Dual Camera Field of View Expansion via Standby Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with a single camera have limited field of view, which restricts their capability to capture comprehensive images, and existing methods for using dual cameras often result in power and resource inefficiencies and artifacts in stereoscopic imaging.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling an electronic device with dual cameras, where one camera captures a primary image and the other captures a secondary image of a different field of view, with the secondary camera entering a standby mode until activated, allowing for efficient power use and improved user experience by capturing associated images that can be stitched for panoramic views.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single camera is used in an electronic device, then the device structure remains simple, but the field of view is limited and cannot capture comprehensive images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoidcamera system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system is segmented into a first camera and a second camera, where the first camera captures images of a first field of view and the second camera captures images of a second field of view. This segmentation allows the device to achieve a broader overall field of view while maintaining manageable complexity through modular camera units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second camera is designed to serve multiple functions: it can capture images independently as a standalone camera, or it can work in conjunction with the first camera to capture panoramic images. This multi-functionality allows the system to expand its field of view capability without requiring additional dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If dual cameras are always active to capture comprehensive images, then the field of view coverage is improved, but power consumption and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines in advance whether panoramic image capture is needed before activating the second camera. By preliminarily assessing the capture requirements and only activating the second camera when necessary, the system ensures broad field of view coverage only when needed, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption and resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual cameras are used for stereoscopic imaging, then three-dimensional imaging capability is achieved, but artifacts appear in the images due to camera mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereoscopic imaging capabilityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses image processing techniques to generate or adjust images from the second camera to better match the characteristics of the first camera. This copying and adjustment process helps eliminate artifacts caused by camera mismatch while preserving the stereoscopic imaging capability, thereby maintaining both versatility and image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3328064B1Method and device for controlling electronic device and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3328064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3328064B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3328064B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and a device for controlling an electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: receiving a preset instruction; activating a second camera when controlling a first camera to capture a first image of a first field of view; controlling the second camera to capture a second image of a second field of view, in which the second field of view is different from or not exactly the same with the first field of view; and storing the first image and the second image, and establishing a correspondence between the first image and the second image.