Coupon Reader Axicon Lens Uniform Illumination

Solution Overview

Problem

Current coupon readers face challenges in providing uniform illumination over the surface of coupons, leading to non-uniform light intensity and shadows, which complicates the analysis of assay results, especially in compact portable devices where a near-field macro imaging design is preferred.

Innovation Solution

The use of a device with a digital camera, logic assembly, and a negative axicon lens that diffuses light uniformly across the coupon surface, combined with color-ratio pixel analysis to compensate for light intensity variations and detect target substances efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a compact portable device with near-field macro imaging design is used, then device portability and ease of operation are improved, but uniform illumination over the coupon surface deteriorates due to shadow formation and light intensity variation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoiduniformity of light distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

A diffuser element is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the coupon surface. This diffuser scatters the light rays to provide uniform illumination across the entire coupon area, eliminating the shadow effects and intensity variations that would otherwise occur in a compact near-field imaging setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical parameters of the illumination system are modified by changing the light distribution pattern through the use of a diffuser. This transforms the direct, non-uniform light rays into scattered, uniform illumination, allowing the system to maintain both compactness and uniform lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If direct light illumination is used in a compact device, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to non-uniform light intensity and shadows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination system complexityVSAvoidassay result analysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A diffuser element is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the coupon surface. This diffuser scatters the light rays to provide uniform illumination across the entire coupon area, eliminating the shadow effects and intensity variations that would otherwise occur in a compact near-field imaging setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex mechanical illumination system with multiple light sources and positioning mechanisms, the patent substitutes a simple optical diffuser element that achieves uniform illumination through passive light scattering, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If uniform illumination is achieved through multiple light sources, then illumination uniformity is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of light distributionVSAvoidillumination system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A diffuser element is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the coupon surface. This diffuser scatters the light rays to provide uniform illumination across the entire coupon area, eliminating the shadow effects and intensity variations that would otherwise occur in a compact near-field imaging setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The single light source combined with the diffuser element serves multiple functions: it provides sufficient illumination intensity, ensures uniform light distribution across the coupon, and maintains a compact device structure. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple separate light sources while achieving the same illumination quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

This solution enables faster and more accurate detection of target substances by eliminating light intensity non-uniformity and shadows, allowing for earlier detection of indicator patterns and reducing the time required for results, even in low-light or stressful situations.

Implementation Method 1

a negative axicon lens that diffuses light uniformly across the coupon surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS10318845B2Coupon reader

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 RES INT INC

AI summary

A method of reading a coupon channel that displays a test section pattern after being exposed to a target substance, the method uses a device having a computer readable memory, digital camera, logic assembly and user interface; providing a pixel target intensity profile; placing the coupon in the device and exposing the coupon channel to a test fluid mixture; automatically using the digital camera to take a digital image of the coupon channel test section after the exposure. The improvement in the method includes finding the contiguous set of pixels from the test section of the coupon channel that best matches the intensity profile of the target pattern representation and determining if this best match set of pixels exceeds a similarity threshold and in response to a best match set of pixels passing the similarity threshold, automatically providing a human perceptible indication that the target substance has been detected.