Compact Camera Direct Indirect Flash LED Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compact cameras struggle to integrate indirect flash technology without increasing size, as conventional indirect flash units require larger capacitors and external accessories, making them cumbersome and impractical for casual photography.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating power LEDs instead of xenon flash technology, with built-in direct and indirect flash units and sensors that adjust flash power and direction based on environmental reflections, allowing for compact and flexible illumination control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional indirect flash units are integrated into compact cameras, then indirect flash capability is improved, but camera size increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindirect flash capabilityVSAvoidcamera size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light source technology from xenon flash to LED technology. LEDs require significantly smaller capacitors and power supply components, enabling indirect flash capability to be integrated into compact cameras without the substantial size increase that would result from using conventional xenon-based indirect flash units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of xenon flash tubes with a solid-state LED system. This substitution eliminates the need for large capacitors and high-voltage power supply components, allowing the camera to maintain a compact form factor while integrating both direct and indirect flash units with sufficient lighting power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If external indirect flash accessories are used, then lighting quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to setup requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting qualityVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the indirect flash unit directly into the camera housing, integrating what was previously a separate external accessory into the camera itself. This combination eliminates the need for separate setup and manipulation of external devices, allowing users to achieve optimized indirect reflective illumination with simply the press of a button.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated indirect flash unit automatically detects and utilizes available reflecting surfaces in the environment, eliminating the need for users to manually position or configure flash modifiers. The system self-adjusts to provide optimized indirect lighting based on the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Illumination intensity

If xenon flash technology is used, then illumination intensity is improved, but use of energy increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflash intensityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the light source technology parameter from xenon to LED, which fundamentally alters the energy consumption characteristics. LEDs consume significantly less power to produce equivalent or sufficient illumination intensity, thereby extending battery life while maintaining effective flash performance for both direct and indirect lighting modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 optimized indirect reflective illumination in a compact camera form factor, reducing the need for external accessories and improving lighting quality without compromising camera size or battery life.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating power LEDs instead of xenon flash technology

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

indirect bounce illumination in a second direction off of an indirect reflecting surface to the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10248005B2Camera integrated with direct and indirect flash units

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 KHUNTIA ALOK

AI summary

A compact camera with a compact camera body integrated with a lens, a direct flash module and an indirect flash module. The direct flash unit includes a flash light emission window arranged to project direct illumination in a first direction toward an object to be photographed. The indirect flash unit includes an indirect flash light emission window arranged to project indirect bounce illumination in a second direction off of an indirect reflecting surface to the object. The camera also has a controller that receives a first signal containing information from a first light sensor connected to the direct flash unit, and a second signal containing information from a second light sensor connected to the indirect flash unit. In response to the received first and second signals, the controller selectively adjusts the amount of flash illumination projected from the direct and indirect flash units.