Selector Input Device for Seamless Media Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current consumer electronic devices require cumbersome processes to capture and manage media content, such as pictures and videos, involving unlocking the device and navigating to camera applications, which lacks seamlessness and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a selector input device that allows users to capture media content and automatically transmit it to a server for processing, performing functions like OCR, image recognition, or scanning, without the need to unlock the device, using a housing with a camera and communication interface, and a selector input device that can be activated to capture content and select processing functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user follows the conventional process to capture and manage media content (unlock device, locate camera application, capture content, save to storage, then locate and assess later), then the device can perform the required functions, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of media capture and managementVSAvoidtime required for media capture and management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically launching the camera application and capturing media content when the device is unlocked, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through applications and perform multiple steps to capture content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service by automatically managing media content capture and storage without requiring user intervention for each step, allowing the device to autonomously perform the capture and save operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the device requires manual unlocking and navigation to access camera functions, then security and control are maintained, but the user convenience and seamlessness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidnumber of steps required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the unlocking function with the media capture function, allowing both operations to occur simultaneously or in seamless sequence, thereby reducing the perceived complexity and number of discrete steps the user must perform

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11501528B1Selector input device to perform operations on captured media content items

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 SNAP INC

AI summary

An apparatus to perform functions on media content items comprises a camera, a communication interface, and a selector input device. The selector input device is communicatively coupled to the camera and the communication interface and has a function setting. In response to detecting activation of the selector input device, the camera captures a media content item and the communication interface transmits the media content item to the server for function processing. The selector input device can be a rotary wheel. To select the function setting from the plurality of settings, the user can rotate the rotary wheel to a function setting and press the rotary wheel. Other embodiments are described herein.