Panoramic Photography Lighting With Diffuse Reflection and Rail Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing panoramic camera systems face challenges in achieving uniform lighting and optimal imaging conditions for capturing high-quality panoramic images, as they often rely on direct illumination which can distort colors and result in inconsistent light distribution.

Innovation Solution

A photographing apparatus comprising a housing with a lighting unit featuring a light shielding plate and a flexible lighting lamp, a guide rail unit with a stepper motor, and a control unit that adjusts light brightness and the position of the light shielding plate to ensure uniform light distribution, along with a rotary turntable and distance sensor for precise control and panoramic capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If direct illumination is used for photographing, then the lighting structure is simple, but the lighting uniformity deteriorates and color distortion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting structureVSAvoidlighting uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

A light diffusing plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the photographing scene. This plate diffuses the direct light into uniform scattered light, eliminating color distortion while maintaining lighting effectiveness. The diffusing plate serves as a mediator that transforms direct illumination into soft, uniform illumination without requiring complex multi-source lighting arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting characteristics are changed by modifying the light propagation parameters through the diffusing plate. The plate changes the directionality and intensity distribution of light, transforming concentrated direct light into distributed diffuse light. This parameter change achieves uniform illumination across the photographing scene while keeping the lighting structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the light shielding plate is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different object heights deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding plate structureVSAvoidobject height adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light shielding plate is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable structure. The plate can move vertically along the side plate to adapt to different object heights, and its expansion/contraction capability allows it to adjust its shielding area dynamically. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the same structure to serve multiple photographing scenarios with varying object dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The light shielding plate is divided into multiple segments or sections that can expand and contract independently. This segmentation allows the plate to adjust its overall size and position flexibly, accommodating different object heights while maintaining structural integrity. The segmented design provides adaptability without requiring complete structural redesign for each height requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the photographing device position is fixed, then the mounting structure is simple, but the positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structureVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manual or coarse mechanical positioning system is replaced with an automated motorized positioning system. A motor drives the photographing device along the guide rail, providing precise control over the device position. This mechanical substitution enables accurate positioning while maintaining relatively simple mounting structure through standardized motorized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor is introduced to detect the position of the photographing device and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables precise positioning by continuously monitoring and adjusting the device location along the guide rail. The feedback loop ensures accurate positioning without requiring overly complex mechanical mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 apparatus achieves improved imaging effects by adjusting light intensity and uniformity, preventing color distortion and enhancing the quality of panoramic images by ensuring consistent lighting and optimal positioning of the object within the camera frame.

Implementation Method 1

the inner wall of the side plate and an inner wall of the top plate are coated with a white coating that may diffusely reflect light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3792687B1Photographing apparatus, and control method and device applied to photographing apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCI & TECH CO LTD
  • EP3792687B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3792687B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3792687B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a photographing apparatus, and a control method and device applied to the photographing apparatus. The photographing apparatus comprises a shell (11), an illumination unit (12), a guide rail unit (13) and a control unit (14), wherein the illumination unit (12) comprises a shading plate (122) and an illumination lamp (121), with the illumination lamp (121) being arranged at one side, facing towards an inner wall (111) of a side plate, of the side surface of the shading plate (122); the guide rail unit (13) comprises a guide rail (131) arranged along one side, on which the illumination unit (12) is not arranged, of the side surface of the shading plate (122), and an adjustable support frame (132) arranged on the guide rail (131) and used for erecting a photographing apparatus, and the guide rail unit (13) further comprises a stepping electric motor arranged on the adjustable support frame (132); and the control unit (14) is in communication connection with the illumination unit (12) and the guide rail unit (13), and the control unit (14) is used for adjusting the light-emitting brightness of the illumination lamp (121) in the illumination unit (12) and controlling reverse rotation of the stepping electric motor, so as to control the adjustable support frame (132) to move on the guide rail (131). According to the invention, the light received by a photographed object is more uniform, thereby improving the imaging effect of the photographed object.