Front Camera Preview Image Positioning for Natural Eye Gaze
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Solution Overview
Problem
In portable terminals with larger displays, the increased distance between the front camera and the display's center results in unnatural eye positioning during self-portrait mode, causing the user's eyes to appear off-center in captured images.
Innovation Solution
Displaying a reduced size preview image proximate to the front camera lens, allowing the user to focus on the camera, thereby capturing images with the user's eyes appearing to look straight ahead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display size is increased, then the display area is improved, but the distance between the front camera and the display center increases causing unnatural eye positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The preview image display area is segmented into a reduced-size region positioned proximate to the front camera lens, separate from the main display area. This allows the display to maintain its large size while creating a dedicated viewing zone near the camera that enables natural eye positioning during self-portrait shooting.
Solution Approach 2:
A reduced-size preview image acts as an intermediary element between the large display and the front camera. By displaying a smaller preview image near the camera lens, it mediates the spatial relationship between the user's eyes and the camera, allowing natural gaze alignment without requiring the user to look at the center of the large display.
2Loss of information
If the user gazes at the center of the display to confirm user features, then the preview image visibility is improved, but the user's eyes appear off-center in the captured photo
Solution Approach 1:
The solution introduces a spatial dimension change by positioning the preview image display area in proximity to the front camera lens rather than at the display center. This creates a new viewing zone that aligns with the camera's optical axis, allowing users to maintain natural eye positioning while still viewing the preview image clearly.
Solution Approach 2:
A specific local region of the display is designated for preview image display, with properties optimized for this purpose (reduced size, positioned near the camera). This local quality enhancement ensures that the preview image is visible and usable for confirming user features while maintaining natural eye positioning in the captured photo.
3Ease of operation
If the user stares at the front camera during shooting, then the eye positioning naturalness is improved, but the convenience of viewing the preview image is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display functionality is segmented into distinct regions: a reduced-size preview image area positioned near the front camera for natural eye positioning, and the remainder of the display for other functions. This segmentation allows users to view the preview image conveniently while maintaining natural eye positioning, eliminating the need to choose between the two.
Solution Approach 2:
The preview image is displayed in advance in a strategically positioned area near the camera lens, allowing users to naturally align their gaze with the camera while viewing the preview. This preliminary positioning of the preview image eliminates the need for users to adjust their gaze or positioning during the shooting process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating a device having a front camera and a display, and a device arranged to implement the method. The front camera and the display are arranged such that the front camera can capture an image of a user viewing the display. The method comprises capturing an image through the front camera and displaying at least part of the captured image as a first preview image in a partial region of the display proximate to the front camera. The first preview image is displayed at a reduced scale relative to displaying the whole of the captured image in the display. When a photo is taken while the user views the first preview image, a more natural image is captured.