Camera based orientation for mobile devices

US7946921B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Eyal Ofek · Redmond, US
• Feng-Hsiung Hsu · Beijing, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: May 23, 2005
• Grant date: May 24, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A63F2300/6081
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, an on-board camera is used as a controller for a hand-held game device. Control information is provided to a game application via video captured by the camera. As the hand-held device is moved, features of the captured video are tracked. The relative motion between the tracked features and the hand-held device is translated into control information for the game application. Aspects of the game application are rendered on a display of the hand-held game device in accordance with the control information. For example, from a third person perspective, viewing a game character from overhead, rotation of the hand-held game device can be translated into rotation of the character. From a first person perspective, seeing the game through the eyes of the game character, rotation of the hand-held game device can be translated into observing various challenges coming from different directions.