Button Control Unit for Preventing Unintended Function Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assigning functions to buttons in electronic apparatuses, such as professional-use video cameras, often result in unintended functions being executed or interrupted due to the reliance on long press mechanisms, leading to user confusion and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

The electronic apparatus employs a control unit that distinguishes between two types of operation members, allowing functions to be registered and executed only when specific conditions are met, such as the absence of simultaneous operation of different buttons, thereby preventing unintended function execution and enabling quick access to a setting screen for customization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a long press mechanism is used to shift to customization mode, then the setting screen can be accessed without opening a menu screen, but unintended functions may be executed before the mode shift occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to setting screenVSAvoidunintended function execution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the press operation and determines the user's intent before executing the function. By detecting whether the user intends to customize or execute the function based on press duration and timing, the system avoids unintended function execution while maintaining easy access to the setting screen through long press operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a long press mechanism is used to shift to customization mode, then the setting screen can be accessed without opening a menu screen, but execution of the assigned function is interrupted despite continuous button operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to setting screenVSAvoidfunction execution continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its response based on the press duration and timing. During the press operation, the system determines whether to execute the function or shift to customization mode based on real-time detection of press duration and subsequent button releases. This dynamic response prevents interruption of intended function execution while still allowing access to customization when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If a setting menu screen is opened for function assignment, then accurate function customization can be performed, but the number of operation steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction assignment accuracyVSAvoidnumber of operation steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the user's intent through the press operation pattern. When a long press is detected, the system directly shifts to the setting screen without requiring the user to navigate through menu screens, thus reducing the number of operation steps while maintaining accurate function assignment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring users to navigate through menu screens to access function assignment, the system inverts the traditional approach by allowing direct access to the setting screen through a long press operation. This reverses the conventional menu-navigation flow and provides a more efficient path to function customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10122926B2Electronic apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 CANON KK

AI summary

A timer is activated when a menu button is pressed, and a setting screen for customizing a function of an assign button is displayed when the assign button is pressed before a period of the timer expires with the menu button being pressed. On the other hand, when the assign button is pressed first, even if the menu button is pressed with the assign button being pressed, the function of the assign button is executed, and the setting screen for customizing the function of the assign button is not displayed.