Camera Flap Mechanism for Rapid State Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with cameras face challenges in quickly switching between operational states, such as from browsing to camera mode, which can result in missed moments due to slow transition times.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flap mechanism in the device's housing that covers and exposes the camera aperture, coupled with sensor circuitry to determine the camera's state based on the flap's orientation, allowing for rapid transition between dormant and active camera states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the camera is kept in a dormant state to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the transition time to active state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module is pre-positioned in a ready state with the lens partially extended and the sensor prepared, so that when activation is needed, only minimal movement and power-up are required. This preliminary preparation reduces both the transition time and the energy required for full activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system uses a dynamic mechanism where the lens extension and sensor activation are controlled in real-time based on user interaction. The lens can quickly extend to a shooting position when needed and retract when not in use, allowing rapid state transitions between dormant and active modes.
2Ease of operation
If the camera lens is exposed continuously to enable quick access, then camera accessibility is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera housing is divided into separate functional sections: a retractable lens assembly, a sensor module, and a protective housing. This segmentation allows each component to be independently controlled and moved, enabling quick access to the camera without exposing the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens assembly is nested within the housing structure, allowing it to retract into the device body when not in use. This nesting mechanism provides a compact form factor while maintaining quick access capability, as the lens can be rapidly deployed from its nested position without requiring a complex external structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus can include a processor; memory; a touchscreen display; a network interface; a camera that includes a lens; an operating system executable by the processor to establish an operating system environment; applications that execute within the operating system environment to establish corresponding application states where the applications include a camera application to establish a camera state; a housing that houses at least the processor and the camera and that includes a surface where the surface includes an opening for the lens of the camera; a cover that includes a flap where the flap includes a closed orientation with respect to the opening and an open orientation with respect to the opening; and circuitry that switches from an existing application state to the camera state responsive to a transition of the flap from the closed orientation to the open orientation.