Infrared Insect Detection with Dynamic Intensity Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect pest detection methods using infrared rays face challenges such as high costs due to the need for multiple light emitting and receiving parts and increased detection errors due to dynamic range issues, especially when distinguishing small changes in light quantity from insect pests of varying sizes.

Innovation Solution

A detection apparatus and method that adjusts infrared ray intensity and temperature corrections to reduce static errors, allowing a single set of light emitting and receiving parts, and reduces detection errors by performing initial calibration to account for temperature changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sets of light emitting part and light receiving part are used to detect objects at multiple paths, then object detection capability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection paths into a single detection device by using a light receiving part that can receive light from multiple directions simultaneously. The light receiving part integrates the functionality of multiple separate detectors, allowing the system to detect objects at multiple paths without requiring multiple complete sets of light emitting and receiving parts, thus reducing device cost while maintaining detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light receiving part is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously. It can detect objects at different paths and positions within the trap using a single detector, making the detection device universal and multi-functional rather than requiring specialized detectors for each path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic range is increased to distinguish insect pests of various sizes, then detection coverage is improved, but detection precision deteriorates due to inability to distinguish small changes from errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection result is used to adjust the light emitting intensity dynamically. When an object is detected, the system adjusts the light intensity to optimize the signal for that specific object size, allowing the system to maintain high precision across a wide range of insect pest sizes by continuously adapting to the detected target

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the light emitting intensity based on detection needs rather than using a fixed intensity. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the light intensity for different object sizes, maintaining measurement precision while covering a wide dynamic range of insect pest sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The apparatus provides low-cost detection with reduced errors by using a single set of light emitting and receiving parts and correcting for temperature fluctuations, effectively distinguishing insect pests of varying sizes.

Implementation Method 1

A detection apparatus (10) according to an embodiment includes a light emitting part (18) for emitting infrared rays, and a light receiving part (19) for receiving the infrared rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a method for detecting an object based on whether the quantity of light received by a light receiving part has been changed as a result of the object having reflected infrared rays emitted from a light emitting part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3938813B1Detection apparatus, detection system, and detection method
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3938813B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3938813B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3938813B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A detection apparatus for detecting an object, the detection apparatus includes a housing having an inner surface whose reflectance is equal to or lower than a certain value; an emitter configured to emit infrared rays into the housing; a sensor configured to detect infrared rays; and one or more processors configured to adjust an intensity of reflected infrared rays according to a result of detection by the sensor.