Universal Infrared Analyzer with Tunable Optical Filter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current infrared camera systems are specialized for specific applications and lack adaptability, making them unsuitable for consumer use, which requires a user-friendly, versatile, and affordable solution that can detect various signatures across different applications.
Innovation Solution
A universal infrared analyzer with a focal plane array and tunable optical filter, controlled by a database of function-specific settings and signatures, allowing for adaptable wavelength selection and signature detection across a wide range (0.3-16 μm) without illumination, enabling multiple applications such as medical diagnostics, gas detection, and intrusion detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared systems are specialized for specific applications, then detection precision for that application is improved, but adaptability to other applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal infrared analyzer that can perform multiple detection functions across different applications (medical diagnostics, gas detection, intrusion detection, etc.) through a single system. The system uses a database of function-specific settings and signatures that can be selected and applied to different detection tasks, allowing the same hardware platform to achieve application-specific precision without requiring separate specialized systems for each use case.
2Adaptability or versatility
If infrared systems are made universal and adaptable, then versatility across applications is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pre-configured function-specific settings and signatures stored in a database before actual detection operations. Each application has its parameters, wavelength ranges, and signature patterns pre-calculated and stored, so when a user selects an application, the system simply retrieves and applies the pre-prepared configuration rather than calculating everything in real-time. This approach reduces the operational complexity of handling multiple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a database that stores copies of function-specific settings and signature patterns for different applications. Instead of having separate physical systems for each application, the patent creates virtual copies of detection configurations that can be loaded and applied to the same hardware platform, reducing physical complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Ease of operation
If specialized infrared systems are designed for specific uses, then ease of operation for that use is improved, but ease of operation for other uses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where the infrared analyzer can change its operational parameters, wavelength ranges, and detection modes based on the selected application. The system dynamically adapts its settings through a user interface that allows selection of different function-specific modes, making the system easy to operate for any application by simply selecting the appropriate mode rather than requiring separate specialized devices.
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
The universal infrared analyzer provides a flexible and user-friendly solution for various applications by detecting and comparing signatures, enhancing sensitivity and contrast, and allowing real-time reconfiguration for different signal parameters, thus making infrared technology accessible for diverse consumer needs.
Implementation Method 1
a tunable optical filter positioned proximate to the focal plane array, wherein the tunable optical filler is capable of being tuned to one of a selectable set of wavelengths of radiation
Implementation Method 2
a focal plane array... wherein the controller tunes the tunable optical filter to one of the selectable set of wavelengths of radiation and the focal plane array generates a signature based upon a target detected by the focal plane array
Implementation Method 3
a correlator for comparing the signature to the selected one of the plurality of function specific signatures, wherein the selected function specific signatures corresponds to the selected function specific setting
Data Source
AI summary
A universal infrared analyzer that includes a tunable optical filter capable of being tuned to one of a selectable set of wavelengths of radiation by a controller accessing a database of a plurality of function specific settings and function specific signatures. The plurality of function specific settings includes settings for al least one of intruder detection, chemical detection, structural integrity detection, medical applications detection, and gas detection. The analyzer also includes a user input interface, for manually selecting one of the function specific settings and one of the function specific signatures. The controller tunes the tunable optical filter to one of the selectable set of wavelengths of radiation based upon the selected one of the function specific settings and a focal plane array generates a signature based upon a target detected by the focal plane array.