Flash Lens Transparency Zoning for Uniform Camera Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in capturing high-quality images in dark environments due to the emission angle of flash light being insufficient to cover the standard field of view, leading to vignetting and glare, with the peripheral portions of images appearing darker than the central portion.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a flash lens with varying transparencies in front of the light-emitting element to evenly distribute light, preventing glare and ensuring uniform brightness across the image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a standard flash lens is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the light emission angle is insufficient to cover the field of view, causing vignetting and glare

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission angleVSAvoidlens structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flash lens applies different transparency values to different regions of the lens. The center region has a first transparency value while the peripheral region has a second transparency value, creating local quality variations that expand the effective light emission angle and cover the field of view without requiring a completely different lens structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transparency parameter of the flash lens material across different spatial locations. By varying the transparency value from the center to the periphery, the lens achieves expanded light emission coverage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If uniform transparency lens is used, then manufacturing is simple, but light distribution is uneven causing glare on subject and dark peripheral areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution uniformityVSAvoidlens manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flash lens is designed with different transparency characteristics in different regions - the center portion has one transparency value optimized for subject illumination, while the peripheral portion has another transparency value optimized for background illumination, achieving uniform light distribution across the entire field of view

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lens is effectively segmented into multiple transparency zones (center region and peripheral region with different transparency values), allowing each zone to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve overall uniform light distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively prevents glare and ensures even light distribution, resulting in improved image quality by uniformly illuminating both the subject and background.

Implementation Method 1

an optical lens having different transparencies between areas thereof may be provided in front of a light-emitting element of the electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction and diffusion: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4250002B1Flash lens of electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4250002B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4250002B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4250002B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device according to various embodiments comprises: a first camera module; and a flash module disposed adjacent to the first camera module, wherein the flash module includes an LED which outputs light and an optical lens disposed in a traveling direction of the light outputted from the LED, wherein the optical lens includes a first surface facing the LED and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the second surface of the optical lens may include a first semi-transparent area including a region to which the light projected from the LED is incident in a predetermined direction, and a second semi-transparent region spaced apart from the first semi-transparent area. Various other embodiments are possible.