Apple patent proposes video improvements for iPhone, iPod
updated 12:45 pm EST, Thu February 18, 2010
Diagrams depict forward-facing camera
Apple may be looking into improving the consistency of video input on its handhelds, a newly exposed patent application suggests. The problem, Apple comments, is that the manufacturing process for camera modules can create subtle flaws, for instance altering lens thickness or color behavior. To address the issue, Apple is proposing the use of captured "video images of colored light," which would serve as a reference point for calibrating a camera's biases.
Alternately, a signal processor could be used to adjust color levels based on a preconfigured calibration.
Diagrams included with the application echo a recurring theme of Apple handheld patents, that being a forward-facing camera. Apple has yet to make good on the concept, as not even the iPad or the iPhone 3GS have exploited the technology. Evidence has been found, however, showing that the iPad could gain the feature in future generations. This would allow for functions such as video calling, or face recognition.
evidence?
02/18, 01:03pm reply
I hardly call some non-authorized repair facility receiving supposed iPad parts as being evidence supporting it's possible capabilities.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
huh?
02/18, 01:11pm (1 reply) reply
Did you post your comment on the wrong story, test?
malax
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Joined: Aug 2006
Whitebalance
02/18, 01:18pm reply
So are they essentially trying to patent whitebalance calibration? Doesn't seem very novel to me.
brainiac
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Joined: Sep 2003
About whitebalance...
02/18, 02:10pm (1 reply) reply
Actually, white balance is the “800 pound gorilla” as far as hardware calibration is concerned for camera manufacturers. It is actually quite interesting that Apple is trying to develop this technology. It isn’t, actually, that they are trying to patent “whitebalance callibration”, per se, but rather how the cameras attached to their devices can achieve accurate whitebalance readings and repeat them....
Cool!
bonaccij
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