In this patent application (2024-146573) Canon is looking at improving haptic feedback motors. Surprisingly, Canon hasn't been that happy with prior haptic feedback patent applications, as they are seriously concerned about the vibration motors causing image quality loss because of camera vibrations.
What surprises me is that this has been ongoing research for years, and Canon still hasn't seemingly found something they like – or have implemented.
In this patent application, Canon has decided on a slightly different approach than before and has shown how they would embed this in an external grip. Not to be outdone, they even show it on VR goggles, game controllers and phones. Anywhere.
Basically, the problem domain hasn't changed much;
The present invention aims to provide an electronic device with a simple configuration in which vibration is unlikely to be transmitted to the housing of the electronic device itself and is easily transmitted to multiple gripping parts.
It could very well be that the other solutions were elegant from an engineering standpoint, but unworkable from a production or a costing point of view.
As with other solutions, these have openings in the camera body that allow an isolated part to vibrate against your fingers as you grip the camera.
Whether or not we'll see this implemented in a camera in the future future is anyone's guess – but the struggle seems to be real for Canon to find a method they are happy with.
Japan Patent Application 2024-146573
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