Imaging Apparatus Shutter Sound Frequency Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging devices emit a constant electronic shutter sound that can cause discomfort in audibility depending on the user's shooting position, whether with the finder or monitor, as the sound effect is not differentiated based on the distance from the camera.

Innovation Solution

The imaging apparatus adjusts the frequency characteristics of the electronically generated shutter sound based on the user's position, using different audio data for when the user is close to the finder versus when they are farther away, mimicking the sound of a mechanical shutter to provide a more realistic auditory experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a constant electronic shutter sound is emitted, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the user experiences discomfort in audibility depending on shooting position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudibility comfortVSAvoidsound output control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sound output characteristics variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts frequency characteristics of the electronic shutter sound based on detected shooting mode (finder or monitor), creating a dynamic adaptation to different user positions and improving audibility comfort without requiring complex manual adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the shooting mode (whether user is using finder or monitor) and using this information to adjust the sound output characteristics. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically adapt the electronic shutter sound to the user's actual position, resolving the audibility discomfort issue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the electronic shutter sound is differentiated by frequency characteristics, then user comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudibility comfortVSAvoidsound processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying frequency characteristics of the electronic shutter sound based on shooting mode. The controller changes sound parameters (frequency spectrum) to match different listening positions - using one set of frequency characteristics for finder shooting and another for monitor shooting, thereby improving user comfort through parameter adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating different sound profiles that replicate the acoustic characteristics of mechanical shutters for different shooting scenarios. By storing and outputting pre-prepared sound data with different frequency characteristics, the system mimics the natural variation in mechanical shutter sounds heard at different positions, improving realism without requiring actual mechanical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3812837B1Imaging apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3812837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3812837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3812837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An imaging apparatus (100) includes: a first display (31); a second display (33); a speaker (21) configured to output a sound effect in response to a predetermined operation; and a controller (15) configured to control an output of the sound effect from the speaker. The controller is operable to: in a case of the first display set as operable, cause the speaker to output a sound effect having a first frequency characteristic in response to the predetermined operation; and in a case of the second display set as operable, cause the speaker to output a sound effect having a second frequency characteristic in response to the predetermined operation, the second frequency characteristic being different from the first frequency characteristic.