Synthetic UV Index Calculation via Cloud Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV index measurements are limited to specific geographical locations with surface UV instruments, lacking a mechanism to provide real-time UV radiation data to the public, especially without the need for instrumentation, and fail to account for cloud cover and total column ozone variations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method to calculate a current synthetic UV index using geographical location, time, cloud cover, and total column ozone, allowing for distribution via electronic devices like cell phones, which adjusts clear sky UV radiation with cloud attenuation factors to provide accurate UV index values, expanding coverage beyond instrumented locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface UV instruments are deployed to measure UV radiation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, and coverage is limited to specific locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a synthetic UV index by copying and adapting data from existing weather observation networks (METAR stations, GOES satellites) that already provide cloud cover and atmospheric data. Instead of deploying new UV instruments, the system replicates UV index calculations using available data from these existing observation systems, thereby avoiding the complexity and cost of new instrumentation while expanding coverage to over 10,000 locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computational model as an intermediary that translates existing weather data (cloud cover, total column ozone, solar elevation) into UV index values. This intermediary processing layer allows the system to derive UV radiation information without direct UV measurement instruments, using atmospheric parameters as mediators to calculate the synthetic UV index
2Loss of information
If UV index forecasts are issued for future days, then public awareness is improved, but real-time current UV information is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of clear sky UV radiation using atmospheric parameters (total column ozone, geographical location) that can be obtained in advance. By pre-computing the clear sky component and then adjusting for current cloud conditions, the system can rapidly generate current UV index values without waiting for direct UV measurements, thus providing real-time information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system that continuously updates the synthetic UV index as new cloud cover data becomes available from METAR and GOES sources. The system adjusts the clear sky UV radiation calculation in real-time based on current atmospheric conditions, allowing the UV index to be updated dynamically throughout the day rather than providing static forecast-only information
3Device complexity
If clear sky UV radiation is calculated without cloud cover adjustment, then calculation simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to ignoring cloud attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used in UV radiation calculation from direct UV measurement to atmospheric parameters (cloud cover percentage, total column ozone, solar elevation angle) that are already available from weather observation networks. By transforming the calculation basis to these alternative parameters, the system maintains simplicity while improving accuracy through cloud attenuation adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality adjustment by modifying the clear sky UV radiation calculation specifically for cloud-affected areas. The system calculates different UV indices for clear sky conditions versus cloud-covered conditions using location-specific cloud cover data from METAR stations and GOES satellites, thereby providing locally accurate UV information that accounts for regional atmospheric conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A current synthetic UV index is developed and successfully verified against direct surface measurements of UV index values. The purpose of this invention is to distribute this current synthetic UV index through cell phones nationwide. This will inform cell phone users for the first time about the current UV index value when they carry their cell phones. The current UV index will be calculated using the geographical location of the cell phone, the time of the day, and the cloud cover conditions in that area. The algorithm will then use this information to calculate the solar elevation needed to determine the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth's surface at any given time. The total column ozone for that particular day will be taken into account for each calculation. This mechanism of dissemination of the actual/current UV index values will be an important achievement with the intention of raising the public's awareness of the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays.