Hyperspectral Imaging via Rotated Color Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hyperspectral imaging is limited by the need for expensive and bulky hyperspectral cameras, which are not always accessible, leading to reliance on conventional color or monochrome cameras with supplemental systems for data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a conventional color camera with rotational capabilities and software processing to acquire hyperspectral images by characterizing the camera's optical transmittance and capturing images at different angles, allowing for the computation of fine-grained spectral information without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional color camera is used for imaging, then cost and device complexity are reduced, but spectral resolution is insufficient to provide fine-grained spectral data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by capturing multiple images at different incidence angles, transforming a single spatial snapshot into a sequence of angularly-resolved measurements. This enables spectral information extraction without adding spectral filtering hardware, resolving the contradiction between cost and spectral resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the incidence angle parameter of light entering the camera by rotating the camera or target between measurements. This parameter change allows the same color filter array to effectively sample different spectral bands at different angles, achieving hyperspectral resolution with a conventional camera
2Measurement precision
If a hyperspectral camera with dozens of filter colors or diffraction grating is used, then fine-grained spectral data is acquired, but device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for spectral measurement—the angle-dependent transmittance characteristic of color filters—and removes all unnecessary hyperspectral camera components such as complex filter wheels, interferometers, or diffraction gratings. This leaves a simple conventional camera system that achieves spectral resolution through angular variation alone
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive hyperspectral camera hardware, the patent creates a virtual copy of spectral measurement capability through computational processing. Multiple conventional camera images taken at different angles are processed to reconstruct spectral information, effectively copying the function of a hyperspectral camera without its complexity
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured at different angles to achieve spectral resolution, then fine-grained spectral bins are resolved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic rotation of the camera or target to capture images at different incidence angles in a systematic sequence. This periodic action allows efficient sampling of the angle-spectral relationship, enabling spectral reconstruction from a manageable number of sequentially captured images rather than requiring continuous scanning
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 the acquisition of hyperspectral images using a conventional color camera, reducing costs and complexity while providing fine-grained spectral data without the need for supplemental systems, making it more accessible and reliable for applications like agriculture and surveillance.
Implementation Method 1
a calibration process is used to determine how optical transmittance of the color filter varies with incidence angle at various wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A method for capturing hyperspectral images using a regular color camera. In the method, the camera takes multiple images of a scene, with the camera oriented differently for each image. For a camera carried by an aircraft or spacecraft, this allows hyperspectral imaging without the cost or weight of a hyperspectral camera.