Camera Lens Status Indicator Using Light Emitting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cameras with multiple optical chains can confuse users and subjects about which lens to look at during photography, and it is difficult to determine which lenses need cleaning due to multiple lenses, leading to potential cleaning of clean lenses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of light emitting elements, such as LEDs, to indicate which lenses are dirty and where the subject should look during photography, using indicators like rings or positioned near the center of active camera modules, and providing visual or audible notifications on the camera display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple camera modules are used to capture images, then the camera can capture images of objects at different distances and in different modes (e.g., panoramic, high dynamic range), but it creates confusion for users and subjects about which lens to look at during photography
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light emitting elements (LEDs) that emit different colors or illuminate to indicate which camera module is active. This visual signal helps users and subjects quickly identify which lens to look at without confusion, while maintaining the versatility of multiple camera modules for different shooting scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light emitting elements as an intermediary indicator between the multiple camera modules and the user/subject. This mediator communicates the active camera module status visually, resolving the confusion caused by having multiple lenses without sacrificing the adaptability of using different camera modules for various拍摄 scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lenses are present in the camera, then the camera can serve multiple functions, but it becomes difficult for users to determine which lens needs cleaning, potentially leading to unnecessary cleaning of clean lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs light emitting elements that can change color or illuminate to indicate the cleaning status of each lens. For example, different colors can signify clean vs. dirty lenses, or the active lens that needs attention. This makes it easy for users to identify which specific lens requires cleaning among multiple lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The light emitting elements serve as an intermediary indicator system between the multiple lenses and the user. This mediator provides clear visual feedback about which lens needs cleaning, eliminating the difficulty of identifying lens status among multiple lenses and preventing unnecessary cleaning of clean lenses.
3Ease of operation
If light emitting elements are added to indicate lens status and active camera modules, then user clarity and lens status identification improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the light emitting elements to serve multiple functions: indicating which camera module is active during photography and indicating which lenses need cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate indicator systems, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing user clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the ability of light emitting elements to change their emission state (on/off, color, intensity) to convey different information. By encoding multiple types of information (active module status, lens cleaning status) through parameter changes of the same indicator component, the system achieves high user clarity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 helps users and subjects clearly identify which lenses are active and need cleaning, reducing confusion and preventing unnecessary cleaning of clean lenses, thereby improving the quality of photographs and user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
The implementation of light emitting elements, such as LEDs, to indicate which lenses are dirty and where the subject should look during photography
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing a user of a camera information about the status of one or more lenses and/or providing a subject of a photograph an indicator of where to look during image capture are described. In some embodiments different sets of camera modules are used for taking photographs depending on user input and/or the distance to the objects to be captured. In various embodiments an indicator, e.g., light emitting element, is associated with each of the different sets of camera modules which maybe used to indicate where a subject should look during image capture by the corresponding set of camera modules. In some embodiment dirty lenses of the camera are detected and the user is notified of the dirty lenses through an audible and/or visual indication. In some embodiments the indication of which lens/lenses are dirty is provided by illuminating light emitting elements corresponding to the dirty lens(es).