Device Camera Angle

• US 20130229534A1
• Filed: 05/14/2012
• Published: 09/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Panay, Panos C., Strande, Hakon, Goh, Chun Beng, Mantooth, Harold F., Siddiqui, Kabir, Jensen, Darryl I.
• Granted Patent: US 9,275,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Techniques for device camera angle are described. In one or more implementations, a camera is mounted in a computing device at an angle based on an orientation of the computing device. For example, when the computing device is positioned on a surface and at an angle to the surface (such as when supported by a kickstand), the mounting angle of the camera is such that an optical axis of the camera points forward, and not towards the surface. In at least some implementations, a computing device includes a camera that is physically adjustable to support different orientations of the computing device. In at least some implementations, images that are captured via a camera on a computing device can be manipulated based on an orientation of the computing device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

ascertaining an orientation of a computing device; and

performing, in response to the ascertaining, at least one of;

adjusting a hardware camera component of the computing device based on the orientation;

or

manipulating image data captured via the camera component based on the orientation.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the orientation comprises an angle at which the computing device is positioned relative to gravity.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises changing an angle of orientation of one or more portions of the camera component with respect to the computing device based on the orientation of the computing device.

4. A method as described in claim 3, wherein said changing comprises one of more of tilting, rotating, or panning the one or more portions of the camera component with reference to the computing device.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said manipulating comprises applying one or more of light enhancement or light correction techniques to the image data

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said manipulating comprises applying one or more image data correction techniques to the image data.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a computing device including a kickstand that is positionable to enable the computing device to be supported on a surface; and

a camera assembly operably attached to the computing device at an angle based on a position in which the kickstand is configured to support the computing device.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein the angle is such that when the computing device is supported via the kickstand on the surface, an optical axis of one or more components of the camera assembly is substantially parallel to the surface.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein the angle is such that when the computing device is supported via the kickstand on the surface, a field of view of one or more components of the camera assembly is substantially perpendicular to the surface.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 7, further comprising an input device that is attached to the computing device and that is rotatable to different positions with respect to the computing device, at least one of the positions corresponding to a typing position in which the computing device is supported by the kickstand and input can be provided to the computing device via the input device.

11. An apparatus as described in claim 7, further comprising:

a display device disposed on a front surface of the computing device, and

an input device that is attached to the computing device and that is rotatable to different positions with respect to the computing device, at least one of the positions corresponding to handheld position in which the input device is rotated against a rear surface of the computing device such that images in a field of view of one or more components of the camera assembly can be viewed via the display device and captured.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein one or more components of the camera assembly are physically adjustable within the computing device to different viewing angles.

13. An apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein one or more components of the camera assembly are physically adjustable via one or more of rotation, panning, or tilting within the computing device to support different orientations of the computing device.

14. An apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein the computing device includes functionality to:

determine an orientation of the computing device; and

physically adjust an angle of orientation of one or more components of the camera assembly based on the orientation.

15. An apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein the computing device includes functionality to:

determine an orientation of the computing device; and

perform image manipulation of an image captured via the camera assembly based on the orientation.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a computing device;

a display device disposed on a front surface of a computing device;

an input device operably attached to the computing device and that is rotatable to support different orientations of the computing device, at least one of the orientations enabling the display device to be covered by the input device;

a kickstand disposed on a rear surface of the computing device and configured to support the computing device on a surface; and

a camera assembly mounted on the computing device such that a field of view of the camera assembly faces away from the display device, one or more components of the camera assembly being angled on the computing device based on an angle at which the kickstand is configured to support the computing device.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the camera assembly is physically adjustable via one or more of tilting, rotating, or panning, to support image capture in different orientations of the computing device.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the one or more components of the camera assembly are angled on the computing device such that when the kickstand supports the computing device on the surface, a field of view of the one or more components is substantially perpendicular to the surface.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the computing device includes:

functionality to ascertain an orientation of the computing device; and

functionality to perform one or more of;

adjusting the one or more components of the camera assembly based on the orientation of the computing device;

or

manipulating image data captured via the camera component based on the orientation of the computing device.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the functionality to ascertain an orientation of the computing device comprises functionality to determine an angle of the computing device with reference to gravity.