Multi-Wavelength LED Skin Camera Eliminates Optical Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skin imaging technologies are costly, bulky, and prone to image distortion due to the use of filters, limiting their ability to measure light with weak wavelengths and making them unsuitable for portable use.
Innovation Solution
A camera with multiple light emitting devices that sequentially irradiate light of different wavelengths, combined with polarizers to adjust polarization directions, allowing for accurate skin analysis without the need for filters, resulting in a compact, portable, and cost-effective solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical filters are used to select wavelengths, then wavelength selection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotary filter wheel system with electronically controllable LED light sources that emit different wavelengths directly. This substitution eliminates the need for physical filters and rotating mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining wavelength selection capability through electronic control of different LED sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from passive wavelength filtering to active wavelength generation. By using multiple sets of LEDs with different wavelengths that can be selectively activated, the system achieves wavelength selection through parameter changes (which LED set is turned on) rather than through physical filter selection, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Measurement precision
If optical filters are used to measure light, then wavelength measurement capability is improved, but image distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the filter-based measurement system with direct LED illumination at specific wavelengths. By illuminating the skin with known wavelengths from LED sets and measuring the reflected or transmitted light, the system achieves wavelength-specific measurement without the optical distortions introduced by filters, preserving image quality while maintaining measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If filter-based skin imaging apparatus is used, then skin analysis capability is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bulky rotary filter wheel mechanism with compact LED light sources integrated close to the imaging sensor. This substitution dramatically reduces the device volume while maintaining the capability to analyze skin at multiple wavelengths, enabling portable and handheld configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light source and wavelength selection functions into a single integrated LED module. By combining multiple wavelength-capable LEDs in close proximity to the imaging sensor, the system eliminates the need for separate filter wheels and optical paths, reducing device size while maintaining multi-wavelength skin analysis capability.
4Measurement precision
If filters are used in skin imaging, then specific wavelength measurement is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive LED light sources instead of costly optical filters. LEDs are mass-produced, low-cost components that can be easily integrated, whereas optical filters require precision manufacturing and alignment. This substitution significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to measure specific wavelengths through selective LED activation.
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 accurate skin analysis by obtaining information on skin components using various wavelengths, reducing distortion and allowing for precise diagnosis, while being compact and inexpensive enough for individual use.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting unit configured to irradiate light to a skin; and a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light which is generated when the light irradiated by the light emitting unit is reflected from the skin. The light emitting unit includes a plurality of sets of the light emitting devices
Implementation Method 2
the camera having light emitting devices further includes a first polarizer which is configured to polarize the light irradiated by the light emitting devices to a first direction; and the light receiving unit includes an imaging element and a second polarizer which is configured to polarize the reflected light to a second direction
Implementation Method 3
a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light which is generated when the light irradiated by the light emitting unit is reflected from the skin
Data Source
AI summary
A camera having light emitting devices includes a light emitting unit configured to irradiate light to a skin, and a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light which is generated when the light irradiated by the light emitting unit is reflected from the skin. The light emitting unit comprises a plurality of sets of the light emitting devices, and each of the sets includes one or more light emitting devices which are configured to irradiate the light with the same wavelength. In addition, each of the sets is configured to sequentially irradiate the light and irradiate light with a wavelength that is different from other sets. By using the camera, it is possible to obtain information of the skin for each wavelength by sequentially irradiating light with wavelengths different from other sets, reduce distorted information, and perform an accurate diagnosis.