Messenger Camera Preview Integration for Seamless Image Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when capturing and transmitting images within a messenger application on electronic devices, as they need to switch between camera and messenger application screens, leading to a cumbersome process and missed notifications during image capture.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device implementation that allows capturing and transmitting images within the same screen displaying message transmission/reception history, using multi-touch gestures to zoom, move, and capture images, and send them to other devices without screen switching, with the camera preview integrated within the message history screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electronic device converts the messenger application screen into the camera application screen to capture and transmit an image, then the image can be captured and transmitted, but the user has to undergo a plurality of processes and suffers inconvenience of failing to determine received messages instantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage capture and transmission processVSAvoidtime to receive and determine messages
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the camera application interface with the messenger application interface by displaying the camera preview window within the messenger application screen. This allows the user to capture images and receive messages simultaneously without switching screens, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-dimensional interface where the camera preview is displayed as an embedded window within the messenger screen space. This dimensional integration allows both camera functionality and message notification to coexist in the same screen space, eliminating the need for screen conversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the electronic device converts the messenger application screen into the camera application screen, then image capture is enabled, but the screen conversion causes user inconvenience and message notification delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera function integrationVSAvoiduser operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines camera functionality with the messenger application by embedding the camera preview window directly in the messenger screen. This merging allows the device to maintain messenger functionality while integrating camera capabilities, improving adaptability without sacrificing ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the camera preview screen is displayed full-screen, then image capture quality is improved, but the message history screen becomes inaccessible during capture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage capture qualityVSAvoidmessage history visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested interface structure where the camera preview window is nested within the messenger application screen. This allows the camera interface to be displayed at full resolution for quality capture while remaining contained within the messenger screen, preventing loss of message history visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-fullscreen mode to a multi-window dimensional layout, where the camera preview occupies a portion of the screen in a windowed mode. This dimensional change allows both high-quality camera display and message history to be visible simultaneously in different screen regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3567838B1Method and electronic device for transmitting images during a messaging session
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3567838B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3567838B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3567838B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A method and an electronic device for displaying a user interface of a messenger application that includes a region providing a history of message transmission/reception between the electronic device and at least another electronic device and an icon for accessing a camera; detecting a first touch input on the icon for accessing the camera while displaying the user interface: and in response to detecting the first touch input, displaying a preview image based on an image obtained through the camera within the region providing the history of message transmission/reception.