Multispectral Lens-Compound for Pixel-Accurate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multispectral cameras face challenges in aligning color matrices and focusing different bands of light, particularly in fast-moving applications like UAVs and skin analysis, due to high costs, weight, and inferior image quality, which limits their effectiveness in capturing multiple spectral bands efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral imaging lens-compound with multiple lenses of identical field of view and focal length, equipped with bandpass filters, allows for the capture of multiple spectral bands on a single digital camera, enabling post-acquisition digital alignment of color matrices and correcting chromatic aberration, thus enhancing image quality and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multispectral cameras use multiple cameras or multi-lens designs to capture multiple spectral bands, then spectral coverage is improved, but device complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into multiple independent optical elements (first lens for visible light, second lens for infrared light) that can be separately optimized for their respective spectral ranges. This segmentation allows each lens to be designed with specific optical characteristics suited to its wavelength range, improving spectral coverage while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device achieves multi-functionality by using a single camera sensor that can detect multiple spectral bands (visible and infrared) through the coordinated action of multiple lenses with different spectral transmission characteristics. This universal sensor design eliminates the need for separate cameras for each spectral band, reducing overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multispectral cameras use rotating filters or prism-based designs, then spectral band separation is achieved, but image quality and resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single lens with rotating filters or prisms that compromise image quality, the system segments the spectral separation function across multiple fixed lenses, each optimized for specific wavelength ranges. This eliminates the need for complex moving parts or refractive elements that degrade image quality, while maintaining high resolution through dedicated optical paths
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple lenses that are substantially identical in design and characteristics, creating parallel optical paths that can be independently optimized. This copying approach allows each lens to be manufactured with high precision using the same proven design, ensuring consistent image quality across all spectral bands while simplifying manufacturing
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multispectral cameras capture images at different times from different angles during UAV flight, then spectral data is collected, but spatial alignment accuracy deteriorates due to time lapse
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables simultaneous capture of multiple spectral bands through multiple lenses that operate continuously and synchronously on the same instantaneous image plane. This eliminates time-lapse between captures, ensuring all spectral data corresponds to the exact same spatial position, thereby maintaining high spatial alignment accuracy even during UAV flight
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple lenses are pre-positioned and optically aligned on the camera body before image capture, establishing fixed, precise spatial relationships between different spectral channels. This preliminary optical alignment ensures that all lenses capture images from the exact same angle and position simultaneously, eliminating alignment errors that would occur with sequential capture
4Device complexity
If single lens designs are used to maintain simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to focus different bands of light deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The focusing function is segmented across multiple lenses, each optimized for specific spectral bands. By distributing the optical elements across separate lenses rather than trying to focus all wavelengths through a single lens, the system achieves precise focus for each band while keeping each individual lens simple and easy to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
Each lens is designed with specific optical characteristics tailored to its designated spectral range (e.g., infrared transmission properties for the second lens). This local optimization ensures that each lens provides optimal focus and transmission for its target wavelength range while maintaining overall system simplicity through standardized lens designs
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 solution enables high-quality, synchronized, and aligned multispectral imaging across multiple bands, overcoming the limitations of conventional cameras by allowing pixel-accurate alignment and improved exposure balance, making it suitable for agricultural and medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
Each lens is associated with a different single or multi bandpass filter, allowing the passage of at least one visible band, and one non-visible band selected from the group consisting of near infra-red bands and ultra violet bands of light, through the filters to the sensor
Implementation Method 2
The lenses are of substantially identical field of view and substantially identical image circle at the sensor plane. The lenses are also of substantially identical focal length
Implementation Method 3
one or more of the lenses includes an optical element to correct the chromatic aberration, which is created due to the different wavelengths of the light passing through the different lenses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
A lens compound for connecting to an interchangeable lens mount of a digital camera having a single image sensor, the lens compound including a body; a single mount connecting ring mounted on the body for connecting to the lens mount of the digital camera; at least two lenses of substantially identical focal length mounted in the body; and a different single or multi bandpass filter associated with each of the lenses, allowing the passage of at least one visible band and one non-visible band, selected from the group consisting of near infra-red bands and ultra violet bands of light, through the filters to the sensor; wherein the lenses are of substantially identical field of view and substantially identical image circle at a sensor plane of the image sensor.