Alignment-Free Spectrometer Using Diffractive Encoding and Neural Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers used in electronic devices are bulky and require precise calibration and alignment to measure ambient light conditions and light reflected by objects, limiting their portability and usability in determining wavelength and angle of incidence.
Innovation Solution
A single-shot alignment-free spectrometer with no moving parts, utilizing a diffractive member like a grating and a coded aperture to encode light based on wavelength and angle of incidence, combined with image sensors and deep neural networks to determine light profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectrometers are used to measure ambient light conditions and reflected light, then measurement precision is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment systems with a computational approach. Instead of requiring precise physical alignment of optical components, the system uses a coded aperture with known patterns and image processing algorithms to determine wavelength and angle of incidence information from captured images, thereby eliminating mechanical alignment requirements while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the optical measurement process. Rather than using physical optical components that require alignment, the system captures light through a coded aperture and creates a digital representation (spectrogram) that can be processed computationally to extract measurement information, replacing physical measurement mechanisms with digital processing
2Measurement precision
If conventional spectrometers with precise calibration and alignment are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical calibration and alignment systems with computational methods. The coded aperture captures optical information that is then processed through algorithms to achieve calibration and alignment functions without requiring physical adjustment mechanisms or precise mechanical positioning, enabling a compact portable device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the calibration and alignment functions from the physical optical path and relocates them to the computational domain. By capturing images through the coded aperture and processing these images algorithmically, the system achieves calibration and alignment accuracy without the physical components and space requirements of conventional spectrometers
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, portable measurement of light conditions, user health, and external object information without the need for alignment or moving parts, allowing for real-time adjustments and health sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
the spectrometer may include a diffractive member, such as a grating, to diffract the light based on its wavelength and angle of incidence
Implementation Method 2
The aperture may be a coded aperture with light-blocking portions that only allow light at certain angles to pass through specific portions of the aperture
Implementation Method 3
The spectrometer may also include an image sensor to detect the light and generate spectrometer data after the light has passed through the diffractive member and the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device such as a portable electronic device may include a single-shot alignment-free spectrometer with no moving parts. The spectrometer may include a diffractive member, such as a grating, an aperture, and an image sensor that generates data in response to incident light. The diffractive member may diffract the incident light based on its wavelength and angle of incidence, and the aperture may further encode the light. The data generated by the image sensor may be used by control circuitry in combination with correlations between spectrometer measurements and known light profiles to determine the wavelength and angle of incidence of the light. These correlations may be determined using a deep neural network. Control circuitry may adjust one or more settings of the electronic device based on the wavelength and angle of incidence, or may use the wavelength and angle of incidence to determine information regarding an external object.