Flexible Filter Spectral Camera for Precise Image Overlap

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-lens spectral cameras face challenges in accurately focusing on the same place, leading to poor overlapping precision and imaging quality, along with prolonged processing times for overlapped images.

Innovation Solution

A flexible filter spectral camera with a single lens and N flexible filter units for different wavebands, a CMOS module, and an image processor, allowing precise switching and positioning of filter units to enhance imaging quality and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lenses are used to capture different spectral bands, then the spectral imaging capability is improved, but the focusing precision and overlapping accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral imaging capabilityVSAvoidfocusing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple spectral filtering functions into a single lens system by placing multiple flexible filters in front of one lens. This allows different spectral bands to be captured sequentially through the same optical path, eliminating the focusing and alignment issues inherent in multi-lens systems while maintaining spectral imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamically switchable flexible filters that can be moved into or out of the optical path as needed. This dynamic configuration allows a single lens to serve multiple spectral imaging functions by changing the filter arrangement, rather than requiring fixed multi-lens configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lenses are used to capture different spectral bands, then the spectral imaging capability is improved, but the image processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral imaging capabilityVSAvoidimage processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple spectral filtering capabilities into a single lens system with switchable filters, the patent reduces the number of separate imaging channels that need to be processed. This consolidation simplifies the image processing workflow and reduces the time required to handle multiple spectral datasets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If a single lens is used with switchable filters, then the focusing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocusing precisionVSAvoidfilter switching mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible filters that can be easily positioned or removed from the optical path. This flexibility simplifies the switching mechanism compared to rigid filter systems, as the flexible nature of the filters allows for simpler mounting and positioning structures while maintaining precise spectral filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Improves overlapping precision and imaging quality while reducing processing time by using a single lens to capture multiple wavebands, with faster image processing and simplified imaging.

Implementation Method 1

any one of N flexible filter units can be switched to a preset position to filter light emitted from the lens 1, and to transmit light at a corresponding waveband to the CMOS module 10

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) module 10, used to convert incident light into a digital signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12432463B2Flexible filter spectral camera

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 HAINAN INST OF ZHEJIANG UNIV

AI summary

Disclosed is a flexible filter spectral camera. A flexible filter module includes N flexible filter units corresponding to N different wavebands, respectively, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. A CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) module is used to convert incident light into a digital signal. Any one of the N flexible filter units can be switched to a preset position to filter light emitted from a lens and transmit light at a corresponding waveband to the CMOS module. The preset position is between the lens and the CMOS module. An image processor is connected to the CMOS module and is used to convert the digital signal into an image. In accordance with the present disclosure, precision imaging of the lens is achieved, the overlapping accuracy and imaging quality of the images are improved, and meanwhile, the processing efficiency for overlapped images is improved.