Variable Transmittance Optical Element for Flicker Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies fail to effectively suppress flicker in captured images when exposure time is shorter than the blinking cycle of a fluorescent light source, and previous methods are complex in controlling light reduction filters.
Innovation Solution
An imaging control device and method that uses a flicker detector to control the transmittance of an optical element with variable light transmittance, adjusting the exposure time to a natural multiple of the changing cycle of light incidence, allowing for flicker suppression even in short exposure times through simple control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exposure time is set to a natural multiple of the blinking cycle to suppress flicker, then flicker suppression is achieved, but exposure time cannot be shortened for high-speed imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the optical element's transmittance variable rather than fixed. The optical element dynamically adjusts its light transmittance in response to the flicker cycle, allowing the system to adapt to different imaging conditions. This enables short exposure times while maintaining flicker suppression through real-time transmittance modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmittance parameter of the optical element to compensate for flicker effects. By modulating the transmittance in sync with the flicker cycle, the system effectively equalizes the light intensity received by the imager across different phases of the flicker period, achieving flicker suppression without being constrained by traditional exposure time requirements.
2Reliability
If transmittance of light reduction filter is controlled in units of pixel lines, then flicker suppression is achieved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flicker suppression function into a single optical element with variable transmittance that operates uniformly across the entire imaging area. Instead of independently controlling multiple pixel lines, the system uses one optical element to modulate light for all pixels simultaneously, dramatically simplifying the control architecture while maintaining effective flicker suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element serves multiple functions: it acts as both a light reduction filter and a flicker suppression device. By integrating these functions into a single component with variable transmittance, the system eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms for different pixel lines, reducing overall system complexity.
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 enables effective flicker suppression in imaging applications with short exposure times, simplifying control compared to previous methods and allowing for high-speed imaging with high image quality.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the transmittance of the optical element to a state where a quantity of light incident on the imager is changed in a cycle shorter than a cycle of the flicker
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging control device includes: an imaging controller that obtains captured image data by controlling an imager imaging a subject through an optical element having variable transmittance of light; a flicker detector that detects a flicker occurring in the captured image data based on the captured image data; and a transmittance controller that controls, based on the flicker, the transmittance of the optical element to a state where a quantity of light incident on the imager is changed in a cycle shorter than a cycle of the flicker, and the imaging controller controls an exposure time of the imager to a natural multiple of a changing cycle of the quantity of light incident on the imager in a condition where the transmittance of the optical element is controlled to the state.