Pinhole Aperture Camera Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing devices with multiple cameras face challenges in aesthetics and size due to the visible presence of camera components, which can detract from the device's design and increase its thickness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pinhole apertures positioned behind the cover glass or within a colored material layer, allowing cameras to capture light while minimizing their visible presence, thereby maintaining the device's aesthetic appeal and reducing its thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are added to enable stereoscopic imaging and multi-angle photography, then imaging functionality is improved, but device size and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple camera modules within the thickness of the display assembly, nesting them behind the cover glass and colored material layer. This allows multiple cameras to be integrated without increasing the device's external dimensions, as each camera is positioned in a layered configuration similar to nested dolls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional side-mounted camera arrangement to a depth-layered configuration by positioning cameras behind the cover glass and colored material layer. This dimensional shift allows cameras to be integrated within the display thickness rather than adding to the device's external profile.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are added to enable stereoscopic imaging and multi-angle photography, then imaging functionality is improved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a colored material layer (typically black or dark-colored) that matches the device's aesthetic design language. This colored layer conceals the camera modules and other components behind it, making them visually blend with the device's overall appearance and maintaining aesthetic appeal while enabling multiple cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the visual presence of camera modules from the device's external surface by positioning them behind the cover glass and colored material layer. This separation removes the aesthetically problematic visible camera components while preserving the imaging functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If cameras are positioned traditionally on the device surface, then ease of manufacturing is improved, but visible camera presence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates camera modules during the display assembly manufacturing process, positioning them behind the cover glass and colored material layer before final assembly. This preliminary positioning integrates camera installation into the existing manufacturing workflow rather than requiring separate post-assembly steps.
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
This approach enables the integration of multiple cameras without compromising the device's aesthetics or increasing its size, as the cameras are hidden from view, allowing for thinner designs and improved user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an aperture, such as a pinhole aperture, with at least one device camera in order to at least reduce the visibility of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
The visible presence of one or more cameras of a computing device can be minimized or otherwise reduced using a aperture. A front aperture can be used with one or more cameras, where the piece providing the aperture can be colored to match a color of a surrounding portion of the device, such as a portion of a display window or cover glass of the device. The aperture can enable the associated camera to capture light passing through the aperture, while hiding the camera from the view of the user to the extent practical. In cases where the user might want to know where to look, one or more indicia can be provided by the device to notify the user of the location of the camera(s).