Camera based sensor for motion detection

A method of enabling gesture input for a computing device, comprising:

• capturing image information at a first frame rate using a gesture sensor of the computing device, the gesture sensor having a first form factor at most similar to a second form factor of an image capture element of the computing device but having a lower resolution, wherein the gesture sensor includes a plurality of pairs of pixels, each pair of pixels including a first pixel to be exposed to incident light and a second pixel to be shielded from the incident light and for storing charge received from the first pixel exposed to the incident light, wherein the gesture sensor is capable of capturing image information at a second frame rate, the second frame rate being greater than the first frame rate;
• analyzing, using a processor of the gesture sensor, the image information to detect a gesture performed within a capture range of the gesture sensor by determining that a difference between (a) a first ratio of (i) a first group of pixels, of a first image of the image information, located substantially in a first region of the gesture sensor, and (ii) a second group of pixels, of the first image, located substantially in a second region of the gesture sensor, and (b) a second ratio of (i) a third group of pixels, of a second image of the image information, located substantially in the first region, and (ii) a fourth group of pixels, of the second image, located substantially in the second region, exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the first region and the second region are opposing edges of the gesture sensor;
• and
• causing a signal to be sent to a processor of the computing device, separate from the gesture sensor, as input to the computing device.

A method of enabling gesture input for a computing device, comprising:

• capturing first image information at a first resolution and a first frame rate using a subset of a set of pixels of a gesture sensor, wherein the set of pixels includes a plurality of pairs of pixels, each pair of pixels including a first pixel to be exposed to incident light and a second pixel to be shielded from the incident light and for storing charge received from the first pixel in response to the incident light;
• analyzing, using a processor of the gesture sensor, the first image information to detect motion near the computing device by determining that a difference between (a) a first ratio of (i) a first group of pixels, of a first image of the first image information, located substantially in a first region of the gesture sensor, and (ii) a second group of pixels, of the first image, located substantially in a second region of the gesture sensor, and (b) a second ratio of (i) a third group of pixels, of a second image of the first image information, located substantially in the first region, and (ii) a fourth group of pixels, of the second image, located substantially in the second region, exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the first region and the second region are proximate opposing edges of the gesture sensor;
• activating a gesture input mode to capture second image information at a second resolution and a second frame rate using the gesture sensor, wherein the second resolution is greater than the first resolution, and the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate;
• detecting one or more gestures in the second image information;
• and
• sending a signal from the processor of the gesture sensor to a separate processor of the computing device,
• wherein information for a detected gesture can be compared against a set of known gestures to provide input to the computing device.

A computing device, comprising:

• at least one device processor;
• at least one image capture element;
• at least one gesture sensor, the gesture sensor having a lower resolution than the at least one image capture element;
• and
• a memory device including instructions operable to be executed by the processor to perform a set of actions, enabling the computing device to:
• capture first image information at a first resolution and a first frame rate using a subset of a set of pixels of the gesture sensor, wherein the set of pixels includes a plurality of pairs of pixels, each pair of pixels including a first pixel to be exposed to incident light and a second pixel to be shielded from the incident light and for storing charge received from the first pixel exposed to the incident light;
• analyze, using a processor of the gesture sensor, the first image information to detect motion near the computing device by determining that a difference between (a) a first ratio of (i) a first group of pixels, of a first image of the first image information, located substantially in a first region of the gesture sensor, and (ii) a second group of pixels, of the first image, located substantially in a second region of the gesture sensor, and (b) a second ratio of (i) a third group of pixels, of a second image of the first image information, located substantially in the first region, and (ii) a fourth group of pixels, of the second image, located substantially in the second region, exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the first region and the second region are opposing edges of the gesture sensor;
• capture second image information at a second resolution and a second frame rate using the gesture sensor, wherein the second resolution is greater than the first resolution, and the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate;
• detect one or more gestures in the second image information;
• and
• send a signal from the processor of the gesture sensor to the at least one device processor, the processor of the gesture sensor being separate from the at least one device processor,
• wherein information for a detected gesture can be compared against a set of known gestures to provide input to the computing device.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for controlling an electronic device, the instructions when executed by at least one device processor of the electronic device causing the at least one device processor to:

• capture first image information at a first resolution and a first frame rate using a subset of a set of pixels of a gesture sensor, wherein the set of pixels includes a plurality of pairs of pixels, each pair of pixels including a first pixel to be exposed to incident light and a second pixel to be shielded from the incident light and for storing charge received from the first pixel in response to the incident light;
• analyze, using a processor of the gesture sensor, the first image information to to detect motion near the electronic computing device by determining that a difference between (a) a first ratio of (i) a first group of pixels, of a first image of the first image information, located substantially in a first region of the gesture sensor, and (ii) a second group of pixels, of the first image, located substantially in a second region of the gesture sensor, and (b) a third group of pixels, of a second image of the first image information, located substantially in the first region, and (ii) a fourth group of pixels, of the second image, located substantially in the second region, exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the first region and the second region are opposing edges of the gesture sensor;
• capture second image information at a second resolution and a second frame rate using the gesture sensor, wherein the second resolution is greater than the first resolution, and the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate;
• detect one or more gestures in the second image information;
• and
• send a signal from the processor of the gesture sensor to the at least one device processor, the processor of the gesture sensor being separate from the at least one device processor,
• wherein information for a detected gesture can be compared against a set of known gestures to provide input to the electronic computing device.