KR20220014085A - Infrared image sensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an infrared image photographing system and, more specifically, to an infrared image photographing system capable of photographing a subject image by using infrared rays. In accordance with the present invention, the infrared image photographing system includes: a camera part (100) including an infrared image sensor and a lens part (110) delivering outside light to the image sensor; and an LED support part combined with the circumference of the lens part (110) and having at least one LED element (10) installed therein to radiate light toward the front side of the lens part (110). The LED support part (200) includes an LED support plate (210) supporting the LED element (10) and installed to adjust a first inclination angle (Θ1) of a support surface (E) of the LED element (10) with respect to a first plane (P) vertical to the center axis (C) of the lens part (110).

Description

Infrared image sensing system

The present invention relates to an infrared image capturing system, and more particularly, to an infrared image capturing system capable of capturing an image of a subject using infrared rays.

Recently, spectral imaging technology has been applied to optical medical devices, and various medical devices have been released.

The spectral imaging technique is a technique for extracting image information about a sample by acquiring an image after irradiating light in a wavelength band required according to the spectral characteristics of the sample.

For example, hemoglobin, a major component of whole blood flowing inside blood vessels, exhibits high absorption characteristics at wavelengths of 410 nm and 540 nm. Therefore, each spectral imaging function can improve the image contrast of microvessels near the epidermis by irradiating light in wavelength bands of 410 nm and 540 nm and imaging the reflected light.

In recent years, instead of expensive and complicated equipment, to make the equipment easier to handle and to lower the manufacturing cost of the product, a high-brightness LED is used to directly drop light subcutaneously, and the reflected light is captured by a CCD camera or CMOS image sensor camera. A portable blood vessel/blood fluoroscopy device that can be acquired is being developed.

However, such a conventional photographing apparatus has a problem in that it is difficult to obtain a uniform and clear image because it is difficult to irradiate uniform light to a nearby subject.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an infrared image pickup system capable of capturing a clear infrared image by irradiating uniform light to a subject in order to solve the above problems.

The present invention was created to achieve the object of the present invention as described above, and the present invention includes: a camera unit 100 including an infrared image sensor and a lens unit 110 for transmitting external light to the image sensor; Disclosed is an infrared image capturing system including an LED support unit 200 coupled to the periphery of the lens unit 110 and installed with one or more LED elements 10 for irradiating light toward the front of the lens unit 110. .

The LED support unit 200 supports the LED element 10 and the LED element 10 support surface E with respect to a first plane P perpendicular to the central axis C of the lens unit 110 . ) of the first inclination angle Θ1 may include an LED support plate 210 that is adjustable.

The LED support unit 200 includes a fixed support member 220 installed around the lens unit 110 and a rotation joint that rotatably couples the LED support plate 210 to the fixed support member 220 . A unit 230 may be further included.

The LED support plate 210 rotates about an imaginary straight line L connecting the central axis C of the lens unit 110 and the rotation joint unit 230 on the first plane P. A second inclination angle Θ2 formed between the joint part 230 and the LED element 10 may be installed to be adjustable.

The rotating joint part 230 may be a ball joint serving as a center of rotation in space of the LED support plate 210 .

The LED support unit 200 may include a radial distance adjusting means for adjusting the radial distance R from the central axis of the lens unit 110 to the LED element 10 on the first plane P. have.

The LED support plate 210 includes a first support member 212 connected to the rotation joint part 230 and the LED element 10 is installed on one surface facing the front of the camera part 100, and the It may include a second support member 214 movably coupled to the first support member 212 .

The rotation joint part 230 may be movably installed on the fixed support member 220 in a circumferential direction of the fixed support member 220 .

The LED element 10 is provided in plurality, and the plurality of LED elements 10 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction centered on the central axis of the lens unit 110 on the first plane P. can be

The LED support unit 200 is to be installed movably in a direction parallel to the central axis of the lens unit 110 in order to adjust the distance between the LED element 10 and the subject 20 to be imaged. can

The infrared image imaging system may be a vein imaging system using near-infrared rays.

The infrared image pickup system may further include a near-infrared pass filter 300 installed in front of the lens unit 110 to prevent light of wavelengths other than near-infrared from entering the camera unit 100 .

In the infrared image capturing system according to the present invention, when capturing an infrared image using an infrared image sensor, the LED element is installed so that the light irradiation angle of the LED element irradiating light to the subject and the light irradiation position of the LED element are variable, There is an advantage in that a clear infrared image can be captured by irradiating uniform light to the subject.

1 is a side view showing an infrared image pickup system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the infrared image pickup system of FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a part of the configuration of the infrared image pickup system of FIG. 1 .
Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view in the AA direction of Fig. 3A.
4 is a view showing simulation results of light quantity distribution according to a first inclination angle Θ1 of an LED element and a subject position in the infrared image pickup system of the present invention.
5 is a view showing a vein image captured by the infrared image capturing system of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an infrared image pickup system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An infrared image capturing system according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, includes: a camera unit 100 including an infrared image sensor and a lens unit 110 for transmitting external light to the image sensor; It is coupled to the periphery of the lens unit 110 and includes an LED support unit 200 on which one or more LED elements 10 for irradiating light toward the front of the lens unit 110 are installed.

The camera unit 100 is an image pickup device that generates an image of a subject using light reflected from the subject, and may include an infrared image sensor and a lens unit 110 .

The infrared image sensor is an image sensor that detects infrared rays and converts an optical image into an electric signal, and various configurations are possible.

More specifically, the infrared image sensor may be an image sensor that detects near infrared rays having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1100 nm.

In this case, light having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1100 nm is known as a wavelength band with less scattering in human tissues, and has a property of penetrating deeper into the skin.

Using this, images of veins in the human body can be obtained. Since the veins of the human body absorb light having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1100 nm, they appear darker than other human tissues, so that the veins can be visually recognized through an infrared image.

In this case, the infrared image sensor is built into the camera unit 100 , and the camera unit 100 may include a lens unit 110 installed in front.

The lens unit 110 may include one or more lenses 112 as an optical system member for transmitting external light coming from the outside to the image sensor.

The lens unit 110 may be formed in a circular shape with respect to the central axis (C).

Here, the central axis C may coincide with the optical axis of the lens 112 installed in the lens unit 110 .

External light entering from the outside of the camera unit 100 may pass through the lens unit 110 and be transmitted to the image sensor.

On the other hand, in front of the camera unit 110, the subject 20 to be image pickup may be located.

The camera unit 110 is a hand held type camera, and by holding and moving the camera unit 110 in a hand, a distance D from the subject 20 located at a specific location may be adjusted.

Here, the subject 20 is an object to be captured by infrared image, and may be, for example, a human tissue including veins such as a palm or a finger.

In this case, the infrared image imaging system may be configured as a vein imaging system using near-infrared rays.

The LED support unit 200 is coupled to the periphery of the lens unit 110 and is a support unit in which one or more LED elements 10 irradiating light toward the front of the lens unit 110 are installed. Various configurations are possible. .

The LED support unit 200 supports the LED element 10 so that the light emitting surface of the one or more LED elements 10 faces the front of the camera unit 100 and supports for supporting the LED element 10 . A surface (E) may be provided.

Here, the LED device 10 is a light emitting diode, and various configurations are possible as a device that emits light energy through electrical energy.

The LED device 10 may emit light of various wavelength bands, and preferably, may be configured to radiate near-infrared rays in a band of 700 nm to 1100 nm.

As the LED device 10 , a narrow-band light source in a band of 700 nm-1100 nm may be used, and the LED device 10 may be driven by supplying a current or voltage through the light source driver 30 .

The number of the LED elements 10 supported by the LED support unit 200 may be variously configured if the number is one or more, and at least three or more, preferably four or more, for uniform light irradiation to the subject 20 . It may be provided in number.

The LED support unit 200 may be installed around the lens unit 110 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The support surface (E) is a seating surface on which the LED element 10 is seated in the LED support unit 200, and may be disposed to face the front of the camera unit 110, that is, the front of the lens unit 110. have.

When one or more LED elements 10 are supported on the support surface E of the LED support 200 to irradiate light to the subject 20, uniform light to the subject 20 through the LED element 10 is This irradiation is a very important factor in obtaining a clear image.

However, conventional infrared image capturing systems do not include a means for uniformly irradiating light to the subject 20, so there is a limitation in obtaining a clear image, and post-processing of the obtained image for clear image reading There is a problem that requires a lot.

Recognizing this problem, the present invention may include various means for enabling uniform light irradiation to the subject 20 .

For example, the LED support unit 200 according to the present invention is the second of the support surface (E) of the LED element 10 with respect to the first plane (P) perpendicular to the central axis (C) of the lens unit 110 . 1 inclination angle adjusting means for adjusting the inclination angle Θ1 may be included.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a plane perpendicular to the central axis C of the lens unit 110 may be defined as a first plane P (based on FIG. 1 , XY plane), wherein the first inclination angle ( Θ1) may be defined as an angle between the first plane (P) and the second plane (S) including the support surface (E) on which the LED device 10 is mounted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a plurality of LED elements 10 are seated on the support surface E of the LED support 200 , and the lens unit 110 on the first plane P ) may be disposed along a circumferential direction (circumferential direction of the lens unit 110 ) about the central axis.

In this case, the plurality of LED elements 10 may be arranged at equal intervals for uniform light irradiation to the subject 20 .

In the case of FIG. 2, although an example in which four LED elements 10 are arranged at equal intervals is illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto.

When a plurality of the LED elements 10 are provided, the first inclination angle Θ1 formed by each of the LED elements 10 may all have the same value or may have different values independently of each other.

When the first inclination angle Θ1 is increased, the irradiated light B emitted from each LED element 10 is emitted toward the outer side of the central axis C of the lens unit 110, and conversely, the first inclination angle When (Θ1) becomes small, the irradiation light B emitted from each LED element 10 may be converged inside the central axis C of the lens unit 110 .

According to the first inclination angle Θ1, the overlapping light region I in which the irradiated light B emitted from the plurality of LED devices 10 overlaps may be varied.

As an inclination angle adjusting means for adjusting the first inclination angle Θ1, the LED support unit 200 supports the LED element 10 and is perpendicular to the central axis C of the lens unit 110. The first inclination angle Θ1 of the LED element 10 support surface E with respect to the first plane P may include an LED support plate 210 that is adjustable.

The LED support plate 210 may be provided with a support surface E for supporting the LED device 10 .

The LED support plate 210 has a first inclination angle Θ1 of the LED element 10 support surface E with respect to a first plane P perpendicular to the central axis C of the lens unit 110 . ) can be configured in various ways if it is installed adjustable.

For example, the LED support plate 210 may be installed so that the first inclination angle Θ1 is adjustable through a separate rotation joint 230 as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3B .

Specifically, the LED support unit 200 includes a fixed support member 220 fixedly installed around the lens unit 110 and the LED support plate 210 to the fixed support member 220 to be rotatable. It may further include a rotating joint unit 230 for coupling.

The fixed support member 220 is a structure installed around the lens unit 110, and may be a ring-shaped member in which a through hole through which the lens unit 110 passes is formed.

The fixed support member 220 may function as a support structure on which the LED support plate 210 is supported.

At this time, the rotation joint part 230 is positioned between the fixed support member 220 and the LED support plate 210 so that the LED support plate 210 is rotatably attached to the fixed support member 220 , the LED support plate 210 . ) as a joint structure for coupling to the fixed support member 220, various configurations are possible.

The rotation axis M of the LED support plate 210 for adjusting the first inclination angle Θ1 may be formed by the rotation joint 230 and may be located on the first plane P.

In addition, the rotation shaft (M) is. More preferably, on the first plane P, the central axis C of the lens unit 110 and the imaginary straight line L connecting the rotation joint unit 230 may be perpendicular to each other.

By rotating the LED support plate 210 about the rotation axis M through the rotation joint part 230 , the first inclination angle Θ1 of the support surface E of the LED element 10 may be adjusted.

Furthermore, on the first plane P, the rotation joint 230 and the LED element ( The second inclination angle Θ2 formed by 10) can also be configured to be adjustable.

Referring to FIG. 3A , the second inclination angle Θ2 is an imaginary straight line L connecting the central axis C of the lens unit 110 and the rotation joint 230 on the first plane P. It may be defined as an angle formed between the rotation joint part 230 and the LED element 10 .

When the rotation joint part 230 and the LED element 10 are positioned on the virtual straight line L, the second inclination angle Θ2 may be understood as 0°.

Like the first inclination angle Θ1, the rotation axis of the LED support plate 210 for adjusting the second inclination angle Θ2 may be formed by a rotation joint 230, and the first plane P and can be vertical.

In addition, the rotation axis. More preferably, it may be parallel to the central axis C of the lens unit 110 .

The second inclination angle Θ2 of the LED element 10 may be adjusted by rotating the LED support plate 210 about the rotation axis through the rotation joint part 230 .

When a plurality of the LED elements 10 are provided, the second inclination angle Θ2 formed by each of the LED elements 10 may all have the same value or may have different values independently of each other.

When the second inclination angle Θ2 is increased, the radial distance R from the planar angle LED element 10 to the central axis C of the lens unit 110 may be reduced.

Conversely, when the second inclination angle Θ2 is decreased, the radial distance R from each LED element 10 to the central axis C of the lens unit 110 may be increased.

According to the second inclination angle Θ2, the overlapping light region I in which the irradiated light B emitted from the plurality of LED devices 10 overlaps may be varied.

On the other hand, if the rotation joint part 230 can rotatably couple the LED support plate 210 to the fixed support member 220 at a first inclination angle Θ1 or a second inclination angle Θ2, Various configurations are possible,

For example, the rotation joint part 230 may be a ball joint serving as a center of rotation in space of the LED support plate 210 as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3B .

The rotation joint unit 230 is implemented as a ball joint, so that the LED support plate 210 can be freely rotated in space with the rotation joint unit 230 as a rotation center.

The rotary joint portion 230, as shown in Figure 3b, a ball bearing 234 fixedly coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the fixed support member 220, and accommodates the ball bearing 234 therein, a ball bearing 234 It may include a ball casing 232 that is freely rotatable therein.

The ball casing 232 may be connected to an end of the LED support plate 210 .

Through this, the LED support plate 210 can be freely rotated with respect to the ball bearing 234 together with the ball casing 232 .

In addition, the ball bearing 234 and the ball casing 232 do not rotate due to mutual friction when no external force acts, and the first inclination angle Θ1 or the second inclination angle Θ2 can maintain a constant state.

3A and 3B show an example in which the LED support plate 210 is rotated by a ball joint, but the rotation structure of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3A , the rotating joint part 230 may be installed on the fixed support member 220 to be movable along the circumferential direction of the fixed support member 220 .

Here, the circumferential direction of the fixing support member 220 may be the same as the circumferential direction (circumferential direction) of the lens unit 110 on the first plane P.

The rotation joint 230 itself is installed movably along the circumferential direction of the fixed support member 220, so that the positions positioned along the circumferential direction of the fixed support member 220 of the plurality of LED elements 10 are respectively can be adjusted.

Through this, each of the LED elements 10 is arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the fixed support member 220, or various arrangements such as arranged at different intervals are possible, and the irradiated light emitted to the subject 20 is There is an advantage in that the uniformity can be more appropriately adjusted.

Furthermore, the LED support unit 200 according to the present invention is a radial distance for adjusting the radial distance R from the central axis of the lens unit 110 to the LED element 10 on the first plane P. It may further include an adjustment means.

The radial distance adjusting means, if it is possible to adjust the radial distance (R) from the central axis (C) of the lens unit 110 to the LED element 10 on the first plane (P), various configurations according to the design This is possible.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B , the radial distance R may be defined as a linear distance from the central axis C of the lens unit 110 to the LED element 10 on the first plane P. have.

As shown in FIG. 3A , the radial distance R for each LED element 10 can be adjusted between R1 closest to the central axis C and R2 most distant from the central axis C.

To this end, the LED support plate 210 has a first support member 212 connected to the rotation joint part 230 and the LED element 10 is installed on one surface facing the front of the camera part 100 . and a second support member 214 movably coupled to the first support member 212 .

The first support member 212 is a member connected to the rotation joint part 230 (ball casing 232 in reference to FIG. 3B ) and may be a guide member for guiding the movement of the second support member 214 to be described later. .

The second support member 214 is a member on which the LED element 10 is installed on one surface facing the front of the camera unit 100 and is movably coupled to the first support member 212 , as described above. The support surface (E) may be provided on one surface facing the front of the camera unit (100).

The second support member 214 may be coupled to the first support member 212 to be relatively movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the LED support plate 210 .

To this end, the second support member 214 may be provided with a guide portion for guiding the relative movement of the first support member 212 .

The guide part is a guide passage formed inside the second support member 214 , and may form a movement path of the second support member 214 .

The second support member 214 may be movably installed along a guide passage inside the first support member 212 .

Position fixing means for fixing the position of the second support member 214 with respect to the first support member 212 may be provided on at least one of the first support member 212 and the second support member 214 . have.

The position fixing means may release the fixing when the radial distance R is adjusted, and fix the position of the second support member 214 when the adjusted radial distance R is maintained.

In addition, at least one of the first support member 212 and the second support member 214 has separation preventing means for preventing the first support member 212 and the second support member 214 from being completely separated from each other. This may be additionally provided.

In addition, the LED support unit 200, along a direction parallel to the central axis (C) of the lens unit 110 to adjust the distance between the LED element 10 and the subject 20 to be imaged It can be installed movably.

More specifically, in the case of the embodiment of Figure 3a, the fixed support member 220 may be installed movably in a direction parallel to the central axis (C).

The fixed support member 220 itself is installed movably in a direction parallel to the central axis C, so that the distance between the LED element 10 and the subject 20 to be imaged can be adjusted, and through this The irradiation light irradiated to the subject 20 may be adjusted.

Meanwhile, the infrared image capturing system may further include a near-infrared pass filter 300 installed in front of the lens unit 110 so that light of a wavelength other than near-infrared does not enter the camera unit 100 . .

The near-infrared pass filter 300 is a filter that blocks wavelengths other than near-infrared rays, and may block light having a wavelength shorter than 700 nm, for example.

The simulation results of the light quantity distribution through the irradiated light B irradiated from the LED elements 10 of the above-described infrared image capturing system are shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B .

4A is an infrared image pickup system including four LED elements 10, a first inclination angle Θ1 for each LED element 10 is 10°, and from the LED element 10 to the subject 20 When the distance of is 40mm, it shows the light intensity distribution at the location of the subject 20 .

4B shows that in an infrared image capturing system including four LED elements 10, a first inclination angle Θ1 for each LED element 10 is 30°, and from the LED element 10 to the subject 20 When the distance of is 60mm, it shows the light intensity distribution at the location of the subject 20.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , when the first inclination angle Θ1 is increased, a uniform light quantity distribution can be obtained at the position of the subject 20 even for the subject 20 that is farther away, and as a result, the subject 20 ) can be irradiated with uniform light throughout.

According to the present invention, the first inclination angle Θ1, the second inclination angle Θ2, the radial distance R, and the distance between the LED element 10 and the subject 20 are determined according to the position of the subject 20. By adjusting various combinations, the homogeneity of the amount of light on the surface irradiated to the subject 20 may be adjusted.

As a result, even for the subject 20 located close to the camera unit 100 , there is an advantage in that a clear image can be obtained by irradiating the subject 20 with a very uniform irradiated light.

5 shows an image captured by the infrared image pickup system according to the present invention. The subject 20 is a hand blade and palm through which venous blood flows, and a very clear vein image can be obtained through the present invention.

In FIG. 5 , it can be seen that black portions mean veins, and an image contrast level sufficient to be visually recognized appears.

Since the above has only been described with respect to some of the preferred embodiments that can be implemented by the present invention, as noted, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above embodiments, and It will be said that the technical idea and the technical idea accompanying the fundamental are all included in the scope of the present invention.

10: LED element 20: subject
100: camera unit 200: LED support unit

Claims (11)

a camera unit 100 including an infrared image sensor and a lens unit 110 for transmitting external light to the image sensor; An infrared image imaging system coupled to the periphery of the lens unit 110 and including an LED support unit 200 on which one or more LED elements 10 for irradiating light toward the front of the lens unit 110 are installed,
The LED support 200,
A first inclination angle Θ1 of the support surface E of the LED element 10 with respect to a first plane P that supports the LED element 10 and is perpendicular to the central axis C of the lens unit 110 ) Infrared image pickup system, characterized in that it comprises an LED support plate (210) is installed adjustable. The method according to claim 1,
The LED support unit 200 includes a fixed support member 220 installed around the lens unit 110 , and a rotation joint for rotatably coupling the LED support plate 210 to the fixed support member 220 . Infrared imaging system, characterized in that it further comprises a part (230). 3. The method according to claim 2,
The LED support plate 210 rotates with respect to an imaginary straight line L connecting the central axis C of the lens unit 110 and the rotation joint 230 on the first plane P. An infrared image pickup system, characterized in that the second inclination angle Θ2 formed between the joint part 230 and the LED element 10 is adjustable. 4. The method according to claim 3,
The rotating joint part 230 is an infrared image capturing system, characterized in that it is a ball joint serving as a center of rotation in space of the LED support plate 210 . 3. The method according to claim 2,
The LED support 200 includes a radial distance adjusting means for adjusting the radial distance R from the central axis of the lens unit 110 to the LED element 10 on the first plane P Infrared image imaging system characterized by the. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The LED support plate 210 includes a first support member 212 connected to the rotation joint part 230 and the LED element 10 is installed on one surface facing the front of the camera part 100, and the and a second support member (214) movably coupled to the first support member (212). 3. The method according to claim 2,
The rotating joint portion (230) is installed on the fixed support member (220) to be movable along the circumferential direction of the fixed support member (220). 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The LED element 10 is provided in plurality,
The plurality of LED elements (10), the infrared image pickup system, characterized in that arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction centered on the central axis of the lens unit (110) on the first plane (P). 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The LED support unit 200 is installed movably in a direction parallel to the central axis of the lens unit 110 to adjust the distance between the LED element 10 and the subject 20 to be imaged. Infrared image imaging system, characterized in that. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The infrared image pickup system is an infrared image pickup system, characterized in that it is a vein imaging system using near-infrared rays; 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The infrared image capturing system further comprises a near-infrared pass filter 300 installed in front of the lens unit 110 so that light of a wavelength other than near-infrared does not enter the camera unit 100. Infrared imaging system.

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