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Xiaomi files patent for phone with concealed camera and rotating mirror

Xiaomi recently filed a patent for a smartphone with an advanced and concealed pop-up camera. It sports a rotatable mirror as well. Here’s what it might look like, based on the patent information.

As reported by Let’s Go Digital, Xiaomi captures ingenious technology for a smartphone camera that can shoot forwards and backwards thanks to a rotating, reflective mirror.

In a world where nearly every smartphone is a copy of another, it’s refreshing to see something unique and truly innovative every once in a while. While extendable cameras aren’t new, Xiaomi added a dash of freshness.

New Xiaomi patent

Rumour has it that the camera does not require a printed circuit board to move, thereby saving not only on cost and but precious space too. In addition, the lenses can shoot in multiple directions.

Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software filed the patent – simply titled ‘Electronic device and concealed camera’ – with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO).

It was approved on 7 January 2021 and can be viewed here. In its base state, the camera will be completely hidden. However, Let’s Go Digital reports that the lenses won’t be visible, even when the camera is in use.

Xiaomi smartphone camera

Retractable reflective component

The document contains five schematic images – which LGD used to create the image above – as well as eight pages (double column!) of text relating to the “technical field of the electronic product”.

“Several camera modules and a reflective part, such as a reflective mirror, are used. The modules are facing up. The reflective component is used to mirror the image to the image capture module, which then captures the image”.

Let’s Go Digital

Moreover, the “retractable reflective component can also rotate, using a rotating motor”. That means you would be able to take selfies and “regular photos”, thanks to Xiaomi’s pop-up system. 

Multi-angle camera

Thanks to the positioning of the rotating reflective mirror, you could potentially take photos from any angle. Due to the set up, the device won’t need as many lenses as we’ve come to expect from smartphones.

“By using a reflective component, the camera module can also be integrated separately from the printed circuit board, making it less vulnerable and leaving more space for the other required components.”

Let’s Go Digital

Unfortunately, we don’t know when Xiaomi plans on manufacturing and releasing this device. It might also take years before budget and mid-range devices would have under-screen cameras, so we might be in for a wait.

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