Patents by Inventor Thomas H. S. Harris

Thomas H. S. Harris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10921689
    Abstract: Various operator supported camera positioning systems are disclosed. The camera positioning systems can allow translational and rotational movement of different camera types on a camera mount. An operator interface, such as a handle bar or elongated beam, can operatively support the camera mount through a series of rotational linkages, allowing for relative rotation of the camera mount about one, two or three axes. The rotation about some or all of these axes can be controlled by drives, and control signals for these drives can be generated by one or more inertial transducers to stabilize the surface mount and associated camera orientation and pointing by reducing deviations from the inertially fixed orientation of the camera mount in response to rotational movements of the system about the one or more controlled axes of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas H. S. Harris
  • Publication number: 20200393744
    Abstract: Various operator supported camera positioning systems are disclosed. The camera positioning systems can allow translational and rotational movement of different camera types on a camera mount. An operator interface, such as a handle bar or elongated beam, can operatively support the camera mount through a series of rotational linkages, allowing for relative rotation of the camera mount about one, two or three axes. The rotation about some or all of these axes can be controlled by drives, and control signals for these drives can be generated by one or more inertial transducers to stabilize the surface mount and associated camera orientation and pointing by reducing deviations from the inertially fixed orientation of the camera mount in response to rotational movements of the system about the one or more controlled axes of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas H. S. Harris
  • Publication number: 20180292734
    Abstract: Various operator supported camera positioning systems are disclosed. The camera positioning systems can allow translational and rotational movement of different camera types on a camera mount. An operator interface, such as a handle bar or elongated beam, can operatively support the camera mount through a series of rotational linkages, allowing for relative rotation of the camera mount about one, two or three axes. The rotation about some or all of these axes can be controlled by drives, and control signals for these drives can be generated by one or more inertial transducers to stabilize the surface mount and associated camera orientation and pointing by reducing deviations from the inertially fixed orientation of the camera mount in response to rotational movements of the system about the one or more controlled axes of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas H. S. Harris
  • Publication number: 20140064719
    Abstract: Various operator supported camera positioning systems are disclosed. The camera positioning systems can allow translational and rotational movement of different camera types on a camera mount. An operator interface, such as a handle bar or elongated beam, can operatively support the camera mount through a series of rotational linkages, allowing for relative rotation of the camera mount about one, two or three axes. The rotation about some or all of these axes can be controlled by drives, and control signals for these drives can be generated by one or more inertial transducers to stabilize the surface mount and associated camera orientation and pointing by reducing deviations from the inertially fixed orientation of the camera mount in response to rotational movements of the system about the one or more controlled axes of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: THOMAS H.S. HARRIS
  • Patent number: 7128419
    Abstract: A remote camera positioning and control system is disclosed that permits a sole operator to use and support a camera out of arm's reach. The system can include a handle module that incorporates, for example, an axially and rotationally moveable grip and a proximal handle grip ring and control cage for surrounding a camera control, such as a joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas H. S. Harris
  • Patent number: 6994436
    Abstract: A remote camera positioning and control system is disclosed that permits a sole operator to use and support a camera out of arm's reach. Various features of such a remote camera positioning and control system are disclosed. The positioner can include one or more beam modules having cross-sectional flexural rigidity that varies along the length of the beam module(s) by use, for example, of stiffening longerons, anchoring braces and relatively low density stabilizing webs. The camera can be mounted to the beam module by a front end assembly that is constructed to place the center of mass of the camera and the front end assembly along the neutral axis of the beam module over as great a range of motion as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas H. S. Harris
  • Patent number: 6988802
    Abstract: A remote camera positioning and control system is disclosed that permits a sole operator to use and support a camera out of arm's reach. Various features of such a remote camera positioning and control system are disclosed. The positioner can include one or more beam modules having cross-sectional flexural rigidity that varies along the length of the beam module(s) by use, for example, of stiffening longerons, anchoring braces and relatively low density stabilizing webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas H. S. Harris
  • Patent number: 6923542
    Abstract: A remote camera positioning and control system is disclosed that permits a sole operator to use and support a camera out of arm's reach without external structural or personnel support. Various features of such a remote camera positioning and control system are disclosed. The positioner can include one or more beam modules having cross-sectional flexural rigidity that varies along the length of the beam module(s) by use, for example, of stiffening longerons, anchoring braces and relatively low density stabilizing webs. The camera can be mounted to the beam module by a front end assembly that is constructed to place the center of mass of the camera and the front end assembly along the neutral axis of the beam module over as great a range of motion as possible. The system can also include a handle module that incorporates, for example, an axially and rotationally moveable grip and a proximal handle grip ring and control cage for surrounding a camera control, such as a joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas H. S. Harris
  • Publication number: 20040179170
    Abstract: A remote camera positioning and control system is disclosed that permits a sole operator to use and support a camera out of arm's reach without external structural or personnel support. The positioning system includes a beam module that provides lightweight yet flexurally rigid support for a distal camera, by including use of parallel longerons displaced from a neutral axis of the beam system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas H.S. Harris
  • Patent number: 6530702
    Abstract: A remote camera positioning system provides a camera on a positioner, such as an elongated boom, out of the operator's reach. The positioner provides an operator interface, such as grips and optionally a body harness, to enable the operator to support, control and maneuver the position of the camera. A monitor for displaying images generated by the camera is mounted to the operator to enable the operator to view and control the camera images in a self-contained manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas H. S. Harris
  • Publication number: 20020067922
    Abstract: A remote camera positioning system provides a camera on a positioner, such as an elongated boom, out of the operator's reach. The positioner provides an operator interface, such as grips and optionally a body harness, to enable the operator to support, control and maneuver the position of the camera. A monitor for displaying images generated by the camera is mounted to the operator to enable the operator to view and control the camera images in a self-contained manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas H.S. Harris