Apparatus and method for orientation-dependent camera exposure and focus setting optimization

摘要

An orientation sensor generates a left orientation signal and a right orientation signal to indicate whether a camera is in an upright orientation, a left orientation, a right orientation, or an inverted orientation. A setting unit retrieves the left and right orientation signals and light intensity signals corresponding to image measurement zones. Based upon the values of the left and right orientation signals, the setting unit uses different weighted combinations of the light intensity signals to determine optimum exposure and focus settings. The orientation sensor includes a first tube and a second tube that each contain an indicating object. The indicating object within each tube selectively provides two orientation signals based upon the camera's orientation relative to an image, thereby changing an orientation signal from a binary "0" signal to a binary "1" signal.