Electronic Flash Wavelength Shifting for Adjustable Color Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic flashes lack the ability to adjust color characteristics of the supplemental light for different photographic applications, relying on fixed wavelength LEDs or fluorescent conversion for white light production.
Innovation Solution
An electronic flash system utilizing a fluorescent material in a wavelength-shifting region to convert original light from LEDs into a broad spectrum of visible and infrared wavelengths, allowing for adjustable color characteristics by combining different LEDs and phosphors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed wavelength LEDs are used, then the device structure is simple, but the color characteristics cannot be adjusted for different photographic applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using multiple LEDs with different peak wavelengths (e.g., 430nm, 470nm, 510nm, 560nm, 630nm) and adjusting their drive currents to vary the overall color characteristics of the flash light output, enabling adaptation to different photographic applications without changing the physical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple phosphors (yellow phosphor, red phosphor, green phosphor, blue phosphor) with different emission characteristics to create a wavelength-shifting region that converts LED light into a broad spectrum, achieving adjustable color rendering through material composition rather than structural complexity
2Illumination intensity
If multiple color LEDs are combined to produce white light, then color rendering is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the wavelength-shifting region containing multiple phosphors - that converts the light from a single LED type into a broad spectrum including red, green, and blue components. This mediator approach achieves good color rendering without needing to combine multiple LED chips directly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using phosphors with different peak wavelengths and bandwidths to convert LED emission into a broad spectrum, achieving improved color rendering through optical conversion rather than direct LED combination
3Illumination intensity
If fluorescent material is used to convert UV light to visible light, then white light is produced, but the wavelength spectrum is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite phosphor materials including yellow phosphor (peak 560-580nm), red phosphor (peak 610-650nm), green phosphor (peak 500-530nm), and blue phosphor (peak 440-470nm) to convert LED light into a broad spectrum that covers visible and near-infrared ranges, achieving both white light production and extended wavelength coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral parameters by selecting phosphors with specific peak wavelengths and emission bandwidths that extend the output spectrum into the near-infrared region (up to 950nm or beyond), providing both white light and extended wavelength adaptability
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
Enables the production of flash light with customizable wavelength spectra, enhancing color rendering and adaptability for various photographic needs while being sensitive to both visible and infrared light.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescent material having a wavelength-converting property to convert at least some of the original light to converted light
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic flash, imaging device and method for producing a flash of light having a wavelength spectrum in the visible wavelength range and the infrared wavelength range uses a fluorescent material to convert at least some of the original light emitted from one or more light sources of the electronic flash to longer wavelength light to produce the flash of light. The light sources may be configured to generate light having a peak wavelength in an ultraviolet-and-visible wavelength range. The fluorescent material may include any combination of red, green, blue and yellow phosphors.