Movable Camera Obstacle Detection Using Proximity Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Movable image acquisition components in terminals, such as telescopic cameras, are prone to damage and misoperation when activated unnecessarily, especially when the terminal is covered, leading to unwanted movement and potential harm.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize proximity sensors (P-sensors) to detect obstacles within a preset range, preventing the image acquisition component from moving out when an obstacle is detected, thereby reducing damage and misoperation by forbidding the activating instruction and keeping the component at a first position within the terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the image acquisition component is made movable to avoid occupying screen area, then the terminal's screen area is improved, but the component becomes prone to damage and misoperation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen areaVSAvoidcomponent safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of obstacles using the P-sensor before allowing the image acquisition component to move out. This advance detection prevents misoperation by ensuring the path is clear, thereby resolving the contradiction between movability and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the environment around the movable component using the P-sensor and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment of the component's movement status, preventing damage when obstacles are detected and maintaining reliability while preserving screen area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the telescopic camera moves out for image acquisition, then image acquisition capability is improved, but the component is exposed to damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage acquisition capabilityVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The P-sensor performs preliminary detection of potential harmful factors (obstacles) before the image acquisition component moves. When obstacles are detected, the system preemptively prevents movement, counteracting potential damage before it can occur. This allows the component to maintain adaptability while reducing exposure to harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The P-sensor acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the image acquisition component. It detects obstacles and transmits this information to the control unit, which then decides whether to allow movement. This intermediary mechanism protects the component from direct exposure to harmful factors while maintaining image acquisition capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If obstacle detection is implemented to prevent misoperation, then component safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent safetyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reuses the existing P-sensor, which was originally designed for proximity detection in terminal operations, for the additional function of obstacle detection around the movable image acquisition component. This multi-functional use of the existing sensor improves component safety without adding new detection hardware, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing P-sensor resources to perform obstacle detection for the movable component, rather than requiring external or additional specialized sensors. This self-service approach leverages existing capabilities to improve safety while minimizing added complexity in the detection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution effectively reduces the occurrence of unnecessary movement and damage to the image acquisition component by accurately detecting obstacles, enhancing the integrity of the terminal's outer surface and minimizing misoperations through the use of existing sensors without adding additional structure.

Implementation Method 1

A method and device are disclosed which utilize proximity sensors (P-sensors) to detect obstacles within a preset range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3758343B1Method and device for controlling image acquisition component and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3758343B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3758343B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3758343B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method and device for controlling an image acquisition component and a storage medium are provided. The method may include that: when a terminal including a movable image acquisition component receives an activating instruction for the image acquisition component, acquired data acquired by a Proximity Sensor (P-sensor) is obtained, the image acquisition component being capable of moving in and out of the terminal under driving of a driving component of the terminal; it is determined whether there is an obstacle in a preset range of the terminal based on the acquired data; and when there is the obstacle in the preset range of the terminal, the activating instruction is forbidden to be executed, and the image acquisition component is kept at a first position in the terminal. Through the technical solutions of the present disclosure, when it is detected that there is an obstacle in the preset range of the terminal including the image acquisition component, the image acquisition component may be kept at the first position in the terminal to reduce the occurrence of moving the image acquisition component out in unnecessary cases, so that not only reduction of damage to the image acquisition component, but also reduction of a misoperation rate may be achieved.