Gravity Sensor Threshold Adjustment for Vibration-Resistant Focus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable communication devices face challenges in maintaining focus accuracy during image capture due to user-induced vibrations when pressing the shutter button, leading to delayed or defocused images.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a portable communication device with a gravity-sensing unit that adjusts sensitivity thresholds based on touch focus signals, allowing for increased vibrational tolerance and improved focus accuracy by switching between auto-focus modes, and includes auxiliary illumination for low-light conditions to ensure precise image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If gravity sensors are used for continuous auto-focus operation to improve focusing speed, then focusing speed is increased, but the device is prone to restart auto-focus operation when shaken during image capture, causing delayed capture timing or defocus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocusing speedVSAvoidimage capture timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the gravity-sensing threshold value changeable based on operational context. The threshold is dynamically adjusted to a first value during continuous auto-focus operation and to a second value (higher than the first) when a capture instruction is received, allowing the system to adapt its sensitivity to shaking movements according to the current operational phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the gravity-sensing threshold value based on operational context. The threshold parameter is changed from a first value during auto-focus operation to a second value (higher threshold) when capture is initiated, thereby changing the sensitivity of shake detection to prevent premature restart of auto-focus during critical capture moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the gravity-sensing threshold value is set low to detect user operations accurately, then operation detection accuracy is improved, but the device becomes overly sensitive to vibrations during image capture, causing focus disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation detection accuracyVSAvoidvibration sensitivity during capture

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by receiving the capture instruction and proactively changing the gravity-sensing threshold value to a higher second value before the actual image capture occurs. This preliminary adjustment prevents the system from being overly sensitive to vibrations during the critical capture moment, avoiding focus disruption while maintaining accurate operation detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances focus accuracy and image quality by reducing the impact of user-induced vibrations and automatically adjusting focus settings, while also improving image capture in low-light environments through smart-type focus functions.

Implementation Method 1

sensing a moving acceleration of the portable communication device based on a first gravity-sensing threshold value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity sensing: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9204045B2Image capture method and portable communication device

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 HTC CORP

AI summary

An image capture method is provided for a portable communication device having a display unit, which real-time displays an image at least including an object to be shot. The method includes sensing a moving acceleration of the portable communication device based on a first gravity-sensing threshold value. A touch focus signal is received so that the portable communication device focuses on one of the objects to be the focus-lock object. Then, according to the touch focus signal, the first gravity-sensing threshold value is changed to a second gravity-sensing threshold value, which is larger than the first gravity-sensing threshold value. The image at least including the focus-lock object is captured.