Camera Lens Obscuration Detection for Video Output Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video calls on portable devices with limited battery capacity and high network data usage consume more power and incur increased costs, and users may wish to terminate video output for privacy or conservation reasons without needing to navigate complex device settings.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that detect when a video camera lens is intentionally obscured, such as by a user's finger or object, to automatically terminate video output, reducing power consumption and network data usage, and allowing users to configure settings for when and how this termination occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If video output is continuously provided during video calls, then video quality and user experience are maintained, but battery consumption and network data usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects lens obscuration and terminates video output without requiring user intervention. The device serves itself by monitoring lens conditions and making autonomous decisions to stop video transmission, thereby reducing battery consumption and network usage while eliminating the need for users to navigate complex settings menus.
2Ease of operation
If manual controls are provided for terminating video output, then user control is maintained, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to complex settings menus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the video termination function from complex software settings menus and implements it through a simple physical gesture - obscuring the lens. This removes the need for users to navigate through multiple menu layers and settings, providing immediate control through an intuitive physical action while eliminating the complexity of digital configuration interfaces.
3Loss of energy
If video output is terminated quickly, then battery drain is reduced, but user control and configuration options may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically responds to lens obscuration events by immediately terminating video output, providing rapid energy conservation. The configuration options are maintained through persistent settings that remember user preferences, allowing the system to adapt to different situations while maintaining quick response capability when the lens is obscured.
Solution Approach 2:
Users can pre-configure their preferences for video termination behavior before needing to use the feature. The system stores these configuration settings and applies them automatically when lens obscuration is detected, combining quick automated response with user-defined adaptability for different scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are presented herein to terminate output of video captured by a video camera. Detection is made whether a camera lens of a video camera has been obscured by an intentional act of a person. Video output of the video camera is terminated in response to detecting that the camera lens has been obscured. These techniques allow a user to quickly and easily terminate output of video without the need for a dedicated switch or button, or some other special procedure.