Optimized movable IR filter in cameras
US9091903B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/55
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention include a camera having two modes: a visible light imaging mode (day-mode) and an IR imaging mode (night-mode). In the visible light imaging mode, an IR filter is in line with the lens assembly. In the IR imaging mode, the IR filter is mechanically removed, and IR light is allowed to pass to the sensor. In one embodiment, in the IR imaging mode, IR lighting is provided by an IR LEDs on the camera to illuminate the scene. In one embodiment, the various components are chosen, balanced and optimized so that images captured using visible light and images captured using non-visible light are both in focus. In one embodiment, an algorithm determines when there sufficient visible light is present and when it is not, and thus determines when to switch the camera from one mode to another.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.