Wide-Angle Video Interfaces with Scene-Responsive Camera Views

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing live video communication sessions are cumbersome and inefficient, often requiring multiple key presses or keystrokes, wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of faster and more efficient user interfaces that allow for selecting camera modes and adjusting field-of-view based on scene changes, reducing the need for redundant inputs and conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques are used for managing live video communication sessions, then the interface provides comprehensive control options, but the interface becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple key presses or keystrokes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of interface operationVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the camera mode selection functionality from the main video communication interface. A dedicated camera mode indicator and selection mechanism is provided that allows users to switch between first camera mode (adjusting field-of-view representation) and second camera mode (forgoing adjustment) without navigating through complex menus or multiple keystrokes. This extraction simplifies the main interface while providing comprehensive control options when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects scene changes in the field-of-view and autonomously adjusts the camera representation accordingly when in the first camera mode. This self-service capability eliminates the need for users to manually control every aspect of the video feed, reducing the number of required inputs while maintaining comprehensive control options through the camera mode selection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If existing techniques are used for managing live video communication sessions, then the interface provides comprehensive control options, but user time and device energy are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo communication efficiencyVSAvoidtime for interface operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by providing camera mode selection at the outset of the video communication session. Users can pre-select whether they want automatic scene change detection and adjustment (first camera mode) or a static camera view (second camera mode) before the session begins or during setup. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for repeated adjustments and inputs during the actual communication, thereby reducing operational time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

When in the first camera mode, the system performs self-service by automatically detecting and responding to scene changes without requiring user intervention. This autonomous operation significantly reduces the time users would otherwise spend manually adjusting camera settings during video conferences, thereby improving overall communication efficiency while maintaining the option for comprehensive control when users explicitly select the first camera mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If existing techniques are used for managing live video communication sessions, then the interface provides comprehensive control options, but device energy is consumed unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoiddevice energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the computationally intensive scene change detection and field-of-view adjustment functionality into a separate camera mode that users can opt into or out of. By providing a dedicated second camera mode that forgoes these adjustments entirely, the system allows users to minimize energy consumption by selecting the simpler, less resource-intensive mode when comprehensive control is not needed, thereby reducing unnecessary device energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its operational characteristics based on the selected camera mode. In the first camera mode, the system continuously monitors for scene changes and adjusts the field-of-view representation, which consumes more energy. In the second camera mode, these monitoring and adjustment operations are suspended, reducing energy consumption. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize between ease of operation and energy usage based on user preferences and session requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4598009A1User interfaces for wide angle video conference
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 APPLE INC
  • EP4598009A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4598009A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4598009A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to embodiments for video communication interfaces for automatically adjusting a displayed representation of a field-of-view of a camera in response to detecting a change in a scene.