Dual Camera Gesture Control for Portable Device Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices with image capturing units face challenges in remote control, as traditional remote control devices are complex, costly, and require additional equipment, making it difficult to achieve high image quality and flexibility in capturing scenes without shaking the device.
Innovation Solution
The method involves optically detecting and tracking an object, such as a user's head or eye movements, using a second image capturing unit to control the first image capturing unit within the portable electronic device, allowing for remote operation without additional devices, by detecting changes like blinking to trigger functions like zooming or capturing images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional remote control device is used to control the image capturing unit, then the device can be operated remotely without shaking, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the remote control functionality with the existing image capturing unit by using the same camera to detect user gestures (hand movements, head movements, eye blinking). This eliminates the need for separate remote control hardware and integrates control functions into the device itself, resolving the contradiction between reliable remote operation and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The image capturing unit serves dual purposes: capturing target images and detecting user gestures for control. The device uses its own resources (camera, processor) to enable remote control functionality without requiring external devices, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining operational reliability
2Ease of operation
If an additional remote control device is used, then remote operation is enabled, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need to handle multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the control detection function into the existing portable electronic device, users only need to handle one device. The camera captures both the target scene and the user's controlling gestures, eliminating the need to manage separate remote control devices and improving operational convenience
3Reliability
If the capture button is pressed to take an image, then the image can be captured, but the device shakes causing blurred images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing action with gesture-based control detected by the camera. User gestures (hand movements, head movements, eye blinking) are captured optically and converted into control commands, eliminating the mechanical shock and vibration caused by button pressing while maintaining intuitive operation
4Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional remote control device is used, then remote control is achieved, but the cost increases due to additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The existing image capturing unit is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both image capture and gesture detection for remote control. This universal usage of existing components avoids the need for additional specialized hardware, thereby maintaining remote control versatility while keeping manufacturing costs low
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 approach enables improved image quality, reduced capture time, and increased user flexibility in selecting scenes, as the device can be held with both hands, allowing for faster reaction to events and reduced mechanical instability, all at low additional costs since the necessary units already exist within the device.
Implementation Method 1
optically detecting and tracking an object via a second image capturing unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed towards a method and computer program product for remotely controlling a first image capturing unit (20) in a portable electronic device (10) as well as to such a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a first and a second image capturing unit (20, 16). The device (10) detects and tracks an object (22) via the second capturing unit (16) and detects changes in an area (24) of the object (22). These changes are then used for controlling the first image capturing unit (20) remotely. When the control involves capturing of images an improved image quality can be obtained. Also the time it takes to capture an image is reduced.