Dual Light Source Camera with Xenon and LED
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable cameras equipped with LEDs as auxiliary light sources face challenges in providing sufficient light to subjects at a distance due to the low light emission power of LEDs compared to xenon tubes, leading to inadequate illumination, especially when the subject is far away.
Innovation Solution
An image-taking apparatus that combines a xenon tube and an LED as light-emitting sections, with a full-charge sensor and light-emission controlling section to manage light emission, allowing the LED to emit light even before the xenon tube is fully recharged, and selectively uses either light source based on distance and brightness to ensure appropriate illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an LED is used as an auxiliary light source, then power consumption is reduced and light emission speed is improved, but light emission intensity is insufficient for distant subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the auxiliary light source into two separate sections: a first light-emitting section using a xenon tube for high-intensity illumination of distant subjects, and a second light-emitting section using an LED for low-power illumination of close subjects. This segmentation allows each light source to operate in its optimal performance range, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and light intensity by assigning different functions to different light sources based on shooting distance.
2Illumination intensity
If a xenon tube is used as an auxiliary light source, then light emission intensity is sufficient for distant subjects, but recharge time is required and light emission speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the LED in the second light-emitting section ready to provide immediate illumination without requiring recharge time. When the subject is within close range, the LED can emit light instantly, eliminating the recharge delay inherent in xenon tube systems. This preliminary preparation of an alternative light source resolves the time loss issue while maintaining sufficient illumination for close subjects.
3Speed
If an LED is used as an auxiliary light source, then light emission speed is improved and recharge time is eliminated, but light emission intensity is insufficient for distant subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by dynamically switching between the xenon tube and LED based on the measured distance to the subject. The distance measuring section continuously monitors subject distance, and the light-emission controlling section dynamically selects which light source to activate. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between light emission speed (LED for close subjects) and light emission intensity (xenon tube for distant subjects), resolving the contradiction through conditional operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If both xenon tube and LED are used as light-emitting sections, then both close-range and distant-subject illumination needs are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a dual light-emitting section system where both the xenon tube and LED serve as auxiliary light sources for image capture. The first light-emitting section (xenon tube) handles distant subjects requiring high intensity, while the second light-emitting section (LED) handles close subjects requiring low power. This multi-functional approach allows a single camera system to adapt to various shooting scenarios, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity by integrating complementary light sources with clearly defined roles.
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 quick and controlled light emission for close-range subjects, reducing recharge time for the xenon tube and optimizing power usage by selectively using the LED for close-range and xenon tube for distant subjects, ensuring adequate illumination.
Implementation Method 1
a first light-emitting section which has a xenon tube and a main capacitor, and accumulates charge in the main capacitor so as to emit auxiliary light to a subject
Implementation Method 2
a second light-emitting section which has an LED and emits auxiliary light to a subject
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an image-taking apparatus which includes: a first light-emitting section having a xenon tube and a main capacitor; and a second light-emitting section having an LED. When an image is to be taken with an auxiliary light emission immediately after power-on and immediately after previous image taking with a previous auxiliary light emission, recharge of the main capacitor is not completed yet. In such a case, the image-taking apparatus selects the second light-emitting section to emit auxiliary light from the LED.