Orientation sensor and associated methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An orientation sensor for use with an image sensor and comprising:
- a plurality of polarizers with different orientations;
a photodetector associated with each polarizer; and
a signal processor for determining an orientation of the image sensor from output signals of the photodetectors when exposed to polarized light, including determining that the orientation is in at least one of a first state, a second state and an unknown state based on a difference between two output signals relative to a threshold.
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Abstract
An orientation sensor for use with an image sensor is provided, which includes at least two polarizers with different orientations and associated photodetectors and a signal processing unit. The orientation sensor can be incorporated in a digital camera. When the camera is exposed to daylight, which is polarized, the relative outputs from the differently oriented polarizers can be compared to record the orientation of the camera. This orientation can be stored with the image data so that a user does not have to manually change the orientation of an image on an image display device.
12 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An orientation sensor for use with an image sensor and comprising:
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a plurality of polarizers with different orientations; a photodetector associated with each polarizer; and a signal processor for determining an orientation of the image sensor from output signals of the photodetectors when exposed to polarized light, including determining that the orientation is in at least one of a first state, a second state and an unknown state based on a difference between two output signals relative to a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An image sensor comprising:
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an image sensing array; and at least one orientation sensor comprising a plurality of polarizers with different orientations, a photodetector associated with each polarizer, and a signal processor for determining an orientation of the image sensing array from output signals of the photodetectors when exposed to polarized light, including determining that the orientation is in at least one of a first state, a second state and an unknown state based on a difference between two output signals relative to a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electronic device comprising:
image sensor including an image sensing array and at least one orientation sensor, the orientation sensor comprising a plurality of polarizers with different orientations, a photodetector associated with each polarizer, and a signal processor for determining an orientation of the image sensing array from output signals of the photodetectors when exposed to polarized light, including determining that the orientation is in at least one of a first state, a second state and an unknown state based on a difference between two output signals relative to a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of determining the orientation of an image sensor, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of polarizers with different orientations; providing a photodetector associated with each polarizer; and processing output signals from the photodetectors when exposed to polarized light to determine the orientation of the image sensor, including determining that the orientation is in at least one of a first state, a second state and an unknown state based on a difference between two output signals relative to a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification