Bendable posts for mounting electronic devices

Abstract

The post (100) for mounting electronic equipment includes a base (102), a tube mast (104), and a mount (106) configured to hold an electronic equipment (108). A proximal end (502) of the tube mast (104) is connected to the base (102) and a distal end (504) of the tube mast (104) is connected to the mount (106). The base (102) is configured to carry a computing device (400) from which wiring extends through the tube mast (104) to the mount (106). The base (102) and the computing device (400) are enclosed within a cabinet (110) configured to protect the computing device (400) from exposure to weather. The proximal end (502) of the tube mast (104) is connected to the base (102) via a hinge, allowing the tube mast (104) to fold relative to the base (102). The present invention also relates to a method of installing the post (100).

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for mounting electronic devices on posts, and more particularly to a method for mounting cameras on posts used in outdoor environments such as golf driving ranges, tournament venues or golf courses.

[0002] At driving ranges and golf courses, e.g., grass tees, cameras are often used to track the trajectory of a golf ball as the golfer hits it from the tee toward the target. To get a good view, the camera is usually mounted on top of a post, most commonly the camera is mounted about 4 meters above the ground, but the post can be 6 meters or more in height. This allows the camera to get a view that is not obstructed by the golfer himself. The higher the camera is positioned, the better the Wi-Fi reception, if applicable.

[0003] Considering the outdoor environment and use of the camera, there are certain requirements and / or desired characteristics for the camera and pole, for example the pole needs to be safe, sturdy, able to reliably maintain the camera orientation, and also quick, easy and reliable to set up.

[0004] Furthermore, as cameras become more sophisticated and collect more data, the need for fast and efficient processing of the data increases. Therefore, it may be desirable to physically move some of the image and data processing equipment closer to the camera to increase local processing power rather than relying on a central processing location. However, moving computing equipment into outdoor environments poses several challenges, as most computing equipment is not designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Various embodiments of the present invention address these problems.

[0006] Thus, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a post for mounting electronic equipment, the post comprising a base, a tube mast, and a mount configured to hold the electronic equipment. A proximal end of the tube mast is connected to the base, and a distal end of the tube mast is connected to the mount. The base is configured to carry a computing device from which wiring extends through the tube mast to the mount. The base and computing device are enclosed by a cabinet configured to protect the computing device from exposure to weather. The proximal end of the tube mast is connected to the base via a hinge that allows the tube mast to fold relative to the base. It is noted that the cabinet does not need to be completely weatherproof, since the computing device typically has an IP code or protection rating classification of at least IPx4 according to the IEC 60529 standard, i.e., can withstand water splashing from any direction onto the housing of the computing device without harmful effects.

[0007] By containing the computing equipment within the base, encasing it in a cabinet, and running the wiring inside the tube mast from the computing equipment to the mount, the objective of distributed computing can be achieved while minimizing the risk of damage to the computing equipment from weather conditions or from animals, insects, etc. Moreover, as will be seen from the description below, the configuration of the base, cabinet, etc. is such that a technician can easily install, configure and operate the computing equipment.

[0008] For example, the hinge allows the installation of a tube mast, camera, etc., at ground level, erecting the tube mast upright to a vertical position and securing it to the base. Elevating the tube mast can be done, for example, using ropes, machinery, hydraulic equipment or manpower, which is very easy compared to other alternatives where the tube mast must be completely separated from the base during installation and repair.

[0009] In some embodiments, the base is a steel base configured to be attached to a foundation by adjustable mounting members that ensure the post is installed in a vertically aligned position. The adjustable mounting members are described in more detail below. Although not a determining factor for the stability of the post, having a heavy base contributes to the stability of the post. It is noted that steel is only one of many materials that can be used here. Essentially, any heavy material that allows for mounting of computing equipment can be used in various embodiments. It is noted, however, that there are other practical considerations that need to be considered by the practitioner when determining how heavy the base should be, such as the cost per kilogram of material, the complexity of shipping and / or installing the base, etc. Thus, in most embodiments, the stability of the post does not depend solely on the weight of the base.

[0010] In some embodiments, the base comprises two or more flanges arranged around a central base tube, and the computing device is configured to be mounted to a pair of the two or more flanges. The flanges taper along the height of the base such that they are wider at the bottom of the base and narrower at the top of the base, thereby creating an overall pyramidal or tetrahedral appearance of the base. This overall shape ensures that the bottom of the base is wider than the top of the base where the tube mast connects, thereby increasing the stability of the pole in its erected position without adding unnecessary weight to the structure. The flanges provide a convenient manner of mounting computing devices having a generally flat surface to posts having a generally circular cross section and therefore a curved surface. However, the post does not necessarily have to have a circular cross section. There can be embodiments in which the cross section is polygonal, for example, square, rectangular or hexagonal. The computing device can be mounted directly to the post without the use of flanges. However, the combination of a circular cross section post and flanges mounted perpendicular to the circular post face provides a structure that can withstand large wind forces while allowing for convenient mounting of computing devices.

[0011] In some embodiments, the base includes four flanges, allowing a computing device to be mounted to the pair of flanges and positioned between the flanges, although in various embodiments this may be accomplished with fewer flanges, such as three flanges, or with more flanges, such as six or eight flanges. The exact number of flanges can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art and is generally a decision made based on factors such as the stability of the post, how the available space between the flanges will accommodate the computing device, and the cost and complexity of manufacturing and installing the base.

[0012] In some embodiments, the flange is configured to hold a computing device via a bracket that can be fixedly attached to the flange and provide a flat surface to allow for simple installation of the computing device.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one computing device bracket is configured to mount to two adjacent flanges, again allowing for fixed mounting and creating a flat surface that allows for simpler mounting of the computing device compared to if the computing device were mounted to a single flange.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cabinet has two or more parts that allow the cabinet to wrap around the base and the tube mast, and the two or more parts are fixedly attached to each other to prevent the cabinet from being opened unintentionally. This creates a protective environment around the computing equipment while at the same time making it easy to open by a service technician. The fixed attachment of the two parts to each other can be achieved by any conventional locking mechanism.

[0015] In some embodiments, the post includes a perimeter sealing gasket disposed between the tube mast and the cabinet to reduce moisture inside the cabinet and base. Because the post is typically installed in an outdoor environment where there may be occasional rain and / or snow, and as mentioned above, although the computing equipment typically has an IPx4 rating or higher, it is desirable to reduce moisture inside the cabinet. A perimeter sealing gasket between the tube mast and the cabinet may serve to achieve this purpose.

[0016] In some embodiments, to achieve passive cooling of the computing equipment, the base includes at least one through hole and the distal end of the tube mast includes at least one vent hole for generating an upward airflow from the base through the tube mast. As is well known, computing equipment generates heat when in use. Heat inside the cabinet also increases due to heat outside the cabinet and / or direct sunlight on the cabinet. Therefore, having adequate ventilation inside the cabinet to cool the interior keeps the computing equipment at a temperature where it can operate properly. Passive cooling is often sufficient as a result of air passing over the computing equipment. The air movement is usually the result of hot air rising, and the rising (possibly cooler) air drawn in from ground level is sufficient.

[0017] In some embodiments, the post includes a fan configured to provide an upward airflow from the base through the tube mast to actively cool the computing equipment. This may be preferred when passive cooling is insufficient. Depending on the actual specific embodiment, the fan may be located at the base or at the distal end of the tube mast. Regardless of the specific location of the fan, the same effect of cooling the computing equipment can be achieved by moving cooler air from the bottom of the post toward the top of the post.

[0018] In some embodiments, the mount comprises one or more arms configured to hold one or more cameras and allow rotation and tilt of the angle of the one or more cameras. This creates great flexibility in terms of how many cameras can be placed on top of the post and in which direction the various cameras should point to achieve the best field of view.

[0019] In some embodiments, the minimum length of the tube mast is greater than 2 meters, preferably greater than 3.5 meters, and the maximum length of the tube mast is less than 8 meters, preferably less than 6 meters. These size ranges have been found to be the most useful for obtaining the best field of view, especially in the context of a golf course, since a camera at that height will not be blocked by golfers or their clubs.

[0020] In some embodiments, the tube mast is made of a lightweight material. Some examples include aluminum, plastic, carbon fiber, filament wound fiberglass, or other composites. This allows the tube mast to be easily maneuvered during installation and repair, while at the same time being strong enough to support the weight of the camera, even in high winds, but not so heavy that the stability of the post is compromised. There may be many options that can be selected and chosen by one skilled in the art to meet these criteria. However, there may be situations where such lightweight materials cannot meet certain performance requirements, in which case heavier materials, such as steel, may be used for the tube mast. For example, one set of current requirements specifies that the camera movement cannot exceed 0.067 degrees at a wind speed of 15 m / s. This may limit the range of available materials for the tube mast. However, as camera stability technology improves, this requirement may be relaxed, thereby allowing the use of other materials. Such considerations are within the capabilities of one skilled in the art.

[0021] In some embodiments, the wiring includes coaxial cable, Ethernet cable, or both. Coaxial cable is common in the context of camera installation, as is Ethernet cable. In some embodiments, power to the camera may be provided through a conventional power cable (e.g., 230V or 110V AC cable). If such a dedicated power cable is used, the power cable typically runs inside its own conduit inside the tube mast, so that it is separate from the coaxial and / or Ethernet cable. In some embodiments using low-power cameras, an Ethernet cable is used for power (i.e., Power over Ethernet, PoE, cable). This allows for the avoidance of dedicated AC power cables and conduits inside the post, making installation easier and safer.

[0022] In some embodiments, the central base tube connects to the tube mast to form a continuous tube for the wiring from the computing equipment to the camera mount. This minimizes the risk of debris and insects etc. getting lodged inside the tube, creates a smooth and uniform space for the wiring from the bottom to the entire top of the pole, and minimizes the risk of kinking etc. in the wiring. It also provides both an uninterrupted vertical path for the cooling airflow and a longer total vertical chimney, effectively increasing the chimney effect as a larger volume of air inside the tube mast heats up and creates a larger airflow.

[0023] In some embodiments, the central base tube further comprises through holes for wiring connections to the computing device. These through holes provide a simple path for wiring from the computing device mounted on the outside of the central base tube to the inside of the central base tube, and the diameter of the holes can be adapted to provide an opening that is neither too large nor too small for the wiring used between the camera and the computing device. Such cables would then run up through the tube to the camera device and down through the lower opening in the tube and the ground or underground wiring for connection of the posts to peripheral devices and / or power sources.

[0024] In some embodiments, a number of flanges are provided on the envelope of the central base tube. As mentioned above, having the flanges as part of the envelope forms a sturdy base for the posts as opposed to removable flanges that are connected using some attachment member.

[0025] In some embodiments, the base is heavier than the combined tube mast, camera mount and one or more cameras, enhancing the stability of the post in its assembled position. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the heavier the base, the lower the center of gravity for the post, making it less likely to tip over if the post experiences any lateral forces from wind, animals, people, golf equipment or even a golf cart. Thus, the greater the ratio of the weight of the base to the weight of the tube mast and camera, the less likely the post will tip over. However, as noted above, the weight of the base is only one of many factors that affect stability, and there may be practical considerations such as cost, shipping and installation that limit how heavy the base can be.

[0026] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of installing a post of the above type for mounting electronic equipment, the method comprising the steps of installing and leveling the base on a foundation, attaching a proximal end of a tube mast to the base, connecting the electronic equipment to wiring with the tube mast in a substantially horizontal position on the ground, raising the tube mast to a vertical position, installing computing equipment in the base and connecting the computing equipment to the wiring, and enclosing the base and computing equipment in a cabinet.

[0027] As mentioned above, the use of a hinge connecting the tube mast to the base allows the post to be easily positioned in a horizontal position in which installation and repair of computing equipment, wiring and / or cameras can be performed by subsequently raising the tube mast to a vertical position. In addition to achieving easier installation, worker safety is also increased for installers because they do not have to balance high up on a ladder to perform each portion of the installation or repair process, and they can also use a different set of tools and equipment than may be required when working high up off the ground. A number of additional beneficial effects of the installation method correspond to those of the post.

[0028] Various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description and drawings, and from the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a post for mounting an electronic device such as a camera, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the post of FIG. 1 installed inside a cabinet, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the post of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating how a computing device is mounted within the base of the post of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tube mast, according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mount according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an inner portion of a mount, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Like numbers in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0031] As noted above, it is an object of various embodiments of the present invention to provide a post for mounting one or more electronic devices, such as a camera, that is suitable for use in an outdoor environment, such as a golf course or driving range, and that allows the computing equipment to be properly installed and operated within the post, and that is protected both from external weather conditions and from physical influences or tampering (e.g., from human or animal action). A further object is to provide a post that is easy to install and operate in a safe manner, and within which the computing equipment can be easily installed and maintained by a service technician.

[0032] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. For purposes of explanation and simplicity, the electronics are illustrated with four cameras and one computing device as shown. However, it should be appreciated that the same principles are applicable to multiple computing devices and a variable number of cameras or other types of electronics associated with a single post. Thus, the exemplary embodiments described herein should not be construed as limiting the invention to those embodiments, which is defined by the following claims.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a post 100 for mounting a camera, according to one embodiment. The post 100 is anywhere between approximately 2-8 meters in height. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the post 100 includes a base 102, a tube mast 104, and a camera mount 106 configured to hold one or more cameras 108. The base 102 is configured to house computing equipment within a cabinet 110, as will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4. Wiring runs from the computing equipment within the tube mast 104 to the camera mount 106 where it is connected to the camera 108. As mentioned above, the power cable is typically separated from any other wiring in a dedicated conduit, as will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. The wiring to the computing equipment typically enters the base 102 from a trench in the ground. As described above, by containing the computing equipment within the base 102, encasing it in the cabinet 110, and running the wiring inside the tube mast 104, the objective of distributed computing can be achieved while at the same time minimizing the risk of damage to the computing equipment from weather conditions or from animals, insects, etc.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a detailed perspective view of the base 102 installed inside the cabinet 110 with a portion of the cabinet 110 removed. The base 102 is pyramidal in shape, manufactured from steel (e.g., stainless steel) or some other heavy material, and configured to be attached to a foundation (not shown), such as a concrete foundation at ground level, by a set of adjustable mounting members 202. For example, in some embodiments, bolts are anchored into the foundation, spacers are placed on the bolts, and the base 102 and cabinet are placed on top of the spacers and secured with nuts. Numerous types of adjustable mounting members 202, such as various bolts and screws suitable for use with foundations, are available to those skilled in the art and can be selected based on the actual particular situation. A common characteristic of such adjustable mounting members is to ensure a fixed attachment of the base 102 to the foundation and ensure that the post 100 is vertically aligned in its installed configuration.

[0035] The pyramidal shape of the base 102 ensures that the lower part of the base 102, which is attached to the foundation, is wider than the upper part of the base, which is attached to the tube mast 104, making the pole 100 more stable in its assembled position. The steel material selected for the base 102 makes the base 102 heavier, making the post 100 more stable. In general, it is preferred that the weight of the base 102 exceeds the combined weight of the tube mast 104 and the camera 108 to increase the stability of the post 100 in its assembled position.

[0036] It should be noted that the camera 108 may be included in the post 100 .

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed perspective view of the base 102. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the base 102 has a number of flanges 204 arranged around the envelope of a central base tube 206. Typically, the base 102 includes four flanges 204, although it should be appreciated that there may be fewer flanges 204, such as three, or more flanges 204, such as six or eight. In addition to forming a stable base 102, as will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4, the flanges 204 provide a convenient manner of mounting a computing device having a generally flat surface to a base 102 having a generally polygonal or circular cross section and a resulting curved envelope. In general, the number of flanges 204 is limited by the size of the computing device, since the computing device is typically located in the space between the flanges 204, as will be described in more detail below. The exact number of flanges 204 can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0038] It should be noted that the central base tube 206 does not necessarily have to have an octagonal cross section as shown in Figure 3. There may also be embodiments in which the cross section of the central base tube 206 may be, for example, circular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal. In some of these embodiments, the computing device may be mounted directly to the envelope of the central base tube without the use of flanges 204. However, such a configuration would likely have a significant adverse effect on the stability of the post 100, as the base 102 would no longer have the stability created by the square pyramid shape.

[0039] The top surface 208 of the base 102 is the surface against which the bottom of the tube mast 104 rests when the post 100 is assembled. The tube mast 104 is connected to the base 102 by a hinge 210, which allows the tube mast 104 to be folded to a horizontal position, such as for installation and operation of the camera 108 and wiring, as will be described in more detail below. In the assembled position, the tube mast 104 is secured to the base 102 by a set of mounting members 212, such as screws or nuts and bolts. Again, selection of the appropriate mounting members is within the skill of the artisan.

[0040] In some embodiments, the hinge 210 may be located entirely within the cabinet 110 when the cabinet 110 is attached to the base 102. In other embodiments, the hinge 210 may be located outside (i.e., above the top of) the cabinet 110. The most appropriate location of the hinge 210 may be determined by a skilled person based on the actual specific situation.

[0041] The central base tube 206 also includes one or more through holes 214 that allow wiring to pass from the computing equipment into the central base tube 206 and up through the tube mast 104 to the camera mount 106. Additionally, the through holes 214 also act as air passages, which assist in generating airflow around the computing equipment and cooling the computing equipment to a suitable operating temperature, as described in more detail below.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing how a computing device 400 is installed in the base of the post of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the computing device 400 can be installed on the base 102 using one or more brackets 402 attached to flanges 204 to which plates 404 are connected, which can hold various types of computing devices 400. Generally, each bracket 402 is connected to two flanges 204 to form a fixed connection for the plate 404. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the plate 404 is attached to the computing device 400 and the plate is equipped with hooks 406 so that the plate can be hooked to the brackets 402 and secured by a locking screw 408 to prevent accidental unlocking of the plate 404. However, it should be recognized that in some embodiments the plate 404 may not be necessary and that in some embodiments there may be a bracket 402 designed to be connected to only a single flange 204. These are all design choices that can be made by a skilled person based on the actual specific situation. Wiring for the computing equipment 400 passes through the through holes 214 into the central base tube 206 and up into the tube mast 104, as described above with respect to FIG.

[0043] As noted above, the available space between the flanges 204 typically determines the size of the computing device 400 that can be installed within the base 102. It is further noted that although only one computing device 400 is shown in Figure 4, there may be additional computing devices 400 installed between other pairs of flanges 204 such that the configuration shown in Figure 4 may accommodate anywhere from one to four or more computing devices that may serve the same or different purposes.

[0044] Typically, cabinet 110 has a footprint of 500 mm by 500 mm or greater and a height of 1300 mm or greater, although, again, it should be recognized that the exact dimensions and footprint shape of the cabinet may vary based on the dimensions of the base and the type of computing equipment to be placed inside cabinet 110.

[0045] 5 is a perspective view of a tube mast 104 according to one embodiment. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the tube mast 104 has a proximal end 502 configured to connect to the hinge 210 and be fixed to the top surface 208 of the base 102 using the mounting member 212. The tube mast 104 has a distal end 504. At the distal end 504 is an optional connecting piece 507 to which the camera mount 106 is connected in an assembly position. The connecting piece 507 may be a separate part that is attached to the tube mast 104 or may be integrated into the tube mast 104 itself. In some embodiments, the connecting piece 507 is not necessary as the wiring may run straight to the camera.

[0046] Inside the tube mast 104 is a conduit 506 that runs down into the central base tube 206, within which the AC wiring runs from the base to the camera mount 106. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the remaining wiring for the camera (e.g., Ethernet cable, coaxial cable, etc.) runs unrestricted inside the tube mast 104.

[0047] Although the central base tube 206 is not shown in FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that when the tube mast 104 is fully folded by the hinge 210 and the post 100 is fully installed, the central base tube 206 and the tube mast 104 together may form a connected cylindrical hollow body.

[0048] As mentioned above, by connecting the tube mast 104 to the base 102 via the hinge 210, the tube mast 104 can be folded down to the ground in a substantially horizontal position during installation or repair. This is an important feature since the post 100 is often eight meters high above the ground and installation at such height would present hazardous working conditions. Furthermore, it is simpler to perform the installation at ground level and then erect the tube mast 104 as opposed to having to configure the post 100 in a vertical position. If the hinge 210 were fully enclosed by the mounting cabinet 110, the post 100 could not be folded down to the ground without first accessing and opening the cabinet 110.

[0049] In the described embodiment, the tube mast 104 is made of thin steel. This allows the tube mast 104 to be easily maneuverable during installation and repair, while at the same time being strong enough to support the weight of the camera, even in high winds, but not so heavy that the stability of the post is compromised. However, there are other embodiments in which lightweight materials such as aluminum, plastic, carbon fiber, filament wound fiberglass, or other composites may be used, and there are numerous options for the tube mast material that can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. In this application to a golf camera, stability is important because the orientation of such a camera is critical to obtaining a quality reading of a golf shot. In general, the camera 108 may be configured to show a free-flying golf ball with sufficient accuracy so that the position and trajectory of the golf ball can be determined based on the captured image.

[0050] As mentioned above, the base 102 is provided with one or more through holes 214 that act as air passageways. Similarly, the distal end 504 of the tube mast 104 is provided with a set of vents (not shown). This allows air to flow upward from the base 102 through the tube mast 104, which provides passive cooling of the computing equipment 400 within the base 102. This passive cooling is often further enhanced by a "chimney effect" created as air inside the tube mast 104 heats up and rises towards the distal end 504.

[0051] In some situations, passive cooling is not sufficient, and in these cases the post 100 may be equipped with a fan 410 configured to provide active cooling by forcing airflow upward from the base 102 through the tube mast 104 to actively cool the computing equipment 400. Depending on the actual specific embodiment, the fan 410 may be located within the base 102 or within the distal end 504 of the tube mast 104. Regardless of the specific location of the fan 410, the same effect of moving cooler air from the bottom of the post 100 towards the top of the post 100, thereby cooling the computing equipment 400, may be achieved.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, in cases where it is not feasible for various reasons to fold the tube mast 104 into a horizontal position for installation, repair and / or adjustment of camera equipment, the tube mast 104 is also equipped with two ladder rails 508 on either side, each of which can be used to attach a ladder to the tube mast 104. Figure 5 further shows a hook 509 that can be used by a technician to attach a safety harness while working on the ladder for greater safety. A corresponding hook 509 is located on the opposite side, but is not visible in Figure 5.

[0053] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a camera mount 106 according to one embodiment. As can be seen in Figure 6, the camera mount 106 includes a base 602 that is attached to a connecting piece 507 at the distal end 504 of the tube mast 104 when the post 100 is in its assembled configuration. The camera mount 106 includes a number of rotating members 604 that are rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the camera mount 106 that coincides with a central vertical axis of the post 100.

[0054] Each rotating member 604 has an attached tilt member 608 with a central axis that may be perpendicular to the central axis of the camera mount 106, about which the tilt member 608 is rotatable. The tilt member 606 is held tightly in place relative to the rotating member 604 by a tilt member locking screw 610 that is aligned with the central axis of the tilt member 608 and reaches the opposite side of the rotating member 604, pulling the tilt member 608 towards the rotating member 604.

[0055] The locking screw 610 passes through the rotating member 604 through a slit 702 made in the rotating member, as shown in FIG. 7. When the locking screw 610 is inserted through the slit 702 to hold the tilt member 608 in place, the slit 702 effectively limits how much the rotating member 604 can rotate about the central axis of the post 100. Typically, the slit 702 is sized to allow approximately ±40 degrees of rotation for the rotating member 604, but it should be appreciated that the width of the slit 702 can be varied to allow a greater or lesser degree of rotation. It should also be appreciated that the location of the slit 702 can be offset for different rotating members 604. For example, if the second slit 702 is offset 40 degrees from the first slit, the total degree of movement for the two corresponding rotating members 604 is 120 degrees (compared to an 80 degree range for a single rotating member). Numerous variations are also possible by the skilled artisan.

[0056] 6, the distal end 608 of each tilt member 606 includes hardware for mounting a camera 108. With this configuration, a setup can be realized in which each camera 108 can rotate and / or tilt so that it can point in any horizontal and vertical direction from or through the location where the golf ball is struck and is shown by the camera 108 to obtain a good view of an environment, such as a driving range or similar area on a golf course.

[0057] Preferably, the hardware for mounting the cameras 108 is designed so that the cameras 108 are friction mounted and maintain a consistent field of view without moving after installation as a result of external forces, such as from wind, hail, branches falling on the cameras, or animals sitting on the cameras. It should be noted that while the drawings show four cameras 108, the same principles can be applied to fewer or more cameras 108, as long as the stability of the post 100 is not compromised in any way. The exterior of the rotating member 604 and tilting member 606 may be provided with a slope in some embodiments, allowing a technician to know how far the camera 108 has been rotated or tilted, which may facilitate the installation and rotation process. It should be noted that in this background, while the described embodiments are based on manually adjusting the camera 108, there may be other embodiments in which the adjustments are made mechanically, for example, by a remotely controllable step motor to point the camera 108 in a particular direction. The step motor may be controllable by a technician, for example, through a graphical user interface on a computer.

[0058] Finally, referring to FIG. 1, as described above, the base is enclosed within the cabinet 110. In some embodiments, the cabinet 110 has two or more sections (usually two halves) that are attached to each other so that the cabinet 110 can wrap around the base 102 and the tube mast 104. The sections of the cabinet 110 are fixedly attached to each other, for example by locking, and configured to prevent the cabinet 110 from being opened unintentionally. The cabinet 110 creates a protective environment around the computing device 400, while at the same time making it easy to open for service purposes and difficult for intrusion by humans or animals. It is noted that while the cabinet 110 shown in FIG. 1 has a square footprint, it can have virtually any shape as long as it can encapsulate the base 102 and the computing device and wrap around the tube mast 104.

[0059] In some embodiments, a perimeter sealing gasket (not shown) is placed between the tube mast 104 and the cabinet 110 to prevent or at least divert moisture from running down the entire length of the tube mast 104 and into the interior of the cabinet 110 and the base 102, where it may damage the computing device 400. Because the post 100 is typically installed in an outdoor environment where there may be occasional rain and / or snowfall, it is preferable for the interior of the cabinet 110 to remain weather protected, even in situations where the computing device 400 itself may be rated to withstand a certain amount of moisture. A perimeter sealing gasket between the tube mast 104 and the cabinet 110 may serve this purpose and may be clamped by a small portion of each of the cabinets 110. Also, even if moisture does penetrate the cabinet 110 despite the use of a perimeter sealing gasket, such moisture will be quickly dried by air circulation through the post 100, as described above.

[0060] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above embodiments can be modified in numerous ways and still utilize the advantageous effects of the present invention as shown in the above embodiments. For example, although the present invention has been described in the context of a post for mounting a camera outdoors, the post can also be used in various indoor environments. The post can also be used to mount other types of equipment besides a camera, which can be used by itself or in combination with a camera. Examples of such equipment can include radar equipment, lighting equipment for illuminating the area around the post, and speakers (which can be used, for example, to scare away animals).

[0061] Some embodiments also include a Wi-Fi access point and / or a mobile antenna on the top of the post 100. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims that follow. Moreover, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, the described embodiments may be combined.

Claims

1. A post for mounting an electronic device, the post comprises a base, a tube mast, and a mount configured to hold electronic equipment, the proximal end of the tube mast connected to the base and the distal end of the tube mast connected to the mount; the base is configured to include a computing device, with wiring extending from the computing device through the tube mast to the mount; the base and the computing device are enclosed in a cabinet configured to protect the computing device from exposure to weather; the proximal end of the tube mast is connected to the base via a hinge, allowing the tube mast to bend relative to the base; A post, wherein the base comprises two or more flanges arranged around a central base tube and tapering along the height of the base, and the computing device is configured to be mounted to a pair of the two or more flanges.

2. The post of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises four flanges.

3. The post of claim 1 , wherein the flange is configured to hold the computing device via a bracket.

4. The post of claim 3 , wherein the bracket of at least one of the computing devices is configured to be mounted to two adjacent flanges.

5. The post of claim 1 , wherein the central base tube and the tube mast form a continuous tube for the wiring from the computing device to the mount.

6. The post of claim 1 , wherein the central base tube further comprises a through hole for wiring connection to the computing device.

7. The post of claim 1 , wherein the two or more flanges are provided on an envelope surface of the central base tube.

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