Semiconductor Laser Light Measurement with Thermal Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light measurement devices struggle to accurately measure the light amount of semiconductor lasers with different wavelengths due to temperature fluctuations when not in use, leading to inaccurate readings.

Innovation Solution

A light measurement device that includes a drive circuit to separately drive each semiconductor laser, an optical sensor to detect light, and an arithmetic processing circuit to calculate light amount and chromaticity, ensuring accurate measurements by maintaining consistent temperature conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If semiconductor lasers are sequentially selected and lit one at a time to measure light amount, then measurement capability is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates causing inaccurate measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight amount measurement accuracyVSAvoidtemperature stability of semiconductor lasers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining a standby semiconductor laser in a lit state before measurement to prevent temperature drops. The standby laser is kept operating at a predetermined drive current to maintain its temperature close to the operating temperature, so when it becomes the active measured laser, the temperature is already stable and accurate measurements can be taken without waiting for thermal equilibrium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by ensuring that at least one standby semiconductor laser remains continuously lit between measurement cycles. This continuous operation of the standby laser maintains the thermal environment, allowing seamless transition to accurate measurement when the active laser is lit without temperature-induced measurement errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Measurement precision

If only one semiconductor laser is lit at a time for measurement, then individual laser measurement capability is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual laser light amount accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces measurement time by performing preliminary actions - keeping standby lasers lit and warm before they are needed for measurement. This eliminates the warm-up time that would otherwise be required when switching between lasers, allowing faster transition to accurate individual laser measurements without sacrificing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by dynamically managing the operational state of multiple semiconductor lasers - switching between active and standby states based on measurement needs. The system dynamically adjusts which laser is lit for measurement and which remains on standby, optimizing the balance between individual measurement accuracy and overall measurement speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If multiple semiconductor lasers are kept lit simultaneously, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stability during measurementVSAvoidenergy consumption of light source

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes energy consumption by applying preliminary action - maintaining only the necessary standby laser in a lit state rather than all lasers. This selective approach keeps the standby laser warm and ready for quick switching, ensuring temperature stability during measurement while consuming minimal energy compared to keeping all lasers continuously lit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the operational requirements of individual lasers - the active laser needs full power for measurement, while standby lasers need only enough power to maintain temperature. This localized energy management ensures each laser receives appropriate power based on its current role, optimizing overall energy efficiency while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 device accurately measures and adjusts light amount and chromaticity of semiconductor lasers by preventing temperature drops during measurement, thereby improving measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor configured to detect light emitted from the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250277697A1Light measurement device, projecting device, light measurement method, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing control program

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 JVC KENWOOD CORP

AI summary

A light measurement device includes a drive circuit configured to separately drive each of a plurality of semiconductor lasers included in a light source; an optical sensor configured to detect light emitted from the light source; and an arithmetic processing circuit configured to calculate at least either of a light amount of each of the plurality of semiconductor lasers and chromaticity of the light emitted from the light source based on a result of the detection by the optical sensor.