Enhanced field of view to augment three-dimensional (3D) sensory space for free-space gesture interpretation

A method for enhancing a field of view of at least one camera mounted relative to a display of an electronic device, the display having a vertical axis, the method comprising:

• capturing video images by a camera with an optical axis facing within 20 degrees of tangential to the vertical axis of the display;
• using at least one prismatic optical element, redirecting the optical axis of the camera, thereby giving the camera a field of view that covers at least 45 to 80 degrees from tangential to the vertical axis of the display;
• and
• compensating by a camera controller coupled to the camera, for redirection by the at least one prismatic optical element.

A method for enhancing a field of view of at least one camera of a portable electronic device with a display screen, the display screen having a vertical axis, the method comprising:

• capturing video images by one camera with an optical axis facing within 20 degrees of tangential to the vertical axis of the display screen;
• using an optical element, redirecting the optical axis of the camera, thereby giving the camera a field of view that covers at least 45 to 80 degrees from tangential to the vertical axis of the display screen;
• and
• compensating by a camera controller coupled to the camera, for redirection by the optical element.