Optical Sensor Multi-Source Segmentation for False Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors for surveillance areas can produce incorrect diagnoses due to gaps or openings in objects, such as circuit boards, leading to misinterpretation of light reflections and scattered light, which can result in false object detection.
Innovation Solution
The optical sensor employs multiple light sources positioned to create light spots at different locations on the object, with varying physical properties like wavelength and modulation frequency, allowing the control and evaluation unit to output a switching signal only when multiple light sources detect the object, preventing false diagnoses by ensuring that gaps or slits do not trigger incorrect reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used for object detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but false diagnoses occur when light passes through gaps or openings in objects
Solution Approach 1:
The single light source is segmented into multiple light sources (at least two) that are positioned and aligned to generate light spots at different locations on the object. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between light passing through gaps and light reflecting from the object surface, thereby eliminating false diagnoses while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Different light sources are positioned to illuminate different local areas on the object, creating spatially separated light spots. Each light source provides localized illumination that can be independently evaluated by the control and evaluation unit, enabling the system to differentiate between genuine object presence and false signals from gaps or openings
2Reliability
If multiple light sources with different physical properties are used, then false diagnoses are eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple light sources serve multiple functions: they illuminate different locations on the object, provide different physical properties (wavelength, modulation frequency) for differentiation, and enable both near-field and far-field detection when combined with the detector unit. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by providing robust false-diagnosis elimination and enhanced detection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The light sources are configured with different physical properties such as wavelength and modulation frequency. The control and evaluation unit utilizes these parameter differences to differentiate between reflections from the object and light passing through gaps, enabling reliable detection while managing complexity through systematic parameter variation rather than arbitrary component addition
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
This solution ensures reliable detection of objects by eliminating false positives, even in the presence of gaps or openings, and allows for precise monitoring of object presence and completeness in packaging, while also enabling the detection of colored objects and measurement of object speed.
Implementation Method 1
a near element (7) for detecting reflected and/or scattered light from an object (2) in the immediate vicinity and a far element (10) for detecting reflected and/or scattered light from a background surface (12)
Implementation Method 2
a near element (7) for detecting reflected and/or scattered light from an object (2) in the immediate vicinity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical sensor for detecting an object in a monitoring region, comprising a light emitting unit for illuminating the monitoring region with light, comprising a detector unit having a close-up element for detecting light reflected and/or scattered from an object in a close-up region, and a far element for detecting light reflected and/or scattered from a background surface, and comprising a control and evaluation unit for controlling the light emitting unit and for evaluating detection signals of the detector unit. The optical sensor is characterized in that the light emitting unit comprises a plurality of light sources in order to exclude faulty diagnoses, that the light sources are positioned and aligned in order to create light spots on the object to be detected at different locations, that the radiation of the different light sources in each case has different physical properties, allowing for the reflected and/or scattered light returning to the associated light sourced to be differentiated, and that the control and evaluation unit is equipped to output a switch signal on the basis of a logic operation of the detection signals returning to the individual light sources. The invention further relates to a method for detecting objects in a monitoring region.