Dynamic Illumination Control for Computer Imagers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional imaging systems lack control over artificial lighting, leading to issues like uneven illumination, shadows, and color balance problems, especially when capturing images in varying ambient light conditions, which can result in lower quality images.
Innovation Solution
An advanced imaging system that includes a camera, light source, and user interface, utilizing processing power to analyze ambient light conditions and adjust illumination dynamically, allowing for even lighting distribution, white balance adjustment, and high dynamic range imaging by capturing multiple images under different illumination levels and combining them to produce a single high-quality image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional imaging systems use fixed artificial lights, then the system structure is simple, but the illumination uniformity and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic illumination control by allowing the imaging system to adjust light intensity and color temperature in real-time based on ambient light conditions. The system transitions from fixed, static lighting to dynamically adjustable lighting that adapts to changing environmental conditions, thereby improving illumination uniformity without significantly complicating the overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the artificial light sources, specifically adjusting intensity and color temperature based on ambient light analysis. By varying these parameters dynamically, the system achieves better illumination uniformity and image quality while maintaining a relatively simple device structure through software-controlled parameter adjustment rather than hardware complexity.
2Device complexity
If traditional imaging systems use fixed artificial lights, then the device complexity is low, but the color balance accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by analyzing ambient light conditions and using this information to adjust artificial light parameters. The system continuously monitors the lighting environment and adjusts intensity and color temperature accordingly, achieving accurate color balance through software-based feedback loops rather than complex hardware adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves accurate color balance by dynamically changing the parameters of artificial light sources based on ambient light analysis. The system adjusts color temperature and intensity to compensate for varying ambient conditions, maintaining color accuracy without requiring complex hardware modifications.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system captures images under multiple illumination levels, then the image quality and dynamic range improve, but the time to capture the final image increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by capturing multiple images at different illumination levels in rapid succession. The system quickly adjusts light intensity between captures, taking a series of photos at varying illumination levels and then combining them. This periodic adjustment approach maintains high image quality while minimizing the total time required compared to manual adjustment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by capturing only the essential multiple illumination levels needed for high dynamic range imaging rather than exhaustive sampling. The system captures a sufficient number of images at different illumination levels to achieve the desired image quality and dynamic range, then combines them efficiently, avoiding unnecessary time consumption from excessive captures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.