Segmented Display Lighting for Video Conference Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-facing cameras lack dedicated lighting modules, leading to suboptimal photography and video capture in low-light conditions, and existing solutions that turn the display screen white for lighting interfere with the user's ability to see the image or video feed during capture.
Innovation Solution
A software-based lighting system that uses portions of a mobile device's display to show a live video feed while simultaneously using another portion for lighting, allowing for segmentation and adjustment of lighting areas based on user selection or analysis to improve capture conditions without obstructing the view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the entire display screen is turned white to provide lighting for front-facing camera capture, then lighting conditions are improved, but the user cannot see the displayed image or video feed during capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display screen into multiple functional zones: a first portion dedicated to showing the video feed and a second portion dedicated to providing lighting. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between visibility and lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different functions with optimized characteristics for each purpose. The video feed portion maintains its normal visual properties for viewing, while the lighting portion is optimized to emit sufficient light for camera capture, allowing each area to have the quality needed for its specific function.
2Illumination intensity
If the display screen is used for continuous white screen state to light the scene, then lighting is provided, but the user cannot use the display to align the scene they wish to capture
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the display into separate zones for video feed display and lighting, the user retains visibility of the scene alignment information in the video feed portion while the lighting portion provides illumination. This eliminates the need to switch between full-screen viewing and full-screen lighting modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented display allows both the video feed display and lighting functions to operate continuously and simultaneously. The user can continuously monitor the scene alignment through the video feed while the lighting portion continuously provides illumination, eliminating the need to interrupt one function to perform the other.
3Illumination intensity
If the display is used for lighting in video conferencing, then lighting conditions are improved, but the first participant's ability to see the second participant is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into a first portion for showing the remote participant's video feed and a second portion for providing lighting. This allows the local participant to simultaneously see the remote participant and provide lighting for their own camera capture, resolving the contradiction between these two functions.
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
Enhances lighting for video conferencing and selfie photography by providing adjustable and non-obstructive lighting, improving image quality in low-light environments without compromising the ability to see the display.
Implementation Method 1
using at least a portion of the first participant's video display to light the first participant
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented lighting system for video recording and display includes: a first user device featuring a front-facing camera, a front-facing display, a processor, a memory, and a networking interface; and a second user device featuring a front-facing camera, a front-facing display, a processor, a memory, and a networking interface; wherein the first user device's processor: receives a first video captured by the second user device's front-facing camera; displays the first video on the first user device's display, wherein a portion of the first video is replaced by one or more lighting elements; and captures a second video using the first user device's front-facing camera, wherein the second video is illuminated during capture, in part, by the one or more lighting elements.