Optical Filter for Glare Reduction in Insulin Injection OCR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulin injection devices face reliability issues due to glare from the dosage window, which affects the accuracy of optical character recognition (OCR) in determining the amount of insulin injected, as light reflection obscures the numbers on the sleeve.
Innovation Solution
A supplemental device with a camera and a light source is designed to illuminate the dosage window, featuring a filter that blocks the light source's emission spectrum while allowing fluorescence to pass through, reducing glare and improving OCR accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light source is provided to illuminate the sleeve portion aligned with the dosage window, then the readability by the OCR reader is improved, but light reflects from the dosage window directly towards the OCR reader which obscures the analysis and decreases reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component in the optical path between the light source and the dosage window. The filter selectively transmits the emission spectrum of the light source while blocking reflected light from the dosage window, thereby mediating between the illumination requirement and the glare prevention requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is positioned specifically in the region where reflected light from the dosage window would interfere with the OCR reader. By applying the filtering function locally at this critical interface, the solution addresses the glare problem precisely where it occurs without affecting overall illumination
2Measurement precision
If the supplemental device covers the dosage window to prevent ambient light interference, then OCR analysis is improved, but light reflection from the dosage window still reaches the OCR reader and decreases reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The filter acts as an intermediary that allows the supplemental device to cover the dosage window for protection and ambient light blocking, while simultaneously preventing reflected light from reaching the OCR reader. The filter transmits the light source emission spectrum needed for illumination but blocks the reflected light that would cause glare
3Reliability
If a filter is added to block reflected light from the dosage window, then reliability of number determination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks reflected light from the dosage window to prevent glare, transmits the light source emission spectrum for illumination, and can be integrated with the protective cover structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall device 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
The solution enhances the reliability of insulin dose determination by minimizing light reflection and maximizing fluorescence detection, thereby improving the accuracy and consistency of insulin injection tracking.
Implementation Method 1
a filter configured to be located on the optical path between the camera and the surface in use, the filter being substantially opaque to light across the entire emission spectrum of the light source and substantially transparent to light of at least one frequency outside the emission spectrum of the light source
Implementation Method 2
a light source having an emission spectrum and configured to illuminate the surface with light within the emission spectrum in use
Implementation Method 3
a camera configured to generate camera output indicative of a scene viewable by the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A supplemental device configured for attachment to an injection device, the supplemental device comprising: a camera configured to generate camera output indicative of a scene viewable by the camera, and to be located on an optical path with a surface of an injection device attached to the supplemental device in use; a light source having an emission spectrum and configured to illuminate the surface with light within the emission spectrum in use; and a filter configured to be located on the optical path between the camera and the surface in use, the filter being substantially opaque to light across the entire emission spectrum of the light source and substantially transparent to light of at least one frequency outside the emission spectrum of the light source.