Gemstone Container With Diffusive Lighting for Batch Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gemstone verification and imaging systems are inefficient for batch processing, struggle with focusing on reflective gemstones, and require manual handling, leading to poor image quality and difficulty in distinguishing gemstones from jewelry items, while existing gemstone boxes create waste due to adhesive labels.
Innovation Solution
A gemstone evaluation system with a clamshell container featuring a transparent top and translucent bottom, a compressible light-diffusing pad, and an integrated illumination device with adjustable LEDs, allowing for secure gemstone placement, even lighting, and automated imaging and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional imaging devices are used to image gemstones in boxes, then manual handling and individual verification are required, but this leads to time-consuming batch processing and increased loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copying to create images of gemstones within the box for verification purposes. The imaging system captures optical copies of the gemstones, allowing batch verification without physical handling. This enables multiple gemstones to be imaged and verified simultaneously, dramatically improving productivity while reducing the time loss associated with manual individual verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated optical imaging system. Instead of physically removing and examining each gemstone, the system uses optical fields to capture images through the transparent box, substituting mechanical verification with optical-based automated verification. This eliminates the need for manual handling and enables batch processing, directly addressing the productivity and time loss contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If conventional imaging devices are used on reflective gemstones, then manual focusing is attempted, but this results in poor image quality due to glare and reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polarizing filter as an intermediary between the light source and the gemstone, and between the gemstone and the imaging device. This polarizing intermediary selectively blocks reflected light that causes glare, while allowing transmitted light to pass through. By using this intermediary element, the system achieves clear images of reflective gemstones without the harmful effects of glare and reflections, directly improving measurement precision.
3Productivity
If multiple gemstones with different physical parameters are stored in a box, then conventional imaging struggles to focus on all gems simultaneously, but this prevents effective batch evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies of multiple gemstones simultaneously through the transparent box using a digital imaging device. Instead of attempting to physically focus on each gemstone individually, the system captures optical images of all gemstones in the batch at once. This copying approach allows batch evaluation to proceed without requiring precise mechanical focusing on each individual gemstone, maintaining both productivity and measurement precision.
4Ease of manufacture
If opaque plastic bottoms are used in gemstone boxes for labeling, then labels can be applied easily, but this prevents light transmission and creates waste when boxes are discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the labeling function from the box bottom itself and relocates it to removable stickers that can be applied to the transparent bottom or placed inside the box. By separating the labeling function from the box structure, the box bottom can remain transparent for light transmission, while labeling capability is maintained through removable elements. This allows the box to be reused without adhesive residue, reducing substance loss and improving environmental sustainability.
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 efficient batch processing of gemstones without manual handling, improves image clarity by reducing glare and reflections, and facilitates objective evaluation of gemstone quality and jewelry items, reducing waste and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The gemstone pad is formed of a compressible material configured to allow light to pass through the compressible material into the gemstones
Implementation Method 2
The bottom wall is one or more of translucent or transparent
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for evaluating gemstones are disclosed. The system includes a gemstone holding case, an illumination pad and an image capturing and gemstone evaluation device. The case includes a transparent viewing window in a top wall, a translucent bottom wall and a compressible light-diffusing pad for receiving gemstones thereon. The case and pad are dimensioned such that, when closed, the viewing window presses the gemstones into the pad holding them in place and level and allowing for in situ gem imaging. The illumination pad includes embedded LEDs for selectively illuminating the portion of the pad on which the case is placed. The controllable lighting, translucent case and diffusive pad serves to evenly light the gems and reduce unwanted light thereby improving the images and analysis performed using the image capturing and gemstone evaluation device. Methods for analyzing gemstones under diffuse lighting using the system is also disclosed.