Foldable Imaging Device Mode Control via Sensor Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable portable imaging devices require complex user operations to select self-timer or gesture modes, and existing technologies fail to seamlessly integrate facial expression or gesture detection for automatic photography without unintentional triggering.

Innovation Solution

A smartphone with a dual-body structure and integrated sensors, including angle, motion, facial expression, and bottom contact detection, automatically switches between imaging modes based on the device's state and user input, allowing for simplified operation and accurate gesture or facial expression triggered photography.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the device uses multiple detection modes (angle, gesture, facial expression) for automatic photography, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging mode selection capabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device integrates multiple detection functions (angle detection, gesture detection, facial expression detection) into a single unified system that can automatically select appropriate imaging modes based on detected conditions, making the device adaptable to various photography scenarios without requiring separate systems for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple detection mechanisms and control logic into an integrated control unit that processes angle information, gesture data, and facial expression analysis together to determine imaging modes, reducing overall system complexity through consolidation rather than separate independent systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the device automatically selects imaging modes based on detection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential unintentional triggering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode selection operationVSAvoidphotography trigger accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging mode selection is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of device angle, user gestures, and facial expressions, allowing the system to adapt to actual usage conditions while maintaining reliability through multiple verification parameters rather than static mode selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors detection results and provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts imaging mode selection based on confirmed patterns rather than single transient signals, preventing unintentional triggering while maintaining ease of automatic operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the device requires manual mode selection, then the reliability is improved by avoiding unintentional triggering, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotography trigger accuracyVSAvoidmode selection operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device automatically performs mode selection based on detected conditions (angle, gestures, facial expressions) without requiring manual user input, making the system self-sufficient in determining appropriate imaging modes while maintaining reliability through multi-parameter verification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2966854B1Imaging device, imaging method and program
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 NEC CORP
  • EP2966854B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2966854B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2966854B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An imaging device includes an imaging unit that is provided at a case body and images an object; an operation input unit utilized to input an imaging operation; a first instruction unit that instructs the imaging unit to execute the imaging when the imaging operation is input; a second instruction unit that instructs, based on a trigger other than the imaging operation, the imaging unit to execute the imaging; and a control unit that performs, based on a state of the case body, a control to invalidate any one of the instruction by the first instruction unit and the instruction by the second instruction unit.