Semi-Transparent Dial Pad Overlay for Simultaneous Video Recording and Calling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile devices do not allow users to make phone calls while video recording or capturing images, forcing users to choose between capturing evidence or seeking help quickly, as conventional mechanisms only support one action at a time.
Innovation Solution
A process that visually outputs a semi-transparent, movable 'phone' icon or 'dial pad' on the video/image recording screen, enabling users to make calls with a couple of taps before or during recording, without obstructing the camera's field of view, allowing simultaneous video recording and phone calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional camera interface is used, then video recording can be captured, but the user cannot make phone calls during recording
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera interface and phone dialer into a single integrated interface. The dial pad is overlaid on the camera viewfinder, allowing users to make phone calls while viewing and recording video simultaneously. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by enabling both video recording and phone calling operations through one interface without requiring users to switch between different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera application is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a video recording tool and a phone dialing interface. By making the camera app universal, it can perform multiple functions (recording video, making calls, taking photos) without requiring separate dedicated applications, thus improving operational convenience while maintaining full functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dial pad is added to the camera screen, then phone calls can be made during recording, but the field of view may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The dial pad is positioned in a specific location on the camera screen with optimized local properties. It is designed with low opacity and positioned in a way that minimizes obstruction of the critical field of view areas. This local quality optimization allows the dial pad to be functional while maintaining maximum visibility of the recorded scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The dial pad uses color and transparency optimizations to reduce visual obstruction. By using semi-transparent colors and adjusting the visual properties of the dial pad elements, the design maintains visibility of the underlying video feed while still providing clear functionality for making phone calls.
3Ease of operation
If users switch between camera app and phone app to make calls, then phone functionality is available, but time is lost during switching
Solution Approach 1:
The dial pad interface is prepared and pre-positioned within the camera application before the user needs to make a call. All necessary dialing controls and contact information are already loaded and visible within the camera app interface, eliminating the need for users to switch applications or wait for loading when they need to make a call during video recording.
Data Source
AI summary
A process for making a call with a mobile device while video recording on the mobile device is disclosed. The process, when implemented as a mobile app, provides a semi-transparent built-in ‘phone’ icon or ‘dial pad’ on a video/image recording screen so with a couple of taps a phone call can be made while on the recording screen, before video recording or during. In this way, the process allows a person to make a phone call directly from the video recording screen of the mobile device without closing or minimizing the video recording screen, thereby ensuring that the person does not miss anything in or any moment of the recording video while providing an efficient and directly accessible way to call for help without wasting any time.