Portable Device Orientation Detection Using Camera and Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable devices struggle to determine the proper display orientation when the device is placed flat or held at an angle, leading to frustrating changes in content orientation and degrading the user experience, as conventional sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes are insufficient in such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The use of cameras on the device to capture images and video, combined with motion sensors, to determine the user's viewing angle or the relative orientation of objects in the field of view, allowing for accurate determination of the display orientation, even when the device is not clearly in portrait or landscape mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) are used to detect device orientation, then the device can determine orientation in clear portrait or landscape modes, but the sensor data becomes inadequate when the device is placed flat or held at ambiguous angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer/compass) to determine device orientation. By merging these sensor inputs, the system achieves more reliable orientation detection across all device positions, including ambiguous orientations where individual sensors would be insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that analyzes sensor data in context of the current application and device state. This intermediary system determines whether orientation changes are intentional (user rotating device) or unintentional (device placed on surface), mediating between raw sensor data and display orientation decisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device changes orientation based on sensor data in ambiguous positions, then it attempts to adapt to user needs, but this causes unexpected rotations that frustrate users and degrade experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors sensor data and adjusts display orientation based on detected patterns. The system learns from user behavior and device positioning patterns, providing feedback loops that prevent unnecessary orientation changes while maintaining adaptability when users intentionally rotate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic thresholds and context-aware rules for orientation changes. Rather than rigid orientation switching, the system dynamically adjusts its responsiveness based on device motion characteristics, application type, and detected user intent, allowing flexible adaptation without frustrating unexpected rotations.
3Measurement precision
If cameras are used to capture images and video for determining viewing angle, then accurate display orientation can be determined in ambiguous scenarios, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cameras selectively rather than continuously - only when sensor data indicates ambiguous orientation scenarios. By using cameras partially (only when needed) rather than excessively (continuously), the system achieves accurate viewing angle determination in critical moments while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the camera based on context - adjusting capture frequency, resolution, and activation thresholds according to device state and ambient conditions. This parameter optimization allows accurate viewing angle detection when necessary while reducing energy consumption during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device can utilize image information to determine a proper orientation with which to render content. In some embodiments, a camera of a computing device can capture one or more images to attempt to determine a relative location (or direction) of a user by identifying a feature of a user or by using objects in the image to determine a likely direction of a user. Based at least in part on this information, as well as information from position and motion sensors of the device in some embodiments, a device can determine a relative position of a user, and can cause content to be rendered by the device with an orientation that is appropriate for that position, where the orientation can also depend upon the type of content or other such factors. Such an approach can determine proper orientations in situations where conventional sensor-based approaches are not sufficient.