Image Sensor Timing for Multi-Modal Exposure and Frame Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capture devices struggle to effectively utilize a single image sensor for multiple imaging modalities, particularly in stereoscopic systems where sensors are optimized for visible color scenes, due to differing exposure times and parameters across modalities, leading to challenges in capturing and integrating light efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dual frame timers for separate image sensors or sensor regions, allowing different exposure times and pixel binning techniques to enhance sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio across various imaging modalities, including visible and advanced imaging modes like fluorescence and hyperspectral imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image sensor is used for multiple imaging modalities, then device complexity is reduced, but imaging performance deteriorates due to differing exposure time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor region is divided into multiple independently controllable areas with separate frame timers. Each area can be configured with different exposure times suitable for its specific imaging modality (e.g., longer exposure for fluorescence, shorter for visible light), allowing a single sensor to maintain optimal performance across multiple modalities without compromising imaging precision.
2Measurement precision
If exposure time is increased to improve sensitivity for advanced imaging modalities, then signal-to-noise ratio improves, but frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sensor into multiple areas with independent frame timers, the system can implement different exposure durations for different modalities simultaneously. Advanced imaging areas use longer exposure times to maximize signal-to-noise ratio, while visible light areas maintain higher frame rates, achieving both high sensitivity and productivity without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame timer system is made dynamic and reconfigurable, allowing exposure times to be adjusted based on the specific imaging modality being used. This dynamic adjustment enables optimization of both signal-to-noise ratio and frame rate depending on the imaging requirements, rather than being fixed to a single compromise setting.
3Measurement precision
If pixel binning is applied to enhance sensitivity, then signal-to-noise ratio improves, but spatial resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is segmented into different functional zones where pixel binning can be selectively applied. In areas requiring high sensitivity (such as fluorescence imaging), pixel binning is enabled to improve signal-to-noise ratio, while in areas requiring high spatial resolution (such as visible light imaging), pixels remain un-binned to maintain fine detail, thus achieving both improved sensitivity and preserved resolution where needed.
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
Enhances video capturing and viewing capabilities by improving sensitivity and reducing noise in both visible and alternate modality scenes, enabling simultaneous capture and display of augmented and monochromatic surgical site images with improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor includes pixels that capture and integrate light over time
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device includes an image sensor comprising a first plurality of pixels and a second plurality of pixels; a frame timer coupled to the image sensor, the frame timer configured to cause the image sensor to: capture, using the first plurality of pixels, a first plurality of frames of pixel data at a first frame rate; and capture, using the second plurality of pixels, a second plurality of frames of pixel data at a second frame rate different than the first frame rate; a visible light color filter array comprising a plurality of individual visible light color filters; and an alternative light filter array comprising a plurality of individual alternative light filters, one individual alternative light filter of the plurality of individual alternative light filters covering both a first pixel of the first plurality of pixels and a second pixel of the second plurality of pixels.