Spectrometer module

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a spectrometer module. A user device comprising: a camera adapted to acquire at least one image of a scene falling within a field of view of the camera; a spectrometer module adapted to obtain spectral information from at least a portion of the scene wherein a field of view of the spectrometer module comprises at least a portion of the at least one image; and a processing unit adapted to determine a spectrometer module target area within the at least one image based on the spectral information acquired from at least a portion of the scene and output display data to a display of the user device for providing an indication of the target area on the display; the processing unit is further adapted to: retrieve focus data indicative of a focal length of the camera during acquisition of the at least one image; comparing the focal length of the camera with an optimal measurement distance of the spectrometer module; and outputting information perceptible to the user based on a result of the comparison.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application with application date of December 22, 2016, application number 201611198269.0, and invention name “Spectrometer Module”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the recording of spectral information. Background Art

[0003] In spectral sensing, it is necessary to acquire spectral information of an object. Spectral sensing should be understood as acquiring spectral information, wherein light from an object is captured and spectral information is extracted. Spectral sensing can capture spectral information from an object, such as from a single point or from an area of ​​an object. Spectral information can optionally also be acquired so that the spectral information can also be resolved spatially. In spectral sensing, incident light associated with multiple wavelength ranges is detected. Spectral sensing can, for example, be used in object analysis, such as for determining whether a substance with a specific spectral profile is present in the object.

[0004] The terms multispectral sensing and hyperspectral sensing are often used. These terms do not have established definitions, but generally multispectral sensing refers to spectral sensing using multiple discrete wavelength bands, while hyperspectral sensing refers to sensing narrow spectral wavelength bands over a coherent spectral range. Hyperspectral sensing may also generally use a greater number of spectral bands than used in multispectral sensing.

[0005] Spectral sensing can be performed by a spectrometer, which is a specialized device used to acquire the spectral content of an object. Spectrometers can have many different variations, depending on what application the spectrometer is to be used for. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide improvements in spectral sensing. It may be an object of the invention to allow the acquisition of spectral information using relatively inexpensive equipment. It may be an object of the invention to allow the acquisition of spectral information using relatively small equipment. It may be an object of the invention to allow the acquisition of spectral information, wherein the equipment used to acquire the spectral information is easy to use.

[0007] These and other objects of the present invention are at least partly met by the invention defined in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spectrometer module, comprising: a plurality of separate electronic circuit modules, each of the electronic circuit modules comprising an integrated sensor circuit, the integrated sensor circuit including a photosensitive region occupying a portion of an area of ​​the integrated sensor circuit, the integrated sensor circuit being arranged to detect incident light within a set wavelength interval, wherein the plurality of separate electronic circuit modules comprises a group of adjacent electronic circuit modules, and the photosensitive regions of the electronic circuit modules in the group are arranged on the corresponding integrated sensor circuits so that the group of adjacent electronic circuit modules are loaded so that their photosensitive regions are arranged adjacent to each other; and an optical module, which is common to the plurality of separate electronic circuit modules and is arranged to direct incident light to the photosensitive region of each of the electronic circuit modules.

[0009] By arranging the photosensitive region in a specific area of ​​the integrated sensor circuit, it is possible to load adjacent electronic circuit modules in a relationship where the photosensitive region becomes closely arranged in the spectrometer module. This arrangement further facilitates having an optical module common to multiple separate electronic circuit modules.

[0010] Forming a spectrometer module according to the first aspect enables the use of a very small spectrometer module, which can be arranged to sense light having widely different wavelengths.

[0011] Each of the plurality of separate electronic circuit modules may be arranged on a separate die.

[0012] By having separate electronic circuit modules formed on separate dies, the fabrication of each electronic circuit module can be tailored to the specific requirements associated with the wavelength of light to be detected by each respective electronic circuit module.

[0013] The photosensitive regions of the plurality of separate electronic modules may together define a sensor plane of the spectrometer module.

[0014] The photosensitive area may be arranged along one side of the electronic circuit module.

[0015] The photosensitive areas may be arranged at corners of the electronic circuit module.

[0016] The photosensitive region of each electronic circuit module may include a plurality of pixels, each pixel arranged to detect incident light of a selected wavelength, wherein the plurality of pixels includes a set of pixels sensitive to the same selected wavelength, and wherein the set of pixels are distributed over the photosensitive region.

[0017] The plurality of pixels of each photosensitive region may be arranged in a pattern that repeats across the photosensitive region, wherein each of the pixels of the pattern is arranged to detect light of a uniquely selected wavelength.

[0018] The pattern may include at least eight pixels.

[0019] The spectrometer module may further comprise a processing unit adapted to calculate an average intensity of incident light detected by a plurality of pixels in a group of pixels.

[0020] Each of the electronic circuit modules may further include a filter group arranged on top of the photosensitive area, wherein the filter group includes a plurality of wavelength selective filters for controlling the wavelength of light incident on each pixel in the photosensitive area.

[0021] Each of the electronic circuit modules may further include a reject filter disposed on top of the electronic circuit module for controlling a wavelength interval allowed to pass through the reject filter to reach the photosensitive region.

[0022] Different rejector filters may be arranged on top of different electronic circuit modules.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user equipment comprising a spectrometer module according to the first aspect.

[0024] Thus, the user device may utilize a very small spectrometer module and the spectrometer module may be combined with the functionality of other components in the user device.

[0025] The user device may be any type of device that can communicate with the spectrometer module and may include processing capabilities for processing the spectral data recorded by the spectrometer module. Thus, the user device may, for example, be a portable user device such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, a laptop computer, a tablet PC, or a wearable user device (e.g., a smart watch). The user device may alternatively be a dedicated or general purpose sensor unit that may provide a plurality of sensors for making measurements, including a spectrometer module. Such a sensor unit may, for example, be used in industrial applications, such as for performing measurements related to an industrial process.

[0026] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spectrometer module, comprising: at least one electronic circuit module, including a photosensitive area for detecting incident light of multiple wavelengths within a set wavelength range; an illumination source for illuminating an object, wherein the photosensitive area is arranged to detect incident light that interacts with the illuminated object; and wherein the spectrometer module further comprises a housing, wherein the illumination source and the at least one electronic circuit module are loaded into the housing, wherein the housing further comprises a blocking element for blocking light from the illumination source from propagating within the housing to the photosensitive area.

[0027] The spectrometer module may thus be provided as a self-contained unit, the at least one electronic circuit module and the illumination source being arranged in a common housing.Having an illumination source may ensure that the object is illuminated with light of a desired spectral profile to facilitate a specific analysis of the object.

[0028] The spectrometer module may further include a supplemental sensor housed in the housing and arranged to receive light propagating from within the housing from the illumination source to the supplemental sensor.

[0029] The spectral profile and intensity of the illumination source may depend, for example, on the ambient temperature, the age of the illumination source, or whether the illumination source was manufactured to meet the ideal profile. Due to the use of supplementary sensors, the actual spectral profile provided by the illumination source can be detected and used to analyze the recorded spectral data.

[0030] The housing may include at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from the illumination source to the supplemental sensor.

[0031] The spectrometer module may further include a processing unit configured to automatically correct the spectrum recorded by the at least one electronic circuit module using characteristics of the illumination source detected by the supplemental sensor.

[0032] The housing may further include a first aperture for allowing light from the illumination source to exit the housing in a direction toward the object, and a second aperture for allowing light from the object to pass through the housing in a direction toward the photosensitive region, wherein the first and second apertures face in a common direction.

[0033] The first and second apertures may be arranged on a common side wall of the housing.

[0034] The spectrometer module may further include a printed circuit board on which both the illumination source and the at least one electronic circuit module are mounted.

[0035] The spectrometer module may further include an electronic interface extending through the wall of the housing for allowing the at least one electronic circuit module to be connected to components of the user device.

[0036] The housing may further include an external physical interface that facilitates loading of the housing into a user device.

[0037] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user equipment, wherein the spectrometer module according to the third aspect is arranged in the user equipment by loading the housing in the user equipment.

[0038] Thus, the spectrometer module may be arranged as a self-contained unit in the user device, comprising an illumination source and at least one electronic circuit module.Thus, the spectrometer module may be easily connected to the user device for providing spectral data to the user device.

[0039] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spectrometer module, comprising: at least one electronic circuit module, including a photosensitive area for detecting incident light of multiple wavelengths within a set wavelength range, wherein the detected multiple wavelengths of light form spectral data; and a memory for storing predetermined correction data for correcting the spectral data detected by the photosensitive area.

[0040] By having a memory storing predetermined correction data, the spectrometer module may include information for ensuring that spectral data recorded by the spectrometer module is correctly interpreted.

[0041] The stored correction data may include predetermined characteristics of the at least one electronic circuit module.

[0042] The predetermined characteristic may be any of: a center wavelength of a wavelength band detected by pixels in the photosensitive region; a wavelength width of a wavelength band detected by pixels in the photosensitive region; a center wavelength of multiple pixels in the photosensitive region; a center wavelength of a single pixel in the photosensitive region; and a transmission loss associated with a pixel in the photosensitive region.

[0043] The spectrometer module may further include a processing unit configured to adjust the spectral data using the stored correction data.

[0044] The spectrometer module may further comprise a combining module arranged to receive the spectral data and the stored correction data and to correct the wavelength information of the spectral data using the stored correction data.

[0045] The combining module may be arranged to adjust the detected intensities in the spectral data using the transmission losses stored in the memory.

[0046] The spectrometer module may be arranged to output corrected spectral data.

[0047] The spectrometer module may be arranged to output spectral data in combination with stored correction data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and additional objects, features and advantages of the inventive concept will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will be used for the same elements unless otherwise specified.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the spectrometer module.

[0050] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the layout of the electronic circuit module of the spectrometer module.

[0051] Figure 3is a schematic diagram of a spectrometer module including an illumination source.

[0052] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a user device including or supporting a spectrometer module.

[0053] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a user device providing target assistance to a user.

[0054] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a user device providing target assistance to a user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] A spectrometer comprises a sensor arranged to detect the intensity of light of different wavelengths. The spectrometer comprises an optical module for directing light from an object to the sensor. Thus, the spectrometer is able to record spectral data, which can provide information about the object.

[0057] Reference now Figure 1 , the spectrometer module 10 will be described. The spectrometer module 10 comprises components enabling the recording of spectral data of the object 12, thereby allowing, for example, the object 12 to be analyzed based on the recorded spectral data.

[0058] The spectrometer module 10 may be a stand-alone unit, but may alternatively be loaded in or on another device. The device in which or on which the spectrometer module 10 is loaded will be referred to hereinafter as the user device 100. The user device 100 may be any type of device that can communicate with the spectrometer module 10. The user device 100 may also have processing capabilities for processing the recorded spectral data.

[0059] The spectrometer module 10 may include an electronic circuit module 20 that allows for detection of incident light. The electronic circuit module 20 may include a photosensitive region 22. The photosensitive region 22 includes one or more photodetectors 24. The photodetectors 24 are arranged to capture light incident on the photodetectors 24, for example by converting the incident light into electrical charges.

[0060] Photosensitive region 22 may be formed as any type of light detection circuitry. For example, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor may be used. The light detection circuitry may be adapted to the wavelength range to be detected by light detector 24. For example, light detector 24 may use InGaAs, MCT, or other detector substrates to detect infrared light. In addition, light detector 24 may be a pixel of an image sensor.

[0061] The spectrometer module 10 may also include an optics module 40 that is arranged in relation to the electronic circuit module 20 to direct light from the object 12 to the photosensitive region 22 .

[0062] The spectrometer module 10 may be arranged to detect light of a selected wavelength incident on each photodetector. In this regard, the electronic circuit module 20 may include at least one filter 26 disposed on top of the photodetector 24 to control the wavelength or wavelength band or combination of wavelength bands of light allowed to pass through the filter 26 to the photodetector 24. A plurality of filters 26 may be provided to control the wavelength of light allowed to pass through to the respective photodetectors 24.

[0063] The plurality of optical filters 26 may constitute an optical filter set having a plurality of wavelength selective filters for controlling the wavelength of light incident on the photodetector 24 .

[0064] In combination, the light detectors 24 may allow for spectral sensing or multi-spectral sensing, as several wavelengths of light may be detected.

[0065] The light detector 24 may be arranged to detect selected wavelengths within the visible light spectrum. Still, the light detector 24 may alternatively or additionally be arranged to detect selected wavelengths within other ranges, such as ultraviolet light, near infrared light or infrared light.

[0066] A plurality of filters 26 may be integrated with the electronic circuit module 20 to provide a fixed relationship between the filters 26 and the photodetectors 24. The filters 26 may include a Fabry-Pérot structure (not shown) having two reflective surfaces on opposite sides of a cavity, wherein the thickness of the cavity may determine the narrow wavelength band allowed to pass through the photodetectors 24. Fabry-Pérot filters may be designed for the first order to maximize the free spectral range or for multi-resonant filtering using higher order designs. Multi-cavity filters may be used for a wider half-width at half maximum (FWHM) of the filter. Thus, by varying the thickness of the cavity on top of the respective photodetectors 24, the photodetectors 24 may be arranged to detect incident light of different wavelengths. Alternatively, other thin-film based interference filter structures may be used instead of or in conjunction with Fabry-Pérot filters.

[0067] Alternatively, the spectrometer module 10 may include separate filters that are loaded in relation to the electronic circuit module 20 such that the relationship between the filters and the light detector 24 is fixed. Thus, the filters do not necessarily have to be integrated with the electronic circuit module 20.

[0068] The spectrometer module 10 may include a dispersive element, such as a grating, arranged to direct light of different wavelengths into slightly different directions. Thus, loading the dispersive element in relation to the photodetectors 24 may control which wavelength of light is directed to the respective photodetectors 24.

[0069] The photosensitive region 22 of the electronic circuit module 20 may include a plurality of photodetectors 24. Each photodetector 24 may be arranged to detect light of a selected wavelength, for example by arranging the photodetector 24 in relation to the filter 26 as described above. The plurality of photodetectors 24 may include a collection of photodetectors 24 that detect the same selected wavelength. The collection of photodetectors 24 may be further distributed across the photosensitive region 22 such that the photodetectors 24 within the collection are not adjacent to each other.

[0070] This implies that multiple photodetectors 24 within a set may have slightly different relationships to the optical module 40 of the spectrometer module 10. This may be used in several ways to deal with the fact that the information detected by the photodetectors 24 regarding the object 12 may not be completely reliable.

[0071] For example, different light detectors 24 within a set may detect light originating from different portions of object 12. Thus, if there is spatial inhomogeneity of object 12, such as a localized artifact of object 12, the multiple light detectors 24 within the set may ensure that the inhomogeneity does not affect the analysis of object 12.

[0072] Likewise, the angle of incident light can affect the light detected. For example, the selected wavelength that passes through the filter 26 to the light detector 24 can be angle dependent. The multiple light detectors 24 can have different angular relationships with the optical module 40 and, therefore, with the object 12 to be analyzed. Thus, if the spectrometer module 10 is arranged at a non-optimal angle with respect to the object 12, the effect of the non-optimal angle can be eliminated by using the fact that the multiple light detectors 24 receive incident light at different angles.

[0073] This arrangement of the set of multiple photodetectors 24 on the photosensitive region 22 is particularly advantageous for spectrometer modules 10 to be used in handheld devices, since the angular relationship to the object 12 may not be very accurately controlled during the recording of spectral data.

[0074] The plurality of photodetectors 24 in the photosensitive region 22 may be arranged in a pattern that repeats across the photosensitive region 22. Each photodetector 24 in the pattern may be arranged to detect incident light of a uniquely selected wavelength. Thus, the pattern may be arranged to record spectral data, and the repetition of the pattern implies that each set of the plurality of photodetectors 24 is formed such that the plurality of photodetectors 24 are arranged to detect the same selected wavelength and are distributed across the photosensitive region 22.

[0075] Photodetectors within a single pattern on photosensitive region 22 may detect incident light of different wavelengths from a common spatial portion of object 12. Thus, repeating the pattern may allow spectral data from multiple spatial portions of object 12 to be recorded.

[0076] A single pattern may include at least 8 different photodetectors 24 to detect incident light of 8 uniquely selected wavelength bands. However, in other variations, a single pattern may include at least 32 different photodetectors 24 or 64 different photodetectors 24.

[0077] In some applications, a single pattern may include fewer photodetectors 24, such as 4 different photodetectors 24. Unique selected wavelengths may be selected to enable detection of specific information, such as the presence of a specific substance in the object 12. For such applications, it may be sufficient to detect only a few but specifically selected and narrow-band (less than 30 nm FWHM) selected wavelengths, such as 4 different wavelengths or even only 2 different wavelengths.

[0078] The photodetectors 24 in the pattern may be arranged in rectangular portions of the photosensitive area 22 to have a compact arrangement of the pattern on the photosensitive area 22. This may allow the photodetectors 24 within the pattern to receive light from a common portion of the object 12.

[0079] The spectrometer module 10 may also include a reject filter 28. The reject filter 28 may be arranged to allow only light of wavelengths within a particular wavelength interval to pass through the reject filter 28. This wavelength interval will be matched to the wavelengths of the wavelength band sensed by the light detector 24. The reject filter 28 may thus be arranged to filter out wavelengths that may otherwise interfere with the detection of the selected wavelength in the light detector 24.

[0080] For example, a filter 26 having a Fabry-Pérot structure will pass through several orders of wavelengths. Thus, if the photodetector 24 is supposed to detect a 400 nm wavelength, light having a wavelength of 800 nm may interfere with the detection. In addition, the plurality of filters 26 of the electronic circuit module 20 may provide a wavelength selective filter having a wavelength interval within the sensitivity range of the photodetector 24. Thus, even if a filter 26 within the plurality of filters 26 filters a specific wavelength in the wavelength interval, the filter may still pass light having a wavelength outside the wavelength interval but within the sensitivity range of the photodetector 24. Thus, the reject filter 28 may only pass light within the wavelength interval in which the plurality of filters 26 operate.

[0081] Thus, the light detectors 24 of the electronic circuit module 20 may be arranged to detect light having wavelengths within the selected interval together. The reject filter 28 may then be arranged to pass only light having wavelengths within the selected interval.

[0082] The reject filter 28 may be formed in a glass substrate having a coating for passing only wavelengths within a selected interval. The glass substrate may be bonded to the electronic circuit module 20 on top of the filter 26.

[0083] As an alternative, the reject filter 28 may be loaded into the spectrometer module 10 but not necessarily fixed to the electronic circuit module 20 .

[0084] As another alternative, separate rejector filters 28 may be arranged on top of the different photodetectors 24 and their corresponding filters 26 on the electronic circuit module 20 .

[0085] As yet another alternative, the rejector filter 28 may be deposited and patterned directly on top of the filter 26 , which in turn is on top of the electronic circuit module 20 .

[0086] As yet another alternative, the rejector filter 28 may utilize conventional RGB absorption filters or other post-processed absorption-based filters. These absorption-based filters may be used in combination with interference filters.

[0087] The electronic circuit module 20 may further include control circuitry 30 for controlling the functionality of the spectrometer module 10. The control circuitry 30 may include circuitry for reading out the detections of incident light made by the light detector 24 and converting the readout detections into digital values ​​to form spectral data. The control circuitry 30 may further include circuitry for performing initial processing of the recorded spectral data and for transmitting the initially processed spectral data to other units within or outside the spectrometer module 10.

[0088] Electronic circuit module 20 may be an integrated circuit disposed on die 32. Logic controlling the functionality of electronic circuit module 20 may be implemented in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) on die 32. Alternatively, the logic may be implemented as another type of integrated circuit, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) on die 32.

[0089] The photosensitive region 22 and the control circuit system 30 for controlling the photosensitive region 22 can be formed as any type of light detection circuit system. For example, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor can be used. The light detection circuit system can be adapted to the wavelength range to be detected by the light detector 24. For example, the light detector 24 can use InGaAs, MCT or other IR sensitive sensor types to detect infrared light. In addition, the light detector 24 can be a pixel of an image sensor.

[0090] Electronic circuit module 20 may be manufactured by forming the necessary circuitry on a semiconductor wafer. Filter 26 may be formed on photosensitive region 22 by depositing the necessary layers on a wafer.

[0091] Different reject filters 28 may also be formed on top of the respective photodetectors 24 to provide on top of each photodetector a specially adapted reject filter 28. The reject filter 28 may then be provided as a coating with appropriate properties for passing only wavelengths within a selected interval.

[0092] As an alternative, the reject filter 28 may be integrated on a glass substrate. The glass substrate may be provided with a coating for passing only wavelengths within a selected interval.

[0093] The spectrometer module 10 may include a plurality of separate electronic circuit modules 20. The separate electronic circuit modules 20 may each be formed on a separate die 32.

[0094] The dies 32 can be loaded closely to each other in the spectrometer module 10. For example, the spatial gap between adjacent dies 32 can be less than 500 μm or even less than 100 μm. The placement of the dies 32 close to each other facilitates the use of an optical module 40 that is common to multiple electronic circuit modules 20. The common optical module 40 can thus direct light from the object 12 to the photosensitive regions 22 of all multiple electronic circuit modules 20.

[0095] Each of the electronic circuit modules 20 may include an integrated sensor circuit including a photosensitive region 22 occupying a portion of the integrated sensor circuit area. In addition, the plurality of separate electronic circuit modules 20 may include a group of adjacent electronic circuit modules 20 loaded in the spectrometer module 10, and the photosensitive regions 22 of the electronic circuit modules 20 in the group are arranged on the respective integrated sensor circuits so that the group of adjacent electronic circuit modules 20 are loaded so that the photosensitive regions 22 of the adjacent electronic circuit modules 20 are arranged in the vicinity of each other.

[0096] like Figure 2 As shown, the photosensitive region 22 may be arranged at an edge portion 34 of the integrated sensor circuit.

[0097] Thus, by arranging the photosensitive region 22 in a specific area of ​​the integrated sensor circuit and specifically at the edge portion 34, it is possible to load adjacent electronic circuit modules 20 in a relationship in which the photosensitive region 22 becomes closely arranged in the spectrometer module 10. This arrangement further facilitates having an optical module 40 common to a plurality of separate electronic circuit modules 20.

[0098] According to an alternative, the group of adjacent electronic circuit modules 20 is loaded in a three-dimensional stack. Thus, depending on where the electronic circuit module 20 is arranged in the stack, the photosensitive region 22 can be arranged at a portion of the corresponding integrated circuit, so that the photosensitive regions 22 of adjacent electronic circuit modules 20 in the stack are arranged closely to each other.

[0099] Multiple electronic circuit modules 20 may be arranged to detect incident light of different wavelengths. By having separate electronic circuit modules 20, for example formed on separate dies 32, the manufacture of each electronic circuit module 20 may be adapted to specific requirements associated with the wavelength of light to be detected by each respective electronic circuit module 20.

[0100] Each of the electronic circuit modules 20 may be arranged to detect incident light of a single wavelength (possibly using multiple light detectors 24). The spectrometer module 10 may still be arranged to detect multiple wavelengths, allowing at least some specifically tailored analysis of the object 12 to be made based on the recorded spectral data.

[0101] However, advantageously, each electronic circuit module 20 may include a plurality of light detectors 24, which are arranged to detect incident light of different wavelengths. The light detectors 24 together may detect light within a wavelength interval. The plurality of electronic circuit modules 20 may then be arranged to detect light within different wavelength intervals. These wavelength intervals may (partially) overlap.

[0102] For example, the first electronic circuit module 20a can be arranged to detect light in the wavelength range of 200-400nm, the second electronic circuit module 20b can be arranged to detect light in the wavelength range of 400-600nm, the third electronic circuit module 20c can be arranged to detect light in the wavelength range of 600-800nm, and the fourth electronic circuit module 20d can be arranged to detect light in the wavelength range of 800-1000nm. In each of these wavelength ranges, the light detector 24 of the electronic circuit modules 20a-d can be arranged to detect incident light of a specific wavelength. It should be noted that these wavelength ranges are intended to be used as examples only, and other wavelength ranges are equally possible. In addition, it is possible that even some wavelength ranges partially or completely overlap.

[0103] Electronic circuit modules 20a-d may be configured according to the wavelength interval to be detected by light detector 24. Thus, spectrometer module 10 may, for example, include electronic circuit module 20b including a CMOS image sensor adapted to detect visible light and electronic circuit module 20d including an InGaAs or CMOS chip for detecting infrared light.

[0104] By allowing the manufacture of the electronic circuit modules 20a-d to be performed separately, the manufacture of the spectrometer module 10 across a wide wavelength range is facilitated.

[0105] The photosensitive regions 22 may be arranged at the corners of the electronic circuit module 20. This allows four electronic circuit modules 20 to be loaded in a 2x2 arrangement, with the photosensitive regions 22 arranged adjacent to each other at the center of the arrangement.

[0106] The photosensitive region 22 may be arranged along one side of the electronic circuit module 20. This allows two electronic circuit modules 20 to be loaded in a side-by-side arrangement with the photosensitive region 22 along the side of the electronic circuit module 20 that is closest to the adjacent electronic circuit module.

[0107] It should be appreciated that other loading arrangements of the electronic circuit modules 20 are contemplated. For example, three electronic circuit modules 20 may be loaded in a triangular arrangement, with the photosensitive region 22 of one electronic circuit module 20 arranged along the bottom side of the electronic circuit module 20, and the photosensitive regions 22 of the other two electronic circuit modules 20 arranged along the top side of the electronic circuit module 20.

[0108] A plurality of electronic circuit modules 20 may be mounted on a common substrate. For example, the electronic circuit modules 20 may be mounted on a common PCB or a common chip, on which the recorded spectral data from each of the electronic circuit modules 20 may be combined.

[0109] A plurality of electronic circuit modules 20 may be loaded on a common plane. The photosensitive area 22 may thus be arranged in a common sensor plane, which may be a focal plane of the optical module 40 common to the plurality of electronic circuit modules 20.

[0110] The spectrometer module 10 can be arranged to detect a plurality of uniquely selected wavelengths, which can be selected to enable a specific analysis of the spectral data. For example, the wavelengths can be selected in such a way as to enable analysis or simple detection of a particular object, anomaly, or quality parameter. The number of uniquely selected wavelengths may be very small, such as only two, three, or four wavelengths. However, a greater number of uniquely selected wavelengths may be used, such as 10, 20, or even 100 wavelengths.

[0111] Each of the separate electronic circuit modules 20 may be arranged to detect light of a single wavelength or several wavelengths. The multiple light detectors 24 of each electronic circuit module 20 may thus be used to provide a processed reading (e.g., an average, weighted average, median, or other) of the detected light of a particular wavelength detected by the electronic circuit module 20, for example, over an area of ​​the object 12, or to correlate spectral data with different points on the object 12.

[0112] One example of using the spectrometer module 10 is within (pulse) oximetry or oxygen metabolism monitoring, where blood saturation is related to a ratio or combination of measured spectral intensities. Thus, by measuring light of a specific wavelength suitable for performing pulse oximetry, blood saturation can be determined.

[0113] Alternatively, this approach could be used for food (meat, fish) quality / freshness testing or even for vegetable freshness testing (chlorophyll measurement instead of oxygen metabolism).

[0114] The spectrometer module 10 may further include a memory 50. The memory 50 may be arranged as part of the electronic circuit module 20, or as part of one of the electronic circuit modules 20 if multiple electronic circuit modules 20 are used. Alternatively, the memory 50 may be arranged, for example, on a PCB or chip to which the electronic circuit module 20 may also be connected, or arranged in a three-dimensional stack of dies.

[0115] The memory 50 may store predetermined correction data. The correction data may be used to correct the spectrum data recorded by the electronic circuit module 20.

[0116] The predetermined correction data may be used to correct for variations that occur during the manufacture of the spectrometer module 10. For example, the optical filter 26 may not be perfectly formed and / or perfectly aligned with the photodetector 24. This implies that the photodetector 24 may detect light of a different wavelength than expected. The predetermined correction data may thus store predetermined characteristics that allow correction of the wavelength detected by each photodetector 24.

[0117] The predetermined correction data may also or alternatively be used to calibrate the recorded spectral data for the sensitivity of the corresponding light detector 24 or the efficiency of the filter 26 on top of the corresponding light detector 24. Thus, the predetermined correction data may include the transmission efficiency of the light detector 24 for relating the detected light to the light actually incident on the filter 26.

[0118] Correction of the recorded spectral data will be described further below.

[0119] The memory 50 may also store other information related to the spectrometer module 10. The memory 50 may store metadata that should be output together with the recorded spectral data. Such metadata may be an identifier of the spectrometer module 10, which may be a unique number that uniquely identifies the spectrometer module 10 that has recorded the spectral data.

[0120] The memory 50 may also store programs that may be loaded into the processing unit of the spectrometer module 10 upon startup of the spectrometer module 10 to control the functionality of the spectrometer module 10 .

[0121] The memory 50 may be a non-volatile memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The memory 50 may be arranged not to lose data even if the spectrometer module 10 is powered off.

[0122] During manufacture of the spectrometer module 10, the spectrometer module 10 may be tested to obtain calibration data that may be necessary to correct the recorded spectral data. This predetermined calibration data may then be stored in the memory 50 prior to the spectrometer module 10 being shipped for manufacture.

[0123] The optical module 40 may be disposed in front of the one or more electronic circuit modules 20 to allow light to pass through the spectrometer module 10 to reach the photosensitive region 22 of the one or more electronic circuit modules 20 .

[0124] In its simplest form, optical module 40 may include an aperture defining an entrance for receiving light into spectrometer module 10. In one variation, optical module 40 may form an optical window, aperture, or pinhole, wherein photosensitive region 22 forms an image plane that receives light from object 12.

[0125] However, optical module 40 may include one or more lenses and / or lens systems, apertures, diaphragms, field stops, pinholes, and / or pinhole arrays for controlling how light from object 12 passes through optical module 40 and is directed to photosensitive region 22 .

[0126] The optical module 40 may be arranged to control light from a restricted portion of the object 12 to be directed to the photosensitive region 22. Thus, isolation of the spatial region analyzed by the spectrometer module 10 may be achieved by the optical module 40.

[0127] The optical module 40 may be arranged to control different portions of the photosensitive region 22 to receive light from a common portion of the object 12. Thus, the recorded spectral data may correspond to the same spatial region so that incident light of different wavelengths detected originates from a common portion of the object 12. This implies that the optical module 40 may achieve homogenization of the portion of the object 12 analyzed by different portions of the photosensitive region 22.

[0128] Furthermore, the wavelength selected by the filter 26 may depend on the angle of incidence of the light on the filter 26. Thus, in order to pass the desired selected wavelength through the filter 26, the optical module 40 may control the light to be incident on the filter 26 substantially perpendicular to the filter surface or according to another desired angle. This implies that the optical module 40 may control the angularity of the light incident on the photosensitive region 22 or the filter on top of the photosensitive region 22.

[0129] The optical module 40 may have a static setting adapted to cause the spectrometer module 10 to record spectral data under specific conditions. For example, the spectrometer module 10 may be arranged to record spectral data of an object 12 to be placed at a specific distance from the spectrometer module 10. The static setting of the optical module 40 may then optimize the recording of spectral data at this specific distance. The static setting may, for example, provide that the object 12 at this specific distance is focused on the focal plane of the optical module 40, and the photosensitive area 22 may be placed in this focal plane.

[0130] The optical module 40 may include one or more components that may be actively controlled. For example, an active lens may be controlled to change the focus of the optical module 40, or the aperture size may be controlled to change the sampling area at a given distance from the spectrometer module 10. The optical module 40 may thus be dynamically controlled to adapt according to the conditions under which spectral data is to be recorded.

[0131] The optical module 40 may be arranged to adapt to a set of a limited number of conditions for recording spectral data. Thus, the optical module 40 may be controlled to switch characteristics, such as the focus of the optical module 40, to optimize the recording of spectral data under specific conditions within the limited number of conditions. For example, the optical module 40 may be switched between a setting for contact measurement (where the spectrometer module 10 is in contact with or very close to the object 12), a setting for short-distance measurement (where the spectrometer module 10 is at a short distance from the object 12, such as 10 cm), and a setting for long-distance measurement (where the spectrometer module 10 is at a longer distance from the object 12, such as 5 m).

[0132] The optical module 40 may include specific coatings or materials for avoiding reflections within the optical module 40. The optical module 40 may, for example, include anti-reflection coatings on various components (such as lenses). The optical module 40 may also include one or more rejection filters for preventing light of undesirable wavelengths from passing through the optical module 40.

[0133] As described above, the optical module 40 may be common to the photosensitive regions 22 of the plurality of electronic circuit modules 20. This implies that the optical module 40 may define a single optical path through the optical module 40 to the photosensitive regions 22. For example, the entrance aperture of the optical module 40 may be common to the photosensitive regions 22 to allow light from the object 12 to enter the optical module 40 and pass through to the photosensitive regions 22.

[0134] refer to Figure 3 , the spectrometer module 10 may include an illumination source 60. The illumination source 60 may provide illumination of the object 12 with a desired spectral profile, which may improve the possibility of analyzing the recorded spectral data.

[0135] The spectrometer module 10 does not necessarily include the illumination source 60. In many applications, the spectrometer module 10 can record spectral data based on an object illuminated by ambient light. Likewise, the illumination source 60 may not be arranged in the spectrometer module 10, but the spectrometer module 10 and the illumination source 60 may be arranged in a common user device 100.

[0136] However, when the spectrometer module 10 includes the illumination source 60, a controlled relationship between the illumination source 60 and the photosensitive region 22 may be obtained. The photosensitive region 22 may be arranged to detect incident light that interacts with the object 12 being illuminated.

[0137] The illumination source 60 may be, for example, an incandescent lamp, a light emitting diode (LED) source, or a laser source, such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The illumination source 60 may illuminate the object 12 using a specific spectral profile that facilitates analysis of the object 12. The illumination source 60 may be controlled so that the spectral profile provided by the illumination source 60 may be varied.

[0138] Light from illumination source 60 may interact with object 12. Thus, the light may, for example, be scattered or specularly reflected from object 12, absorbed by object 12, pass through object 12, or be diffused by object 12. The recorded spectral data may then be analyzed based on, for example, absorption of different wavelengths, which may, for example, allow a determination of whether a compound is present in object 12.

[0139] The interaction of the light with the object 12 may alternatively or additionally cause a shift in the wavelength of the light, such as by fluorescence, Raman scattering, or scattering by the moving object 12. The recorded spectral data may thus also or alternatively be analyzed to identify a wavelength shift, which may, for example, allow the speed of the moving object 12 to be determined or determine whether a compound is present in the object 12.

[0140] The spectrometer module 10 may include a plurality of illumination sources 60. Thus, the spectral profile of the illumination to be provided may be controlled, for example by selecting which of the plurality of illumination sources 60 to use. Likewise, the plurality of illumination sources 60 may together create a desired spectral profile of illumination.

[0141] The memory 50 may be provided with information defining the spectral profile of the illumination source 60. Furthermore, the memory 50 may be provided with information defining the spectral profile of each of the plurality of illumination sources 60, such that when a particular illumination source 60 of the plurality of illumination sources 60 is selected, the spectral profile of the selected illumination source 60 may be retrieved from the memory 50.

[0142] The spectrometer module 10 may further include a supplemental sensor 62. The supplemental sensor 62 may be arranged to receive light from the illumination source 60 to detect the spectral profile provided by the illumination source 60.

[0143] The spectral profile and intensity of illumination source 60 may depend, for example, on ambient temperature, the age of illumination source 60, or whether illumination source 60 was manufactured to meet the ideal profile. Using supplemental sensor 62, the actual spectral profile provided by illumination source 60 may be detected and used to analyze the recorded spectral data.

[0144] Likewise, the supplemental sensor 62 may detect a spectral profile of an illumination source 60 selected from the plurality of illumination sources 60 such that the spectral profile is used to illuminate the object 12 by controlling which of the plurality of illumination sources 60 may be detected.

[0145] The supplemental sensor 62 may be loaded within the spectrometer module 10 so that light from the illumination source 60 propagates within the spectrometer module 10 to the supplemental sensor 62. Thus, the light emitted by the illumination source 60 is not affected by the surroundings of the spectrometer module 10 before reaching the supplemental sensor 62. This ensures that the spectral profile detected by the supplemental sensor 62 is reliable.

[0146] The spectrometer module 10 may include a reflective surface 64 that may reflect light from the illumination source 60 to the supplemental sensor 62. This implies that a degree of freedom in the placement of the supplemental sensor 62 relative to the illumination source 60 is provided, which facilitates the design of the spectrometer module 10. For example, the reflective surface 64 allows the supplemental sensor 62 to be arranged in the same plane as the illumination source 60.

[0147] The spectrometer module 10 may include a housing 70 in which the components of the spectrometer module 10 may be housed. The housing 70 may provide an outer cover for the spectrometer module 10, which may protect the components within the spectrometer module 10 from, for example, dust or any other external factors that may otherwise affect the functionality of the spectrometer module 10.

[0148] The housing 70 of the spectrometer module 10 may thus facilitate transportation of the spectrometer module 10 as a self-contained unit, such as from a point of manufacture to a location where the spectrometer module 10 is to be loaded into a user device 100. The housing 70 may also provide a defined simple shape for the spectrometer module 10 that may be simple to load, such as a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0149] The housing 70 may also have an external physical interface, which may facilitate loading the spectrometer module 10 onto the user device 100. The external physical interface may, for example, include a flange or a protruding element to provide a surface to which the user device 100 may be physically connected.

[0150] The housing 70 may be formed, for example, of a plastic material, which may be easily molded into a desired shape. The housing may be formed, for example, as a rectangular parallelepiped, which may be easily loaded in or on the user device 100.

[0151] The electronic circuit module 20 or a plurality of electronic circuit modules 20 may be loaded in the housing 70. Likewise, the illumination source 60 and the supplemental sensor 62 may be loaded in the housing 70. The electronic circuit module 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplemental sensor 62 may be loaded in a common plane, which may allow the housing 70 to have a simple structure, such as a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0152] The housing 70 may be provided with a bottom structure on which the components of the housing 70 may be loaded. For example, the electronic circuit assembly 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplementary sensor 62 may be loaded on the bottom structure, which may be the bottom wall of the housing 70. The electronic circuit module 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplementary sensor 62 may be loaded on a common PCB 80, which may be arranged on the bottom wall of the housing 70.

[0153] The housing 70 may further include side walls. The housing 70 may be provided with a bottom structure and side walls before components such as the electronic circuit assembly 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplemental sensor 62 are loaded into the housing 70. When the components have been loaded, a cover may be placed on top of the side walls to seal the housing 70.

[0154] The housing 70 may further include a blocking element 72, which may be arranged to block light from the illumination source 60 from propagating from the illumination source 60 to the photosensitive region 22 within the housing 70. Thus, the illumination source 60 may be housed within the same housing 70 as the electronic circuit module 20 without the light from the illumination source 60 interfering with the light from the object 12 detected by the photosensitive region 22. The blocking element 72 may, for example, include a partition wall and / or a baffle between the illumination source 60 and the electronic circuit module 20.

[0155] The reflective surface 64 may be arranged on the inner wall of the housing 70 to reflect light from the illumination source 60 to the supplementary sensor 62. The inner wall of the housing 70 may thus be at least partially provided with a light-reflecting coating. Alternatively, the reflective surface 64 may be mounted on the inner wall.

[0156] Housing 70 may be provided with a first aperture 74 for allowing light from illumination source 60 to escape housing 70 in a direction toward object 12. Housing 70 may further include a second aperture 76 for allowing light interacting with object 12 to pass into housing 70 to photosensitive region 22.

[0157] The first and second apertures 74 , 76 may face a common direction. For example, the first and second apertures 74 , 76 may be arranged on a common side wall of the housing 70 .

[0158] The first and second apertures 74, 76 may be arranged in such a way that the illumination cone formed by light emitted from the illumination source 60 and escaping the housing 70 through the first aperture 74 overlaps the field of view of the photosensitive region 22 through the second aperture 76. Thus, an object 12 in the field of view will be illuminated by the illumination source 60.

[0159] The optical axis of the optical system used to record the spectral data may also be at an angle relative to the optical axis of the illumination cone, i.e., not parallel. This may help ensure that the illumination cone overlaps the field of view of the photosensitive area 22. The optical axis of the optical system may be at an angle relative to the illumination cone by loading the electronic circuit module 20 in a plane in which the illumination source 60 is not loaded and arranging the optical module 40 in front of the plane in which the electronic circuit module 20 is loaded. However, according to an alternative, light from the object 12 is redirected to the electronic circuit module 20, for example, by components of the optical module 40, so that the electronic circuit module 20 and the illumination source 60 may be loaded in a common plane.

[0160] The first and second apertures 74 , 76 may be adapted to provide illumination of the object 12 when the object 12 is at a particular distance from the spectrometer module 10 where the optics module 40 of the spectrometer module 10 is optimized for directing light from the object 12 to the photosensitive region 22 .

[0161] The optical module 40 may be loaded into the second aperture 76 of the housing 70 to direct light from the object 12 to the photosensitive region 22 .

[0162] The first aperture 74 may be provided with a transparent material, such as clear plastic or glass, for allowing light to escape the housing 70 while preventing, for example, dust from entering the housing 70. The first aperture 74 may additionally or alternatively be provided with an optical element for controlling the shape of the illumination cone emitted therethrough.

[0163] The housing 70 may be provided with a single aperture that is shared by the illumination source 60 to allow light from the illumination source 60 to pass through to the object 12 and the photosensitive area 22 to receive light from the object 12. In this case, it is particularly important that the portion of the aperture through which light passes from the illumination source 60 to the object 12 is provided with an anti-reflection coating to prevent light from being reflected in the aperture toward the photosensitive area 22.

[0164] The spectrometer module 10 may also include an electronic interface. The housing 70 may be provided with a plug connection for allowing the electronic components loaded in the housing 70 to be connected to an external unit.

[0165] For example, the spectrometer module 10 may be powered through the electronic interface. Likewise, the electronic interface may allow information to be communicated to and from the various components of the spectrometer module 10.

[0166] The electronic interface may comprise a single connection through the wall of the housing 70. Alternatively, two connections may be provided for respectively powering the spectrometer module and communicating with the spectrometer module 10. Alternatively, the spectrometer module may be completely wireless, using wireless power (inductive power or charging or the like) and communication.

[0167] The simple electronic interface facilitates connecting the spectrometer module 10 to the user device 100. The spectrometer module 10 may thus be loaded on the user device 100 by physically connecting the spectrometer module 10 using the physical interface and electrically connecting the spectrometer module 10 using the electronic interface.

[0168] The spectrometer module 10 may include a common carrier, such as a PCB, upon which all electronic components of the spectrometer module 10, such as the electronic circuit assembly 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplemental sensor 62, are mounted.

[0169] The electronic interface may provide a connection to the common carrier, and communication between the external unit and the electronic component may be performed via the common carrier.

[0170] The spectrometer module 10 may include a communication unit for wireless communication. In such a case, the electronic interface of the spectrometer module 10 may only provide power supply for the spectrometer module 10. However, the spectrometer module 10 may also be arranged to communicate with external units using both wired and wireless communication.

[0171] like Figure 1 and 3 As schematically shown, the spectrometer module 10 may further include a processing unit 90. The processing unit 90 may be a microprocessor that is programmable to control the operation of the microprocessor. For example, the processing unit 90 may be a central processing unit (CPU).

[0172] The processing unit 90 may be arranged on a common PCB, on which the electronic circuit assembly 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplemental sensor 62 are also mounted. The processing unit 90 may thus communicate with the electronic circuit assembly 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplemental sensor 62 via connections on the common PCB. As an alternative, the processing unit 90, the electronic circuit assembly 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplemental sensor 62 may all be mounted on a common chip, for example forming a system on a chip.

[0173] Processing unit 90 may alternatively be a dedicated circuit system for providing only specific logic operations. Thus, processing unit 90 may be provided in the form of ASIC, ASIP or FPGA.

[0174] The processing unit 90 may include a communication unit for communicating with an external unit. Alternatively, the communication unit may be a separate unit, which may also be loaded on the same PCB as the processing unit 90 or the same chip.

[0175] The communication unit may be arranged to communicate with the external unit by wireless communication. In such a case, the communication unit may comprise an antenna for sending and receiving wireless signals, for example by radio frequency electromagnetic radiation.

[0176] The communication unit may also or alternatively be arranged to communicate via a wired connection, such as may be provided by the above-mentioned electronic interface.

[0177] The processing unit 90 may be arranged to control the output from the spectrometer module 10. Thus, the processing unit 90 may receive the recorded spectral data from the electronic circuit module 20. The processing unit 90 may then arrange the recorded spectral data into a data packet, e.g. with header information, which may be suitable for communication to an external unit. The data packet may be suitable for transmission over a computer network, so that the recorded spectral data may be transmitted from the spectrometer module 10, possibly via one or more intermediate external units to any computer, e.g. in a local area network (LAN) or connected to the Internet.

[0178] The processing unit 90 may process the recorded spectral data before outputting the data from the spectrometer module 10. This may allow at least part of the analysis of the recorded spectral data to be performed in the spectrometer module 10. For example, the processing unit 90 may compare the recorded spectral data with the stored spectra to output a decision based on the comparison results. The processing unit 90 may also or optionally correct or process the recorded spectral data according to the correction data stored in the memory 50.

[0179] The processing unit 90 may control the functionality of the spectrometer module 10, outputting the recorded spectral data on a specific electronic interface. Thus, the spectrometer module 10 may be easily embedded in the user device 100 or integrated into a system, since the spectrometer module 10 may be self-controlled and output the recorded spectral data or at least partially processed data, thereby allowing another unit in the user device 100 to perform an analysis of the recorded spectral data.

[0180] The data packet output from the spectrometer module 10 may include the recorded spectral data. Alternatively or additionally, the processing unit 90 may process the recorded spectral data, as further described below. The spectrometer module 10 may then output the recorded spectral data together with the processed data, or alternatively, only the processed data may be output. The processing of the recorded spectral data by the processing unit 90 may constitute an initial step for refining the recorded spectral data or a complete analysis of the recorded spectral data or therebetween.

[0181] However, the data packet may also include other information, which may be useful, for example for analysis of the recorded spectral data.

[0182] This further information may constitute metadata associated with the recorded spectral data. For example, the metadata may include an identifier of the spectrometer module 10 that recorded the spectral data, such as may be stored in the memory 50.

[0183] The metadata may also include the date and time the spectral data was recorded.

[0184] The spectrometer module 10 may further include other sensors, and information captured by such other sensors may be included as metadata. For example, the geographic location of the spectrometer module 10 when recording the spectral data may be included in the data packet as metadata.

[0185] Information supplementing the spectral profile of the illumination source 60 recorded by the sensor 62 may be included in the data packet as metadata.

[0186] The metadata may also include information related to processing the recorded spectral data. For example, the memory 50 may store the correction data described above. This correction data may be included in the data packet as metadata.

[0187] If the processing unit 90 is arranged to analyze the recorded spectral data, the spectrometer module 10 can generate the results of the analysis. For example, the memory 50 can store the spectral signature information of the target compound. The processing unit 90 can then compare the recorded spectral data against the stored spectral signature information to determine whether the object 12 includes the target compound. The spectrometer module 10 can then simply output a positive or negative result based on the analysis.

[0188] The recorded spectral data may be processed for refining the recorded spectral data. The refining of the recorded spectral data may correct or adjust the recorded spectral data for the conditions under which the spectral data was recorded or in view of the characteristics of the spectrometer module 10.

[0189] If the plurality of light detectors 24 comprises a set of light detectors 24 that detect the same selected wavelength, the set of light detectors 24 being distributed over the photosensitive region 22, this can be used to refine the recorded spectral data. Different light detectors 24 in the set may receive light from slightly different parts of the object 12. Thus, to compensate for artifacts in the object 12, a correction algorithm may be applied to the light detected in the light detectors 24 in the set. For example, an average value of the light detected in the light detectors 24 in the set may be calculated and used as a measure of the light detected having the wavelength to which the set is sensitive. Thus, the effects of local artifacts (which may affect the light detected in one or several of the light detectors 24 in the set) may be eliminated.

[0190] The recorded spectral data may also or alternatively be processed using correction data. The correction data may be stored in the memory 50 of the spectrometer module 10 as described above, but may alternatively be stored in the memory of the external unit to which the recorded spectral data is transmitted. If the external unit receives spectral data from multiple spectrometer modules 10, the correction data may be stored in association with the identifiers of the spectrometer modules 10.

[0191] The stored calibration data may include one or more predetermined characteristics of the electronic circuit module 20 .

[0192] For example, the electronic circuit module 20 may not be arranged to determine light of an expected wavelength, for example due to manufacturing process imperfections.Thus, the stored correction data may comprise predetermined characteristics for adjusting the recorded spectral data according to the actually detected wavelength.

[0193] The predetermined characteristic may include the center wavelength of the wavelength band detected by the photodetector 24. The predetermined characteristic may further include the center wavelength of a plurality of photodetectors 24 or even all photodetectors 24. Thus, the wavelength detected by the photodetector 24 may be known by the predetermined characteristic. The predetermined characteristic may also include an offset and tilt relative to a nominal design.

[0194] The width of the wavelength band detected by the photodetector 24 may be constant even if the center wavelength is not correctly achieved during the manufacture of the spectrometer module 10. Thus, storing the center wavelength is sufficient to know the wavelength band detected by the photodetector 24.

[0195] However, the predetermined characteristic may also include the width of the wavelength band detected by the photodetector 24 so that the wavelength band is known by the central wavelength and the width of the wavelength band. The predetermined characteristic may include the width of the wavelength band of a plurality of photodetectors 24 or even all photodetectors 24.

[0196] Instead of the central wavelength and the width of the wavelength band, the predetermined characteristics may include the minimum wavelength and the maximum wavelength of the wavelength band detected by the light detector 24 .

[0197] The light detector 24 may be designed to detect light of a selected wavelength. The predetermined characteristic does not necessarily define the wavelength band detected by the light detector 24. Rather, the predetermined characteristic may include an indication of a deviation of the actually detected wavelength band from an expected wavelength band.

[0198] In addition, multiple photodetectors 24 can be arranged to detect light of different wavelengths within a wavelength interval. The relationship between the wavelengths detected by different photodetectors 24 can be constant, even if the photodetectors 24 are not manufactured to detect exactly the expected wavelength. For example, the thickness of the cavity in the Fabry-Pérot structure can be manufactured to have a general deviation from the expected thickness. Thus, the wavelengths detected by the photodetectors 24 can all be similarly shifted away from the expected wavelength.

[0199] In this regard, the predetermined characteristic may include only information about the wavelength detected by one reference light detector 24, since the wavelengths detected by the other light detectors 24 may have a known relationship to the wavelength detected by the reference light detector 24. For example, the predetermined characteristic may include the center wavelength of the wavelength band detected by the light detector 24 that detects light having a wavelength that is at the center of the wavelength interval detected by the plurality of light detectors 24. Alternatively, the predetermined characteristic may include the center wavelength of the light detector 24 that detects the minimum wavelength or the center wavelength of the light detector 24 that detects the maximum wavelength. As another alternative, the predetermined characteristic may define the wavelength interval detected by the plurality of light detectors 24, such as by the predetermined characteristic including the minimum wavelength and the maximum wavelength of the wavelength interval.

[0200] Processing the recorded spectral data using correction data defining the wavelength actually detected by the light detector 24 may include adjusting the index of each detected light intensity so that the detected intensity is associated with the correct wavelength.

[0201] The predetermined characteristic of the stored correction data may also or alternatively include transmission losses associated with the photodetector 24. The predetermined characteristic may include transmission losses of a plurality of photodetectors 24 or even all photodetectors 24.

[0202] The transmission loss may indicate how the intensity of light having a wavelength detected by the photodetector 24 relates to the intensity of light incident on the photodetector 24 or a filter 26 associated with the photodetector 24. Thus, using the transmission loss, the intensity of the incident light may be determined.

[0203] Processing recorded spectral data using correction data defining transmission losses associated with photodetector 24 may include adjusting detected light intensity using the transmission losses to provide an actual intensity of light incident on photodetector 24 or filter 26 .

[0204] The recorded spectral data may also or alternatively be processed in relation to characteristics of the illumination source 60. As described above, the supplemental sensor 62 may detect light from the illumination source 60. Thus, the supplemental sensor 62 may provide characteristics of the illumination source 60, such as the intensity of the emitted wavelengths or the spectral profile of the illumination source 60.

[0205] The recorded spectral data may be corrected or processed in view of the characteristics of the illumination source 60. For example, the detected light intensity in the recorded spectral data may be adjusted relative to the intensity of the light emitted onto the object 12, for example to provide the detected light intensity as a ratio to the emitted intensity of the corresponding wavelength. The processed spectral data may thus provide a reflectivity of the object 12 corrected in view of the irradiance of the illumination source 60.

[0206] It should be appreciated that there may be other alternatives for correcting or processing the recorded spectral data in view of the characteristics of the illumination of the object 12. According to one alternative, the illumination may be constant and fixed, and the spectral profile of the illumination may thus be stored in the memory 50. The stored spectral profile may thus be used to correct the recorded spectral data. According to another alternative, the spectral response from a specific object 12 (such as a plant) may be known so that identification can be accomplished: the recorded spectral data is related to that specific object, and depending on the shape of the recorded spectral data, the spectral profile of the illumination may be estimated. The recorded spectral data may thus be corrected based on the estimated spectral profile of the illumination.

[0207] The recorded spectral data may be further processed for analysis of the recorded spectral data. For example, analysis of the object 12 may be made based on the recorded spectral data. Processing the recorded spectral data to perform the analysis may be based on the recorded spectral data received from the electronic circuit module 20 or based on refined data that may be provided by one or more of the above-described processing steps.

[0208] Analysis of the recorded spectral data can be done in a number of different ways at varying levels of complexity.

[0209] The recorded spectral data can be compared with the target spectral signature. Thus, the recorded spectral data can be matched against the target spectral signature to determine whether the recorded spectral data corresponds to the target spectral signature. If there is a correspondence, it can be concluded that, for example, the target compound is present in the object 12.

[0210] According to another alternative, the target spectral signature can be associated with a specific state of the object. For example, for pulse oximetry, the target spectral signature can be associated with a threshold value, thereby providing a satisfactory blood saturation. Therefore, the recorded spectral data can be compared with the target spectral signature to determine whether the saturation is satisfactory.

[0211] According to yet another alternative, the recorded spectral data may be stored in the memory 50. The spectral data recorded later may then be processed based on the stored spectral data. For example, the spectrometer module 10 may first be oriented toward the sun or a lamp to obtain the light source spectral data, thereby providing information of the light source. Subsequently, object spectral data may be recorded from the object 12, and the object spectral data may be processed using the source spectral data in the memory 50.

[0212] Processing of the recorded spectral data may be performed in the processing unit 90. The spectrometer module 10 may thus be arranged to output refined data or even the results of the performed analysis.

[0213] The processing of the recorded spectral data may alternatively be performed in an external unit which receives the recorded spectral data from the spectrometer module 10. The processing may for example be performed in a user device 100 on which the spectrometer module 10 is loaded. The processing may alternatively be performed by an external computer unit 200 which receives the recorded spectral data via a computer network 210.

[0214] It should also be appreciated that the processing of the recorded spectral data may be performed in part by several different units, such as the processing unit 90 , the processing unit 120 of the user device 100 , and / or an external computer unit 200 in the computer network 210 .

[0215] The spectrometer module 10 may output the recorded spectral data or refined data together with information that may be used to perform further processing of the recorded spectral data, such as correction data or an identifier of the spectrometer module 10 .

[0216] Processing the recorded spectral data using the information stored in the memory 50 may include various predetermined operations. Thus, the spectrometer module 10 may include an integrated circuit specifically adapted to perform various predetermined operations. For example, adjusting the recorded spectral data using the stored correction data may always use the same operation. Thus, the spectrometer module 10 may include a processing unit 90 in the form of an ASIC that performs a specific operation for adjusting the recorded spectral data.

[0217] The processing unit 90 may be arranged as a combined module, such as an ASIC, which receives the recorded spectral data and uses the stored correction data to correct the wavelength information of the recorded spectral data. The combined module may also or alternatively use the stored transmission loss to adjust the detected intensity in the recorded spectral data.

[0218] The combined module may be provided on a chip of the spectrometer module 10, on which the components of the spectrometer module 10, such as the electronic circuit module 20, the illumination source 60, and the supplementary sensor 62, are loaded. Thus, the spectrometer module 10 may be a very compact unit, providing the possibility of recording spectral data and outputting refined data on a single chip.

[0219] The spectrometer module 10 may be mounted on a user device 100 which may also include further components. Figure 4 Thus, the user device 100 may include other sensors 110, a processing unit 120 (which may control the sensors 110 and process data recorded by the sensors 110), and the like.

[0220] The user device 100 may generally be any type of device that can communicate with the spectrometer module and may include processing capabilities for processing spectral data recorded by the spectrometer module 10. Thus, the user device 100 may be, for example, a portable user device such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, a laptop computer, a tablet PC, or a wearable user device (e.g., a smart watch). The user device 100 may alternatively be a dedicated or general purpose sensor unit that may provide a plurality of sensors for making measurements, including the spectrometer module 10. Such a sensor unit may, for example, be used in industrial applications, such as for performing measurements related to an industrial process.

[0221] The processing of the recorded spectral data may be performed by the processing unit 120 of the user device 100. The user device 100 may also include a memory 130 external to the spectrometer module 10, which may store correction data or other data for the processing of the recorded spectral data. In such a case, the spectrometer module 10 does not necessarily include the memory 50.

[0222] The memory 130 of the user device 100 may be provided with the correction data upon loading the spectrometer module 10 on the user device 100. Thus, the processing unit 120 may have access to the correction data for processing the recorded spectral data.

[0223] The recorded spectral data may be transmitted to an external computer unit 200, for example via a computer network 210. The spectrometer module 10 may include a computer network interface for transmitting the recorded spectral data via a computer network. However, the spectrometer module 10 may output the recorded spectral data to an intermediate device, such as a user device 100, which may include a computer network interface for transmitting the recorded spectral data to an external computer unit 200.

[0224] The recorded spectral data may be transmitted to the external computer unit 200 together with the identifier of the spectrometer module 10. The external computer unit 200 may store relevant data for processing the recorded spectral data, such as correction data, in association with the identifier of the spectrometer module 10. Thus, the external computer unit 200 may be arranged to receive recorded spectral data from several spectrometer modules 10 and may be able to retrieve relevant data unique to each spectrometer module 10 for processing the recorded spectral data.

[0225] The spectrometer module 10 may be embedded in the user device 100. The spectrometer module 10 may be a self-contained unit capable of outputting recorded spectral data and / or refined data to the user device 100. The housing 70 of the spectrometer module 10 may thus be mechanically loaded on the user device 100, and the spectrometer module 10 may further be electrically connected to components on the user device 100 for example to power the spectrometer module 10 and / or to provide communication between the spectrometer module 10 and the user device 100.

[0226] The spectrometer module 10 does not necessarily include all of the above components. The user device 100 may include some or all of the functionality of one or more of the above components.

[0227] The user device 100 may include a memory 130 that stores correction data that may be used to process the recorded spectral data. The memory 130 may also or alternatively store other information that may be useful in processing the recorded spectral data, such as a target spectral signature.

[0228] The user device 100 may include a processing unit 120. The processing unit 120 may be a programmable general purpose processor, such as a CPU. The processing unit 120 may thus be programmed to process the recorded spectral data. A computer program may be stored in the memory 130 and may be loaded into the processing unit 120 to cause the processing unit 120 to perform the desired processing of the recorded spectral data.

[0229] The user device 100 may also or alternatively include an illumination source, which may provide illumination of the object 12. Furthermore, the user device 100 may include a supplemental sensor for detecting a spectral profile provided by the illumination source of the user device 100.

[0230] The user device 100 may provide other functionality, which may use or supplement the recording of spectral data by the spectrometer module 10. For example, the user device 100 may be a mobile phone, any wearable device (such as a watch, a bracelet, glasses), or any other type of computing device (such as a personal computer, a laptop or a tablet computer). The user device 100 may alternatively be a device designed to incorporate the spectrometer module 10 for the purpose of recording spectral data. Thus, the user device 100 may be a sensor unit, for example intended for use in industrial applications, which may combine the spectrometer module 10 with other sensors, a user interface for allowing a user to interact with the sensor unit, and / or a network interface for communicating with external units.

[0231] The user device 100 may be a portable user device 100. The user device 100 may include a camera 150 adapted to acquire images. The camera may include a lens arrangement that defines the field of view of the camera 150. The lens arrangement may have a fixed focal length (i.e., a "fixed focus lens") or a variable focal length (i.e., a "zoom lens"). The lens arrangement may be a fixed focus lens arrangement, a manual focus lens arrangement, or an autofocus lens arrangement. The lens arrangement may collect incident light on a digital image sensor (such as a CCD or CMOS sensor), where a digital image may be acquired and recorded as image data according to conventional methods. The recorded image may be stored in a data file in the memory 130 and / or a removable medium (such as a non-volatile memory card inserted into a card slot of the user device 100) in an appropriate image format.

[0232] The user device 100 may further comprise a display 160 providing a user interface. The display 160 may be, for example, of the LCD or LED type or some other commercially available technology type.

[0233] User device 100 may further include an input device that allows a user to interact with a user interface of user device 100. The input device may include one or more buttons and / or a touch screen overlying display 160, as is known in the art.

[0234] The spectrometer module 10 may be a stand-alone device. The spectrometer module 10 may include a network interface for communicating with an external unit, for example by wireless communication.

[0235] The spectrometer module 10 may be arranged on a carrier, thereby allowing the spectrometer module 10 to be placed or loaded at a location where spectral data needs to be recorded. For example, the spectrometer module 10 may be placed in an industrial environment, for example to monitor the progress of an industrial process, such as a manufacturing process.

[0236] The spectrometer module 10 may thus be arranged to output the recorded spectral data, the refined data and / or the results of an initial analysis of the recorded spectral data. The output may be received by an external unit which may further process the received data.

[0237] A system of spectrometer modules 10 may be provided, which may be stand-alone devices or embedded in a user device 100. Each spectrometer module 10 in the system may be arranged to record spectral data.

[0238] For example, the spectrometer module 10 may be arranged to monitor different parts of an environment.Thus, the spectrometer module 10 may be arranged to monitor different stages of an industrial process or may be arranged to record spectral data from an adjacent area.

[0239] The recorded spectral data from multiple spectrometer modules 10 can be used in combination in a number of different ways.

[0240] Multiple spectrometer modules 10 may monitor each stage of an industrial process to allow for alarms to be provided should deviations occur at any stage of the process.

[0241] Multiple spectrometer modules 10 can record spectral data from a large number of objects in parallel to create a large database with information of the objects over time.

[0242] Multiple spectrometer modules 10 may record spectral data from a common object, such as from different portions of object 12. The recorded spectral data may then be combined, such as by averaging, to improve data quality or measurement robustness. Likewise, multiple recorded spectral data may be used to remove outliers (which may be recorded from irrelevant portions of object 12 or from artifacts in object 12).

[0243] Multiple spectrometer modules 10 in the system may transmit recorded spectral data to a common external computer unit 200 which may perform analysis based on the received data. Alternatively, one of the spectrometer modules 10 in the system may receive recorded spectral data from other spectrometer modules 10.

[0244] As mentioned above, user equipment (such as Figure 4 The user device 100 shown in FIG. 1 may include a spectrometer module, such as the spectrometer module 10, which is adapted to acquire spectral information from an area within a scene that falls within the field of view of the spectrometer module. As described above, the spectrometer module 10 may be embedded in the user device 100, or the spectrometer module 10 may be mounted external to the user device 100.

[0245] The user device 100 further includes a display, such as a display 160. The display 160 has a controllable spectral output. Specifically, the spectral output may be controllable in at least one of intensity (e.g., by controlling the brightness of the display 160) and spectral content (e.g., by controlling the color displayed on the display 160).

[0246] The processing unit 120 of the user device 100 is adapted to control the spectral output of the display by outputting display data to the display 160. The display data may thus control the display 160 to display an image of a certain color and / or brightness level such that light having a desired spectral content is emitted from the display 160. For example, the processing unit 120 may control the display 160 to display a monochrome image or an image comprising two or more selected colors such that light of a desired spectral content is emitted by the display 160. The spectral output may be a predetermined spectral output or may be user selectable.

[0247] The light emitted by the display 160 can provide illumination of an area including a target of the spectrometer module 10 (such as the object 12) using a desired spectral profile. To improve the ability of the display 160 to illuminate the target of the spectrometer module 10, the spectrometer module 10 can be embedded in the user device 100 or mounted external to the user device 100 in a manner that the spectrometer module 10 is oriented in the same direction as the display 160. For example, the spectrometer module 10 can be arranged on the same side of the user device 100 as the display 160.

[0248] The processing unit 120 may further be adapted to receive spectral data representing detected incident light from the target 12 from the spectrometer module 10 .

[0249] Accordingly, a controlled relationship between the spectral output of the display 160 and the photosensitive region 22 of the spectrometer module 10 may be obtained. The photosensitive region 22 may be arranged to detect incident light that interacts with the object 12 being illuminated.

[0250] Light from the display 160 may interact with the object 12. Thus, the light may, for example, be scattered or specularly reflected from the object 12, absorbed by the object 12, pass through the object 12, or be diffused by the object 12. The spectrometer module 10 may detect the light received from the object 12. The spectrometer module 10 may obtain spectral information related to the received light and record the obtained spectral information as spectral data, for example, in a memory 50 of the spectrometer module 10. The recorded spectral data may then be analyzed based on, for example, absorption of different wavelengths, which may, for example, allow a determination of whether a compound is present in the object 12.

[0251] The interaction of the light with the object 12 may alternatively or additionally cause a shift in the wavelength of the light, such as by fluorescence, Raman scattering, or scattering by the moving object 12. The recorded spectral data may thus also or alternatively be analyzed to identify a wavelength shift, which may, for example, allow the speed of the moving object 12 to be determined or determine whether a compound is present in the object 12.

[0252] Having access to display data controlling the spectral output of the display 160 , the processing unit 120 may output adjusted spectral data corrected on the basis of data representing the spectral output of the illumination source and the spectral data recorded by the spectrometer module 10 .

[0253] The recorded spectral data may be processed accordingly for refining the recorded spectral data. The refinement of the recorded spectral data may correct or adjust the recorded spectral data in view of the spectral output of the display 160. As described in detail above, the recorded spectral data may be further corrected or adjusted in view of the conditions under which the spectral data was recorded or in view of the characteristics of the spectrometer module 10.

[0254] Thus, display data provided by the processing unit 120 for the purpose of controlling the spectral output of the display 160 may provide information relating to the spectral output of the display 160, such as the intensity of the emitted wavelengths.

[0255] The recorded spectral data may be corrected or processed in light of information regarding the spectral output of display 160. For example, detected light intensity in the recorded spectral data may be adjusted relative to the intensity of light emitted onto object 12, e.g., to provide the detected light intensity as a percentage of the emitted intensity.

[0256] As an alternative to actually refining the recorded spectral data, the processing unit 120 may be adapted to output the spectral data received from the spectrometer module 10 together with data representing the spectral output of the illumination source. The spectral data may then be refined during post-processing in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the processing unit 120.

[0257] In various user scenarios of spectrometer modules, such as spectrometer module 10, it may be advantageous to facilitate acquisition of spectral data from a desired area within a scene, such as object 12. Figure 4 The user device 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be arranged to provide assistance to the user to aim the spectrometer module 10, i.e., to direct the spectrometer module 10 to a target. As described above, the spectrometer module 10 may be embedded in the user device 100, or the spectrometer module 10 may be loaded outside the user device 100.

[0258] The user device 100 comprises a camera 150 adapted to acquire at least one image of a scene falling within a field of view of the camera 150 .

[0259] The spectrometer module 10 of the user device 100 is adapted to acquire spectral information from an area within a scene within the field of view of the spectrometer module 150 .

[0260] For the purpose of providing aiming assistance, the processing unit 120 of the user device 100 is adapted to determine a target area of ​​the spectrometer module 10 within the at least one image corresponding to an area falling within the field of view of the spectrometer module 10, and is adapted to output display data to the display 160 of the user device 100 for providing an indication of the target area on the display 160. The determined target area may be defined as an area of ​​the at least one image that maps or depicts an area within the scene.

[0261] The operations of the processing unit 120 may be implemented by a computer program, which may be stored in the memory 130 of the user device 100 and may be loaded into the processing unit 120 to enable the processing unit 120 to perform required operations.

[0262] In more detail, upon activation of a measurement / spectral measurement mode of the user device 100 (e.g., by a user of the user device 100 interacting via an input device of the user device 100 to activate the mode), the camera 150 may be activated and adapted to initiate the acquisition of a sequence of images. The images (which may alternatively be referred to as frames) may be stored in a memory 130 of the user device 100 or in a dedicated buffer (such as a FIFO-type frame buffer). The camera 150 may acquire images at a fixed frame rate, as a non-limiting example, 24-30 frames per second. In addition, upon activation of the measurement mode, the spectrometer module 10 may be adapted to repeatedly (i.e., at a given acquisition rate) acquire spectral information from an area falling within the field of view of the spectrometer module 10 and provide it to the processing unit 120.

[0263] For each image of the sequence, the processing unit 120 may generate and output display data to the display 160 for providing an indication of the target area of ​​the spectrometer module 10 on the display 160. The acquired sequence of images or frames may be displayed as a video stream on the display 160, thereby providing the user with real-time feedback of what the camera 150 is currently seeing along with the indication of the target area.

[0264] Processing unit 120 may generate and output display data to display 160 for providing an indication of the target region of spectrometer module 10 on display 160 via a graphical representation of the target region within each frame of the video stream. Figure 5 As schematically shown, the graphical representation may include a graphical element, such as a bounding box, surrounding the target area 510. The graphical representation may also include highlighted image pixels within the target area.

[0265] The processing unit 120 may be adapted to determine the spectrometer module target area based on information representing the location of the target area in the acquired image.

[0266] The information representing the location of the target area in the acquired image may be predetermined information. The information may be determined (e.g., during the assembly phase of the user device 100 and the spectrometer module 10) by establishing a set of pixels or an area of ​​the image acquired using the camera 150 (which maps or depicts the area seen by the spectrometer module 10) for a given distance between the target of the spectrometer module 10 and the spectrometer module 10. The predetermined information may thus indicate a set of pixels or an area that maps or depicts the area seen by the spectrometer module 10. The information may be stored in the user device 100 (e.g., in the memory 130) in a manner that allows the processing unit 120 to obtain access to the information. For example, if the target area is indicated by a graphical element (such as a bounding box) surrounding the target area 510 or by image pixels highlighted within the target area, the information representing the location of the target area in the acquired image may include the coordinates of the bounding box or the coordinates of the pixels to be highlighted.

[0267] In use of the user device 100 and the spectrometer module 10 (eg, for the measurement / spectral measurement mode of the user device 100 ), the processing unit 120 may access this information to determine the target region accordingly and generate and output display data for indicating the target region within each acquired image.

[0268] The given distance may be referred to as a “measurement distance” or a “target distance” and may represent a focal length of the optical module 40 of the spectrometer module 10 or an optimal measurement distance of the spectrometer module 10 .

[0269] The processing unit 120 may be adapted to retrieve focus data indicating the focal length of the camera 150 during acquisition of the image. The focus data may be obtained from metadata generated by a controller of the camera 150 and associated with the acquired image. Alternatively, the camera 150 may be arranged to output the focus data to the processing unit 120 via an internal communication interface of the user device 100.

[0270] The processing unit 120 may be adapted to compare the focal length of the camera 150 with the above-mentioned target distance of the spectrometer module 10 and output user-perceivable information based on the comparison result.

[0271] Advantageously, the processing unit 120 may be adapted to control the camera 150 to focus on a feature in the area, which feature is depicted in the target area. Thereby, the relevance of the comparison between the focal length and the target distance may be ensured, since the focus data will represent the distance to the feature in the area.

[0272] For example, if the comparison indicates that the focal length of the camera 150 is different from the target distance of the spectrometer module 10, the user-perceivable information may indicate that the target of the spectrometer module 10 is not in focus in the acquired image. Additionally or alternatively, the user-perceivable information may indicate that the target distance of the spectrometer module 10 is greater than the focal length of the camera 150 (if the focal length of the camera 150 is less than the target distance of the spectrometer module 10), or may indicate that the target distance of the spectrometer module 10 is less than the focal length of the camera 150 (if the focal length of the camera 150 is greater than the target distance of the spectrometer module 10). The user may be guided to move the user device 10 closer to or farther away from the target accordingly. When the focal length matches the target distance, the spectrometer module 10 may acquire spectral information from the target area. The acquisition may be automatically performed in response to the processing unit 120 detecting that the focal length of the camera 150 matches the target distance of the spectrometer module 10.

[0273] The user-perceivable information may include one or a combination of information visible via a display (e.g., in the form of text or other graphical elements), information audible via a speaker of user device 100 (e.g., in the form of synthesized speech or recorded speech), and information tactilely perceivable via a vibration unit of user device 100 (e.g., where the vibration frequency varies depending on the comparison result). Figure 5 Schematically shown, arrows 520 guiding a user to move the user device 100 into (arrow pointing upward) or out of (arrow pointing downward) the view may be shown on the display 160 .

[0274] As an alternative to the processing unit 120 determining the spectrometer module target area based on predetermined information representing the location of the target area in the acquired image, the processing unit 120 may be adapted to determine the spectrometer module target area based on information relating the field of view of the spectrometer module 10 to the field of view of the camera 150. The information may include the relative orientation of the respective optical axes of the camera 150 and the spectrometer module 10, and the angles of the cones representing the field of view of the camera 150 and the field of view of the spectrometer module 10, respectively. The spectrometer module target area may thus be calculated during use of the user device 100 (e.g. in a measurement / spectral measurement mode of the user device 100). For a given distance between the target of the spectrometer module 10 and the spectrometer module 10 (e.g. determined on the basis of the focus data from the camera 150), the area of ​​image pixels acquired using the camera 150 (i.e. the target area) (which maps or depicts the area seen by the spectrometer module 10) may thus be determined.

[0275] An alternative manner of providing assistance to a user in aiming the spectrometer module 10 (i.e., orienting the spectrometer module 10 toward a target) will now be described, wherein, for the purpose of providing aiming assistance, the processing unit 120 of the user device 100 is adapted to determine RGB equivalents corresponding to spectral information acquired by the spectrometer module 10 from the area, and to output display data to the display 160 of the user device 100 for providing an indication of the RGB equivalents on the display 160.

[0276] The processing unit 120 may implement a conversion function, taking the spectral information acquired by the spectrometer module 10 as input and outputting an RGB equivalent corresponding to the spectral information input.

[0277] The spectrometer module 10 may be adapted to repeatedly (i.e. at a given acquisition rate) acquire spectral information and provide it to the processing unit 120. The processing unit 120 may be adapted to determine the RGB equivalents corresponding to each acquisition of spectral information by the spectrometer module 10, and repeatedly output display data to the display 160 for providing an indication of the RGB equivalents corresponding to each acquisition of spectral information. The user of the user device 100 may thus get visual real-time feedback about the current target of the spectrometer module 10 and thereby be assisted in aiming the spectrometer module 10.

[0278] The user device 100 may include a camera (such as camera 150) adapted to acquire a sequence of images of a scene. The processing unit 120 may be adapted to output display data to the display 160 for displaying the sequence of images and an indication of the RGB equivalent within or with (e.g., adjacent to) each image.

[0279] In more detail, upon activation of the measurement / spectral measurement mode of the user device 100 (e.g., by the user of the user device 100 interacting via an input device of the user device 100 to activate the mode), the camera 150 may be activated and adapted to initiate the acquisition of a sequence of images. The images (which may alternatively be referred to as frames) may be stored in the memory 130 of the user device 100 or in a dedicated buffer (such as a FIFO type frame buffer). The camera 150 may acquire images at a fixed frame rate, as a non-limiting example, 24-30 frames per second. In addition, upon activation of the measurement mode, the spectrometer module 10 may be adapted to repeatedly (i.e., at a given acquisition rate) acquire spectral information and provide it to the processing unit 120.

[0280] For each image of the sequence, the processing unit 120 may generate and output display data to the display 160 to display the sequence of images and an indication of the RGB equivalent corresponding to each acquisition of spectral information by the spectrometer module 10 .

[0281] The images or frame sequences acquired by the camera 150 may be displayed as a video stream on the display 160, thereby providing the user with real-time feedback of what the camera 150 is currently seeing. The processing unit 120 may generate and output display data to the display 160 to display an indication of the current RGB equivalent along with (i.e., adjacent to or overlaid on) each frame of the video sequence.

[0282] An alternative manner of providing assistance to a user in aiming the spectrometer module 10 (i.e., orienting the spectrometer module 10 toward a target) will now be described, wherein the processing unit 120 of the user device 100 is adapted to compare spectral information acquired by the spectrometer module 10 with a predetermined target spectrum for the purpose of providing aiming assistance.

[0283] The processing unit 120 may provide an output signal indicating the degree of correspondence between the acquired spectral information and the predetermined target spectrum. The output signal may, for example, control the user device 100 to output user-perceivable information, thereby indicating the degree of correspondence to the user of the user device 100. The user-perceivable information may include one or a combination of information visible via a display, information audible via a speaker of the user device 100, and information tactilely perceptible via a vibration unit of the user device 100.

[0284] Alternatively, the output signal need not indicate the actual degree of correspondence between the acquired spectral information and the predetermined target spectrum, but may simply indicate whether a sufficient degree of correspondence (i.e., spectral match) has been determined, for example in response to the processing unit 120 determining that the degree of correspondence exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0285] The visual information provided via the display 160 may, for example, be in the form of text indicating the degree of correspondence (e.g., as a percentage or ratio) or that a spectral match has been determined (e.g., "the acquired spectrum matches the predetermined target spectrum"). The visual information provided via the display may also be in the form of a graphical representation indicating the degree of correspondence (e.g., by a symbol whose intensity or color varies in a manner related to the degree of correspondence, such as from low intensity to high intensity or from a light color to a dark color), or that a spectral match has been determined (e.g., by a symbol with a dashed outline changing to a solid outline when a spectral match has been determined, or by a symbol with no fill color changing to a symbol with a different fill color when a spectral match has been determined). Figure 6 Two different examples of text-based visual information 610 , 620 provided on the display 160 of the user device 100 are shown.

[0286] The audible information provided via the speaker of the user device 100 may, for example, be in the form of an audible signal indicating the degree of correspondence (e.g., by synthesized speech or recorded speech announcing that the degree of correspondence is a certain percentage or ratio, or by an auditory signal having frequencies that vary in a manner related to the degree of correspondence, such as between low and high frequencies), or in the form of a spectral match being determined (e.g., by synthesized speech or recorded speech announcing that a spectral match has been determined, or by an auditory signal that is activated when a spectral match has been determined).

[0287] The tactile information provided via the vibration unit of the user device 100 may, for example, be in the form of a vibration indicating the corresponding degree (e.g., by a vibration having a frequency or amplitude that changes in a manner related to the corresponding degree (such as between low to high frequencies or between low to high amplitudes)).

[0288] The processing unit 120 may, for example, be arranged to determine the degree of correspondence by estimating an overlap between the acquired spectral information and the predetermined spectrum.The processing unit 120 may, for example, be arranged to calculate a cross-correlation between the acquired spectral information and the predetermined spectrum.

[0289] The spectrometer module 10 may be adapted to repeatedly (i.e. at a given acquisition rate) acquire spectral information and provide it to the processing unit 120. The processing unit 120 may be adapted to compare each acquisition of spectral information by the spectrometer module 10 with a predetermined target spectrum and to provide an output signal indicating the degree of correspondence and / or an output signal that a spectral match has been determined.

[0290] The user of the user device 100 may thus get real-time feedback regarding the current aim of the spectrometer module 10 and thereby be assisted in aiming the spectrometer module 10 .

[0291] Acquisition of spectral information by the spectrometer module 10 may be initiated upon activation of a measurement / spectral measurement mode of the user device 100 (eg, by a user of the user device 100 interacting via an input device of the user device 100 to activate the mode).

[0292] In response to the processing unit 120 determining that a spectral match has been determined or in response to a user providing a user command via an input device of the user device 100, the spectrometer module 10 may initiate a time-resolved acquisition mode, in which the spectrometer module 10 may repeatedly acquire spectral information of the current target at a given acquisition rate. Each acquisition of spectral information by the spectrometer module 10 may be stored as a data set representing a time-resolved spectrum of the target.

[0293] For example, the predetermined target spectrum may represent the spectral profile of an oxygenated tissue or blood sample. When the user device 100 is oriented so that the spectrophotometer module 10 acquires spectral information from the tissue or sample, the user may be notified by user-perceivable information provided by the user device 100. A time-resolved spectrum of the tissue or sample may be acquired thereafter, which may provide information related to blood pulsation or other blood oxygen quantitative information.

Claims

1. A user equipment, comprising: a camera adapted to acquire at least one image of a scene falling within a field of view of the camera; a spectrometer module adapted to acquire spectral information from at least a portion of the scene, wherein a field of view of the spectrometer module includes at least a portion of the at least one image; as well as a processing unit adapted to determine a spectrometer module target area within the at least one image based on the spectral information acquired from at least a portion of the scene, and to output display data to a display of the user device for providing an indication of the target area on the display, the processing unit being further adapted to: retrieving focus data indicative of a focal length of the camera during acquisition of the at least one image; comparing the focal length of the camera with an optimal measurement distance of the spectrometer module; as well as User-perceivable information is output based on the result of the comparison.

2. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is adapted to determine the spectrometer module target area based on information representing the position of the target area in the acquired image. 3 . The user device of claim 1 , wherein the indication of the target area comprises a graphical representation of the target area within the at least one image. The user device of claim 3 , wherein the graphical representation comprises a graphical element surrounding the target area.

5. The user device of claim 3, wherein the graphical representation includes image pixels highlighted within the target area.

6. The user device of claim 1, wherein the camera is adapted to acquire a sequence of images of the scene, and the processing unit is adapted to output display data to the display for displaying the sequence of images and an indication of the target area within each image.

7. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is adapted to: At least a portion of the at least one image within the field of view of the spectrometer module is adjusted to focus on a specific feature within the field of view of the camera.

8. The user device of claim 7, wherein the processing unit is adapted to control the camera to focus on the specific feature.

9. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the optimal measurement distance of the spectrometer module represents a predetermined measurement distance of the spectrometer module, or a focal length of the spectrometer module, or a focal length of the spectrometer module.

10. The user device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is suitable for outputting user-perceivable information, and the user-perceivable information is used to guide a user of the user device to move the user device to increase or decrease the distance between the user device and the at least part of the scene.

11. A user equipment, comprising: A spectrometer module adapted to obtain spectral information from a region; a first module of a processing unit adapted to determine a target area within the area based on spectral information acquired by the spectrometer module; a second module of the processing unit adapted to determine RGB equivalents corresponding to the spectral information acquired from the area by the spectrometer module and to output display data to a display of the user device for providing an indication of the RGB equivalents on the display; and a camera adapted to acquire a sequence of images comprising a scene of said area, wherein said second module of said processing unit is further adapted to: outputting display data to the display for displaying the sequence of images and an indication of the RGB equivalents associated with each image; during acquisition of the sequence of images of the scene, retrieving focus data indicative of a focal length of the camera; comparing the focal length of the camera with an optimal measurement distance of the spectrometer module; as well as User-perceivable information is output based on the result of the comparison.

12. A user device according to claim 11, wherein the spectrometer module is configured to obtain the spectral information from the area in response to the processing unit determining that the focal length of the camera matches the optimal measurement distance, the spectrometer module also includes a camera, the camera is suitable for acquiring an image sequence of scenes including the area, and wherein the processing unit is further suitable for outputting display data to the display for displaying the image sequence and an indication of the RGB equivalent together with each image.

13. A user equipment, comprising: A spectrometer module adapted to obtain spectral information from a region; as well as a processing unit adapted to compare the acquired spectral information with a predetermined target spectrum to produce a comparison, wherein the processing unit is further adapted to determine a target area within the area based on the comparison, and to provide an output signal based on the comparison; and a camera adapted to acquire at least one image of a scene falling within a field of view of the camera, and wherein the processing unit is further adapted to: retrieving focus data indicative of a focal length of the camera during acquisition of the at least one image of the scene; comparing the focal length of the camera with an optimal measurement distance of the spectrometer module; as well as Based on the result of the comparison of the focal length of the camera and the optimal measurement distance of the spectrometer module, user-perceivable information is output.

14. The user device according to claim 13, wherein the processing unit is adapted to determine a degree of correspondence between the acquired spectral information and the predetermined target spectrum.

15. The user equipment according to claim 13, wherein the processing unit is adapted to provide the output signal to indicate the determined degree of correspondence as user-perceivable information.

16. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is adapted to determine the spectrometer module target region based on a comparison of spectral information for a plurality of sub-regions within the region with a predetermined target spectral signature.

17. The user device of claim 16, wherein the predetermined target spectral signature is associated with stored spectral signature information.

18. The user device of claim 16, wherein the predetermined target spectral signature is associated with a blood saturation threshold.

19. The user device of claim 18, wherein the blood saturation threshold is further determined based on pulse oximetry.

20. The user device of claim 19, wherein the blood saturation threshold is further determined based on whether the saturation is good.

Images