Optical Image Measurement Device Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices face challenges in maintaining optimal received-light amounts for interference light, leading to saturation or inadequate detection of information due to variations in light amounts, particularly affected by environmental changes and displacement of optical components.
Innovation Solution
An optical image measurement apparatus that automatically adjusts the relative position between the emission end and the light-receiving surface, and the light amount of signal or reference light, to maintain a target received-light amount, facilitating easy and quick adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light amount of reference light is increased to improve signal strength, then the interference light intensity increases, but the received-light amount may become too great causing saturation of the light-receiving part
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the received-light amount from the light-receiving part and automatically adjusts the light amount of reference light through the reference light control unit. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the received-light amount remains within the optimal range, preventing saturation while maximizing signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the light amount parameter of reference light based on real-time detection of received-light amount. By adjusting this parameter within a predetermined range, the system optimizes interference light intensity without causing saturation of the light-receiving part.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of relative position between emission end and light-receiving surface is performed to optimize received-light amount, then detection accuracy improves, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically adjusts the relative position between the emission end of the light guiding part and the light-receiving surface based on detection of received-light amount. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for cumbersome manual operations while maintaining optimal detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the light-receiving part to automatically control the relative position adjustment. This automated feedback loop replaces manual adjustment operations, making the system easier to operate while maintaining precise received-light amount detection.
3Loss of information
If the received-light amount is increased to improve signal detection, then the interference light intensity increases, but information may be lost due to saturation or inadequate detection
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the received-light amount and automatically adjusts reference light amount to keep it within the optimal range. This feedback control prevents both saturation and inadequate detection, ensuring complete and reliable information detection without loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the light amount parameter of reference light based on real-time conditions to optimize the received-light amount. This parameter adjustment ensures the system operates within the optimal range, preventing information loss from saturation or inadequate detection.
4Productivity
If automatic control of reference light amount is implemented to maintain optimal received-light amount, then adjustment speed improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements automatic feedback control by monitoring received-light amount and adjusting reference light amount accordingly. This automated feedback mechanism speeds up adjustments significantly compared to manual methods, despite adding control system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions including detecting received-light amount, determining optimal reference light amount, and controlling the reference light. This multi-functionality consolidates control operations into a single unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fast adjustment capability.
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 precise and efficient adjustment of received-light amounts, improving the detection of interference light and maintaining optimal imaging conditions, reducing the need for cumbersome adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
superposes the reflected light and the reference light to generate an interference light
Implementation Method 2
an interferometer is mounted at the outlet to analyze, by a spectrometer, the intensity of an interference light
Data Source
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AI summary
A main controller 211 controls a fiber-end drive mechanism 140 and an attenuator 121 with reference to the received-light amount of interference light LC to cause the following operations (1) and (2) to be executed alternately: (1) moving an emission end 116 to increase the received-light amount to at least an upper limit; and (2) changing the light amount of reference light LR to decrease the received-light amount to at least a lower limit. When the received-light amount specified by an received-light-amount specifying part 212 decreases in response to the movement of the emission end 116 in (1), the main controller 211 controls the fiber-end drive mechanism 140 to return the relative position to the immediately preceding status of this change. The main controller 211 leads the received-light amount of interference light LC by a CCD image sensor 120 to a target value by controlling the attenuator 121 to change the light amount of interference light LC.