Mobile Phone Vertical Capture Mode Using Haptic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices with digital cameras struggle to capture large objects from a short distance without fish-eye optics, requiring users to position the device above eye level, making it difficult to ensure the entire object is captured within the frame.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with indicators (haptic, acoustic, or optical) that perform corner detection, blob detection, or edge detection to determine the object's boundaries, allowing users to input points on the touchscreen, and providing directional signals to adjust the device's position for complete image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the mobile device is positioned at an elevated position above the head of the user to capture the complete object, then the entire object can be captured by the camera, but the user can no longer see the display showing a preview of the picture to be taken

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage area of captured objectVSAvoiduser ability to see and control display
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback through haptic indicators (vibrations) and acoustic signals that inform the user about the capture status and boundary detection results without requiring visual display. The processor analyzes boundary points and provides tactile/acoustic feedback when all four boundary points are detected, enabling users to control capture while the device is positioned at any angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the visual display feedback mechanism with haptic and acoustic feedback systems. Instead of relying on the user to visually monitor the display screen, the system uses vibration motors and speakers to provide tactile and auditory information about capture status, substituting the mechanical visual interface with alternative sensory interfaces.

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

2Ease of operation

If corner detection algorithms are implemented to automatically detect object boundaries, then the user input required is reduced, but the processing time and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input requirementVSAvoidprocessing time for boundary detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a hybrid approach where corner detection algorithms automatically identify boundary points, but the user is still prompted to manually confirm or adjust the detection of all four corner points. This partial automation reduces but does not eliminate user input, balancing computational processing time with operational accuracy by using algorithms for initial detection and user input for final confirmation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If the mobile device does not have fish-eye optics, then the image quality and distortion are minimized, but the device cannot capture the complete object from a short distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage quality and distortion controlVSAvoidcoverage area of captured object
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables capture in the vertical dimension by allowing the device to be positioned above the object at various angles. The gyroscope detects orientation and the processor calculates boundary points based on the device's angular position, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to capture complete objects without requiring fish-eye lens distortion, thereby maintaining image quality while expanding coverage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3700189B1Mobile phone vertical capture mode
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 VESTEL ELEKTRONIK SANAYI & TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP3700189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3700189B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3700189B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile device for automatically capturing an image of an object and a method for automatically capturing an image of an object, when the camera of the mobile device is not held at eye level.