Voltage-Controlled Optical Filter for Multi-Wavelength Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging processing apparatuses are unable to control the optical characteristics of light for capturing images, requiring separate imaging means for different wavelength bands, which decreases imaging sensitivity and resolution.
Innovation Solution
An optical filter with polarization means and optical rotation control, allowing selective transmission of light based on wavelength and polarization, enabling a single imaging means to capture images across multiple wavelength bands by applying or removing voltage to control the optical rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If one imaging unit uses half-by-half division of pixels to capture both first acquired image (infrared band) and second acquired image (visible light band), then one imaging unit can acquire multiple types of images, but the number of effective pixels for each image decreases, causing decreased imaging sensitivity and resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the polarization state of the optical filter changeable through voltage application. The optical filter can dynamically switch between different polarization states (parallel and perpendicular) to selectively transmit different wavelength bands, allowing all pixels to be used effectively for each image type rather than dividing pixels statically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (polarization state) of the filter by applying or removing voltage to the optical rotation control means. This parameter change enables the same imaging unit to capture different wavelength bands (infrared and visible light) using all pixels, thereby maintaining high imaging sensitivity and resolution while acquiring multiple types of images.
2Measurement precision
If separate imaging means are prepared for first acquired image (infrared band) and second acquired image (visible light band), then imaging sensitivity and resolution are maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single imaging unit that can perform multiple functions: capturing both infrared band images (first acquired images) and visible light band images (second acquired images). The optical filter with controllable polarization states enables one imaging unit to replace what would traditionally require separate imaging means, reducing device complexity while maintaining imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the polarization parameter of the optical filter through voltage control, a single imaging unit can selectively capture different wavelength bands. This parameter-based switching eliminates the need for multiple separate imaging devices, achieving multi-functionality with a single unit and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 improved detection accuracy and sensitivity by switching between different wavelength bands without reducing the number of effective pixels, allowing for clearer object detection in various lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
optical rotation control means that is disposed between the paired polarization means and allows the light to be transmitted therethrough during which optical rotation of the light is changed selectively between presence or absence of the optical rotation depending on application or non-application of the voltage to the optical rotation control means
Implementation Method 2
a pair of polarization means that allows the light to be transmitted therethrough when i) the light has a wavelength band which is equal to or more than a first wavelength regardless of an oscillation direction of the light, the wavelength band including a wavelength of infrared light and ii) the light has a wavelength band which is less than the first wavelength and is linearly polarized
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical filter, a pair of polarization filters allows transmission of light therethrough when i) the light has a wavelength band equal to or more than a first wavelength regardless of a light oscillation direction, the wavelength band including a wavelength of infrared light and ii) the light has a wavelength band less than the first wavelength and is linearly polarized. An optical rotation control element, disposed between the paired polarization filters, allows the light to be transmitted therethrough during which optical rotation of the light is changed selectively depending on application or non-application of voltage to the optical rotation control element. The polarization filters have polarization planes, respectively, which are in parallel with each other or the polarization plane of one of the polarization filters is rotated from that of the other by an angular amount of rotation resulting from the polarization of the optical rotation control element.