Mobile Photo Guidance Using Optimal Viewpoint and Camera Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of smartphones and other mobile devices often struggle to capture the best photographs of objects of interest due to lack of guidance on optimal locations, angles, and camera settings, relying on chance or following others for suggested viewpoints.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device system that provides user directional guidance and adjusts camera settings based on collected information sets, including location, time, and environmental conditions to assist users in taking high-quality photographs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If users rely on chance or follow others to determine photo locations, then users can take photos without planning, but users cannot capture optimal photographs of objects of interest

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephoto qualityVSAvoidphoto taking process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores optimal photograph locations, angles, and camera settings for objects of interest before users need them. When a user points the camera at an object, the system retrieves pre-computed guidance information including location coordinates, shooting angles, and camera parameters, allowing users to immediately capture optimal photos without manual planning or trial-and-error.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If users manually determine locations and angles for photographs, then users can capture desired content, but users require extensive knowledge and time to find optimal viewpoints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephoto qualityVSAvoidtime to find photo location
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the mobile device's location and orientation via GPS and sensors, comparing real-time position data against pre-stored optimal photograph locations. The system provides real-time feedback through the user interface, guiding users with directional instructions and distance measurements to reach optimal shooting positions, automatically adjusting guidance as users move closer to or farther from target locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If users take many photos to ensure capturing desired content, then users can find acceptable photos, but users waste time and storage space on unnecessary photos

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephoto capture successVSAvoidphoto taking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and presents multiple optimal photograph options for each object of interest, showing users different locations and angles that will capture desirable content. Users can select from these pre-vetted options rather than randomly shooting, ensuring high capture success while minimizing the number of photos needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If users rely on tour guides or others for photo suggestions, then users can get recommended locations, but users cannot independently determine optimal photograph locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephoto qualityVSAvoiduser independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system empowers users to independently determine optimal photograph locations by providing them with location coordinates, directional guidance, and camera setting recommendations through the mobile device. Users input objects of interest via the camera or interface, and the system autonomously retrieves and presents customized photo guidance information, eliminating dependence on external guides while maintaining high photo quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4651506A1Photography assistance for mobile devices
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4651506A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4651506A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4651506A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method of assisting photography includes: receiving input related to an object of interest to be photographed; obtaining a collection of information sets associated with the object of interest, each of the information sets including a respective location at which to take a respective photograph of the object of interest; selecting a particular information set of the collection of information sets, the location in the particular information set being a particular location at which to take a particular photograph of the object of interest; and providing user directional guidance through a user interface of a mobile device to direct a user of the mobile device to the particular location.