Polarization Image Forming Apparatus for Surface Detail Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face limitations in effectively capturing detailed surface information of transparent or semi-transparent objects using polarization imaging, as they struggle to balance the illumination and imaging processes to achieve high-quality images with minimal noise and parallax issues.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a configuration with multiple emitters emitting light beams at specific polarization directions (30°, 90°, and 150°) and a beam splitter to split returning light into components at 0°, 60°, and 120° polarization directions, combined with an imaging device and image forming circuit to generate images by averaging pseudo-parallel and crossed-Nicols images, thereby enhancing surface detail and reducing noise and parallax.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single emitter illuminates the subject with linearly polarized light, then the polarization state can be controlled, but the imaging quality and surface detail enhancement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is segmented into three separate emitters, each emitting linearly polarized light at different polarization directions (30°, 90°, and 150°). This segmentation allows the system to capture polarization information from multiple angles, significantly improving surface detail detection precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of polarization angle variation by using three emitters with different polarization directions. This dimensional expansion in the polarization space enables the system to extract more comprehensive surface information, transforming a single-angle measurement into a multi-angle polarization measurement system.
2Reliability
If multiple polarization components are captured simultaneously, then image quality and noise reduction improve, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is segmented into three separate imaging units, each equipped with a polarizing filter at a specific angle (0°, 60°, or 120°). This segmentation enables simultaneous capture of three different polarization components, improving image quality and noise reduction while maintaining a modular and manageable optical system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple polarization measurements into a single imaging system by combining three imaging units with different polarizing filter orientations. This merging allows simultaneous acquisition of multiple polarization components, enhancing reliability through diverse data collection while avoiding the complexity of sequential measurement systems.
3Measurement precision
If the polarization directions are varied to capture more surface information, then measurement accuracy improves, but the system configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three emitter-imaging pairs, where each pair is configured with specific polarization angles. This segmentation strategy enables precise surface shape measurement by capturing polarization information at multiple angles, while the modular configuration keeps the overall system complexity manageable through standardized repeating units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies the polarization direction parameter across three discrete values (30°, 90°, 150° for emitters and 0°, 60°, 120° for imaging filters). This parameter variation approach enables comprehensive surface information capture while maintaining a simple and repeatable configuration pattern that avoids excessive system complexity.
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 allows for the acquisition of high-quality images that effectively enhance surface details and reduce noise and parallax, enabling accurate observation of fine concavities and convexities, and efficient estimation of object shapes, even with unpolarized light.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter that splits a returning light beam from the subject and outputs a first component having a polarization direction of 0°, a second component having a polarization direction of 60°, and a third component having a polarization direction of 120°
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an illumination device, a beam splitter, an imaging device, and an image forming circuit. The illumination device includes first emitters emitting first light polarized at 30°, second emitters emitting second light polarized at 90°, and third emitters emitting third light polarized at 150°, and illuminates a subject with the first, second, and/or third light. The beam splitter splits returning light and outputs a first component polarized at 0°, a second component polarized at 60°, and a third component polarized at 120°. The imaging device has an imaging surface that includes a first region receiving the first component, a second region receiving the second component, and a third region receiving the third component. The image forming circuit generates an image of the subject based on first, second, and third groups of images acquired when the subject is illuminated with the first, second, and third light.