Dual Camera Mobile Device for Simultaneous Video Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile communication devices with a single video camera are insufficient for certain use cases that require simultaneous capture and transmission of multiple perspectives, such as news reporting, where a single device with two video cameras pointing in opposite directions can enhance usability.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication device equipped with two video cameras, one on the front and one on the back, capable of simultaneous operation, encoding, and multiplexing video signals for real-time transmission, allowing for the capture and transmission of both user and scene images simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile communication device includes a single video camera, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot capture multiple perspectives simultaneously for use cases like news reporting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to capture multiple perspectivesVSAvoidnumber of video cameras

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two video cameras into a single mobile communication device, merging their capture functions while maintaining separate camera units. This allows the device to capture multiple perspectives (user view and scene view) simultaneously without requiring two separate devices, thus improving versatility while managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile communication device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can capture video from the user's perspective, capture video from the scene perspective, and transmit both streams simultaneously. This multi-functionality enables the single device to replace what would traditionally require separate camera equipment for news reporting and similar applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If two video cameras are added to capture simultaneous multiple perspectives, then capture capability improves, but the device structure and processing requirements become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous capture capabilityVSAvoidvideo signal processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous simultaneous capture and transmission of video streams from both cameras. The system maintains continuous operation by processing and transmitting video data in real-time without interruption, ensuring that both user view and scene view are captured and transmitted concurrently throughout the communication session.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile communication device acts as an intermediary system that receives video signals from both cameras, processes them through a single processor, and transmits the combined streams. This intermediary approach consolidates the processing complexity within the device while maintaining the capability to handle multiple video streams simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If video signals from two cameras are processed and transmitted simultaneously, then real-time multi-perspective transmission is achieved, but processing power and bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time transmission qualityVSAvoidprocessing power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the video processing tasks by handling each camera's signal through dedicated capture paths while using a single processor for overall coordination and encoding. The transmission system sends both video streams simultaneously through the mobile communication device's transmission mechanism, dividing the processing workload to manage power consumption while maintaining real-time reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8004555B2Methods and devices for simultaneous dual camera video telephony

Publication Date: 2011.08.23 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are mobile communication devices, and methods for mobile communication devices including two video cameras that can operate simultaneously and in real-time. The device includes a first video camera pointing in a first direction and configured to generate a first video signal and a second video camera pointing in a second direction and configured to generate a second video signal. The device includes a processor configured to receive the first video signal and the second video signal and to encode the first video signal and the second video signal for simultaneous transmission. Disclosed is another device, including a housing having a fixed first video camera configured to point in a first direction with respect to the housing and generate a first video signal and a movable second video camera configured to point in a plurality of second directions with respect to the housing and generate a second video signal.