UV Sensitive Video Camera for Latent Fingerprint Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital cameras are unable to capture high-resolution images in the ultraviolet spectrum due to spectral sensitivity similar to the human eye, which blocks UV light, limiting their ability to detect and document latent fingerprints effectively.
Innovation Solution
A UV sensitive video camera is designed with a bandpass filter centered at 254 nm and a bandwidth of 1 nm to 100 nm, allowing it to capture and filter UV radiation, coupled with an image sensor and controller to generate high-resolution video displays of UV images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If modern digital cameras use glass lenses and bandpass filters to match human eye spectral sensitivity, then visible light image quality is improved, but UV radiation capture capability is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bandpass filter that blocks UV radiation from the camera optical path. By extracting this filtering component, the camera system gains the ability to capture UV radiation while maintaining visible light imaging capabilities through the remaining optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the spectral transmission parameters of the optical system by removing the bandpass filter, thereby changing the camera's sensitivity characteristics to include UV wavelengths (100-400 nm) while maintaining visible light response.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If early RUVIS devices used image intensifiers to amplify UV radiation, then latent fingerprint detection capability is improved, but image resolution and documentation quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the UV detection capability of image intensifiers with the high-resolution digital imaging capabilities of modern cameras. This merging allows simultaneous achievement of both sensitive UV radiation detection and high-resolution image documentation without the limitations of either system alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the image intensifier as an intermediary device that converts weak UV radiation signals into amplified visible light signals that can be captured by standard digital camera sensors, thereby enabling high-resolution UV fingerprint documentation.
3Measurement precision
If RUVIS systems use small fields of view to achieve higher resolution, then image resolution is improved, but the area of visible fingerprints deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic focusing and variable field of view capabilities that allow the system to adjust between wide-area overview and high-resolution detailed imaging. This dynamic adjustment enables investigators to capture both large fingerprint areas and fine detail features as needed.
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 capture of high-resolution UV images with a resolution of at least 1000 pixels per square inch, allowing for accurate detection and documentation of latent fingerprints without the need for powders or dyes, improving forensic evidence analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The bandpass filter may filter the UV radiation received into the camera through the input window. The bandpass filter may have a passband centered at about 254 nm and a bandwidth of about 1 nm to about 100 nm.
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor for collecting the filtered UV radiation passing through the bandpass filter and for generating an output based on the collected UV radiation
Implementation Method 3
The input window may receive into the camera UV radiation reflected off of a subject
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet sensitive video camera is disclosed. The camera may have an input window and a bandpass filter. The input window may receive into the camera ultraviolet radiation reflected off of a subject. The bandpass filter may filter the ultraviolet radiation received into the camera through the input window. The bandpass filter may have a passband centered at about 254 nm and a bandwidth of about 1 nm to about 100 nm. The camera may also have an image sensor and at least one controller. The image sensor may collect the filtered ultraviolet radiation passing through the bandpass filter and generate an output based on the collected ultraviolet radiation. The at least one controller may be configured to generate video display signals based on the output of the image sensor.