Depth-Aware Media Capture Interfaces for Lower User Effort

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for controlling media capture settings on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring complex user interfaces that consume time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that uses sensors to determine environmental conditions and displays or hides media capture settings based on depth capture criteria, allowing for efficient user interface object display and media capture functions, reducing cognitive burden and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex user interface is used to control media capture settings, then comprehensive functionality is provided, but user effort and time required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia capture functionalityVSAvoiduser effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing depth information using sensors before the user needs to access depth-related media capture functions. The depth data is pre-processed and stored, so when the user views the captured media, the system can immediately determine whether depth capture criteria are met without requiring the user to manually adjust settings or perform additional actions. This preliminary preparation reduces the cognitive burden and operational effort required during actual media capture and review.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a complex user interface is used to control media capture settings, then comprehensive functionality is provided, but time required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia capture functionalityVSAvoidtime required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing depth information using sensors before the user needs to access depth-related media capture functions. The depth data is pre-processed and stored, so when the user views the captured media, the system can immediately determine whether depth capture criteria are met without requiring the user to manually adjust settings or perform additional actions. This preliminary preparation reduces the cognitive burden and operational effort required during actual media capture and review.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If continuous sensor data processing is performed, then accurate depth capture determination is achieved, but device power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth capture accuracyVSAvoiddevice power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by processing sensor data at specific intervals rather than continuously. The processor determines whether to process sensor information based on predefined criteria such as motion detection, time-based scheduling, or event-triggered mechanisms. This periodic processing approach maintains adequate depth capture accuracy for media capture functions while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous processing, thereby extending battery life for mobile devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12401889B2User interfaces for controlling media capture settings

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 APPLE INC

AI summary

User interfaces for controlling media capture settings are described, including user interfaces for controlling capture of media with associated depth information (e.g., for applying simulated depth-of-field effects), controlling media capture settings with multiple input types, controlling zoom settings for media capture (e.g., conditionally displaying a secondary preview at a different zoom level), capturing and viewing media using internal and external media storage, and controlling an indicator for level capture guidance.