# US 12,078,912 B2 · Direction adjustable drone accessory

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- Number: US 12,078,912 B2
- Document ID: US12078912B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/756,521
- Filed: 2020-11-20
- Published: 2022-12-29
- Granted: 2024-09-03
- Earliest claimed: 2019-11-29
- Assignees: Tundra Drone AS
- Applicants: Tundra Drone AS
- Inventors: Tim Valio; Tor Erik Somby
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12078912B2

## CPC

- G03B 15/03: Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units
- G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38)
- B64D 47/04: the lighting devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead
- B64U 10/13: Flying platforms
- G03B 15/006: {Apparatus mounted on flying objects}
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means
- H04N 23/61: based on recognised objects
- H04N 23/695: Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
- B64U 2101/30: for imaging, photography or videography
- G03B 2215/0521: movable housing, e.g. bounce-light
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64U: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A drone accessory adapted to be removably attached to a drone includes a directional-adjustable camera. The drone accessory includes at least one camera, a directional-adjustable device, and a processor in communication with the at least one camera and the directional-adjustable device. The at least one camera is configured to capturing images of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone and transmitting the images to the processor. The processor is configured to, in response to receiving the images of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone, determining a viewing direction of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone, and directing the directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A drone accessory adapted to be removably attached to a drone comprising a directional-adjustable camera, the drone accessory comprising at least one camera, a directional-adjustable device and a processor in communication with the at least one camera and the directional-adjustable device, wherein
the at least one camera being configured to capturing images of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone and transmitting the images to the processor, and
the processor being configured to, in response to receiving the images of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone, determining a viewing direction of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone, and directing the directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The drone accessory according to claim 1, wherein the processor is determining a change in the viewing direction of the directional-adjustable camera by tracking the position of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone in consecutive images.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The drone accessory according to claim 2, wherein the processor is tracking a marker removably attached to the directional-adjustable camera of the drone.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The drone accessory according to claim 1, further comprising a light sensor adapted to be removably attached in proximity of a navigation light of the drone, wherein
the light sensor being configured to detect light from the navigation light and transmitting light data to the processor, and
the processor being configured to, in response to receiving the light data from the light sensor, controlling a function of the directional-adjustable device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The drone accessory according to claim 1, further comprising a drive device in communication with the processor, the drive device being configured to moving the directional-adjustable device in response to instructions from the processor to directing the directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The drone accessory according to claim 5, wherein the drive device is one of a servo, a brush motor, a brushless motor, a gimbal, a stepper motor, a pneumatic driver or a hydraulic driver.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The drone accessory according to claim 1, wherein the directional-adjustable device comprises an array of fixed devices in communication with the processor, the processor being configured to activate at least one on the devices for directing the directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The drone accessory according to claim 1, wherein the directional-adjustable device is one of a spotlight, a loudspeaker, a microphone, a laser, a sonar, an infrared light, an object launcher, a gas sensor, a temperature sensor, a thermal camera, or a fluid dispenser.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The drone accessory according to claim 1, wherein the at least one camera, the processor and the directional-adjustable device is assembled in a single assembly removably attachable to the drone.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The drone accessory according to claim 1, wherein the processor and the directional-adjustable device is assembled in a single assembly removably attachable to the drone, and the at least one camera being removably attachable to a position on the drone distal to the single assembly.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The drone accessory according to claim 10, wherein the distal position on the drone is in proximity of a navigation light of the drone.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The drone accessory according to claim 1, wherein the drone accessory has no functional connection to the drone.

### Claim 13

Method of controlling a drone accessory adapted to be removably attached to a drone comprising a directional-adjustable camera, the drone accessory comprising at least one camera, a directional-adjustable device and a processor in communication with the at least one camera and the directional-adjustable device, the method comprising the steps of:
capturing, with the at least one camera, images of the directional-adjustable camera, and transmitting the images to the processor,
determining, with the processor, a viewing direction of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone in response to receiving the images of the directional-adjustable camera of the drone, and
directing, with the processor, the directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein determining a change in the viewing direction of the directional-adjustable camera further comprising tracking the position of the directional-adjustable camera in consecutive images.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method according to claim 14, wherein tracking the position of the directional-adjustable camera in consecutive images further comprising tracking a marker removably attached to the directional-adjustable camera of the drone.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
detecting, with a light sensor in proximity of a navigation light of the drone, light from the navigation light, and transmitting light data to the processor, and
controlling, with the processor, a function of the directional-adjustable device in response to receiving the light data from the light sensor.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein directing the directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction further comprising instructing a drive device to moving the directional-adjustable device.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, wherein directing the directional-adjustable device in the determined viewing direction further comprising activating at least one of an array of fixed devices.