Dual Camera Image Synthesis via Automatic Edge Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual camera portable terminals cannot simultaneously photograph, store, and synthesize both front and rear images, requiring post-correction and manual user manipulation to combine and edit images.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a portable terminal with dual cameras that simultaneously operate both cameras to synthesize images, allowing automatic processing and editing of user and background images, applying effects to the synthesized image, and enabling simultaneous display of user and background images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If post-correction method is used to synthesize images, then image synthesis capability is achieved, but user manipulation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic image synthesisVSAvoiduser manipulation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by automatically performing image synthesis, cropping, and effect application in advance without requiring user intervention. The system pre-processes the front and rear camera images, automatically aligns them, applies selected effects, and prepares the final synthesized image for display, thereby eliminating the need for manual user manipulation and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by autonomously handling the entire image synthesis process. The controller automatically detects edges, crops images, selects and applies effects, and manages the synthesis workflow without user input. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the system perform all necessary operations independently, achieving full automation while eliminating user manipulation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual image disposal is used for overlaying images, then image positioning flexibility is achieved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic image overlayVSAvoidmanual manipulation steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically positioning and overlaying images based on detected edges and predetermined rules. The controller pre-calculates the optimal positioning, automatically aligns the front and rear camera images, and overlays them without requiring manual user disposal operations. This eliminates the complexity of manual manipulation while maintaining positioning flexibility through automated algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The image overlay function implements self-service by autonomously handling all positioning and alignment operations. The system automatically detects image edges, determines overlay positions, and executes the positioning without user intervention. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by eliminating manual manipulation steps while achieving ease of operation through intelligent automated positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If sequential camera operation is used, then camera resource management is simplified, but image synthesis timing is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous image captureVSAvoidpost-correction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary action by capturing images from both front and rear cameras simultaneously and performing synthesis operations in advance. The controller pre-coordinates both cameras to capture at the same moment, then immediately processes and synthesizes the images without delay. This preliminary capture and processing approach resolves the contradiction by achieving simultaneous image capture (improving productivity) while eliminating post-correction time delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuity of useful action by maintaining an uninterrupted workflow from simultaneous camera capture through immediate synthesis and effect application. The process flows continuously without sequential delays, keeping both cameras operational simultaneously and processing images in real-time. This continuous operation resolves the contradiction by maximizing productivity through parallel camera usage while eliminating time loss through uninterrupted processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple cameras are operated simultaneously, then image synthesis quality is improved, but device control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage synthesis qualityVSAvoidcamera coordination control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements universality by serving multiple functions: it coordinates both cameras, processes images from both sources, performs synthesis, applies effects, and manages display output. This multi-functional controller handles all complexity internally, allowing simultaneous camera operation to improve synthesis quality while the unified controller manages the complexity, preventing it from propagating to the user interface.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by having the controller autonomously manage all aspects of dual-camera coordination without external intervention. The controller automatically synchronizes capture timing, aligns images, detects edges, determines overlay positions, and applies effects without user input. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by containing device complexity within the automated control system while achieving high synthesis quality through coordinated multi-camera operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2770729B1Apparatus and method for synthesizing an image in a portable terminal equipped with a dual camera
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2770729B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2770729B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2770729B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for processing an image in a portable terminal equipped with a dual camera are provided. The method includes selecting an image synthesis mode, performing a simultaneous or a sequential photographing of a front camera and a rear camera, obtaining a first image and a second image through the front camera and the rear camera, detecting an object image from one of the first image and the second image, and generating a synthesized image by synthesizing the object image to the other of the first image and the second image in which the object image was not detected.