Hybrid IR Flash Trail Camera Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trail cameras using infrared flash illumination face a trade-off between image quality and the visibility of the flash, as wavelengths around 850 nm provide efficient illumination but can produce a visible red glow, while longer wavelengths like 950 nm reduce this issue but compromise image quality.
Innovation Solution
A camera assembly with an illumination device capable of emitting infrared light at multiple peak wavelengths, allowing automatic configuration to use one or both wavelengths based on the camera mode, ensuring minimal visible light is emitted while maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If infrared lighting at 850 nm is used, then illumination efficiency is improved, but visible red glow is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both 850 nm and 950 nm infrared LEDs in a single illumination device, allowing the system to leverage the high efficiency of 850 nm lighting while using 950 nm lighting to suppress the visible red glow, achieving both illumination efficiency and reduced visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the infrared lighting from a single fixed value to multiple values (850 nm and 950 nm), allowing dynamic adjustment to optimize both illumination efficiency and minimize visible glow based on operating conditions
2Object-generated harmful factors
If infrared lighting at 950 nm is used, then visible red glow is reduced, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges 950 nm LEDs (which reduce visible glow) with 850 nm LEDs (which provide better image quality), allowing the system to compensate for the lower efficiency of 950 nm lighting while maintaining the glow-reduction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the illumination device to switch between or combine 850 nm and 950 nm wavelengths based on real-time conditions, optimizing image quality while minimizing visible glow when possible
3Device complexity
If a single wavelength illumination device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the illumination device to perform multiple functions by incorporating both 850 nm and 950 nm LEDs, allowing a single device to adapt to different lighting conditions, subject types, and environmental factors without requiring separate illumination units
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 enables high-quality image capture in low-light conditions with reduced subject disturbance by dynamically adjusting the illumination wavelength, balancing efficiency and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination device is capable of illuminating in at least two different peak wavelengths... adapted to illuminate a subject at a first peak wavelength... adapted to illuminate a subject at a second peak wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A camera assembly including a camera that has an image-capturing device. The camera assembly also includes an illumination device that is coupled to the camera and that is adapted to illuminate a subject when the camera is capturing an image, and a control unit. The illumination device is capable of illuminating in at least two different peak wavelengths. The control unit automatically configures the camera assembly to use one or more of the at least two different wavelengths.