Inline Spectroscopic Reader for Real-Time Moving Target Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectroscopic detectors operate slowly, making them unsuitable for inline applications where rapid analysis of multiple items is required, and they often provide simple information content that is insufficient for complex processing decisions.
Innovation Solution
An inline spectroscopic reader system comprising a light source, optics heads, a spectrometer, and a data processing system that allows for real-time spectroscopic analysis of moving targets, using multiple optics heads and fiber optic coupling to accommodate varying target orientations and provide complex information content for autonomous decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectroscopic detectors are used, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the interrogation time and data analysis time become too long (0.1-10 seconds), making them unsuitable for inline applications requiring real-time analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spectroscopic analysis into parallel processing components: multiple optics heads simultaneously interrogating different aspects of the target, fiber optic coupling distributing light paths to multiple spectrometers, and parallel data processing streams analyzing spectral data concurrently. This segmentation enables simultaneous measurement acquisition and analysis, reducing total time from seconds to sub-second speeds while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic data processing where the data processing system continuously analyzes spectral information in real-time as targets move through the interrogation zone. The system adapts its analysis speed and processing intensity based on the rapid movement of targets through the system, enabling real-time decision-making while maintaining accurate spectroscopic measurements.
2Device complexity
If simple information content is provided by conventional detectors, then device complexity is reduced, but the information content is insufficient for complex processing decisions in inline applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functional optics heads that can simultaneously perform multiple spectroscopic measurements (transmission, reflection, fluorescence) and feed data to multiple spectrometers. This universal design enables a single system to provide rich, multi-dimensional information content sufficient for complex processing decisions while avoiding the need for multiple separate specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic coupling system acts as an intermediary that efficiently transmits light and spectral information between multiple optics heads and spectrometers. This intermediary infrastructure enables the system to collect and distribute complex spectral data from multiple sources without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the fiber optic network serves as a shared communication backbone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optics heads are used to accommodate varying target orientations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple optics heads into a unified spectroscopic platform where all optical paths are combined through fiber optic coupling to share common spectrometers and data processing resources. This merging approach enables the system to handle varying target orientations with multiple optics heads while avoiding the complexity of having separate independent measurement systems, as shared components reduce overall system complexity.
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-speed, real-time spectroscopic analysis and complex information extraction, facilitating rapid processing decisions in inline applications such as quality control and authentication, even for items with varying orientations and compositions.
Implementation Method 1
The light source may be implemented with any source producing illumination suitable for use in spectroscopic analysis
Implementation Method 2
Certain materials exhibit intrinsic optical properties that can be detected and analyzed spectroscopically
Implementation Method 3
Fiber optic coupling may be used between a lesser number of light sources, a lesser number of spectrometers and a greater number of optics heads
Data Source
AI summary
An inline spectroscopic reader having a light source, one or more optics heads, a spectrometer and a data processing system in digital communication with the spectrometer detector. The optics heads include transmission optics providing for the illumination of a target with light from the light source and detection optics providing for the collection of light from the target. Typically, the target is moving with respect to the optics head during spectroscopic interrogation. The spectroscopic reader is thus an inline reader well suited to provide spectrum based production or analytical decision making in real time as the target moves along a production or analysis line. Also disclosed are methods including the steps of illuminating a target with light from a light source; collecting light from the target; obtaining a digitized spectrum with a spectrometer; extracting information content from the digitized spectrum; and basing a contemporaneous process decision upon the information content.