Automatic image orientation based on use

#This disclosure relates to a camera configured to automatically orient an image based upon use.

#Video cameras provide a video image based upon the orientation of the camera. In some embodiments, the physical dimension of the camera provides the user with a visual indicator to ensure the video image is oriented in a desired orientation. For instance, it is easy to capture a video image from a cuboidal shaped video camera in a predetermined orientation as it is easily recognizable when the camera is upright. However, in certain applications, such as an endoscope, it is difficult to determine when the endo scope is upright as the endo scope is generally cylindrical. Further, the orientation of the video image may rotate when the endo scope is handed from one person or another, such as from the nurse to the surgeon.

#An example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A-2B. FIG. 1A depicts a surgical procedure with a nurse 100 and a doctor 200 standing over a patient 300. FIG. 1A shows the nurse 100 holding the endoscope 22. The nurse 100 turns on the endoscope 22 and currently levels the endoscope 22. As used herein, the term level means rotating the video image 400 on the display to a desired orientation. The nurse 100 may rotate the grip of the endo scope 22 to orient the imager in an upright orientation so that outside of the surgical site, the video image is aligned with the orientation of the physical space. That is, the doors and walls of the video image 400 are upright as is seen by the nurse 100 and the surgeon 200, as shown in FIG. 1B. Alternatively, an actuator, such as a button, may be pressed to rotate the video image 400.

#FIG. 1A is a depiction showing a nurse holding an endoscope in a surgery room;

#FIG. 1B is a depiction of an image of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1A;

#FIG. 2A is a depiction showing a surgeon holding the endoscope;

#Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

#A video camera configured to automatically orient a video image based upon a determined use of the video camera is provided. A display control unit processes contextual information such as focal distance, image data and endoscopic orientation to determine a use. The use is processed by the computer processing unit so to maintain the video image in a predetermined orientation. Accordingly, the video camera automatically orients the video image based upon the determined use.

#With reference now to FIG. 3, an illustrative depiction of a video imaging system 10 is provided. The video imaging system 10 includes a camera head unit 12, a light source 14 and a display control unit 16. The camera head unit 12 includes a camera head 18 and a camera control unit 20. The camera head unit 12 is configured to obtain image data and process the image data into a video signal, as explained in greater detail below. The camera head 18 is coupled to an endoscope 22 by optics including a plurality of lenses 24. The camera head 18 includes an image sensor 26. For illustrative purposes, a description of the video imaging system 10 is provided within the context of an endoscope 22. However, it should be appreciated that other scopes may be used, illustratively including an exoscope, borescopes and the like. The image sensor 26 may be disposed within the endoscope 22, for example, adjacent to or in place of the lens 24 as in a video endoscope. Similarly, while a video imaging system 10 is generally shown and described herein, it should be appreciated that other imaging systems (e.g., still imaging systems having still cameras capturing still images) may be used.