Oblique Illumination Imaging Unit for Mobile Pattern Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems with mobile terminals face challenges in accurately acquiring pattern information due to misalignment between the optical axes of the lighting and imaging sections, leading to suboptimal image capture and verification of originality.

Innovation Solution

An imaging unit with an attachment member, optical members, and a shading member is introduced, where illumination light is directed obliquely to the imaging target, using a first member to guide light away from the imaging section and a second member to reflect it towards the target, ensuring the light axis is oblique to the imaging system's optical axis, thereby improving image capture and pattern information acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the optical axis of light from the lighting section is parallel to the optical axis of the imaging section, then the structure is simple and alignment is easy, but the accuracy of pattern information acquisition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of pattern information acquisitionVSAvoidstructural complexity of optical path
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an oblique optical path configuration where illumination light enters the imaging target at an angle oblique to the optical axis of the imaging section. This dimensional change in light direction enables accurate pattern information acquisition by creating effective illumination geometry, while the attachment member integrates this complex optical path into a compact form that does not significantly increase overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the imaging section and lighting section are positioned close to each other, then the device size is reduced, but the uniformity of illumination deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiduniformity of illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a shading member with a light-guiding portion that has specific local optical properties. The inner wall of the light-guiding portion is designed to reflect and distribute light uniformly, creating consistent illumination quality in the localized imaging area despite the close positioning of lighting and imaging sections. This local optimization of light distribution maintains illumination uniformity within the constrained device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Length of stationary object

If a light pipe is used to supply illumination light, then the illumination path is extended, but the light intensity and uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination path lengthVSAvoidlight intensity and uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameters along the illumination path by designing the light-guiding portion with specific reflective properties and geometric configurations. The inner wall structure and optical characteristics are optimized to maintain light intensity and uniformity despite the extended illumination path required to reach the imaging target from the close-positioned lighting section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the accuracy and reproducibility of pattern information acquisition, allowing for effective verification of originality by uniformly illuminating the target from a narrow space, even when the imaging and lighting sections are closely positioned.

Implementation Method 1

a second member that is disposed inside the shading member and reflects the light delivered by the first member toward the part to be imaged of the imaging target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3232266B1Imaging unit and imaging system
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP3232266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3232266B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3232266B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An imaging unit 3 is provided which includes an attachment member that is attached to a mobile terminal which includes an imaging section and a lighting section, an optical member OP (OP1, OP2) that supplies illumination light from the lighting section in an oblique direction to a part to be imaged of an imaging target imaged by the imaging section, and a shading member SL which encloses a periphery of the optical member OP. A first optical axis of the light from the optical member OP is incident into the imaging target in a direction oblique to a second optical axis of an optical system acquired by the imaging section.