Optical Characteristic Measuring Apparatus with Sequentially-Readable Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical characteristic measuring apparatuses struggle to accurately measure the optical characteristics of multiple samples containing fluorescent materials in a short time, as they require cumbersome calibration and cannot maintain consistent spectral distributions during measurement.
Innovation Solution
An optical characteristic measuring apparatus with a sequentially-readable charge storage sensor array and controlled illumination using white and UV light, where the UV light is alternately driven during integration periods to ensure consistent spectral distributions, allowing for accurate measurement of samples containing fluorescent materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional optical characteristic measuring apparatus is used to measure fluorescent samples, then measurement can be performed, but measurement time is excessive and calibration is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the spectral radiance factor of the light source in the storage unit before measurement. This eliminates the need for cumbersome calibration during actual measurement operations, allowing rapid measurement of multiple fluorescent samples without repeating complex calibration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by measuring the spectral distribution of light emitted from the fluorescent sample and comparing it with the stored reference spectral radiance factor. This allows the system to determine optical characteristics through spectral comparison rather than direct physical calibration, significantly reducing measurement time and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If spectral distribution measurement is performed on fluorescent samples, then accurate colorimetry can be achieved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the spectral radiance factor of the illumination light source. During measurement, the system only needs to capture the spectral distribution of the fluorescent sample and compare it with the pre-stored reference, eliminating time-consuming calibration steps while maintaining accurate colorimetry through spectral comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical calibration procedures with an information-based system. Instead of physical calibration using standard samples, the system uses spectral distribution measurement and computational comparison with stored reference data, substituting mechanical adjustment with optical measurement and data processing to achieve both speed and accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple samples are measured sequentially, then comprehensive evaluation is possible, but total measurement time becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the spectral radiance factor of the light source in the storage unit. This allows multiple fluorescent samples to be measured sequentially using the same reference data, eliminating repeated calibration steps and enabling comprehensive evaluation of multiple samples with high throughput.
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 accurate and efficient measurement of optical characteristics of multiple samples containing fluorescent materials by controlling the irradiation of white and UV light, reducing measurement time and eliminating the need for cumbersome calibration.
Implementation Method 1
a sequentially-readable charge storage sensor array having a plurality of light receiving elements
Implementation Method 2
a sample containing a fluorescent material... wavelength component of fluoresced light from the sample
Data Source
AI summary
An optical characteristic measuring apparatus of the invention includes a sequentially-readable charge storage sensor array having a plurality of light receiving elements. Irradiation of first illumination light and second illumination light is controlled in such a manner that a period for irradiating the second illumination light onto a sample containing a fluorescent material is included in an integration period of each of the light receiving elements for receiving a wavelength component of fluoresced light from the sample in measuring an optical characteristic of the sample. The optical characteristic measuring apparatus having the above arrangement enables to accurately measure the optical characteristics of samples containing a fluorescent material in a short time by scanning the samples.