Deformable Electronic Device Rear Camera Preview

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with imagers lack an effective user interface to enhance the image capture process, particularly in adapting performance to improve user experience.

Innovation Solution

A deformable electronic device with a hinged housing that exposes both front-facing and rear-facing image capture devices and displays, allowing image content from the rear-facing device to be presented on the front-facing display before and during image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional electronic device with a single display and fixed housing is used, then the device structure is simple, but the user interface cannot adapt to enhance the image capture process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a deformable housing that can transition between different geometric configurations (folded and unfolded states), allowing the physical structure to dynamically adapt to provide different display orientations and improve the image capture user interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into separate housing portions (first and second portions) that can be independently positioned relative to each other, enabling the display to be oriented in different directions and configurations to enhance user interaction during image capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If the subject is not directly looking at the camera, then the image capture can proceed, but the user cannot see themselves or get real-time feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotographer visibilityVSAvoiduser interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display is oriented to face the subject while the rear-facing imager captures images, allowing the photographer to see themselves on the display from a different spatial dimension and angle, providing real-time feedback without requiring direct camera viewing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The display acts as an intermediary between the rear-facing imager and the photographer's eyes, presenting the captured image content to the photographer in a visible format that enables self-viewing and real-time interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12244939B2Methods and systems for presenting image content to a subject in a deformable electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

A method in an electronic device includes detecting, with one or more processors, initiation of an image capture operation using an image capture device situated on a first surface of the electronic device and having a first field of view extending away from the first surface in a first direction. In response to detecting the initiation of the image capture operation, the method includes actuating a second image capture device situated on a second surface of the electronic device and having a second field of view extending away from the second surface in a second direction. The method then captures image content with the second image capture device and presenting the image content on a display situated on the first surface of the electronic device. Thereafter, the one or more processors capture at least one image with the first image capture device.