Viewfinder Touch Control for Image Pickup Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup systems require users to temporarily look away from the viewfinder to change settings, disrupting the image pickup operation and reducing operability.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus with a touch detecting unit, viewfinder display unit, and control unit that allows setting changes for different items via touch operations while looking through the viewfinder, distinguishing between operations during image pickup preparation and actual image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user performs a touch operation to change settings while looking through the viewfinder, then the ease of operation is improved, but the image pickup operation is interrupted and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the touch panel's functional response dynamic based on the camera state. The touch panel switches between different operational modes: in normal state it responds to setting changes, while in image pickup preparation state it triggers image capture. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain ease of operation while preventing interruptions to the image pickup workflow, as the same touch interface serves different purposes depending on context.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user changes item settings during image pickup preparation, then the adaptability is improved, but the image pickup speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by allowing users to pre-configure setting items before image pickup is needed. During the normal state (before image pickup preparation), users can adjust various settings through touch operations. Once image pickup preparation is triggered, the system locks these settings and proceeds with capture. This separates the setting adjustment phase from the execution phase, maintaining both adaptability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the touch panel's response based on whether the camera is in normal state or image pickup preparation state. In normal state, touch operations modify settings; in preparation state, touch operations trigger image capture. This dynamic behavior allows the system to be adaptable when needed while maintaining high speed when execution is required, eliminating the trade-off between the two parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus includes a touch detecting unit configured to be capable of detecting a touch operation performed on a touch panel; a viewfinder display unit configured to display a display indicating a set value of an item inside a viewfinder; and a control unit configured to execute control such that, in a case where a subject image is visible through the viewfinder, a set value of a first item is changed in response to a touch operation performed on the touch panel when a predetermined operation relating to image pickup is not being performed, and a set value of a second item that is different from the first item is changed in response to a touch operation performed on the touch panel when the predetermined operation is being performed.