Camera Image Sensor Pixel Combination Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low light environments, such as cinemas or KTVs, mobile phone cameras struggle to capture clear images due to insufficient luminance, leading to dark and indistinguishable photos, and existing solutions like camera flashes or LED fill-in lights often cause discomfort or ineffective brightening.
Innovation Solution
Switching the camera's image sensor operation mode from average pixel combination to sum pixel combination during preview and photography in low light conditions, which increases image luminance by combining multiple pixel values, and optionally applying denoising or beauty processing to enhance the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If camera flash is used to improve photographing effect in low light environment, then image luminance is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to dazzling effect on human eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful dazzling effect of traditional camera flashes into a beneficial soft illumination by using multiple LEDs arranged in a specific pattern with different brightness levels. The plurality of LEDs with gradient brightness distribution transforms the harsh direct light into a gentle, diffused light that illuminates the subject without causing discomfort to users' eyes, while still achieving the purpose of improving image luminance in low light environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different brightness zones within the illumination system. The plurality of LEDs are arranged with varying brightness levels, where LEDs closer to the center have different intensity compared to those at the edges. This local variation in illumination quality ensures that the most critical areas receive appropriate lighting while avoiding excessive brightness in other regions, thereby improving image luminance without causing dazzling effects.
2Illumination intensity
If LED fill-in light is used to increase luminance of screen during photographing, then screen brightness is improved, but photographing quality deteriorates due to face asymmetry, ineffective brightening, or overexposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by strategically positioning multiple LEDs at specific locations around the screen and configuring them with different brightness levels. LEDs are placed at corners and edges of the screen, with each LED's brightness carefully controlled to illuminate specific facial regions uniformly. This localized illumination approach ensures that light is distributed evenly across the face being photographed, preventing face asymmetry and overexposure while effectively brightening the photographing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of LED brightness levels based on detected environmental light conditions and subject position. The system dynamically controls the intensity of each LED to adapt to changing photographing scenarios, ensuring optimal illumination that prevents overexposure while maintaining consistent face lighting. This dynamic control mechanism allows the illumination system to respond to varying conditions and maintain high photographing quality.
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 approach effectively improves image brightness in low light scenarios, reducing noise and ensuring clear photographs, while also providing user-friendly beauty processing options.
Implementation Method 1
Switching the camera's image sensor operation mode from average pixel combination to sum pixel combination during preview and photography in low light conditions, which increases image luminance by combining multiple pixel values
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a photographing method, a photographing apparatus, and a terminal. The method includes: receiving a camera turn-on instruction; based on the received camera turn-on instruction, previewing a preview image collected by the camera, where in a preview state, an operation mode of an image sensor of the camera is an average pixel combination mode; and photographing the preview image when detecting that luminance of at least one pixel in the preview image is less than a preset condition, where when the preview image is being photographed, the operation mode of the image sensor of the camera is a sum pixel combination mode. In this way, luminance of a photographed image can be increased, and a problem that an image cannot be photographed in low light can be resolved.