Smartphone Front Camera Lighting Segmentation for Dark Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smartphone front cameras struggle to capture clear images in dark environments due to lack of ambient light, and existing solutions like using LCD backlight or auxiliary LED lights often result in glare or reduced visibility.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device equipped with an imaging unit that captures both infrared and visible light images, using a white light emitting unit and an infrared light emitting unit to adjust lighting conditions for optimal image capture, including a combining unit to separate and combine signals for noise reduction and signal level correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LCD backlight is used for lighting, then image brightness is improved, but glare increases and angle of view becomes difficult to check
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting function is segmented into two independent units: a white light emitting unit for still image capture and an infrared light emitting unit for live view display. This segmentation allows each unit to serve its specific purpose without interfering with the other, eliminating glare from the LCD backlight during live view while maintaining adequate illumination for still images.
Solution Approach 2:
An infrared light emitting unit is introduced as an intermediary light source for live view display. This intermediary unit emits infrared light that does not cause glare on the LCD screen, allowing users to check angles and movements during live view without the harmful glare effect of visible backlight lighting.
2Illumination intensity
If auxiliary LED light is provided near display unit, then image brightness is improved, but display unit glares and visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented by separating the white light emitting unit from the display unit, placing it in a different spatial location. This segmentation allows the white light to illuminate the scene for still image capture without being positioned near the display unit, thereby avoiding glare on the display surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared light emitting unit serves as an intermediary that provides illumination for live view without causing display glare. By using infrared light instead of visible light near the display unit, the system achieves adequate illumination while avoiding the glare problem that would occur with visible LED lighting in the same location.
3Ease of operation
If front camera is used in dark environment, then portability is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to insufficient light
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is designed with multi-functionality to handle different imaging requirements in dark environments. The same front camera can capture both live view images using infrared light and still images using white light, eliminating the need for separate devices and maintaining portability while improving image quality through appropriate lighting selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting parameters are changed dynamically based on the imaging mode. For live view, infrared light is emitted to provide adequate illumination without glare. For still image capture, white light is emitted to maximize brightness and color accuracy. This dynamic parameter change allows the front camera to maintain high image quality across different scenarios while preserving portability.
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
Enables effective image capture with the front camera in dark conditions by using infrared light for live view and visible light for still images, reducing glare and improving visibility, while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit that captures an infrared light image and a visible light image
Implementation Method 2
a white light emitting unit that emits white light
Implementation Method 3
an infrared light emitting unit that emits infrared light
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that enable appropriate imaging with the front camera of a smartphone or the like in the dark.An LCD backlight that is a white light emitting unit is made to emit intense light as white light, and an infrared light emitting unit that emits infrared light for capturing a live view image is turned off. In such a situation, an imaging unit captures a visible light image. The present disclosure can be applied to imaging devices.