Camera Orientation Feedback Using Sensor Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when taking photos with electronic devices, such as smartphones, as they need to manually adjust the device's angle and distance to achieve a preferred position, which can be difficult to verify, especially when capturing images of objects like food, where ensuring the device is horizontal is challenging.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that calculates and compares the device's angle and distance to pre-stored user preferences using sensor information, providing notifications when the calculated position is within the desired range, and allowing adjustments to filtering effects based on these calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the user manually adjusts the device angle and distance to achieve preferred photography position, then the desired angle and distance can be obtained, but the user cannot readily verify whether the device is at the correct position and must continuously manually shift the device while viewing the screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification of device angle and positionVSAvoidmanual adjustment of device angle and position

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the device's angle and distance using sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, distance sensor) and provides real-time feedback to the user through visual indicators on the screen. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify their device positioning without continuous manual adjustment, resolving the contradiction between precise verification and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated sensor-based detection. Instead of relying on users to physically adjust and verify angles using visual inspection of the screen, the system uses accelerometers, gyroscopes, and distance sensors to automatically detect and report the device's angular and distance parameters, substituting mechanical verification with electronic sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the user views the screen to verify device angle and position, then the current position can be checked, but the user cannot readily verify the screen while maintaining the desired viewing angle of the object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification of device angleVSAvoidviewing information through screen versus direct view

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary indicator system that bridges the gap between the device's actual angular position and the user's need to view the object directly. Visual indicators (such as alignment marks or color-coded feedback) serve as intermediaries, conveying angular verification information to the user without requiring them to look at the screen, thus maintaining both direct object viewing and angle verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If related art recommends appropriate photography composition settings, then composition guidance is provided, but the system does not inform the user that the camera is appropriately positioned at the preferred photography position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation about appropriate composition settingsVSAvoidconfirmation of correct device positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enhances composition recommendation by adding real-time feedback that confirms when the device has reached the preferred positioning. In addition to suggesting composition settings, the system continuously monitors sensor data and provides affirmative feedback (visual indicators, notifications) when the measured angle and distance match the preferred ranges, giving users clear confirmation that correct positioning has been achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution simplifies the process of achieving optimal photography positions by notifying users when the device is correctly aligned and allowing intuitive adjustments, enhancing the user experience by reducing manual effort and improving photo quality.

Implementation Method 1

calculating a photograph angle of the electronic device based on sensor information provided from at least one sensor of the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS10609280B2Method and system for recommending optimum position of photography

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 SNOW CORP

AI summary

Provided is a method and system for recommending an optimal position of photographing. A optimal position-of-photographing recommendation method may include executing, at an electronic device, and controlling a camera included in the electronic device under control of a photography application executed on the electronic device; calculating, at the electronic device, a photograph angle of the electronic device based on sensor information provided from a sensor of the electronic device under control of the photography application; comparing, at the electronic device, the calculated photograph angle to a desired angle range that is managed by the photography application, under control of the photography application; and outputting, at the electronic device, notification data in response to the calculated photograph angle being included in the desired angle range, under control of the photography application.