US 11,733,095 B2 · Hyperspectral image sensor with calibration

Abstract

A method for calibrating an image sensor begins by illuminating a portion of the image sensor with an input light spectrum, where the input light spectrum includes light of known wavelength and intensity. The method continues by sampling an output for each optical sensor of the image sensor, where each optical sensor is associated with one or more optical filters and where each optical filter being associated with a group of optical filters of a plurality of groups of optical filters. Each optical filter of a group of optical filters is configured to pass light in a different wavelength range and at least some optical filters in different groups of the plurality of groups of optical filters are configured to pass light in substantially a same wavelength range. The method then continues by comparing a sampled output for each optical sensor of the plurality of optical sensors with an expected output and generating a calibration factor for each of at least a subset of the plurality of optical sensors and storing the generated calibration factors in memory.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for calibrating an image sensor, comprising:

illuminating at least a portion of the image sensor with an input light spectrum, wherein the input light spectrum includes light of known wavelength and intensity, wherein the image sensor includes a plurality of optical sensors;
sampling an output for each optical sensor of a plurality of optical sensors of the image sensor, wherein each optical sensor is associated with one or more optical filters, wherein each optical filter is associated with a group of optical filters of a plurality of groups of optical filters, wherein each optical filter of a group of optical filters is configured to pass light in a different wavelength range and wherein at least some optical filters in different groups of the plurality of groups of optical filters are configured to pass light in substantially a same wavelength range;
comparing a sampled output for each optical sensor of the plurality of optical sensors with an expected output;
based on the comparing, generating a calibration factor for each of at least a subset of the plurality of optical sensors;
and
storing the calibration factor for each of the at least a subset of the plurality of optical sensors in memory.

3 more elements

A spectral imaging system comprises:

an array of optical sensors arranged on an integrated circuit, the array of optical sensors having a respective top surface;
a plurality of optical filters having a respective top surface and a respective bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the plurality of optical filters is located proximal to the top surface of the array of optical sensors, wherein each optical sensor is associated with one or more optical filters, wherein each optical filter is associated with a group of optical filters of a plurality of groups of optical filters, wherein each optical filter of a group of optical filters is configured to pass light in a different wavelength range and wherein at least some optical filters in different groups of the plurality of groups of optical filters are configured to pass light in substantially a same wavelength range;
an interface;
a local memory;
and
a processing module operably coupled to the interface and the local memory, wherein the processing module functions to:
sample an output from each optical sensor of the array of optical sensors, wherein the output is based on the array of optical sensors being illuminated with a light spectrum that includes light of known wavelength and intensity;
compare the sampled output for each optical sensor of the array of optical sensors with an expected output;
based on the comparing, generate a calibration factor for each of at least a subset of the array of optical sensors;
and
store the calibration factor for each of the at least a subset of the array of optical sensors in memory.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hyperspectral image sensor with calibration

Life of this patent

Hyperspectral image sensor with calibration

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20