Camera-Based Display Mode Switching via Facial Angle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic display mode switching on electronic devices, such as mobile devices, relies solely on gravity sensors, leading to uncomfortable viewing experiences when users are in specific postures like lying down, as it fails to account for the user's pose.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a camera to capture facial images, recognize eye positions, and determine the relative viewing angle to automatically adjust the display mode or provide a prompt for users, allowing the device to switch between portrait and landscape modes based on the user's viewing angle, rather than just the device's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display mode is automatically switched based on device orientation using gravity sensor, then the device can adapt to different holding positions, but the viewing experience becomes uncomfortable when the user is lying down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gravity sensor-based orientation detection with an optical system (camera) that captures facial images to determine user viewing angle. This substitution allows the system to distinguish between device orientation and actual user viewing posture, enabling comfortable display mode switching even when the user is lying down.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces facial image recognition as an intermediary between the device and the user. By analyzing facial features (eye positions, face orientation) captured by the camera, the system mediates between device orientation and user posture to determine the appropriate display mode, rather than directly relying on device orientation alone.
2Device complexity
If only device direction is used to determine display mode, then the control logic is simple, but it fails to account for user posture variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the camera serve multiple functions: it captures images for facial recognition, determines user viewing angle, and indirectly provides orientation information. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle both simple device orientation cases and complex user posture variations using a single sensor, balancing complexity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional device orientation detection (horizontal/vertical) to three-dimensional user viewing angle determination by incorporating facial image analysis. This adds a new dimension (user posture) to the control logic, enabling the system to adapt to various viewing scenarios while maintaining manageable complexity through algorithmic processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for setting a display mode of a device according to facial features and an electronic device for the same are provided. The electronic device uses a camera unit to capture a facial image of a user for identifying facial organs. Then, a relative angle of the user's eyes viewing the image can be determined. After that, a turning signal can be provided according to an angle of the user's eyes viewing the image, and the state of the device. A display unit is driven to display a landscape mode image or a portrait mode image in response to the turning signal. Alternatively, a driving mechanism of the electronic device can be controlled and the electronic device is turned to a specific angle.