Iris Mechanism Aperture Blades with Sequential Optical Filters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging apparatuses face challenges in achieving multispectral imaging in a small mechanism, as they often require multiple image sensors and complex mechanical systems, leading to increased size, cost, and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An imaging apparatus with an iris mechanism that includes aperture blades and optical filters, where the aperture blades adjust the size of the aperture and the optical filters are sequentially positioned to allow specific wavelengths of light to pass through, enabling multispectral imaging without the need for multiple image sensors or complex mechanical systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a light division system with multiple image sensors is used to achieve multispectral imaging, then the number of colors that can be captured increases, but the size of the apparatus and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of colors capturedVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple color filter functions into a single image sensor by arranging multiple color filters (first, second, third, and fourth color filters with different spectral characteristics) in a grid pattern on the sensor surface. This allows the single sensor to capture multiple spectral bands simultaneously, achieving multispectral imaging without requiring multiple separate image sensors, thereby reducing apparatus size while maintaining the capability to capture multiple colors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a time-division system with mechanically switchable color filters is used, then multispectral imaging can be achieved with one image sensor, but the apparatus size and power consumption increase due to the switching mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultispectral imaging capabilityVSAvoidmechanical switching mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switching system with a static optical filter arrangement. Instead of using a rotary or sliding mechanism to switch between color filters, the invention directly integrates multiple color filters with different spectral characteristics onto the image sensor in a fixed grid pattern. This eliminates the need for mechanical moving parts, reducing apparatus size, power consumption, and potential failure points while maintaining multispectral imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple multi-layer films are added to achieve multispectral imaging, then the spectral resolution improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements become more difficult to satisfy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidfilm stacking precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spectral filtering function across multiple independently patterned color filter layers on the image sensor. Each color filter (first, second, third, and fourth color filters) has specific spectral characteristics and is arranged in a grid pattern corresponding to different pixel groups. This segmentation approach allows each filter layer to be manufactured and calibrated independently, then combined on the sensor, reducing the cumulative precision requirements compared to stacking multiple multi-layer films while still achieving high spectral resolution through the combined effect of all filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration allows for multispectral imaging in a compact form factor, reducing size and power consumption while maintaining high wavelength precision and image quality.

Implementation Method 1

an optical filter that is provided to at least one of the aperture blades and transmits light having a predetermined wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS10018890B2Imaging apparatus, iris device and imaging method

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus, an iris device, an imaging method, and a program that are capable of performing multispectral imaging in a small mechanism. The imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor that captures an image of a subject; an optical system that forms an image on the image sensor with light from the subject; and an iris mechanism that restricts the amount of light passing through the optical system. The iris mechanism includes aperture blades that adjust a size of an aperture causing the light from the subject to pass through the aperture, and an optical filter that is provided to at least one of the aperture blades and transmits light having a predetermined wavelength. The aperture blades are driven to positions where the aperture has a predetermined size, in a state where the optical filter provided to the at least one of the aperture blades is hidden by one of the aperture blades other than the aperture blade of the optical filter. The aperture blades provided with predetermined optical filters are driven such that the predetermined optical filters sequentially cover the aperture at predetermined timings. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an imaging apparatus including an iris mechanism.