Dynamic Lens Filter and Illuminated Tray for Camera Bokeh Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera filters are static and do not change during image capture, limiting the variety and control over lighting effects and visual effects such as bokeh.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic lens filter and illuminated filter tray assembly that includes a lens filter with a visual effects medium that reflects, distorts, or refracts light, and an illuminated filter tray with controllable light sources that can be aligned with the lens filter to control the light intensity and create varying visual effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static lens filter is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the visual effects are limited and do not change during image capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static filters with a fluid lens filter that can change its optical properties in real-time. The fluid medium inside the filter housing can be agitated by a rotating mechanism, causing the filter to dynamically alter its refraction and reflection characteristics during image capture, thereby creating continuously changing bokeh effects without requiring multiple static filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the physical state and optical parameters of the fluid medium within the filter. By rotating the lens filter assembly, the fluid medium's orientation and flow patterns change, which dynamically modifies the optical parameters (refraction index, scattering properties) to create varying visual effects from a single filter medium.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional matte boxes are used without controlled lighting, then the structure is simple, but lens flares and lens artifacts are undesired and cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the matte box into separate functional modules: the fluid lens filter assembly, the illuminated filter tray with light sources, and the support structure. This modular design allows independent control of lighting effects while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, enabling selective illumination to create controlled lens flares without complicating the entire matte box system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing an illuminated filter tray as a mediator between the light sources and the fluid lens filter. This intermediary component allows controlled delivery of light to the filter medium, enabling the creation of desired lens flares and lighting effects while isolating the complexity of the lighting system from the main filter assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple static filters are used to achieve different effects, then each effect is consistent and controllable, but the variety of effects is limited and requires filter replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for filter replacement by implementing a dynamic fluid lens filter that can transform between different optical states during a single shot. The rotating mechanism agitates the fluid medium to create continuously changing bokeh patterns, allowing multiple effects to be achieved without time loss from filter changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by maintaining the fluid lens filter in a constantly changing state during image capture. The rotating mechanism operates throughout the exposure, ensuring that the optical properties evolve continuously rather than requiring discrete filter changes, thereby eliminating downtime and maintaining creative flow.
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 assembly allows for the creation of continuously changing bokeh and controlled lighting effects, enabling a wide range of novel visual effects on camera images and providing remote control over light intensity.
Implementation Method 1
a visual effects medium configured to reflect, distort, or refract light into the camera lens
Implementation Method 2
a visual effects medium configured to reflect, distort, or refract light into the camera lens
Implementation Method 3
an illuminated filter tray including various controllable light sources that may shine a light onto the filter lens
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic lens filter and illuminated filter tray assembly for use with a camera having a matte box includes a rotatable lens filter having an effects medium that reflects light and an illuminated filter tray having light sources that shine light onto the effects medium. Various lighting effects may be controlled and achieved by aligning the illuminated filter tray with the lens filter within the matte box such that light emanating from the illuminated filter tray strikes the effects medium while images are being captured. The lens filter includes a pair of lenses that seal the lens filter to form a cavity containing the effects medium. The lens filter is coupled to a rotating mechanism that rotates the lens filter to create changing visual effects in images captured by the camera. The illuminated filter tray includes a wireless transceiver coupled to the light sources for controlling the light sources remotely.