TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a hanging photographic device system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hover camera system that consists of a hovering ceiling base, on which a video and/or stills camera is mounted

o in a way that enables a user to: (i) rotate the hovering ceiling base a full 360 and (ii) to raise and lower the camera to enable overhead photography of an event from various distances and photographic angles.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Hover cameras are frequently used in places where video photography is common, to photograph events from above. In a non-limiting example, places like: reception halls, convention and exhibition halls and television studios.

[0003] A hover camera that is attached to a base that is located at the top of a relatively long pole, approximately 150 cm to 300 cm long, exists in the art. To operate such a camera, the photographer holds the bottom of the pole and photographs the event from an overhead position of the camera.

[0004] However, there are several disadvantages for using this type of camera: (i) while the photographer is holding the pole, the photographer has to watch the screen at the same time in order to point the pole with the camera in the direction he or she wishes to photograph; (ii) the photographer's arm (i.e. the arm of the person holding the pole with the camera) is rarely steady for long period of time, resulting in poor quality of photographs or videos; (iii) the person holding the pole with the camera must be close to the people or objects which are being photographed. This fact may influence the reaction of people or may not be aesthetic in certain cases, (iv) The angle and field of resulting photographs or films are relatively limited since the person that is holding the pole and camera cannot move freely through the crowd of people that is congregated for the photographed event.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 8,757,900 discloses a body-mount camera crane that includes a camera platform pivotally attached to the front ends of the left and right tubes and an accessory platform pivotally attached to the back ends of the left and right tubes, wherein a hip belt is pivotally attached to the left and right tubes at an intermediate position, and when in use, the crane is supported largely on the operator's hips via the Systems for mounting cameras, for example on a vehicle are also known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 8,831,415 discloses a rotatable camera mount for mounting on a vehicle wherein the mount includes a generally vertically aligned shaft that is coupled to a vehicle via a coupling assembly, wherein a body is rotatably disposed on the shaft and provides a camera-mounting flange along one side and tail and swing-weight assemblies extending from an opposite side, by fluid dampening, brake assemblies, friction dampening, and hard stops. The shaft can be oriented at angle with respect to vertical to bias directing of the camera in a desired direction.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 8,827,574 discloses a camera mounting assembly that includes a base member or plate for holding a camera and a side member or plate, wherein lower slots on the base plate or side slots on the side plate are gripped by a vertical support's quick-release mechanism to mount the camera in a landscape or portrait orientation, , the camera being generally centered and evenly balanced over the support in either case.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 7,414,647 discloses a camera apparatus comprising an optical system for projecting image light representing an image of a wide view field area toward a prescribed direction; an imaging section for obtaining, as an image, the image light projected by the optical system; and a holding member for integrally holding the optical system and the imaging section in a state where the curved mirror and the imaging section are opposed to each other, wherein the holding member may be attached to a ceiling.

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 6,434,329 discloses a camera support including a pivoting arm adapted to be rotatably connected to a pivot point defining a first rotational axis, wherein the pivoting arm also defines a radial axis, and wherein the camera support also includes a camera holder mounted on the pivoting arm. The camera holder is displaceable along the radial axis. The camera further includes motors coupled to the pivoting arm and to the camera holder, and the pivoting arm may be mounted to a ceiling.

The present invention provides a system which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention provides, in general, a hanging photographic device system.

[0010] In a particular aspect, the invention provides a hover camera system comprising :a vertical arm for suspending a main arm from an upper structure, the vertical arm comprising a shaft, an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end of the vertical arm is pivotally connected to the upper structure;

a main arm comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the main arm is pivotally connected to the lower end of the vertical arm;

a camera housing pivotally connected to the first end of the main arm; a telescopic arm connecting the second end of the main arm to the shaft of the vertical arm, wherein the telescopic arm is configured to be extended or retracted, whereby extension and retraction of the telescopic arm causes vertical rotation of the main arm; and

a remote control unit for remotely controlling the hover camera system ;

wherein the hover camera system is configured to enable a camera housed within the camera housing to film the area encompassed within the movement of the main arm from a range of angles.

[0011] In one particular embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the camera housing is connected to the first end of the main arm by means of a first pivot and a second pivot.

[0012] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the first and second pivots are adapted for rotating the camera housing vertically and horizontally.

[0013] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the first and second pivots are connected by an upper arm .

[0014] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein no element of the hover camera system appears within the field of view of the camera upon movement of any of the main arm, telescopic arm or the first and second pivots. [0015] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the telescopic arm comprises an electric cylinder.

[0016] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the telescopic arm comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

[0017] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the telescopic arm comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

[0018] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the camera housing comprises a third pivot.

[0019] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the first, second and third pivots are configured to rotate the camera housing around three orthogonal axes.

[0020] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system further comprising an electrical means adapted for causing extension and retraction of the telescopic arm.

[0021] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, further comprising at least one electric motor.

[0022] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the electrical means is an electric motor.

[0023] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, further comprising at least one electric motor configured to rotate the vertical arm around a vertical axis.

[0024] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the vertical arm is coupled to an electric motor by means of a clutch .

[0025] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, further comprising a gearbox.

[0026] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein at least one electric motor is coupled to at least one of the first, second and third pivots on the camera housing.

[0027] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein at least one electric motor is configured to rotate the camera housing around at least one pivot. [0028] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the hover camera system further comprises a digital still camera moveably attached to the main arm such that the digital still camera is configured to move along the length of the main arm and to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the boom arm.

[0029] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the remote control unit controls the camera housed within the camera housing .

[0030] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, further comprising at least one shock absorbing means connecting the second end of the main arm to the vertical arm.

[0031] In another embodiment, the invention provides a hover camera system, wherein the at least one shock absorbing means is a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a hover camera system, according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0034] Figure 2 shows a vertical revolving arm which connects the main arm to the upper base, and a telescopic arm attached to both the vertical revolving pole and the main arm, according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0035] Figure 3 shows a camera holder with three motors according to some embodiments of the invention; and

[0036] Figure 4 shows a ceiling base, in which the vertical arm and the main arm are connected by both a telescopic arm and one or more two shock absorbing cylinders, according to some embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0038] The term "hovering ceiling base" (also referred to as "ceiling base") as used herein in this application, is defined as a part of the hover camera system which is attached to and suspended from an upper supportive structure such as a ceiling structure.

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention provide a hover camera system that includes a hovering ceiling base onto which a photographic device is mounted. A user

o

may rotate the hovering ceiling base a full 360 and lift up or lower the camera to enable overhead photography of an event from various distances and photographic angles.

[0040] Other embodiments of the present invention provide the hover camera system, where the hovering camera is controlled from a computerized control station. The control from the computerized control station has two advantages. First advantage is providing an option to film an entire area under the hover camera system with no part of the hover camera system that is getting into the frame of the resulting film or pictures. Second advantage is that the photographed subjects are not being intimidated by the presence of the hover camera system.

[0041] A third objective of the present invention is to provide a hovering ceiling base, as mentioned above, that is designed to serve as a base onto which the user may mount cameras. The cameras may be designated cameras which are specifically adapted for the hover camera system or off the shelf cameras which are purchased separately.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a hover camera system, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0043] Figure 2 shows a part of a ceiling base which includes the vertical arm the back part of a main arm (that is, the part opposite to camera) and a telescopic arm connecting the back part of the main arm to the vertical arm.

[0044] According to another aspect of the present invention, a hover camera system

(1), is shown in general in Figure 1. The hover camera system (1) includes a hovering ceiling base (2), cameras (3), and a computerized control station (4).

[0045] A hovering ceiling base (2), shown in Figures 1 and 2, consists of a vertical revolving arm (22), a main arm (23), a telescopic arm (24), and a camera holder (25).

[0046] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the ceiling base (2) is arranged to be attached to an upper structure such as the ceiling of a in the system (1) is to be installed. In a non-limiting example, the upper base may be attached to the ceiling of a television studio, an events hall or a convention center.

[0047] Alternatively, the ceiling base (2) may be attached to a temporary supporting structure. The vertical revolving arm (22) is attached perpendicularly to the upper

o

base (21) and is arranged to revolve a full 360 about its axis. The upper of the vertical revolving arm (22) is attached to the upper motor (211), which can turn the vertical

o

arm (22) a full 360 . The lower of the vertical arm (22) is attached by means of an axial joint (221) to the main arm (23).

[0048] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a telescopic arm (24) is also equipped with a motor (241) that extends and retracts the telescopic arm (24). Motor (241) may be an electric motor. The top of the telescopic arm (24) is attached by means of an axial joint (242) to the vertical arm (22) and the bottom of the telescopic arm (24) is attached by means of an axial joint (243) to the main arm (23).

[0049] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the telescopic arm (24) is comprised of a cylinder (244) which may be an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder containing gas or a hydraulic cylinder containing hydraulic fluid. The main arm may include a counter weight assembly (not shown) located on the back side of the main arm, that is, on the side opposite to the camera holder (25).

[0050] According to some embodiments of the invention, the user may control the hovering ceiling base (2) with the computerized control station (4). The computerized control station (4) may be a designated control station or a general purpose computer system, such as a table top computer, a laptop, or a mobile device that is running an application or a software package. By controlling the upper motor (211), the user may o o rotate the vertical arm (22) a full 360 . As a result of the rotation of 360 , the main arm (23), on whose end the camera (3) is mounted, revolves as well, and thus the user may control and determine the location of the camera (3) above a photographic arena.

By controlling the second motor (241), which may be an electric motor, the user can control the extension and retraction of the telescopic arm (24), thus lifting up and lowering the main arm (23) in order to photograph the arena from up closer up or farther away.

[0051] By controlling the three motors (2511) (2521) (2531) which are located on the camera holder (25) (shown in Figure 3), the user may direct the camera (3) in a preferred direction. Motors (2511), (2521) and (2531) may be electric motors.

[0052] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the telescopic arm

(24) comprises a cylinder (244). In a non-limiting example the cylinder (244) is an electric cylinder. In yet another non-limiting example the cylinder (244) is a pneumatic cylinder (244) and the second motor (241) controls and regulates the pressure of the gas inside the cylinder by compressing gas into or releasing gas from the cylinder. In yet another non-limiting example, cylinder (244) is a hydraulic cylinder, and the second motor (241) controls and regulates the pressure of the hydraulic fluid inside the cylinder.

[0053] The cylinder (244) may also be configured to absorb and dampen shocks caused by sudden interruptions to the motion of the main arm (23), the camera holder

(25) or other moving parts of the hovering ceiling base (2). Such interruptions may be caused for example by the main arm hitting an object or by a sudden brake in the motion of the main arm (23) due to a command from computerized control station (4).

[0054] The Shock damping ability of the cylinder (244) enables the camera housed within the camera holder (25) to operate in a stable and smooth manner resulting in high quality films or photographs while in motion.

[0055] According to other embodiments of the invention, an upper motor (211) may be coupled to the vertical arm (22) via a clutch (not shown). The clutch may reduce the impact of collisions when a moving part of the hovering ceiling base hits an object, thus preventing or reducing possible damage to both the object and the hovering ceiling base (2).

[0056] According to other embodiments of the invention, the counterweight assembly is configured to balance the weight of the camera and the camera holder (25). The counterweight assembly assists in maintaining a stable and efficient operation of the hovering ceiling base (2).

[0057] According to other embodiments of the invention, the system (1) includes cables that supply electricity to components of the hovering ceiling base (2) and the camera (3), and optionally employed also for the control and operation of the system components. The wiring uses known methods to connect system components that revolve and/or move relatively to one another.

[0058] According to yet other embodiments of the invention, the main arm (23) can be equipped with a longitudinal track (51) along which a relay system may move a mounting plate (52) (see Figure 1). An electrical motor (53) attaches the mounting plate (52) to the track in a way that enables stills camera to be mounted on said motor (53) or mounting plate (52) in order to photograph the event as well.

[0059] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the camera holder (25), shown in Figure 3, consists of an upper arm (251) and a bottom arm (252). The camera holder (25) has three motors: (i) a top motor (2511); (ii) a bottom motor (2521); and (iii) a rear motor (2531). The top motor (2511) connects the upper arm (251) to the main arm (23), so that the entire camera holder (25) may rotate horizontally around the top motor's vertical axis. The bottom motor (2521) connects the bottom arm (252) to the upper arm (251), so that the bottom part of the camera holder (25) can move up and down, revolving around the bottom motor's horizontal axis. The camera (3) is mounted on the bottom arm (252) and the posterior motor (2531) moves the camera (3) from side to side while the camera holder (25) revolves around the rear motor's horizontal axis. The coordinated action of the three motors, as shown in Figure 3 arrows 261, 262 and 263, enables a 3-dimensional movement of the camera (3).

[0060] According to other embodiments of the invention, the computerized control station (4) shown in Figure 3 consists of a computer unit equipped with a screen (41) and a joystick (42). The joystick (42) controls the action of all five motors (211) (241) (2511) (2521) (2531) which are arranged to control the photographic distance, direction, and field. Additionally, the computerized control station (4) enables the user to control the camera's shutter. When using the system (1), the photographer may be seated at the computerized control station (4) relatively far from the photographic arena and control the photographic action remotely by using a screen (41) to view the photographic field of the camera. The computerized control station (4) controls the hovering ceiling base and the camera via wired or wireless connection.

[0061] Figure 4, illustrates an alternative design of the hovering ceiling base (2 in Figure 1), in which the vertical arm (22) and the main arm (23) are connected by both a telescopic arm (24) and at least one shock absorbing means such as cylinders 26a and 26b in Figure 4. Shock absorbing cylinders (26a) and (26b) may be pneumatic cylinders containing gas or may be hydraulic cylinders containing fluid. The cylinders (26a) and (26b) in Figure 4 are configured to absorb shocks which may be a result of a collision of the main arm or other moving elements of the hovering ceiling base (2 in Figure 1) with objects in the filmed arena.

[0062] The present invention refers to a system (1) that consists of one or more cameras (3) and to a hovering ceiling base (2 in Figure 1), which may be supplied separately, onto which the user mounts the selected cameras (3) and assembles the computerized control station (4), which may also be provided separately.

[0063] The system (1) enables a user to remotely control and guide a camera in a stable and smooth manner over a photographic arena unhindered by people and objects which are located in the photographic field.

[0064] In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of "one embodiment", "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.

[0065] Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

[0066] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above. [0067] The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

[0068] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.