Centroid-Measuring Photodetector Code Reader for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing code readers for decoding data from imprinted patterns are complex, expensive, and prone to mechanical failures, making them unsuitable for consumer electronics and medical devices that require low-cost, simple, and robust data reading solutions.
Innovation Solution
A code reading system using centroid-measuring photodetectors that detect light interacting with patterns to determine the centroid and decode data, eliminating the need for cameras and mechanical scanning, and can be integrated into medical devices like glucose meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If camera-based systems or line scanners are used to read codes, then data reading capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for code reading - detecting light intensity at specific positions - and implements it using simple photodetectors arranged in a grid pattern. This eliminates the need for complex camera systems, lenses, and image processing hardware, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving data reading capability and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with a static photodetector array that simultaneously captures light from the entire code pattern. This substitution of mechanical movement with a stationary sensor array eliminates moving parts, reduces mechanical complexity, and maintains full code reading functionality
2Measurement precision
If mechanical scanning assemblies are used, then code reading accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases due to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning assemblies with a static photodetector array that has no moving parts. The array simultaneously detects light from all code positions, maintaining measurement precision through the fixed geometric arrangement of detectors while eliminating mechanical failures, directly resolving the contradiction between accuracy and reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If camera systems with focusing elements are used, then image quality is improved, but sensitivity to ambient light and object placement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes focusing elements and optical imaging components from the system, using only direct light detection by photodetectors. This extraction of unnecessary optical components eliminates the sensitivity to ambient light and object placement while maintaining sufficient image quality for code reading through the direct photodetection approach
4Reliability
If expensive code readers are used, then data reading functionality is achieved, but cost-effectiveness for consumer electronics and medical devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive photodetectors and simple circuitry that can be manufactured at low cost using standard semiconductor fabrication processes. The system uses basic light detection principles without requiring expensive optical components, making it economically viable for consumer electronics and medical devices while maintaining full data reading functionality
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
The solution provides a low-cost, robust, and simplified method for reading encoded data from patterns, suitable for medical and consumer electronics, reducing complexity and mechanical dependencies while maintaining accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first photodetector configured to detect light that has interacted with a first pattern provided on an object, wherein the first pattern encode data and wherein the detected light is indicative of a centroid of the first pattern
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Code readers for reading codes provided as patterns imprinted on objects are disclosed. Light interacts with a pattern by e.g. being reflected from or transmitted through the pattern, where some of the light that has interacted with the pattern is incident on photosensitive element(s) of one or more photodetectors of a code reader. The code reader employs centroid-measuring photodetector(s), i.e. photodetectors that detect light in such a manner that centroid of a pattern can be obtained directly from the photocurrents generated as a result of the photosensitive elements detecting light incident thereon. The code reader is then configured to process the detected light to determine a centroid of the pattern from the detected light and to decode data encoded in the pattern based on a position of the centroid. Such code readers are less complex than camera-based devices and avoid mechanical scanning.