Camera Feature Sharing Between Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with cameras are limited by their hardware and software capabilities, restricting the sharing and utilization of advanced camera features across different devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and system that enables wireless communication between electronic devices using a short-range communication module to share camera features, allowing bidirectional access to camera-related features such as image processing, flash control, and image capture, through a camera-feature-sharing mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If camera features are limited to individual device hardware and software capabilities, then device complexity is reduced, but camera functionality and versatility are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines camera features from multiple electronic devices into a unified camera system. The first electronic device's camera application can access and utilize camera features from the second electronic device through wireless communication, effectively merging their capabilities. This allows the system to offer enhanced camera functionality (zoom, focus, flash, image processing) without requiring each individual device to have all features built-in, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal camera feature sharing mechanism where camera features are not bound to specific devices but can be accessed by any authorized electronic device. The camera-related features module can provide services to multiple applications across different devices, making the camera system multi-functional and adaptable to various usage scenarios while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If camera features are shared across devices through wireless communication, then camera versatility is enhanced, but communication security requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature sharing capabilityVSAvoidcommunication security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a camera-related features module as an intermediary component that manages communication between devices. This module establishes wireless communication channels and controls the sharing of camera features, acting as a mediator that ensures secure data transmission. The intermediary handles authentication, data encoding/decoding, and coordinated control signals, thereby enhancing feature sharing capability while maintaining communication security through structured and controlled interaction protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electronic devices are integrated into a camera system, then image capture capability is enhanced, but coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage capture capabilityVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the camera system into distinct functional modules: the first electronic device handles image capture and primary processing, while the second electronic device provides supplementary camera features. The system divides responsibilities by separating camera feature management (handled by the camera-related features module) from application logic (handled by the camera application). This segmentation allows multiple devices to work together on image capture while reducing coordination complexity through clear functional boundaries and specialized roles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10003730B2Method and device for sharing a camera feature
Publication Date: 2018.06.19 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD
  • US10003730B2 patent drawing
  • US10003730B2 patent drawing
  • US10003730B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and electronic devices for sharing a camera feature are described. In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a method. The method is performed by a first electronic device which has a camera. The method includes: establishing wireless communications between the first electronic device and a second electronic device using a short range communication module of the first electronic device; and entering a camera-feature-sharing mode in which a camera-related feature of the second electronic device is accessible to the first electronic device using the short range communication module and in which a camera-related feature of the first electronic device is accessible to the second electronic device using the short range communication module.