Color-Coded Aperture Array for Spectral Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spectral imaging techniques require linear scanning proportional to spatial or spectral resolution, leading to increased processing time, and compressive spectral imaging methods do not adequately address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A spectral imaging sensor employing a color-coded array of apertures, positioned to receive light from an object, with different apertures configured to pass specific wavelength ranges, and optical elements to redirect and detect light with a photodetector, optimizing aperture positioning for minimal overlap and efficient data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional spectral imaging sensing techniques scan adjacent zones of the underlying spectral scene, then spectral data can be constructed, but the processing time increases linearly with the number of zones scanned
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture array is segmented into multiple zones, each zone containing apertures with different spectral transmission characteristics. This segmentation allows simultaneous capture of multiple spectral bands across different spatial zones in a single snapshot, eliminating the need for sequential scanning and reducing processing time while maintaining spectral resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential one-dimensional scanning to parallel two-dimensional spatial-spectral encoding. By encoding spectral information across the spatial dimension of the aperture array, the system captures spatio-spectral information simultaneously in a single snapshot, converting a time-consuming sequential process into a parallel spatial operation
2Productivity
If compressive spectral imaging techniques are used to limit scanning requirements, then the number of scans is reduced, but processing time for obtaining useful spectral images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture array is pre-configured with specific transmission characteristics and spatial arrangements that encode spectral information directly into the captured image. This preliminary encoding structure allows the system to capture complete spatio-spectral information in a single snapshot without requiring subsequent complex scanning or iterative reconstruction processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with a static optical encoding system. Instead of physically moving sensors or filters to acquire spectral data sequentially, the system uses a fixed aperture array with predetermined transmission properties to encode spectral information spatially, enabling parallel acquisition and reducing both scanning and processing time
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 approach enables efficient acquisition of spatio-spectral information with reduced processing time and improved spectral image quality, achieving high resolution with fewer data acquisitions.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of apertures configured to pass light in a first predetermined wavelength range and a second plurality of apertures configured to pass light in a second predetermined wavelength range different from the first predetermined wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
one or more optical elements positioned to receive light passing through the color-coded array
Implementation Method 3
a photodetector positioned to receive light from the one of more optical elements
Data Source
AI summary
Spectral imaging sensors and methods are disclosed. A spectral imaging sensor includes a color-coded array of apertures positioned to receive light from an object to be imaged. The array includes a first plurality of apertures configured to pass light in a first predetermined wavelength range and a second plurality of apertures configured to pass light in a second predetermined wavelength range different from the first predetermined wavelength range. The imaging sensor further includes one or more optical elements positioned to receive light passing through the color-coded array, and a photodetector positioned to receive light from the one of more optical elements. A spectral imaging method includes the steps of filtering light from an object to be imaged through a color-coded array of apertures, redirecting the filtered light with one or more optical elements, and receiving the redirected light with a photodetector.