Google seeks patent on GPS and weather controlled camera

posted by Alan F. / Apr 01, 2013, 8:51 PM

Google seeks patent on GPS and weather controlled camera

Google's patent allows GPS and weather data to control the settings on a camera

Google has filed an application with the USPTO for "Device, System and Method for Image Capture Device using Weather Information". It is a big fancy title for a rather simple, but effective idea. The idea is that by using data provided by GPS and adding it to the current weather conditions, the settings on a camera can be perfectly aligned to take great pictures. The controls that would be affected are ones that most people don't ever touch, or even know about such as White Balance, ISO and exposure balance.

Imaging seeing your camera adjust its settings automatically depending on whether you're inside or outside, something that can be determined by GPS. The weather information can be used to determine if it is a sunny day, or if is raining or even overcast. Will this be something that ever finds its way into an Android phone? As long as it doesn't add much to the cost, most people would enjoy having anything that improves the quality of their pictures without having to tinker with the settings.

source: USPTO via Engadget

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12 Comments

1. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Isn't this something that's considered too generic to patent?

posted on Apr 01, 2013, 8:56 PM 5

2. BiN4RY

Posts: 83; Member since: Jun 22, 2012

Not as generic as rounded corners

posted on Apr 01, 2013, 9:04 PM 16

3. Joker

Posts: 24; Member since: Dec 07, 2011

So "rectangle with rounded corners" is not generic

posted on Apr 01, 2013, 9:06 PM 11

4. javac

Posts: 102; Member since: Mar 04, 2013

Hahahahaha but a wrap around screen that sony already made is just so innovative. Go home Mxyzptlk your drunk

posted on Apr 01, 2013, 10:06 PM 3

7. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

He likes Apple, we couldn't do anything. Just let him be an Apple fanboy, he think's that Apple make excellent products that people want to buy. lol xD

posted on Apr 01, 2013, 10:18 PM 4

12. taikucing unregistered

This idea has an algorithm. I don't find any algorithms used in rounded corners.

posted on Apr 02, 2013, 3:35 AM 1

15. roscuthiii

Posts: 2383; Member since: Jul 18, 2010

Ahh... now it all makes sense. You have no idea what "generic" is.

posted on Apr 02, 2013, 6:08 PM 0

5. darkkjedii

Posts: 31529; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Sweet idea. It would be hella easy to use in the LV, since we almost always have perfect weather...and perfect eye candy ;)

posted on Apr 01, 2013, 10:10 PM 1

6. xperiaDROID

Neat Google, this is very neat, I'm waiting for this one. And patent everything so you will not be sued by cr@pple.

posted on Apr 01, 2013, 10:15 PM 4

10. digitalw

Posts: 79; Member since: Dec 20, 2011

amaizing!!! That meens, that you, as a user, can be sued in this scenario: 1. It's a cloudy weather 2. You have non Android phone 3. You select CLOUDY WEATHER in the camera app. I like Google, but in this case, they got to far. Sad to see that companies (not only in consumer electronics) are gone to far without any moral, ethics or basic human culture... sad world.

posted on Apr 02, 2013, 1:19 AM 0

14. sprockkets

Posts: 1612; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

Only if your phone uses the GPS to do it, dumbass.

posted on Apr 02, 2013, 8:47 AM 0

11. rusticguy

Posts: 2828; Member since: Aug 11, 2012

Novartis just loses patent case in India. Court rules that patent cannot be granted just for reformulating whatever existed and is known to mankind (so to say). As a result now anti cancer drug to cost $200 instead of $2500 Good ... patents should be annulled in public interests. :)