Optical Intensity Reducing Block for Flicker Noise Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras experience flicker noise effects due to artificial lighting with AC electrical systems, particularly at frequencies of 100 Hz or 120 Hz, leading to horizontal stripes or varying image intensity, which are difficult to mitigate without saturating images or shortening exposure times.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device method that determines the presence of a flicker light source and activates an optical intensity reducing block, using neutral density filters or other attenuation mechanisms, to adjust exposure times and prevent flicker effects by providing a predetermined optical attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If exposure time is increased to avoid flicker effects, then image brightness is improved, but image saturation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intensity reducing block as an intermediary component between the light source and the image sensor. This block, containing neutral density filters, acts as a mediator that reduces the intensity of incident light before it reaches the sensor, allowing longer exposure times without causing saturation while still achieving adequate image brightness through controlled optical attenuation
2Reliability
If exposure time is shortened to prevent image saturation, then image brightness is controlled, but flicker effects appear
Solution Approach 1:
The optical intensity reducing block serves as a mediator that enables the use of longer exposure times by pre-reducing the intensity of incident light. This allows the system to avoid the harmful flicker effects associated with short exposure times while maintaining proper exposure levels through the combined effect of optical attenuation and extended exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter of light intensity by introducing neutral density filters that provide controlled attenuation. This parameter change allows the system to operate at longer exposure times without saturation, thereby eliminating flicker artifacts while maintaining image quality
3Reliability
If neutral density filters are added to reduce optical intensity, then exposure time can be extended without saturation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical intensity reducing block is integrated as an intermediary component within the existing camera system, providing a straightforward solution to exposure control. By placing neutral density filters in a dedicated block that can be activated as needed, the system manages complexity through modular integration rather than requiring fundamental redesign of the exposure control mechanism
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 effectively prevents flicker noise in digital cameras by allowing longer exposure times without image saturation, using optical attenuation to synchronize with flicker frequencies, thereby improving image quality under varying lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
activating an optical intensity reducing block in the electronic device if the flicker light source is present and predetermined conditions are met; wherein the optical intensity reducing block, when activated, provides an optical attenuation of the video image
Implementation Method 2
the optical intensity reducing block may contain at least one liquid crystal filter
Data Source
AI summary
The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for reducing flicker effects in electronic devices (e.g., a video camera, a camera-phone mobile device, a portable electronic device, etc.) by reducing an optical intensity of a video image received by the electronic device. It is determined by the electronic device whether a flicker light source is present and if predetermined conditions are met. As long as that is the case, an optical attenuation of a video image taken by the electronic device is provided using a predetermined criterion and a video signal of the video image is generated by the electronic device using an exposure time substantially equal to or a multiple of an inverse of a flicker frequency.