Pixel Area Exposure Control for Spectroscopic Dynamic Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spectroscopic observation apparatuses face challenges in achieving high dynamic range recording due to insufficient sensor dynamic range, leading to data loss and slow operation, especially when dealing with bright or dark wavelength bands in pathological image diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscopic imaging apparatus with a spectroscopic section that disperses incident light by wavelength, an image sensor capable of setting exposure time or gain per pixel, and a control unit that adjusts these settings per pixel area to optimize exposure conditions and expand the dynamic range, while a fluorescence observation apparatus uses similar components to handle fluorescence spectra from pathological specimens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor with large recording capacity is used to capture full dynamic range, then the dynamic range of recorded spectrum is improved, but the storage capacity increases and system operation becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple pixel areas, with each area independently setting exposure time or gain based on local brightness requirements. This segmentation allows different regions to be optimized separately, capturing both bright and dark spectral features without requiring a sensor with excessively large recording capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pixel areas are assigned different exposure times or gain values according to their local brightness characteristics. Bright regions use shorter exposure times or lower gain, while dark regions use longer exposure times or higher gain, achieving locally optimized quality without compromising overall system performance.
2Measurement precision
If exposure time is increased to capture dark wavelength bands, then measurement precision of dark portions is improved, but bright portions become saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into multiple pixel areas that can be independently controlled. Each pixel area is configured with appropriate exposure time or gain settings based on the local spectral intensity distribution, allowing simultaneous accurate capture of both dark and bright wavelength bands without cross-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
Exposure time and gain are customized for each pixel area according to its specific brightness requirements. Dark regions receive longer exposure times or higher gain to improve detection accuracy, while bright regions use shorter exposure times or lower gain to prevent saturation, achieving locally optimized measurement quality.
3Reliability
If exposure time is decreased to prevent saturation of bright portions, then reliability of bright wavelength band data is improved, but dark portions become undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple independently controllable pixel areas. Each area is assigned exposure time and gain settings matched to its local brightness characteristics, enabling bright regions to use short exposure times while dark regions simultaneously use long exposure times, resolving the trade-off between preventing saturation and detecting dark signals.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pixel areas are configured with locally optimized exposure parameters. Bright wavelength bands are captured with short exposure times to prevent saturation, while dark wavelength bands are captured with long exposure times to ensure detectability, achieving locally appropriate quality without compromising overall data 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
Enables high dynamic range recording while minimizing sensor recording capacity, preventing data loss and improving system accessibility and operation speed by adjusting exposure times and gains per pixel area, effectively capturing detailed spectral information without saturation.
Implementation Method 1
a spectroscopic section (11) that disperses incident light for each wavelength
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor (121) that detects light of each wavelength dispersed in the spectroscopic section (11)
Implementation Method 3
an excitation section (13) that irradiates the pathological specimen on the stage with line illumination
Data Source
AI summary
A spectroscopic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a spectroscopic section, an image sensor, and a control unit. The spectroscopic section disperses incident light for each wavelength. The image sensor is configured to be capable of setting an exposure time or a gain in a unit of a pixel, and detects light of each wavelength dispersed in the spectroscopic section. The control unit is configured to be capable of setting the exposure time or the gain of the image sensor in a unit of a predetermined pixel area.