Organic Fluorescent Shading Correction for Infrared and Red Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shading correction tools for image reading apparatuses are inadequate for accurately correcting density unevenness in fluorescence images when using excitation light with center wavelengths greater than 650 nm, particularly for infrared and red light, due to issues with uniform fluorescent light emission and high reproducibility, as well as the expense and discoloration of traditional fluorescent materials.
Innovation Solution
A shading correction apparatus utilizing organic fluorescent materials, such as phthalocyanine-based and anthraquinone-based pigments, dispersed in a binder and integrated into a correction tool that emits uniform fluorescent light across the entire image surface, allowing for accurate shading correction by acquiring a reference image and applying it to the fluorescence image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic fluorescent material (e.g., YAG:Ce) is used for shading correction, then shading correction can be performed for green and blue excitation light, but it cannot achieve uniform fluorescent light emission with high reproducibility for infrared and red excitation light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from inorganic fluorescent material to organic fluorescent material (vinyl chloride resin or methacrylic resin) to achieve both uniform light emission and compatibility with infrared/red excitation wavelengths. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting a material that inherently possesses the required optical properties for the specified wavelength range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs organic fluorescent materials that can be easily manufactured and replaced, providing a cost-effective solution with adequate performance for the correction tool. While organic materials may have shorter operational life compared to inorganic materials, they provide sufficient functionality for the application while being more adaptable to the required wavelength characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If organic fluorescent material (e.g., vinyl chloride resin) is used for shading correction, then shading correction can be performed for red, green, and blue excitation light, but it emits little or very small amount of fluorescent light when excited by infrared and red excitation light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the optical parameters of the organic fluorescent material by selecting specific resin types (vinyl chloride resin or methacrylic resin) that have been optimized for their emission characteristics. This parameter change enables the material to emit sufficient fluorescent light across the required wavelength ranges including infrared and red excitation, resolving the efficiency contradiction.
3Reliability
If traditional fluorescent materials are used for correction tool, then shading correction can be performed, but the materials are expensive and undergo discoloration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts inexpensive organic fluorescent materials (vinyl chloride resin or methacrylic resin) that can be easily manufactured at low cost. These materials provide adequate performance for the correction tool function while being significantly cheaper than traditional fluorescent materials, and they exhibit sufficient stability to resist discoloration during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from traditional fluorescent materials to specific organic resin compounds that offer both cost-effectiveness and resistance to discoloration. This parameter change simultaneously addresses both the cost and durability requirements, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and reliability.
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
The solution enables accurate shading correction for excitation light with center wavelengths greater than 650 nm, ensuring high reproducibility and cost-effectiveness, while resisting discoloration, thus improving the quality of fluorescence images.
Implementation Method 1
a correction tool that includes an organic fluorescent material having wavelength characteristics in which an excitation wavelength band and an emission wavelength band at least partially overlap an excitation wavelength band and an emission wavelength band of the fluorescent material, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A first resin plate includes a phthalocyanine-based pigment as an organic fluorescent material and is used for shading correction in a case in which infrared excitation light with a center wavelength of 770 nm to 800 nm. A second resin plate includes an anthraquinone-based pigment as the organic fluorescent material and is used for shading correction in a case in which red excitation light with a center wavelength of 650 nm to 690 nm. An acquisition unit acquires a reference image obtained by irradiating the resin plates with the infrared excitation light and the red excitation light, respectively. A correction unit performs shading correction for a fluorescence image on the basis of the reference image.