Samsung has been granted a patent for what it is described as a camera with a moveable construction. The three cameras in the array are arranged in a T-shape and a motorized gear moves them in a sliding motion, which changes their aperture in the process.
Canon has filed a patent for a system that expands the battery indicator of a camera to also display the remaining life of a connected USB-C battery supply.
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo has recently published schematics for a pyramid-like smartphone camera design that stacks multiple lenses on top of each other in a unique telescoping camera mechanism.
Canon has filed a patent for a new "image pickup-up device and adjustment mechanism" that appears to be a high-powered clip-on-style telephoto camera accessory for smartphones.
Canon has filed a patent for a new shutter-like barrier mechanism that appears designed to protect the shutter and image sensor of its mirrorless cameras when a lens is removed, ensuring that no dust or debris can enter and cause damage.
Nikon looks set to launch what is likely the first consumer camera to use GNSS instead of GPS. It would be a major upgrade in how geolocation coordinates are obtained for the metadata of photos.
Multiple manufacturers are currently attempting to solve problems with a smartphone's front-facing camera. Current devices generally use a notch or hole-punch, but to keep a display seamless some are trying to hide them under the display itself. Xiaomi thinks there might be a better way.
Vivo is reportedly developing a smartphone that includes a tiny quadcopter drone that slides out from the main body of the device, detaches, and can fly away to allow for better selfie photos.
Canon has applied for a patent that would use an in-camera algorithm in tandem with the camera's image stabilization system to intelligently determine the difference between blur caused by motion and blur caused by a moving subject, and correct it.
According to a report from LetsGoDigital, the Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi has patented three new smartphone designs with huge camera arrays developed in a collaboration with Samsung.
Microsoft has patented a new "logo camera" system for use on its devices. It uses a quad-camera array in the shape of its iconic Windows logo where each individual camera is optimized for a specific color.
Efforts to reduce bezels and notches at the top of smartphones are impeded by one major must-have feature: the front-facing camera. While many Android devices have adopted the "hole punch" over the iconic Apple notch, Google may be headed towards a unique under-display camera.
In a patent, Canon explains how it intends to translate its Eye-Control Autofocus (AF) technology into a camera with an electronic viewfinder (EVF). The technology was originally developed for the EOS 5 SLR, and as such needed updating.
In a play on smartphone design that would make them much more like traditional cameras, Xiaomi has patented a modular smartphone that would accept interchangeable nodes, each one with different functions.
Canon has applied for a patent that would allow a camera to use its in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS) to approximate the effects of an anti-aliasing filter. The idea is similar to how sensor-shift multi-shot works, but in reverse.
A newly published patent suggests that Canon might be trying to bring a catadioptric optical system back to its camera lens lineup. If the "mirror lens" designs do materialize, we would likely see super telephoto lenses that are much smaller and cheaper than equivalent Canon lenses currently on the market.
Photographer Erik Espinosa was tired of fighting with his own reflection when it came to shooting shiny products and decided there had to be a better way. Fresh off an approved patent, his new domed box concept calls "Entero" removes that problem entirely.
Canon has recently been thinking out of the box with its experimental camera lines, but a new patent filed in Japan shows the company isn't afraid to try new things with more conventional camera equipment either. The designs show an interchangeable lens with a large, circular touchpad.
Ken Rockwell has announced that he has patented a software addition that would leverage the ability for full-frame cameras to shoot in crop modes and automatically apply that feature when a lens is zoomed for extra optical throw in situations like bird photography.
Canon has patented a handheld camera that combines a design reminiscent of the DJI Osmo (now called the OM) with its RF lenses and a rotating hinge. The flipping lens hinge is described as making it much easier to switch between forward-facing and selfie views.