Underwater camera system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024061321-A1
Application number	US-202318451706-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 17, 2023
Priority date	Aug 17, 2022
Publication date	Feb 22, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

An underwater camera system includes a camera assembly configured to scan a seabed while submerged under water and moving in a direction of travel. A buoyant support is coupled to the camera assembly and configured to position the camera assembly under water during the moving in the direction of travel. A stabilization assembly is coupled to the camera assembly and configured for adjusting an orientation of the camera assembly relative to the direction of travel.

First claim

1 . An underwater camera system, comprising:
a camera assembly configured to scan a seabed while submerged under water and moving in a direction of travel; a buoyant support coupled to the camera assembly and configured to position the camera assembly under water during the moving in the direction of travel; and a stabilization assembly coupled to the camera assembly, the stabilization assembly configured for adjusting an orientation of the camera assembly relative to the direction of travel.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the camera assembly comprises a frame oriented in parallel relative to the direction of travel.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the frame is configured to resist rotation and translation of the camera assembly when the camera assembly is submerged under water.

4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the stabilization assembly comprises a damper coupled to the frame to resist translation of travel of the camera assembly in the direction of travel or in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel.

5 . The system of claim 2 , comprising a coupling mechanism connecting the frame of the camera assembly to the buoyant support, wherein the coupling mechanism connects a first end of the buoyant support to a first end of the frame and a second end of the buoyant support to a second end of the frame.

6 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the camera assembly comprises a stereo camera mounted to a first end of the frame, wherein the stereo camera has a first field of vision and a second field of vision perpendicular relative to the first field of vision, wherein the camera assembly comprises a second camera mounted to a second end of the frame opposite the first end.

7 . The system of claim 2 , comprising an inertial measurement unit coupled to the frame.

8 . The system of claim 2 , comprising a fin coupled to the frame.

9 . The system of claim 1 , comprising a power source and an electrical cord coupling the camera assembly to the power source.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the camera assembly is communicatively coupled to a controller, the controller configured to operate the camera assembly.

11 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the buoyant support comprises a support frame and a floating device coupled to the support frame wherein the buoyant support comprises a fin coupled to the support frame.

12 . A floating camera assembly, the assembly comprising:
a frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a camera mounted to the first end of the frame; a buoyant support carrying the frame and configured for suspending the frame and the camera under water; and wherein the frame is configured for resisting rotation and translation of the camera when the camera is submerged under water.

13 . The assembly of claim 12 , comprising a second camera mounted to the second end of the frame.

14 . The assembly of claim 12 , comprising a coupling mechanism connecting the frame in parallel with the buoyant support when the frame is submerged under water.

15 . The assembly of claim 12 , comprising a damper coupled to the frame to resist rotation of the frame.

16 . The assembly of claim 12 , comprising a means for adjusting an orientation of the camera assembly, the means for adjusting being coupled to the camera assembly.

17 . A method of operating an underwater camera assembly, the method comprising:
submerging a camera assembly underwater, the camera assembly configured to scan a seabed while submerged under water and moving in a direction of travel; positioning the camera assembly at a depth under water using a buoyant support, wherein the buoyant support is coupled to the camera assembly; and maintaining an orientation of the camera assembly in parallel with a direction of travel.

18 . The method of claim 17 , comprising adjusting the orientation of the camera assembly, wherein adjusting the orientation of the camera assembly comprises maneuvering a line connected to a frame holding a camera of the camera assembly.

19 . The method of claim 17 , comprising controlling the camera assembly using a remotely operated controller, the controller communicatively coupled to one or more cameras of the camera assembly.

20 . The method of claim 17 , comprising scanning the seabed using a stereo camera comprising a first field of vision and a second field of vision different than the first field of vision, wherein scanning the seabed comprises scanning using a second camera comprising a third field of vision different than the first field of vision and the second field of vision of the stereo camera.

Assignees

• X Dev Llc

Inventors

• Labine Anne
• Gregory Samuel
• Bahman Bianca
• Smith Terry Allan

Classifications

• G03B17/08 Primary

  Waterproof bodies or housings · CPC title

• H04N23/90 Primary

  Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums · CPC title

• H04N23/66

  Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices · CPC title

• H04N23/695

  Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects · CPC title

• H04N23/51

  Housings · CPC title