Compact Hyperspectral Imaging Device with Concurrent Light Source Sets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hyperspectral imaging devices are hindered by high manufacturing costs, large size, and power consumption, and face challenges in aligning sequential images, especially in dynamic or difficult-to-reach subjects.
Innovation Solution
A compact hyperspectral/multispectral imaging device with a housing containing a flush-mounted objective lens and multiple light source sets, each emitting light within specific spectral ranges, which are concurrently fired and collected using a two-dimensional pixelated detector to form digital images, allowing for efficient and aligned image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple filters are applied to a given signal to reduce total energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but image alignment becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system divides the spectral range into multiple discrete bands and uses separate light sources for each band. Each light source is paired with a corresponding spectral band, allowing simultaneous capture of multiple spectral images without requiring sequential filtering and alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures multiple spectral images simultaneously in a single exposure event rather than sequentially. By illuminating the subject with multiple light sources at different spectral bands at the same time, the system maintains continuous capture operation and eliminates the time loss associated with sequential filtering and alignment.
2Measurement precision
If high-end optics and expensive hardware are used to ensure image quality, then manufacturing cost increases, but device portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs standard, off-the-shelf light sources and detectors rather than expensive specialized optics. By using commercially available LED light sources and standard camera sensors, the system achieves acceptable image quality at a fraction of the cost and size of conventional hyperspectral imaging devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single two-dimensional pixelated detector for capturing images across multiple spectral bands, eliminating the need for separate detectors for each spectral range. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity, size, and cost while maintaining imaging capability across all spectral bands.
3Stability of the object's composition
If sequential image capture is used to ensure proper alignment, then image composition consistency is improved, but capture time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple light sources to emit at different spectral bands simultaneously before capture. By preparing the illumination setup in advance with all light sources positioned and calibrated, the system enables instantaneous multi-spectral capture without sequential alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal sequencing (capturing images one after another) to spatial parallelization (capturing multiple spectral images simultaneously using multiple light sources). This dimensional shift from time-based to space-based operation enables concurrent capture of multiple spectral bands, dramatically increasing capture speed while maintaining composition consistency.
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 reduces the time and cost of capturing hyperspectral images while enabling alignment-independent image capture, suitable for various applications including medical and military uses.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens within the housing which is flush with a surface of the housing
Implementation Method 2
Each respective light source set in the plurality of light source sets comprises a plurality of lights that is uniformly radially distributed about the objective lens
Implementation Method 3
A single two-dimensional pixelated detector is disposed within the housing and in optical communication with the objective lens
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for imaging with compensation functions. An imaging device comprises a plurality of light source sets, of which two or more light source sets emit light of a same specific spectral range to compensate intensity differences among different spectral ranges. The imaging device can be integrated with a mobile device. A method comprises a subtraction procedure to compensate ambient light effect, a normalization procedure to compensate incidence angle effect, a 3D reconstruction procedure to compensate distance effect, or any combination of these procedures. The method is performed at an imaging device comprising a controller. At least one program is non-transiently stored in the controller and executable by the controller.