Integrated Diaphragm IR-Filter for Camera Mode Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IR filter control mechanisms in cameras often result in flickering between night-mode and day-mode due to inadequate light level detection, leading to wear on actuators and suboptimal image quality, especially when switching from night-mode to day-mode.
Innovation Solution
A method and assembly that control the diaphragm aperture to adjust the ratio of visible light to infrared radiation, allowing for smooth transitions between modes by detecting incident radiation and calculating the composition of light and IR radiation, using a single image sensor and optionally a dual bandpass filter, to predict and adjust the aperture settings without auxiliary sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a movable IR-cut filter is added in front of the image sensor to block infrared radiation during daytime, then color image quality is improved, but the actuator experiences wear and flickering occurs during mode transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the IR-cut filtering function from a separate movable filter component and integrates it into the diaphragm structure itself. The diaphragm blades are equipped with IR-cut properties, allowing the system to achieve IR blocking without requiring a separate movable IR-cut filter, thereby eliminating actuator wear and flickering issues while maintaining color image quality during daytime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the IR-cut filter functionality with the diaphragm aperture mechanism. By integrating IR-cut properties into the diaphragm blades, the system combines two functions (aperture control and IR blocking) into a single component, eliminating the need for separate actuators and reducing system complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the diaphragm aperture is reduced to block infrared radiation, then infrared attenuation is improved, but visible light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the portions of the diaphragm blades that would otherwise transmit infrared radiation IR-cutting. This localized IR-blocking property allows the diaphragm to block infrared radiation effectively while maintaining full visible light transmission when the aperture is opened, as the IR-cut properties are selectively applied where needed on the blade surfaces
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate movable IR-cut filter is used instead of integrating it with the diaphragm, then IR blocking is more effective, but device complexity and actuator wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the IR-cut filter functionality with the diaphragm aperture mechanism. By integrating IR-cut properties into the diaphragm blades, the system combines two functions (aperture control and IR blocking) into a single component, eliminating the need for separate actuators and reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm structure is given multiple functions: it serves both as the aperture control mechanism and as the IR-cut filter. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and actuators, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective IR blocking capability
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 reduces artifacts and wear on actuators, enabling high success rates for mode transitions and improving image quality by accurately determining the appropriate mode based on ambient conditions, with the ability to hide intermediate image frames and adjust intervals for optimal image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an IR cut filter integrated in a diaphragm of a camera lens system
Implementation Method 2
The IR-filter has a radially non-uniform transmission profile where the center of the filter has essentially no transmission while the transmission increases with the radius
Implementation Method 3
the image sensor of the camera has a spectral response with a non-negligible component in the infrared
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sequential control of a diaphragm arrangement of a camera, the arrangement comprising a diaphragm, and an integrated IR cut filter always covering at least a portion of an aperture opening of the diaphragm, comprising: initiating closing or opening of the diaphragm; detecting an amount of incident radiation when the diaphragm has an initial aperture opening; shifting the aperture opening to an intermediate aperture opening to alter the ratio between visible light and infrared radiation passing the diaphragm; detecting an amount of incident radiation following the shift; calculating a composition of visual light and infrared radiation in the scene from the detected amounts of incident radiation and a calculated ratio between visible light and infrared radiation when having the initial aperture opening and the intermediate aperture opening, respectively; and shifting the aperture opening of the diaphragm to a new position.