Unified Camera Viewfinder Interface for Seamless Image Preview
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras, especially those integrated into portable devices, face inefficiencies when switching between capture and playback modes, leading to delays and increased processing cycles due to the need for separate modes for previewing captured images.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that simultaneously displays a real-time electronic viewfinder and a previously captured image within the same screen, allowing enlargement of the previewed image without switching to a dedicated playback mode, thus keeping the camera active and optimizing computational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the camera switches to a dedicated playback mode to display previously captured images, then the image can be displayed in full screen, but the camera becomes inactive and unable to capture new images, causing delays and increased processing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera capture mode and image playback mode into a single unified interface. The electronic viewfinder displays both the real-time camera feed and previously captured images simultaneously, eliminating the need to switch between separate modes. This merging allows the camera to remain active and ready to capture new images while enabling users to preview previously captured images at large size within the same screen space.
2Productivity
If the camera remains in capture mode while displaying previously captured images, then camera functionality is maintained, but the preview image occupies limited screen space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temporal dimension by displaying the previously captured image as a semi-transparent overlay or inset within the electronic viewfinder, rather than requiring a separate full-screen playback mode. This dimensional approach allows the preview image to be visible in the same spatial space as the real-time camera feed, effectively adding a layer of information without blocking the camera's capture functionality.
3Measurement precision
If a separate playback mode is used to preview images at large size, then detailed image review is enabled, but mode switching causes processing delays and increased computational overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous camera operation and processing by avoiding mode switches. The system continuously captures images through the digital image sensor while simultaneously displaying previously captured images in the electronic viewfinder at enlarged size. This continuous operation eliminates the processing delays and computational overhead associated with transitioning between capture mode and playback mode, as the camera system remains in a single active state throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a user interface for a digital camera such as a digital camera built into a smartphone or other multipurpose portable electronic device. The user interface simultaneously displays an electronic viewfinder image and at least one other image such as a previously captured image. The previously captured image is located within the electronic viewfinder image. Designated input causes the previously captured image to be enlarged from an initial size to an enlarged size.