Method for hiding the camera preview view during position determination of a mobile device

• US 9,288,293 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2013
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC (Acuity Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ryan, Daniel, Ganick, Aaron, Green, Kelby
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALLEN C
• Application Number:
  US14/019,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20140045549A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/207.99, 348/229.1, 345/427
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/531 by controlling rolling shutters in CMOS SSIS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for a method for hiding a camera preview feed of a mobile device application. The method may proceed by the mobile device application enabling an imaging sensor of the mobile device, where the software of the mobile device requires the mobile device application to display the camera preview feed when the imaging sensor is enabled. The method may continue by creating a camera preview surface for displaying the camera preview feed. The method may further continue by modifying the camera preview surface to be hidden from the mobile device user. The method may end by setting the camera preview feed to be displayed on the camera preview surface. In another aspect, the present disclosure further relates to modifying the camera preview surface by resizing the camera preview surface to be one pixel large.

Claims

1. A method for hiding, from a mobile device user, a camera preview feed of a mobile device application executing on a processor of a mobile device, wherein the camera preview feed comprises images captured by an imaging sensor of the mobile device, the method comprising:

enabling, by the processor executing the mobile device application, the imaging sensor of the mobile device, wherein the mobile device processor requires the mobile device application to display the camera preview feed on a display screen of the mobile device when the imaging sensor is enabled;

creating a camera preview surface for displaying the camera preview feed on the display screen of the mobile device;

modifying the camera preview surface to be hidden on the display screen of the mobile device from the mobile device user; and

setting the camera preview feed to be displayed on the modified camera preview surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the camera preview surface comprises resizing the camera preview surface to be one pixel large.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one pixel camera preview surface fulfills the processor camera preview surface requirement.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating the imaging sensor to capture an image including a modulated visible light signal transmitted from a visible light source;

while operating the imaging sensor, creating a preview feed required by operation of the camera;

demodulating the modulated visible light signal from the captured image to obtain data carried in the modulated visible light signal;

based on the obtained data, determining a position of the mobile device; and

presenting the modified camera preview surface on the mobile device display screen with a map of an indoor space related to the determined position of the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving via the imaging sensor modulated light signals from a light source in an indoor space;

in response to the received modulated light signals, determining by the processor a location of the mobile device within the indoor space;

displaying a map of the indoor space provided by a mobile device indoor navigation application on the display screen of the mobile device; and

overlaying a marker identifying the determined mobile device location on the displayed map that is uninterrupted by a display of the modified camera preview surface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

delivering content to the mobile device based on a determined location of the mobile device, wherein the delivered content is mobile media, images, text, videos or recorded audio about objects around the mobile device.

7. A mobile device, comprising:

a camera configured to obtain images;

a display screen;

a memory storing logic for providing an indoor navigation application and a camera application programming interface (API) associated with the camera, wherein the camera API requires a camera preview surface containing an image obtained by the camera to be presented on the display screen; and

a processor configured to execute the logic of the indoor navigation application and the camera API stored in the memory, wherein upon execution of the logic and the camera API, the processor performs functions, including functions of;

present on the display screen, based on execution of the indoor navigation application logic, a map of an indoor location in which the mobile device is located;

obtain image data with the enabled camera;

create a camera preview surface required by the camera API, for displaying the obtained image on the display screen, wherein the created camera preview surface is sized to be hidden from view of a mobile device user; and

present the obtained image in the created camera preview surface with the map of the indoor location.

8. The mobile device of claim 7, further comprising:

determining by the processor from images obtained by the camera a location of the mobile device within the indoor space; and

overlaying a marker identifying the determined mobile device location on the presented map that is uninterrupted by a display of the created camera preview surface.

9. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the created camera preview surface fulfills the camera API preview surface requirement.

10. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the camera includes a rolling shutter mechanism.

11. A mobile device, comprising:

a camera;

a display screen;

a processor coupled to the camera and the display screen;

a memory; and

logic in the memory to be run by the processor, wherein execution of the logic by the processor configures the mobile device to implement functions, including functions to;

operate the camera to capture an image including a modulated visible light signal transmitted from a visible light source;

while operating the camera, create a preview feed required by operation of the camera;

demodulate the modulated visible light signal from the captured image to obtain data carried in the modulated visible light signal;

based on the obtained data, determine a position of the mobile device;

present information related to the determined position of the mobile device on the display screen; and

hide a presentation of the preview feed on the display screen, during the presentation of the information related to the determined position of the mobile device on the display screen.

12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the presented information related to the determined position of the mobile device comprises:

a map of an indoor location in which the visible light source is located; and

a marker identifying the determined position of the mobile device on the display screen.