Modular SWIR Camera Assembly with Cradle Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems, including standard and thermal cameras, face challenges in low-light imaging and cannot easily switch between conventional and short wave infrared (SWIR) imaging modes, as well as fail to image through glass.
Innovation Solution
A modular camera assembly comprising a camera body, lens, and a cradle that selectively receives a SWIR sensor module, allowing for SWIR imaging and easy module swapping, with an optical relay for image magnification and display capabilities, enabling imaging through glass and in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard cameras are converted to capture short wave infrared images by attaching a camera body directly to one end of the short wave infrared portion and a camera lens directly to an opposing end, then SWIR imaging capability is achieved, but the system becomes non-modular and difficult to swap out the SWIR portion when no longer desired
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modular components: a camera body, a cradle, and a removable SWIR module. This segmentation allows the SWIR module to be easily attached and detached from the cradle, providing versatility while maintaining system simplicity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle is designed as a universal mounting interface that can accommodate different imaging modules including SWIR modules and other camera modules. This multi-functionality allows the same camera body to work with various imaging technologies, enhancing adaptability without increasing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If cradles are developed to accommodate camera modules, then modularity is achieved, but these known cradles cannot accommodate short wave infrared modules
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both standard camera modules and SWIR modules. This multi-functional design allows the same cradle structure to support different types of imaging modules, achieving both modularity and SWIR compatibility without requiring separate specialized cradles.
3Illumination intensity
If thermal cameras are used to clarify images in low light conditions, then low light imaging is improved, but the ability to image through glass is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses SWIR sensors that detect infrared radiation in the short wave spectrum (wavelengths longer than visible light). This parameter change in detection wavelength allows the sensor to penetrate glass and other obscurants that block visible light, while still providing imaging capability in low light conditions where thermal cameras would be useful.
4Reliability
If standard cameras are used in low light conditions, then conventional imaging is maintained, but image quality degrades significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The SWIR sensor module detects infrared radiation which has longer wavelengths than visible light. This parameter change allows the sensor to capture images in low light conditions where standard cameras fail, as SWIR sensors can detect thermal radiation and infrared energy that is present even when visible light is insufficient.
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 camera assembly enhances imaging capabilities by allowing SWIR imaging through obscurants like haze, smoke, and glass, with reduced influence from lights and flashes, and enables easy switching between imaging modes without disconnecting the camera body or lens.
Implementation Method 1
an optical relay within the short wave infrared sensor module. The optical relay magnifies an image captured by the short wave infrared sensor module over a fixed distance between an organic light emitting diode display of the camera body and a sensor of the camera body
Implementation Method 2
Short wave infrared cameras can clarify images in low light. That is, images captured with short wave infrared cameras have reduced degradation associated with bright lights and flashes verses many other types of image capturing technologies
Data Source
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AI summary
An exemplary camera assembly (10) includes a camera body (14), a camera lens (22), a cradle (18) that communicates signals between the camera body (14) and the camera lens (22), and a short wave infrared sensor module (32) selectively received within the cradle (18).