Camera track system and controls therefor

Details Camera track system and controls therefor Camera track system and controls therefor

1998-08-21

2001-04-24

Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)

Railways

Monorail

C104S295000, C104S296000, C105S141000, C105S144000, C105S091000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06220172

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to an camera track system and controls therefor.
Previously such systems have used tracks to enable the movement of a camera along a fixed path for filming of motion pictures or sporting evens. Such systems have normally involved a camera mounted on a track which is moved by a truck operator whilst the camera is controlled by a cameraman. In previously proposed track camera systems the component to carry cameras and command feeds (wiring) have been placed around an open fabricated truss creating a large component which is often easily visible. Such systems have disadvantages due to their size which limits events which they can film and also due to the two-man operation of the system that it is not possible to take pictures of fast changing events such sporting events.
It is a first aim of the present invention to provide a compact track system to overcome size problems.
Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a camera track system comprising a camera mounted on a movable truck, track components which releasably join together to form a complete track, drive means which move the camera truck along the track, control means by which the camera and truck are controlled, in which commands between the control means and the camera truck are effected by means of a flexible link contained in the track.
Preferably the flexible link is a chain link surrounding power and command cables.
Advantageously the flexible link is contained in a boxed structure within the rack which has a slot to allow connection to the camera truck.
In a preferred embodiment inside of the boxed structure is provided with friction reducing materials.
Preferably the flexible link can be doubled back on itself to enable easy paying in and paying out of it within the boxed structure.
This provides the advantage that the track system is considerably more compact with the result that the camera can be mounted considerably close to the ground therefore not interfering with the view of spectators at a sporting event such as a football game. Furthermore, the system is light and portable and can easily be taken apart and put together again. The system due to the link contained in the track enables the system to work equally well in horizontal or vertical planes or when the camera truck is suspended.
It is a second aim of the present invention to enable a camera track system to be controlled from a long distance away.
Accordingly a second aspect of the present invention is directed to a camera track system comprising a camera mounted on a movable truck, a track, control means for controlling the truck and the camera in which commands are communicated between the control means and the camera track system by means of a RS 422 data link.
This provides the advantage that the camera system can be controlled by the operator a considerable distance away in some cases up to 16 kilometers away.
It is a third aim of the present invention to enable a camera track system to be controlled by a single person.
Accordingly a third aspect of the present invention is directed to a control apparatus for a camera track system, in which a camera is movable mounted on a truck which is movable backwards and forwards along the track, comprising means to control the movement of the camera itself operable by hand and means to control the movement of the truck operable by foot.
Preferably the means to control the movement of the truck comprise two pedals, one to move the truck to the left and one to move the truck to the right.
Advantageously the amount of depression of each pedal determines the speed of movement of the truck.
In a preferred embodiment the means for controlling the camera is a joystick system.
Preferably the control system has a number of selectors which upon use move the truck to a predetermined position on the track.
This provides the advantage of a moving camera perspective with pictures framed by a single camera person, an ideal perspective when that person is provided a view of for instance, moving play during a football match, where instant reaction to moves can be effected almost as a reaction, rather than by communication to a second operator who in turn would cause the camera truck to move.


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