Terminal Angle Measurement Using Camera and Display Lines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal technologies can only determine if a terminal is horizontal, lacking a comprehensive angle measurement function to accurately measure angles between objects and a horizontal plane.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that display a horizontal reference line and a measurement line on a terminal interface, allowing the terminal to calculate and determine the angle between the measurement line and the horizontal reference line, enabling accurate measurement of angles between objects and the horizontal plane by aligning the measurement line with the object's edge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gradienter APP is used to measure whether the terminal is horizontal, then the terminal can detect horizontal status, but the angle measuring function is deficient and cannot measure angles between objects and the horizontal plane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle measuring functionVSAvoidangle measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the terminal's measurement capability from simple horizontal detection to comprehensive angle measurement by integrating the camera, display interface, and processor. The measurement line can be aligned with object edges to measure various angles, making the terminal versatile for both horizontal detection and general angle measurement tasks through a unified system

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional horizontal/vertical detection to two-dimensional angle measurement by introducing a rotatable measurement line on the display interface. The measurement line can rotate around a reference point to align with different object orientations, enabling measurement of angles in any direction rather than just horizontal status

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

2Measurement precision

If the measurement line is made rotatable on the display interface to align with object edges, then angle measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional calculation and coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs angle calculations and measurement line adjustments without requiring complex external equipment. The processor automatically calculates the angle between the measurement line and horizontal reference line based on coordinate transformations, and the measurement line rotates automatically or through simple user interaction, reducing the need for complex mechanical or electronic components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual measurement line on the display interface as an intermediary between the camera's object capture and the angle measurement function. This software-based measurement line acts as a mediator that can be easily rotated and positioned to align with object edges, simplifying the interaction between the user, camera, and calculation system compared to physical protractors or mechanical measurement devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2950044B1Method and terminal for measuring angle
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 XIAOMI INC
  • EP2950044B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2950044B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~2B
  • EP2950044B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for measuring an angle, and a terminal. The method includes: displaying (101) a horizontal reference line and a measurement line as well as an object currently photographed by a camera in a terminal interface, a plane determined by the measurement line and the horizontal reference line being parallel with the display interface, and the measurement line being relatively static in respect to the display interface; during a process wherein the terminal is turned to cause an edge of the object to be parallel with the measurement line, calculating (102) an angle between the measurement line and the horizontal reference line; and determining (103) an angle obtained when the edge is parallel with the measurement line as an angle between the object and a horizontal plane.