Multi-Surface Operation Members for Compact Electronic Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electronic devices miniaturize, the space for operation members decreases, making it difficult to provide intuitive operation methods, especially when members are arranged on different surfaces, as seen in wearable devices like miniaturized cameras, where conventional directional pads are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a display unit and operation members on different surfaces, where the CPU and memory function as a control unit to allow intuitive operation by changing selected items using specific button combinations, mimicking the functionality of directional pads without the physical buttons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the device is miniaturized to reduce size, then the device becomes more compact and portable, but the space available for arranging operation members decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging operation members on multiple surfaces (front surface, rear surface, side surfaces) of the device rather than confining them to a single plane. This allows the electronic apparatus to maintain a compact form factor while providing adequate space for multiple operation members across different spatial dimensions, effectively resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and operation member arrangement space.
2Area of stationary object
If operation members are arranged on different surfaces to save space, then the device remains compact, but the ease of operation decreases due to non-intuitive control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements equipotentiality by establishing consistent operational logic across all surfaces. The control unit is configured to interpret operations on different surfaces (front, rear, side) in a unified manner, where each surface's operation members follow the same selection and navigation rules. This creates an equipotential operational environment where the user experiences consistent intuitiveness regardless of which surface is being used, resolving the contradiction between compact arrangement and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the control unit to handle multiple operation members across different surfaces through a single unified control logic. The same operation member (e.g., a directional pad) can be positioned on any surface and will function identically, providing universal operational behavior that maintains intuitiveness while allowing flexible spatial arrangement for compactness.
3Ease of operation
If conventional directional pads are used, then the operation is intuitive and easy to understand, but the device cannot be sufficiently miniaturized due to space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by distributing directional pad operation members across multiple surfaces of the device. Instead of requiring a large single-plane area for a conventional directional pad, the same functional capability is achieved by placing operation members on front, rear, and side surfaces, thereby maintaining intuitive directional control while enabling significant device miniaturization.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a display unit arranged on a first surface, a first operation member arranged on a second surface, a second operation member arranged on a third surface, and a memory and at least one processor or circuit. The third surface is on a right side of the electronic apparatus when the first and second surfaces are viewed as front and top sides, respectively, of the electronic apparatus. The memory and the at least one processor or circuit function as a control unit configured to perform control to change a setting value to be selected from among a plurality of candidate setting values displayed on the display unit to a smaller setting value according to an operation on the first operation member and change the setting value to be selected to a larger setting value according to an operation on the second operation member.