# US 10,122,914 B2 · Method of controlling a camera using a touch slider > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,914 B2 - Document ID: US10122914B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/131,407 - Filed: 2016-04-18 - Published: 2016-10-20 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-17 - Assignees: mPerpetuo, Inc. - Applicants: mPerpetuo, Inc. - Inventors: Eran Steinberg; Eugene Feinberg; Ashwini Choudhary - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122914B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/62: Control of parameters via user interfaces - G06F 1/1692: {the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders} - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials - H04N 23/50: Constructional details - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/632: {for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters} - H04R 3/005: {for combining the signals of two or more microphones (specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407)} - H04R 5/027: Spatial or constructional arrangements of microphones, e.g. in dummy heads - H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A digital camera includes an optical assembly and image sensor for capturing still and/or video images and displaying the images on a screen. The camera includes a touch slider that is configured for sensing a relative movement of a finger, thumb or stylus or other tool of a user, or combinations thereof, and adjusting a value of an imaging parameter based on the relative movement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A digital camera, comprising: a digital camera housing; an image sensor coupled within the housing; an optical assembly including one or more lenses for forming images on the image sensor; a display screen coupled to the housing; and a touch slider configured for sensing a relative movement of a finger, thumb or stylus or other tool of a user, or combinations thereof, and adjusting a value of an imaging parameter based on said relative movement; an ergonomic camera grip at one end of the camera housing, and wherein said grip includes a transparent rear volume for viewing a portion of the display screen that the grip overlaps. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the touch slider is configured to sense proximity for selecting a menu item or otherwise executing an object script appearing on the display screen, and wherein the camera processor is programmed to begin a start-up process when the camera user becomes proximate to the camera or a certain portion of the camera. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the touch slider comprises a linear slider. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The digital camera of claim 3, wherein the linear slider is configured for adjusting a value of an image parameter proportional to said relative movement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The digital camera of claim 3, wherein the linear slider is configured for adjusting a value of an image parameter based on said relative movement along a predetermined directional axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the touch slider is configured for haptic sensing of said relative movement by the camera or by the user, or both. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the touch slider is configured for scrolling and moving a cursor or other object on the display screen. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said value of said imaging parameter is adjustable based on a length, speed, shape, distance or other amount discernible from said relative movement, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said value is adjustable proportional to said length, speed, shape, distance or other amount. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said touch slider comprises a capacitive touch sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said touch slider is configured for haptic activation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The digital camera of claim 11, wherein said touch slider is configured for touch screen activation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said touch slider is spaced from said display screen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the display screen is disposed at a rear surface of the housing and the touch slider is disposed at a top, bottom, side or front surface of the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said imaging parameter comprises exposure, brightness, contrast, focus distance, depth of field, white balance, digital fill flash or focal point, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the camera is programmed to suggest to a camera user to adjust one or more of said imaging parameters. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The digital camera of claim 16, wherein suggestions are determined based on image analysis or user preferences, or both. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the touch slider is further configured for selecting different imaging parameters by respectively tapping or otherwise touching different regions of the touch slider. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to provide on the display screen visual information to the user about the relative movement or adjustment of said value or both. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The digital camera of claim 19, wherein said information includes identifying a specific imaging parameter and a value of the identified parameter. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the ergonomic camera grip is detachably coupled to the camera housing at said one end. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, further comprising a chamfered shutter button disposed on the grip. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the touch slider is disposed on the grip. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The digital camera of claim 23, further comprising a second touch slider disposed at the rear of the camera housing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The digital camera of claim 24, wherein the second touch slider is also disposed on the grip. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein said display screen extends under the transparent rear volume of the grip. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor is configured to serve as a shutter trigger or image capture button when the camera is programmed to interpret a proximity or pressure change at the touch slider as a command to capture an image. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the touch slider is configured to sense proximity for selecting a menu item or otherwise executing an object script appearing on the display screen. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the camera processor is programmed to interpret a sensed proximity of a finger, thumb or stylus or other tool of a user, or some combination thereof, to a specific region of the touch slider as a user command to initiate a process for adjusting a value of a specific imaging parameter. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is disposed near a viewfinder window for triggering one or more camera functions based on proximity of the camera user to the viewfinder. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the camera is programmed to display images on a larger portion of the display screen when the camera user is not proximate to the viewfinder in the active position than when the camera user is proximate to the viewfinder in the active position. ### Claim 32 A digital camera, comprising: a digital camera housing; an image sensor coupled within the housing; an optical assembly including one or more lenses for forming images on the image sensor; a display screen coupled to the housing; and a touch slider configured for sensing a relative movement of a finger, thumb or stylus or other tool of a user, or combinations thereof, and adjusting a value of an imaging parameter based on said relative movement, wherein different parameters are selectable for adjusting based on a direction of said relative movement, wherein multiple parameters are adjustable with a single relative movement that includes a non-zero projection onto each of multiple directional axes, wherein said multiple directional axes include two perpendicular axes that define a touch slider plane, wherein said touch slider comprises multiple posts that are independently movable in one or more directions out of the touch slider plane. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The digital camera of claim 32, wherein the touch slider plane is disposed parallel to a portion of the housing. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The digital camera of claim 32, wherein said multiple directional axes include a third axis normal to the touch slider plane. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The digital camera of claim 32, wherein said multiple posts are movable relative to the digital camera housing from recessed or otherwise stowed positions to one or more protruded positions when in use. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The digital camera of claim 32, wherein the digital camera is programmed to track movements of said multiple posts in said one or more directions to determine said relative movement of said finger, thumb or stylus or other tool of said user, or combinations thereof.