Image Sensor Segmentation for Simultaneous Landscape and Portrait Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld electronic devices with cameras struggle to simultaneously capture video and images in both landscape and portrait modes without requiring manual rotation or complex settings.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a video capture device with a plurality of image sensors organized into specific portions, allowing for simultaneous capture and processing of images in both landscape and portrait formats through selective disabling of sensor subsets based on orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single image sensor is used for capture, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot simultaneously capture images in both landscape and portrait modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapture mode flexibilityVSAvoidsensor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is divided into multiple independent portions (first portion, second portion, third portion, fourth portion, fifth portion) that can be selectively activated. Each portion corresponds to a specific capture mode (landscape or portrait), allowing the sensor to capture images in different orientations simultaneously or separately by enabling the relevant portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image sensor apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating portions that can capture both landscape and portrait formats. The same sensor structure serves dual purposes by selectively activating different portions based on the desired capture mode, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each orientation.

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

2Ease of operation

If manual rotation is required to switch between landscape and portrait modes, then the sensor structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode switching convenienceVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor apparatus dynamically reconfigures which portions are active based on the desired capture mode. The processor selectively enables or disables specific sensor portions electronically, allowing rapid switching between landscape and portrait modes without physical rotation or manual intervention, thereby improving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If all sensor portions are always active, then the capture capability is maximized, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous capture capabilityVSAvoidsensor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor apparatus activates only the necessary portions required for the current capture mode rather than keeping all portions continuously active. When capturing in landscape mode, only the relevant landscape-capable portions are enabled, while portrait-capable portions are disabled, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining full capture capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4557754A1Simultaneously capturing images in landscape and portrait modes with movable landscape and portrait frames, and adjustable aspect ratios
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 SIU DONALD
  • EP4557754A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4557754A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4557754A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image sensor apparatus, comprising a plurality of image sensors organized into a plurality of portions, wherein the plurality of portions comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion configured to capture, in combination with each other, an image in a landscape format, a fourth portion and a fifth portion configured to capture, in combination with the first portion, an image in a portrait format.