Samsung files a patent application for a dual-camera system

by Damian M. / Jan 03, 2017, 4:07 AM

Samsung files a patent application for a dual-camera system

A new patent application, published by the USPTO, reveals that Samsung might be considering a dual-camera setup for future devices. The application was filed way back in March, 2016, but it was made public just a few days ago.

The patent application is titled “Digital Photographing Apparatus and Method of Operating the Same”, and shows a system of two cameras – one with a wide-angle lens and one with a telephoto lens. The latter would capture a zoomed-in image of the subject that's being shot, and a processor would be used to determine which of the two cameras is capturing the “main image”, based on the subject's motion.

If the velocity of the subject is greater than a predetermined speed, the processor would prioritize the wide-angle camera, and if the subject is moving slower than said predefined speed, the telephoto image would be the “main” one.

Additionally, the application describes a possibility where both camera images are displayed on the device's screen, with the main image being displayed full-screen, while the sub image is shown as a picture-in-picture on top of it.

The patent application suggests that the camera setup can also be used for video, with the integrated processor switching the main image automatically. If it really switches the main image dynamically, this could make for some pretty interesting results, with close-ups when the subject moves slower and wide-angle action shots at higher speeds.

It is unknown if and when the dual-camera system will make its way to a Samsung smartphone, but it's definitely worth keeping our eyes open for any new info on the subject.

Drawings from Samsung's dual-camera patent application

Source: USPTO via GalaxyClub

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27 Comments

2. cmdacos

Posts: 4220; Member since: Nov 01, 2016

Slightly different then apples version , more so on the software side but certainly they could have found a better use of the second camera.

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 4:21 AM 2

17. AlikMalix unregistered

Well Apple's version was slightly different than anyone else's, but everyone said "same" "same" "copy"... yep... double standard...

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:54 AM 0

19. AlikMalix unregistered

Even the patent diagrams have camera placements where iPhone 7+ is... When did Samsung make a phone with camera placement there?

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 6:20 AM 0

23. Tizo101

Posts: 545; Member since: Jun 05, 2015

the thing is... this was filed in march 2016 - way before the iPhone 7+ was released, so who stole from who? click bait article

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 6:38 AM 3

24. AlikMalix unregistered

http://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/apple-works-dual-camera-technology-different-htcs/ "In the patent application that was originally filed back in 2012, Apple describes an electronic device featuring two adjacent camera sensor modules" Filed in 2012. Granted slightly different implementation, but Apple had been working since then... The point here is, is that Apple has built a successful telephoto setup.. if this was the otherway around, the usual suspects would vomit the same old, "patent troll" "copy" "same" etc... Not saying that Apple doesn't get inspired/copy ideas - but just like this, apple had patents prior to anyone just to come out with similar after someone else - but just like this "slightly" different application. I know, I'm in Apple camp, but I'm curious how Samsung will approach dual camera. Like someone above mentioned - the ONLY thing most people interested in from ANY manufacturer is to concentrate on photo quality - and so far, the only thing from dual cameras that I liked is that that I can get better photo quality with 2x than any digital zoom on any phone. Still, I digress, find all dual camera applications (even Apple) not worth the effort... but that's how technology evolves. Samsung's turn!

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 6:50 AM 1

3. Plasticsh1t

Posts: 3108; Member since: Sep 01, 2014

Monkey see monkey do.

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 4:45 AM 9

15. John-Knotts

Posts: 380; Member since: Feb 28, 2015

March 2016 you retard.

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:53 AM 3

20. AlikMalix unregistered

Everyone already heard of dual telephoto camera to be on iPhone 7 in January 2016... There are numerous articles dated even before that with speculations. Here's one dated January 2016: Apple may create a version of the iPhone 7 Plus with two rear-facing camera lenses to offer and combine wide-angle and telephoto shots, according to an analyst. The dual-camera scenario comes from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Both lenses would offer 12 megapixels of resolution, Kuo said Wednesday in an investors note seen by AppleInsider. One lens would be a wide-angle version equipped with optical image stabilization to offer higher quality photos. The other would come with an optical zoom capable of magnifying an image by two to three times. source:https://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-7-plus-could-offer-dual-camera-lenses-says-analyst/

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 6:27 AM 1

37. Macready

Posts: 1824; Member since: Dec 08, 2014

http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/07/samsung-patents-bizarre-dual-lens-pseudo-depth-field-camera That's Samsung, 2011. Or here, 2006, more than 10 years ago:https://www.google.com/patents/US20070285550 They were in this game far longer.

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 7:03 PM 1

38. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

they wont argue with this

posted on Jan 04, 2017, 2:42 AM 0

35. sissy246

Posts: 7120; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

Pretty much like apple did

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 10:55 AM 0

4. kent-gaga

Posts: 609; Member since: Apr 10, 2012

This idea is as uninteresting as it is unrealistic, because the telephoto lens can only tract only 1 fixed viewing point compared to the wider angle lens, most probably the center part, thus it can never ever "track" moving objects within the scene. Also this sounds like a previous iPhone 7 Plus dual camera leak that someone even took the time to make a whole (pointless) video to explain how it works, and it doesn't, obviously. Edit: Unless they can physically make the telephoto lens and its sensor system move around the same way our eyes move, this is, again, unrealistic. But still, the implementation is uninteresting in everyway I look at it

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:00 AM 0

6. kent-gaga

Posts: 609; Member since: Apr 10, 2012

Edit again: It's supposed to be "capture" instead of "tract" ( I dont even know what tract means haha)

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:06 AM 0

13. Macready

Posts: 1824; Member since: Dec 08, 2014

"thus it can never ever "track" moving objects within the scene." What on earth are you talking about? The tele photo lens is likely only 2 to 3x the focal length of the wide angle lens. Which means that it covers quite a large portion of the area that the wide angle lens covers too. And since we usually hold the camera while following action, we're the ones that can easily keep the action framed. We're not talking 300-500mm equivalent here...

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:40 AM 0

29. kent-gaga

Posts: 609; Member since: Apr 10, 2012

It's still not big enough to be considered good enough, though

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 8:20 AM 0

5. Bankz

Posts: 2548; Member since: Apr 08, 2016

It seems samsungs life depended on apple tbf..

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:02 AM 3

8. Amir123a

Posts: 126; Member since: Aug 27, 2016

the best implementation of dual camera is to use both lens for improving the image quality like huawei is doing. No brainer. Image quality>rest.

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:15 AM 2

9. Subie

Posts: 2369; Member since: Aug 01, 2015

Would be nice if both cameras could take the shot at the same time and you could then you'd have the option to keep both or the one that looks better.

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:19 AM 1

10. Subie

Posts: 2369; Member since: Aug 01, 2015

Good idea when you have two cameras at your disposal as well.

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:22 AM 0

12. ctdog4748

Posts: 797; Member since: Mar 05, 2016

Wow what a patent w***e Samsung is wow what's next Samsung will patent a square phone or a phone that allows phone calls wow screw Samsung!

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:35 AM 0

32. sissy246

Posts: 7120; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

And here is dumb, now where's dumber

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 9:45 AM 0

14. peace247 unregistered

For those isheeps who are saying samsung is copying apple, please read the first para where it says this patent was filled on March 2016

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 5:45 AM 2

21. AlikMalix unregistered

Post #20 above...

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 6:28 AM 0

22. shield

Posts: 843; Member since: Sep 12, 2015

Hmm lg v10 and v 20 :D

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 6:31 AM 0

27. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

"shieldposted on1 hour agoHmm lg v10 and v 20 :D" This patent isn't all about dual-camera hardware, but more about the software side of it, which is different from LG's implementation.

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 8:02 AM 1

30. nedimko_wot

Posts: 115; Member since: Oct 01, 2016

expacting some court fights with apple

posted on Jan 03, 2017, 8:45 AM 0

31. talon95

Posts: 1000; Member since: Jul 31, 2012

I find it interesting that the zoomed image is never centered in the wide image. I wonder if the telephoto lens will be capable of independently moving and tracking a subject within the frame of the wide angle. That along with PiP could make for some interesting video recording. If this is nothing more than what Apple has already re-implemented from others, then it isn't really worth what it costs.