Ambient Light Probe for Real-Time Virtual Object Relighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for capturing ambient light in virtual environments are limited by their inability to respond to real-time changes in lighting conditions, often requiring lengthy pre-processing and higher performance hardware, and are better suited for capturing spatial lighting rather than surface lighting.
Innovation Solution
A light probe system that includes a housing with strategically positioned light sensors to measure ambient light intensity and color from multiple directions, providing real-time data to a processor for generating image effects that enhance the realism of virtual objects in a three-dimensional environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ray tracing software is used for capturing ambient light, then spatial lighting information can be captured, but real-time responsiveness to lighting changes is lost and pre-processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ambient light sensor array is segmented into multiple sensors positioned at different locations and orientations around the housing perimeter. Each sensor captures light from specific directions, dividing the complex lighting environment into manageable directional components that can be processed independently and efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional ray tracing software algorithms with physical ambient light sensors that directly measure lighting conditions. This substitution of mechanical/optical measurement systems for computational methods enables real-time lighting capture without pre-processing requirements
2Productivity
If high-performance hardware is used for real-time lighting capture, then real-time relighting is achieved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple ambient light sensors to capture and copy lighting information from different directions simultaneously. This parallel copying of light data from multiple sensor positions provides comprehensive lighting information without requiring complex high-performance processing hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The ambient light sensor array serves multiple functions: capturing ambient light intensity, determining light direction, and providing data for relighting virtual objects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized hardware components
3Measurement precision
If ambient light sensors are positioned at multiple locations, then accurate directional lighting information is obtained, but sensor quantity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each ambient light sensor is positioned at a specific location and oriented in a specific direction to capture lighting information from that particular viewpoint. This local specialization of sensor positions and orientations provides accurate directional lighting data without requiring an excessive number of sensors
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
Enables efficient and realistic real-time relighting of virtual objects by capturing ambient light characteristics, allowing for minimal data representation of the lighting environment and reducing the need for high-performance hardware, while providing a balanced performance and cost solution.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor group includes a number of light sensors. Individual light sensors of the first sensor group are positioned in predetermined locations about the perimeter of the housing surface and oriented to receive ambient light from different respective directions.
Data Source
AI summary
The examples relate to a method and apparatus to measuring ambient light information that is used in the manipulation or augmentation of an image presented on a display. The apparatus measures ambient light characteristic information from at least one direction in an environment in which the apparatus is located. The measured ambient light characteristic enable substantially real time generation and application of an image effect to an image presented on a display device.