Camera Selection via Light Blockage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern smartphones with multiple cameras face challenges in efficiently selecting the appropriate camera for self-photos, especially when display area for user interface controls is limited.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves selecting an image capturing device based on light blockage of the camera lens, where a user blocks light to a camera lens for a duration exceeding a predetermined time, allowing the system to automatically select that camera as the active image capturing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are provided on a smartphone to offer diverse photographic options, then the versatility and photographic quality are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of camera selection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service camera selection by detecting light blockage events (such as a user covering a lens with their finger) to automatically activate the corresponding camera without requiring manual interface interaction. This eliminates the need for complex selection menus and reduces operational complexity while maintaining access to multiple camera options.
2Ease of operation
If a user interface for camera selection is provided on the display, then the ease of operation is improved, but the display area available for other functions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the camera selection function from the display interface and relocates it to the physical camera lenses themselves. By using light blockage detection at the lens level, the system eliminates the need for on-display selection controls, thereby preserving full display area for other purposes while maintaining ease of camera selection through intuitive physical interaction.
3Length of moving object
If the smartphone has a slim profile to improve portability, then the compactness is improved, but the space for accommodating multiple cameras is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements nesting by placing multiple cameras in a stacked arrangement on the rear surface of the device, with each camera positioned above or below the others. This vertical stacking allows multiple camera modules to be accommodated within the slim profile of the smartphone, maintaining compactness while providing diverse photographic capabilities through multiple lenses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for quick and convenient camera selection without using display area, enhancing user experience by providing improved photographic quality and creative options while conserving display space.
Implementation Method 1
monitors light levels at each of the plurality of cameras and in response to detecting that light is blocked to a camera of the plurality of cameras, set the camera at which the light is blocked as an active camera
Data Source
AI summary
A method provides techniques for selecting a camera based on light blockage of the camera lens. The method includes monitoring, by at least one processor of an electronic device an amount of light impinging on each of a first lens of a first image capturing device and a second lens of a second image capturing device. The method includes, in response to detecting the blockage of light entering a lens of one of the at least two image capturing devices, and the blockage occurring for a duration exceeding a preset time, setting, as an active image capturing device among the at least two image capturing devices, a selected one of the at least two image capturing devices having a corresponding lens at which the blockage is detected.