Electroluminescent Panel Chroma Key Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chroma keying systems face challenges in providing even lighting, leading to shadows and poor resolution, especially when used in confined spaces or for virtual reality applications, where dynamic and immersive experiences are required.

Innovation Solution

The integration of electroluminescent light panels that emit a predetermined color hue, allowing for flexible and even illumination, combined with virtual reality headsets that can detect and replace this color with varied video content based on user perspective and orientation, enabling immersive simulations in any environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple lights and light diffusers are used to achieve even lighting, then illumination uniformity is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting evennessVSAvoidnumber of lights and diffusers

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination system is divided into multiple electroluminescent panels that can be independently controlled and positioned. Each panel emits light uniformly across its surface, and by segmenting the overall illumination task into multiple manageable panels, the system achieves even lighting without requiring complex arrangements of multiple traditional lights and diffusers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple lights and light diffusers with an electroluminescent field effect. Electroluminescent panels generate light uniformly across their entire surface through electrical excitation, eliminating the need for mechanical light diffusion elements and reducing system complexity while maintaining illumination evenness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional front lighting is used for chroma keying, then setup is simple, but shadows and poor resolution occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetup simplicityVSAvoidimage resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of lighting the chroma key surface from the front, the patent inverts the approach by illuminating from behind using electroluminescent panels. This backlighting method eliminates shadows cast by objects in front of the surface while maintaining uniform illumination, thereby improving image resolution and chroma key effectiveness without sacrificing setup simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Illumination intensity

If big room space is provided for backlit system, then even lighting is achieved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting evennessVSAvoidroom space

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin electroluminescent panels that can be mounted directly on or near the chroma key surface without requiring large room spaces. These thin film panels provide uniform backlighting in a compact configuration, achieving even lighting while minimizing the physical space needed compared to traditional backlit systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Area of stationary object

If multiple lights are used to illuminate surface, then lighting coverage is improved, but hardware footprint and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidhardware footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electroluminescent panels serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide uniform illumination across large surfaces, acts as the chroma key background itself, and can be individually controlled for different lighting scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate lighting fixtures and diffusion equipment, thereby decreasing hardware footprint and costs while maintaining comprehensive illumination coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a dynamic and shadow-free chroma keying system that can convert any space into a simulated environment, reducing hardware footprint and costs, while enhancing the realism and fidelity of virtual reality experiences by ensuring 100% edge-to-edge illumination and reducing the need for complex light diffusion systems.

Implementation Method 1

a flat light panel that comprises a surface that emits light from a light source that is in the shape of the light panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10841552B2Chroma keying illumination system

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 ELECTRO LUMINX LIGHTING CORP

AI summary

A chroma keying system as described herein is a relatively thin and portable system as a result of the deployment of flat light panels such as electroluminescent (EL) lighting panels. By combining a flexible electroluminescent illuminated surface with proper hardware and digital programming, a user wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset is able to see whatever image is programmed for them to see in the headset when looking at specific things or directions.