Smart Glasses Framing Projection for Camera Viewfinder Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of smart wearable devices, such as smart glasses, face cumbersome operations when adjusting the framing range of a digital camera, as they need to remove the glasses and adjust the camera's direction to view the framing information displayed on the camera's electronic viewfinder, which is not directly accessible.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining and displaying the framing information of a photographic apparatus on a separate displaying apparatus, such as smart glasses, using wireless transmission, and projecting this information as parallel light beams onto the glasses, allowing users to view the framing range without affecting their actual visual field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the framing information is displayed on the camera's electronic viewfinder, then the user can view the framing range, but the user needs to remove the smart glasses to adjust the camera direction, which is cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframing information accessibilityVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the smart glasses as an intermediary device to display the framing information from the camera. The camera transmits framing data wirelessly to the smart glasses, which then project it onto the user's visual field. This mediator allows the user to view framing information while wearing the glasses, eliminating the need to remove them for adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent projects the framing information from a 2D display (camera screen) into the user's 3D visual field space. By using projection technology, the framing information is overlaid onto the real-world view through the smart glasses, creating a spatial dimension that allows simultaneous viewing of both the framing data and the actual scene without switching between devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the framing information is projected onto the smart glasses, then the user can view it without removing the glasses, but the visual field may be obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidvisual field obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the thin, transparent lens structure of smart glasses as a substrate for projecting framing information. The projection is performed onto the lens surface, which acts as a flexible, transparent medium. This allows the framing data to be displayed without significantly blocking the user's view of the real world, as the lens material is inherently transparent and the projection can be made semi-transparent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the framing information is displayed on a separate displaying apparatus, then the user can view it with smart glasses on, but wireless transmission is required which consumes energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential framing information (such as framing range indicators and directional cues) from the complete camera data set and transmits only this extracted subset to the smart glasses. By taking out only the necessary visual framing data rather than transmitting all camera parameters, the wireless power consumption is reduced while still providing the user with sufficient information for framing adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 simplifies the operation of adjusting the framing range by allowing users to directly view and adjust the camera's field of view on the smart glasses while maintaining an unobstructed visual experience, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

projecting this information as parallel light beams onto the glasses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3076660B1Method and apparatus for displaying framing information
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3076660B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3076660B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP3076660B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~3E

AI summary

The present disclosure refers to a method and an apparatus for displaying framing information, such that the framing information of the photographic apparatus may be presented on the smart glasses without influence on the actual vision of the user. The method includes: determining the framing information of a photographic apparatus; displaying the framing information on the displaying apparatus.