ICCD Camera Low-Photon-Flux Image Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image acquisition systems struggle with capturing low-light images due to noise interference and the need for long integration times, which limits real-time feedback and accurate data processing in applications like bioluminescent studies.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition and processing system utilizing an intensified charge-coupled-device (ICCD) camera with adjustable frame rates and preprocessing filters to capture and enhance low-photon-flux images, allowing for real-time data display and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement schemes use long integration times to develop sufficient signal strength, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to delayed visual feedback and real-time processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image acquisition process into multiple individual frames captured at short integration times, rather than using a single long integration time. This allows the system to accumulate signal strength across multiple frames while maintaining real-time processing capability and visual feedback for each frame.
2Measurement precision
If highly sensitive cameras are used to capture low-light images, then measurement precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to noise obscuring image data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes noise from the captured frames using preprocessing filters before displaying or processing the image data. This separation of signal from noise allows the system to maintain high sensitivity while eliminating the harmful noise effect that would otherwise obscure the low-light image data.
3Productivity
If fast frame rates are used to enable real-time display, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to pixel saturation effects and insufficient signal buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preprocessing filters to individual frames before they are displayed or further processed. This preliminary filtering action enhances the signal quality in each frame by removing noise and correcting artifacts, thereby maintaining measurement precision even at fast frame rates where signal buildup per frame is limited.
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 accurate and real-time processing of low-light images by reducing noise and pixel saturation, providing immediate visual feedback and high-quality data for further processing.
Implementation Method 1
The camera has a photocathode and a microchannel plate that are controlled by a controller
Implementation Method 2
The camera has a photocathode and a microchannel plate that are controlled by a controller. The image acquisition and processing tool can direct the controller to adjust a photocathode gating signal and a high-voltage gain control signal for the microchannel plate
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system uses a highly sensitive camera such as an intensified charge-coupled-device camera to acquire images. An image acquisition and processing tool can place the camera in a low-sensitivity mode and a high-sensitivity mode. In the low-sensitivity mode, a reference image may be acquired of a target that is illuminated by a light-emitting-diode. In the high sensitivity mode, low-photon-flux image data frames are acquired using a charge-coupled-device image sensor in the camera. The image acquisition and processing tool displays the acquired image data frames on top of the reference image in real time, so that a user is provided with immediate visual feedback. The image acquisition and processing tool has image preprocessing filters for enhancing image quality such as a sensor noise threshold filter, a cosmic ray filter, and a photon shape optimization filter. Pipeline filters may be used to further process acquired image data frames.