Display Screen Illumination Processor for Mobile Camera Subject Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras in mobile devices face challenges in capturing high-quality images due to low subject illuminance, leading to low signal-to-noise ratios and grainy or snowy images, especially when a dedicated light source is not available.
Innovation Solution
A device with a display screen and an illumination processor that adjusts the light output of the display screen or its backlight to provide optimal illumination for the subject, using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and adjusting electrical current to maintain a consistent light output across various colors, ensuring improved image quality without the need for a dedicated light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a dedicated light source is added to provide subject illumination, then illuminance and image quality improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is designed to perform dual functions: displaying visual information and providing subject illumination for image capture. The display controller manages the display pixels to emit light toward the subject when illumination is needed, eliminating the requirement for a separate dedicated light source while maintaining adequate illuminance for image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination function is merged with the display function by utilizing the display screen's light-emitting capability. The display pixels that normally display images are repurposed to provide illumination light when required, combining two functions into a single component system
2Device complexity
If the display screen provides illumination, then device complexity is reduced, but the light output magnitude varies with color affecting illuminance consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the actual light output magnitude at different colors/wavelengths emitted by the display screen and uses this measurement feedback to adjust the drive signals. The display controller modifies the current or voltage applied to pixels based on the measured light output, compensating for color-dependent variations and achieving consistent illuminance across different colors
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters (current, voltage, pulse width) driving the display pixels dynamically based on the desired color and required illuminance level. By adjusting these parameters in response to measured light output, the system maintains consistent illuminance magnitude regardless of the color being displayed
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
The solution enhances image quality by maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio and providing adequate illuminance for capturing images, even in low-light conditions, without adding a dedicated light source, thus optimizing image capture in mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
A device with a display screen and an illumination processor that adjusts the light output of the display screen or its backlight
Implementation Method 2
The backlight provides an adjustable light output, which at least partially passes through the display screen as part of a light output of the display screen
Data Source
AI summary
A device which includes a display can provide adjustable light output, based in part on the color of the display screen output, to control the light output of the display screen. An illumination processor can adjustably control light output based on the colors of portions of the display screen. The light output can be adjusted to maintain the light output of the display screen across a range of colors of display screen light output. Controlling the light output of the display screen results in controlling the illuminance of a subject. The device can include a camera which captures an image of the subject and displays the image on a portion of the display screen, where the light output of a portion of the display screen can illuminate the subject such that the captured image has at least a certain level of image quality.