Smart Oppo patent shows punch-hole camera disguised by camera app

An Oppo patent for a punch-hole display feature. WIPO

Oppo has patented some display features that would integrate with the punch hole camera. The two patents were published January 18 and 22 (via LetsGoDigital) on the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) showing how the in-display camera could become an element of the app.

One of the patents (above) depicts rows of Android apps positioned across the top of the display, with the camera app covering the front-facing camera at the top left. With the software app placed here, the app’s lens would overlap with the physical camera lens, creating the illusion that they’re one and the same. Seemingly, the camera app would always remain in position even when swiping to another homepage (where you might expect a different app to replace it).

In the second patent (below), the camera app’s permanence would apparently be able to be switched off by swiping the app icon across the display to unbind it.

An Oppo patent for a punch-hole camera feature. WIPO

This seems like a clever way to hide the punch-hole camera while we wait for a better solution on the road to fullscreen smartphones. It could reduce the prominence of the sensor within the display, with the caveat that your camera app would have to permanently remain there for the trick to work.

This wouldn’t be a problem for everybody, only those with particular tastes with regards to their shortcuts and display setups.

In related news, a recently published Samsung patent showed off a similar idea whereby a transparent display area around the punch-hole camera could animate to make the hardware sensor less obtrusive. Whether either of these ideas will ever make it to market remains to be seen — but which would you prefer? A fixed camera app icon or some kind of display animation? Let me know in the comments.

Source: Android Zone

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Sony’s new camera tech supposedly better than Face ID, coming later in 2019

The Sony logo at MWC 2018.

  • Sony is ramping up production of its 3D ToF cameras for 2019.
  • The cameras are reportedly set to appear on the front and rear of several devices this year.
  • 3D ToF cameras enable faster facial recognition and the ability to 3D scan objects.

Sony is increasing the production of new-generation 3D ToF cameras in order to meet demand for customers in 2019, according to Bloomberg.

The sensors will power rear- and front-facing cameras on devices from several manufacturers this year, Sony executive Satoshi Yoshihara told the outlet. Mass production of the 3D cameras is expected to take place in “late summer.”

Read: Sony starts winding down Xperia Themes Store, cites ‘low usage rate’

Yoshihara didn’t divulge any solid financial details but reportedly said the business was already profitable and would make an impact in the next fiscal year.

What can you do with the tech?

A 3D ToF camera sends out invisible beams of light, then measures the time it takes for the beams to bounce back. This works to a maximum distance of five meters on Sony’s effort, according to the outlet.

Yoshihara says the company’s solution creates more accurate 3D models of faces and objects than structured light sensors. Apple’s Face ID and other 3D face unlock solutions use structured light technology, which sees an array of invisible dots being projected onto a face or object. Theoretically, this should mean Sony’s technology is the superior.

Bloomberg also touched on some of its applications. “In one app, users made specific hand gestures to cast magic spells inside a virtual game,” the outlet said. “In another, the phone calculated the depth of the room and accurately displayed a virtual goldfish swimming in front of and behind real-life objects.”

Furthermore, Bloomberg says other uses include device unlocking via facial recognition, and depth measurement to improve focus in low-light situations. Meanwhile, Sony’s own DepthSense website foresees features such as “DSLR quality photography,” touchless interaction, 3D room reconstruction, mixed reality, and measurements.

The back of the Oppo R17 Pro

The Oppo R17 Pro features a rear-facing 3D ToF camera.

We’ve already got phones on the market with 3D ToF cameras, such as the Oppo R17 Pro. But our own Lanh Nguyen was pretty underwhelmed by its functionality while reviewing the unit.

Editor’s Pick

“I didn’t find the 3D scanning particularly useful and on my review device, the feature was very buggy,” Lanh said. “The 3D feature often crashed the camera or froze during the scanning process and the majority of my 3D images did not come out perfectly.”

Nevertheless, Huawei is said to be using Sony’s solution in its next-generation devices, according to “people familiar with the matter.” Given the “late summer” timeframe for mass production, that means a P30 with Sony’s sensor might be out of the question. But Huawei could potentially opt for another 3D ToF solution if it’s really keen on the tech.

NEXT: 2018 rewind — By the numbers

Source: Android Zone

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