Wearable Gaze-Based Framing Control for Multi-User Image Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capture systems struggle to automatically frame multiple objects of interest when multiple users are focusing on different items simultaneously, as they cannot determine which object each user is gazing at.

Innovation Solution

An image capture apparatus and wearable device system that communicates with multiple eyeglass-type devices to acquire position information of the objects users are gazing at, allowing the apparatus to automatically adjust framing based on this information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional image capture systems are used without wearable devices, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot determine which object each user is gazing at when multiple users are focusing on different items simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegazing direction informationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wearable devices (eyeglasses) as an intermediary between the user and the image capture system. These devices contain gaze detection units that measure the user's gazing direction and transmit this information to the image capture apparatus, enabling the system to identify which object each user is focused on without requiring complex eye-tracking hardware in the main system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the gaze detection function into separate wearable devices worn by each user, rather than implementing a centralized complex system. Each wearable device independently detects its user's gazing direction and transmits the information to the image capture apparatus, allowing the system to handle multiple users' focus points simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the image capturing range is limited to what can be captured by a single device, then the device complexity remains low, but the system cannot automatically frame multiple objects of interest when multiple users are watching different competitive items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframing capabilityVSAvoidframing control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic framing control where the image capture apparatus automatically adjusts its framing based on real-time gaze direction information received from multiple wearable devices. The system dynamically determines which objects to include in the frame by analyzing which objects are being gazed at by multiple users, enabling flexible adaptation to changing user interests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from wearable devices that continuously monitor user gaze direction. This feedback information is processed by the control unit, which then adjusts the framing accordingly. The feedback loop enables the system to automatically frame multiple objects of interest based on real-time user behavior patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If automatic framing is implemented without position information from wearable devices, then the ease of operation remains high, but the system cannot accurately reflect users' focus points when multiple users are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus point detection accuracyVSAvoidposition information acquisition system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses wearable devices as intermediaries to acquire precise position and gaze direction information. These devices contain sensors (such as infrared sensors or cameras) that accurately measure the user's eye position and gaze direction, transmitting this precise data to the image capture apparatus for accurate focus point detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical eye-tracking systems with optical or electronic sensing mechanisms in the wearable devices. Instead of using complex mechanical devices to track eye movements, the system uses optical sensors or image processing in the wearable devices to determine gaze direction, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12483773B2Image capture apparatus, wearable device and a control method that control framing based on acquired position information and a detection result

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 CANON KK

AI summary

An image capture apparatus that includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of wearable devices, an image capturing unit configured to capture an image, an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the wearable devices via the communication unit, position information of an object at which users wearing the wearable devices are gazing, and a control unit configured to control framing based on the position information of the object acquired by the acquisition unit in response to transmission of position information of the image capture apparatus to the wearable devices via the communication unit.