Prism Technology

Most CCD/CMOS industrial vision cameras on the market today rely on Bayer mosaic filtering within the camera sensor in order to digitally record light and color. This Bayer filter operates through a processing of RGB (red, green and blue) pixels with an arrangement of two green for every one red or blue to compensate for the human eye’s tendency to favor green light. This is commonly referred to as a mosaic color filter array (CFA), in a pattern like the one shown below.

Mosaic Color Filter Array (CFA)

This method involves two steps, first a de-mosaicing of the pattern, followed by a color recalculation. This process does not entirely produce accurately colored images, or a “true color” in reference to the human eye. Other Bayer vison pitfalls include crosstalk, poor spectral differentiation and lower sensitivity and dynamic range. To overcome these issues a much higher resolution Bayer camera would be needed, such as an 8-megapixel (or higher) camera. However, this solution comes with a higher price tag, slower image processing and a slower frame rate. Such a camera must also be coupled with a high enough resolution lens to match the camera’s megapixel, which also contributes to a higher price point.

JAI offers a solution to the various deficiencies of Bayer based cameras through the use of 3-CCD and 3-CMOS technology. This camera technology, does, as the name suggest, use three different sensors in order to achieve optimal color and image quality. This works through use of a prism within the camera which acts to separate the light into red, green, and blue wavelengths, that are then directed to three different corresponding CMOS sensors. This separation of color through prism creates excellent color accuracy more in line with “true color” and also produces superior spatial precision.

Since sharpness and accuracy can be obtained without camera algorithms or de-mosaicing, lower megapixel cameras are able to provide optimal results with high frame rates, a feat not possible in higher megapixel Bayer cameras, as higher resolution results in a much lower frame rate. This technology is useful in wide array of industrial vision applications such as:

Ophthalmology

Cell Imaging
PCB Inspection
Print Inspection
Endoscopy
Food Inspection
Automotive Inspection

Digital Pathology in particular, benefits from the high color quality images created by 3-CMOS cameras, as the color staining of tissue, cells, and biopsy tests, are crucial in disease diagnosis (see sample 3-CMOS photos below).

Similar medical and life science applications find exceptional image quality in the JAI 3-CMOS Apex camera series. The Apex series cameras are built around Sony Pregius IMX sensors and offer advanced features such as shading correction, a color enhancer tool, and an edge enhancer function within a variety of camera options to choose from, such as the AP-1600T and AP-3200T listed below.