Dynamic Light Control for Expanded Colorimetric Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing colorimetric methods struggle to accurately distinguish between different levels of components in blood due to limited measurement ranges of RGB values in digital images, particularly in the context of blood glucose measurement using smartphone cameras.

Innovation Solution

The method involves controlling the brightness of light emitted during the reaction between a sample and a reagent by adjusting the lighting unit, aperture, or sensitivity of the camera to expand the measurement range of RGB values, allowing for clearer differentiation between blood glucose levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If standard lighting conditions are used for colorimetric measurement, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement range of RGB values is limited and accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidlight control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic light brightness control by adjusting the illumination unit's brightness to different levels (first brightness and second brightness) based on the reaction progress. The controller dynamically changes lighting conditions during the colorimetric reaction process, allowing the system to adapt to changing color intensities and expand the measurable RGB value range beyond static lighting limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the lighting parameter (brightness level) from a fixed state to a variable state with at least two distinct brightness levels. By controlling the illumination unit to emit light at different brightness levels at different times during the reaction, the system expands the measurement range of RGB values captured by the camera, thereby improving measurement accuracy for various glucose concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If light brightness is increased to improve measurement range, then RGB value differentiation improves, but light control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRGB value differentiationVSAvoidlight brightness control
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic or sequential lighting actions where the illumination unit alternates between different brightness levels during the measurement process. The controller manages the timing of brightness changes to capture images at optimal illumination levels for different reaction stages, enabling better RGB differentiation without requiring continuously variable light control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If multiple brightness levels are used to expand measurement range, then measurement accuracy improves, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement rangeVSAvoidbrightness control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the smartphone's existing camera and processing capabilities to manage the multi-brightness measurement process. The controller (integrated into the smartphone system) automatically manages the sequencing of different brightness levels and the corresponding image capture, eliminating the need for external complex control equipment and leveraging the device's inherent computational resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enhances the accuracy and reliability of blood glucose measurements by expanding the measurement range of RGB values, improving the ability to distinguish between different glucose levels.

Implementation Method 1

a lighting unit configured to emit light with a brightness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a camera configured to capture the reaction... measures an amount of blue in an image captured by the camera

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4056116B1Light control apparatus and method for colorimetric method
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 1DROP INC
  • EP4056116B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4056116B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4056116B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present specification discloses an apparatus and method for controlling the brightness of light to calculate more accurate figures as compared to when the level of a component in blood is measured through a change in color of a reaction reagent. A light control apparatus for a colorimetric method according to the present specification can control light to have a second brightness different from a first brightness while a camera captures an image of the reaction of a reagent and a sample. Thus, a wider range of measurement than conventional measurement ranges is possible.