LG Files a Patent for a 16 Camera Device

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AlphaAtlas

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A patent spotted by LetsGoDigital suggests that LG is thinking about seriously escalating the camera-count war. The U.S. patent, which was granted on November 20 2018, describes a smartphone with 16 front-facing camera lenses arranged in a small 4x4 grid. Unlike Light's L16 camera, which builds a large image made up of multiple focal points with its 16 camera array, LG seemingly wants to capture multiple perspectives with each camera, and let users make adjustments other than focus after the fact. There's no word on when, or if, such a device will come to market. LetsGoDigital uploaded a copy of the patent on their site.

Images that are taken at the same time by different lenses can be combined into a moving image. A part of the photo can then be selected, to replace this with an image part that has been captured by another lens. It is even possible to combine several parts of different photos together. You can also select a head of a person or object, after which you can turn it into almost any desired position. Besides the camera, also a flash and a mirror are positioned on the back. The mirror can cooperate with the rear camera to allow a user to photograph himself in a self-portrait mode.
 
How much varying perspective can you get with tiny sensors packed so close? I guess it might be fine for macro work...
 
so is this the new thing? just slap as many camera's on a phone as you can..
 
percydaman said:
How much varying perspective can you get with tiny sensors packed so close? I guess it might be fine for macro work...
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That was my first thought, even if you're shooting close up. The L16's cameras are spaced farther apart, yet it seemingly treats them all like they're capturing the same perspective.
 
Lately with phones the camera is the area I feel the most important with. Don't get me wrong my A12 bionic is faster than my previous phone but with Android device manufactures typically leaning on other companies like ARM you're going to end up seeing them innovate or mess up in other areas when their hardware provider is slacking.
 
{NG}Fidel said:
Lately with phones the camera is the area I feel the most important with. Don't get me wrong my A12 bionic is faster than my previous phone but with Android device manufactures typically leaning on other companies like ARM you're going to end up seeing them innovate or mess up in other areas when their hardware provider is slacking.
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The camera you have in your pocket is much more valuable than the camera you left at home, so it's reasonable that this would be most people's focus.
 
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Zoom and Enhance is more real every day. May need to add Rotate to that. "Zoom Enhance and Rotote 15 deg."
 
It's like 7 minute abs, but it only takes 6 minutes.....

Seriously are they just going to ad another camera and patent it each time? I fail to see how this is different enough that a patent is required, or even valid..... We're heading back to rectangle with round corners type of bullshit patents again.....
 
What they are probably looking at is using the array to give you better zoom and a wider FOV in one unit. There's been research going on along these lines for some time. The idea is that an array of small, regular, cameras can be synchronized and processed to give an image that is more than the sum of its parts. Likewise there is look at using arrays for HDR imaging. While some of the "OMG moar cameras!" shit is marketing for sure, there's real reasons to be looking at it. We can't put nice lenses on phones, there's no room. However we may not need to. With an array of cameras and good software, we may be able to get imagery in every way as good as something with a big sensor and a good lens.
 
Sycraft said:
What they are probably looking at is using the array to give you better zoom and a wider FOV in one unit. There's been research going on along these lines for some time. The idea is that an array of small, regular, cameras can be synchronized and processed to give an image that is more than the sum of its parts. Likewise there is look at using arrays for HDR imaging. While some of the "OMG moar cameras!" shit is marketing for sure, there's real reasons to be looking at it. We can't put nice lenses on phones, there's no room. However we may not need to. With an array of cameras and good software, we may be able to get imagery in every way as good as something with a big sensor and a good lens.
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Pretty much. The camera array uses different lenses and settings (exposures, etc.) to "fill in" the lost information from a single lens. This allows software to bridge the gap of data so the user can adjust things like zoom, aperature / focal length, shutter speed, exposure, and much more after the picture was taken. Years ago BAE Systems demo'd their massive camera array for military drones (think predator), it was like 48 cameras. The ability to visualize across a much larger area is impressive, and it cuts down on the weight needed for heavy mechanical parts to do pan, tilt, and zoom.

This is the logical next step for top-tier phone cameras as quality (large) lenses and sensors are not possible without adding bulk. Companies have tried to sell large lenses for phones and they don't sell well. The array keeps the bulk down so they can maintain their infatuation with thinness.
 
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DUDE :rolleyes:
In all seriousness, people are probably going to buy into this as a thing they just cant live without. :inpain:
 
It's like RAM. My first computer had 4k, now I've got 16GB. Never enough. I want 1024 cameras please.
 
Multiple cameras used in a synergistic way could go far in overcoming the limitations of such small sensors and lenses if the software and CPU's are capable. Pushing cameras with bigger and better lenses and sensors is very costly and of course there is always a limitation to size. Many small cheap ones done right, will be interesting.
 
don't give a shit until they can put a full frame sensor in a smart phone.

All these shitty sensors in multiple cameras
 
Why not a large sensor and spinning disc with multiple lenses.. algorithms would do the corrections of course, but shouldn't be too hard for computers to do it since all the lens data (position speed, all that) would be available.
 
How about we put this kind of effort into improving call quality?... You know, the thing a phone is supposed to do best but doesn't. Quit focusing on pointless shit for narcissists.
 
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Dekoth-E- said:
How about we put this kind of effort into improving call quality?... You know, the thing a phone is supposed to do best but doesn't. Quit focusing on pointless shit for narcissists.
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LOL.. but that would cost them money for no more return. this costs YOU money and nets them more in return
 
Dekoth-E- said:
How about we put this kind of effort into improving call quality?... You know, the thing a phone is supposed to do best but doesn't. Quit focusing on pointless shit for narcissists.
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You silly person.

No one actually uses a phone for calls anymore.

They are just used for Snapchat, and sexting eachother vegetable emojis.
 
Dekoth-E- said:
How about we put this kind of effort into improving call quality?... You know, the thing a phone is supposed to do best but doesn't. Quit focusing on pointless shit for narcissists.
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I'd rather they send me a picture from a 16 camera phone.
 
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