Patent Publication Number: US-11650662-B2

Title: Automated display viewing angle alignment

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to the field of portable information handling systems, and more particularly to an automated display viewing angle alignment. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     Portable information handling systems integrate processing components, a display and a power source in a portable housing to support mobile operations. Portable information handling systems allow end users to carry a system between meetings, during travel, and between home and office locations so that an end user has access to processing capabilities while mobile. Convertible configurations typically include multiple separate housing portions that rotationally couple to each other so that the system converts between closed and open positions. For example, a main housing portion integrates processing components and a keyboard and rotationally couples with hinges to a lid housing portion that integrates a display. In a clamshell position, the lid housing portion rotates approximately ninety degrees to a raised position above the main housing portion so that an end user can type inputs while viewing the display. After usage, convertible information handling systems rotate the lid housing portion back to a closed position over the main housing portion to protect the keyboard and display, thus reducing the system footprint for improved storage and mobility. 
     One recent innovation by DELL is to include a motorized hinge in a portable information handling system that automatically opens and closes the housing. Automated opening and closing of the housing provides an enhanced end user experience that prepares the system for end user interactions and completes the system when end user interactions are completed. For instance, an end user presses a push button that activates the motor to open at system power up. As the operating system boots, the lid housing portion automatically lifts to a raised position so that the display is positioned for viewing by an end user. Once the end user completes interactions and powers off the system, the lid housing portion automatically closes to place the system in a portable configuration. Although automated opening of the lid housing portion provides end user convenience, such as by allowing the end user to prepare work while the information handling system boots and opens, portable information handling systems may be used in a wide variety of environments, such as resting on a desk or an end user lap, so that an automated opening operation to a defined orientation may leave the display offset from the end user. Generally, displays present visual images to end users most clearly when the end user is viewing the display from a substantially perpendicular viewing angle. As the end user viewing angle varies from perpendicular, visual images presented at the display tend to appear less clear and with reduced contrast and color. Thus, even with an automated lid housing portion opening, an end user tends to still have to interact with the lid housing portion to adjust the display viewing angle based upon the end position relative to the display. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which automatically adjusts a portable information handling system hinge orientation based upon a sensed position of an end user of the system. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for adjusting a portable information handling system housing orientation relative to an end user position. One or more sensors sense an end user position while a motorized hinge opens a portable housing to rotate the housing to a position at which the display has a desired viewing position relative to the end user, such as with the display substantially perpendicular to the end user field of view. 
     More specifically, an information handling system processes information with processing components disposed in a portable housing and presents the information as visual images at a display integrated in the portable housing. The portable housing has first and second housing portions rotationally coupled to each other with a motorized hinge that rotates the housing portions relative to each other between closed and open positions. A hinge controller module interfaces with plural sensors to determine an end user position relative to the information handling system and manages the hinge rotational orientation based upon the end user&#39;s sensed position, such as to cease rotation from the closed to an open position when a display integrated in the housing has a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to a viewing angle of the end user. In one example embodiment, the hinge controller monitors end user position during interactions with the information handling system to adjust the display orientation relative to the end user field of view as the end user moves. Although a variety of position sensors may be used, eye gaze sensors in particular provide an accurate estimate of the end user field of view and allow adjustments to display orientation while an end user&#39;s attention is not focused on the display. 
     The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that an information handling system housing rotational orientation automatically adapts to an end user position to align a display with a desired viewing position relative to the end user. An end user is provided with an optimal viewing angle for a portable display by automated adjustment of a housing motorized hinge based upon a sensed end user eye gaze. As the end user position shifts relative to the display, automated adjustments are provided to the housing orientation so that the end user maintains an optimal viewing angle. These adjustments may be performed automatically with the motorized hinge and an eye gaze sensor so that movements are performed when the end user is not focused on the display. Other manual adjustments may be performed based upon gesture inputs made by the end user and sensed at the housing, such as with an ultrasound sensor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
         FIG.  1    depicts an exploded perspective view of an information handling system configured to automatically manage display viewing angle alignment with hinge rotational orientation adjusted by a motorized hinge; 
         FIG.  2    depicts a block diagram of a system that manages display viewing angle with hinge rotational orientation based upon sensed conditions associated with an end user; 
         FIG.  3    depicts an end user viewing an information handling system display automatically adjusted based upon field of view; 
         FIG.  4    depicts a flow diagram of a process for automated opening of an information handling system housing to a desired viewing angle; and 
         FIG.  5    depicts a flow diagram of a process for automated adjustment of an information handling system housing to a desired viewing angle responsive to end user movements. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A portable information handling system motorized hinge aligns a display to an end user field of view based on a sensed relative position of the display and end user. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , an exploded perspective view depicts an information handling system  10  configured to automatically manage display  18  viewing angle alignment with hinge rotational orientation adjusted by a motorized hinge  20 . Information handling system  10  is built in a portable housing  12  having a main housing portion  14  rotationally coupled to a lid housing portion  16  by a motorized hinge  20 . Main housing portion  14  rests on a support surface so that lid housing portion  16  rotates from a closed position to an open position having display  18  integrated in lid housing portion  16  held in a vertical orientation for viewing by an end user. Motorized hinge  20  has hinge elements  22  interfaced with a motor  24  that rotates main housing portion  14  and lid housing portion  16  relative to each other between closed an open positions. Main housing portion  14  contains processing components that cooperate to process information and present the information as visual images at display  18 . In the example embodiment, a motherboard  26  couples to main housing portion  14  and integrates wirelines that provide communication between processing components. For instance, a central processing unit (CPU)  28  couples to motherboard  26  and executes instructions that process information, such as instructions of an operating system and applications. A random access memory (RAM)  30  interfaces with CPU  28  to store the instructions and information. A graphics processor unit (GPU)  32  interfaces with CPU  28  to further process information and define visual images as pixel values presented at display  18 . A solid state drive (SSD)  34  provides persistent storage of instructions and information in non-transient memory, such as flash, for retrieval to RAM  30  from a power down state. An embedded controller  36  manages physical operations at motherboard  26 , such as application of power, thermal conditions and interactions with input/output devices. 
     Information handling system  10  has a cover housing portion  38  that couples over main housing portion  14  to cover the processing components and to support a keyboard  40  and touchpad  42 , which accept inputs from an end user for communication to embedded controller  36 . In the example embodiment, plural sensors couple to various parts of housing  12  to provide inputs to embedded controller  36  and/or CPU  28 . For instance, ultrasound sensor  44  integrates in a palm rest area of cover housing portion  38  to detect proximity and motion with ultrasonic sound wave detection, such as with Doppler effects. A time of flight sensor (TOF)  46  integrates in the palm rest area of cover housing portion  38  to detect proximity and user presences with infrared illumination time of flight detection. An eye gaze sensor  48  integrates in lid housing portion  16  to detect end user eye gaze, such as with the differential response of infrared reflection at an end user&#39;s eye cornea. A three dimensional camera  50 , also known as a depth camera, measures distances to an object based upon infrared reflection to determine a shape of an object, such as an end user head versus body. In various embodiments, the plural sensors may be disposed at different locations of housing  12  to provide detection along a desired field of view, such as with housing  12  closed, open or in a tent or tablet configuration. For instance, sensors disposed in main housing portion  14  will generally have a consistent field of view relative to an end user while the end user rotates lid housing portion  16  open; and sensors disposed in lid housing portion  16  will generally have a changing field of view as lid housing portion  16  rotates up and away from main housing portion  14  in the closed position towards the open position. 
     In the example embodiment, an orientation of lid housing portion  16  relative to main housing portion  14  is established by motorized hinge  20  based upon commands sent to motorized hinge  20  from embedded controller  36 . For instance, at power up of information handling system  10  in response to a power button press, embedded controller  36  commands rotation of lid housing portion  16  from a closed position in proximity to main housing portion  14  to an open position raised above main housing portion  14 . In the raised position, lid housing portion  16  holds display  18  in a vertical orientation that provides viewing of presented visual images to an end user. Instructions executing on embedded controller  36  determine a rotational orientation at which to cease rotation by motorized hinge  20  based upon sensed information of end user location. For example, embedded controller  36  commands stopping of rotation of motorized hinge  20  when eye gaze sensor  48  detects an end user eye gaze in a central location relative to display  18 . As another example, a three dimensional camera  50  detects shapes and positions, such as an end user head, so that motorized hinge  20  stops rotation when the end user head is in a central location. Similarly, time of flight sensor  46  and ultrasound sensor  44  detect end user position based upon a scan pattern so that an alignment of the end user head and/or eyes with the display may be estimated to cease hinge movement. In various embodiments, other types of sensors may be used, and multiple sensor detections may be applied to further enhance end user detection accuracy. Further, the sensors may be located in various locations of housing  12 . In one example embodiment, if an end user is not detected during motorized hinge  20  rotation, a default rotational orientation may be used, such as based upon historical rotational orientations in which an end user was detected and a desired rotational orientation selected based upon sensor detection. 
     Once motorized hinge  20  has stopped rotating with display  18  aligned for optimal viewing by a detected end user position, changes of the end user position may be detected so that housing rotational orientation is adjusted to maintain a desired end user display viewing orientation. For instance, if an eye gaze sensor detects that the end user eye gaze has left a central field of view, a command to the motorized hinge may be provided that rotates the motorized hinge to bring the display to a position having the eye gaze in the central location. In addition, gestures by an end user, such as predefined hand motions detected by ultrasound sensor  44 , may be used to adjust the housing orientation as commands to the motorized hinge from the embedded controller. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , a block diagram depicts a system that manages display viewing angle with hinge rotational orientation based upon sensed conditions associated with an end user. In the example embodiment, a hinge controller  54  is stored in non-transitory flash memory  52  of embedded controller  36  to execute as instructions that command movement of a motorize hinge. Embedded controller  36  interfaces with plural sensors that separately or in a coordinated fashion determine a position of an end user relative to a housing portion and integrated display having a rotational orientation determined by the motorized hinge. In the example embodiment, the plural sensors include an eye gaze sensor  48 , a three dimensional camera  50 , an ultrasound sensor  44  and a time of flight sensor  46 . Each sensor has a field of view  56  in which it captures sensed information, and scan regions  58  that define a location of the field of view in which a sensed item is located. When a sensor is integrated in a lid housing portion, a desired display orientation relative to an end user may be determined when an end user&#39;s eyes are located in a scan region associated with a substantially perpendicular or other display relationship. As the display rotates to the perpendicular relationship, hinge controller  54  can track the eye position moving through scan regions  58  to estimate when a desired display orientation is met. When a sensor is located in the main housing portion, a rotational orientation for the desired display alignment may be estimated from the scan region  58  in which the end user eyes are detected. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , an end user  60  is depicted viewing an information handling system  10  and the display  18  automatically adjusted based upon field of view. In the example embodiment, lid housing portion  16  integrates a camera, such as an eye gaze sensor or a three dimensional camera, with a camera field of view  56 . As a hinge angle  64  increases and raises camera field of view  56  upwards relative to end user  60 , a central field of view  62  aligns with eye level of end user  60  to indicate a normal or substantially perpendicular viewing orientation of end user  60  relative to display  18 . In various embodiments, the viewing angle at which rotational movement is stopped may be offset from a perpendicular angle, such as to optimize view for ambient light where an end user image perception may prove better with some offset. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , a flow diagram depicts a process for automated opening of an information handling system housing to a desired viewing angle. The process starts at step  66  and continues to step  68  to determine if a command was provided to open the housing, such as by a press at a button on the housing when in a closed position. If not the process returns to step  66  to continue monitoring for a button input. Once a command to open the housing is received, the process continues to step  70  to energize the motorized hinge linearly until a nominal speed of rotation is achieved. At step  72 , the hinge angle is monitored until a minimum hinge rotation angle threshold is achieved. For instance, the minimum angle threshold is a minimum rotation angle at which the display is viewable by an end user and/or a minimum rotation angle at which a sensor is capable of detecting an end user eye position. Upon reaching the minimum threshold, the process continues to step  74  to initiate scanning for an end user gaze in the upper field of view of the eye gaze sensor camera field of view. At step  76 , a determination is made of whether end user eyes are detected at a nominal distance to the display, such as from 12 to 36 inches. If end user eyes are not detected, the process continues to step  78  to determine if a nominal end user hinge angle or a maximum hinge angle has been reached. If not, the process returns to step  76  to continue monitoring for detection of end user eyes. If a nominal rotation angle or maximum angle is achieved at step  78 , the process continues to step  84  as described below. 
     Once end user eye gaze is detected at step  76 , the process continues to step  80  to track the eye position as the housing rotates. At step  82  a determination is made of whether the eye position is substantially perpendicular or normal to the display for a preferred viewing orientation. If not, the process continues to step  88  to determine if a maximum viewing angle is reached. If the maximum viewing angle is not reached, the process returns to step  82  to continue monitoring the eye position. If the maximum angle is reached at step  88  or the preferred viewing orientation is reached at step  82 , the process continues to step  84  at which the motorized hinge motor speed is decreased linearly until housing rotation is stopped. Once housing rotation has stopped, the process ends at step  86  by logging the hinge position and updating the nominal user hinge angle as a reference to use when the hinge rotation occurs without detecting an end user or eye position. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , a flow diagram depicts a process for automated adjustment of an information handling system housing to a desired viewing angle responsive to end user movements. The process starts at step  90  with the information handling system presenting visual images to an end user that are generated by an application, such as a word processor, a movie play, a web browser, etc. . . . . At step  92 , a determination is made of whether the application presenting visual images is associated with display viewing angle adjustments. If not, the process returns to step  90  to continue monitoring the application that is presenting visual images. If the application allows display viewing angle adjustments at step  92 , the process continues to step  94  to determine if the end user eye gaze position is detected outside of the preferred field of view. If not, the process returns to step  90  to continue monitoring end user eye gaze position. If the end user eye gaze is outside of the preferred field of view, the process continues to step  96  to determine the angle offset adjustment needed to re-center the end user field of view on the display, such as by comparing an end user gaze position and display orientation. At step  98 , the motorized hinge is activated linearly to a translation speed proportional to the angle offset, such as with proportional control based on rotation distance and current speed. Alternatively, proportional control may be used with a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control system. In one embodiment, end user movement may be continuously adjusted for so that the display orientation adjusts in real time. The optimal angle for display orientation can be learned and customized by the user based upon user offsets measured over time. In one example embodiment, eye gaze position may be used so that the end user is not focused on the display when display orientation changes are performed, thereby hiding actual hinge movement from the end&#39;s attention. 
     Once the motorized hinge starts housing rotation, the process continues to step  100  where eye gaze position is tracked as the display rotates due to housing rotation. At step  102 , a determination is made of whether the end user eye position relative to the display has achieved a desired orientation, such as a substantially normal viewing angle based upon three-dimensional imaging or an eye gaze position in a central position of the camera field of view. If a substantially normal viewing angle is not established, the process continues to step  108  to determine if a maximum rotational orientation angle has been reached. If so, the process returns to step  90  with rotation stopped at the maximum angle. If not, the process continues to step  96  to determine that needed angle offset to reach the substantially normal viewing angle. If at step  102  the end user&#39;s eye position has achieved the substantially normal orientation, the process continues to step  104  to decrease the motor speed linear until housing rotation has stopped. At step  106  the hinge angle is logged and the nominal user hinge angle is updated for use during subsequent housing rotational orientation adjustments, such as where rotational orientation is changed without detection of an end user in the field of view. 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.