Multispectral Sensor Segmentation for Wavelength Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multispectral cameras face difficulties in enabling tunable wavelength extraction and detection of narrow bands while maintaining resolution, as increasing the number of filters improves narrow band detection but decreases spatial resolution, and decreasing filters improves spatial resolution but worsens wavelength resolution.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing device and method that includes a tunable filter for wavelength extraction and a special purpose filter for narrow band detection, allowing for adjustable exposure times and filter configurations to optimize image capture across multiple wavelength bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of filters is increased to improve narrow band detection, then wavelength resolution is improved, but spatial resolution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength resolutionVSAvoidspatial resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image capturing device divides the sensor array into multiple regions, with each region containing a different type of filter (first filters for broad wavelength bands, second filters for narrow wavelength bands). This segmentation allows simultaneous capture of both broad spectral information and narrow band information without compromising spatial resolution, as each filter type processes light independently in its designated region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different filter characteristics are applied to different spatial locations on the sensor array. The first filters with broad wavelength bands are positioned in certain regions, while second filters with narrow wavelength bands are positioned in other regions. This local differentiation enables the system to optimize for both wavelength resolution and spatial resolution in different areas, resolving the contradiction between the two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the number of filters is decreased to improve spatial resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but wavelength resolution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidwavelength resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor array is segmented into multiple regions with different filter types. By having both first filters (broad band) and second filters (narrow band) in different regions, the system maintains spatial resolution while still providing wavelength resolution capabilities through the second filter regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image capturing device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it captures broad wavelength band information for general spectral analysis and narrow wavelength band information for specific spectral feature detection. This multi-functionality allows the device to maintain both spatial resolution and wavelength resolution by serving different analytical needs through different filter regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If exposure time is increased to improve signal quality, then detection sensitivity is improved, but temporal resolution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidtemporal resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses second filters with narrow wavelength bands to detect specific spectral features that require high detection sensitivity. By concentrating detection efforts on specific narrow bands rather than attempting to detect all wavelengths with equal sensitivity, the system achieves high detection sensitivity for critical bands without requiring excessive exposure times that would compromise temporal resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 tunable wavelength extraction and detection of narrow bands while maintaining resolution, improving the accuracy of vegetation indices and other spectral information without compromising image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a first detection unit that detects a signal of a first wavelength band in which wavelength extraction is possible in a tunable manner by means of postprocessing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

a second detection unit that detects a signal of a second wavelength band to be used for a special purpose

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220247981A1Signal processing device, signal processing method, image capture device, and medical image capture device

Publication Date: 2022.08.04 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

To enable tunable wavelength extraction and detection of a narrow band, while maintaining resolution.Provided is a signal processing device including: an acquisition unit that acquires a signal of a first wavelength band in which wavelength extraction is possible in a tunable manner by means of postprocessing and a signal of a second wavelength band to be used for a special purpose; and a signal processing unit that performs signal processing using the signal of the first wavelength band and the signal of the second wavelength band.