Mobile Device Camera Orientation and Geographic Data Overlay

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an improved system and method to display geographic elements on a mobile computing device that can dynamically update based on the device's orientation and the user's direction, allowing users to point the device at locations to retrieve information about nearby points of interest.

Innovation Solution

A mobile computing device equipped with a processing circuit that determines the orientation of a camera and concurrently displays image data and geographic element data, using a combination of image processing algorithms, position determination circuits, and user input to align and overlay geographic information on the device's display, enabling users to receive information about geographic elements by pointing the device at them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If geographic element data is displayed on a mobile computing device, then information about nearby points of interest is provided to users, but the display system becomes complex requiring integration of camera, position determination, and image processing components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessVSAvoiddisplay system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (camera imaging, position determination, image processing, and geographic data display) into a single integrated mobile computing device system. The processing circuit concurrently handles image data from the camera and geographic element data, merging these separate functions into one cohesive system that reduces overall system complexity despite the multiple capabilities involved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile computing device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a camera device and a navigation/information device. The same display system presents both image data and geographic element data, making the device universal in its capabilities rather than requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the display system concurrently shows image data and geographic element data, then real-time information about geographic elements is provided, but the processing requirements and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation retrieval speedVSAvoidprocessing circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines camera orientation and processes image data in real-time as preliminary actions before displaying geographic element data. By continuously monitoring camera orientation and pre-processing image data, the system prepares information ahead of time, enabling fast concurrent display without excessive computational delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The display system dynamically adjusts by concurrently processing and displaying both image data and geographic element data based on real-time camera orientation. The processing circuit adapts to changing orientation data, dynamically updating the display to maintain accurate geographic information alignment with the captured images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the system determines camera orientation using image processing algorithms, then accurate alignment of geographic data with images is achieved, but the processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera orientation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously determines camera orientation using image processing algorithms rather than performing discrete, periodic measurements. This continuous action maintains accurate alignment between geographic data and images in real-time, ensuring measurement precision is sustained without requiring repeated processing cycles that would increase total processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical orientation sensors with image processing algorithms that analyze camera images to determine orientation. This substitution uses computational methods instead of mechanical measurement systems, achieving accurate camera orientation determination while reducing mechanical complexity and potentially processing time through software-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3693700A1Displaying image data and geographic element data
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3693700A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3693700A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3693700A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A mobile computing device includes a housing, a camera, a display, a memory, and a processing circuit. The housing is configured to be carried by a user while in use. The camera is configured to output image data. The memory is configured to store geographic element data representing one or more geographic elements. The processing circuit is configured to receive the geographic element data for the plurality of geographic elements. The processing circuit is configured to determine a camera orientation. The processing circuit is configured to concurrently display the image data and geographic element data for the plurality of geographic elements on the display.