Google plans to use under-display cameras in Pixel phones: Patent

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It seems like Google has plans to use under-display cameras on its Pixel phones. Some smartphone OEMs already do that, but based on a new patent, Google may have a better way.

As many of you know, under-display cameras are usually not that good. The images and video they can capture are often washed out, and have that web camera effect as a result.

Google plans to use under-display camera in Pixel phones

Based on the patent that Google filed with the European Patent Office, things may change. The patent is titled “System and Apparatus of Under-Display Camera”.

Google under display camera patent application

So, how is Google planning to do this? Well, the company has seemingly come up with a way that would allow enough light to get to that under-display camera, while keeping it hidden.

The company seemingly plans to use two parts of the display to block or distort the light as it passes through the screen. Google claims this can be done by placing a layer of light-blocking material with different shapes and patterns between the display and the camera.

That way, one layer would be placed under each of the two aforementioned regions. One of the sensors would be used for color images, while the other for monochrome ones. Each of those light-blocking materials we’ve mentioned would be designed to work with the included sensors in particular.

Machine learning would play an important role here

Machine learning would play a huge role in blending captured information into the final product. Google often relies on it, so this wouldn’t exactly be surprising. The company’s camera processing is well-known in the tech world.

Do note that this is just a patent at this point. No, we won’t get this tech with the Pixel 8 series, but we do expect it at some point in the future. If we can get rid of display camera holes, and get good selfie cameras at the same time, why not?

2023-08-09 15:06:10