Hyperspectral Imaging Sensor with Moving Rows for Static Object Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Line-scan image capturing devices are slow in acquiring full spectrally resolved images as they require the object to be moved across the sensor surface, limiting their application to dynamic scenarios and hindering the capture of images with both two-dimensional spatial and spectral resolution.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a sensor surface with rows of photo-sensitive areas arranged in wavelength bands, moving the sensor surface perpendicular to the rows to capture frames from different positions, allowing for the combination of spectral information across multiple frames to form a two-dimensional image with spectral resolution without requiring the object to move, using a compact and simple camera setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a line-scan image capturing device is used to acquire spectrally resolved images, then spectral resolution is improved, but imaging speed deteriorates because the object must be moved across the sensor surface
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the object across the sensor surface as in conventional line-scan devices, the patent inverts the approach by moving the sensor surface relative to the stationary object. This allows the sensor to scan across the object's field of view, achieving spectral resolution without requiring object movement, thereby dramatically improving imaging speed while maintaining spectral measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic movement of the sensor surface through the field of view, controlled by a translation stage. This dynamic positioning allows different rows of photo-sensitive areas to capture light from different spatial positions at different times, enabling spectral resolution to be achieved through controlled sensor motion rather than object motion, thus resolving the speed-resolution contradiction.
2Loss of information
If a line-scan image capturing device requires object movement across the sensor surface, then spectral information can be captured, but the device becomes unsuitable for static object imaging and dynamic scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the relative motion relationship and moving the sensor instead of the object, the system can now image both static and dynamic objects. The sensor surface moves through the field of view to capture spectral information, while the object remains stationary, making the device adaptable to various scenarios including static object imaging, conveyor belt applications, and remote sensing without requiring object movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional imaging device that can handle both static and moving objects by changing which component moves (sensor vs. object). The system universally applies to various applications including but not limited to static object imaging, conveyor belt scanning, and remote sensing, eliminating the limitation of requiring object movement while still capturing spectral information.
3Measurement precision
If multiple frames are acquired from different sensor positions to form spectral image channels, then spectral resolution is achieved, but imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temporal dimension by acquiring multiple frames at different sensor positions over time. Each frame captures spectral information from a different spatial position on the object, and these temporally separated measurements are combined to form the complete spectral image. This approach achieves spectral resolution by exploiting the time dimension rather than requiring simultaneous multi-dimensional capture, thus reducing overall imaging time compared to static multi-camera systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By dynamically moving the sensor surface through the field of view and acquiring multiple frames during the movement, the system captures spectral information efficiently. The continuous or stepped motion of the sensor allows multiple spatial positions to be sampled during a single scanning operation, reducing total imaging time compared to acquiring all frames from a fixed position or requiring object movement.
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 fast acquisition of hyperspectral images with two-dimensional spatial and spectral resolution, eliminating the need for complex optical system changes and reducing imaging artifacts, while allowing for static object imaging without motion blur.
Implementation Method 1
rows of photo-sensitive areas are arranged to detect incident light from an object imaged by the at least one optical system onto the image plane
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for acquiring an image having two-dimensional spatial resolution and spectral resolution, said method comprising: acquiring (302) a frame using rows of photo-sensitive areas (112) on a sensor surface (110) detecting incident light from an object imaged by an optical system (102) onto an image plane (104), wherein rows of photo-sensitive areas (112) are arranged to receive different wavelengths; moving (304) the sensor surface (110) in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the rows; repeating the acquiring (302) and moving (304) for acquiring a plurality of frames recording different spectral information for respective positions on the object; and combining (306) information from the plurality of frames to form multiple channels of an image, wherein each channel is formed based on detected light in respective rows and represent a two-dimensional image of the object for a unique wavelength.