Portable Camera Flash Synchronization for Group Low-Light Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera-equipped portable information terminals struggle to capture high-quality images in dimly lit environments without additional lighting equipment, and existing image sharing systems fail to instantaneously distribute captured images to multiple users at a gathering.
Innovation Solution
A camera-equipped portable information terminal device that communicates with other devices to coordinate illumination from multiple terminals, allowing synchronized light emission during image capture, and shares images instantly among users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple flash units are used to illuminate the subject from various positions, then image quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple portable information terminal devices are merged into a coordinated system where each device's flash unit illuminates the subject from different positions. The control unit coordinates light emission timing across all devices, combining their individual illumination capabilities to achieve studio-quality lighting without requiring a single complex multi-flash system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each portable information terminal device serves multiple functions: it acts as both an imaging device and an illumination device. The flash units of multiple devices are utilized for lighting the subject, making each device universal in its capability to contribute to both capture and illumination functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple flash units are carried along for photography, then image quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple separate flash units into a coordinated system where existing portable devices automatically contribute illumination. Users simply need to have their portable information terminal devices ready; the system automatically coordinates their flash units without requiring manual setup or carrying of separate lighting equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable information terminal devices automatically participate in the illumination system without user intervention. The control unit manages the coordination of light emission timing across all devices, making the system self-organizing and eliminating the need for users to manually control multiple separate lighting devices.
3Device complexity
If a single flash unit is used within the camera, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to insufficient shadow definition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-point light source (one-dimensional illumination) to multiple light sources positioned at different spatial locations (three-dimensional illumination). By utilizing flash units from multiple portable devices positioned around the subject, the system achieves illumination from various angles, creating depth and dimensionality in the lighting arrangement.
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 high-quality image capture in dimly lit environments without additional equipment and allows instantaneous image sharing among users.
Implementation Method 1
cameras are equipped with an internal or externally mounted device such as a strobe and a flash using LED to illuminate the subject
Implementation Method 2
acquire two-dimensional captured images of the subject by passing images of the subject through the imaging lens to a camera sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention makes it possible to perform good illumination and obtain a good captured image when a plurality of users each having a camera-equipped portable information terminal device gather in the same place. A camera-equipped portable information terminal device is provided with: an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject; a first illumination means for illuminating the subject; a first communication unit that communicates with other portable information terminal devices; and a first control unit that controls the imaging unit and the first communication unit. The first control unit transmits a light emission instruction signal to the other portable information terminal devices via the first communication unit, and causes a second illumination means of each of the other portable information terminal devices to emit light in tandem with an imaging operation of the imaging unit.