Triple Camera Mobile Terminal Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals equipped with multiple cameras of different Field of Views (FOVs) face challenges in capturing images simultaneously due to the excess number of cameras exceeding the number of Image Signal Processors (ISPs), leading to increased costs, larger size, higher power consumption, and slower processing speeds, as well as longer capture times when switching between cameras.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal with triple cameras of varying FOVs, utilizing a controller with two ISPs to activate and deactivate cameras based on detected signals, allowing simultaneous capture of images using imaging setting values from other cameras, and processing these images to generate single video data with applied effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras with different FOVs are equipped in the mobile terminal, then the imaging function and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to excess cameras exceeding the number of ISPs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes one ISP serve multiple cameras by implementing a time-division multiplexing mechanism. The controller sequentially activates different cameras and shares the single ISP resource across them, enabling one processor to handle multiple imaging functions that would traditionally require separate processors for each camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple camera functions into a single imaging system by using one ISP to process images from multiple cameras. The controller coordinates the activation and deactivation of cameras to share the ISP resource, effectively merging what would traditionally be separate processing channels into a unified system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras with different FOVs are equipped in the mobile terminal, then the imaging function is improved, but the terminal size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes one ISP serve multiple cameras by implementing a time-division multiplexing mechanism. The controller sequentially activates different cameras and shares the single ISP resource across them, enabling one processor to handle multiple imaging functions that would traditionally require separate processors for each camera.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras with different FOVs are equipped in the mobile terminal, then the imaging function is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic activation of cameras rather than continuous operation. The controller activates cameras in sequence based on capture signals, turning them on only when needed and keeping them deactivated otherwise. This periodic on-demand activation significantly reduces power consumption compared to having all cameras continuously active or requiring multiple ISPs to run simultaneously.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are switched between to capture images, then the imaging function is maintained, but the capturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring capture signals and pre-activating cameras before actual image capture is needed. When a capture signal is detected, the controller has already prepared the necessary camera activation states, allowing immediate capture without delay. This eliminates the time loss that would occur from switching cameras on-demand without prior preparation.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Proposed is a mobile terminal including triple cameras having first, second and third FOVs (field of views) respectively, wherein the first FOV is larger than the second FOV which is larger than the third FOV, wherein the mobile terminal includes: a display for outputting visual information; and a controller configured for controlling the triple cameras and the display, wherein the controller is configured for: detecting a signal to indicate capturing an object by the triple cameras at a time; in response to the detected signal, activating cameras of the first FOV and second FOV to capture the object individually; deactivating one of the cameras of the first FOV and second FOV, wherein one of the cameras of the first FOV and second FOV has captured the object earlier than the other thereof; and activating a camera of the third FOV to capture the object using an imaging setting values obtained from at least one of the cameras of the first FOV and second FOV.