Smartphone Optical Adaptor for Contact Angle and Color Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological and chemical assays face challenges in achieving simple, fast, and sensitive imaging and color measurement that are insensitive to lighting variations.
Innovation Solution
The use of a smartphone-based optical adaptor with a side-mirror, light source, and camera, along with a compact color calibration card, to image and analyze the contact angle and color of a surface, while minimizing ambient light interference and utilizing optical fibers for flexible light source connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional imaging methods are used for biological and chemical assays, then measurement capability is achieved, but the system is complex, slow, and sensitive to lighting variations
Solution Approach 1:
A color calibration card is introduced as an intermediary reference object in the imaging system. The card contains known color patches that serve as a mediator between the light source and the sample, enabling the system to calculate and compensate for lighting variations mathematically, thereby achieving lighting-insensitive color measurement without complex hardware
2Ease of operation
If ambient light is present during imaging, then imaging can be performed in normal conditions, but color measurement becomes sensitive to lighting variations
Solution Approach 1:
The color calibration card is imaged preliminarily under the same lighting conditions as the sample. This preliminary action captures the lighting characteristics before measuring the sample, allowing the system to pre-calculate correction factors that compensate for ambient light effects during subsequent color measurements
3Device complexity
If simple imaging methods are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but imaging precision and sensitivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical imaging systems are replaced with a smartphone-based system. The smartphone's camera and processing capabilities substitute for dedicated scientific imaging equipment, while software algorithms compensate for the simpler hardware's limitations to achieve comparable measurement precision
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
Enables accurate, fast, and sensitive imaging and color measurement on surfaces, including human skin, by reducing lighting effects and enhancing imaging precision using a smartphone camera.
Implementation Method 1
devices and methods that can connect a light source of a smartphone with an optical adaptor easily and flexibly using an optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
image the contact angle, a side-view of a small liquid droplet on a surface, or both, using an adaptor that is attached to a smartphone
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for imaging: a side-view of a object on a surface, a Contact Angle of a liquid object, the color of an object, or combinations thereof.