Steerable Illumination Source Using MEMS Mirrors

Solution Overview

Problem

Compact cameras waste energy and produce uneven illumination due to flash units designed for wide fields of view, leading to inefficient light usage and reduced image quality in low-light settings.

Innovation Solution

A steerable reflective or transmissive light array using micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) mirrors or lenses that can independently direct light beams to specific targets within the image frame, allowing for precise control over illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a flash unit is designed to illuminate a wide field of view, then the coverage area is improved, but energy consumption increases and illumination intensity at specific targets decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flash illumination is segmented into multiple controllable zones using a microlens array divided into 4x4 blocks, allowing selective illumination of only the region containing the detected target object, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the microlens array are independently controlled to provide localized illumination quality - the region corresponding to the target object receives full illumination while other regions can be dimmed or turned off, optimizing energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If a flash unit is designed to illuminate a wide field of view, then the coverage area is improved, but illumination intensity at specific targets decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidlight level at target

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The flash illumination is segmented into multiple controllable zones using a microlens array divided into 4x4 blocks, allowing selective illumination of only the region containing the detected target object, thereby concentrating light intensity where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microlens array is dynamically reconfigured based on target position detection, with individual lens elements or groups being selectively activated to redirect light beams toward the detected target, ensuring optimal illumination intensity is concentrated on the subject

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a flash unit uses fixed optics, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different target positions is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical system complexityVSAvoidillumination direction control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flash illumination is segmented into multiple controllable zones using a microlens array divided into 4x4 blocks, allowing selective illumination of only the region containing the detected target object, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microlens array is dynamically reconfigured based on target position detection, with individual lens elements or groups being selectively activated to redirect light beams toward the detected target, ensuring optimal illumination intensity is concentrated on the subject

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 solution enables efficient use of light, improving target illumination, reducing power consumption, and allowing for faster image capture while maintaining image quality by directing light only where needed.

Implementation Method 1

A steerable reflective or transmissive light array using micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) mirrors or lenses that can independently direct light beams to specific targets within the image frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A steerable reflective or transmissive light array using micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) mirrors or lenses that can independently direct light beams to specific targets within the image frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9110354B2Steerable illumination source for a compact camera

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 GENESEE VALLEY INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A subsystem is disclosed providing a steerable-beam light source. An array of micromechanical reflectors may be disposed to selectively direct portions of light from a light source to selected targets in a scene, such as for providing composed illumination for still or video photography. The array of reflectors may be continuously steerable, thereby achieving more than the mere inefficient patterning of illumination light available from prior art projection approaches, but instead efficiently redirecting light to the desired regions of the scene. The subsystem may be sufficiently compact so as to permit integration with a compact camera into a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a digital still-image camera, a digital video-image camera, and so on. The array may be operated in conjunction with a camera controller to selectively illuminate one or more targets of focus or zoom, omit illumination of undesirable image regions, etc.