Virtual Scene Generator for Contamination Detection Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evaluating the performance of surface contamination detection systems in a realistic scenario is costly, time-intensive, and potentially dangerous due to the need for real-world testing with harmful substances, and existing models do not simultaneously track substance dispersal positions, quantities, and sensor interrogation and detection capabilities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented virtual scene generator system that simulates the dissemination of target substances in a contamination scene, allowing users to select substances and parameters, and generates data on sensor interrogation overlap with the substances, enabling the evaluation of sensor performance and deployment strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-world testing with harmful substances is performed to evaluate detection system performance, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but safety hazards and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the contamination scene using a computer model that replicates the physical environment, substance distribution, and sensor interrogation processes. This virtual replica allows performance evaluation without exposing operators to actual harmful substances, thereby maintaining reliability assessment while eliminating safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual scene generator acts as an intermediary between the detection system and the harmful substances. Instead of directly exposing the detection system to real contaminants for testing, the system uses simulated contamination scenes that mimic real conditions without the actual harmful materials, thus evaluating performance while avoiding direct contact with dangerous substances.
2Measurement precision
If real-world testing with harmful substances is performed to evaluate detection system performance, then measurement precision are improved, but cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the contamination scene using a computer model that replicates the physical environment, substance distribution, and sensor interrogation processes. This virtual replica allows performance evaluation without exposing operators to actual harmful substances, thereby maintaining reliability assessment while eliminating safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to define contamination scenarios, substance types, and detection parameters before execution. The virtual scene generator then pre-computes and simulates the entire detection process, providing rapid evaluation of performance metrics without the time-consuming real-world testing required for empirical data collection.
3Measurement precision
If existing models track substance dispersal and sensor interrogation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex detection scene into discrete elements: contamination sources, substance particles, surfaces, and sensor interrogation spots. Each element is represented as a separate data structure with defined properties (position, concentration, size). This segmentation allows the system to track substance dispersal and sensor interactions through simple geometric overlap calculations rather than complex continuous simulations, reducing overall model complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for simulating dissemination of at least one target substance in a scene that has been contaminated with the at least one target substance. Data is received from a user to select at least one target substance whose dissemination is to be simulated as well as parameters for the scene within which the simulation is to be performed. Simulation of the dissemination is performed and data can be displayed to illustrate, statistically and/or graphically, the results of the simulation. The simulation may include simulating interrogation of at least one surface in the scene with a sensor that detects ambient or scattered radiation from the at least one surface. Data may then be generated that indicates overlap of an interrogation spot of the sensor with the at least one target substance on at least one surface in the scene. A user may change parameters and repeat the simulation. The data generated by the simulation techniques is useful in designing sensors as well as developing strategies for deployment of sensors for certain applications.