Fluorescence Phosphorescence Detection Device Sensor Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods face challenges in precisely measuring both fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions using a single sensor, as the emission quantities differ significantly even with the same excitation light, making it difficult to detect each type with high precision.

Innovation Solution

A fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device equipped with multiple photodetection units and filters, along with a data acquiring unit that adjusts amplification factors and light source control, allows for precise detection of fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions by analyzing time-series waveforms and attenuation curves, distinguishing between different types of emissions based on wavelength bands and emission characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single sensor is used to detect both fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to significant differences in emission quantities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor configurationVSAvoidemission detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into multiple photodetection units (first photodetection unit, second photodetection unit, third photodetection unit, and fourth photodetection unit), each responsible for detecting specific wavelength bands. This segmentation allows precise measurement of both fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If excitation light quantity is increased to ensure sufficient signal magnitude, then detection sensitivity is improved, but signal saturation occurs preventing accurate measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different photodetection units are assigned to detect different wavelength bands (first and second units for blue and green bands, third and fourth units for red and infrared bands). This local specialization allows each unit to operate within optimal signal ranges, preventing saturation while maintaining high detection sensitivity for both fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If multiple photodetection units with different wavelength band detections are used, then emission distinction precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission distinction precisionVSAvoidsensor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor incorporates four photodetection units that can detect multiple wavelength bands (blue, green, red, and infrared). This multi-functional design enables the single sensor to distinguish between different types of emissions (fluorescence and phosphorescence) and their respective wavelength bands, achieving high emission distinction precision without requiring multiple separate sensors.

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

Enables high-precision detection of fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions, preventing signal saturation and ensuring sufficient signal magnitude for accurate measurement, while reducing device complexity and cost by using a single amplifier circuit and optimizing light quantity for each type of emission.

Implementation Method 1

a light source that emits a predetermined excitation light toward a paper sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from light source: Light

Implementation Method 2

four photodetection units that respectively output a signal corresponding to the light emission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotodetection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

four photodetection filters, which respectively select the emission to be received by the corresponding one of the photodetection units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 4

one security mark may show fluorescence emission in which the security mark performs emission only while it is being irradiated with the excitation light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence emission: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 5

another security mark may show phosphorescence emission. In the phosphorescence emission, the security mark continues emitting even after the irradiation of the excitation light thereon has been stopped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence emission: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3064939B1Fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device and method, and paper-sheet processing device
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 GLORY LTD
  • EP3064939B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3064939B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3064939B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D

AI summary

A fluorescence and phosphorescence detection device includes a fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor (10), a data acquiring unit (33), and an emission detection unit (34). The fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor (10) includes a light source (15) that emits an excitation light of a predetermined wavelength, and a photodetection unit (11-14) that detects fluorescence emission and phosphorescence emission excited from the paper sheet by the excitation light. The data acquiring unit (33) acquires a time-series waveform of a signal outputted from the fluorescence and phosphorescence sensor in response to the detection of the emission in the photodetection unit (11-14). The emission detection unit (34) detects the fluorescence emission from the time-series waveform of a period in which the excitation light is emitted from the light source (15) and detects the phosphorescence emission from an attenuation curve appearing on the time-series waveform of a period in which emission of the excitation light from the light source is stopped.