Electronic Viewfinder Power Management via Dual-Timer Proximity Logic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with proximity sensors often fail to accurately distinguish between user proximity and other objects, leading to unintended power-saving mode activation, which can result in the device turning off prematurely, especially in devices with a single electronic viewfinder, causing inconvenience and battery drain.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a proximity detector and an operation detector, controlled by a processor and memory, which manages power-saving states based on operation periods and proximity detection, allowing the device to transition to a power-saving state while ensuring the electronic viewfinder remains accessible until necessary, using separate timers for when the device is in use and when it is not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the proximity sensor is used to detect user proximity and activate power-saving mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the device may turn off prematurely when the sensor reacts to objects like the user's abdomen or folded arms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timing logic into two separate timers: a first timer that tracks operation absence and a second timer that tracks proximity detection absence. This segmentation allows independent control of power-saving activation conditions, preventing premature shutdown by requiring both conditions to be met simultaneously rather than relying on a single proximity sensor reading.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors operation status and proximity detection status, using feedback from both sources to control power-saving mode activation. The control unit adjusts power-saving behavior based on real-time feedback from operation detection and proximity sensing, preventing false triggering while maintaining power efficiency.
2Reliability
If the proximity sensor is disabled to prevent false triggering, then reliability of power-saving activation is improved, but the electronic viewfinder cannot be switched on when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the control logic for power-saving activation into distinct timing mechanisms: one based on operation absence and another based on proximity detection absence. This allows the system to maintain proximity sensor functionality for viewfinder control while using a separate timing-based mechanism to prevent false power-saving activation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary timing measurements to determine whether the device should enter power-saving mode before actually activating it. By monitoring operation status and proximity detection over a predetermined time period, the system ensures that the electronic viewfinder remains accessible during legitimate viewing scenarios while preventing premature shutdown in false proximity conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the auto power-off function is disabled when proximity is detected, then the electronic viewfinder remains accessible, but power consumption increases and battery drains faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power management control into separate timing functions: one timer tracks operation absence and another tracks proximity detection absence. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the electronic viewfinder accessible during legitimate viewing (when operation occurs) while still enabling power-saving mode when both operation ceases and proximity is not detected, optimizing the balance between ease of operation and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power-saving activation based on real-time conditions monitored by two independent timers. Rather than using a static proximity-based control, the system adapts power management behavior by evaluating both operation status and proximity detection status over time, enabling the electronic viewfinder to remain accessible when needed while reducing power consumption when the device is not in active use.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device controls so as to perform display on a display that is visible through the proximity portion; regardless of whether proximity to the proximity portion is detected or not, place the electronic device in a predetermined state to reduce power consumption of the electronic device in response to elapse of a first period without an operation on the operation member; and in a case where proximity to the proximity portion is not detected, place the electronic device in the predetermined state to reduce power consumption of the electronic device in response to elapse of a second period without an operation on the operation member and without proximity to the proximity portion. The second period is shorter than the first period.