Remote Display-Guided Camera Format Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Video conferencing systems suffer from resolution loss and reduced field of view due to mismatch between the camera format of the transmitting device and the display format of the receiving device, leading to inefficient utilization of the camera sensor.

Innovation Solution

Selecting a new camera format at the transmitting device based on the requested format of the receiving device to maximize the field of view and sensor utilization, rather than cropping the video to fit the receiving device's specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If video is captured based on the camera specifications of the transmitting device, then the camera sensor is fully utilized, but the video resolution and field of view are reduced when displayed on a receiving device with different display specifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera sensor utilizationVSAvoidvideo resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by determining the receiving device's display specifications before video capture, and pre-selects an optimal camera format that matches those specifications. This prevents the need for post-capture cropping or resizing, thereby maintaining both sensor utilization and video resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the camera format parameters (resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate) dynamically based on the receiving device's display specifications. By adjusting these parameters in advance, the system ensures optimal sensor utilization while delivering video at the precise resolution required by the receiving device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If video is cropped to fit the receiving device's display specifications, then the display compatibility is improved, but the field of view and image data are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay compatibilityVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by determining the receiving device's display specifications before video capture, and pre-selects an optimal camera format that matches those specifications. This prevents the need for post-capture cropping or resizing, thereby maintaining both sensor utilization and video resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the camera format parameters (resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate) dynamically based on the receiving device's display specifications. By adjusting these parameters in advance, the system ensures optimal sensor utilization while delivering video at the precise resolution required by the receiving device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed camera format is used, then the camera setup is simple, but the video quality varies when transmitted to receiving devices with different display specifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera format configurationVSAvoidvideo quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static, fixed camera format to a dynamic format selection mechanism. The camera format is automatically adjusted based on the receiving device's display specifications, ensuring optimal video quality for each specific receiving device while maintaining simple operation for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the camera format parameters (resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate) dynamically based on the receiving device's display specifications. By adjusting these parameters in advance, the system ensures optimal sensor utilization while delivering video at the precise resolution required by the receiving device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12432083B2Camera format selection

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 APPLE INC

AI summary

The subject technology receives, at a local device, a requested camera format based on specifications of a display associated with a remote device. The remote device and the local device are devices participating in a video conference. The requested camera format includes a first resolution. Camera formats supported by a camera associated with the local device are determined. If a second resolution of a first camera format matches among the supported camera formats matches with the first resolution, the first camera format is selected for capturing the video stream by the camera. Otherwise, a second camera format among the supported camera formats is determined for capturing the video stream so as to maximize a field of view of the video stream relative to other camera formats supported by the camera.