Digital Photo Enlarger Module With Wireless Auto Exposure Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photographic enlargers do not allow for interchangeable film carriers and LCD stages, require manual trial and error for precise enlargement settings, and lack automatic and wireless adjustment capabilities, especially for digital photographs.
Innovation Solution
A photographic enlarger system with an interchangeable LCD or laser projector module, featuring a displaceable carriage with ultrasonic sensor and motor control, controlled by a software application for precise enlargement and exposure settings, enabling wireless communication and automatic adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual trial and error method is used for adjusting enlargement settings, then the enlarger can be operated without automatic control systems, but the time and effort required to achieve precise enlargement settings increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated digital control system. A processor receives image data, determines optimal enlargement parameters algorithmically, and automatically controls the enlarger's mechanical components (lens positioning, aperture, exposure timing) without requiring manual trial and error adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The enlarger system performs self-adjustment through automatic control. The processor autonomously calculates enlargement settings based on the digital image dimensions and desired output size, then automatically configures the optical system and exposure parameters without human intervention in the adjustment process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed film carrier design is used in enlargers, then the mechanical structure remains simple, but the device cannot accommodate both film-based and digital photograph enlargement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal enlarger system that can handle both film-based and digital photographs. The interchangeable carrier system includes a film carrier for traditional film negatives and an LCD stage for displaying digital images, allowing the same enlarger optical system to serve multiple functions and accommodate different input formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The enlarger is divided into separate functional modules: an interchangeable carrier component that can be swapped between film carrier and LCD stage, and a fixed optical projection system. This segmentation allows the versatile adaptation capability to be added without complicating the core optical path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If LCD stage is added to enable digital photograph enlargement, then the enlarger can process digital images, but the device complexity increases due to interchangeable components
Solution Approach 1:
The enlarger optical system is designed to be universal, accepting input from both film carriers and LCD stages through the same projection path. This multi-functionality is achieved by making the input interface interchangeable while keeping the core optical components fixed and unchanged.
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
Enables precise and automated enlargement of digital photographs onto photosensitive material with interchangeable film and LCD stages, allowing for wireless control and efficient exposure settings, enhancing user experience and reducing trial and error.
Implementation Method 1
a light source, a condenser, a focal lens, and a removable projector module
Implementation Method 2
a lens for projecting the image onto the base (which holds a photosensitive printing paper), and a mechanism for focusing the image onto the paper
Implementation Method 3
Once the enlarged image is captured on the photosensitive printing paper
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for enlarging digital photographs in a dark room environment by interchanging the film carrier with a digital projection module, wirelessly receiving the digital photograph data within the digital projection module and then automatically and wirelessly configuring the enlarger to generate the enlarged photograph on photosensitive printing paper. The apparatus and method include a software application for use on a computing device containing the digital photographs that permits the user to wirelessly communicate with the enlarger to configure and control the enlarger for printing. The digital projection module permits the enlarger to be easily reconfigured for enlarging photographs produced from film. An alternative is also disclosed that uses a laser projector instead of the interchangeable digital projection module for generating enlarged prints from digital photographs. The software application also permits burn and dodge effects in the print.