Camera gimbal mount system

Abstract

A gimbal mount system is configured to a couple to a gimbal coupled to and securing a camera. The gimbal mount system includes a handle, a power source, a user interface, a mounting interface, a communication interface, and a communication bus. The mounting interface is located within an end of the gimbal mount system and includes an opening configured to receive a reciprocal mounting protrusion of the gimbal. A locking mechanism removably couples the gimbal to the gimbal mount system. The communication interface is located within the mounting interface and is configured to couple to a reciprocal communication interface of the gimbal. The communication bus is coupled to the power source, user interface, and communication interface and is configured to provide power from the power source to the gimbal. The communication bus may provide instructions to the gimbal based on user input received via the user interface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A gimbal mount system configured to couple to a gimbal, the gimbal configured to secure a camera, the gimbal mount system comprising:
 a handle;   a power source located within the handle;   a display located on an outer surface of the handle;   a mounting interface located within an end of the handle, the mounting interface securely coupling the gimbal to the gimbal mount system;   a communication interface located within the handle and configured to couple to a reciprocal communication interface of the gimbal and of the camera; and   a communication bus coupled to the power source, the display, and the communication interface, the communication bus configured to provide power from the power source to the gimbal and to the camera and configured to provide one or more instructions based on a user input received via the display to the gimbal and to the camera.   
     
     
       2. The gimbal mount system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a kickstand configured to extend from the handle.   
     
     
       3. The gimbal mount system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second communication interface located within the handle, the second communication interface communicatively coupled to the communication bus and configured to couple to one or more of an external power source and an external computing system.   
     
     
       4. The gimbal mount system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more instructions comprises one or more of:
 powering the gimbal on and off, controlling a camera shutter, selecting a camera mode or a gimbal mode, tagging a moment of interest within media captured by the camera, and controlling a pitch or yaw of the gimbal.   
     
     
       5. The gimbal mount system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adapter configured to couple to the gimbal mount system, the adapter configured to couple with a reciprocal mount component, thereby coupling the gimbal mount system to the reciprocal mount component.   
     
     
       6. The gimbal mount system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting interface comprises:
 a recess extending into the handle;   the recess comprises a diameter and extends from an opening proximate the end at a depth.   
     
     
       7. The gimbal mount system of  claim 1 , wherein the gimbal mount system is removably coupled to both the gimbal and the camera securely coupled together as a single device. 
     
     
       8. A system, comprising:
 a gimbal mount system comprising a handle, a power source within the handle, a display located on an outer surface of the handle, and a mounting interface located within a distal end of the handle; and   a camera system configured to removably couple to the gimbal mount system via the mounting interface, the camera system comprising a gimbal securely coupled to a camera.   
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting interface comprises an opening for receiving a reciprocal mounting protrusion of the gimbal and a recess comprising a first diameter and extending. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the reciprocal mounting protrusion comprises:
 a protrusion of substantially the first diameter and a first length,   wherein the reciprocal mounting protrusion is configured for insertion into the mounting interface such that the protrusion is inserted into the recess.   
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the reciprocal mounting protrusion comprises padding structures to securely fit the reciprocal mounting protrusion within the mounting interface. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises a locking collar located at the distal end of the body, the locking collar comprising an opening substantially aligned with the opening of the mounting interface such that the gimbal is securely coupled to the gimbal mount system. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the gimbal is configured to provide information across the communication interface to the gimbal mount system thereby enabling the camera to identify moments of interest within captured media, the information including patterns of motion data measured during the capture of media. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the information comprises patterns of motion data measured during the capture of media. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the outer surface is a front side of the handle, the display comprising any of a LED display, a LCD display, a monitor, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the gimbal mount system further comprising a user interface located on the outer surface of the handle. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 8 , wherein a communication interface is located within the gimbal mount system and is configured to couple to a reciprocal communication interface of the camera system. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the communication interface comprises a suspension system that allows the communication interface to flexibly pivot in one or more directions. 
     
     
       19. A gimbal mount system configured to couple to a gimbal that is adapted to secure a camera, the gimbal mount system comprising:
 a handle comprising:
 a power source; 
 a communication interface configured to communicate with the gimbal and the camera; and 
 a mounting interface configured to connect the handle to the gimbal, wherein the mounting interface comprises:
 a recess that receives a portion of the gimbal; and 
 ribs within the recess that are configured to mate with the portion of the gimbal; and 
 
   the gimbal comprising:
 a protrusion that directly connects the gimbal to the handle; 
 alignment features extending along an exterior of the protrusion that assist in guiding the protrusion into the recess to form a connection; 
 padding material or padding structures within the alignment features to provide a secure fit between the protrusion and the alignment features; and 
 a communication bus coupled to the power source, a display, and the communication interface, the communication bus configured to provide power from the power source to the gimbal and to the camera and configured to provide one or more instructions based on a user input received via the display to the gimbal and to the camera; 
   wherein the one or more instructions comprises one or more of:
 powering the gimbal on and off, controlling a camera shutter, selecting a camera mode, selecting a gimbal mode, tagging a moment of interest within media captured by the camera, controlling a pitch of the gimbal, or controlling a yaw of the gimbal. 
   
     
     
       20. The gimbal mount system of claim 19, wherein the ribs comprise a rounded detent that is configured to fit within the portion of the gimbal. 
     
     
       21. The gimbal mount system of claim 20, wherein the recess extends into an end of the handle, and wherein the recess comprises:
 a diameter and   a depth that extends from an opening proximate the end.   
     
     
       22. The gimbal mount system of claim 19, further comprising:
 a second communication interface, the second communication interface communicatively coupled to the communication bus and configured to couple to at least one of an external power source or an external computing system.   
     
     
       23. The gimbal mount system of claim 19, further comprising:
 a kickstand configured to extend from the handle.   
     
     
       24. The gimbal mount system of claim 19, further comprising:
 an adapter configured to couple to both the gimbal mount system and a reciprocal mount component thereby coupling the gimbal mount system to the reciprocal mount component.   
     
     
       25. A system, comprising:
 a gimbal mount system comprising:
 a handle, and 
 a mounting interface located within the handle; 
   a camera system comprising:
 a gimbal integrated with a camera, the camera system configured to couple to the gimbal mount system via the mounting interface; and 
   an adapter connected to the gimbal, wherein the adapter comprises:
 an opening extending around a portion of the gimbal; and 
 protrusions extending from the adapter that are configured to interlock with protrusions of a reciprocal mount. 
   
     
     
       26. The system of claim 25, wherein the mounting interface includes an opening for receiving a protrusion of the gimbal, and wherein the protrusion extends into a recess of the mounting interface to form a connection between the handle and the gimbal. 
     
     
       27. The system of claim 26, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises: a locking mechanism including another opening substantially aligned with the opening of the mounting interface such that the gimbal is securely coupled to the gimbal mount system. 
     
     
       28. The system of claim 26, wherein the adapter further comprises:
 an integrated hinge, and   a lever movably connected to the integrated hinge so that the lever is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.   
     
     
       29. The system of claim 25, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises:
 a power source within the handle;   a display located on an outer surface of the handle; and   a communication interface located within the handle that is configured to communicate with the camera system.   
     
     
       30. The system of claim 29, wherein the display is an LED display, an LCD display, a monitor, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       31. The system of claim 29, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises:
 a communication bus coupled to the power source, the display, and the communication interface, the communication bus configured to provide power from the power source to the camera system.   
     
     
       32. The system of claim 29, wherein the gimbal is configured to provide information across the communication interface to the gimbal mount system thereby enabling the camera to identify moments of interest within captured media, and
 wherein the information includes patterns of motion data that are measured during capture of the captured media.   
     
     
       33. The system of claim 32, wherein the information includes patterns of motion data measured during capture of the captured media. 
     
     
       34. The system of claim 25, wherein the gimbal mount system further comprises:
 a kickstand configured to extend from the handle.   
     
     
       35. The system of claim 28, wherein the adapter extends around a shaft of the gimbal, and wherein the lever when in the locked position exerts compressive forces on the shaft of the gimbal. 
     
     
       36. A system, comprising:
 an imaging device;   a gimbal secured to the imaging device, the gimbal comprising:
 a protrusion; and 
 detented ramps located on the protrusion and extending up to a plateau; and 
   a handle comprising:
 a mounting interface secured to the gimbal, wherein the mounting interface comprises:
 a recess that directly receives the protrusion of the gimbal so that the recess is configured to mechanically mate with protrusion of the gimbal; and 
 ribs located within the recess that are configured to align with and extend into the detented ramps so that the handle and the gimbal are connected when the rib extends over a detent on the detented ramps; and 
 buttons electrically connected to the gimbal and the imaging device so that the gimbal and/or the imaging device are controllable via the buttons on the handle. 
 
   
     
     
       37. The system of claim 36, wherein the plateau includes a dimple.