Viewfinder Eye Detection for Misoperation Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of image capturing apparatuses with viewfinders often inadvertently operate switches assigned to lock functions or display settings while looking through the viewfinder, leading to unintended locking or display activation, which can be troublesome to correct and disrupt operation.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus equipped with a detecting unit to determine when a user's eye is close to the viewfinder and a control unit that inhibits the execution of functions for switches susceptible to misoperation when the user is looking through the viewfinder, preventing unintended lock activations and display outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lock function is assigned to an operating member for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to mistaken activation while looking through the viewfinder
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies preliminary anti-action by detecting eye proximity to the viewfinder before the operating member operation can take effect. When the eye is detected near the viewfinder, the control unit suppresses the function execution of the operated member, preventing mistaken activation of the lock function or other functions while the user is looking through the viewfinder.
2Device complexity
If multiple functions are assigned to operating members to reduce the number of members, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased difficulty in identifying member functions while looking through the viewfinder
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting eye proximity to the viewfinder and suppressing function execution for members in the prescribed location. This prevents the user from accidentally activating functions assigned to members that are not visible when looking through the viewfinder, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite multiple function assignments.
3Reliability
If the function execution is suppressed when the eye is near the viewfinder, then the reliability is improved by preventing misoperation, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to execute intended functions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit applies local quality by selectively suppressing function execution only for operating members located in the prescribed location (those not visible when looking through the viewfinder). Functions assigned to members in other locations remain executable even when the eye is near the viewfinder, maintaining ease of operation for appropriately positioned members while preventing misoperation of improperly positioned members.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus having a viewfinder, comprises a plurality of operating members to which functions are allowed to be assigned, a detecting unit configured to detect when an eye of a user is close to the viewfinder, and a control unit configured to, in a case where an operating member operated while the detecting unit detects that the eye is close is an operating member which is disposed in a prescribed location and a specific function is assigned to the operating member, forgo executing the function assigned to the operating member, and in other cases, execute the function assigned to the operating member.