Drone LED Control for Camera Exposure Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera systems with light emitting members, such as LEDs, interfere with image capture in low-light environments due to uncontrolled light emission, particularly when using high ISO settings, as the light from these members can affect exposure settings and image quality.

Innovation Solution

A control method and system that adjusts the light emission of a light emitting member, like an LED on a drone, based on the exposure settings of a camera, specifically by determining the appropriate light emission amount or pattern to minimize interference with image capture, even in high sensitivity conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the light emitting member emits light continuously to provide visibility notification, then the visibility of drone position and direction is improved, but the image quality deteriorates due to light interference in low-light environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of drone positionVSAvoidlight interference on image capture
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting member emits light periodically rather than continuously. The control unit determines emission based on exposure settings, creating periodic light emission cycles that provide visibility notification while minimizing interference with image capture during exposure periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The light emission characteristics are made dynamic and adjustable based on camera exposure settings. The control unit modifies the light emission amount or pattern in real-time according to the shooting conditions, allowing the system to adapt between providing visibility notification and avoiding image interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If the camera uses high ISO sensitivity to capture low-light images, then the image brightness is improved, but the influence of light from the light emitting member on the captured image increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidlight emitting member influence on image
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives feedback from the exposure settings of the camera and adjusts the light emitting member's operation accordingly. When high ISO sensitivity is detected, the control unit modifies the light emission to reduce its influence on the captured image while maintaining visibility notification functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The emission parameters (amount, pattern, timing) of the light emitting member are changed based on the camera's exposure settings. When high ISO is used, the system changes the light emission parameters to minimize interference, such as reducing emission amount or adjusting emission timing relative to the exposure cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If the light emission amount of the light emitting member is increased to improve visibility, then the notification function is improved, but the interference with image capture in low-light environments worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility notificationVSAvoidinterference with image capture
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting member operates with periodic emission patterns controlled by the control unit. By timing the emission periods to coincide with non-exposure intervals or using pulsed emission at reduced intensity, the system provides visibility notification while minimizing interference with image capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The light emission amount is dynamically adjusted based on real-time exposure settings. The control unit modulates the emission intensity or duration according to the camera's shooting parameters, allowing high emission for visibility when needed while reducing emission during exposure-critical periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively reduces the influence of the light emitting member on captured images, allowing for better image quality in low-light environments while still providing visibility of the drone's position and direction, even in ultra-high sensitivity settings.

Implementation Method 1

Such drones are often provided with a light emitting member, such as a light emitting diode (LED), in order to make a notification regarding the position and the direction of the drone during flight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode (LED): Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3450311B1Flying object, control method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 CANON KK
  • EP3450311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3450311B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3450311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a flying object (200) including an image capturing apparatus (209). The flying object comprises a light emitting apparatus (204) that includes a light source and is configured to cause the light source to emit light to indicate a status of the flying object. Light emission control means (205) controls the light emitting apparatus according to an exposure setting of the image capturing apparatus.