3D Illumination Chart with Relief Angles for Direction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination charts, such as mirrored spheres and planar white patches, are limited in accurately characterizing illumination in photography and digital arts, particularly in diffuse conditions and fail to accurately determine the angular orientation of illuminants, making them less effective in capturing and manipulating lighting information.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional illumination chart with varying relief angles is introduced, where each portion casts unique shadows upon illumination, allowing for the estimation of the angular orientation of illuminants by analyzing luminance data across the chart's substrate, enabling the detection of illumination direction and diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional illumination charts (mirrored spheres or planar white patches) are used, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision of illumination direction and angular orientation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional planar white patches to a three-dimensional illumination chart with varying relief angles. This dimensional change enables the chart to capture angular orientation information by creating shadows and luminance variations across different relief surfaces, thereby improving illumination direction detection precision while maintaining practical device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination chart divides the substrate into multiple portions, each with different relief angles relative to a reference line. This local differentiation of surface orientation allows each portion to respond uniquely to illumination from different directions, enabling precise determination of angular orientation through comparative luminance analysis across the chart
2Reliability
If planar white patches are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of illumination characterization in diffuse conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing three-dimensional relief structures with varying angles, the chart maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving reliability in diffuse lighting conditions. The multiple surface orientations ensure that at least some portions will exhibit detectable luminance variations even when illuminated from difficult-to-determine directions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of surface orientation by incorporating portions with different relief angles. This parameter variation enables the chart to maintain high reliability across diverse lighting conditions, as the varied orientations ensure detectable responses regardless of illumination direction or diffusion characteristics
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional illumination charts are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the detection capability of angular orientation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transition to three-dimensional relief structures adds angular orientation detection capability while remaining manufacturable through conventional techniques such as photolithography and etching. The relief patterns can be created by standard semiconductor fabrication processes, balancing enhanced detection capability with manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The relief patterns on the illumination chart can be replicated using standard photolithographic copying processes. The pattern layer is formed by depositing and patterning material according to a design, then transferring this pattern to the substrate through etching, allowing precise angular orientation detection to be achieved through well-established manufacturing methods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the detection of illumination direction and diffusion, facilitating more accurate lighting manipulation and image processing, including white balancing and contrast correction, and can be used in various applications from photography to digital arts.
Implementation Method 1
When illuminated by at least one illuminant, each relief pattern casts a shadow having unique and distinct characteristics relative to the shadows cast by reliefs on other portions
Data Source
AI summary
In one example in accordance with the present disclosure a three-dimensional illumination chart is described. The chart includes a substrate divided into a number of portions. Each portion includes a raised relief pattern disposed thereon having a relief angle relative to a reference line. Each relief angle of the raised relief patterns of the number of portions is different from other relief angles of other raised relief patterns of other of the number of portions.