Individually Driveable Camera Light Source Emitters for Segment-Specific Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera light sources lack the ability to dynamically adjust illumination parameters such as light intensity and color temperature for different segments of a scene, leading to inconsistent exposure and color representation, especially when capturing images with varying distances and object positions.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a camera light source with individually driveable emitters that determine and adapt illumination parameters based on physical variables like exposure, color values, and object distance, allowing for precise control of light intensity and color temperature for each segment of the scene, using techniques like stereoscopic evaluation, LIDAR, and structured light patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional light source is used to illuminate the entire scene uniformly, then the device complexity is low, but the exposure and color accuracy for different scene segments deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is divided into multiple individually controllable emitters (e.g., LED arrays or pixels) that can be driven independently. Each emitter or group of emitters corresponds to specific scene segments, allowing differential illumination control across different regions of the scene based on measured exposure and color requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different emitters are assigned different illumination characteristics (intensity, color temperature) tailored to specific scene segments. The control unit adjusts each emitter's output based on locally measured physical variables (exposure, color values) from corresponding scene regions, achieving localized optimization of exposure and color accuracy.
2Area of stationary object
If the light intensity is increased to illuminate distant objects, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the exposure of near objects deteriorates (overexposure)
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter array is segmented into zones that can be independently controlled. Emitters directed at distant scene segments are activated at higher intensity, while emitters illuminating near segments operate at lower intensity, preventing overexposure of close objects while ensuring adequate illumination of distant regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the illumination intensity parameter of individual emitters based on the distance to scene segments. Physical variables such as exposure measurements and color values are used to determine appropriate intensity levels for each emitter, enabling differential intensity control across the scene.
3Manufacturing precision
If a single color temperature is used for the entire scene, then the device complexity is low, but the color accuracy for different scene segments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light source comprises multiple emitters that can be independently controlled in terms of color temperature. Each emitter or emitter group is assigned to illuminate specific scene segments, allowing different color temperatures to be applied to different regions based on their specific color rendering requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different emitters emit light at different color temperatures tailored to the specific scene segments they illuminate. The control unit adjusts the color temperature of each emitter based on locally measured color values from the scene, achieving localized optimization of color accuracy and rendering for different regions.
4Manufacturing precision
If the light source operates continuously at high intensity, then the illumination quality is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of operating all emitters at high intensity continuously, the control unit activates only the necessary emitters at the required intensity levels for each scene segment. Emitters illuminating well-lit or distant segments operate at lower intensity or remain inactive, while only emitters targeting under-illuminated or critical segments operate at high intensity, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the intensity parameter of individual emitters based on real-time measurements of scene illumination requirements. Physical variables such as exposure and color values are used to modulate emitter output, enabling energy-efficient operation by matching illumination intensity to actual scene needs rather than using fixed high intensity throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a method includes illuminating a scene in a first illumination by identically driving the emitters of a light source such that first exposures and/or first colour values of segments are ascertained by an image sensor, determining first illumination parameters for the segments of the scene, wherein the first illumination parameters are determined based on the first exposures and/or the first colour values, illuminating the scene in a second subsequent illumination by differently driving the emitters based on the first illumination parameters of the segments such that second exposures and/or second colour values of the segments are ascertained by the image sensor, determining second illumination parameters for the segments of the scene, wherein the second illumination parameters are determined based on the second exposures and/or the second colour values and illuminating the scene in a third subsequent illumination by differently driving the emitters based on the second illumination parameters of the segments.