Manual Focus Guide with Dual Indicators for Camera

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Solution Overview

Problem

Advanced camera users find manual focus mode difficult due to varying focusing points and conditions, necessitating a more accurate and detailed focus adjustment method.

Innovation Solution

A photographing device with a display showing a live view, a focus adjuster for manual focus mode, a focus calculator for automatic target focus calculation, and a controller to display a manual focus guide with indicators for current and target focus, allowing users to adjust focus easily and receive feedback on matching states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual focus mode is used for accurate and detailed photos, then photo quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to varying focusing points and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus accuracyVSAvoidfocus adjustment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a manual focus guide that provides real-time visual feedback to users during manual focus adjustment. The guide includes a first indicator showing current focus position and a second indicator showing target focus position, allowing users to see their progress and make precise adjustments to achieve accurate focus while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a manual focus guide as an intermediary interface between the user and the focus adjustment mechanism. This guide mediates the complex task of manual focusing by providing visual cues and indicators that simplify the adjustment process, making it easier for users to achieve accurate focus without directly manipulating complex optical parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If auto focus technology is used, then ease of operation is improved, but photo quality deteriorates in situations requiring accurate and detailed focus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus adjustment convenienceVSAvoidfocus accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the focus control process into two distinct parts: automatic target focus calculation and manual focus adjustment with guidance. The focus calculator automatically determines the target focus position, while the manual focus guide enables precise manual adjustment to that target, combining the advantages of both automatic and manual focusing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary automatic calculation of the target focus position using a focus calculator before the user begins manual adjustment. This preliminary action provides users with accurate target information in advance, enabling them to make more accurate and efficient manual focus adjustments to achieve the desired photo quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If manual focus adjustment is performed without guidance, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in determining focusing point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus system simplicityVSAvoidfocusing point accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements visual feedback through the manual focus guide that displays the current focus position and target focus position. This feedback mechanism enables users to accurately determine the focusing point and make precise adjustments without adding significant complexity to the device, as the feedback is provided through software-based indicators on the display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual focus guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays current focus position, shows target focus position, provides adjustment guidance, and can trigger automatic photography when focus is matched. This multi-functionality improves measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as all functions are integrated into a single software-based guide system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9066005B2Photographing device for displaying a manual focus guide and method thereof

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A photographing device is disclosed. The photographing device includes a display configured to display live view of a subject, a focus adjuster configured to adjust a focus in a manual focus mode according to a user manipulation, a focus calculator configured to automatically calculate a target focus which corresponds to the subject, and a controller configured to display a manual focus guide including a first indicator indicating a current focus and a second indicator indicating the target focus on the display, and in response to the focus being adjusted by the user manipulation, change location of the first indicator within the manual focus guide according to the adjustment state.