Camera mounting and control device

A camera mounting device and method including a rectangular frame fixed on a foldable stand, a turn table having a mounting attachment for a camera, a directional antenna and a laser rangefinder, a tilting platform placed within the rectangular frame and fixed to a driven elevation gear, an azimuth motor connected to the turn table and fixed on the tilting platform within the rectangular frame, an elevation motor mounted within the rectangular frame and connected to a driving elevation gear that engages with the driven elevation gear of the tilting platform, a camera mounting controller that controls the azimuth motor and elevation motor, and implements a process for determining an azimuth angle and an elevation, and a wearable remote control having the camera mounting controller, a display screen and an omnidirectional antenna that communicates with the direction antenna.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

This application relates generally to a camera mounting device. More particularly providing improvements related to directing a camera mounted on the camera mounting device using a wireless remote control with a display screen to display a topology of an area.

2. Description of the Related Art

Still photography and motion photography is commonly found in the entertainment industry as well as personal hobby. A camera used for photography is often mounted on a mounting device to take a photograph or record a video. The mounting device provides a stable surface required to take a noise free and vibration free photo or a video, especially when taking photos at night or shooting an hour long video.

A tripod is a traditional camera mounting apparatus that is used in both still photography, and motion photography. The tripod has three legs and a mounting head on which a camera can be installed. The mounting head includes a screw to hold the camera. The tripod and the mounting head also include several joints that allow user to rotate, pan, or tilt the camera as desired. Typically a handle is provided on the mounting head that must be moved manually to orient the camera to a desired direction, which also requires simultaneous viewing through the camera sight.

The movement of the mounting head as well as the functions of a camera can be controlled remotely using software installed on the camera. However, these software and remote control features are proprietary and have limited usability. Certain standard features implemented in the camera and the remote control include button to capture an image or record a video remotely.

The existing technology related to camera mounting device has several limitations. For instance the photographer needs to watch the camera and the direction in which it is pointing and the direction in which it is moving based on the inputs provided using the remote control. Further the photographer may not receive automatic feedback that the target is exactly in sight or may not know if additional focusing is necessary. The photographer has to manually determine if the target is in sight and focused.

Although there are several camera mounting devices there are several limitations that need to be addressed. The present disclosure is an improvement over the existing camera mounting devices and provides high degree of automation and confidence in taking a picture. It can be helpful for people with disabilities and people with limited mobility.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a camera mounting system. The camera mounting system and method including a rectangular frame fixed on a foldable stand, a turn table having a mounting attachment for a camera, a directional antenna and a laser rangefinder, a tilting platform placed within the rectangular frame and fixed to a driven elevation gear, an azimuth motor connected to the turn table and fixed on the tilting platform within the rectangular frame, an elevation motor mounted within the rectangular frame and connected to a driving elevation gear that engages with the driven elevation gear of the tilting platform, a camera mounting controller that controls the azimuth motor and elevation motor, and implements a process for determining an azimuth angle and an elevation, and a wearable remote control having the camera mounting controller, a display screen and an omnidirectional antenna that communicates with the direction antenna.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for controlling the camera mounting device, the method includes loading a map on a display screen of a wearable remote control, selecting a target on the map, sending a signal to a camera and a camera mounting device from the wearable remote control, determining coordinates of the target selected on the map, determining coordinates of a user with respect to the camera mounting device, calculating a rotation angle of the camera mounting device, sending a rotation signal to an azimuth motor of the camera mounting device, displaying a camera-view on the display screen of the wearable remote control, selecting an elevation, and sending an elevation signal to an elevation motor of camera mount.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium which stores a program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method for controlling the camera mounting device, as discussed above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Further, as used herein, the words “a”, “an” and the like generally carry a meaning of “one or more”, unless stated otherwise. The drawings are generally drawn to scale unless specified otherwise or illustrating schematic structures or flowcharts.

Furthermore, the terms “approximately,” “proximate,” “minor,” and similar terms generally refer to ranges that include the identified value within a margin of 20%, 10% or preferably 5% in certain embodiments, and any values therebetween.

In the drawings or figures, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, and “horizontal” are based on a viewing perspective of the figure such that the captions are located approximately at the center and below a drawing. The term “top” refers to the part of the figure on the right side of the drawing with the caption located at the bottom of the figure. The term “left” refers to the part of the figure on the left side of the drawing with the caption (e.g., “FIG. 1”) located below the figure. The term “right” refers to the part of the figure on the right side of the drawing with the caption located at the bottom of the figure.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a camera mounting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The camera mounting device100includes a rectangular frame101, a stand102, an azimuth motor105, an elevation motor115, a turn table107, a laser rangefinder109, a turn shaft110, elevation gear G1including a driven gear113and a driving gear117, a titling platform119, a camera mounting controller120, a directional antenna130, a omnidirectional antenna140, and a wearable remote control150.

The rectangular frame101can be open from more than one side or can be a box with open top. The rectangular frame101is configured to support the azimuth motor105and elevation motor115. For instance, holes (not shown) are drilled on the side of the rectangular frame101corresponding to the shafts114and118connected to the tilting platform119and the elevation motor115respectively. Thus the holes (not shown) in the rectangular frame101help support the tilting platform119and the elevation motor115enclosed inside the rectangular frame101. Alternatively, the elevation motor115can be fixed to the bottom surface of the rectangular frame101and shaft114of the tilting platform119can be mounted in a side recess on the inside of the rectangular frame101. The rectangular box101can be detachably mounted on a stand102using fasteners such as screws or bolts, using a snap-fit arrangement which typically has a locating and locking feature, using welding or using adhesives. The stand102is a tripod with three legs102a,102b, and102cthat is foldable and extendable in length. Alternately, the stand102can be fixed to the bottom of the rectangular frame101. The rectangular box101can be made from different materials such as metal like steel, aluminum, brass, or plastic.

The azimuth motor105is mounted on the tilting platform119inside rectangular box101. The azimuth motor105can be mounted using fasteners such as screws or bolts, using a snap-fit arrangement which typically has a locating and locking feature, using welding or using adhesives. The azimuth motor105can be powered by an electric power supply or a battery. The azimuth motor105has a turn shaft110which is connected to the turn table107. The azimuth motor105rotates the turn table107in a horizontal plane at an angle determined by the camera mounting controller120. The calculations and the process to determine the angle of rotation of the turn table107is discussed with reference toFIGS. 2-5.

The turn table107includes mounting attachments such as dowel pins108aand108b, and laser rangefinder109. The turn table107can be made of plastic, metallic or non-metallic material. The dowel pins108aand108bare used to mount a camera (not shown) on the turn table107such that there is no relative motion between the camera (not shown) and the turn table107. In another embodiment, the mounting attachments can be of different types, for instance fasteners such as screw108c(seeFIG. 1B) that engages with a hole in the camera frame or a snap-fit arrangement which typically has a locating and locking feature. As such when the turn table107is rotated by the azimuth motor105in a horizontal plane, the camera (not shown) also rotate in the similar manner. The laser rangefinder109is installed on the turn table107and is used to measure the distance to an object. The data from the laser rangefinder109is processed by the camera mounting controller120to determine the distance to an object of interest.

The turn table107also includes the directional antenna130, which can be used for determining a rotation angle of the turn table107. The direction antenna130communicates with the omnidirectional antenna140. In another embodiment, the turn table107can include a line-of-sight marking M1(as shown inFIG. 1B) indicating the direction in which the camera lens must focus when installed on the turn table107.

For vertical adjustment of the turn table107or the camera (not shown) mounted thereon, the azimuth motor105is mounted on the tilting platform119. The titling platform119is connected to the driven gear113. The driven gear113meshes with the driving gear117connected to the elevation motor115via shaft118. The elevation motor115rotates the driving gear117, which in turn rotates the driven gear113causing the tilting platform119to pivot along a horizontal axis.

The elevation motor115can be powered by an electric power supply or a battery. The elevation motor115communicates with the camera mounting controller120which receives command to rotate from the wearable remote control150. The command to rotate can be based on an user input entered on the interface of the wearable remote control150or can be automatically determined using pattern recognition or coordinates such as GPS coordinates of an object of interest. Further the amount of rotation of the elevation motor115also depends on the gear ratio of the elevation gear G1. For instance if the driving gear117has a diameter two times smaller than the driven gear113, then one full rotation of the driving gear117will result in half a rotation of the driven gear115.

The wearable remote control150is a device used to wirelessly control the camera mounting device100. The wearable remote control150includes a touch screen152, which displays an interface that includes an image area155, a capture button156, a record button158, a preview button (not shown), a zoom button165, a relative coordinate (hereafter referred as R button) button161, a GPS button162, an elevation increase button163(hereafter referred as E+ button), and an elevation decrease button164(hereafter referred as E− button). Additional buttons such as azimuth button (not shown) may also be added.

The image area155displays an image such as an interactive map of an area. The interactive map can be, for instance, a digital map, a floor map, or a contour map indicating distances. Further on the map, the position of a user (e.g., a photographer) and the camera mounting device100can be marked. A user can select any point on the interactive map. The coordinates of the selected point on the interactive map can be determined using the R button161, or the GPS button162. The calculations underlying the R button161is discussed with reference toFIG. 3and the calculations underlying the GPS button162is discussed with reference toFIG. 4. The capture button156sends a signal to the camera (not shown) to capture an image. The record button158sends a signal to activate a video recording feature of the camera (not shown). The preview button allows the user to preview the image captured by the camera. The zoom button165allows zoom-in and zoom-out of the image displayed in the image area155. The E+ button163sends signal to the elevation motor115of the camera mounting device100to increase the angle of line of sight of the camera thus pointing at a higher elevation than original position The E− button164sends signal to the elevation motor115of the camera mounting device100to decrease the angle of line of sight of the camera thus pointing to a lower elevation than original position. The increment in elevation is based on the parameters such as step of the elevation motor115or gear ratio of the elevation gear G1.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above mentioned graphical interface displayed on the touch screen152. The look and feel of the graphical interface can be coded and displayed in several ways depending on the user preference and performance optimization of the wearable remote control150.

FIG. 2illustrates a process to control the camera mounting device using a wearable remote control according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process starts when a camera is installed on the turn table107such that the line of sight of the camera is parallel to the directional antenna130or aligned with the line of sight marking M1. In step201, a map of the area is loaded on the display152of the wearable remote control150. The map can be an interactive digital map, contour map of the area, or a simple distance map. Further on the map, the position of the user and the camera is marked. The interactive map allows for selection of a target or a location of the target to be photographed or recorded. In step203, a target to be photographed is selected on the map displayed in the image area155of the wearable remote control150. The selection can be performed by tapping a particular area in the map. Further, a zoom function may be used to view finer details of a particular area on the map that will enable selection of a more accurate target position. Note than a target can be the user itself, in which case the camera can focus on the user automatically using step205. For instance, if the user is at location A, the camera mounting device150rotates towards location A and the camera can auto-detect the user face. If the user is at location B, the camera mounting device150rotates towards location B and the camera can auto-detect the user face.

In step205, the wearable remote control150sends a signal to the camera and the camera mounting device150. A first signal is sent by the omnidirectional antenna140mounted on the wearable remote control150and is received by the direction antenna130mounted on the camera mounting device150, while a second signal can be sent to the camera wirelessly using WiFi (for example) technology. The signal communication can be used for various purposes such as position determination and control of the camera mounting device100or performing particular camera functions such as zoom, capture, record etc. In order to control the camera, wireless control modules of camera can be incorporated in the wearable remote control150.

In step207, the coordinates of the target location are determined. The coordinates can be determined using a relative reference coordinate system such as one discussed inFIG. 3or using as absolute coordinate system such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates as discussed inFIG. 4. The relative reference coordinate system is particularly useful when the camera and the target have approximately similar elevation and the camera and target are approximately close to each other, for example, a kid on a playground in a park or an athlete in a football field. The GPS coordinate system is particularly useful when the target is farther from the camera mounting device100and at a different elevation than the camera mounting device100. The coordinate information can be stored in a database and can be updated as the information changes. The coordinate information can be of different types such as initial coordinates established before the control of the camera mounting device100, a rotation coordinates obtained after the control of the camera mounting device100, or any other intermediate control commands issued by the wearable remote control150.

In step209, the relative distance between the camera mounting device100and the user is determined. The relative distance can be determined using the antennas130and140or using the laser rangefinder109. Further the relative angle between the line of sight of the camera and the user can also be determined using the antennas130and140or using the laser rangefinder109. The distance and the angle related information can be stored in a database and can be updated as the information changes.

In step211, the angle of rotation (also referred as azimuth angle) of the camera mounting device100is determined to point the camera in the direction of the target location. The angle of rotation of the camera mounting device100can be determined in different ways depending on selection of the R button161or the GPS button162. The angle of rotation calculations are discussed with reference toFIG. 3andFIG. 4.

In step213, the azimuth angle calculated inFIG. 4is send to the azimuth motor105of the camera mounting device100. The azimuth motor105then rotates the turn table107at the calculated azimuth angle, as such the camera, particularly the line of sight of the camera, points in the direction of the target. In step215, the camera view is displayed in the image area155of the wearable remote control150. The user can then choose to perform any camera function such as zoom, capture or record.

Additionally, in step217, the elevation of the camera mounting device may be adjusted. The elevation can be increased or decreased using the E+ button163or the E− button164respectively depending on the target elevation. If the target is located below the line of sight of the camera the E+ button163may be used and if the target is located above the line of sight of the camera the E− button164may be used. Once a desired elevation is achieved, the user can then choose to perform any camera function such as zoom, capture or record.

In step219, the elevation signal is sent to the elevation motor115of the camera mounting device100. Based on whether the elevation needs to be increased or decreased the elevation motor rotates the driving gear113in counter-clockwise direction or clockwise direction respectively.

The present embodiment is not limited to the discussed camera functions and the camera mounting device100. In another embodiment, several functions can be performed simultaneously such as the recording function of the camera can be performed while the camera mounting device100is moving. Further, several steps in the above process can be performed in parallel such as steps203,205,207or209.

FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate an azimuth angle determination process for the camera mounting device100using relative coordinate system. An exemplary map showing contours310,312,314and316, a photographer301, and the camera mounting device100is displayed in the image area155of the wearable remote control150(shown inFIG. 1). The contours310,312,314, and316may represent distance increments from a photographer301. For instance, the contour310represents a circle at a distance of 5 m from the photographer301, the contour312represents a circle at a distance of 15 m from the photographer301, etc. A target350is located at a distance dpt, which is within the contour314. The coordinates of the target350with respect to the photographer301are represented by a photographer-to-target angle θpt and a photographer-to-target distance dpt. The photographer-to-target angle θpt is measured with respect to the x-axis of the photographer's coordinate system. The photographer-to-target distance dpt is measured from the photographer301to the target350with respect to the photographer's coordinate system.

Similarly, with respect to the coordinate system of the camera mounting device100, measurements can be defined from the camera mounting device100. For example, a camera-to-photographer distance dcp, a camera-to-photographer angle θcp, a camera-to-target distance dct, a camera-to-photographer target θct, and a rotation angle θr. The angular measurements are done in counter-clockwise direction from the x-axis. The camera-to-photographer distance dcp and the camera-to-photographer angle θcp can be easily determined by processing the signals send from the omnidirectional antenna140and received by the directional antenna130. Alternately, the turn table107with the laser rangefinder109(ionFIG. 1) can be rotated towards the photographer301. Then the amount of rotation from the initial camera line of sight304to the photographer301can be recorded and converted into the camera-to-photographer angle θcp. Distance is one of the outputs of the laser rangefinder109.

Further, the camera-to-target distance dct and the camera-to-photographer target θct can be determined using geometric relationships. For example, forFIG. 3Awhere the vertical distance between the camera mounting device100and the photographer301is zero, following equations 1, 2 and 3 can be formulated.

d⁢⁢c⁢⁢t=(d⁢⁢p⁢⁢c+d⁢⁢p⁢⁢t*cos⁡(θ⁢⁢p⁢⁢t))2+(d⁢⁢p⁢⁢t*sin⁡(θ⁢⁢p⁢⁢t))2(1)θ⁢⁢c⁢⁢t=tan-1⁡(d⁢⁢p⁢⁢t*sin⁡(θ⁢⁢p⁢⁢t)d⁢⁢p⁢⁢c+d⁢⁢p⁢⁢t*cos⁡(θ⁢⁢p⁢⁢t))(2)θ⁢⁢r=θ⁢⁢c⁢⁢p+θ⁢⁢c⁢⁢t(3)
With reference toFIG. 3A, the rotation angle θr is the sum of angle between the camera line of sight304and the camera-to-target angle. Similarly, a different set of equations can be derived forFIG. 3Bwhere vertical distance between the camera mounting device100and the photographer301is not zero.

FIG. 4illustrates an azimuth angle determination process for the camera mounting device100using a GPS coordinate system. An exemplary map showing a street map of an area, a photographer301, and the camera mounting device100is displayed in the image area155of the wearable remote control150(shown inFIG. 1). The GPS coordinates of the photographer301, the camera line of sight304, and the target450are GPSp, GPSc, GPSt respectively. The photographer301can enter the GPS coordinates, GPSt, of the target450in the wearable remote control150using the GPS button162displayed on the touch screen152. The GPSt coordinates can be transmitted to the camera mounting device100and used to calculate the difference between the GPSc and GPSt, based on which the angle of rotation θr can be calculated. The angle of rotation θr is then sent to the azimuth motor105(inFIG. 1). The GPS coordinates also include elevation information which can be used to calculate the elevation difference between the camera line of sight304and the target450. The elevation difference can be further sent to the elevation motor115(inFIG. 1) to adjust the elevation of the camera.

FIG. 5is a detailed block diagram illustrating an exemplary wearable remote control150according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the wearable remote control150may be a smartphone. However, the skilled artisan will appreciate that the features described herein may be adapted to be implemented on other devices (e.g., a laptop, a tablet, a server, an e-reader, a camera, a navigation device, etc.). The exemplary wearable remote control150ofFIG. 5includes a controller510and a wireless communication processor502connected to an antenna501. A speaker504and a microphone505are connected to a voice processor503.

The controller510is an example of the camera mounting controller120shown inFIG. 1and may include one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), and may control each element in the wearable remote control150to perform functions related to communication control, audio signal processing, control for the audio signal processing, still and moving image processing and control, and other kinds of signal processing. The controller510may perform these functions by executing instructions stored in a memory550. Alternatively or in addition to the local storage of the memory550, the functions may be executed using instructions stored on an external device accessed on a network or on a non-transitory computer readable medium. As described above in relation toFIG. 1, the controller510may execute instructions allowing the controller510to function as the motor control121and display control121as depicted inFIG. 1.

The memory550includes but is not limited to Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), or a memory array including a combination of volatile and non-volatile memory units. The memory550may be utilized as working memory by the controller510while executing the processes and algorithms of the present disclosure. Additionally, the memory550may be used for long-term storage, e.g., of image data and information related thereto. The memory550may be configured to store the battle view information, operation view information and list of commands.

The wearable remote control150includes a control line CL and data line DL as internal communication bus lines. Control data to/from the controller510may be transmitted through the control line CL. The data line DL may be used for transmission of voice data, display data, etc.

The antenna501(for example directional antenna130and the omnidirectional antenna140) transmits/receives electromagnetic wave signals between base stations for performing radio-based communication, such as the various forms of cellular telephone communication. The wireless communication processor502controls the communication performed between the wearable remote control150and other external devices via the antenna501. For example, the wireless communication processor502may control communication between base stations for cellular phone communication.

The speaker504emits an audio signal corresponding to audio data supplied from the voice processor503. The microphone505detects surrounding audio and converts the detected audio into an audio signal. The audio signal may then be output to the voice processor503for further processing. The voice processor503demodulates and/or decodes the audio data read from the memory550or audio data received by the wireless communication processor502and/or a short-distance wireless communication processor507. Additionally, the voice processor503may decode audio signals obtained by the microphone505.

The exemplary wearable remote control150may also include a display520(for example the image area155), a touch panel530(for example touch screen151), an operation key540, and a short-distance communication processor507connected to an antenna506. The display520may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display panel, or another display screen technology. In addition to displaying still and moving image data, the display520may display operational inputs such as R button161, GPS button162, E+ button163, E− button164, capture button156and record button158shown inFIG. 1, used for control of the wearable remote control150. The display520may additionally display a GUI, such as touch screen152inFIG. 1, for a user to control aspects of the wearable remote control150and/or other devices. Further, the display520may display characters and images received by the wearable remote control150and/or stored in the memory550or accessed from an external device on a network such as a camera. For example, the wearable remote control150may access a network such as the Internet and display text and/or images transmitted from a Web server.

The touch panel530may include a physical touch panel display screen and a touch panel driver. The touch panel530may include one or more touch sensors for detecting an input operation on an operation surface of the touch panel display screen. The touch panel530also detects a touch shape and a touch area. Used herein, the phrase “touch operation” refers to an input operation performed by touching an operation surface of the touch panel display with an instruction object, such as a finger, thumb, or stylus-type instrument. In the case where a stylus or the like is used in a touch operation, the stylus may include a conductive material at least at the tip of the stylus such that the sensors included in the touch panel530may detect when the stylus approaches/contacts the operation surface of the touch panel display (similar to the case in which a finger is used for the touch operation).

One or more of the display520and the touch panel530are examples of the touch screen152depicted inFIG. 1and described above.

In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the touch panel530may be disposed adjacent to the display520(e.g., laminated) or may be formed integrally with the display520. For simplicity, the present disclosure assumes the touch panel530is formed integrally with the display520and therefore, examples discussed herein may describe touch operations being performed on the surface of the display520rather than the touch panel530. However, the skilled artisan will appreciate that this is not limiting.

For simplicity, the present disclosure assumes the touch panel530is a capacitance-type touch panel technology. However, it should be appreciated that aspects of the present disclosure may easily be applied to other touch panel types (e.g., resistance-type touch panels) with alternate structures. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the touch panel530may include transparent electrode touch sensors arranged in the X-Y direction on the surface of transparent sensor glass.

The touch panel driver may be included in the touch panel530for control processing related to the touch panel530, such as scanning control. For example, the touch panel driver may scan each sensor in an electrostatic capacitance transparent electrode pattern in the X-direction and Y-direction and detect the electrostatic capacitance value of each sensor to determine when a touch operation is performed. The touch panel driver may output a coordinate and corresponding electrostatic capacitance value for each sensor. The touch panel driver may also output a sensor identifier that may be mapped to a coordinate on the touch panel display screen. Additionally, the touch panel driver and touch panel sensors may detect when an instruction object, such as a finger is within a predetermined distance from an operation surface of the touch panel display screen. That is, the instruction object does not necessarily need to directly contact the operation surface of the touch panel display screen for touch sensors to detect the instruction object and perform processing described herein. For example, in certain embodiments, the touch panel530may detect a position of a user's finger around an edge of the display panel520(e.g., gripping a protective case that surrounds the display/touch panel). Signals may be transmitted by the touch panel driver, e.g. in response to a detection of a touch operation, in response to a query from another element based on timed data exchange, etc.

The touch panel530and the display520may be surrounded by a protective casing, which may also enclose the other elements included in the wearable remote control150. In certain embodiments, a position of the user's fingers on the protective casing (but not directly on the surface of the display520) may be detected by the touch panel530sensors. Accordingly, the controller510may perform display control processing described herein based on the detected position of the user's fingers gripping the casing. For example, an element in an interface may be moved to a new location within the interface (e.g., closer to one or more of the fingers) based on the detected finger position.

Further, in certain embodiments, the controller510may be configured to detect which hand is holding the wearable remote control150, based on the detected finger position. For example, the touch panel530sensors may detect a plurality of fingers on the left side of the wearable remote control150(e.g., on an edge of the display520or on the protective casing), and detect a single finger on the right side of the wearable remote control150. In this exemplary scenario, the controller510may determine that the user is wearing the wearable remote control150with his/her right hand because the detected grip pattern corresponds to an expected pattern when the wearable remote control150is wearing only with the right hand.

The operation key540may include one or more buttons or similar external control elements, which may generate an operation signal based on a detected input by the user. In addition to outputs from the touch panel530, these operation signals may be supplied to the controller510for performing related processing and control. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the processing and/or functions associated with external buttons and the like may be performed by the controller510in response to an input operation on the touch panel530display screen rather than the external button, key, etc. In this way, external buttons on the wearable remote control150may be eliminated in lieu of performing inputs via touch operations, thereby improving water-tightness.

The antenna506may transmit/receive electromagnetic wave signals to/from other external apparatuses, and the short-distance wireless communication processor507may control the wireless communication performed between the other external apparatuses. Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, and near-field communication (NFC) are non-limiting examples of wireless communication protocols that may be used for inter-device communication via the short-distance wireless communication processor507. The direction antenna130and the omnidirectional antenna140, inFIG. 1, are an example of the antenna506. Further signals can be processed by the short-distance wireless communication process507to determine the position of a target with respect to a camera mounted on the camera mounting device100as discussed earlier with respect toFIGS. 3A and 3B.

The wearable remote control150may include a motion sensor508. The motion sensor508may detect features of motion (i.e., one or more movements) of the wearable remote control150. For example, the motion sensor508may include an accelerometer to detect acceleration, a gyroscope to detect angular velocity, a geomagnetic sensor to detect direction, a geo-location sensor to detect location, etc., or a combination thereof to detect motion of the wearable remote control150. In certain embodiments, the motion sensor508may generate a detection signal that includes data representing the detected motion. For example, the motion sensor508may determine a number of distinct movements in a motion (e.g., from start of the series of movements to the stop, within a predetermined time interval, etc.), a number of physical shocks on the wearable remote control150(e.g., a jarring, hitting, etc., of the electronic device), a speed and/or acceleration of the motion (instantaneous and/or temporal), or other motion features. The detected motion features may be included in the generated detection signal. The detection signal may be transmitted, e.g., to the controller510, whereby further processing may be performed based on data included in the detection signal. The motion sensor508can work in conjunction with a Global Positioning System (GPS) section560. The GPS section560detects the present position of the target, the camera mounting device100, and the user. The information of the present position detected by the GPS section560is transmitted to the controller510for further processing as discussed with respect toFIG. 4. An antenna561is connected to the GPS section560for receiving and transmitting signals to and from a GPS satellite.

The wearable remote control150may include a camera section509, which includes a lens and shutter for capturing photographs of the surroundings around the wearable remote control150. In an embodiment, the camera section509captures surroundings of an opposite side of the wearable remote control150from the user. The images of the captured photographs can be displayed on the display panel520. A memory section saves the captured photographs. The memory section may reside within the camera section509or it may be part of the memory150. The camera section509can be a separate feature attached to the wearable remote control150or it can be a built-in camera feature.

Also, it should be understood that this technology when embodied is not limited to the above-described embodiments and that various modifications, variations and alternatives may be made of this technology so far as they are within the spirit and scope thereof. For example, this technology may be structured for cloud computing whereby a single function is shared and processed in collaboration among a plurality of apparatuses via a network.