Touchscreen Timer Icon Drag Gesture for Camera Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital camera timer settings are complex and require multiple stages of operations, making them cumbersome for users, especially when used in conjunction with real-time communication or when adjusting settings during imaging processes.

Innovation Solution

A touchscreen-based system that allows users to control the imaging process and set timers using a single icon, where the length of the timer is visually represented by the movement of the icon, enabling intuitive operation for both timer setting and execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional timer setting operations are used on digital cameras, then the imaging function can be achieved, but the operation becomes complex requiring multiple stages of operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimer setting operationVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple timer setting operations into a single touchscreen operation. By displaying a timer icon that responds to drag gestures, the system merges the functions of timer selection, duration setting, and activation into one continuous action, eliminating the need for multiple separate steps required by conventional button-based interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touchscreen interface acts as an intermediary between the user and the camera's timer function. Instead of directly manipulating physical buttons or complex menus, users interact with visual icons on the touchscreen that translate their gestures into timer settings, simplifying the interaction model while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If timer functionality is added to cameras for real-time communication, then communication capability is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time communication capabilityVSAvoidtimer operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touchscreen timer interface serves multiple functions: it works for both traditional photography and real-time communication scenarios. The same drag-to-set-timer gesture controls the imaging process whether the camera is used for standard photos or for sending images during chat sessions, providing a universal control mechanism that adapts to different use cases without adding operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple operation stages are required for timer setting, then precise control is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimer control precisionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional button pressing to two-dimensional drag gestures on the touchscreen. By allowing users to drag the timer icon to different positions or for different distances, the system encodes timer duration and parameters in the spatial dimension of the gesture, maintaining precise control while reducing the number of discrete steps required.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2405299B1Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2405299B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2405299B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2405299B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

There is provided an information processing device including an imaging section configured to image an object, a display section configured to display at least an icon for controlling the imaging section, an operation section configured to acquire a first operation and a second operation on the icon, and a controller configured to, when the operation section has acquired the first operation, set a timer in accordance with an operation amount of the first operation and change a display of the icon on the display section in accordance with a progress of the timer, and to, when the operation section has acquired the second operation or when the timer has expired, cause the imaging section to image the object.