Drone Controller Layout for Intuitive Camera Tilt and Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drone controllers are non-intuitive, making it difficult to tilt cameras correctly and adjust camera settings while operating, and require complex software interfaces that discourage easy use, especially for non-expert videographers, limiting filming time due to battery constraints.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a mechanical input device oriented for vertical displacement to intuitively control camera tilt and pan, and allows for on-the-fly adjustments of camera settings through a rotary wheel or paddle, enabling easy access to features like responsiveness, zoom, and exposure compensation without deep menu navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional off-axis rotary wheel controllers are used to control camera tilt, then the controller structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the control direction is non-intuitive and operators forget which direction moves the camera up or down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional control orientation by positioning the tilt control input device so that its displacement direction corresponds to the camera tilt direction. Instead of using an off-axis rotary wheel where control direction is perpendicular to camera movement, the input device is oriented such that moving the control up tilts the camera up and moving it down tilts the camera down, making the control intuitive and eliminating the need to remember control directions.
2Productivity
If complex software interfaces with nested menus are used for camera settings adjustment, then comprehensive control is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates and filming time is lost due to deep menu navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts frequently used camera settings controls from the deep nested software menus and places them on physical input devices on the controller surface. Settings such as responsiveness, zoom, and exposure compensation are assigned to dedicated buttons, dials, or sliders that can be adjusted without navigating through multiple software menu levels, allowing operators to make quick adjustments during flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring common camera settings adjustments to be accessible through simple physical controls. The controller is designed with dedicated input devices for frequently adjusted parameters, so operators don't need to navigate menus during flight - the controls are prepared and ready for immediate adjustment of camera settings on the fly.
3Measurement precision
If operators stop the drone to adjust camera settings, then settings accuracy is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to loss of filming time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by allowing camera settings adjustments to be made without stopping the drone. Physical input devices on the controller allow operators to adjust settings such as responsiveness, zoom, and exposure compensation during flight, maintaining continuous filming operation without interruption while still achieving accurate setting adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand controller that includes a control member mounted on a hand held base for commanding a remote vehicle or movement of a virtual object within a virtual environment includes an input device mounted for generating tilt commands for a sensor mounted on the remote vehicle or the virtual object, the input device being located on a front of the base and oriented to be displaced up and down to tilt the sensor or the virtual point of view when the base is held during operation.