Apple files for patent for digital viewfinder user interface for multiple cameras on iPhones, iPads

Apple has filed for a patent (number 20180131876) for a “digital viewfinder user interface for multiple cameras” that shows ongoing efforts to make iPhone and iPad cameras even better. The invention involves dual built-in cameras that could simultaneously record and display two different viewfinders for creating videos.

In the patent filing, Apple notes that the digital viewfinders in iPhones and iPads may allow variable image zooming through the use of optical and/or digital magnification. Optical magnification provides better visual quality but introduces complexities in the device’s optical train, as optical zooming is achieved by moving physical components (e.g., lenses) along a physical, optical train. 

Apple says that digital magnification avoids these complexities, “thereby permitting more efficient device packaging, but may suffer in visual quality.” The company wants to change this.

Apple’s patent filing involves an electronic device that has multiple cameras and displays a digital viewfinder user interface for previewing visual information provided by the cameras. The multiple cameras may have different properties such as focal lengths. 

When a single digital viewfinder is provided, the user interface allows zooming over a zoom range that includes the respective zoom ranges of both cameras. The zoom setting to determine which camera provides visual information to the viewfinder and which camera is used to capture visual information. The user interface also allows the simultaneous display of content provided by different cameras at the same time. 

When two digital viewfinders are provided, the user interface allows zooming, freezing, and panning of one digital viewfinder independently of the other. The device allows storing of a composite images and/or videos using both digital viewfinders and corresponding cameras.

Of course, Apple files for — and is granted — lots of patents by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Many are for inventions that never see the light of day. However, you never can tell which ones will materialize in a real product.

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