Camera with acceleration sensor

• US 7,720,376 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2009
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Weinberg, Harvey, Lemaire, Christophe, Samuels, Howard, Judy, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey; W. B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phan; Minh Q
• Application Number:
  US12/389,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20090154910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 396/50, 396/52, 396/53, 396/55, 396/301, 396/302, 396/303, 348/208.99, 348/208.4, 348/208.12, 348/208.16
• US Class Current: 396/301
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/20 visible in viewfinder
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/684 performed by controlling the image sensor readout, e.g. by controlling the integration time

Abstract

A method and system for determining camera positioning information from an accelerometer mounted on a camera. The accelerometer measures the orientation of the camera with respect to gravity. Orientation measurement allows user interface information to be displayed in a “right side up” orientation on a viewfinder for any camera orientation. Alternatively, an artificial horizon indicator may be displayed in the viewfinder. The accelerometer may also measure camera movement. Camera movement information together with camera orientation can be used to determine camera usage. Additionally, camera movement information can be used to determine a minimum shutter speed for a sharp picture.

Claims

1. A method for determining a state of utilization for a camera comprising:

a. providing the camera, the camera including an accelerometer for determining an orientation of the camera with respect to the direction of gravity and a peak-to-peak acceleration magnitude over a given time duration;

b. determining when the axis of the camera lens is substantially aligned with the direction of gravity using the accelerometer;

c. determining a peak-to-peak acceleration magnitude over the given time duration using the accelerometer; and

d. identifying the state of utilization of the camera based at least in part on the determination of when the axis of the camera lens is substantially aligned with the direction of gravity and the determination of the peak-to-peak acceleration magnitude over the given time duration.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the accelerometer is a MEMS.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein identifying the state of utilization for the camera includes determining whether the peak-to-peak acceleration magnitude exceeds 15 mg.

4. A method according to claim 1 further including:

e. placing the camera in a lower power state based on the identified state of utilization.

5. A system for determining a state of utilization for a camera comprising:

an accelerometer mounted on the camera for determining an orientation of the camera with respect to the direction of gravity and a peak-to-peak acceleration magnitude over a given time duration; and

a processor in the camera including a memory, the memory containing instructions that cause the processor to;

determine when the axis of the camera lens is substantially aligned with the direction of gravity using the accelerometer;

determine a peak-to-peak acceleration magnitude over the given time duration using the accelerometer; and

identify the state of utilization of the camera based at least in part on the determination of when the axis of the camera lens is substantially aligned with the direction of gravity and the determination of the peak-to-peak acceleration magnitude over the given time duration.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein identifying the state of utilization of the camera includes determining whether the peak-to-peak acceleration magnitude exceeds 15 mg.

7. A system according to claim 5 further including instructions that cause the processor to place the camera in a lower power state based on the identified state of utilization.

8. A system according to claim 5 wherein the accelerometer is a MEMS.