Image Sensor Display Orientation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display orientation control systems often inaccurately adjust based on physical changes, leading to incorrect orientations due to the disconnect between display orientation and physical orientation of devices.

Innovation Solution

A display system that uses a sensor, such as a camera or image sensor, to detect reference images like body parts or objects, allowing a processor to control the display orientation based on these images, thereby aligning the display with the intended user without physical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If display orientation is controlled by detecting physical changes in device orientation, then the display can automatically adjust to different physical positions, but the display orientation may become incorrect when physical orientation does not reflect intended viewing direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay orientation adjustmentVSAvoiddisplay orientation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based orientation detection system with an image-based detection system. Instead of relying on physical sensors to detect device orientation changes, the system uses an image sensor (camera) to capture images and detect reference objects or reference lines in the visual field, thereby determining the correct display orientation through image processing rather than mechanical sensing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary reference object or reference line that serves as a mediator between the display system and the user's intended viewing direction. The image sensor detects these reference elements in the captured image, and the processor uses them to infer the correct display orientation, establishing an indirect but more reliable connection between physical position and display orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If display orientation changes based on physical movement detection, then the system can respond to user positioning, but accidental misalignment occurs when physical movement does not indicate intentional orientation change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic orientation responseVSAvoidintentional vs accidental movement discrimination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image sensor continuously monitors the visual field for reference objects or lines. The processor analyzes the detected reference elements and determines whether the detected orientation change corresponds to an intentional user action based on the presence and position of these references, providing feedback-based validation before changing display orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical movement detection with optical field detection. Instead of sensing physical acceleration or position changes that cannot distinguish intentional from accidental movements, the system uses an image sensor to detect reference objects in the visual field, which only appear when the user intentionally positions them in view.

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

3Measurement precision

If the system uses image-based orientation detection with reference objects, then display orientation accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor and processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the image sensor multi-functional by using it for both display orientation detection and other device functions such as capturing photos or videos. The same hardware component serves multiple purposes, reducing the need for dedicated orientation-detection hardware and thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The processor is designed to handle multiple tasks including image processing for orientation detection, photo/video processing, and general device control. By making the processor multi-functional and capable of handling various image processing tasks, the system avoids the need for separate dedicated processing units, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2662748B1A display system with image sensor based display orientation
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2662748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2662748B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2662748B1 patent drawingFigure 3(3-I)~3(3-III)

AI summary

A display system with image sensor based display orientation is provided. The display system comprises: a display device; a sensor for acquiring at least one electronic image from a field of view proximal the display device; and a processor enabled to: control at least a subset of the display device to a display orientation associated with a given edge of the display device when a portion of the at least one electronic image associated with the given edge comprises a given reference image.