Camera Rotary Dial Locking Mechanism for Erroneous Operation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cameras with rotary operation dials lack a mechanism to prevent erroneous operations, leading to potential changes in settings unintentionally.
Innovation Solution
A camera system that includes a rotary operation dial, a dial display section on the top surface, and a system controller to display setting values and switch the validity of setting value changes, allowing changes only when the dial is operated while the top surface is touched.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotary operation dial is provided without any locking mechanism, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous operations
Solution Approach 1:
The camera executes preliminary action by determining in advance whether the operation dial should be lockable or not, based on the imaging mode selected before operation. This prevents erroneous operations while maintaining ease of use by only locking when necessary (e.g., during automatic exposure modes) and allowing free operation when appropriate (e.g., manual modes).
Solution Approach 2:
The locking state of the operation dial is made dynamic rather than static. The dial transitions between locked and unlocked states depending on the imaging mode, allowing the system to adapt its operability characteristics to different operational contexts. This resolves the contradiction by making the restraint mechanism conditional rather than constant.
2Reliability
If a mechanical locking mechanism is added to the operation dial, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a simpler electronic control system. Instead of using springs, gears, or physical locks, the system uses a controller to detect the imaging mode and selectively enable or disable the operation dial's functionality through electronic signals, thereby achieving reliability without mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential locking function from complex mechanical structures and implements it through software control logic. By taking out the core function (preventing operation under certain conditions) and implementing it through mode-based control, the patent eliminates the need for physical locking mechanisms while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the operation dial is locked to prevent erroneous operations, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking state is made dynamic and context-dependent rather than fixed. The operation dial is locked only when the imaging mode requires protection from erroneous operations (such as automatic modes where settings should not change), and remains unlocked when user adjustment is desired (manual modes). This dynamic approach ensures reliability when needed while preserving ease of operation when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines in advance, based on the selected imaging mode, whether the operation dial should be locked before the user attempts to operate it. This preliminary determination based on mode selection ensures that the dial is only restrained when necessary, avoiding unnecessary limitations on user operation while maintaining reliability in critical situations.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a camera capable of preventing an erroneous operation with a compact configuration and has high operability, a setting method of the camera, and a setting program of the camera. A change in a setting value by the operation dial is switched between valid and invalid, and an operation by the operation dial becomes possible only in a case where the change in the setting value is valid. A setting value of an item to be set by the operation dial is displayed on a dial display provided on the operation dial.