Sensor Calibration Reusing Reference Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calibrating and quality controlling sensors in test fluids require multiple reference materials, leading to increased storage needs and operator intervention, while lacking independent assessment of sensor performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that reduce the number of reference materials by reusing them across calibration and quality control cycles, ensuring independence between calibration and quality control systems, and enabling automated handling to minimize human error and storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple reference materials are used for calibration and quality control, then independent assessment of sensor performance is ensured, but storage needs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a reference material system where a single reference material serves multiple functions: it can be used for both calibration and quality control purposes, and can represent multiple different parameter levels (low, middle, high) through different measurement cycles. This eliminates the need for separate reference materials for each parameter level, reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to perform independent assessment of sensor performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the measurement conditions and cycles rather than changing the physical reference materials. The same reference material is measured under different conditions (different cycles, different parameter levels) to achieve independent assessment without requiring multiple physical reference material containers, thus reducing device complexity and storage needs.
2Reliability
If multiple reference materials are used for calibration and quality control, then comprehensive sensor performance verification is achieved, but device complexity and operator requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reference material is designed to be universal, serving both calibration and quality control functions, and representing multiple parameter levels. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate reference materials needed, simplifying the device while maintaining comprehensive sensor performance verification across different parameter levels through systematic measurement cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through repeated measurement cycles where the same reference material is measured multiple times under different conditions. These periodic measurements at different parameter levels provide comprehensive sensor performance verification without requiring multiple reference materials, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Volume of stationary object
If the same reference material is used for both calibration and quality control, then storage needs are reduced, but independent assessment of sensor performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing measurement parameters rather than physical reference materials. The same reference material is subjected to different measurement cycles and parameter levels (low, middle, high), creating independent assessment conditions through parameter variation while using the same physical reference material, thus reducing storage needs without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the quality control process into separate measurement cycles and parameter levels. The same reference material is assessed independently through different measurement sequences and parameter configurations, maintaining independent assessment capability while using a single reference material, thereby reducing storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing calibration and quality control of a sensor for determining a parameter in a test fluid in which method a calibration and quality control cycle is repeated. A cycle includes the steps of performing a calibration and a quality control of the sensor using independent reference materials. In the method a reference material is in one cycle used in the quality control step which in a previous cycle was used in the calibration step. The present invention further provides an apparatus for performing the method.