Multi-Camera Zoom With Incremental Cropping for Smooth FOV Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The field of view (FOV) center jump occurs during zooming in electronic devices with multiple cameras, affecting user experience and focusing accuracy due to inconsistent FOV centers among cameras with different focal lengths.

Innovation Solution

Implementing incremental eccentric cropping and lens movement using optical image stabilization (OIS) to smoothly transition the FOV center during camera switching, ensuring consistent framing and avoiding sudden jumps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cameras with different focal lengths are used for zoom photographing, then the zoom ratio range is extended, but the field of view center jumps occur during camera switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezoom ratio rangeVSAvoidfield of view center consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary alignment by calculating the offset between the FOV centers of different cameras and pre-determines the compensation parameters. Before switching between cameras, the system prepares the transformation parameters needed to maintain FOV center consistency, preventing jumps during the switching process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image processing intermediary layer that transforms images from different cameras. By applying offset compensation and geometric transformation algorithms, this intermediary processing ensures that the FOV centers align consistently across camera switches, resolving the discontinuity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If digital zoom is performed by cropping images, then the zoom function is achieved, but the FOV center position shifts during zooming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezoom function efficiencyVSAvoidFOV center position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the cropping parameters and transformation parameters based on the current zoom level and camera configuration. By adjusting the offset compensation parameters and cropping regions in real-time, the system maintains FOV center position accuracy while achieving smooth digital zoom functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Provides a continuous and consistent framing experience by gradually aligning FOV centers, preventing sudden shifts and improving user interaction during zooming processes.

Implementation Method 1

the motor of the OIS is used to drive a lens in the camera to move, to change a distance between optical centers of the two cameras

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical Image Stabilization (OIS):

Data Source

PatentEP4236295B1Image capturing method and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A

AI summary

According to a photographing method provided in embodiments of this application, a problem of an FOV center jump in a zoom process can be resolved. Near a zoom ratio for camera switching, an electronic device may perform incremental eccentric cropping on an image shot by a camera having a larger FOV, so that an FOV center of an image obtained through cropping gradually approaches or gets away from an FOV center of a camera having a smaller FOV, thereby implementing a smooth FOV transition and avoiding an FOV center jump.