Smartphone Camera Shielding Detection via Edge Region Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

When using a smartphone camera to take pictures, the user's hand may inadvertently shield the lens, affecting the photographic effect without being aware of it, as existing methods lack effective detection and prevention mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that acquire image characteristics of the edge region in a captured image, such as color and area, to determine if the hand is shielding the camera, using predetermined conditions like color values, area ranges, optical parameters, and movement trajectories to issue prompt messages to adjust the user's posture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user takes pictures with the smartphone camera, then the camera function is used, but the user's hand may shield the lens and affect the photographic effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera operationVSAvoidphotographic effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors image characteristics (brightness, color, area) of the captured image and provides real-time feedback to the user through prompt messages when hand shielding is detected, enabling the user to adjust their posture to improve the photographic effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that analyzes image characteristics (brightness distribution, color values, area ratios) to indirectly detect hand shielding, serving as a mediator between the camera and the user to prevent shielding issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If existing methods determine finger area based on low brightness area or hue information, then finger detection is attempted, but the detection accuracy is insufficient and cannot reliably prevent shielding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinger area detectionVSAvoidshielding prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameters from simple brightness or hue analysis to a multi-parameter approach including brightness distribution patterns, color value ranges, area ratios, and positional relationships, significantly improving detection precision and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The detection method combines multiple detection criteria (brightness characteristics, color information, area proportions, positional relationships) into a composite detection system, where each parameter contributes to the overall accuracy of hand shielding detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3179711B1Method and apparatus for preventing photograph from being shielded
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3179711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3179711B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8
  • EP3179711B1 patent drawingFigure 9~10

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for preventing a photograph from being shielded. The method includes: acquiring an image characteristic of an edge region in a picture captured by a camera, in which the image characteristic at least includes image color and an area of a continuous image with the same image color; judging whether the image characteristic of the edge region satisfies a predetermined image characteristic condition; and determining that the picture captured by the camera contains a shielding object and issuing a prompt message, if the image characteristic of the edge region satisfies the predetermined image characteristic condition. With the method, it may be determined that the picture is shielded, and then the user is reminded to adjust operational postures at that time so as to ensure that the visual effect of the photograph is not affected.