AI Smart Glasses with Time-of-Flight Sensing and Eye Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive glucose monitoring systems face challenges in sensitivity, selectivity, and repeatability, and current dental caries detection methods are subjective and difficult to use early, while counterfeit pharmaceutical detection lacks rapid, non-destructive methods, and breast cancer screening has limitations with ionizing radiation.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing fiber-based supercontinuum lasers and short-wave infrared spectroscopy for non-invasive glucose monitoring, dental caries detection, counterfeit drug identification, and breast cancer screening, leveraging advanced imaging and spectroscopy techniques to enhance accuracy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ionizing radiation methods are used for breast cancer screening, then detection capability is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ionizing radiation-based detection systems with optical-based detection systems. Specifically, it uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) and other non-ionizing optical methods to image breast tissue, thereby maintaining detection capability while eliminating radiation exposure risks to patients.
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive glucose monitoring methods are used, then patient comfort is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical intermediaries such as microtip probes that deliver laser light to peripheral nerves. The nerve tissue acts as an intermediary medium that allows non-invasive access to glucose information through optical spectroscopy, thereby maintaining both patient comfort and measurement precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs advanced optical parameters including multiple wavelengths of laser light, time-resolved detection, and frequency-domain analysis to extract glucose information from optical signals. These parameter changes enable precise glucose measurement through non-invasive optical methods.
3Ease of operation
If traditional dental caries detection methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to subjectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual and tactile examination methods with objective optical detection systems. It uses optical coherence tomography and laser-based spectroscopy to detect dental caries, providing quantitative, objective measurements that eliminate examiner subjectivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated detection.
4Productivity
If rapid counterfeit drug identification is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service detection where the pharmaceutical product itself provides the identification signal. Embedded security features such as fluorescent markers, optical codes, or spectroscopic signatures allow the product to self-identify its authenticity through simple optical scanning, enabling rapid detection without complex analytical instrumentation.
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
Enhances the sensitivity and specificity of glucose monitoring, enables early detection of dental caries, provides rapid counterfeit drug identification, and offers safer breast cancer screening through non-ionizing radiation methods.
Implementation Method 1
The array of VCSELs is configured to generate laser light having one or more optical wavelengths in the visible spectrum
Implementation Method 2
Some or all of the VCSELs in the array are configured to pulse at a modulation frequency
Implementation Method 3
A time-of-flight sensor is directly or indirectly attached to the outward side. The detection system is configured to measure a phase shift of at least a reflected portion of the laser light from the array of VCSELs reflected from the object
Implementation Method 4
At least one of the VCSELs pulses at a modulation frequency between 10 Megahertz and 1 Gigahertz and has a phase associated with the modulation frequency
Implementation Method 5
The detection system is configured to generate a first image of the object based at least in part on an amplitude of the at least a reflected portion of the laser light
Implementation Method 6
At least one laser diode of the array comprises one or more Bragg reflectors
Implementation Method 7
A detection system comprising at least one photo-detector, a lens and a spectral filter at an input to the at least one photo-detector
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensing system comprises a human interface structure to be applied to a user. The system comprises a time-of-flight sensor with an array of laser diodes with Bragg reflectors operating in the near-infrared, a detection system, and a processor generating a time-of-flight measurement and a first image. The system also includes a first camera system capturing a second image, and a second camera system illuminated by light emitting diodes to monitor one or more eyes of the user. In communication with or operating on the processor is an artificial intelligence assistant, which comprises a multi-modal generative artificial intelligence model. The system may be part of wearable eyewear such as smart glasses or extended reality goggles. The system may perform gesture analysis, eye tracking and speed recognition, and video and verbal outputs can be provided to the user. An artificial intelligence agent may have awareness of the environment.