Multispectral Camera Processing for Interference and Noise Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multispectral cameras face issues with interference components and noise in captured images due to color mixing and pupil splitting, leading to distorted and duplicate edges, which affect image accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A data processing apparatus and method that includes interference removing and noise reducing processes, utilizing polarizing filters and micropolarizers to separate wavelength ranges and reduce noise based on noise characteristic data and image structure features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an image sensor captures light across multiple wavelength ranges through an opening region at the pupil position, then multispectral imaging capability is improved, but interference components and noise increase due to color mixing and pupil splitting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultispectral imaging capabilityVSAvoidinterference component and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pupil is divided into multiple opening regions (first opening region for first wavelength range, second opening region for second wavelength range) to separate different wavelength ranges spatially. This segmentation prevents color mixing at the pupil level while maintaining multispectral imaging capability across different wavelength bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the pupil are assigned different optical properties - the first opening region transmits light in the first wavelength range while the second opening region transmits light in the second wavelength range. This local differentiation of transmission characteristics reduces interference components by ensuring each region captures primarily its designated wavelength range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If color mixing correction is applied to adjust output characteristics for each color component, then color accuracy is improved, but noise is increased due to amplification of signal variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interference component is removed in advance through the opening region configuration before the signal reaches the image sensor. By preventing color mixing at the optical level rather than correcting it digitally afterward, the system avoids amplifying noise during correction processing while still achieving color accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If pupil splitting is used to separate wavelength ranges, then spectral resolution is improved, but duplicate edges and distorted features appear in captured images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidimage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first micropolarizer and second micropolarizer act as intermediaries between the split pupil and the image sensor. These micropolarizers are configured to transmit specific polarization components that correspond to their respective wavelength ranges, ensuring that each pixel receives light primarily from its designated wavelength range without duplicate edges or distorted features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively removes interference components and noise, enhancing image accuracy and resolution by minimizing duplicate edges and noise, particularly in multispectral imaging systems.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of first polarizing filters having different polarizing directions are disposed in an opening region allowing transmission of light of different transmission wavelength ranges at a pupil position or near the pupil position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarisation: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

an image sensor including a plurality of second polarizing filters that are disposed in each pixel of the image sensor and that correspond to the plurality of first polarizing filters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12581203B2Data processing apparatus, method, program, and multispectral camera

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A data processing apparatus, a method, a program, and a multispectral camera that can favorably remove an interference component and reduce noise included in a plurality of images output from an image sensor of a multispectral camera are provided. In a data processing method, first captured data that corresponds to a plurality of wavelength ranges output from an image sensor of a multispectral camera and that includes first noise is processed. In the data processing method, an interference removing parameter for removing an interference component included in the first captured data is acquired (step S30), and the interference component included in the first captured data is removed based on the interference removing parameter (step S40). Then, noise reducing processing of reducing second noise included in second captured data after interference removing is performed (step S60).