Light Source Wavelength Shift Control via Color Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques fail to accurately calculate the wavelength shift amount of semiconductor light emitting elements, leading to inconsistent chromaticity in light sources, particularly in medical applications where color reproducibility is critical.

Innovation Solution

A light source system with a color sensor having multiple light receiving elements with sensitivity peaks at different wavelengths, calculating the wavelength shift amount based on the ratio between the main and sub signals from the sensor, allowing for precise determination of the shift and adjustment of light source conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If temperature-based wavelength shift estimation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate calculation even at same temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidwavelength shift measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces temperature-based estimation (thermal measurement) with optical signal-based measurement using a color sensor. Instead of measuring temperature and inferring wavelength shift, the system directly measures the wavelength shift through optical signals from the light source, substituting a thermal measurement system with an optical measurement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a color sensor as an intermediary device that detects the light source's output characteristics. The color sensor acts as a mediator between the light source and the control system, providing direct feedback about wavelength shifts through its R, G, and B signal outputs, which are then used to calculate accurate wavelength shift amounts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If chromaticity control is prioritized for medical applications, then color reproducibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional measurement and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechromaticity measurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The color sensor serves multiple functions: it detects the light source's wavelength shifts, provides feedback for control, and enables chromaticity compensation. By using a single multi-functional component rather than separate dedicated devices for each function, the system achieves precise chromaticity control without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control loop where the color sensor continuously monitors the light source's wavelength shifts and sends signals back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts driving currents or light source parameters based on this feedback to maintain accurate chromaticity, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for drift.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If aging deterioration is accounted for in wavelength shift calculation, then long-term reliability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term reliabilityVSAvoidwavelength shift measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calibration by storing the relationship between color sensor outputs and wavelength shift amounts before actual use. This pre-established calibration data allows the system to account for aging deterioration over time without requiring increasingly precise measurements, as the calibration provides a baseline that compensates for gradual changes in light source characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables accurate calculation and control of wavelength shift, maintaining consistent chromaticity across varying brightness levels and accounting for aging deterioration, thereby enhancing color reproducibility in medical settings without the need for bulky optical spectrum analyzers.

Implementation Method 1

the color sensor includes a plurality of light receiving elements having sensitivity peaks at different wavelengths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3656283B1Light source system, control device, and control method
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3656283B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3656283B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3656283B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

To enable calculation a wavelength shift amount more accurately. A light source system is provided including a light source unit configured to emit a light beam, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a wavelength shift amount of the light beam on the basis of an output from a color sensor that detects the light beam.