Dual-Camera Video Capture for Landscape Recording in Portrait Hold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld devices typically capture video in portrait mode, resulting in more than 50% of the peripheral actions being missed due to the limited viewing angle, which is inconvenient for capturing wider angle events.

Innovation Solution

Equipping handheld devices with two cameras, one oriented for landscape and one for portrait mode, and using an accelerometer to switch between them based on device orientation, ensuring seamless transition and combining captured clips to create a complete landscape video.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the device captures video in portrait mode to match the holding orientation, then the device structure remains simple, but more than 50% of peripheral actions are missed due to limited viewing angle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidcamera system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system is segmented into two separate camera modules: a first camera configured for landscape mode capture and a second camera configured for portrait mode capture. Each camera is optimized for its specific orientation, allowing the device to capture wide-angle landscape video even when held in portrait orientation by selectively activating the appropriate camera based on the desired capture mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the device uses a single camera for both orientations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the captured video quality and completeness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo capture completenessVSAvoiddual camera system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each camera module is designed with local quality optimized for its specific function: the first camera is optimized for landscape mode with appropriate sensor orientation and lens configuration, while the second camera is optimized for portrait mode. This ensures that each camera delivers high-quality, complete video capture for its designated orientation without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the device switches cameras based on orientation to maintain landscape capture, then video capture completeness improves, but the transition smoothness may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelandscape mode enforcementVSAvoidcapture continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The camera switching mechanism is made dynamic and adaptive, automatically selecting between the first and second cameras based on the device's current orientation and the desired capture mode. The system dynamically adjusts which camera is active without requiring manual intervention, ensuring seamless transition and maintaining capture continuity while enforcing landscape mode for video recording.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables wide-angle video capture in the popular portrait holding orientation without requiring post-processing, enhancing the captured video with additional scene details and maintaining seamless playback.

Implementation Method 1

using an accelerometer to switch between them based on device orientation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP4248640B1Techniques for capturing video in landscape mode or portrait mode by a handheld device
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SIU DONALD
  • EP4248640B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4248640B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4248640B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Video or image capture device and method of operation of the capture device are described. One example method includes determining, for a video capture by a capture device, a capture orientation mode setting of the capture device, capturing a video using one of a first camera or a second camera based on the capture orientation mode and a current orientation of the capture device, wherein the video is in the capture orientation mode, and storing, after capturing, the video in a video file.