Multi-Color Flash Device for Natural Tone Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flash devices for imaging devices often produce images with unnatural color tones when using flash, especially under conditions mimicking natural light, due to the limited color temperature range of single light sources, leading to undesirable skin tones and color distortions.
Innovation Solution
A flash device with multiple light emitting devices capable of outputting different colors, such as white and colored lights, is used to capture multiple images with complementary color characteristics, which are then synthesized to generate an image with a natural color tone similar to that seen under ambient light, by adjusting the driving current values based on ambient light color temperature and camera operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used in the flash device, then the device complexity is reduced and the structure is simplified, but the color temperature range is limited resulting in unnatural color tones in captured images
Solution Approach 1:
The flash device is segmented into multiple light emitting devices (first light emitting device and second light emitting device), each capable of emitting light with different color temperatures. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the limitation of a single light source by providing a broader color temperature range, thereby achieving more natural color tones in captured images while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular integration.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple light emitting devices with different colors are used, then the color temperature range is expanded and natural color tones are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light emitting devices with different color characteristics are merged into a single integrated flash device structure. The first light emitting device (emitting first color light) and the second light emitting device (emitting second color light) are combined within one device housing, allowing the system to achieve expanded color temperature range and natural color tones while consolidating the complexity into a unified modular unit rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flash device is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple light emitting devices that can emit different colors of light. This universal design allows the single flash device to serve multiple purposes: capturing images with different color temperatures, adapting to various lighting conditions, and achieving natural color tones without requiring separate specialized devices, thereby managing complexity through functional integration.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple images are captured with different light sources, then the color characteristics are complemented to achieve natural tones, but the imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process employs periodic action by sequentially capturing multiple images with different light emitting devices in rapid succession. The first image is captured using the first light emitting device, followed by the second image captured using the second light emitting device. This periodic switching between different light sources allows the system to gather complementary color characteristics needed for natural color tones while maintaining fast capture speeds that minimize perceptible time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-planning and pre-positioning multiple light emitting devices within the flash device before the imaging process begins. The controller is pre-programmed with the sequence for activating different light emitting devices based on the captured images' color characteristics. This preliminary preparation enables the rapid sequential capture of multiple images with different color temperatures without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thereby reducing the overall imaging time while still achieving natural color tones through the combination of multiple captures.
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
This approach allows for the creation of images with natural color tones by combining images from different light sources, effectively addressing the issue of unnatural color tones and providing a more accurate representation of the subject's skin tones and environment.
Implementation Method 1
Semiconductor light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) emit light of a certain wavelength due to materials included therein. Namely, in semiconductor light emitting devices, energy generated according to electron-hole recombination is converted into light to be emitted.
Data Source
AI summary
A flash device for a camera includes a light source unit and a driving unit. The light source unit includes a plurality of light emitting devices, each of which is configured to output light of different colors. The driving unit is configured to drive a first light emitting device among the plurality of light emitting devices when the camera images a subject to obtain a first image, and drive a second light emitting device different from the first light emitting device among the plurality of light emitting devices when the camera images the subject to obtain a second image.