Imaging Control Apparatus Glare Reduction via Segmented Flash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cameras, especially those integrated into mobile devices, face significant glare issues when capturing images of smooth surfaces or through glass, leading to poor image quality due to insufficient illumination or compromised shooting angles when trying to avoid glare.
Innovation Solution
An imaging control method and apparatus that acquires light source information for each line of pixels and selectively turns off contributing light sources to minimize glare, ensuring improved image quality by predetermining glare sources and adjusting light source usage accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the flash is closed to avoid glare, then the glare is reduced, but the illumination becomes insufficient resulting in low brightness
Solution Approach 1:
The flash unit is divided into multiple independently controllable light sources (first light source and second light source). The control module can selectively turn off only the light source causing glare while keeping other light sources on, thus segmenting the illumination control to simultaneously reduce glare and maintain brightness.
2Illumination intensity
If the shutter time is extended to compensate for insufficient illumination, then the brightness is improved, but the probability of image blurring due to camera shake increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flash into multiple independently controllable light sources, the system can provide sufficient total illumination using remaining active light sources, thus maintaining short shutter times and avoiding image blurring while still reducing glare from specific light sources.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shooting angle is changed to avoid glare, then the glare is reduced, but the composition of the picture is sacrificed and the shooting angle becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the illumination control by individually managing each light source. This allows glare reduction through selective light source deactivation without requiring changes to shooting angle or camera position, thus preserving picture composition and ease of operation.
4Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to maintain brightness when reducing glare, then the brightness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flash unit is segmented into multiple independently controllable light sources with simple on/off control. This segmentation allows sophisticated glare management and brightness control through straightforward binary control states, avoiding complex dimming or color temperature adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module predetermines which light sources may cause glare and prepares a control strategy in advance. When shooting, the system executes pre-planned light source deactivation, simplifying real-time control complexity while maintaining brightness through remaining light sources.
Data Source
AI summary
Imaging control methods and apparatuses are provided related to the field of imaging. A method comprises: in response to that an imaging apparatus is ready for reading data of a line of pixels, acquiring light source information of at least one glare source corresponding to the line of pixels, the at least one glare source being at least one of at least one light source of the imaging apparatus, causing a glare of the line of pixels when being in an ON state; and turning off at least one light source in an ON state in the at least one glare source according to the light source information. The influence of glare can be reduced, thereby improving the image quality.