs on the surface.

BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates a self-adjusting stand, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2A-2C illustrates an implementation of the self-adjusting stand, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 3 illustrates another implementation of the self-adjusting stand, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description.

While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim. As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes.

Figure 1 illustrates a self-adjusting stand (100), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The self-adjusting stand (100) comprises one or more legs (102) such as those in a tripod, quadpod etc. Each leg is envisaged to have a first end (1022) and a second end (1024). Further, each leg is capable of extending as well as retracting independently. In that sense, each of the one or more legs (102) may be, but not limited to, a telescopic leg or any extendable leg enabled by an extension mechanism such as a rotation mechanism using a screw for enabling extension and contraction etc. In one embodiment, the portion (114) at the respective second ends (1024) may be the extendable and retractable independently.

The respective second ends (1024) of the one or more legs (102) are adapted to be placed on a surface (not shown in figure 1 ). The surface herein refers to a ground surface. In that sense, the surface may be, but not limited to, a wet surface, rocky surface, sandy surface, dry surface, grassy surface, or a snowy surface. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more legs (102) are provided with traction enhancers (112) at the respective second ends (1024). The traction enhancers (112) may be selected from, but not limited to, rubber grip, spikes, vacuum suction cups and traction gels. The traction enhancers (112) are configured to firmly secure the position of the one or more legs (102) on the surface. Additionally, the self-adjusting stand (100) comprises a head (104) connected with the one or more legs (102) proximal to the respective first ends (1022). The head (104) is adapted to mount an equipment (not shown in figure 1 ). The equipment may be, but not limited to, a microphone, a rifle, camera or any equipment that needs a stable base. In one embodiment, the head (104) may be directly connected with the head (104). In another embodiment, there may be provided an extendable central leg (110), provided centrally between the one or more legs (102) that connects the head (104) with the one or more legs (102). The central leg (110) may be movable in up and down linear motion as well as rotatable to further increase the manoeuvrability of equipment mounted on the head (104). There may be provided, but not limited to, a ball joint between the central leg (110) and the head (104) to enable motion of the head (104) where the equipment will be mounted. Further, a handle (not shown) may also be provided with the head (104) which may be moved manually to aid manoeuvrability of the head (104) and thereby the equipment.

Furthermore, the self-adjusting stand (100) may comprise, but not limited to, a motion control module (108), one or more sensors, a microcontroller and a power source.

The motion control module (108) is connected with the one or more legs (102). The motion control module (108) may be embedded within the one or more legs (102) and the central leg (110) or may be connected externally. Flerein, the motion control module (108) includes one or more of, but not limited to, one or more of a rotation mechanisms and a linear actuator provided in each of the one or more legs (102) to facilitate extension or retraction functions. The rotation mechanism may include one or more motors, screws etc. Each leg may have a respective motor and a respective linear actuator to facilitate extension/contraction and each leg of the one or more legs (102) operates independent of other legs of the one or more legs (102). The same (hidden motion control module (108)) has been illustrated via dashed lines in exemplary embodiment shown in figure 1 .

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in case the one or more legs (102) is the telescopic leg, then one or more linear actuators are used to convert the rotary motion provided by the motor to linear motion of the one or more legs (102), thereby facilitating extension or contraction. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, in case the extension or contraction of each of the one or more legs (102) are operated by the rotation mechanism using the screw, then the linear actuator may not be required. The motor may directly rotate each of the one or more legs (102) to enable extension or contraction.

Furthermore, the one or more sensors (not shown) are configured to sense, and measure one or more sensing parameters selected from, but not limited to, an angular orientation of the self-adjusting stand (100), distance of the head (104) from the ground/surface and a condition of the surface. The one or more sensors may include, but not limited to, gyro (gyroscope) sensors to measure the angular orientation of the self-adjusting stand (100), Infrared (IR) sensors, ultrasonic sensors to measure distance from the ground, and roughness and surface sensors (may be contact or non-contact sensors) to identify the condition of the surface such wet, dry, snowy etc. These sensors may be positioned at multiple places in the self- adjusting stand (100). For example: gyro sensors and ultrasonic/IR sensors may be disposed on the head (104) of the sell-adjusting stand and the roughness and surface sensors may be disposed on the respective second ends (1024).

Moreover, the microcontroller (not shown) is connected with the motion control module (108) and the one or more sensors. In general, the microcontroller may be understood as a compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system. The microcontroller may include a processor, memory and input/output (I/O) peripherals on a single chip. Temporary information that the microcontroller receives is stored in its data memory, where the processor accesses it and uses instructions stored in its program memory to decipher and apply the incoming data. It then uses its I/O peripherals to communicate and enact the appropriate action. The microcontroller may be used to control the above-mentioned components. The microcontroller is further be envisaged to be equipped with artificial intelligence and machine learning based technologies, but not limited to, for data analysis, collating data, presentation of data in real-time.

Also, there may be provided a communication module (not shown) to connect the self-adjusting stand (100) to one or more computing devices over a communication network to enable remote adjustment of the self- adjusting stand (100). The one or more computing devices may be, but not limited to, smartphones, tablets, PCs or laptops. Further, a display module may be provided at, but not limited to, the head (104) of the self-adjusting stand (100). The display module (not sown) may be, but not limited to, an LED display, LCD display or a TFT display, capable of displaying information received from the one or more computing devices over the communication network. The one or more computing devices may be associated with a user and/or team/colleagues of the user. The self- adjusting stand (100) may also be provided with a user interface including one or more physical or touch based buttons to actuate the extension and retraction of the self-adjusting stand (100). The one or more physical or touch based buttons are envisaged to include at least “an extension actuator button” and “a retraction actuator button” for the sake of explanation of the present invention.

In addition, there may be a power source (not shown) disposed in the self-adjusting stand (100). The power source is configured to provide electrical power to the motion control module (108), the one or more sensors and the microcontroller. In that sense, the power source may be selected from one of, but not limited to, small sized batteries such as Lithium Ion Batteries etc. In one embodiment, there may be a casing (106) provided between head (104) and the one or more legs (102) configured to enclose and house the microcontroller, power source and the communication module. The casing (106) may be made of, a tough material such as a metal, allow or polymer capable of protecting the components enclosed therein from external environments and damage.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, following is the method of operation of the self-adjusting stand (100):

Figures 2A-2C illustrates an implementation of the self-adjusting stand (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It is envisaged for the purpose of explanation of the following example that the self-adjusting stand (100) is a tripod stand which is in a retracted state and is to be positioned on the surface (202), which is hilly as well as rocky, as shown in figure 2A. Herein the following example, the equipment (204) to be mounted is a sniper rifle, so an attachment (204) is mounted on the head (104). The attachment (204) may be considered as a receptacle for receiving and holding the sniper rifle. The method starts when the self- adjusting stand (100) is held in a desired orientation on/above the ground and the extension actuator button is pressed to start the positioning of the self-adjusting stand (100). The orientation depends upon the location and the surface (202) and the orientation of the head may not necessarily be horizontal such as in hilly region. The orientation of the head may also be slanted with respect to the ground surface (202) if required by the user. In one embodiment, a user may himself/herself hold the self-adjusting stand (100) above the surface (202). In another embodiment, when the self- adjusting stand (100) may achieve previously stored orientations & positions without manual intervention. Next, the microcontroller may configure the gyro sensor to determine the orientation in which the self-adjusting stand (100) is held by the user with respect to the surface (202). Then, the microcontroller may configure the ultrasonic sensors to measure distance from the surface (202) and the surface (202) sensors to identify the condition of the surface (202) such as wet, dry, snowy, grassy, sandy etc. Based on the one or more sensing parameters measured by the one or more sensors, the microcontroller determines the amount of extension/contraction required by each of the one or more legs (102) to stably adjust to the surface (202) in the desired orientation. Then, the microcontroller is configured to actuate the motion control module (108) to facilitate the determined one or more movements of the one or more legs (102), keeping the orientation of the self-adjusting stand (100) constant as held by the user, using the respective motors and/or the linear actuators. This enables to adjust and securely place the self- adjusting stand (100) in the orientation on the surface (202). The same has been illustrated in figure 2B.

As can be seen in the figure 2B, the dashed lines represent the original position of the self-adjusting stand (100) and the solid lines represent the final self-adjusted position achieved. The respective second ends (1024) of the one or more legs (102) have moved away from the central leg (110) in order to find a stable ground and have automatically extended. The portion (114) is fully extended on the left and middle leg while the portion (114) is not fully extended on the right leg, to achieve the desired orientation and securely position the self-adjusting stand (100) on the surface (202).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the display module may signal, for example, an orange light during the adjustment of the self-adjusting stand (100) and may signal a green light indictive of the adjustment being complete and the self-adjusting stand (100) being stable as well as ready to use. In one embodiment, the one or more stability may be enhanced by using the traction enhancers (112) on the lower ends of the one or more telescopic legs depending on the condition of the surface (202). The traction enhancers (112) may be, but not limited to, rubber grip, spikes, vacuum suction cups and traction gels. Then the user may then mount the equipment (204) on the self-adjusting stand (100) using the receptacle. As shown in figure 2C, the user mounts a sniper rifle on the self-adjustable stand using the attachment (204).

Inn one embodiment, the microcontroller may have a connected data repository that has data related to various terrains (rocky, snowy terrains etc.) prestored on it. A particular height setting may also be saved on the data repository for future use. Furthermore, when the self-adjusting stand (100) is not in use, the self-adjusting stand (100) may be contracted to the lowest positions of the one or more legs (102) to save space and allow easy portability by press of a retraction actuator button of the one or more actuator buttons.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the communication module may be configured to enable remote actuation of the one or more actuator buttons from the one or more computing devices associated with the user over the communication network. This eliminates the need for the user to be manually actuate the self-adjusting stand (100).

Consider another exemplary implementation shown in figure 3, where the surface (202) is envisaged to be hilly and snowy. Herein, as shown in figure 3, the equipment (204) mounted on the self-adjusting stand (100) is a camera. So, the self-adjusting stand (100) may be mounted with the camera and remotely adjusted as well as actuated to capture beautiful moments/pictures from different and difficult angles which otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. The self-adjusting stand (100) makes it possible to position the self-adjusting stand (100) automatically on every surface & in any position. This way, the present invention offers a number of advantages. Firstly, the self-adjusting stand offers a cost-effective and easy to implement solution to the problems of prior art. The present invention utilises the concepts of robotics and the artificial intelligence to enable automated movement of the self-adjusting stand. The present invention may find a wide range of applications for audio recordings, photographers and rifle users who extensively use tripods stands to mount the respective equipment (204). The invention saves a lot of time of the rifle users, photographers which would otherwise have been wasted in setting up the tripod stand. This would in turn prevent them from missing any possible shot as automatic adjustment is quick. Additionally, the present invention also allows the user to remotely actuate the contraction and extension function of the self- adjusting stand.

Examples of the one or more computing devices may include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a portable computing device, a tablet, a laptop, a mobile computer, a wearable computer, a communication device such as a smartphone, and a personal digital assistant, and the like. Moreover, the computing device includes a plurality of electronic components for example, such as a microprocessor, a graphics processor unit (GPU), a memory unit, a power source and a user interface. Exemplary user interface includes one or more buttons, a gesture interface, a knob, an audio interface, and a touch-based interface, and the like.

Further, one would appreciate that the communication network can be a short-range communication network and/or a long-range communication network, wire or wireless communication network. The communication interface includes, but not limited to, a serial communication interface, a parallel communication interface or a combination thereof.

In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be appreciated that modules may comprised connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device.

Further, while one or more operations have been described as being performed by or otherwise related to certain modules, devices or entities, the operations may be performed by or otherwise related to any module, device or entity. As such, any function or operation that has been described as being performed by a module could alternatively be performed by a different server, by the cloud computing platform, or a combination thereof.

Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims :

1. A self-adjusting stand comprising: one or more legs (102) having a respective first end (1022) and a respective second end (1024), each leg capable of extending and retracting independently and the respective second ends (1024) being adapted to be placed on a surface (202); a head (104), connected with the one or more legs (102) proximal to the respective first ends (1022), and adapted to mount an equipment (204); a motion control module (108) connected with the one or more legs (102); one or more sensors disposed at one or more positions on the one or more legs (102) and the head (104); a microcontroller connected with the motion control module (108) and the one or more sensors; and a power source to provide electrical power to the motion control module (108), the one or more sensors and the microcontroller; wherein the one or more sensors are configured to sense, and measure one or more sensing parameters selected from an angular orientation of the self-adjusting stand (100), distance of the head (104) from the ground and a condition of the surface (202); wherein the microcontroller is configured to: actuate the one or more sensors to sense, and measure the one or more sensing parameters; determine one or more movements of the one or more legs (102) required to adjust the self-adjusting stand (100) in a desired orientation based on the measured one or more sensing parameters; and actuate the motion control module (108) to facilitate the determined one or more movements of the one or more legs (102) required to adjust and securely place the self-adjusting stand (100) in the orientation on the surface (202).

2. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the motion control module (108) comprises one or more of a rotation mechanism and a linear actuator provided in each of the one or more legs (102) to facilitate extension or retraction functions.

3. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are selected from group comprising gyro sensors, Infrared (IR) sensors, ultrasonic sensors, roughness and surface sensors.

4. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a communication module to connect the self-adjusting stand (100) to one or more computing devices over a communication network to enable remote adjustment of the self-adjusting stand (100).

5. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a display module, configured to display information received from the one or more computing devices over the communication network, one or more computing devices being associated with a user and/or team of the user.

6. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a user interface including one or more physical or touch based buttons to actuate the extension and retraction of the self- adjusting stand (100).

7. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the surface (202) is selected from a wet surface, rocky surface, sandy surface, grassy surface, dry surface or a snowy surface.

8. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the equipment (204) is selected from a rifle, a camera or a microphone.

9. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: an extendable central leg (110) provided centrally between the one or more legs (102) connected with the head (104); a handle attached with the head (104).

10. The self-adjusting stand (100) as claimed in claim 1 , the one or more legs (102) are provided with traction enhancers (112) at the respective second ends (1024), the traction enhancers (112) being selected from rubber grip, spikes, vacuum suction cups and traction gels, configured to firmly secure the position of the one or more legs (102) on the surface (202).