Apple patents method to sync camera settings when one lens is blocked
Apple describes a system that compares data from two different camera lenses to detect if one is covered or obstructed. If a blockage is found, the system adjusts the processing settings of both cameras to ensure the images remain consistent. This helps maintain image quality when a device's cameras are partially hidden.
In the filing’s own words
An apparatus can include a first image sensor having a first field of view (FOV) and configured to capture a first image, a second image sensor having a second FOV and configured to capture a second image, an image statistics collection subsystem configured to gather first image statistics information associated with the first image and to gather second image statistics information associated with the second image, a disparity detection subsystem configured to compare the first image statistics information with the second image statistics information, and image signal processing blocks configured to synchronize processing of the first and second images based on the comparison of the first image statistics information with the second image statistics information. Processing of the first and second images can involve using one or more combined image signal processing control parameters based on image statistics information within an overlapping FOV and/or a within a total FOV.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. Circuitry comprising: one or more inputs configured to receive a first image of an environment from a first image sensor and a second image, different than the first image, of the environment from a second image sensor; and one or more image signal processing circuits configured to: obtain first image statistics information associated with the first image of the environment; obtain second image statistics information associated with the second image of the environment; determine whether the first image sensor is currently occluded by comparing the first image statistics information with the second image statistics information; and synchronize settings associated with the first and second images based on the comparison of the first image statistics information with the second image statistics information in response to determining that the first image sensor is currently occluded.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Synchronizing image signal processing across multiple image sensors
- Patent number
- US12739354B2
- Application number
- 18583729
- Filed
- Feb 21, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 31
Classified under
H04N 13/133 Electricity & electronicsH04N 13/15 Electricity & electronicsH04N 13/161 Electricity & electronicsH04N 13/167 Electricity & electronicsH04N 13/339 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Cameras & imaging
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.