Automatic camera selection

• US 10,284,813 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2014
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Chastney, Daniel James, Cinar, Onur
• Primary Examiner(s): Augustine, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US14/504,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20150264302A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,679 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

Various embodiments enable a video messaging experience which permits the exchange of short video messages in an asynchronous manner. The video messaging experience preserves the video intimacy and experience of synchronous-type video communications, while at the same time provides the convenience of SMS-type message exchange.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, executed at a computer device, of selecting a camera of the computer device to record a video message, the method comprising:

prior to recording the video;

receiving, at a user interface component of the computer device, a user input from a user;

determining an intent of the user based upon the user input; and

automatically selecting, for recording a video, between a front facing camera of the computer device and a rear-facing camera of the computer device based upon the determined intent of the user;

responsive to determining that the intent of the user is to send a video message including the video;

automatically selecting the front-facing camera of the computer device for recording of the video;

recording the video with the front-facing camera;

creating the video message including the video recorded with the front-facing camera; and

sending the video message to a recipient; and

responsive to determining that the intent of the user is not to send a video message, automatically selecting the rear facing camera of the computer device to record the video.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining that an intent of the user is to send a video message comprises determining whether the user input indicates an interaction with the computer device via a selectable control which enables a new video message to be instantiated.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining that an intent of the user is to send the video message comprises determining whether the user input indicates an interaction with the computer device which includes selection of one or more contacts to which the video message can be sent.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining that an intent of the user is to send a video message comprises determining whether the user input indicates an interaction with the computer device associated with responding to a previously-received video message.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining that an intent of the user is to send a video message comprises determining that the user input is a selection of a reply option to reply to a previously-received video message.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining that an intent of the user is to send a video message comprises determining whether the user input includes populating one or more addresses into a video message shell.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, uploading portions of the video to a remote computing device while recording the video.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining that an intent of the user is not to send a video message comprises determining that the user input indicates an interaction with the computer device to select a photo taking capability.

9. One or more computer readable storage media storing computer readable instructions which, when executed, perform operations comprising:

prior to recording a video;

receiving, at a user interface component of the computer device, a user input from a user;

determining an intent of the user based upon the user input; and

automatically selecting, for recording a video, between a front facing camera of the computer device and a rear-facing camera of the computer device based upon the determined intent of the user;

responsive to determining that the intent of the user is to send a video message including the video;

automatically selecting the front-facing camera of the computer device for recording of the video;

recording the video with the front-facing camera;

creating the video message including the video recorded with the front-facing camera; and

sending the video message to a recipient; and

responsive to determining that the intent of the user is not to send a video message, automatically selecting the rear facing camera of the computer device to record the video.

10. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein the operations of determining that an intent of the user is to send a video message comprises determining whether the user input indicates an interaction with the computing device via a selectable control which enables a new video message to be instantiated.

11. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein the operations of determining that an intent of the user is to send a video message comprises determining whether the user input indicates an interaction with the computing device which includes selection of one or more contacts to which a video message can be sent.

12. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein the operations of determining that an intent of the user is to send a video message comprises determining whether the user input is associated with responding to a previously-received video message.

13. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein the operations of determining that an intent of the user is to send a video message comprises determining whether the user input indicates an interaction with the computing device which includes receiving one or more addresses into a video message shell.

14. A computing device comprising:

a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera;

a user input device;

one or more processors communicatively coupled to the front-facing and rear-facing cameras and the user input device; and

one or more computer readable storage media, instructions embodied on the one or more computer readable storage media which, when executed by the one or more processors, perform operations comprising;

prior to recording a video;

receiving, from the user input device, a user input from a user;

determining an intent of the user based upon the user input; and

automatically selecting, for recording a video, between the front facing camera and the rear-facing camera based upon the determined intent of the user;

responsive to determining that the intent of the user is to send a video message including the video;

automatically selecting the front-facing camera of the computer device for recording of the video;

recording the video with the front-facing camera;

creating the video message including the video recorded with the front-facing camera; and

sending the video message to a recipient; and

responsive to determining that the intent of the user is not to send a video message, automatically selecting the rear facing camera of the computer device to record the video.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the operations of determining that an intent of the user is not to send a video message comprises determining that the user input indicates an interaction with the computing device which includes selecting a viewfinder.

16. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the computing device comprises a phone.