Vein Imaging Brightness Control via Local Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vein imaging devices face challenges in downsizing while maintaining image quality due to the rapid decrease in light intensity as the light source moves away, and existing solutions fail to provide satisfactory results, especially when mounted on mobile equipment.
Innovation Solution
A vein imaging apparatus with a microlens array and integrated near-infrared light sources, featuring a brightness adjustment unit that synchronizes light intensity with the imaging element's position, using a correction curve to ensure uniform brightness across the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the light source is integrated with the device to achieve downsizing, then the device size is reduced, but the light intensity rapidly decreases as it moves away from the light source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by individually controlling the brightness of each light source in the array based on its position. Light sources at different locations are adjusted to have different brightness levels, with closer sources being brighter and farther sources being dimmer, to compensate for the natural decrease in light intensity with distance. This creates uniform overall illumination across the imaging area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the light source brightness adjustable and variable. The brightness adjustment unit dynamically controls the intensity of each light source based on synchronization signals and distance information, allowing the system to adapt illumination levels in real-time to maintain uniform brightness across the captured image.
2Volume of moving object
If the light source is integrated with the device, then the device can be downsized for mobile equipment, but satisfactory image quality with uniform brightness cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by individually controlling the brightness of each light source in the array based on its position. Light sources at different locations are adjusted to have different brightness levels, with closer sources being brighter and farther sources being dimmer, to compensate for the natural decrease in light intensity with distance. This creates uniform overall illumination across the imaging area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using synchronization signals from the imaging element to control the brightness adjustment unit. The system continuously monitors the imaging process and adjusts light source brightness in response to feedback information, ensuring uniform brightness distribution across the captured image.
3Volume of moving object
If a microlens array is used to downsize the device, then the sensor size is reduced, but the device still cannot achieve uniform brightness illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by individually controlling the brightness of each light source in the array based on its position. Light sources at different locations are adjusted to have different brightness levels, with closer sources being brighter and farther sources being dimmer, to compensate for the natural decrease in light intensity with distance. This creates uniform overall illumination across the imaging 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 capture of vein images with uniform brightness, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by maintaining image quality and allowing for the downsizing of vein imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging element which generates a pickup image of a vein based on near-infrared light which is collected by the lens array and which is scattered in the living body and penetrates through the vein
Implementation Method 2
near-infrared light which is collected by the lens array and which is scattered in the living body and penetrates through the vein
Implementation Method 3
a brightness adjustment unit which adjusts brightness of the near-infrared light radiated from the near-infrared light irradiation source in accordance with a synchronization signal for controlling the imaging element and distance from the near-infrared light irradiation source
Data Source
AI summary
A vein imaging apparatus of the present invention includes: a lens array to which a plurality of light receiving lenses are arranged in an array shape; a plurality of near-infrared light irradiation sources which are respectively arranged at opposing ends of the lens array and which irradiate a part of a living body with near-infrared light; an imaging element which generates a pickup image of a vein based on near-infrared light which is collected by the lens array and which is scattered in the living body and penetrates through the vein; and a brightness adjustment unit which adjusts brightness of the near-infrared light radiated from the near-infrared light irradiation source in accordance with a synchronization signal for controlling the imaging element and distance from the near-infrared light irradiation source.