Hyperspectral Imaging Spatial Resolution via Spectral Leaks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) systems cannot simultaneously obtain spectral and spatial information with the highest possible resolution, which is essential for applications like medical and ophthalmologic imaging, where accurate focus and alignment are critical.
Innovation Solution
The HSI system utilizes spectral leaks from spectral filters to create high spatial resolution images by illuminating the scene with wavelengths that pass through the filters, and then uses these filters to obtain spectral information at a lower resolution, without employing broadband rejection filters to keep the system simple and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spectral filters with narrow bandwidths are used to obtain spectral information, then spectral resolution is improved, but spatial resolution deteriorates because multiple sensor pixels are needed to create a macro-pixel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful spectral leaks (unwanted broadband transmission through spectral filters) into a beneficial resource for high-resolution spatial imaging. By illuminating the scene with broadband light and capturing the spectral leak signals through the spectral filters, the system obtains high spatial resolution images without requiring multiple pixels per spatial location, thus resolving the contradiction between spectral and spatial resolution.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor pixels are grouped to create macro-pixels for spectral imaging, then spectral information accuracy is improved, but spatial resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple pixels to capture spectral information at each spatial location (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using spectral leaks to capture spatial information through each pixel individually. Each sensor pixel captures spatial information via spectral leaks while maintaining spectral filtering capabilities, thus achieving both high spatial and spectral resolution without the traditional trade-off.
3Measurement precision
If broadband rejection filters are added to eliminate spectral leaks, then spectral purity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than rejecting and eliminating spectral leaks with additional broadband rejection filters, the patent embraces spectral leaks as a useful signal carrier for high-resolution spatial imaging. This approach eliminates the need for complex and expensive broadband rejection filters, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining spectral purity for the intended spectral imaging function.
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
This approach allows for the acquisition of high-resolution spatial and lower-resolution spectral images, enhancing the feasibility of new application scenarios and improving hyperspectral image quality without increasing complexity or cost.
Implementation Method 1
a spectral unit is integrated on top of a standard, off-the-shelf, Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The spectral unit on top of the CMOS sensor includes a plurality of spectral filters, each having a well-defined spectral transmission
Implementation Method 2
Spectral filters with very narrow bandwidths can thereby be used. For example, an interference filter (e.g. Fabry-Pérot filter) may be monolithically integrated directly on top of each individual sensor pixel of the CMOS sensor. These broadband wavelength regions are denominated in this application as 'spectral leaks' or 'spectral-leak wavelengths.'
Implementation Method 3
An HSI system can include an illumination source and a hyperspectral camera
Data Source
AI summary
An example method and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system for imaging a scene are provided. The method is for imaging the scene with the HSI system including a sensor with a plurality of sensor pixels and a plurality of spectral filters, each of the spectral filters being associated with one of the sensor pixels. The method comprises obtaining a higher-resolution spatial image by illuminating the scene with a first set of wavelengths, wherein each spectral filter passes the first set of wavelengths to the sensor pixel it is associated with. The method further comprises obtaining a lower-resolution hyperspectral image by illuminating the scene with a second set of wavelengths, wherein each spectral filter passes only a subset of the second set of wavelengths to the sensor pixel it is associated with.