Patent Publication Number: US-2018039301-A1

Title: Video Recording System Based on Device Orientation

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/372,042 filed on Aug. 8, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to a video recording system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a video recording system that allows for specific functionalities to be provided based on the orientation of the mobile device. 
     The vast majority of smart phones are equipped with video capture technology, providing users with the ability to record videos. Video capabilities are used to capture life events ranging from the routine children&#39;s ballet class to significant life events such as graduations and weddings. Camera technology in smart phones has advanced to such a degree that it has virtually replaced standalone cameras in all but the most professional of settings. 
     To advance from a locked device to recording videos on a smart phone or similar mobile device, a user typically must engage with a series of on-screen user interface elements. For example, the user must first unlock the device with a passcode or fingerprint. The user must then identify and select the video recording application. The user must then choose the right camera mode and initiate the recording, etc. All of these steps can delay recording readiness, which can be the difference between catching the right moment or missing it entirely. Although some hardware manufacturers have built dedicated “shutter-release” buttons into their handsets (or allow users to assign that functionality to the volume rockers), those buttons tend to work like “quick launchers” for the supported video capture application. These “quick launch” applications still require at least another extra step of pressing a record button to start recording. It would be beneficial for users to have easier and quicker access to recording functionality. 
     Another problem with the prior systems and methods, is there typically is not an easily implemented control for enforcing a “landscape-only” recording aspect ratio, which provides superior video formatting for later viewing on other devices. It is believed that simply requiring video recording to take place in a landscape aspect ratio would improve user experience and the quality of the recorded end product. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a video recording system which allows recording to be activated and deactivated in a more efficient manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the video recording system, the system dedicates modes of functionality to distinct mobile device orientations measured by the device&#39;s onboard accelerometer, so that all modes are instantly available based upon the device&#39;s orientation. Specifically, the system includes a user&#39;s mobile device with an accelerometer and a video-capture sensor. The user&#39;s mobile device also includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory that is programmed with instructions that, when executed, control the transition between the modes of functionality triggered by gyroscopic data from the accelerometer. The software monitors accelerometer data to respond to defined orientations of the device, including landscape-left, portrait, and landscape-right, to initiate the three distinct video-related modes of functionality, including capture, editing, and playback modes, respectively. 
     In one embodiment, positioning the mobile device with the display screen in the portrait (home) position triggers the processor to provide a user interface that includes functionality that enables the user to edit a video in edit mode. Rotation of the mobile device counterclockwise into the “landscape-left” position initiates a “capture-ready” mode, triggering the processor to provide a user interface that includes functionality that enables the user to record a video. Additionally, rotation of the device clockwise from the home position into the “landscape-right” position initiates a full-screen playback mode of the current video project selected on the home screen, triggering the processor to provide a user interface with functionality to play back the current video. The above example assumes a right-handed user; however, the clockwise and counterclockwise orientation states are reversible and interchangeable as needed or desired to account for factors like the handedness of a user. 
     A goal of the present invention is to create an easy and fast interface for the capture, editing, and playback of video content. 
     An advantage of the present invention is instant access to video capture, editing, and playback modes regardless of current activity on the system&#39;s software. This means a user can quickly switch from editing or viewing a first video to recording a second video with the turn of a wrist, eliminating the need to select an option or press a button to switch modes. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that, given that a landscape orientation activates recording, the capture of video is restricted to a landscape-only orientation. By restricting capture mode to a landscape orientation, the resulting video files are uniformly in a landscape orientation, the preferred video orientation for the vast majority of users. This uniformity also makes editing videos together easier since they are all formatted the same with the same orientation. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an example embodiment of the elements of a video recording system. 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate front elevational views of the mobile device in the portrait position, the landscape-left position, and the landscape-right position, respectively. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method of transitioning modes of functionality of the video recording system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  are front elevational views of edit mode user interfaces of the video recording system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are front elevational views of capture mode user interfaces of the video recording system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a playback mode user interface of the video recording system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a video recording system  100  based on device orientation. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the video recording system  100  includes a mobile device  102  having an accelerometer  104  and a video-capture sensor  106 . A controller  108  on the mobile device  102  is in communication with a memory  110  that is programmed with instructions to, when executed, receive an output from the accelerometer  104  and provide a user interface associated with the output. The controller  108  is also in communication with the accelerometer  104  and the video-capture sensor  106 . The memory  110  includes one or more video files stored on the mobile device  102 . In one embodiment, the video-capture sensor is in communication with a camera that captures the image being recorded. The video-capture sensor then converts the recording to a digital format. 
     The mobile device  102  includes a display  112  having a height H defined by a first line L 1  spanning from a top  114  of the display to a bottom  116  of the display  112  that is greater than a width W defined by a second line L 2  spanning from a left side  118  of the display to a right side  120  of the display in a portrait or neutral position. In one embodiment, the gyroscopic data is associated with one of the three orientations of the mobile device: the portrait position  122  shown in  FIG. 2A , the landscape-left position  124  shown in  FIG. 2B , and the landscape-right position  126  shown in  FIG. 2C . Specifically, the landscape-left position  124  is defined when the display  112  is rotated counter-clockwise  90  degrees from the portrait position  122 , and the landscape-right positon  126  is defined when the display  112  is rotated clockwise  90  degrees from the portrait position  122 . 
     Each orientation  120 - 124  is associated with one of three functionalities of user interfaces: an edit mode user interface  126  shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D , a capture-ready mode user interface  128  shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , and a playback mode user interface  130  shown in  FIG. 6 . The controller  108  is in communication with the display  112  so that the controller  108  may execute one of the three functionalities of user interfaces in response to receipt of an output from the accelerometer  104 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a method  200  of transitioning modes of functionality triggered by output from the accelerometer  104  is provided. The first step  202  of the method  200  is receiving an output from the accelerometer  104  on the mobile device  102  to recognize the orientation of the display  112 . In the illustrated example, the output is gyroscopic data that indicates in which position the mobile device  102  is oriented. For example, the gyroscopic data may indicate whether the mobile device  102  is held in the portrait position  122 , the landscape-left position  124 , or the landscape-right position  126 . 
     In response to the display being recognized as being in landscape-left position  124  in step  204 , the controller executes a capture-ready mode in which the controller receives video from the video-capture sensor to be stored as one of the one or more video files in step  206 . In this step, the output from the accelerometer may include gyroscopic data indicating that the mobile device is held in the landscape-left position  124 , prompting the controller to provide the edit mode user interface on the display screen of the mobile device. 
     In response to the display being recognized as being in landscape-right position  126  in step  208 , the controller executes a playback mode in which the controller causes one of the one or more video files to play on the display in step  210 . In this step, the output from the accelerometer may include gyroscopic data indicating that the mobile device is held in the landscape-right position  126 , prompting the controller to provide the playback mode user interface on the display screen of the mobile device. 
     In response to the display being recognized as being in portrait position  122  in step  212 , the controller executes an edit mode in which the controller responds to input received through the one or more input mechanisms to edit one of the one or more video files in step  214 . In this step, the output from the accelerometer may include gyroscopic data indicating that the mobile device is held in the portrait position  122 , prompting the controller to provide the edit mode user interface on the display screen of the mobile device. 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrate edit mode user interfaces  300   a - 300   d  of the mobile device application when the mobile device  102  is held in the portrait position  122 . In the first edit mode user interface  300   a  shown in  FIG. 4A , a recording library  302  including one or more video recordings  304  to be edited is provided. The recording library  302  may be accessed at any time upon selection of the projects button  306  at the bottom of the display  112 . To edit a video recording  304 , the user selects a video recording  304  from the recording library  302 , which leads to further edit mode user interfaces that provide user selections for specific aspects of the video editing. Each edit mode user interface  300   a - 300   d  includes three touchscreen buttons along the bottom of the display  112  which allow access to a theater mode button  308 , the projects button  306 , and a settings button  310 . 
     After a video recording  304  has been selected for editing, the video recording  304  may be edited in various ways by selecting user input mechanisms as shown in a second edit mode user interface  300   b  shown in  FIG. 4B . The user may modify music for the video by selecting a music options button  312 , may import data by selecting an import button  314 , or may export the video by selecting an export button  316 . The user may also select the project details button  318 , which leads to a third edit mode user interface shown in  FIG. 4C . 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates the editing of the details  320  of a video recording  304  in a third edit mode user interface  300   c.  When a user opts to edit the details  320  of a video recording  304 , a menu  322  is displayed, allowing the user to adjust video recording details  320  such as resolution, the recording name, tags for the recording, recording length (e.g., play time of the edited video), and audio settings. 
       FIG. 4D  is a fourth edit mode user interface  300   d  of the mobile device application including a settings menu  324  provided upon the selection of the settings button  310 . The settings menu  324  allows the user to modify video recording settings, playback settings, water mark settings, etc. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate capture mode user interfaces  400   a,    400   b  when the mobile device  102  is held in the left-landscape orientation  122 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the mobile device  102  will display the initial capture-ready mode user interface  400   a  featuring a video recording screen  402  as shown in  FIG. 5A . The video recording screen  402  presents the image captured by the video capture sensor and allows the user to record the video. Recording may be initiated by selecting or tapping the record button  404 . Via the application settings shown in  FIG. 5B , the user can toggle the recording mode to initiate recording by holding the record button  404  or by simply rotating the mobile device into the landscape-left position  124 . Recording may be stopped in a similar fashion, such as tapping the button  404  again, releasing the button  404  if being held, or changing the orientation of the device  102  from the landscape-left position  124 . The capture-ready mode user interface  400   a  also includes buttons  406  to change settings of the recording and a settings button  408 , the selection of which leads to the second capture-ready mode user interface  400   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , the second capture-ready mode user interface  400   b  provides the recording settings menu  410  prompted by selecting the settings button  408 . The user may modify certain aspects of the recording via the recording settings menu  410 , such as the type of frame lines, the camera options, and the recording mode, among other possible settings. The user can also turn the flash on and off when recording and alter the aspect ratio with which they are recording. Other optional settings may be added as desired. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a playback mode user interface  500  when the mobile device  102  is held in the landscape-right position  126 . The mobile device  102  will display the most recent video recording  304  from the library  302  on a playback screen  502  of the playback mode user interface  500 . The user may also select another recording  304  from the video recording library  302  shown in  FIG. 3A  and then rotate the mobile device  102  to the landscape-right position  126  in order to play the video. The playback screen  502  may feature a touch responsive play bar  504 , a video restart button  506 , and a play button  508 . 
     It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.