Measuring Instrument Flicker Noise Reduction via Periodic Action

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring instruments face challenges in capturing images of a living organism's surface with maximum frame rate and suitable brightness for stable operation, due to unwanted periodic noise caused by flickering light sources.

Innovation Solution

A measuring instrument comprising an image-capturing unit, a pixel value calculation unit, and an image-capturing control unit that calculates a representative value of pixel values and adjusts exposure time and sensitivity to reduce flickering, ensuring optimal frame rate and brightness for capturing biological information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the frame rate is increased to capture biological information with maximum speed, then the productivity is improved, but the flickering noise from periodic light sources increases, degrading the measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe rateVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing the image capture timing with the light source frequency. The control unit adjusts the capture timing to coincide with specific phases of the periodic light output, thereby capturing images at moments when flickering noise is minimal while maintaining high frame rates for productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter of image capture relative to the light source cycle. By dynamically adjusting the capture moment based on the periodic characteristics of the light source, the system optimizes the balance between achieving high frame rates and minimizing flickering noise interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the exposure time is extended to improve brightness for biological information acquisition, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the flickering noise becomes more pronounced, degrading the measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action by capturing images at specific phases of the light source cycle where brightness is naturally higher. This allows the system to achieve sufficient illumination intensity without requiring extended exposure times that would amplify flickering noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent skips the problematic exposure phase by timing captures to occur only during favorable moments in the light cycle. This selective timing approach obtains adequate brightness while avoiding the exposure period when flickering noise is most severe.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Illumination intensity

If the sensitivity is increased to compensate for low brightness conditions, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the flickering noise is amplified, degrading the measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by timing image captures to coincide with peak brightness moments in the light source cycle. This allows the system to achieve adequate brightness levels without needing to increase sensitivity, thereby avoiding amplification of flickering noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary timing adjustment to ensure captures occur during favorable brightness conditions before processing begins. This preliminary timing strategy secures sufficient signal strength without requiring post-capture sensitivity compensation that would exacerbate noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250063260A1Measuring instrument, measuring method, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.02.20 SHARP KK
  • US20250063260A1 patent drawing
  • US20250063260A1 patent drawing
  • US20250063260A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A measuring instrument includes: an image-capturing unit configured to acquire a moving image by performing image capturing on a living organism; a pixel value calculation unit configured to calculate, from each of images constituting the moving image, a representative value of pixel values of pixels in a target region containing an optical image of the living organism; and an image-capturing control unit configured to specify an exposure time and a sensitivity based on an optimal frame rate and the representative value so that the representative value falls within a prescribed range, wherein the image-capturing unit performs the image capturing on the living organism with the optimal frame rate, the exposure time, and the sensitivity.