Image Sensor Filter Array for Vital Sign Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies for determining vital information, such as oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure, face challenges in accurately measuring these parameters without sufficient near-infrared information, especially in environments with limited or no specific wavelength light sources, leading to reduced accuracy and device miniaturization issues.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device equipped with a filter array comprising narrow band filters for visible and invisible light ranges, which determines the light amount in the invisible light range and selects appropriate filters to generate vital information based on pixel values, allowing for accurate measurement even without near-infrared irradiation and enabling device miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If narrow band filters for visible light range are used for imaging, then the device can be miniaturized and does not require near-infrared irradiation, but the accuracy of vital information measurement may be reduced in environments with insufficient near-infrared information
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is segmented into multiple pixel regions, each equipped with different narrow band filters (first narrow band filter for visible light, second narrow band filter for different visible light, third narrow band filter for invisible light range). This segmentation allows the device to capture multiple wavelength bands simultaneously without requiring separate imaging devices for visible and near-infrared ranges,从而实现 miniaturization while maintaining measurement accuracy through selective filter usage based on environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which pixel values to use for generating vital information based on the determined light amount in the invisible light range. When near-infrared information is sufficient, the third narrow band filter pixels are used; when insufficient, the system switches to using first and second narrow band filter pixels. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the device to maintain measurement accuracy across different environmental conditions while keeping the miniaturized structure
2Measurement precision
If the device uses pixel values from the third narrow band filter (invisible light range) to generate vital information, then accurate measurement can be achieved in environments with sufficient near-infrared information, but the device requires near-infrared irradiation and cannot be fully miniaturized
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple types of narrow band filters (first, second, and third) that can operate in different wavelength ranges. The system can universally generate vital information using appropriate filter combinations based on environmental conditions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated near-infrared imaging devices and achieving miniaturization while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Measurement precision
If the device switches between using third narrow band filter and first/second narrow band filter pixel values based on light amount, then measurement accuracy is maintained across different environments, but the device complexity increases due to multiple filter types
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple narrow band filters with different wavelength characteristics (first narrow band filter, second narrow band filter, and third narrow band filter) are merged into a single filter array structure on the imaging element. This combining approach allows the system to maintain measurement accuracy across different environmental conditions by selecting appropriate filter combinations, while avoiding the need for separate imaging devices for different wavelength ranges, thus managing complexity through integration rather than multiplication of separate systems
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 enables accurate generation of vital information using pixel values from selected narrow band filters, ensuring high accuracy and miniaturization of the device, even in environments with insufficient near-infrared information, and allows for non-contact, high-accuracy measurements without specific wavelength light emission.
Implementation Method 1
each of narrow band filters constituting a predetermined array pattern is disposed at a position corresponding to any one of a plurality of pixels, the narrow band filters being a first narrow band filter having a wavelength band narrower than a primary-color wavelength band and transmitting narrow band light having a maximum value of transmission spectrum in a visible light range
Implementation Method 2
calculating a degree of oxygen saturation of the living body based on a degree of light absorption of the living body calculated according to the image data generated by the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data generated by an imaging element where each of narrow band filters constituting a predetermined array pattern is disposed at a position corresponding to any one of a plurality of pixels; a determination unit configured to determine whether or not a light amount of the invisible light range under an environment at the time when the imaging element generates the image data is larger than a threshold value; and a generation unit configured to generate vital information of a subject based on the determination result of the determination unit.