Huawei efforts for a movable periscope camera, patent reveals

Huawei has got approval for an interesting ‘movable camera’ patent. The tech giant applied for this innovative technology back in May 2023. Now it received validation from the United States Patent and Trademark Office Publication (USPTO).

The patent shows a Huawei smartphone featuring a unique movable camera system. This mechanism allows the periscope lens to reposition itself and move close or far. It enables you to click enhanced zooming shots without making phones bulky.

A periscope camera uses a prism or mirror to bend the light path at a 90-degree angle, allowing for a longer lens assembly to fit inside a smartphone. Phone makers often increase the number of prism or mirrors to improve the zoom performance.

However, this increment leads to a thicker phone, which is against trendy smartphone designs. Looks like Huawei has got a solution to this periscope camera matter.

The company may use a driving motor to change the position of the camera assembly and lift it near or far from the image sensor. The movement will enable the device to capture longer-range zoom snaps without compromising the image quality.

In case you don’t require the periscope camera, the lifting mechanism will remain inside the phone, maintaining a thin appearance. Another benefit is that it will let users manually control the mechanism to distance the lens via rotating ring.

Movable Camera System: Benefits

The overall mechanism is said to be cost-effective over implementing a new periscope lens into the device. Huawei’s latest camera patent suggests these positive points:

• Enhanced Zooming: The movable camera sensor will provide longer zoom ranges, prioritizing image quality.
• Thin Design: Smartphones will get a thin and more trendy appearance as the movable camera system gets back into the device.
• Manual/Automatic: Users can either manually control the zoom via a ring and enjoy a professional photography feel.
• Cost-effective: Mechanism parts can be easier to maintain and cheaper.

Huawei introduced a retractable camera system with the Pura 70 Ultra. The primary lens can pop-out to camera precise and high-definition images and tucks away after the use. Looks like the company is now exploring a similar mechanism.

The patent doesn’t confirm whether this new technology will make its way to the user ground. Though Pura 80 series seems the right choice for this tech at present.

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