US-12627870-B2 - Redundant remote camera system

Abstract

A control system and a method for providing redundancy for a flying camera assembly that monitors interface quality for discrete power and communication interfaces between the flying camera system and a ground-based control system, and automatically switches to an alternate interface should quality of a then-active interface become degraded or unavailable.

Inventors

• David Alexander Alfano
• Christopher M. RYBITSKI
• Paul M. SAPSIS

Assignees

• Tait Towers Manufacturing, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230821

Claims (17)

1. 1 . A remote camera system comprising: a flying camera assembly having a camera and an onboard controller, the onboard controller having a microprocessor, a memory device, at least one input/output interface, and an onboard selector; a ground-based data system having a ground-based controller, the ground-based controller having a microprocessor, a memory device, at least one input/output interface, and a ground-based selector; a first interface comprising a first data cable connection, a second data cable connection and one or more power conductors; and a second interface comprising a wireless data interface and an onboard power supply; wherein the first and second interfaces convey data between the flying camera assembly and a ground-based data system; wherein the onboard controller is configured to monitor functionality of the first interface and the second interface in real time and operably connect one or both of power or signal of the first interface or the second interface to the flying camera assembly based on interface functionality; and the onboard controller and the ground-based data systems are each configured to monitor data communication between the onboard controller and the ground-based data system in real time and operably connect the first data cable connection or a second data cable connection of the first interface based on the signal quality of the data communications to provide uninterrupted camera operation.
2. 2 . The remote camera system of claim 1 , wherein the first interface provides motive power from a ground-based power supply to the flying camera assembly.
3. 3 . The remote cameras system of claim 2 , wherein the second interface includes an onboard battery power supply disposed on the flying camera assembly.
4. 4 . The remote camera system of claim 3 , wherein the onboard battery power supply comprises at least one battery and a charging circuit configured to provide charging energy to the at least one battery from the first interface.
5. 5 . The remote camera system of claim 4 , wherein the battery power supply comprises at least two batteries and a switching circuit configured to enabling either battery to operably power the second interface.
6. 6 . The remote camera system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of sensors operably coupled to the onboard controller configured to determine power availability in the first interface and the second interface.
7. 7 . The remote camera system of claim 6 , further comprising a power loss detection circuit operably coupled to the onboard controller.
8. 8 . The remote camera system of claim 7 , wherein the onboard controller operably couples the power detection circuit and the onboard selector to the onboard controller, the controller executing software to manage the onboard selector to select the first interface or the second interface.
9. 9 . The remote camera system of claim 1 , wherein the data comprises camera control data and a video feed signal.
10. 10 . The remote camera system of claim 9 , wherein the onboard controller may select the first interface and the second interface to be concurrently active.
11. 11 . The remote camera system of claim 1 , wherein the onboard controller may select the first interface and the second interface to be concurrently active.
12. 12 . The remote camera system of claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of sensors operably coupled to the onboard controller configured to determine operability of the first interface and the second interface, the controller executing software to manage the onboard selector to select the first interface or the second interface.
13. 13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the onboard controller operably couples the plurality of sensors and the onboard selector to the onboard controller, the controller executing software to manage the onboard selector to select the first interface or the second interface.
14. 14 . A method for providing redundancy in a remote flying camera control system comprising the steps of: providing a flying camera assembly having a camera and an onboard controller, the onboard controller having a microprocessor, a memory device, at least one input/output interface, and an onboard selector; providing a ground-based data system having a ground-based controller, the ground-based controller having a microprocessor, a memory device, at least one input/output interface, and a ground-based selector; providing a first interface comprising a first data cable connection, a second data cable connection and one or more power conductors; providing a second interface comprising a wireless data interface and an onboard power supply; providing a plurality of sensors configured to monitor functionality of the first and second interfaces, the plurality of sensors being operably coupled to the onboard controller; and programming the onboard controller to monitor functionality of the first interface and the second interface in real time and operably connect one or both of power or signal of the first interface or the second interface to the flying camera assembly based on interface functionality and programming the onboard controller and the ground-based data systems to monitor data communication between the onboard controller and the ground-based data system in real time and operably connect the first data cable connection or a second data cable connection of the first interface based on the signal quality of the data communications to provide uninterrupted continuous camera operation.
15. 15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first and second interfaces convey camera control data and a video feed signal between the flying camera assembly and the ground-based data system.
16. 16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second interface is a wireless data connection comprising a first wireless radio operably connected to the onboard controller on the flying camera assembly and a second wireless radio operably connected to the ground-based data system, the onboard controller operably managing the onboard selector to select the first interface or the second interface.
17. 17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first interface provides motive power from a ground-based power supply to the flying camera assembly and the second interface is an onboard battery power supply disposed on the flying camera assembly, the onboard controller operably managing the onboard selector to select the first interface or the second interface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure is generally directed to flying camera systems used in live-performance and, more particularly, to a system providing automatic redundancy in flying camera power and control systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Camera systems suspended from dynamic catenary lines are often used in film and live event productions to achieve dynamic shots that would be impossible to capture with other methods. These flying camera systems offer numerous advantages over cranes, jibs, and dollies—be it their speed, coverage, or comparatively small equipment footprint in the immediate shooting area. Flying camera systems traditionally include a camera, a camera stabilizing gimbal, remote lens control, multiple winch and control systems, power delivery system, remote communications for gimbal and camera controls, and a video transmission system. Traditionally, when flying camera systems are deployed to shoot prerecorded and edited content (i.e., feature films), all aspects of the camera controls system are wireless and the gimbal and camera payload are battery powered. In the event wireless interference causes a drop in communications during a shot, the crew can fix the system and reshoot the scene. Conversely, in live broadcast environments there is no opportunity to go back and reshoot so reliable wired data communications and video transmission lines are paramount. As such, live broadcast systems are traditionally battery and/or power down-the-line powered and implement payload lifting ropes that feature an integral fiber optic core for communication. Video and data communications signals are converted to light at the camera dolly, transmitted over the fiber optic core in the lifting lines, and then converted back at the winch end of the rope. In this way, broadcast catenary suspended camera systems offer dependable ultra-high-definition video. These systems are however not without their flaws. Operation of battery-only powered systems can be unpredictable. Battery performance may be negatively impacted by ambient conditions in systems deployed outdoors. Energy demand by the camera and dolly system can vary widely from event to event based on coverage area, performer movement, wind loading, and the like. Consequently, batteries may need to be swapped frequently or significantly oversized which increases flying camera system weight and in turn decreases overall system performance. In other instances, such as permanent installations in theatres, studios, or event spaces, batteries may be disfavored simply because they require routine changes and maintenance. For systems that solely rely on power delivery via power down-the-line ropes, dolly payload performance may be negatively impacted by line voltage fluctuations due to conductor fatigue, slip ring failure, and/or failures in other elements of the power transmission system. Another shortcoming of conventional catenary suspended broadcast camera systems that use fiber down-the-line lifting ropes, is that fiber optics are inherently fragile. Fiber optic cores are subjected to rough handling during the installation process and significant forces from the system dynamics during the course of an event or performance. These forces cause the fiber optic cores to fatigue and break resulting in a total loss of video signal and communications. Determining when failure might occur is notoriously difficult. To overcome fatigue and the unpredictability of breaks, fiber down-the-line ropes are only used for one or two events before being decommissioned and replaced. These ropes are expensive, and for live touring shows or long term parament installs, the expense of constantly replacing ropes—even if they still work—is untenable. What is needed is a control system for a flying camera system that monitors interface quality for discrete power and communication interfaces and automatically switches to an alternate interface should quality of a then-active interface become degraded or unavailable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention, in any of the embodiments described herein, may provide one or more of the following advantages: In one embodiment, a control system for managing operation of a flying camera system includes a local interface disposed on the flying camera, a first interface, a second interface, and a selector configured to monitor connection integrity between the local interface and the first interface, and the local interface and the second interface, and to operably connect the local interface to the first interface or the second interface based on a selection criteria. The interfaces may involve power supply for the flying camera system. The first interface may be one or more power conductors directed in or along one of the flying camera suspension lines, known as down-the-line power delivery. Power is supplied at the winch end of the suspension line through a slip ring or the like, to the power conductors. The