Eye Detection Sensor Integrated into Display Unit for Compact Camera Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses with electronic viewfinders face challenges in downsizing when equipped with an eyepiece detection sensor, as the sensor's placement on the camera body often requires additional space and can increase the size of the pop-up mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The eyepiece detection sensor is integrated into the display unit, allowing for selective control of the electronic viewfinder and display based on eye detection results, eliminating the need for sensor placement on the camera body and thus enabling a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the eyepiece detection sensor is disposed on the camera body, then the electronic viewfinder can be minimized in pop-up motion, but the image pickup apparatus increases in size due to space requirements for the sensor and peripheral components
Solution Approach 1:
The eyepiece detection sensor is merged with the display unit by disposing it on the display panel's rear surface. This integration allows the sensor to share the same spatial envelope as the display unit, eliminating the need for separate sensor housing and reducing overall apparatus volume while maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is positioned on the rear surface of the display panel, utilizing the Z-dimension (thickness direction) rather than occupying additional lateral space. This dimensional repositioning allows the sensor to be embedded within the existing display unit structure without increasing the apparatus's footprint or requiring additional mounting space on the camera body.
2Ease of operation
If the eyepiece detection sensor is disposed on the camera body, then eye detection functionality is achieved, but additional space and steps are required for mounting the sensor and peripheral components
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit is designed to integrate multiple functions: display output, eye detection sensing, and control logic. By combining these functions into a single integrated unit rather than separate components, the mounting structure is simplified and device complexity is reduced while maintaining full eye detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit serves multiple purposes: it displays images and simultaneously houses the eyepiece detection sensor and control unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate structures for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity and simplifying the mounting architecture.
3Volume of moving object
If the eyepiece detection sensor is disposed in the EVF unit, then the image pickup apparatus can be downsized, but the EVF unit increases in size restricting the pop-up mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned on the rear surface of the display panel, utilizing the thickness dimension rather than increasing the EVF unit's lateral dimensions. This allows the sensor to be embedded within the display unit's existing volume without increasing its footprint or interfering with the pop-up mechanism's range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyepiece detection sensor is nested within the display unit structure, specifically on the rear surface of the display panel. This nesting approach allows the sensor to occupy space that would otherwise be unused or structural, thereby downsizing the overall apparatus without increasing the EVF unit's external dimensions or restricting pop-up motion.
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
This configuration allows for a downsized image pickup apparatus while maintaining effective eye detection functionality, preventing unnecessary size increases and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an eyepiece detection sensor that emits infrared light and detects the infrared light reflected from an object such as a photographer who has approached an electronic viewfinder
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus capable of being downsized even when provided with an eye detection sensor when the apparatus includes an electronic viewfinder. The image pickup apparatus includes an electronic viewfinder for viewing an image through an eyepiece and a display unit provided with a display on which the image is displayed. The eye detection sensor detects whether an eye of a photographer approaches the electronic viewfinder. The electronic viewfinder and the display are controlled selectively according to an eye detection result by the eye detection sensor. The eye detection sensor is disposed on the display unit.