Patent: Pop up viewfinder to allow for larger rear LCD displays

okaro · Apr 2, 2020

I got the idea that the invention is that the viewfinder pops out automatically. I wonder how they prevent false popping like if the camera is on the neck.

sanj · Apr 2, 2020

Others have been doing this for over 6 years.

keithcooper · Apr 2, 2020

okaro said:
I got the idea that the invention is that the viewfinder pops out automatically. I wonder how they prevent false popping like if the camera is on the neck.

Looking at the patent application...
The main idea is that the eye detect sensor is moved into the pop-up EVF bit, so that it isn't in part of the main camera body/screen and thus impinging on the available area for the screen.

keithcooper · Apr 2, 2020

sanj said:
Others have been doing this for over 6 years.

Doing what? - did you read the patent application?

hachu21 · Apr 2, 2020

Well, this patent seems already in use with the G5X mkII.
Except for the pop up flash, I see no differences.

efmshark · Apr 2, 2020

Sony RX100 series had this feature for quite some time.

IcyBergs · Apr 2, 2020

The patent is for 'eye detection' not a pop-up viewfinder.

That's how it prevents false popping, because it isn't a simple sensor looking for light to be blocked or a proximity sensor so if its hanging from around your neck laying on your chest it would pop-up.

This is specifically detecting the presence of an eye to engage the viewfinder.

Mt Spokane Photography · Apr 2, 2020

IcyBergs said:
The patent is for 'eye detection' not a pop-up viewfinder.

That's how it prevents false popping, because it isn't a simple sensor looking for light to be blocked or a proximity sensor so if its hanging from around your neck laying on your chest it would pop-up.

This is specifically detecting the presence of an eye to engage the viewfinder.

That would be great for my R. It gets triggered and is a nuisance. I don't want to disable it so I put up with false triggering.

Danglin52 · Apr 2, 2020

I just hope they don’t get the bright idea of using this type of viewfinder if they release a EF-M5 Mark II. I Want a robust, weather sealed camera.

sanj · Apr 2, 2020

keithcooper said:
Doing what? - did you read the patent application?

Pop up viewfinder. I guess you missed the title of this post. Happens.

keithcooper · Apr 2, 2020

sanj said:
Pop up viewfinder. I guess you missed the title of this post. Happens.

No, I found the original patent application, as mentioned in the post ;-)

sanj · Apr 2, 2020

keithcooper said:
No, I found the original patent application, as mentioned in the post ;-)

Yes. You are right. Happens.

picperfect · Apr 2, 2020

just do it, Canon. Want to see EOS M60 with pop-up EVF abd M6 II sensor + AF. And maybe also an M5 II.

EOS R lineup? Not very likely. They are more for people wanting chunky grips, shoulder LCD displays and big, (D)SLR-style viewfinder humps on top. to them it is only a "real camera" if it looks similar to a late 1980's EOS SLR.

YuengLinger · Apr 2, 2020

picperfect said:
just do it, Canon. Want to see EOS M60 with pop-up EVF abd M6 II sensor + AF. And maybe also an M5 II.

EOS R lineup? Not very likely. They are more for people wanting chunky grips, shoulder LCD displays and big, (D)SLR-style viewfinder humps on top. to them it is only a "real camera" if it looks similar to a late 1980's EOS SLR.

Who exactly are these people you seem to know so well?

TinTin · Apr 2, 2020

My understanding of the patent application is that crucial points are:

The eye detection unit is placed within the unit holding the rear display and thus moves when the display is moved on its hinge arrangement.
The detector is in the top part of the display unit between the hinges and thus does not require the display unit to be made bigger than it would have been had the detector not been there.
The eye detector is offset from the viewfinder so that, if the display is hinged up 180 degrees, the viewfinder does not cause the eye detector to falsely determine someone is looking through the viewfinder. Likewise, the detector is offset to the left of the camera's centre-line to give the best chance of detecting a face in its vicinity. (So it doesn't matter which eye is used.)
The arrangement allows a pop-up viewfinder which can also be tilted to allow easier viewfinder use at awkward camera angles.

I'm not sure exactly what is the novel feature, but I assume it's putting eye detection in the rear display assembly, the other points then being ramifications necessary to make it the best workable implementation.

sanj · Apr 3, 2020

YuengLinger said:
Who exactly are these people you seem to know so well?

He knows me through this forum.

picperfect · Apr 3, 2020

TinTin said:
The arrangement allows a pop-up viewfinder which can also be tilted to allow easier viewfinder use at awkward camera angles.

exactly!

exactly what i am waiting for: M6 II sensor + AF in a (slightly) enlarged, "G5X II style" body with (vastly improved) pop-up EVF, utilizing this patent. single sd uhs-II card slot and no video recording no issue but preferred. price like M50. take my money.

Quirkz · Apr 3, 2020

Mt Spokane Photography said:
That would be great for my R. It gets triggered and is a nuisance. I don't want to disable it so I put up with false triggering.

Same.
To be fair, I’ve had the problem with most mirrorless cameras with an evf.