Handheld Material Scanner Display for Subsurface Inclusion Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material investigation devices struggle to effectively display and analyze material properties beneath a surface in a spatially resolved manner, particularly in identifying inclusions and foreign bodies within construction materials, and lack flexibility in user interface and data representation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held material investigation device equipped with a sensor unit for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, a position detection unit, and a control unit that creates display objects to represent material properties and additional information, including color coding, to intuitively identify inclusions and foreign bodies, with adaptable user interfaces and data storage capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If material properties are displayed using traditional display methods, then the display is simple and easy to understand, but the device lacks flexibility in user interface and data representation
Solution Approach 1:
The display system dynamically adapts its representation based on user needs and detection results. The control unit can change display parameters, representation forms, and coding schemes in real-time, allowing the same physical display to serve multiple functions and user preferences without requiring multiple physical display devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes display parameters such as color coding, representation form, and data organization based on the detected material properties and user requirements. By varying these parameters, the system provides flexible data representation while using the same physical display hardware.
2Loss of information
If additional measurement information is displayed using the same display object, then information density increases, but the display becomes more complex and harder to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color coding to encode additional measurement information within the same display object. Different colors or color combinations represent different material properties, inclusion types, or measurement parameters, allowing multiple information layers to be displayed simultaneously while maintaining visual clarity through established color-coding conventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds information dimensions through color coding and representation variations rather than increasing spatial complexity. By encoding information in the color dimension and using layered display objects, the system increases information density without proportionally increasing the visual complexity that would hinder interpretation.
3Measurement precision
If the device detects and displays inclusions and foreign bodies, then detection capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit and control unit are designed to perform multiple detection functions using the same hardware components. The same electromagnetic wave transmission and reception system can detect different material properties, inclusions, and foreign bodies by varying detection parameters and evaluation algorithms, eliminating the need for separate detection systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital representations (display objects) of detected features rather than requiring complex physical visualization systems. By copying detection data into standardized digital display objects that can be rendered in various forms, the system achieves detailed detection capability while keeping the physical device structure relatively simple.
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 clear and flexible display of material properties and inclusions, allowing for intuitive handling and efficient data storage, even beyond the current sensor range, with adaptable user interfaces for various user needs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit, in particular an antenna unit, which transmits and receives electromagnetic waves, in particular in the microwave range and/or in the radio wave range, as measurement signals
Implementation Method 2
The sensor unit is provided to receive a back-scattered, in particular back-reflected, portion of the transmitted measurement signals
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a hand-held material investigation device includes transmitting a measurement signal into an object under investigation, and acquiring a position of the material investigation device in relation to a surface of the object under investigation in order to determine a material property of a region, concealed behind the surface, of the object under investigation in a space-resolved and/or direction-resolved manner. The method further includes displaying the material property as at least one digital display object with a physical display unit, and displaying additional measurement information with the same at least one digital display object by way of color coding of the at least one digital display object.