Laser Spot Viewing via Multispectral Contrast Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser spot detection systems face challenges in viewing laser spots under moderate to high illumination conditions and are ineffective due to wavelength drifts caused by temperature variations in laser diodes, making it difficult to define a suitable viewing system for detecting laser spots across varying temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the acquisition of multispectral images across multiple spectral bands, applying a contrast-accentuation procedure to enhance the visibility of laser spots by defining masks, determining a Fischer projection direction, and selecting the spectral band offering the best contrast, allowing for effective viewing regardless of temperature-induced wavelength drifts and illumination conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a filtered video channel (such as a VNIR/SWIR video channel) is used to detect a laser spot, then detection effectiveness is improved under given temperature conditions, but the system becomes ineffective under other temperature conditions due to wavelength drift
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spectral domain into multiple discrete spectral bands rather than using a single filtered channel. Each spectral band captures a specific wavelength range, and the system can selectively process signals from different bands to track wavelength drift and maintain detection precision across varying temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which spectral band is used for detection based on real-time wavelength drift measurements. By continuously monitoring the laser spot position across multiple spectral bands and calculating drift based on known temperature-wavelength relationships, the system adapts to changing temperature conditions and maintains optimal detection precision.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional viewing systems are used in moderate to high illumination environments, then viewing capability is limited, but the system cannot effectively detect laser spots under these conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from spatial-only filtering to spectral-spatial processing by incorporating multiple spectral bands. This additional spectral dimension enables the system to distinguish the laser spot signal from background illumination based on spectral characteristics, allowing effective detection even in moderate to high illumination environments where conventional spatial filtering fails.
3Device complexity
If a single spectral band filter is used for laser spot detection, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot compensate for wavelength drift caused by temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single imaging device that simultaneously captures multiple spectral bands, making the device multi-functional. This single device performs both broad-spectrum capture and wavelength-specific detection, eliminating the need for multiple separate filtered devices while providing temperature compensation capabilities through spectral analysis.
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 method improves the visibility of laser spots under various illumination conditions and temperature variations, ensuring consistent efficacy in detecting laser spots across different spectral bands.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a multispectral image in which each component corresponds to the same instant of acquisition and represents a spectral band in a plurality of spectral bands covering continuously a spectral domain
Implementation Method 2
A laser device produces a laser beam, continuously or intermittently with a predefined frequency, which, when it touches a designated object, produces a light point, referred to as a laser spot
Data Source
AI summary
Method for viewing a laser spot included in a multispectral image representing an optical field composed of pixels including a plurality of components, the laser spot being produced by a laser pointer and having a wavelength taking values in a range of wavelengths dependent on operating temperatures of the laser pointer. The method includes: obtaining a multispectral image in which each component corresponds to the same instant of acquisition and represents a spectral band in a plurality of spectral bands covering continuously a spectral domain comprising said range of wavelengths; applying a contrast-accentuation procedure to a subpart of the multispectral image comprising the laser spot in order to obtain a subpart in which a contrast between the laser spot and a background is improved; and generating an image allowing display of the laser spot using information obtained following the application of said procedure.