Multispectral Imaging Device Using Solid-State LED Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multispectral imaging devices for skin diagnosis are large, expensive, and difficult for non-specialists to use, with limited portability and accuracy, especially when trying to diagnose skin conditions at home.

Innovation Solution

A portable multispectral imaging device that uses a detachable LED light source with band-pass filters and polarizing plates to selectively illuminate and capture images of specific wavelength bands, allowing for easy attachment to mobile devices and improved image clarity by blocking external light and light reflected from the skin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a motor is used to rotate an optical filter wheel for multispectral imaging, then the device can perform spectral imaging, but the image acquisition speed becomes low and the device size increases, reducing portability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral imaging capabilityVSAvoidimage acquisition speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical optical filter wheel system with a solid-state LED light source system. Instead of mechanically rotating filters, the invention uses multiple LEDs emitting at different wavelengths that can be selectively activated. This eliminates the motor and moving parts, thereby increasing image acquisition speed while maintaining spectral imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of LED light sources through electronic switching. Different combinations of LEDs can be activated or deactivated based on the required wavelength bands, allowing rapid changes in spectral characteristics without mechanical movement. This dynamic control enables fast image acquisition while maintaining spectral discrimination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a motor is used to rotate an optical filter wheel, then the device can perform multispectral imaging, but the device size increases, reducing portability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral imaging capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of spectral selection from mechanical filter rotation to electronic LED wavelength selection. By using LEDs with different emission wavelengths and controlling their activation states, the system achieves spectral imaging without the bulky mechanical components, significantly reducing device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If LED light path and reflected light path are not separated, then the device structure is simpler, but external light and reflected light interfere with the image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical path configurationVSAvoidimage clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical paths by spatially separating the LED light source and the detector. The LED illuminator is positioned at one location while the detector is positioned at another, creating distinct light paths. This segmentation allows the reflected light from the skin to be captured separately from the direct LED light, reducing interference and improving image clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical lens as an intermediary element between the skin and the detector. The lens focuses and directs the reflected light from the skin onto the detector while blocking direct LED light paths. This intermediary component enables clear image acquisition by mediating the interaction between the light source, skin, and detector.

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

Enables users to easily verify skin conditions with high portability and accuracy, allowing for detachable attachment to various mobile devices and improved image clarity by blocking external light and light reflected from the skin.

Implementation Method 1

A portable multispectral imaging device that uses a detachable LED light source with band-pass filters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBand-pass filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

uses a detachable LED light source with band-pass filters and polarizing plates to selectively illuminate and capture images

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

The detector may include an optical lens configured to refract the light reflected from the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11213208B2Multispectral imaging device

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 DAEGU GYEONGBUK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

AI summary

A multispectral imaging device in accordance with one embodiment comprises: an illumination unit for emitting LED lighting to the skin for skin illumination; and a detection unit for causing light reflected from the skin to be incident on a camera, wherein the illumination unit is arranged on the outer side of the detection unit, so that a path of the LED lighting emitted from the illumination unit is formed on the outer side of the detection unit, and a path of the light reflected from the skin is formed on the inner side of the detection unit.