Differential PET Signal Features for Faster Liquid Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of a defined protocol for analyzing timeseries data from potentiometric electronic tongues (PETs) hinders the construction of effective classification or prediction models for liquid characterization, limiting the ability to accurately determine concentrations of compounds in liquids.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensing system with N sensors arranged in n sensor pairs, where N≥2 and n≥1, that obtains time-dependent signals by successively sensing a reference liquid and target liquids, extracts features from these signals, and characterizes the liquids based on these features, including transient and steady-state signals, to perform classification or quantitative predictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple timeseries of voltage measurements are collected from PET sensors, then more data can be extracted for liquid characterization, but the lack of defined analysis protocol increases system complexity and difficulty of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the raw voltage measurement data into derived parameters including differential signals (difference between sensor pairs), transient features (signal changes during liquid transitions), and steady-state features (stable signal values). This parameter transformation creates a structured analysis protocol that systematically extracts meaningful information from multiple timeseries measurements while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous voltage measurement timeseries into distinct components: transient portions (during liquid transitions) and steady-state portions (during stable measurement). This segmentation allows systematic extraction of different feature types from different time periods, creating a defined analysis protocol that handles multiple timeseries measurements in an organized manner
2Measurement precision
If steady-state voltages are measured after equilibration, then classification models can be built, but the measurement time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary signal processing by calculating differential signals between sensor pairs and extracting transient features during the transition period itself, rather than waiting for complete equilibration. This preliminary extraction of useful information from transient phases reduces the required equilibration time while maintaining characterization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent continuously extracts features throughout the entire measurement process, including both transient and steady-state phases. By utilizing information from the entire timeseries rather than only the final steady-state value, the system maintains high measurement precision while reducing the time required for complete equilibration
3Measurement precision
If reference electrode is used for potentiometric measurements, then accurate voltage measurements can be obtained, but the device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference function from a separate reference electrode and distributes it across multiple sensing elements. By using differential measurements between sensor pairs where each sensor acts as both sensing element and reference for the other, the system eliminates the need for a dedicated reference electrode while maintaining measurement accuracy through the differential signal approach
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 approach enables more accurate characterization of liquids by extracting meaningful features from differential signals, improving the ability to discriminate between different compounds and reducing the need for complex calibration procedures, allowing for faster and more reliable measurements without requiring a reference electrode.
Implementation Method 1
Some PETs are designed to provide multiple timeseries of voltage measurements of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the sensors are arranged in n sensor pairs... Each of the n time-dependent signals is obtained as a differential signal of a respective pair of the n sensor pairs by successively sensing the reference liquid and said each liquid
Data Source
AI summary
One or more computer processors obtain one or more time-dependent signals with one or more sensor pairs in a sensing system, respectively, wherein each of the one or more time-dependent signals are obtained as a differential signal of a respective pair of the one or more sensor pairs by successively sensing a reference liquid and each liquid in a set of liquids to be characterized with the respective pair; extracting one or more sets of features from one or more portions of the one or more time-dependent signals, respectively, each of the one or more portions including a signal portion obtained while sensing each liquid in the set of liquids with said respective pair; and characterize each liquid in the set of liquids based on the one or more extracted sets of features.