Spectrometer with Movable Optical Mask for High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrometers face challenges in achieving compact size and improved wavelength resolution for non-invasive bio-signal measurement, particularly in wearable mobile devices, where the need for a compact design conflicts with the requirement for high resolution.
Innovation Solution
A spectrometer design incorporating a dispersive element, a detector with multiple pixels, an optical mask with alternating light transmitting and blocking portions, and a driver to control the position of the optical mask or detector, allowing for sequential adjustment of the light incident area on each pixel, enhancing wavelength resolution without increasing the physical number of pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the physical number of pixels is increased to improve wavelength resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the optical mask movable rather than fixed. The optical mask can be dynamically positioned at different locations along the optical path, allowing the same physical pixel array to effectively resolve different wavelength ranges. This dynamic repositioning enables high wavelength resolution without increasing the number of pixels, as each pixel can be sequentially assigned to different wavelength measurement tasks through mask repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the optical mask into multiple light transmitting portions and light blocking portions arranged alternately. This segmentation creates distinct optical paths for different wavelengths, allowing the detector pixels to be selectively activated for specific wavelength measurements. The segmented mask structure enables one pixel array to functionally serve multiple wavelength measurement purposes, improving resolution without increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the physical number of pixels is increased to improve wavelength resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but the size of the spectrometer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable optical mask enables the spectrometer to achieve high wavelength resolution in a compact form factor. By dynamically repositioning the mask, the system can concentrate light from different wavelength ranges onto the same pixel array at different times, eliminating the need for a larger physical detector array and reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the measurement process by sequentially repositioning the optical mask to measure different wavelength ranges at different time steps. This transforms a spatial problem (needing more pixels for higher resolution) into a temporal solution (repositioning the mask over time), allowing high resolution without increasing the physical size of the detector or overall device.
3Measurement precision
If the light incident area on each pixel is optimized for specific wavelengths, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic repositioning of the optical mask provides a simple mechanical solution for optimizing light incident area on each pixel for specific wavelengths. Rather than using complex electronic control systems to dynamically adjust pixel sensitivity or use sophisticated image processing algorithms, the patent employs a straightforward mechanical approach where the mask is physically moved to the appropriate position, simplifying the control system while maintaining high 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
This design enables improved wavelength resolution and compactness, allowing for efficient non-invasive bio-signal measurement in wearable devices by optimizing the light incident area on each pixel, thereby enhancing the accuracy of bio-information estimation.
Implementation Method 1
The dispersive element may be a diffraction grating or a linear variable filter
Implementation Method 2
The dispersive element may be a diffraction grating or a linear variable filter
Implementation Method 3
an optical mask disposed in an optical path of the light between the dispersive element and the detector and comprising a plurality of light transmitting portions and a plurality of light blocking portions
Implementation Method 4
a detector comprising a plurality of pixels configured to receive the split light
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrometer includes: a dispersive element configured to split light; a detector comprising a plurality of pixels configured to receive the split light; an optical mask disposed in an optical path of the light between the dispersive element and the detector and comprising a plurality of light transmitting portions and a plurality of light blocking portions which are arranged alternately; and a driver configured to control a position of the optical mask or a position of the detector, and change a light incident area of each of the plurality of pixels to receive the light incident on the plurality of light transmitting portions of the optical mask.