Imaging Device Sensor Detects AC Current to Sync Shutter Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluorescent lamps cause flicker, leading to lateral stripes in photographed images, which existing methods struggle to fully mitigate, especially when photographing under flickering light sources.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device equipped with a sensor to detect the AC current component of the luminous flux and a controller to identify the flicker cycle, allowing for adaptive shutter speed adjustments to minimize the impact of flicker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If photographing is performed under a flicker light source, then the imaging device can capture images in various lighting conditions, but lateral stripes occur in the photographed image due to flicker
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device detects the flicker cycle of the light source before capturing the image, and pre-adjusts the shutter speed to synchronize with the flicker cycle. This preliminary detection and adjustment prevents lateral stripes from occurring in the first place, rather than correcting them after image capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter speed is dynamically adjusted based on the detected flicker cycle of the light source. The system continuously monitors the light source characteristics and adapts the shutter speed in real-time to match the flicker pattern, enabling the device to handle various flicker frequencies (100Hz or 120Hz) effectively.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high-speed shutter speed is used to reduce flicker influence, then lateral stripes are reduced, but the exposure time becomes very short which may affect image brightness
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply increasing shutter speed, the system changes the timing parameter of the shutter to align with the peak brightness phase of the flicker cycle. By synchronizing the shutter opening with the moment when the light source is brightest, the system achieves optimal exposure without needing excessively high shutter speeds, thus maintaining image brightness while eliminating lateral stripes.
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
Effectively reduces the occurrence of lateral stripes in images by synchronizing shutter speed with the flicker cycle, providing improved image quality under flickering light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to include a photoelectric element for receiving a part of luminous flux from the subject incident on the imaging unit to detect an AC current component of the luminous flux
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes an imaging unit, a sensor, and a controller. The imaging unit sequentially outputs a digital image by capturing a subject. The sensor includes a photoelectric element for receiving a part of luminous flux from the subject incident on the imaging unit. The sensor detects an AC current component of the luminous flux from the luminous flux received by the photoelectric element. The controller detects a flicker cycle in the luminous flux from the AC current component.