Square Image Sensor for Flexible Orientation Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital cameras with oblong rectangular pixel arrays require rotation to capture images in landscape or portrait orientations, limiting user convenience and flexibility, especially in handheld devices where preferred orientations may differ from image capture orientations.

Innovation Solution

An imaging system utilizing a square pixel array with imaging optics and a processing module that can generate electronic images of flexible orientations by selecting appropriate rectangular sub-portions within the image circle, allowing for portrait and landscape orientations without reorienting the device, and optionally incorporating a gravitational orientation sensor for video stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an oblong rectangular pixel array is used, then images can be captured in landscape or portrait orientation, but the device must be rotated to change image orientation, reducing user convenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage orientation flexibilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The square pixel array is segmented into multiple rectangular sub-portions, each capable of producing images with different orientations and aspect ratios. The processing module selectively activates different sub-portions based on the desired image orientation, allowing the device to capture both landscape and portrait images without physical rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single square pixel array is designed to perform multiple functions by generating rectangular sub-portions with different orientations. The same physical sensor can produce landscape-oriented, portrait-oriented, and various aspect ratio images, eliminating the need for separate sensors or physical device rotation for different shooting scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device is rotated to capture images in different orientations, then image orientation changes, but the display and processing must also be reoriented, increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage orientation capabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The square pixel array is pre-configured with multiple rectangular sub-portions that correspond to different image orientations and aspect ratios. The processing module stores characteristics of these sub-portions and can quickly select the appropriate one based on the desired output, avoiding the need for complex real-time rotation and processing of entire images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a square pixel array is used to enable flexible orientations, then image orientation flexibility improves, but the image circle coverage and pixel utilization must be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage orientation flexibilityVSAvoidimage circle coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions (sub-portions) of the square pixel array are optimized for different purposes. Each rectangular sub-portion is carefully positioned within the image circle to maximize pixel utilization for its specific orientation and aspect ratio requirements, ensuring high-quality image capture across all supported formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to capture images in any desired orientation without reorienting the device, providing flexibility in image format and aspect ratios, and offers video stabilization by adjusting image capture based on camera orientation changes.

Implementation Method 1

imaging optics for forming an optical image on at least a portion of the square pixel array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS9531970B2Imaging systems and methods using square image sensor for flexible image orientation

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An imaging system for generating flexibly oriented electronic images includes an image sensor having a square pixel array, imaging optics for forming an optical image on at least a portion of the square pixel array, wherein the portion is within an image circle of the imaging optics and includes at least two rectangular sub-portions differing from each other in aspect ratio and/or orientation, and a processing module capable of generating an electronic image from each of the at least two rectangular sub-portions. An imaging method for generating electronic images of flexible orientation, using a square image sensor pixel array, includes forming an optical image on at least a portion of the square image sensor pixel array, selecting, according to a desired orientation, a rectangular sub-portion of the at least a portion of the square image sensor pixel array, and generating a final electronic image from the sub-portion.