Sliding Camera Module for Selfie Lighting and Red-Eye Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The typical configuration of hardware components in portable electronic devices, such as cameras and light sources, does not optimize the user experience, particularly in scenarios like taking group selfies, resulting in suboptimal image quality and artistic merit due to issues like flat appearance and red-eye effects.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device design featuring a movable attachment between two parts, allowing a sliding movement that exposes a camera and light sources in a central region, enabling versatile lighting and camera placement for improved image quality, with the option to include multiple light sources and speakers for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the camera and light source are located close to each other on the front face, then the device structure is simple, but this causes red-eye effects and flat appearance in photos
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the light source from the front face to the back face of the device, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) to separate the camera and light source spatially. This dimensional change allows the light source to be positioned behind the camera lens, illuminating subjects from the rear rather than the front, thereby eliminating red-eye effects and improving image dimensionality while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
2Ease of operation
If the light source is positioned on the front face near the camera, then the lighting is intuitive for selfies, but this results in suboptimal image quality for group photos
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the back-face light source to serve multiple functions: it provides intuitive lighting for selfies when the device is held in front of the user, and simultaneously provides optimal lighting for group photos when the device is positioned behind the group. This multi-functional design allows the same light source position to excel in different photography scenarios without compromising image quality in either case.
3Ease of operation
If the camera is located at the top end of the front face, then it works well for individual selfies, but this position is suboptimal for group selfies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable attachment mechanism that allows the camera module to dynamically change its position between the top end and the center region of the front face. For individual selfies, the camera is positioned at the top end for optimal framing. For group selfies, the camera moves to the center region to capture a wider field of view encompassing multiple subjects, thereby adapting to different photography needs.
4Device complexity
If the device has a fixed structure with components in typical locations, then the device complexity is low, but the user experience is not optimized for all scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable attachment mechanism that enables dynamic reconfiguration of the camera and light source positions. The camera can move between the top end and center region of the front face, while the light source can be positioned on either the front or back face. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to optimize user experience for different scenarios (individual selfies, group photos, video calls) without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device includes first and second parts, each having a front face, a back face, two sides, and two ends. A movable attachment attaches said first and second parts to each other with the front face of the second part against the back face of said first part. It allows a relative sliding movement between said first and second parts to a position in which an exposable portion of the front face of the second part along one of said sides of the second part becomes visible from beneath the corresponding side of the first part. A camera in said second part is located in a center region of said exposable portion between the two ends of the second part, with its viewing direction directed out of said front face of the second part.