Spectral Shaping Filter for UAV Camera and Light Sensor Proportionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing camera systems in aerial vehicles, such as UAVs, face challenges in spectral accuracy due to non-proportional spectral sensitivity curves between camera sensors and ambient light sensors, leading to spectral inaccuracy in images, especially in agricultural applications where precise color correction is necessary.
Innovation Solution
Applying spectral filtering to either the camera system, the ambient light sensor system, or both to ensure proportional spectral sensitivity curves over a selected spectral region, thereby achieving accurate color correction and consistent photos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spectral filtering is applied to the ambient light sensor system or camera system, then spectral measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spectral shaping filter as an intermediary component placed in the optical path of either the camera system or ambient light sensor system. This filter acts as a mediator that modifies the spectral sensitivity curves to make them proportional to each other, thereby enabling accurate color correction without requiring complex software algorithms or system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the sensing systems by introducing filters with specific transmission characteristics. The spectral shaping filter is designed with a transmission curve that, when combined with the sensor's native sensitivity, produces a desired proportional spectral response. This parameter-based approach allows precise control over the spectral measurement characteristics
2Measurement precision
If spectral filtering is applied to the camera system, then spectral accuracy is improved, but light collection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spectral filtering selectively to only one of the two sensing systems (either the camera system or the ambient light sensor system) rather than both. This local application of the filter ensures that spectral accuracy is improved while minimizing the impact on light collection, as only one optical path is affected by the filtering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial spectral filtering by applying the spectral shaping filter to only one sensing system. This partial action is sufficient to achieve the goal of proportional spectral sensitivity curves, avoiding the excessive light loss that would occur if both systems were filtered
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 approach results in more accurate and consistent spectral measurements, ensuring that the camera system and ambient light sensor system have matching sensitivity curves, which enhances the precision of color correction and image quality in aerial imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
spectral filtering (also referred to as spectral shaping or spectral shaping filtering) is applied to components of an imaging system used with an aerial vehicle such as a UAV to ensure that the resulting spectral sensitivity curves of a camera system and an ambient light sensor system are proportional to (i.e. match) one another
Data Source
AI summary
Spectral filtering or shaping is applied to an imaging system of an aerial vehicle such as a UAV to ensure that the measurements between a camera system and an ambient light sensor system are proportional under all light conditions. The spectral filtering is applied so that the resulting spectral sensitivity curves of the ambient light sensor system and of the camera system are proportional to one another over a spectral region. Thereafter, it is determined if there is a difference between a target ambient lighting condition and a real-time ambient lighting condition collected by the ambient light sensor system when an image was obtained. If a difference exists, a color correction can be applied to the image. This results in more accurate color correction and more spectrally accurate and consistent images.