Light Source Sensing Device for Automatic Fill Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capturing devices struggle to determine the position and brightness of light sources, especially in high contrast situations, leading to inadequate image clarity due to insufficient ambient light or backlighting, requiring manual activation of fill light modules.
Innovation Solution
A light source sensing device comprising an optical sensor, a motor-driven rod on a circular track, and a controller that samples brightness values to calculate the irradiating angle of the light source, enabling automatic adjustment of the fill light unit for improved image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the image capturing device uses a flashlight module to compensate for insufficient ambient light, then image clarity is improved, but the device cannot automatically determine when and where to activate the flashlight in backlight situations
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing device is segmented into distinct functional components: an optical sensor for detecting light intensity, a rod for creating shadows, a motor for rotating the rod, and a controller for processing signals. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the optical sensor. By rotating the rod, it creates moving shadows on the sensor that encode positional information about the light source, enabling indirect but accurate detection of light direction and position.
2Ease of operation
If the user manually activates the flashlight module in backlight situations, then image clarity is improved, but the user experience is degraded due to lack of automatic detection
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the output of the optical sensor and uses this feedback to determine the position and intensity of the light source. Based on this feedback, the system automatically activates the flashlight module when needed, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while preserving accurate light source detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing device autonomously performs the function of detecting light source position and controlling flashlight activation without requiring user input. The system serves itself by automatically processing sensor data, determining when backlight compensation is needed, and activating the appropriate lighting functions.
3Measurement precision
If the device uses a complex sensing mechanism to accurately detect light source position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod rotates along a circular track surrounding the optical sensor, creating a curved measurement path. This circular geometry naturally provides omnidirectional coverage and enables accurate angular measurement of the light source position relative to the sensor, simplifying the calculation of irradiating angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the temporal dimension by rotating the rod over time, converting a static two-dimensional sensor plane into a three-dimensional measurement volume. This allows the system to detect light source position in multiple directions sequentially, achieving comprehensive spatial awareness without requiring a complex multi-dimensional sensor array.
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 device accurately determines the irradiating angle of the light source, allowing for automatic activation and direction adjustment of the fill light, enhancing image clarity by compensating for insufficient lighting and high contrast effects.
Implementation Method 1
The optical sensor senses a lighting brightness emitted by a light source
Implementation Method 2
When the light source irradiates the rod, a shadow is formed on a sensing surface of the optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A light source sensing device and a light source sensing method thereof are provided. The light source sensing device includes an optical sensor, a rod, a motor and a controller. The optical sensor is used for sensing lighting brightness emitted by the light source. The rod is disposed on a circular track which surrounds the optical sensor. When the light source irradiates the rod, a shadow is formed on a sensing surface of the optical sensor. The motor drives the rod to move along the circular track in a moving speed. The controller is coupled to the motor and the optical sensor, and controls the optical sensor to sample in a sampling frequency during a sampling period for obtaining a plurality of brightness values. The controller calculates and processes the brightness values for obtaining an irradiating angle of the light source.