Multispectral Imaging Apparatus with Pupil Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies face challenges in capturing multispectral images with multiple bands efficiently, as existing systems often require multiple optical systems and sensors to achieve desired spectral and polarization resolutions, leading to complexity and reduced sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed imaging apparatus employs a single imaging optical system and image sensor with a bandpass filter unit and polarization filter unit configuration that splits the pupil region into multiple regions, allowing for the capture of multispectral images of four or more bands by utilizing a combination of bandpass filters and polarization filters to separate light beams by wavelength and polarization direction, and a signal processing unit for interference removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical systems and sensors are used to achieve desired spectral and polarization resolutions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (bandpass filtering and polarization filtering) into a single integrated optical system. The imaging apparatus uses one image sensor equipped with both bandpass filter elements and polarization filter elements, eliminating the need for separate optical systems and sensors while achieving both spectral and polarization resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The single imaging optical system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures spectral information through bandpass filters and polarization information through polarization filters. The image sensor is designed to handle both types of filtering, making it a multi-functional device that replaces what would traditionally require separate specialized systems.
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical systems and sensors are used to achieve desired spectral and polarization resolutions, then measurement precision is improved, but sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the optical paths and using a single image sensor, the patent eliminates light loss that would occur through multiple separate systems. All captured light is utilized efficiently, passing through the integrated bandpass and polarization filters directly to the sensor, thereby maintaining high sensitivity while achieving precise spectral and polarization measurement.
3Reliability
If aperture size is increased to improve sensitivity, then sensitivity is improved, but separation of light beams into distinct bands becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aperture into multiple pupil regions, with each region dedicated to a specific wavelength band. This segmentation allows each region to capture light for a particular spectral band while maintaining a large overall aperture size, thus preserving sensitivity while achieving precise spectral separation through the bandpass filters.
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
This configuration enables the capture of high-resolution multispectral images with improved sensitivity and reduced complexity, allowing for increased aperture size and effective separation of light beams into distinct spectral and polarization bands.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical element having a plurality of aperture regions of which at least one transmits light beams of a plurality of types of wavelength ranges
Implementation Method 2
a second optical element that polarizes the light beams transmitted through the first optical element in a plurality of directions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an imaging apparatus that captures a multispectral image of four bands or more. An imaging apparatus (1) includes an imaging optical system (10), an image sensor (100), and a signal processing unit (200). The imaging optical system (10) includes a bandpass filter unit (16) of which at least one of aperture regions transmits light beams of a plurality of wavelength ranges, and a polarization filter unit (18) that polarizes the light beams transmitted through the bandpass filter unit (16) in a plurality of directions, in a vicinity of a pupil thereof. The image sensor (100) receives light beams transmitted through a plurality of types of spectral filter elements and a plurality of types of polarization filter elements. The signal processing unit (200) processes signals output from the image sensor (100) to generate a plurality of image signals. In the imaging apparatus (1), the number of transmission wavelength ranges of at least one of the aperture regions of the bandpass filter unit (16) is equal to or less than the number of transmission wavelength ranges of the spectral filter element.