Active Light Source Color Projection for Low-Light Image Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low-light environments, the inconsistency between the color temperature of ambient light and flash light sources leads to undesirable dissonance in photographs, and existing methods fail to capture images with rich colors and high resolutions without using flash or infrared light.
Innovation Solution
A method that projects light of different colors onto a photographic object using active light sources, such as LEDs, and adjusts the image based on reflection feedback values to enhance image resolution and chrominance, mimicking normal light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a flashlight is used to compensate for low light in nocturnal photography, then the brightness of the subject is improved, but the color temperature consistency between the subject and background deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination task by using multiple light sources with different color temperatures (flashlight for subject, ambient light for background) and processes them separately through different imaging paths, then combines them in post-processing to maintain color consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that captures separate images with and without flash, then uses image processing algorithms as a mediator to blend the two images, preserving both the brightness enhancement from the flash and the color consistency from the ambient light
2Illumination intensity
If an auxiliary infrared light source is used to photograph in low light, then the ability to capture images in dark environments is improved, but the color richness and resolution of the images deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of infrared imaging (low light capture capability) with visible light imaging (color information) by capturing images with both infrared and visible light sources, then combining the images to produce a result that has both the brightness needed for dark environments and the color information for rich, detailed images
3Measurement precision
If multiple light sources of different colors are sequentially projected onto the object, then the image resolution and color accuracy are improved, but the complexity of the imaging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by sequentially projecting light sources of different colors (e.g., red, green, blue LEDs) at different time intervals, capturing multiple images during these periodic illumination cycles, and then combining them to achieve high resolution and color accuracy without requiring all light sources to be active simultaneously, thus managing system complexity
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 method improves image resolution and color accuracy in low-light conditions, allowing for the capture of colorful images with high resolution, similar to those taken in well-lit environments, by adjusting the image processing based on ambient light intensity and reflection feedback.
Implementation Method 1
with the different reflection feedback values acquired by projecting the light source of different color
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting photographic images is disclosed, comprising, upon photographing an image by means of a photographic lens, detecting the intensity of the ambient light in the environment, sequentially projecting the light source of different color to a photographic object with an active light source, and acquiring different reflection feedback values according to the projected light source of different colors; then, based on the intensity of the ambient light and the intensity range of light source projected on the photographic object from the active light source, performing adjustments on the acquired photographic image. In this way, in an environment where the light source is weak or insufficient, after the adjustments, it is possible to present an image resolution that the image should demonstrate in an environment having normal light sources, and for the nocturnal photography, by processing the image of dimmer peripheries, it is further possible to present a colorful and clear image.