Spectral Reference Monitoring for Unmarked Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety monitoring technologies require known spectral signatures of objects to detect their presence, which limits their effectiveness as objects must be marked or pre-configured, and they often struggle with distinguishing between safety-critical and non-critical objects.
Innovation Solution
A spectrally sensitive optoelectronic device that uses a reference structure to generate light with predetermined spectral characteristics, which is detected by a sensor. If an object enters the monitoring area, the detected spectral characteristics change, triggering a safety action, employing principles of negative classification and spectral analysis to differentiate between safety-relevant and non-relevant elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spectral analysis with known signatures is used for object detection, then detection accuracy for marked objects is improved, but the system cannot detect unmarked objects and requires complex preconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of detecting objects by their known spectral signatures, the patent inverts the approach by detecting objects through their ability to disrupt or modify a reference spectral pattern. The system establishes a baseline spectral signature of the environment without objects, then detects intrusions by identifying deviations from this baseline, enabling detection of both marked and unmarked objects without preconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference structure or background element with known spectral characteristics as an intermediary. This reference serves as a mediator between the light source and the detector, providing a stable baseline against which object intrusions can be measured. The reference structure reflects or emits light that creates a predictable spectral pattern, which is disrupted when objects enter the monitoring area.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wavelengths are emitted to improve object differentiation, then spectral discrimination capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single light source that emits broadband or multi-wavelength light, making the light source universal and multi-functional. This single source replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate monochromatic light sources, reducing device complexity while maintaining the spectral discrimination capability needed to differentiate between various objects and materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple spectral detection capabilities into a single integrated detection system. Rather than using separate detectors for different wavelengths, the system merges the detection function into one device that can analyze the full spectral range, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving the ability to distinguish objects based on their spectral characteristics.
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 reliable detection of objects in a monitoring area without pre-configured signatures, improving safety by triggering appropriate actions based on changes in spectral characteristics, enhancing the reliability of safety monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
The reference structure is configured to generate light with a predetermined spectral characteristic
Implementation Method 2
a light receiver (20) with receiving optics (22) for detecting the reference light (32) and converting the reference light into received signals
Implementation Method 3
The control and evaluation unit (24) is configured to determine a detected spectral characteristic of the received light (38) from the received signals and to compare the detected spectral characteristic with a specified spectral characteristic of the reference light (32)
Data Source
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AI summary
A device and a method for monitoring a monitoring area are described, comprising at least one reference structure for generating reference light with a predetermined spectral characteristic, at least one light receiver for detecting received light from the monitoring area and for generating received signals from the received light, wherein the received light comprises the reference light and/or light from objects in the monitoring area or remitted and/or reflected object light, and a control and evaluation unit for controlling the light receiver and for receiving the received signals.The control and evaluation unit is designed to determine a detected spectral characteristic of the received light from the received signals, to compare the detected spectral characteristic of the received light with the specified spectral characteristic of the reference light, and to trigger a safety-related action in the event of a predetermined deviation of the detected spectral characteristic from the specified spectral characteristic.