Optical Sensor Segment Testing with Gradient Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing optical sensors in surveillance areas fail to reliably detect both 'stuck-at' errors and coupling errors, which are critical for ensuring the accuracy of security applications like automatic doors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves irradiating spatially adjacent detector segments with test light of varying intensities to differentiate their reactions, allowing for individual and comparative evaluation of the intensities detected by the control and evaluation unit, enabling reliable detection of both 'stuck-at' and coupling errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform test light intensity is applied to all detector segments, then the testing process is simple, but coupling errors cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different test light intensities to different spatial positions of detector segments. Specifically, detector segments are irradiated with test light intensities that increase or decrease monotonically along a line of detector segments, creating a spatial gradient. This local differentiation allows the system to detect coupling errors by comparing adjacent segments' responses, while maintaining a relatively simple test implementation.
2Ease of operation
If detector segments are tested individually without comparative evaluation, then the testing process is straightforward, but coupling errors between adjacent segments remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a comparative evaluation process where the control and evaluation unit compares the reactions of adjacent detector segments to the test light irradiation. By evaluating detector segment responses in comparison to their neighbors and identifying deviations from the expected monotonic intensity pattern, the system detects coupling errors. This feedback mechanism enhances detection precision while building upon a straightforward individual testing foundation.
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 approach allows for the reliable detection of both 'stuck-at' and coupling errors, ensuring the operational safety of security applications by bringing the connected device into a safe state when errors are detected, and is simple and cost-effective to implement.
Implementation Method 1
a test unit (70) connected to the control and evaluation unit (50) for testing the detector segments, the test unit having a test light source (60) for irradiating the detector segments with test light
Implementation Method 2
a receiving unit (40) for detecting light reflected back from the monitored area. In this case, the receiving unit has at least one detector (30) with a plurality of detector segments (41, ..., 49)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The method involves testing individual detector segments (41-49) by radiating test light (61, 65, 69) from an infra red LED to the detector segments. The test lights are differently selected in a sufficient manner for measuring technical differentiation of reactions of the spatially adjacent detector segments (41, 42), during normal function of the detector segments. Reaction of the individual detector segments to the radiation of the test light is evaluated individually or in comparison with reactions of the adjacent segments. An error signal is delivered in dependent of the evaluation. An independent claim is also included for a sensor with a reflector.