Movable Shutter Button for Camera Shake Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The fixed location of the shutter button on touch-sensitive devices, especially when using a front-facing camera, forces users to hold the device awkwardly, leading to camera shake and increased risk of dropping the device during image or video capture.

Innovation Solution

A movable shutter button on the touch-sensitive display allows users to position the button at a comfortable location, eliminating the need for awkward hand positioning and reducing camera shake by enabling the button to be moved using touch input gestures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the shutter button is placed at a fixed location (bottom of screen), then the user interface is simple and consistent, but the user must hold the camera awkwardly leading to camera shake and increased dropping risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfort in holding deviceVSAvoidcamera stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter button is transformed from a static fixed-position element to a dynamic movable element that can be repositioned on the touchscreen display. Users can drag the shutter button to different locations on the screen, allowing the button position to adapt dynamically to different holding positions and user preferences, thereby eliminating awkward finger positioning and reducing camera shake

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position parameter of the shutter button is changed from a fixed constant to a variable that can be modified by user interaction. The system allows the shutter button's coordinates on the touchscreen to be adjusted within certain boundaries, enabling users to optimize the button position for their specific holding style and reduce the risk of dropping the device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the shutter button is fixed at the bottom, then the interface layout is consistent, but video recording causes continuous camera shake as user must hold button throughout recording

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of video recordingVSAvoidvideo recording quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable shutter button allows users to position the button at a comfortable location before starting video recording. Once positioned, the user can press and hold the button in this optimized position throughout the recording, reducing the need for continuous awkward finger positioning and minimizing camera shake during the entire video capture process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Users can pre-position the shutter button to an optimal location before initiating video recording. This preliminary positioning action allows the user to establish a comfortable and stable finger position at the start of recording, maintaining that position throughout the video capture to ensure better recording quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If shutter button is movable, then user comfort and camera stability improve, but the interface complexity and difficulty of detecting activation vs movement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter button accessibilityVSAvoidgesture recognition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a drag gesture that requires moving the shutter button a minimum distance to distinguish it from a tap gesture. This partial action threshold ensures that small unintentional movements don't trigger button relocation, while sufficient drag movements clearly indicate user intent to move the button, simplifying the differentiation between activation and movement gestures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback during user interaction with the shutter button. When the user drags the button, the system follows the finger movement in real-time, providing continuous visual feedback that confirms the button is being moved. This feedback mechanism helps users understand the system's response to their gestures and reduces ambiguity in gesture interpretation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3424208B1Movable user interface shutter button for camera
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 ROLLCALL LLC
  • EP3424208B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3424208B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3424208B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device having a camera and a touch-sensitive display supports methods for capturing an image using a movable shutter button thereon. The electronic device executes a camera application that may have a single movable displayed on the touch sensitive display, or two shutter buttons, one of which is fixed and one of which is movable. Where two shutter buttons are used, the second button may be present when the camera application is executed, or may be created in response to the user inputting a gesture to move the first shutter button.