CA2146916C

CA2146916C - Miniature vehicle video production system

Info

Publication number: CA2146916C
Application number: CA002146916A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kevin Dole
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-09
Filing date: 1995-04-12
Publication date: 2000-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-12
Also published as: US5555019A; WO1996028935A1; EP0813796A4; CN1092899C; AU4465196A; CA2146916A1; JPH11502077A; EP0813796A1; CN1178056A; MX9706848A; AU691072B2

Abstract

The toy vehicle video production system for creating full-motion real time video images of a toy target vehicle includes a toy vehicle, a first wireless transmitter, and a first wireless receiver operatively coupled to the toy vehicle and configured to control movement of the toy vehicle in response to signals received from the first wireless transmitter. A video camera mounted to the toy vehicle generates real-time video images of the toy target vehicle while a camera controller connected to the video camera controls movement of the video camera relative to the toy vehicle. The invention also includes a second wireless transmitter and a second wireless receiver operatively coupled to the camera motion controller and configured to control movement of video camera in response to signals received from the second wireless transmitter. A video recorder operatively coupled to the video camera records the real time video images generated by the video camera and a video display device operatively coupled to the video camera displays the real time video images. Movement of the toy vehicle and movement of the video camera are controlled in real time in response to the video images displayed on the display device 80 that optimal video images of the toy target vehicle are obtained.

Description

_ 214 691 3 This invention relates to remotely controlled miniature or 4 toy vehicles and more particularly to a radio controlled miniature vehicle having a video camera for transmitting real 6 time video images.
7 Throughout the history of motion image production, such as 8 video production and film-making, directors and producers have 9 attempted to transport cameras along with moving subjects or targets to create images with the greatest emotional impact and 11 realism. For example, if a runaway truck is shown careening down 12 a steep mountain road, the viewer experiences greater suspense 13 ' if the action is viewed from the front of the truck where the 14 camera remains just ahead of the truck, rather than from a fixed position at the side of the road. Typically, a camera is mounted 16 to the rear of a vehicle that remains in front of the truck at 17 all times.
18 To achieve such realistic effects, movie engineers and 19 technicians have created camera cars which are typically full-size vehicles to which platforms have been mounted. Various 21 forms of rigging securely fix cameras and personnel to the _ 2146~I6 1 platform while the camera car travels at high speeds following 2 the subject.
3 Small, rapidly moving subjects, such as remote controlled 4 toy vehicles and cars, are too small to effectively film or "shoot" in this manner. Miniature cars may travel at speeds up 6 to fifteen miles per hour and are extremely agile and able to 7 change direction quickly. The speed and agility of miniature 8 race cars combined with their small size of approximately six to 9 twenty-four inches in length, make action photography extremely difficult.
11 Various techniques have been used to produce such action 12 photography, but each have significant limitations. It is known 13 to place a camera and a human operator on a dolly or other 14 movable platform and push the dolly so as to follow the subject.
However, the size and weight requirements of this technique 16 severely limit speed and maneuverability. Additionally, when 17 filming a small toy vehicle the subject can only be seen from a 18 downward angle thus, diminishing the presentation's dramatic 19 impact and realism.
Mounting the camera and operator on a compact vehicle, such 21 as an electric golf cart, increases the speed at which the camera 22 and operator may travel, but speed and maneuverability are still 23 severely limited. Available camera angles are also limited.
24 Another approach is to construct a long raised platform for the target toy car which follows a path parallel to the path 26 travelled by the golf cart. This permits the camera lens to be 27 positioned at a low point relative to the subject such that more 28 dramatic camera angles may be used. However, this technique _ 214 X91 S

1 limits the subject to traveling along a single path and also 2 limits the camera to recording the subject from only one side in 3 any single shot. Construction of such ramps or paths are 4 expensive and time consuming.
No known methods of shooting subjects such as remote 6 controlled toy cars have been able to record continuous 7 live-action images leading or following a subject vehicle where 8 the target vehicle is able to travel under low-clearance 9 obstacles and through tunnels and bridges.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to 11 provide a system for creating video images of a toy target 12 vehicle.
13 It is another object of the present invention to provide a 14 system for creating video images of a toy target vehicle where the video images are remotely transmitted to a base station.
16 It is a further object of the present invention to provide 17 a system for creating video images of a toy target vehicle where 18 the video camera is carried by a toy vehicle and remotely 19 controlled.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide 21 a video image production system where the camera car, the camera, 22 and the target car are controlled by wireless devices.
2 3 SZJ1~IARY OF THE INVENTION
24 The disadvantages of existing video production systems are substantially overcome by the present invention by providing a 26 toy vehicle video production system that remotely transmits real 27 time video images from a camera mounted to a toy race car.

1 The present invention allows the camera to track the target 2 vehicle and allows the camera to move as fast and be as 3 maneuverable as the target itself. This makes possible the 4 recording of images of small quickly moving objects having the same emotional impact as when full-size camera cars photograph 6 full-size moving vehicles. The present invention permits initial 7 shooting of the target toy car from one side where the camera is 8 able to cross over in front of the target vehicle to continue 9 shooting the target vehicle from the opposite side.
Control of the camera car, the camera, and the target 11 vehicle is performed remotely such that the entire operation of 12 the invention is wireless. Thus, the invention may be used to 13 follow the target under low-clearance obstacles and through 14 tunnels and bridges.
The present invention allows the camera lens to be placed 16 as low as 0.5 inches above the ground and allows a camera 17 operator to remotely pan and tilt the camera while the camera is 18 propelled at high speeds along the ground in any direction. The 19 present invention makes possible the recording of extremely exciting and realistic full motion video images of toy race cars 21 from the perspective of a camera car racing therealong.
22 More specifically, the toy vehicle video production system 23 for creating full-motion real time video images of a target 24 vehicle includes a toy vehicle, a first wireless transmitter, and a first wireless receiver operatively coupled to the toy vehicle 26 and configured to control movement of the toy vehicle in response 27 to signals received from the first wireless transmitter.

1 A video camera is attached to the toy vehicle for generating 2 real-time video images of the toy target vehicle while a camera 3 motion controller connected to the video camera controls movement 4 of the video camera relative to the toy vehicle. The invention also includes a second wireless transmitter and a second wireless 6 receiver operatively coupled to the camera motion controller and 7 conf figured to control movement of video camera in response to 8 signals received from the second wireless transmitter.

9 A video recorder operatively coupled to the video camera records the real time video images generated by the video camera 11 and a video display device operatively coupled to the video 12 camera displays the real time video images. Movement of the toy 13 vehicle and movement of the video camera are controlled in real 14 time in response to the video images displayed on the video display device so that optimal video images of the toy target 16 vehicle are obtained.

18 The features of the present invention which are believed to 19 be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims .
The invention, together with further objects and advantages 21 thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following 22 description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
23 Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the main components of the 24 system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a pictorial diagram according to one embodiment 26 of the present invention; and 27 Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a camera module according 28 to one embodiment of the present invention.

2 Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the system is shown 3 generally as 10. The system 10 includes devices which are 4 located at a stationary point referred to as a base station 12.
Devices which are mobile, that is, move relative to the base 6 station 12, are incorporated into a camera vehicle 14 which may 7 be referred to as a race car, a car, or a ,camera car. The 8 vehicle which is the subject of the filming or photography is 9 referred to as the subject car or target car (not shown).
The race car 14 for example, may be constructed from an XXT
11 off-road remote controlled car kit manufactured by Team Lossi 12 Corporation. The car 14 includes a propulsion subsystem 16, 13 shown in dashed lines, and wheels 17. The propulsion subsystem 14 16 includes a drive motor 18 for supplying mechanical rotation to the wheels 17. The drive motor 18 is controlled by a speed 16 controller 22 which adjusts voltage to the drive motor thus, 17 affecting speed and forward-reverse direction. The drive motor 18 18 for example, may be a Model Turbo-05 manufactured by 19 Airtronics Corporation while the speed controller 22 for example, may be a model 610-R speed controller manufactured by Novak 21 Corporation. The car kit includes basic parts of a race car such 22 as the wheels 17, kit suspension devices (not shown), chassis, 23 and body. All electric components may be added to the car kit 24 to provide the propulsion subsystem 16, as is well known by those skilled in the art.
26 A steering servo motor 34 provides directional control to 27 the car 14 by altering the angle of the front wheels 17 relative 28 to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, as is similar in concept _2146916 -1 to the steering system of full-size vehicles. This mechanically 2 adjusts the wheels 17 of the car 14. The steering servo motor 3 34 may for example, be a Model 59304 steering servo motor 4 manufactured by Futaba Corporation.
The steering servo motor 34 and the speed controller 22 are 6 both responsive to a wireless car receiver 36 which receives 7 commands from a wireless car transmitter 38 located at the base 8 station 12. The car receiver 36 and transmitter 38 may for 9 example, be a Model PCM 1024 radio controlled receiver-transmitter manufactured by Futaba Corporation.
11 The car transmitter 38 uses radio frequency energy to 12 remotely transmit commands to the car receiver 36 where commands 13 entered by an operator at the base station 12 are transmitted to 14 the car receiver 36. These commands are then directed to the speed controller 22 and the steering servo motor 34 to remotely 16 control the speed and direction of the race car 14. A 7.2 volt 17 rechargeable battery pack 40 may be formed from six ganged 18 batteries, such as six Sanyo 1400 milliamp 1.2 volt nickel-19 cadmium batteries. The battery pack 40 supplies electrical power to the propulsion subsystem 16 and is mounted within the car 14.
21 The car transmitter 38, car receiver 36, steering servo 22 motor 34, speed controller 22, drive motor 18, and 7.2 volt 23 battery pack 40 are added to the manufacture's race car kit as 24 is well known in the art. Thus, the present invention uses the basic model race car described above as a platform.
26 A camera subsystem 50, shown in dashed lines, includes a 27 camera module 52 also shown in dashed lines, which may be 28 attached to the car 14 by means of a break-away mounting _8-1 mechanism 54. The break-away mounting mechanism 54 is provided 2 to protect the camera module 52 should the car 14 or the camera 3 module 52 be subject to excessive force, such as if the car 4 impacts an object or if the camera module impacts an object.
This may minimize damage to components mounted on the camera 6 module 52.
7 Four fixed mounting plates 56, one located on each side of 8 the car 14 , allow the camera module 52 to be attached to any side 9 of the vehicle . The camera module 52 includes a break-away plate 58 which corresponds to the fixed mounting plate 56 attached to 11 the car 14. The break-away mounting plate 58 may be releasably 12 attached to the fixed mounting plate 56 by means well known to 13 those skilled in the art.
14 For example, powerful magnets mounted to the fixed plate 56 and the break-away plate 58 may provide sufficient holding force 16 to secure the camera module 52. Rigid fasteners, such as 17 breakable rivets or bolts, having a predetermined breaking point 18 may also be used. Additionally, industrial strength VELCRO or 19 other similar connecting material may be used. Alternatively, the camera module 52 may be permanently mounted to the car 21 without any break-away mechanism where protective bumpers or a 22 protective cage may protect it from impact.
23 The camera module 52 includes a miniature video camera 66, 24 such as a Model XC-999 miniature camera manufactured by Sony Corporation, and two servo motors (tilt servo motor 68 and pan 26 servo motor 70) to provide tilt and pan capabilities for the 27 camera. The pan servo motor 70 may for example, be a Model FPS-28 132H servo motor while the tilt servo motor 68 may for example, _ 214 fi91 _g_ 1 be a model S-9601 servo motor, both manufactured by Futaba 2 Corporation. The servo motors 68, 70 and the camera 66 are 3 mounted on a base plate 72 constructed from plastic, metal, or 4 other suitable material. The base plate 72 is fixed to the break-away plate 58 at substantially right angles. The base 6 plate 72 includes a rotatable aperture mechanism 74 through which 7 a right-angle lens portion 76 of the camera 66 projects. The 8 aperture mechanism 74 allows the camera 66 mounted therein to 9 tilt and rotate (pan) relative to the car 14. The tilt servo motor 68 allows the camera 66 to be tilted within the rotatable 11 aperture mechanism 74 at an angle relative to the ground.
12 Similarly, the pan servo motor 70 permits the camera 66 to be 13 rotated within the rotatable aperture mechanism 74.
14 The right-angle lens portion 76 allows the subject to be shot at a height as low as 0.50 inches from ground level since 16 a lens portion 77 is also at the same height. All wiring 17 connecting the camera module 52 to the car 14 is also provided 18 with break-away wiring connectors 78 so that if the camera module 19 52 should separate from the car, the wiring releasably separates so that no damage is incurred. Such mounting of the camera 66 21 and break-away wiring connectors 78 are well known by those 22 skilled in the art.
23 Referring now to Figs. 1 and 3, Fig. 3 illustrates the 24 aperture mechanism 74 of the camera module 52. To permit the video camera 66 to tilt and pan, the aperture mechanism 74 26 includes a pan mount 80, a tilt mount 82, a pan drive belt 84, 27 a tilt tie rod 86, a manual roll adjustment 88, and a manual roll 28 mount 90. Additionally, as described above, protective bumpers _214691 1 92 may be used to protect the components from impact in place of 2 the break-away mounting mechanism 54 (Fig. 2).
3 Pan capability allows the video camera 66 to rotate around 4 an axis perpendicular to the base plate 72, as shown by a reference letter "Z." The pan mount 80 is a circular ring 6 rotatably mounted within the aperture mechanism 74 and is able 7 to rotate relative thereto while being held securely in the plane 8 of the base plate 72. The pan drive belt 84 connected around the 9 circumference of the pan mount 80 is also connected to the pan servo motor 70 so that rotation of the pan servo motor 70 causes 11 the pan mount 80 to rotate thus, causing the video camera 66 to 12 rotate.

13 Tilt capability allows the video camera 66 to tilt in a 14 single plane relative to the Z axis, as shown by the angle labeled with the Greek symbol Beta. The tilt mount 82 does not 16 rotate relative to the pan mount 80 but remains rotatably fixed 17 relative thereto. Two support studs or pivot points 94 may 18 connect the tilt mount 82 to the pan mount 80 along opposite 19 points along the diameter of each mount. This allows the tilt mount 82 to tilt relative to the plane defined by the pan mount 21 80 thus, allowing the camera 66 retained within tilt mount to 22 tilt therewith. When the tilt servo motor 68 is activated, a 23 gear mounted thereto rotates and provides forward and backward 24 movement to the tilt tie rod 86. The tilt tie rod 86, in turn, forces the tilt mount 82 to pivot relative to the pivot points 26 94.
27 Manual roll capability also allows the video camera 66 to 28 roll with respect to the base plate 72. Roll essentially allows _214691 1 the tilt mount 82 to pivot slightly, but along an axis displaced 2 ninety degrees from the tilt pivot points 94. The roll mount 88 3 and roll adjustment mechanism 90 allow such displacement. Two 4 support studs or pivot points 96 may connect the manual roll mount 90 to the tilt mount 82 along opposite points along the 6 diameter of the mounts. This allows the roll mount 90 to roll 7 relative to the plane defined by the tilt mount 82 thus, allowing 8 the camera 66 retained within the roll mount to roll therewith.
9 This mounting mechanism is essentially a triple-gimbal suspension which is well known to those skilled in the art and any suitable 11 mechanism allowing adequate camera positioning may be used.
12 Although not explicitly shown, the roll adjustment 88 or roll 13 mount 90 may be responsive to a remotely controlled receiver such 14 that an operator located at the base station 12 may remotely control the roll of the camera 66.
16 Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the camera subsystem 50 also 17 includes a tilt/pan transmitter 102 and receiver 104. The tilt 18 servo motor 68 and the pan servo motor 70 are both responsive to 19 the wireless tilt/pan receiver 104 which receives commands from the wireless tilt/pan transmitter 102 located at the base station 21 12. The tilt/pan receiver 104 and transmitter 102 may for 22 example, be a Model PCM 1024 radio controlled receiver-23 transmitter manufactured by Futaba Corporation. The tilt/pan 24 transmitter 102 uses radio frequency energy to remotely transmit commands to the tilt/pan receiver 104 where commands entered by 26 an operator at the base station 12 are transmitted to the camera 27 receiver 104 to control movement of the camera 66.

_ 214 6916 1 A video subsystem 116, shown in dashed lines, includes a 2 video distribution amplifier 118, an on-board video cassette 3 recorder (VCR) 120, a VCR wired remote control unit 122, and a 4 wireless video transmitter 124. These devices are mounted in the car 14. The base station 12 portion of the video subsystem 116 6 includes a video wireless receiver 126, a video monitor 128, and 7 an optional base station VCR 130.
8 The video distribution amplifier 118 receives its signal 9 from the video camera 66 and splits the video signal into two identical video signals. One of the video signals is directed 11 into the on-board VCR 120 such that all video images captured by 12 the video camera are permanently recorded on video tape. The 13 other video signal is directed to the video transmitter 124 for 14 transmission to the base station video receiver 126. This allows personnel at the base station 12 to monitor the video images in 16 real time so that corrections to the car's propulsion system 16 17 and camera subsystem 50 may be made in response to the video 18 images viewed on the video monitor 128. The video distribution 19 amplifier 118 may for example, be a Model VB/VDA video distribution amplifier manufactured by Video Accessory 21 Corporation. The on-board VCR 120 for example, may be a Model 22 TR400 Hi8 video camcorder manufactured by Sony Corporation where 23 the camera portion of the camcorder remains unused.
24 Although the video monitor disclosed may be a known television-type device, any system for displaying images may be 26 used. For example, raster-scan devices, liquid crystal displays, 27 electro-luminescence devices, oscilloscope-type devices, or any 28 other suitable device may be used. Additionally, although the 1 wireless receiver-transmitter devices 36, 38, 102, 104, 124, and 2 126 disclosed may be known radio-frequency wireless devices, any 3 devices capable of transmitting information without physical 4 connections in a wireless manner may be used. For example, infra-red devices, acoustic devices, laser light devices, or any 6 other suitable device may be used.
7 To accommodate the above-described devices, the car 14 may 8 be modified to increase its structural integrity and weight-9 carrying capability. For example, suspension springs may be replaced with heavier-duty suspension springs to accommodate the 11 increase in weight. Additionally, shock absorber pistons may be 12 fitted with special valves and heavy-duty shock absorber oil may 13 be used.
14 A dust-resistant compartment 140, shown in dashed lines, is constructed to fit within the chassis of the car 14 to house the 16 on-board VCR 120 and to provide impact protection. Such a 17 compartment 140 is important since the car 14 is typically 18 operated on surfaces such as dirt roads and off-road terrain 19 where dust and particulate matter could contaminant an unprotected VCR 120.
21 To manually control the on-board VCR 120 without opening the 22 dust-resistent compartment 140, the remote control unit 122 is 23 attached to the on-board VCR through a wire assembly which is 24 routed through the dust-resistent compartment 140. The remote control unit 122 is affixed to the top of the car 14 for easy 26 manual access. The wired remote control unit 122 is used when 27 setting the VCR 120 to record just prior to shooting. The remote 1 control unit 122 for example, may be a Model RM95N Remote 2 Commander manufactured by Nikon Corporation.
3 The video transmitter 124 receives real time video images from 4 the camera 66 and transmits the images to the video receiver 126 at the base station 12. The video transmitter 124 and receiver 6 126 for example, may be a Model 2000 video transmitter and 7 receiver manufactured by Modulus Corporation. Video images 8 received by the video receiver 126 are displayed on the video 9 monitor 128 and are simultaneously recorded on the base station VCR 130.
11 Alternatively, only a single VCR 120 or 130 may be used. For 12 example, the on-board VCR 120 or the base station VCR 130 may be 13 used. Two VCRs are not essential and one may be omitted. However, 14 use of two VCRs increases safety by providing a redundant feature in case of device failure. Additionally, use of the base station 16 VCR 130 permits use of a higher quality VCR since such high 17 quality VCRs are typically much larger than VCRs capable of 18 fitting inside the car.
19 Although the VCRs 120 and 130 herein disclosed may be known video cassette recorders which record information on magnetic 21 tape, any system for storing information may be used. For 22 example, optical disk storage, computer disk storage, motion 23 picture film storage, semiconductor memory storage, or any other 24 suitable storage device may be used.
A 12 volt rechargeable battery pack 142 may be constructed from 26 ten ganged Sanyo 1200 milliamp 1.2 volt nickel-cadmium batteries.
27 The 12 volt battery pack 142 supplies electrical power to the 28 portion of the camera subsystem 50 and video _ 214 691 fi 1 subsystem 116 contained within the car 14. The 12 volt battery 2 142 is mounted within the car 14 and is securely affixed there 3 within. All electronic components of the camera subsystem 50 and 4 the video subsystem 116 are available from various manufacturers and may be adapted by those skilled in the art for inclusion in 6 the race car kit.
7 Additionally, the invention 10 incorporates an air blower 8 system 144 to keep the camera lens 77 clear of dirt and dust 9 during shooting. This is an important feature since the relatively low position of the lens 77 may cause dust and dirt 11 to accumulate on the lens when the action occurs on non-paved 12 surfaces. A blower fan 162 mounted to the outside of the car 14 13 provides a source of air flow. A suitably dimensioned tube 164, 14 such as a tube constructed from rubber or plastic is attached to the blower fan 162 while the other end of the tube is secured 16 proximal to the camera lens 77 by suitable brackets 166 or other 17 fasteners. The constant flow of air across the camera lens 160 18 removes dust and particulate matter.

19 Although the vehicle 14 disclosed is a toy race car, the present invention may use any other type of vehicle capable of 21 being directed in a controlled manner and able to transport the 22 devices disclosed above. For example, a train, a truck, a boat, 23 a helicopter, an airplane or any other suitable vehicle may be 24 used.
In operation, the invention 10 is used at an exterior 26 location such as an open expanse of land with hard-packed earthen 27 paths, small hills of dirt, and scattered obstacles such as 28 fallen logs and small boulders. Three operators are typically _214691 1 involved in the operation of the invention 10 and the video 2 recording procedure. A first operator, referred to as the 3 camdriver (camera car driver), remotely controls the camera car 4 14 through use of the car transmitter 38 thereby propelling and steering the car. A second operator, referred to as the 6 cameraman, controls the camera module 52 via the tilt/pan 7 transmitter to obtain the best possible view of the target car 8 to be recorded. A third operator, referred to as the target 9 driver, controls the target car through a separate and independent remote control system and race car (not shown).
11 However, the invention 10 may be used to capture real time full 12 motion video images of any subject whose speed and 13 maneuverability does not exceed the capabilities of the camera 14 car 14.
The three operators and the director of the production are 16 typically located at the base station 12. The director 17 instructs the target driver where the target car should travel 18 through the environment. Instructions to the camdriver indicate 19 how the camera car 14 should be driven in relation to the target car's path of travel. Further instructions to the cameraman 21 indicate how the camera module 52 should be panned and tilted to 22 obtain the desired video images.
23 When the three operators are prepared, an assistant 24 activates the power on the target car and also activates the propulsion subsystem 16 and video components of the camera car 26 14. The on-board VCR 120 is then set to record by using the 27 remote control unit 122 wired to the VCR. The above-described 28 actions initiate transmission of real time video images from the _ _ ~14691~

1 video camera 66 to the on-board VCR 120. Simultaneously, the 2 real time video images are sent to the video transmitter 124 3 which transmits the images to the video receiver 126 at the base 4 station 12. The video receiver 126 at the base station 12 is connected to the video monitor 128 where the operators and the 6 director may watch the real time video images. By manipulating 7 the car transmitter 38 and the camera pan/tilt transmitter 102, 8 the most desirable action may be shot . The video signal may also 9 be recorded by the base station VCR 130 in addition to or as an alternative to use of the on-board VCR 120.
11 As the target driver directs the target car along its 12 intended path through the environment, the camdriver directs the 13 camera car 14 along its intended path as the cameraman adjusts 14 the pan and tilt controls so that the camera frames the desired images. Throughout the production sequence, the air blower 16 system 144 continuously directs a stream of air across the front 17 of the camera lens 76 to prevent objectionable accumulation of 18 dust and dirt in front of the lens.
19 When the desired action sequence has been recorded, the camera car 14 and the target car are directed back to the 21 starting positions. The assistant may then halt recording of the 22 on-board VCR 120 and remove the video cassette by opening the 23 dust-resistant compartment 140. Power is then removed from all 24 vehicles.
A specific embodiment of the system for producing real time 26 full motion video images of a toy race car according to the 27 present invention has been described for the purpose of 28 illustrating the manner in which the invention may be made and 1 used. It should be understood that implementation of other 2 variations and modifications of the invention and its various 3 aspects wi ll be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that 4 the invention embodiments is not limited by these specific described. It is therefore contemplated to cover the present by 6 invention any and all modifications, variations, equivalents or 7 that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic 8 underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.

Claims

1. A vehicle video production system for creating full-motion real-time video images of a target, the system comprising:
a miniature camera vehicle configured to respond to vehicle control signals;
a first wireless transmitter configured to transmit the vehicle control signals from a base station to the miniature camera vehicle;
a first wireless receiver mounted in the miniature camera vehicle and configured to receive the vehicle control signals and to control movement of the miniature camera vehicle in response thereto;
an image capturing device attached to the miniature camera vehicle for generating real-time images of the target;
a controller connected to the image capturing device to control movement of the image capturing device relative to the miniature camera vehicle;
a second wireless transmitter configured to transmit image capturing device control signals from the base station to the miniature camera vehicle;
a second wireless receiver mounted in the miniature camera vehicle and electrically coupled to the controller for receiving the image capturing device control signals to control movement of the image capturing device in response thereto;
a real-time image recorder mounted in the miniature camera vehicle and coupled to the image capturing device for recording the real-time images generated by the image capturing device; and a display device located at the base station and remotely coupled to the image capturing device for displaying the real-time images wherein an operator controls movement of the miniature camera vehicle and the image capturing device in real-time by use of the first and second wireless transmitters in response to the images displayed on the display device so as to obtain optimal real-time images of the target.

2. The system according to claim 1 further including an air blower mounted to the miniature camera vehicle for directing a stream of air across the lens of the image capturing device to prevent the accumulation of dust and particles thereon.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the controller controls pan and tilt of the image capturing device.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the real-time image recorder is mounted in the miniature camera vehicle.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the real-time image recorder is mounted within a dust-resistant compartment in the miniature camera vehicle.

6. The system according to claim 1 further including a third wireless transmitter coupled to the image capturing device for transmitting to the base station real-time images generated by the image capturing device.

7. The system according to claim 6 further including a third wireless receiver located at the base station for receiving the transmitted real-time images, wherein the real-time images are displayed on the display device in real-time.

8. The system according to claim 7 wherein the real-time images received from the third wireless transmitter are recorded on an image recorder in real-time, and the image recorder is not located on the miniature camera vehicle.

9. The system according to claim 1 further including at least one break-away mount for releasably attaching the image capturing device to the miniature camera vehicle such that the image capturing device separates from the miniature camera vehicle when acted upon by a force greater than a predetermined value.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the miniature camera vehicle is a toy racing car.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein the target is a toy racing car.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein movement of the target is controlled by a target wireless remote control device.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second wireless transmitter and the first and second wireless receivers operate in the radio frequency spectrum.

14. A video production system for creating full-motion real-time images of a target, the system comprising:
a miniature observer vehicle;
first means for transmitting vehicle control information from a base station to the observer vehicle;
first means for receiving the vehicle control information located in the observer vehicle and configured to receive the vehicle control information to control movement of the observer vehicle in response thereto;
image generating means mounted in the observer vehicle for generating real-time images of the target;
control means coupled to the image generating means for controlling the image generating means to direct movement thereof;
second means for transmitting image generating control information from the base station to the observer vehicle;
second means mounted in the observer vehicle for receiving the image generating control information, said second means coupled to the control means and configured to receive the image generating control information to control movement of the image generating means in response thereto;
means for recording the real-time images generated by the image generating means; and display means located at the base station for displaying the real-time images wherein an operator controls movement of the observer vehicle and the image generating means in real-time in response to the images displayed on the display means to obtain optimal images of the target.

15. The system according to claim 14 further including third means located on the observer vehicle for remotely transmitting the real-time images.

16. The system according to claim 15 further including third means located at the base station for receiving the transmitted images such that the transmitted images are displayed on the display means in real-time.