Hinged Device Inertial Motion Unit Orientation Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hinged electronic devices, the distance and angular misalignment between the inertial motion unit and features like imagers lead to inaccurate orientation determination signals, degrading image stabilization and augmented reality applications.

Innovation Solution

An inertial motion unit adjustment engine applies correction factors to orientation determination signals based on the angular configuration between the device housings, ensuring accurate signal reporting and smoothing data transitions during hinge alignment changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the inertial motion unit is positioned separately from the imager in hinged device housings, then device layout flexibility is improved, but orientation determination accuracy deteriorates due to distance and angular misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice layout flexibilityVSAvoidorientation determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores correction factors for various hinge angles and device configurations before actual image capture. The inertial motion unit adjustment engine applies these pre-computed corrections to orientation determination signals based on the current hinge angle, compensating for angular misalignment between the inertial motion unit and imager without requiring them to be physically co-located.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the orientation determination parameters by applying correction factors that adjust the orientation data based on the hinge angle. The inertial motion unit adjustment engine modifies the orientation determination signals by applying rotational transformations corresponding to the hinge angle, effectively correcting the angular misalignment between separated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If correction factors are applied to orientation determination signals based on hinge angle, then orientation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to the adjustment engine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inertial motion unit adjustment engine continuously monitors the hinge angle through sensors and dynamically adjusts the orientation determination signals in real-time based on this feedback. The system establishes a closed-loop control where the current hinge state informs the correction applied to the orientation data, ensuring accurate orientation determination throughout device movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The inertial motion unit adjustment engine acts as an intermediary component that receives raw orientation determination signals from the inertial motion unit, applies appropriate correction factors based on hinge angle, and outputs corrected orientation data to the image capture application. This intermediary layer isolates the complexity of correction calculations from both the sensor and the application layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple inertial motion units are used in different device housings, then orientation determination coverage is improved, but data management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation determination coverageVSAvoiddata management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the inertial measurement function across multiple segments (separate inertial motion units in different device housings), with each unit responsible for sensing in its local housing. The inertial motion unit adjustment engine then integrates data from these segmented sensors by applying appropriate correction factors for each housing's orientation relative to the imager, combining their contributions to achieve complete orientation coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11050935B1Methods and systems for managing one or more inertial motion units in a hinged electronic device

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a first device housing and a second device housing, with a hinge coupling the first device housing to the second device housing such that the first device housing is pivotable about the hinge relative to the second device housing between a closed position and an axially displaced open position. At least one inertial motion unit is situated in the first device housing and determines an orientation of the first device housing in three-dimensional space, delivering the same in an orientation determination signal. An inertial motion unit adjustment engine, activated by at least one predefined condition of electronic device, can apply at least one correction factor to the orientation determination signal when activated to create a modified orientation determination signal.