Back Camera Image Rendering for Foldable Hinge Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices with adjustable camera systems face challenges in optimizing the view direction of back-facing cameras when the device is opened beyond 90 degrees, resulting in irrelevant content being captured, such as desktop surfaces, rather than focusing on relevant subjects like individuals in videoconferencing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wide field of view back-facing camera and an orientation sensor that adjusts the camera's angle based on the hinge position, using image circuitry to crop and render imagery, ensuring relevant content is centered and irrelevant content is minimized, even when the camera is pointed downward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device is opened beyond 90 degrees, then the display housing can be positioned for better viewing ergonomics, but the back-facing camera captures irrelevant content such as desktop surfaces instead of relevant subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system dynamically adjusts its effective view direction based on the device's opening angle. The orientation sensor detects the hinge position and the image circuitry processes the captured imagery accordingly, transforming the static camera into a dynamic system that adapts to different device configurations. This allows the camera to maintain accurate subject framing regardless of whether the device is opened to 90 degrees or beyond.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation sensor acts as an intermediary between the mechanical hinge position and the camera's view direction control. It provides real-time feedback about the device's opening angle, enabling the image circuitry to compensate for the camera's downward pointing angle and render images with the correct orientation and framing of relevant subjects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a back-facing camera is used to capture imagery, then the camera can be positioned on the display housing, but when the device is opened beyond 90 degrees the camera points downward capturing irrelevant content
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where the orientation sensor continuously monitors the device's opening angle and provides this information to the image circuitry. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the image rendering process to compensate for the camera's fixed downward orientation, ensuring that relevant subjects remain properly framed and oriented in the captured imagery regardless of the device's opening angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the processing parameters of the captured imagery based on the device's opening angle. When the device is opened beyond 90 degrees, the orientation sensor detects this parameter change and the image circuitry adjusts corresponding parameters such as image cropping, rotation, or rendering angle to maintain accurate subject representation despite the camera's fixed physical orientation.
3Device complexity
If the camera is fixed in position on the display housing, then the structure is simplified, but the view direction cannot be adjusted when the hinge position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a mechanical adjustment system with an electronic/image processing solution. Instead of mechanically adjusting the camera's physical orientation based on hinge position, the system uses an orientation sensor to detect the hinge angle and electronically adjusts the captured imagery through the image circuitry. This substitution maintains structural simplicity while achieving view direction adaptability through software-based image rendering adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device can include a base housing; a display housing that includes a display, a display side, a back side and a back side camera; a hinge assembly that couples the base housing and the display housing; an orientation sensor that senses orientation of the display housing; and image circuitry that, based on output of the orientation sensor, controls rendering of imagery acquired by the back side camera to the display.