Spectral Sensor Aperture Array Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectral measurement techniques for production printing struggle with high-speed in-line measurements, particularly in achieving accurate color reproduction across a page or between pages, due to difficulties in maintaining spatial resolution and calibration when using aperture arrays with different apertures, leading to inconsistent spectral characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A spectral characteristic acquiring apparatus that divides reflected light into multiple areas using a hole array, separates the light into diffraction patterns, and uses a line sensor to convert these patterns into electrical signals, with a calculating part that calculates spectral characteristics using transformation matrices to account for variations in aperture positions, allowing for accurate measurements across the image with appropriate spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If aperture arrays with different intervals are replaced to achieve adequate spatial resolution for different target objects, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the aperture array adjustable rather than fixed. The aperture selection unit can dynamically select different aperture intervals based on the measurement requirements, allowing the system to adapt between high spatial resolution (narrow intervals) and other measurement needs without physical replacement of the entire aperture array structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single aperture array structure that can serve multiple measurement purposes. By selecting different aperture intervals from the same array, the system can measure both user images requiring high spatial resolution and color charts requiring average color measurement, eliminating the need for multiple specialized aperture arrays.
2Measurement precision
If aperture arrays are replaced to match different target objects, then spatial resolution is improved, but calibration time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple transformation matrices corresponding to different aperture intervals in the storage unit. When measurement is needed, the system simply retrieves the appropriate pre-calibrated transformation matrix based on the selected aperture interval, avoiding the need to perform calibration at the moment of aperture replacement or selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by storing multiple transformation matrices that represent different aperture configurations. Instead of physically recalibrating the system when changing aperture intervals, the system copies and applies the appropriate pre-stored transformation matrix that corresponds to the selected aperture configuration, significantly reducing calibration time.
3Area of stationary object
If color measurement is performed by moving a single spectrometer to multiple points, then spatial coverage is improved, but measurement speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the measurement task into parallel channels. Instead of moving a single spectrometer sequentially through multiple points, the system uses multiple aperture elements that simultaneously capture light from different spatial positions, enabling parallel measurement across the entire image width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement system with an optical system. Instead of physically moving the spectrometer to different positions, the system uses an aperture array with multiple fixed openings that optically capture light from different spatial locations simultaneously, eliminating mechanical movement and enabling high-speed measurement.
4Measurement precision
If spectral measurement is performed with high spatial resolution for user images, then color evaluation accuracy is improved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different spatial regions to be measured with different aperture intervals according to their specific requirements. User image regions can use narrow aperture intervals for high spatial resolution, while color chart regions can use wider intervals for average color measurement, optimizing the measurement approach for each local area.
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 the acquisition of spectral characteristics at multiple positions with adequate spatial resolution for the target object, improving color reproduction stability and reducing the need for frequent calibration by maintaining consistent spectral measurements regardless of aperture array changes.
Implementation Method 1
an area dividing part that divides a reflected light beam into plural areas with plural apertures
Implementation Method 2
a spectrum separating part that performs a spectrum separation of the reflected light beams divided by the area dividing part to form plural diffraction patterns
Implementation Method 3
a light receiving part that receives the diffraction patterns formed by the spectrum separating part with plural pixels to convert the received diffraction patterns into electrical signals
Data Source
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AI summary
A spectral characteristic acquiring apparatus (10) is provided which includes: an area dividing part; a spectrum separating part; a light receiving part (16); and a calculating part (17), wherein the calculating part includes a transformation matrix storing part (17a) that stores a transformation matrix used for calculating the spectral characteristic corresponding to electrical signals of a first diffraction pattern group including two or more adjacent diffraction patterns, and a spectral characteristic calculating part (17b) that calculates, based on the electrical signals of the first diffraction pattern group and the corresponding transformation matrix, the spectral characteristic at the locations of the image carrying medium corresponding to the apertures of the first diffraction pattern group.