Projector-Based Flash Control for Hybrid Camera Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable devices with both camera sensors and projectors face challenges in controlling lighting effectively, often resulting in undesirable effects like red eye and uneven illumination, due to the limitations of separate flashes and the need to reduce component count.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a projector to generate and project a flash image based on captured image data, adjusting lighting by segmenting the image into sub-areas and dynamically controlling light intensity to correct brightness and color issues, thereby eliminating or reducing red eye and enhancing flesh tones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a separate flash component is used to illuminate the subject, then sufficient lighting is provided, but undesirable side effects such as red eye, overly bright areas, and harsh coloring occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting intensityVSAvoidred eye and harsh coloring

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple sub-areas with different lighting requirements. The processor segments the captured image data into regions that need different lighting adjustments, allowing selective application of lighting corrections to specific areas rather than uniform flash illumination across the entire image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different lighting characteristics are applied to different regions of the image. The system adjusts lighting parameters locally for each sub-area based on its specific requirements, such as enhancing flesh tones in facial regions while avoiding over-illumination of background areas, thereby eliminating red eye and harsh coloring effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the number of components is reduced by using the projector instead of a separate flash, then device complexity is reduced, but lighting control precision is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidlighting control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The projector is made multi-functional by using it both for its primary purpose of projecting images/videos and for generating flash illumination. The system controls the projector to display specific patterns (such as inverted flash images) that serve as lighting sources, eliminating the need for a dedicated flash component while maintaining lighting control capabilities through software-based image manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts lighting parameters by modifying the displayed image content on the projector. By changing the brightness, color, and spatial distribution of pixels in the displayed image, the system achieves precise lighting control equivalent to or better than a dedicated flash, while using the same hardware component for multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If uniform flash illumination is applied to the entire image, then lighting simplicity is maintained, but uneven illumination and color balance issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting operation simplicityVSAvoidillumination uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system transitions from static uniform flash illumination to dynamic region-specific lighting control. The processor continuously analyzes captured image data, identifies sub-areas requiring different lighting treatments, and dynamically adjusts the projector display accordingly. This allows the system to adapt lighting characteristics in real-time based on scene requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 improved lighting control, reducing red eye and achieving more balanced illumination in captured images by dynamically adjusting light projection, enhancing image quality without the need for additional flash components.

Implementation Method 1

projecting the generated flash image onto the image subject using a projector of the portable device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

capturing first image data of an image subject using an image sensor of the portable device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage capture: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8285133B2Dynamic lighting control in hybrid camera-projector device

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A method and portable device for capturing a still image is described. The portable device comprises both an image projector for projecting images and a sensor for capturing images. A first image is captured and a flash image is generated based on the captured first image to adjust lighting of the image subject. The generated flash image is projected onto the image subject using the projector and a second image is captured while the flash image is projected onto the image subject.