Temperature-Controlled Transmittance in Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing devices with light transmittance changeable elements, such as organic electrochromic devices, face instability in characteristics due to temperature changes, particularly when exposed to strong incident light, leading to unnatural image brightness and potential signal saturation.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus equipped with a temperature monitoring system that adjusts the transmittance of the light transmittance changeable element and controls exposure parameters to maintain stable image quality, using a processor to acquire temperature information and adjust the transmittance and exposure settings accordingly, thereby minimizing the impact of temperature-induced changes on the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the transmittance of the light transmittance changeable element is reduced to attenuate strong incident light, then the light amount adjustment is improved and signal saturation is prevented, but the temperature of the element increases and characteristics become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the transmittance of the light transmittance changeable element and adjusts exposure parameters accordingly. When the element's transmittance changes due to temperature increase from light absorption, the control unit compensates by adjusting shutter speed, aperture, or gain to maintain correct exposure, thus resolving the contradiction between light attenuation and characteristic stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes exposure parameters (shutter speed, aperture, gain) in response to temperature-induced transmittance changes. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on the element's actual transmittance state, the system maintains stable image quality despite the element's characteristics changing under heat
2Illumination intensity
If the transmittance of the light transmittance changeable element is reduced to prevent signal saturation, then the light amount control is improved, but the acquired image has unnatural brightness due to transmittance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the light transmittance changeable element's transmittance information to adjust exposure parameters. This ensures that the final image brightness remains accurate and natural by compensating for any transmittance changes that occur during image capture
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement or estimation of the light transmittance changeable element's transmittance before image capture, and pre-adjusts exposure parameters accordingly. This preliminary action ensures that the combined effect of the element's transmittance and camera exposure parameters produces the desired natural brightness
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
The solution effectively stabilizes the transmittance characteristics of the light transmittance changeable element, reducing the influence of temperature fluctuations and ensuring accurate exposure control, resulting in images with natural brightness and improved quality.
Implementation Method 1
light absorbed by the light transmittance changeable element when the incident light is attenuated is converted into heat
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor that photoelectrically convert light that has passed through the optical element into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal as an image signal
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus comprising: an optical element that changes a transmittance of light; an image sensor; an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a temperature of the optical element; a first control unit that controls a transmittance of the optical element; and a second control unit that controls exposure when a subject is captured using the image sensor and an image signal is output. The first control unit performs control so as to increase a target transmittance of the optical element in a first condition under which a temperature of the optical element exceeds a predetermined temperature, based on the information regarding the temperature, and the second control unit controls exposure excluding the transmittance according to a change in the transmittance of the optical element in the first condition.