Colored Fiber Optic Illumination for High-Contrast Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current illumination systems struggle to capture clear images in high ambient light conditions without causing discomfort or obscuring details, as they often require intense flashes that can blind subjects and reduce contrast, while also facing challenges with specularities and limited applicability in uncontrolled environments.
Innovation Solution
A directional illumination system using a flash element with fiber optic elements doped in different colors to produce colored filtered light, which enhances image information and enables three-dimensional rendering through color photometric stereo techniques, minimizing specularity and ambient light impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If intense flash is used to overcome ambient light, then illumination intensity is improved, but harmful effects increase (blinding subjects, physical discomfort)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameter of the illumination light from full spectrum to a specific wavelength band (480-550nm green-blue region). This parameter change allows sufficient illumination intensity to overcome ambient light while avoiding the harmful effects of full spectrum flash, as the selected band is less intense and less likely to cause blinding or discomfort to subjects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared light is used to reduce harmful effects, then harmful effects are reduced, but illumination intensity deteriorates (cannot surpass ambient sunlight)
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using infrared wavelengths, the patent selects the green-blue wavelength band (480-550nm) which has higher photon energy and better illumination capability than infrared. This parameter change in the spectral domain achieves both goals: the selected band is less harmful than full spectrum white light yet provides sufficient illumination intensity to overcome ambient sunlight.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If deep blue light is used to reduce harmful effects, then harmful effects are reduced, but illumination intensity deteriorates (cannot surpass ambient sunlight)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wavelength band to 480-550nm, which extends slightly into the blue region but includes the green region as well. This broader band parameter change provides more photons and higher illumination intensity compared to narrow deep blue light, while still maintaining reduced harmful effects compared to full spectrum flash.
4Illumination intensity
If large LED array is used to increase illumination intensity, then illumination intensity is improved, but specularity increases (obscuring image details)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameter to a specific wavelength band (480-550nm) rather than using broadband white light. This parameter change reduces the overall intensity of reflected light while maintaining sufficient illumination, thereby reducing the formation of specularities that obscure image details.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If narrowband LED light is used to reduce harmful effects, then harmful effects are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates (reduced contrast and detail detection)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects a wavelength band of 480-550nm that is broader than typical narrowband LEDs. This parameter change in bandwidth provides sufficient spectral content to maintain good contrast and detail detection in images, while still being less harmful than full spectrum white light.
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 system provides clear, high-resolution images with enhanced detail and reduced human perception of the flash, suitable for various environments and applications, including biometric and industrial imaging, by leveraging Lambert's Cosine Law and color stereoscopic information.
Implementation Method 1
each fiber optic element receives the flash of polychromatic light from the flash element, that fiber optic element propagates and filters the polychromatic light to produce colored filtered light
Implementation Method 2
that fiber optic element propagates and filters the polychromatic light to produce colored filtered light
Implementation Method 3
If multiple fiber optic elements are used, at least some of the fiber optic elements are doped to be different colors
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination and imaging system that is used to obtain enhanced detailed images of objects. The system utilizes a flash element that produces a flash of polychromatic light. A plurality of fiber optic elements are provided that terminate with output ends. At least some of the fiber optic elements are doped to be different colors. Consequently, when each fiber optic element receives the flash of polychromatic light from the flash element, that fiber optic element propagates and filters the polychromatic light to produce colored filtered light. The colored filtered light is directed toward the object being imaged by the camera. The illumination has small points of origin, different color characteristics and simultaneous short flash duration. The combination of colored, directional light sources enables the camera to image very fine details by enhancing surface texture and embedding the image with the color photometric stereo information.