Front Camera Service Segmentation for Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling pop-up front cameras in mobile terminals often result in long response times and increased software risk due to the simultaneous processing of pop-up/retraction events and camera operations within a single service, leading to reduced user experience and system instability.

Innovation Solution

A method where the camera service and pop-up motor service are separated, allowing independent processing of camera operations and pop-up/retraction functions, reducing interference and ensuring timely event responses, with the camera service controlling camera operations and the pop-up motor service handling mechanical actions through a bottom-layer motor service and geomagnetic sensor feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the pop-up motor service and camera service are integrated in a single service process, then the system structure is simpler, but the response time increases and system stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the integrated service into two independent services: a pop-up motor service dedicated to controlling the mechanical pop-up/retraction of the front camera, and a camera service dedicated to camera operations. This segmentation allows each service to handle its specific tasks independently, reducing processing delays and improving response time while maintaining clear functional boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the pop-up motor control functionality from the camera service, creating a separate pop-up motor service. This extraction isolates the mechanical control operations from the camera operations, preventing interference between the two functions and enabling faster, dedicated response to pop-up events without being burdened by camera processing tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the pop-up motor service and camera service are integrated in a single service process, then the system structure is simpler, but system stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the service into independent pop-up motor service and camera service, the patent prevents error propagation between functions. If one service encounters an error, it does not affect the other service, thereby improving overall system stability while maintaining a manageable structure through clear service boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Extracting the pop-up motor control into a separate service isolates potential mechanical control errors from camera operations. This extraction ensures that instability in one service does not compromise the other, enhancing system reliability while keeping the overall architecture organized through service independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of time

If the pop-up motor service and camera service are separated, then the response time decreases and system stability increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidservice architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation by creating distinct pop-up motor service and camera service processes, each with dedicated functionality. This segmentation improves response time by eliminating cross-functional processing delays and enhances stability through isolation, while the complexity is managed through well-defined service boundaries and standardized inter-service communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This separation reduces response time, increases operational efficiency, prevents errors and jamming, and enhances system stability by ensuring independent handling of camera and motor services, resulting in faster and more reliable camera operations.

Implementation Method 1

the bottom-layer motor service is further configured to call a sensor program to acquire the position of the front camera detected by a geomagnetic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeomagnetic sensor feedback: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3754967B1Method and device for controlling front camera, and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3754967B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3754967B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3754967B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method and device for controlling a front camera, and a mobile terminal are provided. The method for controlling the front camera includes: an operation instruction for the front camera is received from an application (S11); a trigger message is sent to a pop-up motor service to trigger the pop-up motor service to control a pop-up or retraction of the front camera (S12); and the front camera is controlled based on the operation instruction to perform a corresponding operation (S12).