Query response by a gimbal mounted camera

Abstract

A method for controlling a gimbal includes receiving an audio input from a user that contains a question, determining an answer to the question, determining a movement pattern for the gimbal to mimic human body language corresponding to the answer, and controlling the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling a gimbal comprising:
 receiving an audio input from a user, the audio input containing a question;   determining an answer to the question;   determining a movement pattern for the gimbal to mimic human body language corresponding to the answer; and   controlling the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern includes controlling at least one of a tilt motor, a roll motor, or a pan motor of the gimbal to operate to rotate at least a portion of the gimbal about at least one of a tilt axis, a roll axis, or a pan axis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the movement pattern includes at least one of head nodding, head shaking, or head bobbing; and   controlling the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern includes controlling the gimbal to perform at least one of a head nod sequence, a head shake sequence, or a head bob sequence.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein controlling the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern includes controlling the gimbal to repeat at least one of the head nod sequence, the head shake sequence, or the head bob sequence for one or more times. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the movement pattern includes head nodding; and   controlling the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern includes controlling the gimbal to perform a head nod sequence by rotating at least a portion of the gimbal about a tilt axis in a first direction then rotating about the tilt axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the movement pattern includes head shaking; and   controlling the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern includes controlling the gimbal to perform a head shake sequence by rotating at least a portion of the gimbal about a pan axis in a first direction then rotating about the pan axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the movement pattern includes head bobbing; and   controlling the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern includes controlling the gimbal to perform a head bob sequence by rotating at least a portion of the gimbal about a roll axis in a first direction then rotating about the roll axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the audio input includes receiving the audio input via at least one of a built-in microphone of the gimbal or an input coupled to an external microphone. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the answer to the question includes selecting the answer from a stored set of options. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the question is related to an operational status of at least one of the gimbal or an electronic device carried by the gimbal. 
     
     
         11 . A gimbal comprising:
 a memory storing a program; and   a processor configured to execute the program to:
 receive an audio input from a user, the audio input containing a question; 
 determine an answer to the question; 
 determine a movement pattern for the gimbal to mimic human body language corresponding to the answer; and 
 control the gimbal to move according to the movement pattern. 
   
     
     
         12 . The gimbal of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one of a tilt motor, a roll motor, or a pan motor;   wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to control the at least one of the tilt motor, the roll motor, or the pan motor to operate to rotate at least a portion of the gimbal about at least one of a tilt axis, a roll axis, or a pan axis.   
     
     
         13 . The gimbal of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the movement pattern includes at least one of head nodding, head shaking, or head bobbing; and   wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to control the gimbal to perform at least one of a head nod sequence, a head shake sequence, or a head bob sequence.   
     
     
         14 . The gimbal of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to control the gimbal to repeat at least one of the head nod sequence, the head shake sequence, or the head bob sequence for one or more times. 
     
     
         15 . The gimbal of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the movement pattern includes head nodding; and   the processor is further configured to execute the program to control the gimbal to perform a head nod sequence by rotating at least a portion of the gimbal about a tilt axis in a first direction then rotating about the tilt axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         16 . The gimbal of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the movement pattern includes head shaking; and   the processor is further configured to execute the program to control the gimbal to perform a head shake sequence by rotating at least a portion of the gimbal about a pan axis in a first direction then rotating about the pan axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         17 . The gimbal of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the movement pattern includes head bobbing; and   the processor is further configured to execute the program to control the gimbal to perform a head bob sequence by rotating at least a portion of the gimbal about a roll axis in a first direction then rotating about the roll axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         18 . The gimbal of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one of a built-in microphone or an input configured to be coupled to an external microphone;   wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to receive the audio input via the at least one of the built-in microphone or the input.   
     
     
         19 . The gimbal of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to select the answer from a set of options stored in the memory. 
     
     
         20 . The gimbal of  claim 11 , wherein the question is related to an operational status of at least one of the gimbal or an electronic device carried by the gimbal.