Abstract:
A tripod device and system for mounting a camera and tracking movable objects includes a base with a camera mount, a processor, a user interface, actuators for rotating and tilting the camera mount, and a plurality of pendants. Each pendant includes a transmitter for transmitting a unique signal for receipt by a receiver in communication with the processor. The processor includes programming for determining the direction of a signaling pendant and for moving the camera mount to follow a selected pendant. The user interface enables a user to select a mode of operation, such as tracking a selected pendant, alternating between two or more pendants, or facing an area having the most pendants. Each pendant includes a receiver and a visual indicator for indicating when it is the active subject pendant. This invention provides for taping a birthday party having multiple persons to be taped according to selected modes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to devices for videotaping movable objects and, more particularly, to a tripod device and system for videotaping children at parties or family gatherings according to user selected modes.  
         [0002]     Videotaping children at family or birthday gatherings and celebrations is a popular and desirable way to preserve such events for later viewing and enjoyment. However, such videotaping prevents the person operating the camera from fully enjoying the live event and often results in confusing or hurried movement between persons who are the subject of the taping. This may result in some children being neglected from taping while others are repeatedly recorded.  
         [0003]     Various devices and systems have been proposed in the art for automatically tracking the position of a movable object so that a video camera can continuously capture a movable object. While assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices and systems do not allow a user to select from multiple modes of operation, do not provide for the wearer of an interactive pendant to override a previously selected mode, and do not provide a visual indicator of which pendant (associated with a movable object) is the current taping target.  
         [0004]     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a tripod-mounted device that enables multiple children or other attendees of a gathering to be tracked and videotaped selectively, sequentially, as a group, or according to other modalities. Further, it would be desirable to have a device and system having a user interface for selecting taping modes. In addition, it would desirable to have multiple pendants to be worn by “taping targets” that indicate when target is the subject of taping and which allow that target to override a previously selected taping mode.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A tripod device and system for mounting a camera and tracking movable objects according to the present invention includes a base and camera mount for supporting a camera. The device includes a processor and actuators for selectively rotating and tilting the camera mount. The invention further includes a plurality of pendants separate from the base, each pendant including a transmitter for transmitting unique signals. A receiver is in communication with the processor for receiving signals from the pendants and communicating these signals to the processor. The processor includes programming for determining which pendants are transmitting signals and from which direction.  
         [0006]     The tripod device and system further includes a user interface for selecting between several modes of operation, including following a single selected pendant, scanning between two or more selected pendants, or concentrating on an area having the largest number of pendants. The processor communicates with the actuators to appropriately move the camera mount position to effectively track the appropriate pendant or pendants.  
         [0007]     Each pendant may be clipped, strapped, or otherwise worn by a person to be taped, e.g. a child. Each pendant includes a receiver for receiving signals from a signal transmitter controlled by the processor. Each pendant also includes an indicator such as a light so as to indicate when that particular pendant is the subject of the taping. This will alert the child to speak or otherwise respond to the camera if he so desires.  
         [0008]     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a tripod device and system for mounting a camera and tracking movable objects.  
         [0009]     A particular object of this invention is to provide a tripod device, as aforesaid, for tracking and taping selected children at a birthday party or family gathering.  
         [0010]     Another object of this invention is to provide a tripod device, as aforesaid, having a plurality of pendants wearable by children or other “taping targets”.  
         [0011]     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tripod device, as aforesaid, having a user interface for selecting between various modes of tracking and taping operation.  
         [0012]     Still another object of this invention is to provide a tripod device, as aforesaid, having a processor in communication with rotational and tilt actuators for moving a camera mount to follow selected pendants according to a selected mode.  
         [0013]     A further object of this invention is to provide a tripod device, as aforesaid, for selectively tracking a single pendant, alternating between two or more pendants, or concentrating on an area having the most pendants.  
         [0014]     A still further object of this invention is to provide a tripod device, as aforesaid, in which each pendant includes an indicator for indicating when it is the active target being tracked.  
         [0015]     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tripod device and system for mounting a camera for tracking movable objects according to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tripod device as in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3   a  is a front view on a reduced scale of the tripod device as in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3   b  is a sectional view of the tripod device taken along line  3   b - 3   b  of  FIG. 3   a;    
         [0020]      FIG. 4   a  is a side view of the tripod device as in  FIG. 1  in one configuration with a wall of a housing partially removed;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 4   a;    
         [0022]      FIG. 4   c  is a side view of the tripod device as in  FIG. 4   a  in a tilted configuration;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4   d  is an isolated view on an enlarged scaled taken from  FIG. 4   c;    
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the tripod base with legs extended as in  FIG. 1  with the camera mount and housing removed;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the housing, user interface, and camera mount as in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pendant according to the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8   a  is a top view of the pendant as in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8   b  is a sectional view of the pendant taken along line  8   b - 8   b  of  FIG. 8   a;    
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating the logic performed by the processor according to the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the electronic components of the tripod device according to the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 11   a  is a perspective view of a pendant with the wrist straps removed; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 11   b  is a bottom view of the pendant as in  FIG. 11   a.    
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     A tripod device  100  according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 11   b  of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, a tripod device  100  according to the current invention includes a base  110  adjacent a camera mount  120  for selectively supporting a camera  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3   b.  “Tripod” as used herein denotes a camera-supporting device and does not indicate a number of legs (or even the presence of legs) on the camera-supporting device.  
         [0034]     A first actuator  130  is included for moving the camera mount  120  relative to the base  110  in a rotational direction about a generally vertical axis. As shown in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   d,  the first actuator  130  may include a spur gear  132  powered by a motor  135 . By configuring the spur gear  132  complimentary to an internal gear  112  defined by the base  110  ( FIGS. 4   b  and  4   d ), movement of the spur gear  132  along the internal gear  112  may cause the camera mount  120  to move relative to the base  110  in a rotational direction about a generally vertical axis. Though not shown, other actuators  130  may also be used, including a rubberized wheel operatively connected to the camera mount  120  that moves along the base  110  through a frictional interaction, other gear trains, etc.  
         [0035]     A second actuator  140  is included for tilting the camera mount  120  relative to the base  110  in a generally vertical direction. As shown in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   d,  the second actuator  140  may include a threaded collar  142 , a threaded shaft  144  complimentary to the threaded collar  142 , and a motor  145 . The motor  145  may be operatively connected to either the collar  142  or the shaft  144  to cause the connected member (the collar  142  or the shaft  144 ) to rotate. The member (the collar  142  or the shaft  144 ) not connected to the motor  145  may be pivotably connected to the camera mount  120  as denoted by  149  in  FIGS. 4   b  and  4   d . Rotation of the connected member (the collar  142  or the shaft  144 ) may then cause the member (the collar  142  or the shaft  144 ) not connected to the motor  145  to extend from or retract along the connected member (the collar  142  or the shaft  144 ). This extension or retraction may cause the camera mount  120  to tilt in a vertical direction if the camera mount  120  is pivotably connected to a vertically-stationary object, such as the vertically-stationary housing  150  best shown in  FIGS. 2, 3   b,    4   b,    4   d,  and  6 . The pivotal connection between the camera mount  120  and the housing  150  is denoted  151  in the Figures. The tilting of the camera mount  120  relative to the base  110  may be seen in the Figures by comparing the position of the camera mount  120  in  FIG. 4   a  to the position of the camera mount  120  in  FIG. 4   b.  Also, other actuators  140  may be used, such as various gear trains, etc.  
         [0036]     A plurality of pendants  160  ( FIGS. 7-8   b  and  10 - 11   b ) separate from the base  110  and the camera mount  120  are included in the tripod device  110 . Each pendant  160  has a transmitter  162  for transmitting signals different from signals transmitted by each other pendant  160 , and each pendant  160  may also include a microphone  164  for capturing audio data. The signals transmitted by the pendant transmitters  162  may include audio data captured by the microphones  164 . Further, each pendant  160  may have a receiver  166  for receiving signals different from signals received by each other pendant  160  and an indicator  168  (i.e., an LED) in communication with the receiver  166  for indicating when the receiver  166  is receiving signals. Each pendant  160  may also include a fastener  169  (i.e., a clip  169   a  or a strap  169   b ) that allows the pendant  160  to be fastened to a subject, such as a person. Each transmitter  160  may include its own power source  165  (i.e., a battery) for energizing its transmitter  162 , microphone  164 , receiver  166 , and/or indicator  168 .  
         [0037]     A processor  170  is in communication with the first and second actuators  130 ,  140  for controlling the first and second actuators  130 ,  140 . The processor  170  may also be in communication with a receiver  172 , a user interface  174 , a signal transmitter  176 , and a display  178 . The display  178  (i.e., a LCD display) may display information from the processor  170 .  
         [0038]     The receiver  172  receives signals from the pendant transmitters  162  and provides the signals to the processor  170 . The processor  170  has programming for identifying the individual pendants  160  by their unique signals and determining a direction to each pendant  160  based on the signals. In various embodiments, the receiver  172  may be either a moving receiver  172  or a plurality of stationary receivers  172  with each receiver  172  being directed differently than each other receiver  172 . The processor  170  may include programming for analyzing the signals received by the moving or stationary receivers  172  and determining a direction to each pendant  160  based on intensities of the signals.  
         [0039]     An audio storage unit  173  may be in communication with the receiver  172  for storing audio data captured by the microphones  164 , transmitted by the pendant transmitters  162 , and received by the receiver  172 . The audio data may be used to later edit content captured by the camera  10 , such as by using a computer  12  ( FIG. 10 ). A data port  173   a  may be in communication with the audio storage unit  173  to selectively transfer the audio data through the data port  173   a,  such as to the computer  12 .  
         [0040]     The user interface  174  provides user input to the processor  170 . The user interface  174  may be any convenient user interface, such as a keypad  174   a  adjacent the camera mount  120  ( FIGS. 1, 2 , and  6 ), a selection dial adjacent the camera mount  120 , a switch adjacent the camera mount  120 , a voice recognition system, a sound recognition system, and a remote control  174   b  ( FIG. 10 ). The pendants  160  may be uniquely color coded, and the user interface  174  may include color coded input options corresponding to the color coded pendants  160  for easy and quick operation. For example, a blue button on the keypad  174   a  may correspond to a blue pendant  160 . The user interface  174  may also include an override button  174   c  attached to each respective pendant  160  and in communication with each pendant&#39;s transmitter  162  for causing the transmitter  162  to transmit a unique override signal when the respective override button  174   c  is pressed. Among other things, the user input may include scan duration data and mode data corresponding to a plurality of tracking modes.  
         [0041]     The housing  150  may be positioned between the base  110  and the camera mount  120  ( FIGS. 1 through 4   d ), and the housing  150  may be separable from the base  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  FIG. 5  also shows that a plurality of adjustable legs  114  may extend downwardly from the base  110 . The housing  150  may contain the first and second actuators  130 ,  140 , the processor  170 , the receiver  172 , the audio storage unit  173 , and/or the transmitter  176 . It is also to be understood that the processor  170 , the first and second actuators  130 ,  140 , the receiver  172 , the transmitter  176 , and the display  178  are in communication with one or more power sources, such as a battery  155  or an external power source  14  ( FIG. 10 ). The external power source  14  may provide AC or DC power, and the battery  155  may be housed in the housing  150 .  
         [0042]     The processor  170  may include programming for selectively controlling the first and second actuators  130 ,  140  to track the pendants  160  according to the user input provided through the user interface  174 . This user input may include mode data corresponding to a plurality of tracking modes as noted above. The tracking modes may include, among others, following a single selected pendant  160 , scanning between two or more pendants  160  in a repeating sequence, concentrating on an area containing a largest number of pendants  160 , and following pendants  160  based on the audio data noted above. As such, the processor  170  may include programming for selectively controlling the first and second actuators  130 ,  140  to follow a single selected pendant  160 , scan between two or more pendants  160  in a repeating sequence, concentrate on an area containing a largest number of pendants  160 , and follow pendants  160  based on audio data. The programming for scanning between two or more pendants  160  in a repeating sequence may include programming for selectively controlling the first and second actuators  130 ,  140  to scan between two or more pendants  160  in a repeating sequence based on the scan duration data noted above. The processor  170  may also include programming for exiting a previous mode and selectively controlling the first and second actuators  130 ,  140  to follow a pendant  160  that transmitted a unique override signal (as noted above) when the receiver  172  provides the unique override signal to the processor  170 . Further, the processor  170  may include programming for actuating the signal transmitter  176  to transmit signals to respective pendants  160  as the respective pendants  160  are the subject of a respective tracking mode. This in turn causes the respective pendant indicators  168  to indicate that the respective pendant receivers  166  are receiving signals as discussed above.  
         [0043]     To even better describe the various programming and function of the processor  170  and system, the flowchart of  FIG. 9  will now be described. First, a user may activate the system by pressing an appropriate button on the keypad  174   a,  as denoted at  180 . The system automatically places itself into Scan Mode at  182 , in which the receiver  172  is readied to receive signals from pendants  160 . If a user indicates a desire to indicate which pedants  160  will be actively tracked, as denoted at  184 , then the user may press appropriate buttons on the keypad  174   a  indicative of active pendants and these will be remembered by the processor  170 , as denoted by  186 . This feature enables a user to limit which pendants will be tracked even if other pendants are activated. If, however, the user does not wish to select active pendants, the user may select which scanning mode to actuate, as shown at  188 . One mode choice that is selectable is Exclusive Mode  190  in which a particular pendant is selected  192  to be the exclusive subject for tracking, such as the red pendant. Another selectable mode is Scan All  194  in which all pendants will consecutively and repeatedly become tracking subjects according to a user selectable time frequency  196 . Another scanning mode option is the Voice Priority mode  198 . In this mode, the tripod with camera is programmed to follow a pendant that is presently transmitting an audio signal. Still another scanning mode is the Center Group mode  200  in which the tripod attempts to focus on the entire group of pendants or at least on an area having the largest density of active pendants.  
         [0044]     If no scanning mode option was desired at  188 , a user has an option of connecting the device and system to a local computer  12 , as denoted at  202  ( FIG. 9 ). According to this feature, audio files recorded by the camera and stored in the audio storage unit  173  in communication with the processor  170  may be transferred  204  to a computer  12  for editing or archival storage  204 .  
         [0045]     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.