Infrared Image Capturing Device Using Multi-Wavelength Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for forming color images using infrared beams often result in unnatural or unrelatable images, especially in low-light conditions, as they fail to accurately represent colors under visible light and cannot capture objects that do not emit infrared radiation.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing device that irradiates objects with infrared beams of different wavelength intensity distributions, captures these beams, and sets color data to create natural color images using additive or subtractive mixture color systems, allowing for various color spaces including RGB and CMYK.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pseudo-color scale indication is used to form color images from infrared beams, then intensity levels can be extracted and displayed with color, but the images become unnatural and hard to look at because image data is not increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the infrared spectrum into multiple wavelength bands (e.g., first infrared band, second infrared band, third infrared band) and captures images for each band separately. By assigning different colors to different wavelength bands and combining them, the system creates natural-looking color images that represent the actual spectral composition rather than arbitrary intensity levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of wavelength selection by using multiple infrared beams with different wavelength intensity distributions. Instead of using a single infrared beam with arbitrary color mapping, the system varies the wavelength parameter to capture different spectral information, which is then combined to produce natural color images.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple infrared band-pass filters are used to form synthetic color images, then multiple infrared images can be colored and combined, but the images are hard to look at because they are colored unrelated to visible light and cannot capture objects that do not radiate infrared
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic approach by sequentially irradiating objects with multiple infrared beams having different wavelength distributions and capturing images at different time points. This dynamic multi-band capture allows the system to adapt to different spectral characteristics of objects while maintaining natural color representation through proper timing and combination of the captured images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visible light as an intermediary to bridge infrared and visible spectra. By capturing visible light images simultaneously or sequentially with infrared images, the system can transfer color information from the visible spectrum to enhance the natural appearance of infrared-based color images, making them relatable to human visual perception.
3Adaptability or versatility
If monochromatic infrared photographs are composed with normal visible light photographs to form synthetic color photographs, then color images can be created, but they look unnatural because they are not related to real colors and are photographed only at daytime with sun-beam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal imaging system that can operate with multiple light sources (sunlight, artificial lighting, infrared illumination) and capture images across different spectral ranges (visible light, multiple infrared bands). The system processes and combines these diverse inputs to produce natural color images regardless of the lighting conditions, making it versatile for both daytime and nighttime operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary spectral analysis by capturing images at multiple wavelength bands before final color synthesis. By pre-capturing the spectral characteristics of objects under different illumination conditions and storing this data, the system can later reconstruct natural color images by referencing the visible light spectral information, even when only infrared illumination is available.
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 the creation of natural color images under dark conditions by accurately representing colors visible under visible light, even for objects that do not emit infrared radiation, through the use of infrared beams with distinct wavelength distributions and appropriate color setting mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared beam reflected by the object
Implementation Method 2
an infrared beam radiated by the object
Implementation Method 3
coloring the each image with each different single color... using additive or subtractive mixture color systems
Implementation Method 4
coloring the each image with each different single color... using additive or subtractive mixture color systems
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image capturing device having an irradiation unit, an image capturing unit, and a color representation setting unit. The irradiation unit irradiates a subject with infrared rays having different wavelength intensity distributions, the image capturing unit captures images of the subject by the respective infrared rays having different wavelength distributions which are reflected by the subject, and forms image information indicating the respective images, and the color representation setting unit sets color representation information for representing the respective images, which are indicated by the formed image information, by different plain colors. Also disclosed is an image capturing method for separating infrared rays from a subject into infrared rays having different wavelength intensity distributions, capturing images of the subject by the respective infrared rays having different wavelength intensity distributions, forming image information indicating the respective images, and representing the respective images, which are indicated by the formed image information.