Multi-Camera OIS Framing for Off-Frame Image Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart terminals with multiple cameras face challenges in achieving satisfactory image quality due to varying field angles and view-finding areas, leading to unsatisfactory image capture when a subject is not within the initial view-finding area of one camera.

Innovation Solution

Adjust the view-finding field of a secondary camera module to cover the target subject using optical image stabilization (OIS), then fuse the auxiliary image from the secondary camera with the dominant image from the primary camera to enhance image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a wide-angle camera is used to capture images with wide coverage, then the field of view is expanded, but the image quality becomes unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines images from multiple camera modules (wide-angle camera and telephoto camera) through image fusion technology. The telephoto camera captures high-quality images of the target subject, while the wide-angle camera provides the broader field of view. By merging these images, the system achieves both wide coverage and high image quality in the final captured image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If different cameras are used for different capturing scenes, then the image quality for specific scenes is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between different camera modules based on the capturing scene and target subject. The system automatically determines whether to use the wide-angle camera, telephoto camera, or fuse images from both, depending on real-time conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high image quality for specific scenes while managing complexity through intelligent control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If the view-finding area of the second camera module is adjusted to cover the target subject, then the coverage is expanded, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveview-finding area coverageVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with optical image stabilization (OIS) technology to adjust the view-finding area of the second camera module. OIS uses magnetic fields and sensors to control the movement of the camera module, enabling flexible adjustment of the coverage area without complex mechanical structures. This substitution simplifies the device while achieving the desired expansion of view-finding area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Expands the view-finding area of the secondary camera to cover the target subject, allowing for improved image quality by fusing auxiliary images with the dominant image, thus enhancing the quality of the captured image.

Implementation Method 1

adjusting, through OIS, the second camera module to operate in the target direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical Image Stabilization:

Implementation Method 2

fusing an auxiliary image with a dominant image, wherein the auxiliary image is acquired by the second camera module, and the dominant image is acquired by the first camera module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage Fusion: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentEP3793185B1Method and apparatus for image processing based on multiple camera modules, program, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3793185B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3793185B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3793185B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6B

AI summary

A method for image processing based on multiple camera modules, includes: when a first camera module is in a dominant shooting state currently and a target capturing subject within a view-finding area of the first camera module is not contained in an initial view-finding area of a second camera module, adjusting the view-finding area of the second camera module so that the adjusted view-finding area of the second camera module covers the target capturing subject, wherein a field angle of the second camera module is smaller than that of the first camera module; and fusing an auxiliary image acquired by the second camera module with a dominant image acquired by the first camera module.