Display Screen Auxiliary Lighting for Front Camera Low Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Front-facing cameras in devices often produce undesirable image quality in low light conditions due to the absence of a flash, which can hurt human eyes and is not feasible to implement.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a display screen as an auxiliary light source by controlling its lighting parameters, such as brightness and color, to improve image quality in low light conditions, while avoiding eye damage by adjusting flash usage based on ambient light levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a flash is equipped on the front-facing camera to improve image quality in low light conditions, then the image quality is improved, but the flash may hurt human eyes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoideye damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen acts as an intermediary light source between the flash and the subject. Instead of using a direct flash that could harm eyes, the system displays a bright image on the screen which then serves as the lighting source for photographing, indirectly providing illumination without the harmful effects of a direct flash

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy by displaying an image on the screen that replicates the intended photograph. This displayed image serves as both a preview and a lighting source, allowing the camera to capture the scene illuminated by the screen's display rather than a direct flash

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Illumination intensity

If the display screen brightness is increased to improve lighting for shooting, then the lighting effect is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting effectVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen brightness is dynamically adjusted based on ambient light conditions detected by the light sensor. The system automatically increases or decreases brightness levels to match the surrounding environment, providing optimal lighting for shooting while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessarily high brightness in already well-lit conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a light sensor to detect ambient light levels and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the display screen brightness accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the screen provides sufficient lighting for shooting while consuming minimal energy by adapting to actual environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances image quality in low light conditions without harming human eyes, reduces the need for additional light sources, and provides flexible and controllable lighting options, making the display screen a viable and cost-effective lighting solution.

Implementation Method 1

controlling a display screen facing a shot target to provide lighting by using a preset lighting parameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from display screen: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2905955B1Shooting method and device
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2905955B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2905955B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2905955B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a shooting method, an apparatus, and a terminal. The method includes: after it is detected that a camera is started, instructing a display screen facing a shooting person to display a preview image; obtaining a preset lighting parameter; controling a display screen facing a shot target to provide lighting by using the preset lighting parameter; and shooting an image according to a shooting instruction. In the embodiments of the present invention, a display screen may be used as an auxiliary light source, and the display screen is controlled to provide lighting by using a preset lighting parameter, so that the quality of an image shot by a camera in a low light condition is improved.