Polarized Light Spectroscopy for Shiny Surface Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectroscopic image capturing systems face challenges in accurately analyzing objects with shiny surfaces due to specular reflection, which complicates the measurement of internal components and increases system size, especially in compact food checkers.

Innovation Solution

A spectroscopic image capturing apparatus is designed with a light source section and an imaging section, utilizing polarized light to differentiate between light reflected from the surface and internal components, with polarizers oriented to absorb specularly reflected light, allowing only depolarized light from internal components to reach the imaging unit for accurate analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a compact food checker is designed to capture images of close objects, then the apparatus size is reduced and portability is improved, but the ability to measure internal components through shiny surfaces is compromised due to specular reflection effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidinternal component measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful specular reflection into a useful indicator by using polarized light. The specularly reflected light maintains its polarization state, while light penetrating into the object and reflecting from internal components becomes depolarized. By using a polarizer in the imaging path, the system selectively blocks the polarized specular reflection and transmits the depolarized light containing internal component information, thus converting the harmful reflection effect into a means to distinguish surface from internal reflections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the polarization state parameter of the light to differentiate between specularly reflected light and light reflecting from internal components. By controlling the polarization angle of the incident light and the orientation of the polarizer in the imaging section, the system can selectively transmit or block specific polarization components, enabling accurate measurement of internal components even through shiny surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If both an image capturing apparatus and a spectral data acquisition apparatus are used to analyze objects, then comprehensive analysis capability is improved, but the system size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis capabilityVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of image capture and spectral data acquisition into a single integrated apparatus. The imaging unit captures images while the optical filter enables spectral analysis, combining what were previously separate systems into one compact device that can perform both general imaging and detailed spectral analysis of food components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an image capturing device and a spectral analysis instrument. The imaging unit with optical filter can operate in different modes to capture both visual images and spectral data, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices and reducing overall system complexity and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively suppresses specular reflection, enabling accurate spectroscopic analysis and reducing system size, making the apparatus more compact and portable for applications like food safety inspection.

Implementation Method 1

a first polarizer, and the imaging section includes a second polarizer... when polarized light outputted from the first polarizer provided in the light source section is projected onto an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

The second polarizer provided in the imaging section absorbs the polarized light in the incident analyzed light, and only the reflected light depolarized by the internal components of the object reaches the imaging unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

an optical filter, and an imaging unit... combining the acquired images of the wavelength bands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS8780346B2Spectroscopic image capturing apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.07.15 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A spectroscopic image capturing apparatus including a light source section and an imaging section, wherein the light source section includes a light source portion, a first lens group, and a first polarizer, and the imaging section includes a second polarizer, a second lens group, an optical filter, and an imaging unit.