Mechanical-Change Sequence Detection with Single-Signal Entity Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sequence-detection systems face challenges in achieving high reliability and accuracy while minimizing cost and complexity, often requiring multiple detectors and complex signal processing to differentiate between different types of entities in a target sequence.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical-change-based sequence-detection system that utilizes a mechanical-change sensor to generate electrical signals from interactions with target entities, coupled with a mechanical-change-to-signal transducer and an analysis subsystem to determine entity types by mapping multiple derived values from the electrical signal to non-overlapping range volumes, using a mechanical coupler and transducer to convert mechanical changes into electrical signals for precise identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple detectors and multiple signal types are used to improve reliability and accuracy of sequence detection, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequence detection accuracyVSAvoiddetector system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection capabilities (electromagnetic sensing, optical sensing, weight detection, volume detection, magnetic-susceptibility detection) into a single integrated detector that can identify different entity types using multiple signal types simultaneously. This merging approach maintains high measurement precision while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate detectors for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detector is designed as a universal multi-functional device capable of generating and processing multiple types of signals (electromagnetic, optical, weight, volume, magnetic-susceptibility) from a single entity. This multi-functionality allows one detector to perform the work of multiple specialized detectors, improving sequence detection accuracy without increasing overall system complexity.

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

2Reliability

If multiple detectors are used to differentiate entity types in target sequences, then reliability improves, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequence detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetector system cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single integrated detector that can simultaneously generate electromagnetic signals, optical signals, weight measurements, volume measurements, and magnetic-susceptibility measurements. This consolidation maintains high sequence detection reliability while reducing system cost by eliminating redundant detector components and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system provides reliable and accurate sequence detection by generating a symbolic representation of entity types within a target using a single output signal, reducing the need for multiple detectors and complex signal processing, thus optimizing cost and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanical-change-to-signal transducer that transduces the one or more mechanical changes into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical-change-to-signal transduction:

Data Source

PatentEP3682020B1Sequence-detection system
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ILLUMINA INC
  • EP3682020B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3682020B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3682020B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3F

AI summary

The current document discusses a detection system comprising a mechanical-change sensor that exhibits one or more mechanical changes when specifically interacting with entities within a target, each entity having a type, a mechanical-change-to-signal transducer that transduces the one or more mechanical changes into a signal, and an analysis subsystem that determines the types of entities within the target using the signal.