System and method for providing wide-area imaging and communications capability to a handheld device
US11477413B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 2020 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2007/145
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This invention provides a system and method for utilizing a wireless, handheld communication device to image a scene in multiple directions, so as to include multiple parties in addition to the user, and also, optionally, to project images on a plurality of display screens—for example a user-facing screen on the front face of the phone and an opposing screen on the rear/back face of the phone that faces (e.g.) a chat participant other than the user (an audience). The housing of the smartphone is adapted to provide a multi-camera and multi-screen arrangement. More particularly, the housing of the smartphone is adapted to include (at least) a front-directed camera and a rear-directed camera on respective front and rear faces, and openings along the left and right side edges for small-scale cameras and associated protective windows that are directed to image the left and right areas adjacent to the phone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.