Camera Controller Optical Accessory Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying and configuring interchangeable camera accessories on mobile devices, such as smartphones, require costly electrical interfaces that are prone to wear and tear and are not waterproof, making them inefficient and unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that uses sensors to detect mechanical connections and optical identification marks on accessories, allowing for automatic configuration changes by disabling or modifying camera functions based on the detected accessories, thereby eliminating the need for electrical interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electrical interface is used to identify interchangeable accessories, then accessory identification and configuration is enabled, but the system becomes more costly, susceptible to wear and tear, and not waterproof

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory identification reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical interface system with an optical sensing system. The sensor detects optical identification marks (such as patterns, colors, or shapes) on the accessory instead of reading electrical signals from an integrated circuit. This substitution eliminates the need for electrical contacts, integrated circuits in the accessory, and associated wiring, thereby reducing complexity and improving reliability while maintaining waterproof capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses optical identification marks that are visual representations or copies of accessory information. Instead of requiring physical electrical contacts to read data, the system captures an optical image of the identification mark and processes it to identify the accessory. This approach allows accessory identification without physical electrical interfaces, reducing wear and tear and improving waterproofing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If an electrical interface with integrated circuit is embedded in the accessory, then accessory identification is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory identification accuracyVSAvoidaccessory manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive integrated circuits and electrical interface components with inexpensive optical identification marks. These marks can be printed, etched, or molded directly onto the accessory using low-cost manufacturing processes. The optical marks serve the same identification function as electronic circuits but at a fraction of the cost, making the accessory more economical to manufacture while maintaining reliable identification through optical sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrical interfaces are used for accessory connection, then data transmission for configuration is enabled, but the system becomes susceptible to wear and tear and water damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidconnection durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electrical data transmission with optical sensing. The sensor captures optical identification marks on the accessory, and the controller processes these visual signals to determine accessory type and automatically configure camera settings. This mechanical-optical approach eliminates vulnerable electrical contacts while maintaining full configuration adaptability, as the optical marks contain all necessary identification information for the controller to adapt camera parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables efficient and reliable configuration of camera settings without the need for electrical interfaces, improving durability and water resistance while simplifying the user configuration process.

Implementation Method 1

The controller is configured to detect a mechanical connection of an accessory for the camera through data received by a sensor. The controller identifies one or more identification marks on the accessory to determine an existence of the accessory or a position of the accessory.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10412289B2Interchangeable user input control components

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 HERE GLOBAL BV

AI summary

In one example, a controller of a camera is configured to detect a mechanical connection of an accessory for the camera through data received by a sensor. The accessory includes a physical component that performs a function for the camera. The function may replace an existing function of the camera or supplement an existing function of the camera. The controller identifies one or more identification marks on the accessory to determine an existence of the accessory or a position of the accessory. The controller may disable an existing function of the camera or modify a configuration of the camera based on the identification marks.