Interleaved Multi-Imaging Sensor with Interchangeable Filter Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging systems face challenges in capturing multiple images of the same object simultaneously, particularly in multispectral and polarization imaging, due to complexity, cost, and inflexibility, as they often require time multiplexing, multiple cameras, or cumbersome filter wheels, which can lead to parallax issues and increased hardware complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multiplexed optical system with a filter fixture that interleaves multiple optical images at the sensor plane, allowing for interchangeable filter assemblies with different filter regions, enabling simultaneous capture of multiple images with various filtering functions, including wavelength, polarization, and luminance, and allowing for adjustments or replacements of filter regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If time multiplexing is used to capture multiple images sequentially, then the system can use a single camera, but the imaging speed is reduced and total acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into multiple regions, each region capturing a different spectral or polarization image simultaneously. This spatial segmentation allows parallel capture of multiple images, eliminating the time multiplexing bottleneck while keeping the camera system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal multiplexing (one image at a time) to spatial multiplexing (multiple images simultaneously across different sensor regions). By adding the spatial dimension of parallel capture, the system achieves both simplicity and speed.
2Productivity
If multiple cameras are used in parallel to capture multiple images simultaneously, then imaging speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple imaging functions are merged into a single camera system by using a shared sensor array where different regions capture different spectral or polarization images simultaneously. This eliminates the need for multiple separate camera systems while maintaining parallel capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A single camera system is designed to perform multiple imaging functions (different spectral bands, polarization states) simultaneously through the use of a multi-functional sensor array with specialized filter regions, making the system universal rather than requiring dedicated cameras for each function.
3Measurement precision
If micro-filters are attached to each detector element, then spectral filtering can be applied at the sensor level, but manufacturing complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attaching individual micro-filters to each detector, the filter array is segmented into larger filter regions that correspond to groups of detectors. This reduces the number of alignment operations required while maintaining spectral filtering precision through the aggregated signal from multiple detectors under each filter region.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a filter wheel is used to switch between wavelength filters, then spectral imaging can be achieved, but the system becomes large and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The filter wheel mechanism is extracted and replaced by a static filter array directly coupled to the sensor. This removes the moving mechanical parts and complex switching logic while retaining the spectral filtering capability through the spatially distributed filter regions.
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 simplifies the imaging process by allowing simultaneous capture of multiple images with different filtering functions, reduces mechanical complexity, and enhances flexibility, making it suitable for applications like microscopy, environmental sensing, and medical imaging, while minimizing parallax issues and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The multiplexed optical system forms multiple optical images of an object. These multiple optical images are interleaved at the sensor plane.
Implementation Method 2
The filter assemblies can include different filter regions, which apply different filtering to the optical images.
Implementation Method 3
The array is located at the image plane and images the filter assembly onto the sensor plane.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-imaging device includes a multiplexed optical system and a filter fixture. The multiplexed optical system forms multiple optical images of an object. These multiple optical images are interleaved at the sensor plane. The filter fixture is configured to allow a user to change filter assemblies. The filter assemblies can include different filter regions, which apply different filtering to the optical images.