Camera Polarizer Eliminates Display Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems, such as computers and webcams, face the issue of unwanted reflections from reflective surfaces like eyeglasses, which are distracting and annoying, especially in low light conditions during teleconferences.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a polarizer in the camera of an information handling system, positioned 90 degrees perpendicular to the polarizer of the display, effectively cancels out linearly polarized light, thereby eliminating reflections from reflective surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera captures light from a display, then the camera can record the user's image, but reflections from the display appear on reflective surfaces like eyeglasses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polarization parameter of light by introducing a polarizer in front of the camera lens that is oriented perpendicular to the display's polarizer. This parameter change selectively blocks reflected polarized light from the display while allowing other light to pass through, thereby eliminating reflection artifacts on eyeglasses and other reflective surfaces without completely blocking the user's image
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a polarizer as an intermediary component between the camera lens and the reflected light. This intermediary element selectively interacts with the polarized light from the display, blocking only the reflected portion while allowing non-polarized or differently polarized light to pass through, thus mediating between the need to capture the user's image and the need to eliminate reflections
2Illumination intensity
If the camera captures more light to improve image quality in low light conditions, then the image brightness increases, but reflection artifacts become more prominent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polarization state parameter of the captured light using a perpendicular polarizer. This allows the camera to capture more overall light (improving brightness) while the polarizer simultaneously filters out the polarized reflection component, preventing reflections from becoming more prominent even as image brightness increases in low light conditions
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 significantly reduces unwanted reflections, improving the clarity and quality of images captured by the camera and enhancing the user experience during video conferencing and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizer that is 90 degrees or perpendicular in polarity to the polarizer of the display, that cancels the linearly polarized light
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems and methods to eliminate reflection from a display's incident light that is captured by a camera, such as a webcam. The display includes a polarizer that polarizes light which is reflected by a medium such as glass to the camera. The reflected light includes linearly polarized light. A polarizer is strategically placed in front of the lens set of a camera. Utilizing an orientation perpendicular to the reflected incident light, reflection from the reflective surfaces is eliminated before it enters the lens set of the camera.