Method and apparatus for managing orientation in devices with multiple imaging sensors
AssigneeQUALCOMM Incorporated
InventorDavid William Burns
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein are methods and devices that capture a stereoscopic image with a device that has a first pair of imaging sensors and a second pair of imaging sensors. When a stereoscopic image is to be taken, the orientation of the device is detected and the appropriate pair of imaging sensors is selected based on the detected device orientation. A stereoscopic image pair may then be captured with the selected pair of imaging sensors.
Claims31
A stereoscopic imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a first pair of imaging sensors aligned along a first axis with respect to the apparatus;
- a second pair of imaging sensors aligned along a second axis with respect to the apparatus, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
- and
- a control module configured to capture stereoscopic images from the first pair of imaging sensors when the apparatus is in a first orientation and the second pair of imaging sensors when the apparatus is in a second orientation.
A method for capturing a stereoscopic image from a device having a first pair of imaging sensors and a second pair of imaging sensors, comprising:
- detecting a device orientation;
- selecting the first pair or the second pair of imaging sensors based on the device orientation;
- capturing a stereoscopic image pair with the selected pair of imaging sensors;
- and
- sending the stereoscopic image pair to a data store.
A stereoscopic imaging apparatus, comprising:
- means for detecting a device orientation;
- means for selecting a first pair of imaging sensors or a second pair of imaging sensors based on the device orientation;
- means for capturing a stereoscopic image pair with the selected pair of imaging sensors;
- and
- means for sending the stereoscopic image pair to a data store.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method of:
- detecting a device orientation;
- selecting a first pair of imaging sensors or a second pair of imaging sensors based on the device orientation;
- capturing a stereoscopic image pair with the selected pair of imaging sensors;
- and
- sending the stereoscopic image pair to a data store.
A method for correcting level distortion in a digital image captured by a digital imaging device having a body and an imaging sensor, comprising:
- measuring a tilt angle between the imaging sensor and a horizontal surface;
- adjusting the tilt angle by changing electronically or mechanically the position of the imaging sensor within the body of the digital imaging device;
- capturing an image with the imaging sensor;
- and
- sending the image to a data store.
A digital imaging device, comprising:
- an imaging sensor;
- an orientation sensor;
- a processor, the processor operatively coupled to the imaging sensor and the orientation sensor;
- an orientation module, the orientation module configured to read data from the orientation sensor and to determine a tilt angle between the imaging sensor and a horizontal surface;
- an orientation control module configured to adjust the tilt angle by changing electronically or mechanically a position of the imaging sensor within the digital imaging device.
A digital imaging device including a body and an imaging sensor, comprising:
- means for measuring a tilt angle between the imaging sensor and a horizontal surface;
- means for adjusting the tilt angle by changing electronically or mechanically the position of the imaging sensor within the body of the digital imaging device;
- means for capturing an image with the imaging sensor;
- and
- means for sending the image to a data store.
A non-transitory computer readable medium, storing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform the method of:
- measuring a tilt angle between an imaging sensor and a horizontal surface;
- adjusting the tilt angle by changing electronically or mechanically the position of an imaging sensor within a body of a digital imaging device;
- capturing an image with the imaging sensor;
- and
- sending the image to a data store.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.