Quantum Dot White Balance Sensor for Mixed Light Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional white balancing methods in camera devices rely on estimates or guesses, leading to inaccuracies, especially when dealing with mixed light sources of equal proportions, resulting in poor color correction in captured images.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a quantum dot element to measure the color response of incident light, which is then used to select the appropriate white balance for the image, incorporating a diffuser to scatter light and emphasize the color of the light source, and a converter to generate digital codes for precise RGB ratios for accurate color adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional estimation methods are used for white balancing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of light source color is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
A quantum dot element is introduced as an intermediary component between the incident light and the detection system. The quantum dot absorbs incident light and emits light with a standardized color response, serving as a mediator that converts unknown incident light color into a measurable and standardized signal, thereby enabling precise measurement without directly analyzing the complex incident light spectrum
Solution Approach 2:
The quantum dot element creates a simplified copy or representation of the incident light's color information through its standardized emission response. Instead of directly measuring the complex incident light, the system measures the quantum dot's standardized response which replicates the color information in a controlled and measurable format
2Reliability
If algorithms are used to estimate color cast, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of white balancing is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces algorithmic estimation (software-based inference) with a physical measurement system using quantum dots. Instead of using complex algorithms to guess color cast based on image analysis, the system uses the quantum dot's physical optical response to directly measure and determine the light source color, providing more reliable and objective data
3Measurement precision
If quantum dot element with diffuser is used, then the measurement precision of light source color is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary component that scatters incident light uniformly across the quantum dot element. This ensures that the quantum dot receives light from all directions, creating a standardized and representative color measurement that is not biased by the directionality of the incident light source, thereby improving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The quantum dot element changes the parameters of the incident light through its standardized emission response. The quantum dot converts the variable characteristics of incident light into a standardized emission signal with known color properties, transforming the measurement problem into a controlled parameter comparison
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 provides improved accuracy in white balancing by using quantitative measurements of the light source's color, reducing inaccuracies and ensuring neutral subjects appear correctly balanced, even in complex lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a color response provided by a quantum dot element that is provided with incident light associated with the image
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a diffuser to scatter light and emphasize the color of the light source
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates selection of white balancing to adjust the color cast of a captured image. A quantum dot element is positioned to receive incident light associated with a scene forming an image that is to be captured. Incident light upon the quantum dot element causes photonic emissions that are detected and converted into electrical form. The electrical representations of the photonic images are used to measure or determine a color ratio. The value of the color ratio is utilized to select white balancing of a captured image, captured either prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to, the color-ratio determination.