Media Capture Lock Gesture for One-Handed Camera Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media capture techniques on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple key presses or keystrokes, wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a media capture lock affordance through intuitive gestures such as tap and hold, slide, and lift gestures to initiate, terminate, and transition media capture sessions on a graphical user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional media capture interface is used, then media capture function is achieved, but user operation time and device energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media capture operation into distinct gesture phases (tap-and-hold to initiate, slide to lock, lift to terminate). This segmentation allows each gesture to have a specific function, reducing the cognitive load and time required for media capture operations by providing clear visual feedback at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic visual feedback that changes based on the gesture state. The media capture affordance transitions from an unlocked state to a locked state visually, and the interface dynamically responds to user gestures in real-time, providing immediate feedback that reduces uncertainty and operational time.
2Productivity
If traditional media capture interface is used, then media capture function is achieved, but device energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the capture process into distinct gesture phases, the system can optimize energy usage for each phase separately, activating camera and processing only when necessary (during tap-and-hold and locked states), rather than continuously during the entire interaction sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by requiring only the essential gestures (tap-and-hold plus either slide-or-lift) to complete media capture, avoiding unnecessary intermediate steps. This reduces the total duration of high-energy operations while maintaining full functionality.
3Productivity
If complex user interface with multiple key presses is used, then media capture function is achieved, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (media capture initiation, state locking, and session termination) into a single continuous gesture sequence. Users perform one fluid gesture rather than multiple separate key presses, reducing interface complexity while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The gesture-based interface serves multiple functions: tap-and-hold initiates capture, sliding locks the state, and lifting terminates the session. This universal gesture system replaces multiple specialized controls, simplifying the interface while providing comprehensive media capture control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed embodiments are directed to a media capture lock affordance for a graphical user interface displayed by a media capture device. The media capture lock affordance allows a user to lock and unlock a capture state of the media capture device using a simple and intuitive touch gesture that can be applied by the user's finger (e.g., the user's thumb) while holding the media capture device in one hand.