Optical Sensor Concealment via Diffusive Light Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical sensor devices reflect unwanted light, making them detectable and compromising their intended purpose, such as in security or surveillance applications where concealment is necessary.

Innovation Solution

An optical sensor device incorporating a concealment component with diffusive optical structures and an optical filter that distributes light in a diffused pattern, allowing specific wavelength ranges to pass through while directing or absorbing unwanted light in a concealment pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional optical sensor devices are used, then they can capture light information, but they reflect unwanted light making them detectable and compromising their intended purpose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcealment capabilityVSAvoidlight reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful reflection of unwanted light into a beneficial concealment mechanism. The optical filter is configured to reflect unwanted light in a specific directional pattern that directs reflected light away from potential observers, thereby transforming the harmful reflection into a useful concealment feature that helps hide the sensor device's location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the optical filter. The filter is configured with wavelength-selective regions that allow desired light to pass through while reflecting unwanted light in specific directions. This local differentiation of optical properties enables simultaneous light capture and concealment functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the optical filter directs unwanted light in a concealment pattern, then the device remains concealed, but computing resources may be wasted if detection occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcealment effectivenessVSAvoidcomputing resource waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the potentially harmful detection event into a beneficial reinforcement of concealment. When light reflection is detected, the system responds by adjusting the optical filter to modify the reflection pattern, converting the detection event into an opportunity to enhance the concealment effectiveness and prevent future detections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 effectively conceals the optical sensor device from observers, reducing the likelihood of detection and maintaining the device's intended functionality without wasting computing resources.

Implementation Method 1

the one or more diffusive optical structures of the concealment component are configured to distribute light associated with a scene in a diffused pattern on an input surface of the optical filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

the optical filter is configured to: allow a first set of light beams, of the light distributed in the diffused pattern on the input surface of the optical filter, that are associated with a particular wavelength range to pass through the optical filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 3

prevent a second set of light beams, of the light distributed in the diffused pattern on the input surface of the optical filter, that are not associated with the particular wavelength range, from passing through the optical filter, wherein preventing the second set of light beams from passing through the optical filter is to cause the second set of light beams to be directed away from or absorbed by the input surface of the optical filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250146866A1Concealment component for an optical sensor device

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC(US)

AI summary

A concealment component for an optical sensor device includes an optical filter and one or more diffusive optical structures. The one or more diffusive optical structures are configured to distribute light in a diffused pattern on an input surface of the optical filter. The optical filter is configured to pass a first set of light beams, of the light distributed in the diffused pattern on the input surface of the optical filter, that are associated with a particular wavelength range, and prevent a second set of light beams, of the light distributed in the diffused pattern on the input surface of the optical filter, that are not associated with the particular wavelength range, from passing. Preventing the second set of light beams from passing is to cause the second set of light beams to be directed away from or absorbed by the concealment component in a concealment pattern.