Camera Thumb Rest Surface with Lateral Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital still cameras require significant finger movement to operate switches, impairing instant operation and overall operability.
Innovation Solution
The image pickup apparatus features a design with rotation operation parts, including a disk-shaped switch and others with projected portions, arranged to be operated by the thumb with minimal movement, allowing quick access and reduced finger movement for frequently used functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If switches are arranged at positions requiring finger movement to upper portion, then switches can be operated with index finger and thumb, but finger movement amount increases and instant operation is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical finger movement (upward to upper portion) to horizontal finger movement (across the surface). By arranging switches in a horizontal sequence on the surface, the index finger can move laterally between switches without lifting or extending vertically, reducing movement distance and enabling faster operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch arrangement is designed so that the index finger can naturally rest on or near the first switch in a predetermined position, allowing immediate operation without requiring the finger to travel from a starting position. This preliminary positioning enables instant operation when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation parts are distributed across the device, then all functions can be accessed, but finger movement amount increases and operability is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple operation functions into a concentrated horizontal arrangement on the device surface. By combining switches for different functions (zoom, focus, mode selection, etc.) into a contiguous horizontal sequence, all operations become accessible through lateral finger movement from a single starting position, improving operability while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes a main body 1 incorporating an image pickup element, an operation part that is placed on the main body 1 and can be operated by a user, and a seventh surface 107 provided on the main body 1, on which, when the user takes a picture while holding the main body 1, the thumb of the hand holding the main body 1 can be left in a stand-by state. The operation part includes rotation operation parts that are placed in the vicinity of the seventh surface 107 and are rotatable, and the rotation operation parts are arranged so that at least a part of the same faces the seventh surface 107. With this, a movement amount of the fingers of the user is reduced, whereby the operability is improved.