Compact Hyperspectral Camera Reflective Slit Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional push broom hyperspectral imaging devices are large and bulky due to the numerous optical components required, necessitating a simpler and more compact optical design.
Innovation Solution
A camera with a reflective slit assembly and a compact optical configuration that includes a first lens to focus incoming light, a semitransparent mirror to allow partial light transmission, a reflective slit with a light-absorbing or scattering material, and optical elements to separate light by wavelength, focusing the return light onto a detector for spatial and spectral data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional push broom hyperspectral imaging devices use multiple optical components to capture spectral data, then spectral imaging quality is maintained, but device size becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions into a single integrated optical element that simultaneously performs collimation, spectral dispersion, and focusing. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate optical components needed, thereby minimizing device volume while maintaining spectral imaging quality through the unified optical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element in the patent is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a collimator, a dispersive element, and a focusing element all in one component. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve complex spectral imaging tasks with fewer components, directly addressing the contradiction between compact size and imaging quality.
2Device complexity
If conventional push broom hyperspectral imaging devices use multiple optical components, then spectral data capture is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging collimation, dispersion, and focusing functions into a single optical element, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining spectral data accuracy. The unified design eliminates alignment errors between multiple components and reduces the number of interfaces where light loss or distortion could occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the single optical element (such as groove patterns, material properties, and geometric configuration) to achieve the desired spectral resolution and imaging quality. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system maintains measurement precision despite having fewer components.
3Weight of moving object
If conventional push broom hyperspectral imaging devices use traditional optical designs, then spectral imaging is achieved, but portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidation of multiple optical functions into one element significantly reduces the overall device weight and volume, improving portability. The imaging capability is preserved through the optimized design of the unified optical element that maintains spectral resolution and data capture efficiency.
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 solution enables a compact, wearable, and energy-efficient hyperspectral imaging device with increased resolution, minimizing optical component size and eliminating the need for moving parts, while maintaining the ability to capture high-quality spatial and spectral data.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens configured to focus incoming light onto a reflective slit assembly
Implementation Method 2
an elongated strip of reflective material configured to reflect some but not all of the incoming light as return light
Implementation Method 3
The first lens is configured to at least partially collimate the return light from the elongated strip of reflective material
Implementation Method 4
An optical element is configured to separate the return light from the first mirror as a function of wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A camera includes a first lens configured to focus incoming light onto a reflective slit assembly. The reflective slit assembly comprises an elongated strip of reflective material configured to reflect some but not all of the incoming light as return light. The first lens is configured to at least partially collimate the return light from the elongated strip of reflective material. A first mirror is configured to reflect the return light from the first lens. A second mirror is configured to reflect the return light from the first mirror. An optical element is configured to separate the return light from the first mirror as a function of wavelength. A second lens is configured to focus the return light from the optical element onto a first detector. The first detector is configured to measure intensities of the return light as a function of two dimensional position on the first detector.