Multi-Camera Imaging Pipeline for Low-Bulk Panoramic Photography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Array cameras have not seen good success in the market due to high cost, limited user benefits, and non-seamless system architecture enhancements on consumer devices, leading to bulkiness, high power consumption, and limited use cases.

Innovation Solution

Implement a camera array with wide-angle and telephoto sensors that can move to adjust their field of view, using computational imaging algorithms and pop-out mechanisms to enhance panoramic photography and reduce device bulk, while optimizing system architecture for power reduction and synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If array cameras are used to provide additional functionality (zoom, low light photography, wide-angle), then image quality and functionality are improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotography functionalityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-camera system where multiple image sensors work together to provide multiple photography functions including wide-angle, telephoto, low-light, and panoramic capabilities through a unified processing architecture that coordinates all cameras for various imaging tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple camera systems into a single integrated array where image sensors, variable aperture mechanisms, and processing units are merged into one coordinated system that shares processing resources and computational tasks to reduce overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If array cameras are used to improve photography experience, then image quality is improved, but device size and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a compact camera array configuration where multiple image sensors are nested or closely integrated in a space-efficient arrangement, allowing multiple cameras to occupy a minimal footprint while maintaining their individual imaging capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates variable aperture mechanisms that can dynamically adjust the opening size of each camera lens based on imaging requirements, enabling the system to optimize light intake and field of view without requiring physical movement of the camera array itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If array cameras are used to provide multiple functions, then functionality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements selective activation where only the necessary subset of cameras is activated based on the specific imaging task requirements, rather than keeping all cameras running continuously, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining full functionality when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs continuous processing pipelines where image data from active cameras is processed continuously through shared processing units, maintaining efficient data flow and reducing idle power consumption by keeping the processing architecture in a low-power ready state rather than fully powered down

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Adaptability or versatility

If array cameras are used to enhance photography capabilities, then user benefits are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotography capabilitiesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the camera array into modular units with standardized image sensors and processing elements that can be manufactured using conventional semiconductor fabrication processes, enabling cost-effective mass production through established manufacturing techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12520045B2Apparatus and method for operating multiple cameras for digital photography

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method for operating an electronic device includes capturing, by an image sensor module, a stream from a pixel array. The method also includes processing, by the image sensor module, the stream to generate a preview stream and a full frame stream. The method further includes compressing, by the image sensor module, the preview stream using a first compression and the full frame stream using a second compression. In addition, the method includes outputting, by the image sensor module, the compressed preview stream and the compressed full frame stream.