Spectrometer device for determining a placement information

Abstract

The invention relates to a spectrometer device (110) for determining an item of spectral information on at least one object (112), the spectrometer device (110) comprising: - at least one sample interface (130), wherein the sample interface (130) defines at least one component of a predetermined pose of the object (112) when the item of spectral information is determined; - at least one light emitting element (116), wherein the at least one light emitting element (116) is designated to emit illumination light (118) onto the object (112) for generating object light (119); - at least two photosensitive detectors (122) that generate at least two detector signals when receiving light, wherein the photosensitive detectors (122) are designated to receive at least a portion of the generated object light (119); - at least one evaluation unit (140), wherein the at least one evaluation unit (140) is configured to consider the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors (122) for determining an item of placement information on the object (112).

Description

[0001] Spectrometer device for determining a placement information

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a spectrometer device for determining an item of spectral information on at least one object, specifically for analyzing a sample. The invention further relates to a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium and to a non-transient computer- readable medium. Such devices and methods can, in general, be used for investigating or monitoring purposes, in particular, in the infrared (IR) spectral region, especially in the nearinfrared (NIR) spectral region, and in the visible (VIS) spectral region, e.g. in a spectral region allowing to mimic a human's ability of color sight. However, further applications are feasible.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Spectrometer devices and further measurement systems relying on the detection of electromagnetic waves for determining information based on a spectral response, i.e. a signal, a reflectance, a transmittance and / or an absorbance of a sample in a measurement. Thereby, determining the spectral response may involve comparing the measured response to calibration measurements.

[0006] US 2022 / 0003601 A1 discloses a spectrometer apparatus that includes at least one light source for irradiating a sample with light, an optical detection device for detecting light scattered by the sample, at least one optical filter device, which is arranged in front of and / or behind the sample, a contact sensor device for determining a contact between the sample and the spectrometer apparatus and for outputting a corresponding output signal, a control device for controlling the light source and the detection device in response to the output signal. The control device is designed such that the control device modifies at least one operating parameter of the light source and the detection device, when the output signal indicates the contact between the sample and the spectrometer apparatus. A method for operating a spectrometer apparatus is disclosed as well.

[0007] WO 2005 / 019811 A2 discloses methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for collect in optical data pertaining to one or more characteristics of a sample. The apparatus has a light source, one or more illumination optical elements, a scanner, one or more collection optical elements, and a device forming an aperture that limits detection of light from the sample. The illumination optical elements direct a light beam from the light source onto the sample. The scanner scans the light beam across the sample. The collection optical elements collect light from the sample and transmit the collected light to a detector. None of the collection optical elements are included among the illumination optical elements. The device forming an aperture limits detection of light from the sample to light associated with a limited vertical depth within the sample, and is one of the collection optical elements. WO 2023 / 052608 A1 discloses a spectral measurement device for measuring optical radiation provided by at least one measurement object in at least one classification based spectral measurement.

[0008] In order to ensure the quality of the calibration measurements, particularly in consumer systems, internal calibration targets are used to avoid the necessity of user interaction that may lead to calibration errors. Nevertheless, user interaction is still required to place the sample for the measurement. For spectrometer devices that show a dependence of the spectral response on the direction from where radiation is detected, typically referred to as the angle of incidence, an incorrect placement of the sample by the user, e.g. a tilted or distant placement in relation to a sample interface and / or not fully covering a sample plane defined by the sample interface, may lead to erroneous measurements.

[0009] Typically, the optical path of a spectrometer device is arranged in a manner that radiation emitted by the spectrometer device is reflected and / or scattered by a sample object to a detector further comprised by the spectrometer device. Thereby, the optical path design requires a correct placement of the sample in order to achieve a predefined range of angles of incidence onto the detector. If a sample is placed incorrectly, at least a portion of the reflected and / or scattered emission may not be received by the detector. This, typically, results in erroneous spectral response measurements, leading to wrong sample measurement results. In case a calibration sample measurement requires user interaction, all above mentioned points also apply.

[0010] Problem to be solved

[0011] It is therefore desirable to provide methods and devices, which at least partially address the above-mentioned technical challenges and at least substantially avoid the disadvantages of known methods and devices. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spectrometer device which is capable of accounting for the placement of an object, particularly for which an item of spectroscopic information is determined.

[0012] Summary

[0013] This problem is addressed by a spectrometer device for determining an item of spectral information on at least one object, a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium and a non-transient computer-readable medium, with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments which might be realized in an isolated fashion or in any arbitrary combinations are listed in the dependent claims as well as throughout the specification.

[0014] In a first aspect, a spectrometer device for determining an item of spectral information on at least one object is disclosed. The term “spectrometer device” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an optical device configured for acquiring at least one item of spectral information on at least one object. Specifically, the at least one item of spectral information may refer to at least one optical property or optically measurable property which is determined as a function of a wavelength, for one or more different wavelengths. More specifically, the optical property or optically measurable property, as well as the at least one item of spectral information, may relate to at least one property characterizing at least one of a transmission, an absorption, a reflection and an emission of the at least one object, either by itself or after illumination with external light. The at least one optical property may be determined for one or more wavelengths. The spectrometer device specifically may form an apparatus which is capable of recording a signal intensity with respect to the corresponding wavelength of a spectrum or a partition thereof, such as a wavelength interval, wherein the signal intensity may, specifically, be provided as an electrical signal which may be used for further evaluation.

[0015] The term “spectroscopic information”, also referred to as “spectral information” or as “an item of spectral information”, as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an item of information, e.g. on at least one object and / or radiation emitted by at least one object, characterizing at least one optical property of the object, more specifically at least one item of information characterizing, e.g. qualifying and / or quantifying, at least one of a transmission, an absorption, a reflection and an emission of the at least one object. As an example, the at least one item of spectral information may comprise at least one intensity information, e.g. information on an intensity of light being at least one of transmitted, absorbed, reflected or emitted by the object, e.g. as a function of a wavelength or wavelength sub-range over one or more wavelengths, e.g. over a range of wavelengths. Specifically, the intensity information may correspond to or be derived from the signal intensity, specifically the electrical signal, recorded by the spectrometer device with respect to a wavelength or a range of wavelengths of the spectrum.

[0016] The term “object” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an arbitrary body, chosen from a living object and a non-living object. Thus, as an example, the at least one object may comprise one or more articles and / or one or more parts of an article, wherein the at least one article or the at least one part thereof may comprise at least one component which may provide a spectrum suitable for investigations. Additionally or alternatively, the object may be or may comprise one or more living beings and / or one or more parts thereof, such as one or more body parts of a human being, e.g. a user, and / or an animal. The object specifically may comprise at least one sample which may fully or partially be analyzed by spectroscopic methods. As an example, the object may be or may comprise at least one of: human or animal skin; edibles, such as fruits; plastics and textile.

[0017] The spectrometer device is comprising:

[0018] - at least one sample interface, wherein the sample interface defines, specifically at least one component of, a predetermined pose of the object when the item of spectral information is determined;

[0019] - at least one light emitting element, wherein the at least one light emitting element is designated to emit illumination light onto the object for generating object light;

[0020] - at least two photosensitive detectors that generate at least two detector signals when receiving light, wherein the photosensitive detectors are designated to receive at least a portion of the generated object light;

[0021] - at least one evaluation unit, wherein the at least one evaluation unit is configured to consider the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors for determining an item of placement information on the object.

[0022] The spectrometer device comprises at least one sample interface, wherein the sample interface defines at least one component of a predetermined pose of the object when the item of spectral information is determined. The sample interface may define a plurality of components of a predetermined pose of the object when the item of spectral information is determined. The at least one component and / or the plurality of components may be defined in a manner that a distance and / or an orientation and / or a position of the object in relation to the sample interface is predetermined.

[0023] The term “sample interface” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to a predefined surface, specifically a plane, between a sample and a measurement tool. The sample interface may be a surface and / or plane at which the light emitted by the spectrometer device interacts with the object in a manner that object light is generated. The sample interface may act as an aperture and / or an opening. Particularly for carrying out optimal measurement, the sample interface may define an intended position and / or an intended orientation for the object during the measurements. When performing at least one measurement, particularly for determining the item of spectral information, the object has to be placed and / or oriented correctly in regard to the sample interface for performing accurate and reliable measurements. The sample interface defines an intended placement for the object position and / or the object orientation in a manner that the optical path from the light emitting element via the object on a respective detector follows a predetermined and / or intended path.

[0024] The sample interface may be a measurement window, particularly comprising silicone, designated for transmitting the illumination light and the object light. The term “measurement window” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to a contact surface and / or lay-on- surface for the object to be investigated, particularly thereby defining the predetermined position and / or orientation of the object. The object to be investigated may be placed against the measurement window before the process of measuring the spectroscopic information may be started. During the measurement process the object may remain against the measurement window, particularly until the measurement process may be completed. Thereby, the measurement conditions, specifically a distance and / or an orientation, but also a position, of the object in relation to the spectrometer device, specifically the sample interface, may be defined. The measurement window may allow the illumination light and / or object light to transfer. The measurement window may be transparent to the illumination light and / or object light.

[0025] The term “pose” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an orientation and / or a position of a rigid body. A pose may be described by using six components. For describing a position, three components may be used, such as coordinates associated with a center of mass of the rigid body in three-dimensional space. For describing an orientation, three components may be used, typically the Euler angles. Together, these components may describe the full pose of the rigid body. In accordance with the present invention, the pose of the object for during a measurement may be predetermined in a manner that a position and / or an orientation of the object, particularly in relation to the spectrometer device, specifically the sample interface, is defined. Particularly thereby, at least one optical path, preferably a plurality of optical path, even more preferably any optical path, from the light emitting element onto the object and / or from the object onto the at least two photosensitive detectors is optimized, and particularly may compare, thereby, compare to an intended optical path.

[0026] The spectrometer device comprises at least one radiation emitting element, wherein the at least one radiation emitting element is designated to emit illumination radiation onto the object for generating object light.

[0027] As further used herein, the term “light” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to electromagnetic radiation in one or more of the infrared, the visible and the ultraviolet spectral range. Herein, the term “ultraviolet spectral range”, generally, refers to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 1 nm to 380 nm, preferably of 100 nm to 380 nm. Further, in partial accordance with standard ISO-21348 in a valid version at the date of this document, the term “visible spectral range”, generally, refers to a spectral range of 380 nm to 760 nm. The term “infrared spectral range” (IR) generally refers to electromagnetic radiation of 760 nm to 1000 pm, wherein the range of 760 nm to 1 .5 pm is usually denominated as “near infrared spectral range” (NIR) while the range from 1 .5 p to 15 pm is denoted as “mid infrared spectral range” (MidlR) and the range from 15 pm to 1000 pm as “far infrared spectral range” (FIR). Preferably, light used for the typical purposes of the present invention is light in the infrared (IR) spectral range, more preferred, in the near infrared (NIR) and / or the mid infrared spectral range (MidlR), especially the light having a wavelength of 1 pm to 5 pm, preferably of 1 pm to 3 pm. This is due to the fact that many material properties or properties on the chemical constitution of many objects may be derived from the near infrared spectral range. It shall be noted, however, that spectroscopy in other spectral ranges is also feasible and within the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Consequently, the term “radiation emitting element”, also referred to as an “illumination source”, as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an arbitrary device configured for generating or providing light, specifically “illumination light” in the sense of the above-mentioned definition for the term “light”. The radiation emitting element specifically may be or may comprise at least one electrical light source, such as an electrically driven light source.

[0029] As further used herein, the term “object light” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to light that is generated by the object, particularly generated in an interaction of the illumination light with the object, such as scattering, reflecting and / or transmitting. The object light may be illumination light that is reflected and / or scattered back through the sample interface to the photosensitive detectors. At least a portion of the illumination light may be transmitted and / or absorbed by the object in a manner that it is not detected by the photosensitive detectors. The object light may also be referred to as detection light.

[0030] The radiation emitting element may be a thermal radiator. The thermal radiator may be selected from an incandescent lamp or a thermal infrared emitter. The term “incandescent lamp” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an electric light having a heatable element, such as a wire filament heated, which is capable of being heated to a temperature at which it emits light, especially infrared light. Since the incandescent lamp can, therefore, be considered as a thermal emitter within the infrared spectral range, an emission power of the incandescent lamp decreases with increasing wavelength. The thermal radiator may be selected from an incandescent lamp or a thermal infrared emitter. The term “thermal infrared emitter” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to a micro-machined thermally emitting device, which comprises a radiation emitting surface as the radiation emitting element that emits the optical radiation to be monitored. Alternatively or in addition, the radiation emitting element may be a laser, specifically a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), particularly emitting at least one wavelength in the infrared region.

[0031] The term “vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to a semiconductor laser diode configured for laser beam emission perpendicular with respect to a top surface. VCSELs are generally known to the skilled person such as from WO 2017 / 222618 A.

[0032] Alternatively or in addition, the radiation emitting element may be a light-emitting diode (LED), specifically a LED emitting light that is at least partially located in the infrared spectral range. Alternatively or in addition, a LED emitting light that is illuminating a luminescent material, specifically a phosphor, for light-conversion of light generated by the LED, wherein the luminescent material generates converted light that is at least partly located in the near-infrared spectral range.

[0033] The term “light-emitting diode” or briefly “LED”, as used herein, is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an optoelectronic semiconductor device capable of emitting light when an electrical current flows through the device. The optoelectronic semiconductor device may be configured for generating the light due to various physical processes, including one or more of spontaneous emission, induced emission, decay of metastable excited states and the like. Thus, as an example, the light-emitting diode, may comprise one or more of: a light-emitting diode based on spontaneous emission of light, in particular an organic light emitting diode, a light-emitting diode based on superluminescence (sLED), or a laser diode (LD) In the following, without narrowing the possible embodiments of the light-emitting diode to any of the before-mentioned physical principles or setups, the abbreviation “LED” will be used for any type of light-emitting diode.

[0034] Specifically, the LED may comprise at least two layers of semiconductor material, wherein light may be generated at at least one interface between the at least two layers of semiconductor material, specifically due to a recombination of positive and negative electrical charges, e.g. due to electron-hole recombination. The at least two layers of semiconductor material may have differing electrical properties, such as at least one of the layers being an n-doped semiconductor material and at least one of the layers being a p-doped semiconductor material. Thus, as an example, the LED may comprise at least one pn-junction and / or at least one pin-set up. It shall be noted, however, that other device structures are feasible, too. The at least one semiconductor material may specifically be or may comprise at least one inorganic semiconducting material. It shall be noted, however, that organic semiconducting materials may be used additionally or alternatively. Generally, the LED may convert electrical current into light, specifically light that is at least partially located in the infrared spectral range. Alternatively or in addition, LED may convert electrical current into light into primary light, more specifically into blue primary light. The LED, thus, specifically may be a blue LED. The LED may be configured for generating the primary light, particularly for the light-conversion in the phosphor, also referred to as the “pump light”. Thus, the LED may also be referred to as the “pump LED”. The LED specifically may comprise at least one LED chip and / or at least one LED die. Thus, the semiconductor element of the LED may comprise an LED bare chip.

[0035] The term “luminescence” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to the process of spontaneous emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat. Specifically, luminescence may refer to a cold-body radiation. More specifically, the luminescence may be initiated or excited by irradiation of light, in which case the luminescence is also referred to as “photoluminescence”. The property of a material being capable of performing luminescence, in the context of the present invention, is referred to by the adjective “luminescent”. The at least one luminescent material specifically may be a photoluminescent material, i.e. a material which is capable of emitting light after absorption of photons or excitation light. Specifically, the luminescent material may have a positive Stokes shift, which generally may refer to the fact that the secondary light is red-shifted with respect to the primary light.

[0036] The at least one luminescent material, thus, may form at least one converter, also referred to as a light converter, transforming primary light into secondary light having different spectral properties as compared to the primary light. Specifically, a spectral width of the secondary light may be larger than a spectral width of the primary light, and / or a center of emission of the secondary light may be shifted, specifically red-shifted, compared to the primary light. Specifically, the at least one luminescent material may have an absorption in the ultraviolet and / or blue spectral range and an emission in the near-infrared and / or infrared spectral range. Thus, generally, the luminescent material or converter may form at least one component of the phosphor LED converging primary light or pump light, specifically in the blue spectral range, into light having a longer wavelength, e.g. in the near-infrared or infrared spectral range.

[0037] The luminescent material, specifically, may, thus, form at least one converter or light converter. The luminescent material may form at least one of a converter platelet, a luminescent and specifically a fluorescent coating on the LED and phosphor coating on the LED. The luminescent material may, as an example, comprise one or more of the following materials: Cerium-doped YAG (YAG:Ce3+, or Y3AI50i2:Ce3+); rare-earth-doped Sialons; copper- and aluminium-doped zinc sulfide (ZnS:Cu,AI).

[0038] The LED and the luminescent material, together, may form a so-called “phosphor LED”. Consequently, the term “phosphor light-emitting diode” or briefly “phosphor LED”, as used herein, is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to a combination of at least one light-emitting diode configured for generating primary light or pump light, and at least one luminescent material, also referred to as a “phosphor”, configured for light-conversion of the primary light generated by the light-emitting diode. The phosphor LED may form a packaged LED light source, including the LED die, e.g. a blue LED emitting blue pump light, as well as the phosphor, which, as an example, fully or partially coats the LED, which is, as an example, configured for converting the primary light or blue light into light having differing spectral properties, specifically into nearinfrared light. Generally, the phosphor LED may be packaged in one housing or may be unpackaged. Thus, the LED and the at least one luminescent material for light-conversion of the primary light generated by the light-emitting diode may specifically be housed in a common housing. Alternatively, however, the LED may also be an unhoused or bare LED which may fully or partially be covered with the luminescent material, such as by disposing one or more layers of the luminescent material on the LED die. The phosphor LED, generally, may form an emitter or light source by itself.

[0039] The at least one luminescent material specifically may form at least one layer. Generally, various alternatives of positioning the luminescent material with respect to the light-emitting diode are feasible, alone or in combination. Firstly, the luminescent material, e.g., at least one layer of the luminescent material, such as the phosphor, may be positioned directly on the lightemitting diode, which is also referred to as a “direct attach”, e.g. with no material in between the LED and the luminescent material or with one or more transparent materials in between, such as with one or more transparent materials, specifically transparent for the primary light, in between the LED and the luminescent material. Thus, as an example, a coating of the luminescent material may be placed directly or indirectly on the LED. Additionally or alternatively, the luminescent material, as an example, may form at least one converter body, such as at least one converter disk, which may be placed on top of the LED, e.g. by adhesive attachment of the converter body to the LED. Additionally or alternatively, the luminescent material may also be placed in a remote fashion, such that the primary light from the LED has to pass an intermediate optical path before reaching the luminescent material. This placement may also be referred to as a “remote placement” or as a “remote phosphor”. Again, as an example, the luminescent material in the remote placement may form a solid body or converter body, such as a disk or converter disk. Further, in case of the remote placement, the luminescent material may also be a coating. In particular, an object which is transmitting light, e.g. a thin glass substrate, module window, comprising and / or being made of glass or plastics, may be coated with the phosphor. Alternatively, a reflective surface may be coated with the phosphor. This could be a flat or rough mirror, which may comprise and / or be made of a high- reflective index material substrate, e.g. silicon, or a gold, silver, aluminum or chromium coated flat or rough surface, e.g. glass, or a plastic. In the intermediate optical path, one or more optical elements may be placed, such as one or more of a lens, a prism, a grating, a mirror, an aperture or a combination thereof. Thus, specifically, an optical system having imaging properties may be placed in between the LED and the luminescent material, in the intermediate optical path. Thereby, as an example, the primary light may be focused, or bundled onto the converter body.

[0040] The spectrometer device comprises at least two photosensitive detectors that generate at least two detector signals when receiving light, wherein the photosensitive detectors are designated to receive at least a portion of the generated object light.

[0041] The verb “to detect” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to the process of at least one of determining, measuring and monitoring at least one parameter, qualitatively and / or quantitatively, such as at least one of a physical parameter, a chemical parameter and a biological parameter. Specifically, the physical parameter may be or may comprise an electrical parameter. Consequently, the term “photosensitive detector” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an arbitrary device configured for detecting, i.e. for at least one of determining, measuring and monitoring, at least one parameter, qualitatively and / or quantitatively, such as at least one of a physical parameter, a chemical parameter and a biological parameter. The photosensitive detectors may be configured for generating at least one detector signal, more specifically at least one electrical detector signal, such as an analogue and / or a digital detector signal, the detector signal providing information on the at least one parameter measured by the detector. The detector signal may directly or indirectly be provided by the photosensitive detectors to the evaluation unit, such that the photosensitive detectors and the evaluation unit may be directly or indirectly connected. The detector signals may be used as a “raw” detector signal and / or may be processed or preprocessed before further used, e.g. by filtering and the like. Thus, the photosensitive detectors may comprise at least one processing device and / or at least one preprocessing device, such as at least one of an amplifier, an analogue / digital converter, an electrical filter and a Fourier transformation.

[0042] The photosensitive detectors may be arranged in a manner that each photosensitive detector may be fully illuminated, preferably by the object light, when the object is placed as intended and wherein at least one photosensitive detector of the photosensitive detectors is not fully illuminated when the object is not placed as intended.

[0043] In the present case, the photosensitive detectors are configured for detecting light propagating from the object to the spectrometer device or more specifically to the photosensitive detectors of the spectrometer device. The photosensitive detectors may be configured for determining at least one optical parameter, such as an intensity and / or a power of light by which at least one sensitive area of the detector is irradiated. More specifically, the photosensitive detectors may comprise at least one photosensitive element and / or at least one optical sensor, such as at least one of a photodiode, a photocell, a photosensitive resistor, a phototransistor, a thermophile sensor, a photoacoustic sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, a photomultiplier and a bolometer. The photosensitive detectors, thus, may be configured for generating at least one detector signal, more specifically at least one electrical detector signal, in the above-mentioned sense, providing information on at least one optical parameter, such as the power and / or intensity of light by which the detector or a sensitive area of the detector is illuminated.

[0044] The photosensitive detectors may be comprised by at least one detector array, more specifically an array of photosensitive detectors. Each of the photosensitive detectors may comprise at least a photosensitive area which may be adapted for generating an electrical signal depending on the intensity of the incident light, wherein the electrical signal may, in particular, be provided to the evaluation unit, as will be outlined in further detail below.

[0045] The photosensitive area as comprised by each of the optically sensitive photosensitive detectors may, especially, be a single, uniform photosensitive area which is configured for receiving the incident light which impinges on the individual optically sensitive elements. However, other arrangements of the optically sensitive elements may also be conceivable.

[0046] The spectrometer device comprises at least one evaluation unit, wherein the at least one evaluation unit is configured to consider the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors for determining an item of placement information on the object.

[0047] The term “to evaluate”, as used herein, is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to the process of processing at least one first item of information in order to generate at least one second item of information thereby. Consequently, the term “evaluation unit”, as used herein, is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an arbitrary device or a combination of devices configured to evaluate or process at least one first item of information, in order to generate at least one second item of information thereof. Thus, specifically, the evaluation unit may be configured for processing at least one input signal and to generate at least one output signal thereof. The at least one input signal, as an example, may comprise at least one detector signal provided directly or indirectly by the at least one photosensitive detector.

[0048] As an example, the evaluation unit may be or may comprise one or more integrated circuits, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and / or one or more data processing devices, such as one or more of computers, digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) preferably one or more microcomputers and / or microcontrollers. Additional components may be comprised, such as one or more preprocessing devices and / or data acquisition devices, such as one or more devices for receiving and / or preprocessing of the detector signals, such as one or more AD-converters and / or one or more filters. Further, the evaluation unit may comprise one or more data storage devices. Further, the evaluation unit may comprise one or more interfaces, such as one or more wireless interfaces and / or one or more wire-bound interfaces.

[0049] The term “placement information”, as used herein, is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an information that describes at least one of: a position; an orientation, of an object in a three- dimensional space. The placement information may comprise at least one location information of the object, particularly represented by its coordinates in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, such as x, y, and z. The placement information further may comprise at least one orientation information, particularly represented by Euler angles. The placement information may describe the pose of the object, particularly in relation to the spectrometer device, specifically the sample interface.

[0050] The item of placement information may be compared to an intended placement of the object for determining if the object is in the at least one component of the predetermined pose. The term “intended placement”, as used herein, is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to a predetermined pose the object has to assume in order to carry out optimal measurements. In the intended placement the position and / or orientation of the object is in a manner that the optical path from the light emitting element via the object on a respective detector follows a predetermined and / or intended path.

[0051] The intended placement of the object may refer to at least one of: an predetermined orientation of the object; a predetermined position of the object, particularly in regard to the sample interface. In the predetermined position the object may be placed correctly in a manner that the illumination light may interact with the object in an intended way, particularly for arranging the predetermined optical path. Alternatively or in addition, in the predetermined orientation the object may be placed correctly in a manner that the illumination light may interact with the object in an intended way, particularly for arranging the predetermined optical path. The intended placement of the object refers to a degree of a coverage of the sample interface by the object. In the predetermined position and orientation the object may cover the sample interface in an intended manner, particularly in a manner that the illumination light may interact with the object in an intended way, particularly for arranging the predetermined optical path. The term “coverage”, as used herein, is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an extent to which a surface, particularly the sample interface, is adequately and / or comprehensively covered.

[0052] The object may be considered being placed correctly when sample interface is covered by the object by at least 80%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 100%. Alternatively or in addition, the object may be considered being placed correctly when the object is parallel to the sample interface and / or in contact with the sample interface. Typically, the case in which the contact with the sample interface is considered may be particularly important. Alternatively or in addition, the object may be considered being placed incorrectly when sample interface is covered by the object by less than 80%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 100%. Alternatively or in addition, the object may be considered being placed incorrectly when the object is tilted in regard to the sample interface and / or separated from the sample interface. Typically, separations of at least 0.2 mm may be detected easily. Separations of less than 0.2 mm may also be detected.

[0053] Considering the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors for determining the item of placement information on the object may comprise comparing the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors to each other and / or one or more reference detector signals. The detector signals may be compared by determining at least one deviation in the intensity of detector signals or the spectral information related to the detector signals. Alternatively or in addition, the at least one deviation may refer to at least one deviation between normalized detector signals and / or weighted detector signals. Alternatively or in addition, one or more detector signals may be compared to one or more reference detector signal, particularly reference detector signals derived in a calibration process, more particularly derived by considering a calibration target. If the deviation is below a predetermined value the object is considered placed correctly. The deviation may be a relative deviation of the detector signal. The object is considered being placed correctly when the relative deviation is below 20%, 10%; or 5%.

[0054] Wherein the item of placement information on the object may be generated by comparing of one or more of the following:

[0055] - detectors signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors;

[0056] - absorbance values measured by the at least two photosensitive detectors in the same spectral range.

[0057] The at least two photosensitive detectors may detect light of the same spectral range of the object light. For detecting light of the same spectral range of the object light, the spectrometer device may comprise at least one filter element arranged in a beam path of the object light. As used herein, the term ‘filter element” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an arbitrary optical element which interacts with differing spectral portions of incident light in a different manner, e.g. by having at least one wavelength-dependent optical property, such as at least one wavelength-dependent optical property selected from the list consisting of a degree of reflection, a direction of reflection, a degree of refraction, a direction of refraction, an absorption, a transmission, an index of refraction.

[0058] The filter element may be configured such that each of the photosensitive detectors may be exposed to the same spectral range of the object light. The filter element may be selected from the group of a tunable wavelength-selective element and a wavelength-selective element having a fixed transmission spectrum. By using a tunable wavelength selective element, as an example, differing wavelength ranges may be selected sequentially, whereas, by using a wavelength-selective element having a fixed transmission spectrum, the selection of the wavelength ranges may be fixed and may, however, be dependent e.g. on a detection position, thereby allowing, as an example, in the detection light beam path, for simultaneously exposing different detectors and / or different photosensitive elements of the detector to differing spectral ranges of light.

[0059] Thus, as outlined above and as an example, the at least one filter element may comprise at least one of a filter, a grating, a prism, a plasmonic filter, a diffractive optical element and a metamaterial. More specifically, the spectrometer device may comprise at least one filter element disposed in a beam path of the light from the object, i.e. in the beam path of the detection light, wherein the filter element, specifically may be configured such that each of the photosensitive elements is exposed to an individual spectral range of the light from the object. As an example, a variable filter element may be used, the transmission of which depends on a position on the filter element, such that, when the variable filter element is placed on top of the array of photosensitive elements, the individual photosensitive elements are exposed to differing spectral ranges of the incident light, specifically the detection light from the object. Additionally or alternatively the at least one wavelength-selective element may comprise at least one of the following elements: an array of individual bandpass filters, an array of patterned filters, an MEMS-lnterferometer, an MEMS-Fabry Perot interferometer. Further elements are feasible.

[0060] The spectrometer device may comprise at least one filter element disposed in a beam path of the light from the object, wherein the filter element may be configured such that the photosensitive element may be exposed to the individual spectral range of the light from the object. The spectrometer device may comprise at least one further filter element disposed in a beam path of the light from the object, wherein the further filter element may be configured such that the photosensitive element may be exposed to the further individual spectral range of the light from the object.

[0061] The detector may configured for generating a plurality of detector signals for at least two differing spectral ranges of the light from the object, specifically at least one of sequentially and simultaneously. The detector may comprise an array of photosensitive elements, wherein each of the photosensitive elements is configured for generating at least one detector signal. The spectrometer device may be configured such that the photosensitive elements are sensitive to differing spectral ranges of the light from the object. A plurality of the spectrometer device may be configured such that the photosensitive elements are sensitive to differing spectral ranges of the light from the object. A plurality of detector signals sensitive to differing spectral ranges may combined for generating the detector signal evaluated for deriving the spectroscopic information on the object. The at least two photosensitive detectors may be designated to receive object light reflected and / or scattered by the object. For being designated to receive object light reflected and / or scattered by the object, the at least two photosensitive detectors may be arranged and / or positioned in the spectrometer device such that light that is emitted by the emitting element is incident on the object. The object may then generate light, such as by reflecting and / or scattering the incident light. An angle of incidence, such as an angle between the incident light and the normal to a surface of the object, and the angle of reflection, such as an angle of the reflected light and the normal to a surface of the object, may equal each other in case the light is reflected. Reflection may typically occur, when the surface of the object is smooth. In case the light is scattered, the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection may not equal each other. Scattering may typically occur when the surface of the object is rough and / or comprises irregularities. The spectrum of the scattered light and / or the reflected light may be influenced by the interaction of the light with the object.

[0062] The radiation emitting element may generate illumination light, particularly a bundle of illumination light. The object may reflect and / or scatter incident light, particularly incident illumination light, and may, thereby, generate object light. Thereby, on optical bundle of object light may be generated. As used herein, the term “optical bundle” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to a collection of light rays that are parallel and / or nearly parallel. The term optical bundle may refer to a beam of light. The light may propagate together within and / or to a defined region of space. The optical bundle of the object light may be dependent on the placement of the object. The photosensitive detectors may be arranged in a manner that they only receive object light when the object is correctly placed and / or placed as intended. Particularly in case the sample interface acts as an aperture, the optical bundle may be further shaped by the sample interface, particularly as the sample interface may block a portion of the object light. Particularly for ensuring that the photosensitive detectors are arranged in a manner that they only receive object light when the object is correctly placed, the at least two photosensitive detectors may be arranged in a manner that they receive object light of an outer area associated with an optical bundle of light of the object light when the object placement is as intended. Thereby, a distance between the photosensitive detectors may be maxed out, particularly a distance in a direction parallel to the sample interface. At least a first one of the at least two photosensitive detectors may be arranged a first end of the detector array, wherein at least a second one of the at least two photosensitive detectors may be arranged at a second end of the detector array that is opposite to the first end.

[0063] A first portion of the optical bundle of light, particularly of illumination light and / or object light, incident on a first photosensitive detector of the at least one two photosensitive detectors may be different from a second portion of the optical bundle of light, particularly of illumination light and / or object light, incident on a second photosensitive detector of the at least one two photosensitive detectors. The first portion and the second portion may impinge the sample interface, particularly the sample plane of the sample interface, at different spots, preferably wherein the different spots overlap partially. As used herein, the term “spot” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to area of light that is generated by the emitter and / or the object, respectively.

[0064] A first optical path, particularly of a main ray of the first portion, from the light emitting element onto the object and then onto to the first photosensitive detector may be different from a second optical path, particularly of a main ray of the second portion, from the light emitting element onto the object and then onto to the second photosensitive detector. As used herein, the term “main ray” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to a light ray used as a reference for describing at least one property of an optical system, such as the first light bundle and / or the second light bundle. The main ray may be defined by a center of an aperture through which light enters the optical system. The main ray may be a center ray of the first light bundle and / or the second light bundle.

[0065] A first angle of incidence of object light, particularly of a main ray of the first portion, onto a first photosensitive detector of the at least one two photosensitive detectors may be different from a second angle of incidence, particularly of a main ray of the second portion, of object light onto a second photosensitive detector of the at least one two photosensitive detectors. As used herein, the term “angle of incidence” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to an angle between the light impinging on an optical element, such as the photosensitive detector, and the normal to a surface of the optical element.

[0066] A first relative arrangement between the first photosensitive detector, the sample interface and the light emitting element may be different from a second relative arrangement between the second photosensitive detector, the sample interface and the light emitting element, particularly for generating the different optical paths. For generating different relative arrangement, the first photosensitive detector may be arranged at a different position than the second photosensitive detector, particularly in the spectrometer device.

[0067] The spectrometer device further may comprise a signal device, particularly a display, designated for indicating the item of placement information to a user. The signal device may typically be an arbitrary device giving at least one of: a haptic signal, an audible signal and / or a visual signal to a user. The signal device may be a display and / or a screen.

[0068] The at least one evaluation unit further may be configured to determine at least one item of spectral information on the object. The at least one evaluation unit may be adapted to execute at least one computer program, such as at least one computer program performing or supporting the step of generating the items of information. As an example, one or more algorithms may be implemented which, by using the at least one detector signal, such as the time resolved detector signal and / or the spectroscopic detector signal, as input variables, may perform a predetermined transformation for deriving the spectroscopic information on the object, such as for deriving at least one spectroscopic information describing at least one property of the object. For this purpose, the evaluation unit may, particularly, comprise at least one data processing device, also referred to as a processor, in particular an electronic data processing device, which can be designed to generate the desired information by evaluating the detector signal. The evaluation unit may use an arbitrary process for generating the required information, such as by calculation and / or using at least one stored and / or known relationship. The evaluation unit specifically may be configured for performing at least one digital signal processing (DSP) technique on the primary detector signal or any secondary detector signal derived thereof, in particular at least one Fourier transformation. Additionally or alternatively, the evaluation unit may be configured for performing one or more further digital signal processing techniques on the primary detector signal or any secondary detector signal derived thereof, e.g. windowing, filtering, Goertzel algorithm, crosscorrelation and autocorrelation. Besides the detector signal, one or a plurality of further parameters and / or items of information can influence said relationship. The relationship can be determined or determinable empirically, analytically or else semi-empirically. As an example, the relationship may comprise at least one of a model or calibration curve, at least one set of calibration curves, at least one function or a combination of the possibilities mentioned. One or a plurality of calibration curves can be stored for example in the form of a set of values and the associated function values thereof, for example in a data storage device and / or a table. Alternatively or additionally, however, the at least one calibration curve can also be stored for example in parameterized form and / or as a functional equation. Separate relationships for processing the detector signals into the items of information may be used. Alternatively, at least one combined relationship for processing the detector signals is feasible. Various possibilities are conceivable and can also be combined.

[0069] As an example, the detector signal may comprise a plurality of detector signals being at least a function of the wavelength of the detection light, and, optionally, also of time, specifically for time-dependent detector signals. This plurality of detector signals, such as the spectroscopic detector signal, may form a spectrum, including the option of a digital or an analogue spectrum. Thus, as an example, each of the detector signals may summarize information from a predetermined spectral range being defined by a spectral resolution of the detector. As will be outlined in further detail below, the detector may comprise exactly one or a plurality of photosensitive elements, each of the photosensitive elements being sensitive in a different spectral range and / or being exposed to a different part of the spectrum of the detection light. The entirety of the detector signals of the photosensitive elements may form the detector signal, or in the entirety, as an example, defines the spectral information, a part thereof, or a predecessor thereof. Since the spectral range of sensitivity of each of the photosensitive elements may be known, particularly from considering the time resolved detector signal, the intensity of the detection light as a function of the detection wavelength may be derived by this detector signal, by combining the data pairs of the photosensitive elements, each data pair comprising the respective signal of the photosensitive element and the wavelength of sensitivity. It shall be noted, however, that other ways of generating spectral information are also feasible, such as by sequentially exposing one and the same detector to different spectral portions of the detection light, e.g. by using a scannable wavelength-selective element.

[0070] As an example, the detector may be configured for generating a plurality of detector signals for at least one spectral range, specifically for at least two differing spectral ranges of the light from the object, specifically at least one of sequentially and simultaneously. For example, the detector, as outlined above, may comprise an array of photosensitive elements, wherein each photosensitive element may be sensitive in a different spectral range and / or may be exposed to light in a different spectral range. A plurality of detector signals sensitive to differing spectral ranges may be combined for generating the detector signal that is evaluated for deriving the spectroscopic information on the object.

[0071] For determining the item of spectral information on the object, at least one detector signal may be considered, particularly wherein the detector signal considered for determining the item of spectral information is associated with object light. The detector signal considered for determining at least one item of spectral information on the object may be generated by at least one of:

[0072] - at least one photosensitive detector of the two photosensitive detectors considered for determining the item of placement information on the object;

[0073] - at least one further photosensitive detector.

[0074] The at least one evaluation unit is further configured to provide the spectral information on the object when the item of placement information indicates a correct placement of the object. The at least one evaluation unit may be further configured to not determine and / or to not provide the spectral information on the object when the item of placement information indicates an incorrect placement of the object. Particularly thereby, false spectral information may be minimized.

[0075] The at least one evaluation unit may be further configured to provide an indication to rearrange the object in regard to the sample interface when the item of placement information indicates an incorrect placement of the object. The indication may be provided as at least one of: a haptic signal, an audible signal and / or a visual signal to a user. The indication may be a displayed on a display and / or a screen.

[0076] In a further aspect, a computer program comprising instructions is disclosed, which, when the program is executed by the spectrometer device cause the evaluation unit of the spectrometer device to determine at least one of: an item of placement information about the at least one measurement object; at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object, by considering a detector signal. Specifically, the computer program may be stored on a computer-readable data carrier and / or on a computer-readable storage medium. The computer program may be executed on at least one processor comprised by the optoelectronic apparatus and / or the device. In a further aspect, a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions is disclosed, which, when the program is executed by the spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding claims referring to a spectrometer device cause the evaluation unit of the spectrometer device to determine at least one of: an item of placement information about the at least one measurement object; at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object, by considering a detector signal.

[0077] In a further aspect, a non-transient computer-readable medium is disclosed, including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an evaluation unit of a spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding claims referring to a spectrometer device cause one or more processors to determine at least one of: an item of placement information about the at least one measurement object; at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object, by considering a detector signal.

[0078] As used herein, the terms “computer-readable data carrier” and “computer-readable storage medium” specifically may refer to non-transitory data storage means, such as a hardware storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions. The stored computerexecutable instruction may be associate with the computer program. The computer-readable data carrier or storage medium specifically may be or may comprise a storage medium such as a random-access memory (RAM) and / or a read-only memory (ROM).

[0079] As used herein, the terms “have”, “comprise” or “include” or any arbitrary grammatical variations thereof are used in a non-exclusive way. Thus, these terms may both refer to a situation in which, besides the feature introduced by these terms, no further features are present in the entity described in this context and to a situation in which one or more further features are present. As an example, the expressions “A has B”, “A comprises B” and “A includes B” may both refer to a situation in which, besides B, no other element is present in A (i.e. a situation in which A solely and exclusively consists of B) and to a situation in which, besides B, one or more further elements are present in entity A, such as element C, elements C and D or even further elements.

[0080] Further, it shall be noted that the terms “at least one”, “one or more” or similar expressions indicating that a feature or element may be present once or more than once typically are used only once when introducing the respective feature or element. In most cases, when referring to the respective feature or element, the expressions “at least one” or “one or more” are not repeated, nonwithstanding the fact that the respective feature or element may be present once or more than once.

[0081] Further, as used herein, the terms "preferably", "more preferably", "particularly", "more particularly", "specifically", "more specifically" or similar terms are used in conjunction with optional features, without restricting alternative possibilities. Thus, features introduced by these terms are optional features and are not intended to restrict the scope of the claims in any way. The invention may, as the skilled person will recognize, be performed by using alternative features. Similarly, features introduced by "in an embodiment of the invention" or similar expressions are intended to be optional features, without any restriction regarding alternative embodiments of the invention, without any restrictions regarding the scope of the invention and without any restriction regarding the possibility of combining the features introduced in such way with other optional or non-optional features of the invention.

[0082] The present disclosure exhibits several advantages, discussed in the following.

[0083] The present disclosure may illustrate a reliable manner for detecting an incorrect object placement by the user. The incorrect placement may be detected by considering a deviation in a spectral response between at least two detectors. The deviation may be determined by considering at least two associated detector signals. The detectors may be sensitive to the same spectral range. The optical path may be designed in such a manner that the two detectors receive the reflected and / or scattered emission from the object at the sample interface with different angles of incidence. Thus, an incorrect placement of the object may result in only a partial illumination of one of the detectors. The deviation between the detector signals then may indicate an incorrect object placement and, exemplarily, may prevent incorrect measurements, particularly of spectral information on the object, particularly when the measurement is only performed when the object is placed correctly.

[0084] The present disclosure may solve problems introduced by an incorrect object placement, particularly caused by a user, by establishing a correct object placement. Particularly thereby, incorrect measurements may be avoided, such that the user experience may be improved, particularly, since spectrometers may show a dependence of the spectral response (x-axis, or y- axis) on the direction from where light is collected (so-called angle of incidence). If a calibration sample measurement is required, the problem can be solved with this approach as well.

[0085] Overall, in the context of the present invention, the following embodiments are regarded as preferred:

[0086] Embodiment 1 . A spectrometer device for determining an item of spectral information on at least one object, the spectrometer device comprising:

[0087] - at least one sample interface, wherein the sample interface defines, specifically at least one component of, a predetermined pose of the object when the item of spectral information is determined;

[0088] - at least one light emitting element, wherein the at least one light emitting element is designated to emit illumination light onto the object for generating object light;

[0089] - at least two photosensitive detectors that generate at least two detector signals when receiving light, wherein the photosensitive detectors are designated to receive at least a portion of the generated object light;

[0090] - at least one evaluation unit, wherein the at least one evaluation unit is configured to consider the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors for determining an item of placement information on the object. Embodiment 2. The spectrometer device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein considering the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors for determining the item of placement information on the object comprises comparing the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors to each other and / or one or more reference detector signal.

[0091] Embodiment 3. The spectrometer device according to the preceding claim, wherein the photosensitive detectors are arranged in a manner that each photosensitive detector is fully illuminated when the object is placed as intended and wherein at least one photosensitive detector of the photosensitive detectors is not fully illuminated when the object is not placed as intended.

[0092] Embodiment 4. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the sample interface is a measurement window, particularly comprising silicone, designated for transmitting the illumination light and the object light.

[0093] Embodiment 5. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the item of placement information is compared to an intended placement of the object for determining if the object is in the at least one component of the predetermined pose.

[0094] Embodiment 6. The spectrometer device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein the intended placement of the object refers to at least one of:

[0095] - an predetermined orientation of the object;

[0096] - a predetermined position of the object, particularly in regard to the sample interface.

[0097] Embodiment 7. The spectrometer device according to any one of the two preceding Embodiments, wherein the intended placement of the object refers to a degree of a coverage of the sample interface by the object.

[0098] Embodiment 8. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the at least two photosensitive detectors detect light of the same spectral range of the object light.

[0099] Embodiment 9. The spectrometer device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein, for detecting light of the same spectral range of the object light, the spectrometer device comprises at least one filter element arranged in a beam path of the object light, wherein the filter element is configured such that each of the photosensitive detectors is exposed to the same spectral range of the object light. Embodiment 10. The spectrometer device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein the filter element is selected from the group of a tunable wavelength-selective element and a wavelength-selective element having a fixed transmission spectrum.

[0100] Embodiment 11 . The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the light emitting element is at least one of:

[0101] - a thermal radiator;

[0102] - a laser, specifically a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), particularly emitting at least one wavelength in the infrared region;

[0103] - a light-emitting diode (LED), particularly o a LED emitting light that is at least partially located in the infrared spectral range and / or o a LED illuminating a phosphor for light-conversion of light generated by the LED, wherein the luminescent material generates converted light that is at least partly located in the near-infrared spectral range.

[0104] Embodiment 12. The spectrometer device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein the thermal radiator is selected from an incandescent lamp or a thermal infrared emitter.

[0105] Embodiment 13. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the at least two photosensitive detectors are designated to receive object light reflected and / or scattered by the object.

[0106] Embodiment 14. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the at least two photosensitive detectors are arranged in a manner that they receive object light of an outer area associated with an optical bundle of light of the object light when the object placement is as intended.

[0107] Embodiment 15. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein a first portion of the optical bundle of light, particularly of illumination light and / or object light, incident on a first photosensitive detector of the at least one two photosensitive detectors is different from a second portion of the optical bundle of light, particularly of illumination light and / or object light, incident on a second photosensitive detector of the at least one two photosensitive detectors.

[0108] Embodiment 16. The spectrometer device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein the first portion and the second portion impinge the sample interface at different spots, preferably wherein the different spots overlap partially.

[0109] Embodiment 17. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein a first optical path, particularly of main ray of the first portion, from the light emitting element onto the object and then onto to the first photosensitive detector is different from a second optical path, particularly of main ray of the second portion, from the light emitting element onto the object and then onto to the second photosensitive detector.

[0110] Embodiment 18. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein a first angle of incidence of object light, particularly of a main ray of the first portion, onto a first photosensitive detector of the at least one two photosensitive detectors is different from a second angle of incidence, particularly of a main ray of the second portion, of object light onto a second photosensitive detector of the at least one two photosensitive detectors.

[0111] Embodiment 19. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein a first relative arrangement between the first photosensitive detector, the sample interface and the light emitting element is different from a second relative arrangement between the second photosensitive detector, the sample interface and the light emitting element, particularly for generating the different optical paths.

[0112] Embodiment 20. The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the spectrometer device further comprises a signal device, particularly a display, designated for indicating the item of placement information to a user.

[0113] Embodiment 21 . The spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the at least one evaluation unit is further configured to determine at least one item of spectral information on the object.

[0114] Embodiment 22. The spectrometer device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein, for determining the item of spectral information on the object, at least one detector signal is considered, particularly wherein the detector signal considered for determining the item of spectral information is associated with object light.

[0115] Embodiment 23. The spectrometer device according to the preceding Embodiment, wherein the detector signal considered for determining at least one item of spectral information on the object is generated by at least of:

[0116] - at least one photosensitive detector of the two photosensitive detectors considered for determining the item of placement information on the object;

[0117] - at least one further photosensitive detector.

[0118] Embodiment 24. The spectrometer device according to any one of the three preceding Embodiments, wherein the at least one evaluation unit is further configured to provide the spectral information on the object when the item of placement information indicates a correct placement of the object. Embodiment 25. The spectrometer device according to any one of the four preceding Embodiments, wherein the at least one evaluation unit is further configured to not determine and / or to not provide the spectral information on the object when the item of placement information indicates an incorrect placement of the object.

[0119] Embodiment 26. The spectrometer device according to any one of the five preceding Embodiments, wherein the at least one evaluation unit is further configured to provide an indication to rearrange the object in regard to the sample interface when the item of placement information indicates an incorrect placement of the object.

[0120] Embodiment 27. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by the spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments referring to a spectrometer device cause the evaluation unit of the spectrometer device to determine at least one of: an item of placement information about the at least one measurement object; at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object, by considering a detector signal.

[0121] Embodiment 28. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by the spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments referring to a spectrometer device cause the evaluation unit of the spectrometer device to determine at least one of: an item of placement information about the at least one measurement object; at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object, by considering a detector signal.

[0122] Embodiment 29. A non-transient computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an evaluation unit of a spectrometer device according to any one of the preceding Embodiments referring to a spectrometer device cause one or more processors to determine at least one of: an item of placement information about the at least one measurement object; at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object, by considering a detector signal.

[0123] Brief description of the figures

[0124] Further optional details and features of the invention are evident from the description of preferred exemplary embodiments which follows in conjunction with the dependent claims. In this context, the particular features may be implemented in an isolated fashion or in combination with other features. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. Identical reference numerals in the individual figures refer to identical elements or elements with identical function, or elements which correspond to one another with regard to their functions.

[0125] Specifically, in the figures: Figure 1 shows an exemplary display device according to the present invention;

[0126] Figure 2 shows an exemplary display device and a correctly placed object; and

[0127] Figure 3 shows an exemplary display device and an incorrectly placed object.

[0128] Detailed description of the embodiments:

[0129] Figure 1 illustrates, in a highly schematic fashion, an exemplary spectrometer device 110 for determining an item of spectral information on at least one object 112 according to the present invention. The object 112 may be or comprise an arbitrary body, chosen from a living object and a non-living object, which comprises material for investigation or monitoring by the spectrometer device 110.

[0130] According to the present invention, the spectrometer device 110 may be adapted for recording a spectrum, particularly in the infrared (I R) spectral region, especially in the near-infrared (NIR), specifically for a wavelength of 760 nm to 3 pm, preferably of 1 pm to 5 pm, more preferred of 1 pm to 3 pm, or in the mid-infrared spectral region which covers wavelengths from 5 pm to 15 pm. Accordingly, the spectrometer device 110 can be used for monitoring or investigation purposes, such as spectroscopy, gas sensing, or concentration measurements. However, further applications of the spectrometer device 110 may also be feasible.

[0131] As depicted in Figure 1 , the spectrometer device 110 may comprise a housing 114 which encompasses the components of the spectrometer device 110. In this manner, the components of the spectrometer device 110 can be protected and access of external light may be impeded. Further, the housing 114 can, preferably, be filled with an optically transparent mediuml 15, wherein the optically transparent medium 115 may, especially, be selected from ambient air, an inert gas or vacuum, especially in order to facilitate a propagation of the light beam within the housing 114. However, different kind of materials may also be feasible. However, further kinds of arrangements of the components of the spectrometer device 110 may also be conceivable.

[0132] The exemplary spectrometer device 110 as schematically depicted in Figure 1 may comprise a light emitting element 116 which is configured to emit illumination light 118 onto the object for generating object light 119. The light emitting element may be a thermal radiator. The thermal radiator may be selected from an incandescent lamp or a thermal infrared emitter. Alternatively or in addition, the light emitting element may be a laser, specifically a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), particularly emitting at least one wavelength in the infrared region. Alternatively or in addition, the light emitting element may be a light-emitting diode (LED), particularly a LED emitting light that is at least partially located in the infrared spectral range and / or a LED illuminating a phosphor for light-conversion of light generated by the LED, wherein the luminescent material generates converted light that is at least partly located in the nearinfrared spectral range. The light emitting element 116 may be continuously emitting, or generating modulated optical pulses. The light emitting element 116 may be configured for emitting the light 118 isotropically in all spatial directions. However, the light emitting element 116 may, preferably, be designed for emitting the light 118 anisotropically in at least one spatial direction, specifically towards the at least one measurement object 112, such as by generating at least one light beam.

[0133] The exemplary spectrometer device 110 as illustrated in Figure 1 , further, comprises at least one sample interface 130, wherein the sample interface 130 defines, specifically at least one component of, a predetermined pose of the object 112 when the item of spectral information is determined. The sample interface 130 may be a measurement window, particularly comprising silicone, designated for transmitting the illumination light 118 and / or the object light 119. The at least one sample interface 130 may be at least partially, preferably fully, transparent for the respective light 118, 119. The sample interface 130, particularly when being a measurement window and defining an aperture, may, especially, be located in a portion of the housing 114 of the spectrometer device 110, specifically in a portion of a beam path of illumination light 118 and / or the object light 119.

[0134] Further, the exemplary spectrometer device 110 as schematically illustrated in Figure 1 comprises at least two photosensitive detectors 122, particularly comprised by a detector array 120, that generate at least two detector signals when receiving light, wherein the photosensitive detectors are designated to receive at least a portion of the generated object light. At least a first one of the at least two photosensitive detectors 122 may be arranged a first end of the detector array 120, wherein at least a second one of the at least two photosensitive detectors 122 may be arranged at a second end of the detector array 120 that is opposite to the first end. The at least two photosensitive detectors may be designated to receive object light 119 reflected and / or scattered by the object 112.

[0135] The at least two photosensitive detectors 122 may detect light of the same spectral range of the object light 119. For detecting light of the same spectral range of the object light, at least one filter element 124 may be arranged in a beam path of the object light 119, wherein the filter element 124 is configured such that each of the photosensitive detectors 122 is exposed to the same spectral range of the object light 119. The filter element 124 may be selected from the group of a tunable wavelength-selective element and a wavelength-selective element having a fixed transmission spectrum.

[0136] Further, the exemplary spectrometer device 110 as schematically illustrated in Figure 1 comprises at least one evaluation unit 140, wherein the at least one evaluation unit 140 is configured to consider the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors 122 for determining an item of placement information on the object 112. Considering the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors 122 for determining the item of placement information on the object 112 may comprise comparing the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors 122 to each other and / or one or more one reference detector signal. The item of placement information may be compared to an intended placement of the object 112 for determining if the object is in the at least one component of the predetermined pose. The intended placement of the object 112 may refer to at least one of: a predetermined orientation of the object 112; a predetermined position of the object 112, particularly in regard to the sample interface 130. The intended placement of the object 112 refers to a degree of a coverage of the sample interface 130 by the object 112.

[0137] The spectrometer device may further comprise a signal device, particularly a display 142, designated for indicating the item of placement information to a user.

[0138] The at least one evaluation unit 140 may be further configured to determine at least one item of spectral information on the object 112. For determining the item of spectral information on the object 112, at least one detector signal may be considered, particularly wherein the detector signal considered for determining the item of spectral information may be associated with object light 119.

[0139] The detector signal considered for determining at least one item of spectral information on the object may be generated by at least of: at least one photosensitive detector of the two photosensitive detectors 122 considered for determining the item of placement information on the object; at least one further photosensitive detector 123. The at least one further photosensitive detector 123 may not be considered when deriving the placement information and / or the spectral information. The at least one further photosensitive detector 123 may be sensitive to at least one wavelength range differing from the wavelength range at least one, particularly both, detector 122 of the two photosensitive detectors 122 may be sensitive to.

[0140] The at least one evaluation unit 140 is further configured to provide the spectral information on the object 112 when the item of placement information indicates a correct placement of the object 112. The at least one evaluation unit 140 may be further configured to not determine and / or to not provide the spectral information on the object 112 when the item of placement information indicates an incorrect placement of the object 112.

[0141] The at least one evaluation unit 140 may further configured to provide an indication to rearrange the object in regard to the sample interface when the item of placement information indicates an incorrect placement of the object. The indication may be displayed on a display and / or screen 142.

[0142] Figure 2 shows exemplarily a correctly placed object 112. As may be derived from Figure 2, the correctly placed object 112 may bear against the sample interface 130 and / or fully cover the sample interface 130. The at least two photosensitive detectors are arranged in a manner that they receive object light 119 of an outer area 162 associated with an optical bundle 160 of light of the object light 119 when the object placement is as intended. Both photosensitive detectors 122 may be fully illuminated. The detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors 122 may equal within a predetermined range, particularly when both photosensitive detectors 122 are sensitive to the same spectral range.

[0143] A first portion 164 of the optical bundle 160 of light 118, 119, particularly of illumination light 118 and / or object light 120, incident on a first photosensitive detector 126 of the at least one two photosensitive detectors 122 may be different from a second portion 166 of the optical bundle 160 of light 118, 119, particularly of illumination light 118 and / or object light 119, incident on a second photosensitive detector 128 of the at least one two photosensitive detectors 122. The first portion 164 and the second portion 166 may impinge the sample interface at different spots 168, preferably wherein the different spots 168 overlap partially.

[0144] As may be further derived from Figure 2, a first optical path, particularly of main ray 170 of the first portion, from the light emitting element onto the object and then onto to the first photosensitive detector 126 may be different from a second optical path, particularly of main ray 170 of the second portion, from the light emitting element onto the object and then onto to the second photosensitive detector 128.

[0145] Further a first angle of incidence of object light, particularly of main ray 170 of the first portion 164, onto a first photosensitive detector 126 of the at least one two photosensitive detectors 122 is different from a second angle of incidence of object light, particularly of main ray 170 of the second portion 166, onto a second photosensitive detector 128 of the at least one two photosensitive detectors 122.

[0146] Particularly as a result, a first relative arrangement between the first photosensitive detector 126, the sample interface 130 and the light emitting element 116 may be different from a second relative arrangement between the second photosensitive detector 128, the sample interface 130 and the light emitting element 116, particularly for generating the different optical paths.

[0147] Figure 3 shows exemplarily an incorrectly placed object 112. In Figure 3, the reference signs known from Figure 2 are used. As may be derived from Figure 3, the first photosensitive detector 126 is not illuminated by object light 119. On the other hand, the second photosensitive detector 128 is fully illuminated. The detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors 122 may deviate. List of reference numbers

[0148] 110 spectrometer device

[0149] 112 object

[0150] 114 housing

[0151] 115 optically transparent medium

[0152] 116 light emitting element

[0153] 118 illumination light

[0154] 119 object light

[0155] 120 detector array

[0156] 122 photosensitive detectors considered for deriving item of placement information

[0157] 123 further photosensitive detector

[0158] 124 filter element

[0159] 126 first photosensitive detector

[0160] 128 second photosensitive detector

[0161] 130 sample interface

[0162] 140 evaluation unit

[0163] 142 display

[0164] 160 optical bundle

[0165] 162 outer area

[0166] 164 first portion of the optical bundle

[0167] 166 second portion of the optical bundle

[0168] 168 spot

[0169] 170 main ray

Claims

Claims1 . A spectrometer device (110) for determining an item of spectral information on at least one object (112), the spectrometer device (110) comprising:- at least one sample interface (130), wherein the sample interface (130) defines at least one component of a predetermined pose of the object (112) in a manner that an orientation and a position of the object in relation to the sample interface is predetermined, wherein the sample interface, thereby, defines an intended placement of the object (112) in a manner that the optical path from an light emitting element via the object on a photosensitive detector follows a predetermined path when the item of spectral information is determined, wherein the intended placement of the object(112) of the object refers to a degree of a coverage of the sample interface (130) by the object;- at least one light emitting element (116), wherein the at least one light emitting element (116) is designated to emit illumination light (118) onto the object (112) for generating object light (119);- at least two photosensitive detectors (122) that generate at least two detector signals when receiving light, wherein the photosensitive detectors (122) are designated to receive at least a portion of the generated object light (119);- at least one evaluation unit (140), wherein the at least one evaluation unit (140) is configured to consider the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors (122) for determining an item of placement information on the object (112), wherein in the predetermined pose of the object (112) the object (112) is placed correctly; wherein the at least one evaluation unit (140) is further configured to provide the spectral information on the object (112) when the item of placement information indicates a correct placement of the object (112).

2. The spectrometer device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein considering the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors (122) for determining the item of placement information on the object (112) comprises comparing the detector signals of the at least two photosensitive detectors (122) to each other and / or one or more reference detector signal.

3. The spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photosensitive detectors (122) are arranged in a manner that each photosensitive detector is fully illuminated when the object (112) is placed as intended and wherein at least one photosensitive detector of the photosensitive detectors (122) is not fully illuminated when the object (112) is not placed as intended.

4. The spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the item of placement information is compared to an intended placement of the object (112)for determining if the object (112) is in the at least one component of the predetermined pose.

5. The spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two photosensitive detectors (122) are arranged in a manner that they receive object light (119) of an outer area (162) of an optical bundle (160) of light of the object light (119) when the object (112) placement is as intended, wherein the optical bundle is a collection of light rays, wherein, for the at least two photosensitive detectors (122) being arranged in a manner that they receive object light (119) of an outer area (162) of an optical bundle (160) of light of the object light (119) when the object (112) placement is as intended, at least a first photosensitive detector of the at least two photosensitive detectors is arranged at a first end of a detector array and at least a second photosensitive detector of the at least two photosensitive detectors is arranged at a second end of the detector array that is opposite to the first end of the detector array.

6. The spectrometer device (110) according to the preceding claim , wherein a first portion (164) of the optical bundle (160) of light incident on a first photosensitive detector (126) of the at least one two photosensitive detectors (122) is different from a second portion (166) of the bundle of light incident on a second photosensitive detector (128) of the at least one two photosensitive detectors (122).

7. The spectrometer device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first portion (164) and the second portion (166) impinge the sample interface (130) at different spots (168), preferably wherein the different spots (168) overlap partially.

8. The spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first optical path from the light emitting element (116) onto the object (112) and then onto to the first photosensitive detector (126) is different from a second optical from the light emitting element (116) onto the object (112) and then onto to the second photosensitive detector (128).

9. The spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first angle of incidence of object light (119) onto a first photosensitive detector (126) of the at least one two photosensitive detectors (122) is different from a second angle of incidence of object light (119) onto a second photosensitive detector (128) of the at least one two photosensitive detectors (122).

10. The spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first relative arrangement between the first photosensitive detector (126), the sample interface (130) and the light emitting element (116) is different from a second relative arrangement between the second photosensitive detector (128), the sample interface (130) and the light emitting element (116).11 . The spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the five preceding claims, wherein the at least one evaluation unit (140) is further configured to provide an indication to rearrange the object (112) in regard to the sample interface (130) when the item of placement information indicates an incorrect placement of the object (112).

12. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by the spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims referring to a spectrometer device (110) cause the evaluation unit (140) of the spectrometer device (110) to determine at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object (112) by considering a detector signal.

13. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by the spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims referring to a spectrometer device (110) cause the evaluation unit (140) of the spectrometer device (110) to determine at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object (112) by considering a detector signal.

14. A non-transient computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an evaluation unit (140) of a spectrometer device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims referring to a spectrometer device (110) cause one or more processors to determine at least one item of spectral information about the at least one measurement object (112) by considering a detector signal.

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