Color Sensor Polarization Filter Luminance Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current color sensors fail to accurately quantify colors, especially metameric colors and those that are partially obscured or tainted, as they rely solely on color ratio responses without distinguishing between luminance and pure color channels.
Innovation Solution
A color sensor system with a transmitter and two detectors, where one detector measures luminance and the other measures pure color after the light has passed through a color-specific filter, comprising a half-wave plate sandwiched between crossed polarizer layers, allowing for the differentiation of colors across a wide range of wavelengths, including visible, ultraviolet, and infrared.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single detector measures color ratio responses, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of color quantification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the color measurement function into two separate detectors: one dedicated to measuring luminance and another dedicated to measuring pure color. This segmentation allows each detector to specialize in one aspect of color measurement, thereby improving overall measurement precision without requiring a single complex detector to handle all aspects simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional separation between luminance measurement and pure color measurement by using two distinct detection paths. One detector captures the luminance component while the other captures the chromatic information, effectively measuring color in two separate dimensions rather than mixing them into a single measurement channel.
2Device complexity
If color sensors use color ratio responses without separating luminance and pure color channels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision for obscured or tainted colors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the color measurement into two independent channels: a luminance channel that measures brightness information and a pure color channel that measures chromatic information. This segmentation enables the system to separately analyze luminance and color properties, improving the ability to detect obscured or tainted colors where luminance and color information might otherwise be confounded.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces polarizing filters as intermediary elements between the light source and the detectors. These filters act as mediators that selectively transmit or block light based on polarization state, enabling the separation of luminance and pure color information before detection. This intermediary mechanism facilitates the independent measurement of both color attributes.
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
Enables accurate quantification of colors, differentiates metameric colors, and maintains accuracy with partially obscured or tainted colors, reducing the need for multiple sensors and inventory, while using standard detectors for cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a second detector including a polarization filter, the second detector operable to receive a second portion of the light emitted from the transmitter after the second portion has passed through the polarization filter
Implementation Method 2
comprising a half-wave plate sandwiched between crossed polarizer layers
Implementation Method 3
a light source operable to generate and transmit a light having a particular range of wavelengths
Implementation Method 4
a first detector operable to receive a first portion of the light emitted from the transmitter portion and to measure a luminance of the received first portion of the emitted light
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include an apparatus including a color sensor including a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the transmitter portion including a light source operable to generate and transmit a light having a particular range of wavelengths, the receiver portion including a first detector operable to receive a first portion of the light emitted from the transmitter portion and to measure a luminance of the received first portion of the emitted light, and a second detector including a polarization filter, the second detector operable to receive a second portion of the light emitted from the transmitter after the second portion has passed through the polarization filter, and operable to measure a pure color of the received second portion of transmitted light.