Multi-Lens Smartphone Camera UI with Optical Zoom Range Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera apps on portable devices lack sufficient convenience in using zoom functions with multiple lenses of different focal lengths, making it difficult for users to grasp the settable optical zoom range and requiring frequent manual selection of lenses.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a display control unit that provides a user interface clearly indicating the optical zoom section and, optionally, a seamless zoom UI, allowing users to easily understand and adjust zoom settings across multiple lenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lenses of different focal lengths are provided to expand zoom range, then the zoom capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily grasp the optical zoom range and must frequently manually select lenses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezoom capabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying icons that clearly indicate which lens is currently selected and what the optical zoom range is for each lens. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand the system state without manual exploration, resolving the contradiction between having multiple lenses and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages lens selection and zoom range display based on user interaction with the zoom slider, without requiring users to manually configure or understand complex lens parameters. The interface serves itself by automatically showing relevant information and controlling lens switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If conventional zoom interface is used without clear optical zoom indication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of information increases because users cannot understand the settable optical zoom range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidloss of information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses color-coded icons to visually represent different lens types and their optical zoom capabilities. Each lens type has a distinctive icon design that communicates its function and zoom range at a glance, providing information without adding complex interface elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The zoom interface is segmented into distinct visual elements: icons representing different lens types, a zoom slider, and indicator marks showing optical zoom ranges. This segmentation allows users to process information in discrete, manageable units rather than presenting a complex unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250220295A1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A smartphone (10) corresponding to an example of an information processing apparatus includes: an app execution unit (108a) that can execute a camera app of a camera (101) including a plurality of camera lenses (17) of different focal lengths including a zoom lens; and a display control unit (108b) that causes a display unit (106) to display a first user interface that clearly indicates a section of optical zoom of the zoom lens for a zoom function of the camera lens (17) included in the camera app.