Flash LED Video Indicator Using Periodic Blinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld electronic devices face space and cost constraints in incorporating a dedicated red LED indicator for video recording, as existing solutions occupy valuable space and increase manufacturing costs, while also risking the LED's light appearing in recorded images.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a flash LED as an indicator light by modifying the video recording characteristics, such as reducing exposure time or frame rate, to create intervals where the flash is illuminated, thus avoiding its appearance in recorded frames and providing a blinking visual cue without occupying additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a dedicated red LED indicator is used for video recording, then visual indication is provided, but device space is occupied and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flash LED is made to serve dual functions: (1) providing illumination for low-light photography/video recording, and (2) serving as a visual indicator light to notify users that video recording is in progress. By reusing the existing flash LED component for indication purposes, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated indicator LED, thereby reducing device space occupation and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable visual indication through the flash LED's blinking mode during video recording
Solution Approach 2:
The flash LED is utilized to provide its own visual indication function without requiring additional dedicated components. The existing flash LED infrastructure (LED chip, driver circuitry, housing integration) serves the indication purpose, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating redundant components that would increase manufacturing complexity and cost
2Ease of manufacture
If a dedicated red LED indicator is used for video recording, then visual indication is provided, but device space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The flash LED is made to serve dual functions: (1) providing illumination for low-light photography/video recording, and (2) serving as a visual indicator light to notify users that video recording is in progress. By reusing the existing flash LED component for indication purposes, the patent eliminates the need for a separate dedicated indicator LED, thereby reducing device space occupation and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable visual indication through the flash LED's blinking mode during video recording
Solution Approach 2:
The indication function is merged with the existing flash LED illumination function. Both functions are combined into a single component system, eliminating the need for separate indicator LED housing, mounting space, and associated circuitry, thereby optimizing device space utilization while maintaining reliable visual feedback
3Ease of manufacture
If flash LED is used as indicator light, then space and cost are saved, but flash may appear in recorded images
Solution Approach 1:
The flash LED is activated in periodic blinking intervals during video recording, with each blink duration precisely controlled to be shorter than the camera's exposure time. This periodic activation pattern creates a temporal gap between flash emission and image capture, ensuring the flash light does not appear in recorded frames while still providing visible visual indication to users that recording is in progress
Solution Approach 2:
The flash LED's activation state is dynamically controlled during video recording, switching between active (blinking for indication) and inactive (during exposure periods) states. This dynamic control adapts the flash behavior to the recording timeline, activating the flash only during intervals when the sensor is not capturing images, thereby eliminating flash artifacts while maintaining indication functionality
4Device complexity
If flash LED is used as indicator light, then space and cost are saved, but additional control mechanisms are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the processor monitors the video recording state and automatically controls the flash LED's blinking pattern accordingly. When video recording is detected, the processor triggers periodic flash activation; when recording stops, flash activation ceases. This feedback mechanism automates the coordination between recording state and flash indication, eliminating the need for complex manual control circuits while maintaining simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary controller that coordinates between the video recording function and the flash LED indication function. Rather than requiring direct hardware integration or complex control circuits, the processor software manages the timing and activation of the flash LED based on recording state, simplifying the overall device architecture while enabling intelligent coordination between components
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 approach allows for a compact and cost-effective visual indication of video recording without the flash appearing in recorded images, potentially improving video quality and reducing post-processing needs.
Implementation Method 1
Utilizing a flash LED as an indicator light by modifying the video recording characteristics
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus providing a visual indication of the occurrence of video recording operations on an electronic device. The video recording operations including recording a plurality of frames according to a number of characteristics. The method comprising providing a time interval between the recording of two consecutive frames by modifying at least one of the characteristics of the video recording operations and providing the visual indication of video recording operations during the time interval.