Digital Camera Illumination Unit with Structured Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital imaging systems face challenges in simultaneously utilizing unstructured and structured light effectively, particularly in low-light conditions and for applications like iris recognition and depth calculation, where traditional illumination methods may be inadequate or harmful.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising an illumination unit that simultaneously illuminates a scene with unstructured light, such as infrared or ultraviolet light, and structured light using a diffractive optical element, allowing for adjustable and focused illumination of specific regions, enabling efficient capture of image frames with enhanced security and depth information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high-intensity IR light is used for illumination, then image capture quality is improved, but eye strain and harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is divided into two distinct types: unstructured light for general scene illumination and structured light for specific region illumination. This segmentation allows the system to use high-intensity light only where necessary (structured light regions) while using lower intensity unstructured light for the remainder of the scene, thereby reducing overall eye strain and harm while maintaining image capture quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the scene receive different types of illumination tailored to their specific requirements. Structured light with higher intensity is applied locally to regions requiring detailed depth information or feature extraction, while unstructured light provides softer, lower-intensity illumination for other areas. This local differentiation optimizes illumination effectiveness while minimizing harmful effects to the eyes.
2Measurement precision
If structured light is used for depth calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges unstructured light illumination and structured light illumination into a single illumination unit that operates simultaneously. By combining both illumination types in one device, the patent achieves precise depth measurement through structured light while avoiding the complexity of separate illumination systems. The unified design integrates control mechanisms for both light types, reducing overall system complexity compared to using independent systems.
3Ease of operation
If unstructured light is used for general illumination, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system segments the scene into regions requiring simple unstructured light illumination and regions requiring precise structured light illumination. This segmentation allows unstructured light to provide easy, simple illumination for general areas while structured light is selectively applied to specific regions where precise depth measurement is needed, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and measurement precision.
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 solution enhances image capture by providing robust illumination, improving security through 3D face authentication, optimizing image parameters, and reducing power consumption while minimizing eye strain and harm from high-intensity IR exposure.
Implementation Method 1
structured light using a diffractive optical element
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is described. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises an illumination unit configured to simultaneously illuminate a first portion of a scene with unstructured light and a second portion of the scene with structured light. The apparatus further comprises a digital image capture unit configured to capture at least one image frame of the illuminated scene.