Lifelogging Camera Vibration Contact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lifelogging cameras attached to users often incorrectly recognize the positional relationship with the wearer, leading to unintended directions for image capture, even when voice commands are given to start shooting.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a movable image capturing direction, equipped with microphones for sound source detection and vibration sensors to estimate the contact position, allowing the control unit to adjust the image capturing direction based on detected sound and vibration data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sound source direction detection is used to control lifelogging camera, then shooting can be performed without manual operation, but the positional relationship with the wearer is incorrectly recognized depending on the attaching position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vibration detection as an intermediary mechanism to detect the wearer's contact position on the camera housing. This vibration signal serves as a mediator between the wearer's intention and the camera's orientation control, allowing the system to accurately determine the desired shooting direction without relying solely on sound source detection, thereby resolving the positional relationship recognition error
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic field-based sound source detection with a mechanical vibration detection system. By using vibration sensors to detect contact positions on the housing, the system substitutes the less reliable acoustic measurement with a more precise mechanical measurement, improving the accuracy of direction control while maintaining automatic operation
2Productivity
If lifelogging camera is attached to user's body, then continuous shooting can be performed, but the image capturing direction does not match the user's intended direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where vibration detection provides real-time information about the wearer's intended direction. The control unit continuously monitors vibration signals and adjusts the image capturing direction accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains accurate direction control during continuous shooting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vibration detection to preliminarily determine the wearer's intended shooting direction before actual image capture. By detecting contact position in advance, the system pre-adjusts the image capturing direction to match the user's intention, ensuring accurate shooting throughout continuous operation
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
Enables accurate orientation of the image capturing direction towards the desired position, ensuring intended image capture without manual operation, and allows for registering and maintaining the desired capture direction using voice commands.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration detecting unit configured to detect a vibration due to a contact on a housing of the image capturing apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a sound source direction detecting unit configured to detect a sound source direction based on sound data input from the sound input unit
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus including an image capturing unit capable of moving its imaging direction and a sound input unit including a plurality of microphones, a sound source direction detecting unit which detects a sound source direction based on sound data from the sound input unit, a control unit which performs processing related to image capturing, and, a vibration detecting unit which detects a vibration due to a contact on a housing of the image capturing apparatus, wherein, in a case where a vibration due to a contact is detected, the sound source direction detecting unit detects a direction of sound due to the contact, the control unit estimates a position of the contact on the housing, and the control unit sets the imaging direction of the image capturing unit to a direction based on the estimated position.