Spectrometry Device Differential Signal Start Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectrometry devices face challenges in accurately starting measurements due to deviations in movement speed and installation position, leading to poor precision and increased measurement time, as they often fail to detect the correct start position over a color patch.

Innovation Solution

A spectrometry device equipped with a variable wavelength interference filter, a light receiving section, and a differential circuit that differentiates detection signals to detect the start timing based on changes in light overlap, allowing for precise alignment and reduced measurement time even with positional deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If spectrometry is performed by moving the colorimetry device at constant speed, then the device can continuously measure color patches, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately detect start position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous measurement capabilityVSAvoidstart position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a differential circuit to process detection signals and generate feedback about position changes. The differential signal provides real-time information about whether the measurement region is entering or leaving a color patch, enabling continuous measurement while maintaining accurate start position detection through signal feedback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A differential circuit acts as an intermediary between the detection signal and the spectrometry control. This intermediary processes the raw detection signal to extract position change information, enabling accurate start position detection without requiring direct position measurement hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the measurement region is moved to ensure complete overlap with color patches, then measurement precision can be maintained, but measurement time increases due to larger margin requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor patch measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the detection signal from the measurement process itself to determine when to start and stop spectrometry. The differential circuit automatically identifies start and end positions based on signal changes, eliminating the need for pre-configured safety margins and enabling tight measurement timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If spectrometry starts based on predetermined timing, then the device configuration can be simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to movement speed variations and position deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidspectrometry accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical position sensing methods with optical detection and signal processing. Instead of using encoders or mechanical switches to detect position, the system uses a photodetector to monitor light intensity changes and a differential circuit to process these signals, achieving accurate position detection through non-mechanical means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 configuration enables accurate and efficient spectrometry by detecting the start timing based on differential signals, reducing measurement errors and shortening the time required for spectrometry, while maintaining high precision and simplifying the device configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a spectroscope that has a variable wavelength interference filter which incidents light from a measurement region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

a light receiving section which receives light from the variable wavelength interference filter and which outputs a detection signal according to an amount of received light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9721195B2Spectrometry device, image forming device, and spectrometry method

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printer includes a spectroscope that has a variable wavelength interference filter which incidents light from a measurement region, and a light receiving section which receives light from the variable wavelength interference filter and which outputs a detection signal according to an amount of received light, a carriage moving unit which relatively moves the spectroscope along one direction with respect to a measurement target of spectrometry and moves the measurement region with respect to the measurement target, and a timing detection circuit which has a differential circuit that differentiates the detection signal and outputs a differentiation signal, wherein in a case where the measurement target is a color patch, spectrometry in which the amount of received light is detected starts based on the differential signal.