Camera Device Grip Sensor Sleep Mode Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera devices consume excessive power and are cumbersome for users to operate, lacking features that enhance user engagement and participation during photography or video recording.

Innovation Solution

A camera device with a housing featuring an L-shaped structure, a grip sensor, and an image sensor that operates in a sleep mode until gripped by the user, allowing for efficient power management and intuitive operation without a viewfinder, utilizing a grip sensor to wake up the image sensor and lens for capturing images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lens and image sensor operate continuously to capture images, then the imaging functionality is maintained, but the power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lens and image sensor dynamically switch between operational states (awake and sleep modes) based on user interaction. The system transitions from a static continuous operation mode to a dynamic state-dependent operation mode, reducing power consumption when the device is not in use while maintaining imaging functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The grip sensor automatically detects user interaction and triggers the wake-up sequence without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously transitioning between sleep and active states based on detection signals, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring or user-initiated power management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a viewfinder is included in the camera device, then the user can view the scene to be captured, but the device volume and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescene viewing capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The viewfinder component is completely removed from the device structure. The patent eliminates this unnecessary component to reduce weight and volume, relying instead on the display screen and grip sensor interaction for user engagement and scene composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical viewing function is replaced by an electronic display copy. Instead of using a physical viewfinder for direct optical viewing, the system uses a display screen to show captured images, providing a digital alternative that achieves the same functional goal without the weight penalty of optical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Weight of moving object

If the device is designed without a viewfinder to reduce weight, then the device becomes lighter, but the user may feel a lack of real sense of participation during recording

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice weightVSAvoiduser participation sense
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical/optical viewfinder system is replaced with an electronic sensing and display system. The grip sensor detects user interaction mechanically, and the display screen provides visual feedback electronically, creating a new interaction paradigm that maintains user engagement without requiring heavy optical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through the display screen showing captured images in real-time or near-real-time. This visual feedback loop compensates for the absence of a viewfinder by providing continuous information about what is being captured, maintaining user participation and control over the imaging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Use of energy by moving object

If the lens and image sensor remain in sleep mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the response time to capture images increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The grip sensor continuously monitors for user interaction in advance, triggering the wake-up sequence before the user actually needs to capture an image. This preliminary detection and activation reduces the effective response time by starting the wake-up process ahead of time, making the delay imperceptible to the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The camera device reduces power consumption and is ergonomically designed for easy handling, enabling users to capture images without a viewfinder, enhancing user interaction and reducing the device's volume and weight.

Implementation Method 1

a grip sensor disposed on the first portion for sensing whether the first portion is held by the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrip sensing:

Implementation Method 2

an image sensor coupled to the lens for obtaining image data captured by the lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2958315B1Camera device and method for controlling a camera device
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 HTC CORP
  • EP2958315B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2958315B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2958315B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A camera device. A housing includes a first portion, a second portion and a curved portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion and including a curved surface. The lens is disposed on an end surface of the housing. The image sensor is coupled to the lens for obtaining image data captured by the lens. The first input unit is disposed on the curved surface and provided as a first input interface for a user. The grip sensor is disposed on the first portion for sensing whether the first portion is held by the user. The lens and the image sensor operate in a sleep mode by default to reduce power consumption. When the grip sensor senses that the first portion is held by the user, the grip sensor generates a sensing signal to wake up the lens and the image sensor.