Augmented Reality Text Overlay for Low-Light Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices struggle to effectively display and read text in low-light environments due to poor image quality from cameras, making it difficult to recognize and interpret text in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device system that captures images of text using a camera, adjusts brightness and contrast settings, applies optical character recognition (OCR) to generate computer-readable text, and overlays it on the original image, allowing for enhanced visibility through font modifications and additional functions like translation and search capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a camera is used to capture text images in low-light environments, then the device becomes portable and easy to transport, but the image quality deteriorates making text recognition difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the text image through OCR processing, transforming the low-quality captured image into readable computer text. This copying process preserves the portability benefit while overcoming the image quality limitation by generating a separate digital representation that can be displayed clearly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the camera and the user. The camera captures the low-quality image, then an intermediary OCR system processes it to generate readable text, which is then displayed through image processing enhancements. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by adding processing capability without adding physical bulk.
2Measurement precision
If image processing is applied to enhance text visibility, then text readability improves, but processing time increases causing delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image processing actions by pre-adjusting brightness and contrast parameters before final display. This preliminary enhancement of the captured image quality reduces the subsequent processing time needed for OCR and text extraction, thereby improving readability without significant time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes image parameters such as brightness and contrast to optimize text visibility. By adjusting these parameters, the system enhances text readability while maintaining processing efficiency, as the changes are applied to the existing image data rather than requiring complete reprocessing.
3Loss of information
If OCR processing is applied to extract text, then text information becomes accessible, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal text processing system that handles multiple functions through a single integrated approach. The same image processing and OCR infrastructure supports text extraction, translation, and display enhancement, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary processing layer that simplifies the interaction between the camera and text extraction functions. This intermediary OCR system acts as a mediator that handles text information extraction automatically, reducing the complexity of direct user interaction while maintaining high accessibility of text information.
4Speed
If text is displayed in real-time, then responsiveness improves, but the accuracy of text recognition decreases due to processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image capture and basic processing actions as soon as the image is obtained, even before complete OCR processing is finished. This preliminary action allows the system to display enhanced images quickly while continuing background OCR processing, achieving both real-time responsiveness and high recognition accuracy through overlapping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous processing action by overlapping image capture, processing, and display operations. The system continuously captures images and processes them in the background while displaying previously processed results, ensuring both real-time responsiveness and high accuracy through continuous rather than sequential operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method are provided for displaying text in low-light environments. An original image of text is captured in a low-light environment using a camera on a mobile device, whereby the imaged text comprising images of characters. A brightness setting and a contrast setting of the original image are adjusted to increase the contrast of the imaged text relative to a background of the original image. Optical character recognition is applied to the adjusted image to generate computer readable text or characters corresponding to each of the imaged text. The original image of text is displayed on the mobile device. The computer readable text is also displayed, overlaid the original image, wherein the computer readable text is aligned with the corresponding imaged text.