Compact Spectrometer System Integration with Consumer Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometers are too large, costly, and bulky for portable applications, offering less than ideal resolution, sensitivity, and accuracy, and are difficult to integrate into consumer devices, lacking the ability to provide relevant attributes of measured objects beyond spectral data.
Innovation Solution
A compact spectrometer system integrated with a processing device and a remote server, allowing for spectral measurements without an internet connection, which can be physically integrated with consumer appliances, providing attributes of measured objects through software applications on devices like smartphones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior spectrometers are designed for high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase making them unsuitable for portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrometer is divided into separate functional modules: a compact optical engine containing the dispersive element and detector, and a separate processing device that interfaces with smartphones or other consumer electronics. This modular segmentation allows the optical components to be miniimized while maintaining spectral resolution, and enables integration with various consumer devices without requiring the entire system to be bulky.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional benchtop spectrometer configurations to a portable handheld form factor by reconfiguring the optical path in three-dimensional space. The optical engine is designed with a folded optical path and compact arrangement of components along the optical axis, enabling high-resolution spectroscopy in a device that fits in the palm of a hand rather than requiring a large optical table.
2Ease of operation
If prior spectrometers are miniaturized for portable use, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and sensitivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs advanced optical parameters and design choices in the optical engine, including optimized dispersive element geometry, precise control of optical path length, and carefully selected detector characteristics. These parameter optimizations enable the compact optical engine to achieve spectral resolution and sensitivity comparable to larger instruments while maintaining a portable form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment and adjustment mechanisms with optically-invariant designs and computational methods. The optical engine is designed to be insensitive to minor misalignments, and processing algorithms compensate for optical variations, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms that would increase size and complexity.
3Measurement precision
If prior spectrometers are designed for laboratory use, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and integration into consumer devices worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrometer is divided into separate functional modules: a compact optical engine containing the dispersive element and detector, and a separate processing device that interfaces with smartphones or other consumer electronics. This modular segmentation allows the optical components to be miniimized while maintaining spectral resolution, and enables integration with various consumer devices without requiring the entire system to be bulky.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device is designed with universal communication interfaces and standardized data protocols that enable the optical engine to be integrated with multiple types of consumer devices including smartphones, tablets, and specialized analytical instruments. The system can function as a standalone portable spectrometer or integrate with various platforms, making it adaptable to different manufacturing and application scenarios.
4Device complexity
If prior spectrometers provide only spectral data, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases as spectral data alone does not convey relevant attributes of objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a processing device as an intermediary between the optical engine and the user or external systems. This processing device receives spectral data from the optical engine, applies calibration and analysis algorithms, and translates the spectral information into meaningful object attributes such as material identification, compositional analysis, or quality metrics. The processing device acts as a mediator that converts raw spectral measurements into actionable information while maintaining a relatively simple optical design.
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 practical, sensitive, and accurate end-user spectroscopic measurements in various applications, such as detecting contaminants or analyzing food quality, by associating spectral data with relevant attributes and providing actionable insights.
Implementation Method 1
These instruments generally include some type of spectrally selective element to separate wavelengths of radiation received from the sample
Implementation Method 2
a first-stage optic, such as a lens, to focus or concentrate the radiation onto an imaging array
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrometer system may be used to determine one or more spectra of an object, and the one or more spectra may be associated with one or more attributes of the object that are relevant to the user. While the spectrometer system can take many forms, in many instances the system comprises a spectrometer and a processing device in communication with the spectrometer and with a remote server, wherein the spectrometer is physically integrated with an apparatus. The apparatus may have a function different than that of the spectrometer, such as a consumer appliance or device.