Two-Photosensor Bio-Illuminance Measurement for Compact Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bio-illuminance measuring technologies require expensive spectrometers and are difficult to miniaturize due to sensor and detector characteristics, limiting their application and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A bio-illuminance measuring apparatus and system utilizing an analog front-end chip with two photosensors, a transceiving device, and a processor to calculate bio-illuminance based on correlated color temperature and circadian action factor, eliminating the need for additional filters and enabling wireless or wired data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a spectrometer is used to measure bio-illuminance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrometer is segmented into two separate photosensors with different spectral sensitivities. Each photosensor captures a specific portion of the spectral information, and the processor combines these segmented measurements to reconstruct the full spectral profile needed for bio-illuminance calculation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single complex spectrometer, the patent creates a simplified copy using two photosensors that replicate the essential spectral measurement function. The photosensors are engineered to provide equivalent spectral discrimination capability through their different sensitivity characteristics, allowing the system to calculate bio-illuminance without the full spectrometer apparatus
2Measurement precision
If a spectrometer is used to measure bio-illuminance, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive spectrometer with inexpensive photosensors that can be mass-produced. The photosensors are standard electronic components that are significantly cheaper than spectrometers, and their shorter operational lifespan is compensated by their low cost and high reliability in the bio-illuminance measurement application
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a functional copy of the spectrometer using two photosensors with different spectral sensitivities. This copy maintains the essential measurement capability at a fraction of the cost, allowing widespread adoption in consumer applications where high precision bio-illuminance measurement is needed but cost sensitivity is high
3Measurement precision
If a spectrometer is used to measure bio-illuminance, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrometer is divided into two separate photosensor elements, each occupying minimal space. By segmenting the spectral measurement function across two small components rather than one large spectrometer, the overall device volume is dramatically reduced while maintaining the precision needed for bio-illuminance measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the spectral measurement function into a compact integration of two photosensors with different spectral sensitivities. This merged configuration achieves spectrometer-level precision in a fraction of the volume, making the device suitable for wearables and portable applications
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 bio-illuminance measurement in a compact and cost-effective manner, allowing diagnosis of light exposure and contamination effects on the circadian rhythm, and providing insights into human awakening and emotional levels.
Implementation Method 1
an analog front-end chip including a first photosensor and a second photosensor; configured to sense external light, and output a first photovoltage and a second photovoltage as digital data, respectively, using the first photosensor and the second photosensor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system for measuring bio-illuminance. A system for measuring bio-illuminance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an analog front-end chip including a first photosensor and a second photosensor; a transceiving device; and at least one processor configured to calculate bio-illuminance, in which the analog front-end chip is configured to sense external light and output a first photovoltage and a second photovoltage as digital data, respectively, using the first photosensor and the second photosensor, the transceiving device is configured to wirelessly or wiredly transmit the digital data of the first photovoltage and the second photovoltage to the processor, and the at least one processor is configured to calculate the bio-illuminance and output the calculated bio-illuminance by invoking a pre-stored function based on the first photovoltage and the second photovoltage.