SPECTROMETERS MINIATURIZED FOR WORKING WITH CELLULAR PHONES AND OTHER PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20100309454A1
• Filed: 11/14/2008
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jingyun Zhang
• Original Assignee: Jingyun Zhang
• Inventors: Zhang, Jingyun
• Granted Patent: US 8,345,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/39
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0208 using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0256 Compact construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0272 Handheld
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0291 Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/28 Investigating the spectrum using colour filters G01J3/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48 Biological material, e.g. blood, urine G01N33/02, G01N33/26, G01N33/44, G01N33/46 take precedence; Haemocytometers counting blood corpuscules distributed over a surface by scanning the surface G06M11/02

Abstract

Based on the present invention, superior compact spectrometers may be constructed and integrated into a cellular phone, or attached to a cellular phone. Such a cellular phone may be a PDA phone, which supplies electrical power to the said spectrometer, provided with data storage, signal processing capability, and real-time display. As a combined standalone system, it allows spectroscopic measurements to be fulfilled in real-time applications in field, and results can be sent out in wireless communication to a remote station or to another cellular phone user in order to share the measurement results right away. When the system is used with a laser to function as a Raman spectrometer system, it can fulfill many daily routine tasks encountered by ordinary civilians, for example, the blood glucose monitoring for diabetes patients at home in a non-invasive manner.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a wireless communications unit that transmits and receives information;

a display unit;

an input unit that allows a user to input information or commands;

a processor (CPU); and

a spectrometer that forms a spectrum of light distribution on a detection plane from an input light beam.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor-readable storage unit;

a first program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the first program allowing a user to toggle between at least two of the following modes;

(a) a communication mode for at least one of transmitting information and receiving information;

(b) a PDA mode for operating the portable electronic device as a computer; and

(c) a spectrometer mode for at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis;

a second program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the second program measures and analyzes the light distribution on the detection plane under the condition that the program is executed; and

a third program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the third program allowing the user to communicate with external devices under the condition that the program is executed.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the wireless communications unit communicates wirelessly with a remote station, thereby allowing for at least one of transmission of communication information to a third-party and reception of communication information from the third-party.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 3, wherein:

the communication information includes information corresponding to at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the spectrometer receives input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port, to which a coupling optics that focuses the input light beam may be connected, the coupling optics being one of a lens system and a mirror system.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the spectrometer receives input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port, to which a coupling optics that transmits the input light beam may be connected, the coupling optics being one of an optical fiber cable and a lens-fiber system.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the spectrometer works with input light signals over at least one of the following spectral bands;

(i) ultra-violet;

(ii) visible;

(iii) near infrared; and

(iv) infrared.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the spectrometer receives and measures input light signals which fall into at least one of the following kinds of electro-magnetic waves;

(i) radiating from a source;

(ii) reflected from an object or materials;

(iii) transmitting through an object or materials;

(iv) excited fluorescent radiation by a UV light or a laser from an object or materials; and

(v) excited Raman radiation by a laser from an object or materials.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the portable electronic device can be used to measure and monitor a user'"'"'s blood glucose level, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique; and

(ii) Raman technique,

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the portable electronic device can be used to measure and monitor a user'"'"'s blood cholesterols, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique; and

(ii) Raman technique

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the portable electronic device can be used to measure a color and a spectrum of the input light beam radiating from a source, or reflected from the object, or transmitting through the material, at a field site.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the portable electronic device can be used to fulfill spectroscopic measurements for identifying whether certain suspicious materials of interest exist at a field site, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(1) NIR absorption technique;

(ii) fluorescent technique; and

(iii) Raman technique.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the spectrometer includes;

(i) first collimating optics that collimates the input light beam in a vertical plane without collimating the input light beam in a horizontal plane that is substantially orthogonal to the vertical plane so as to produce a partially collimated light beam;

(ii) light beam collimating-dispersing-focusing optics that produces a partially focused dispersed light beam from the partially collimated light beam, the partially focused dispersed light beam being focused in the horizontal plane without being focused in the vertical plane; and

(iii) second focusing optics that focuses the partially focused dispersed light beam in the vertical plane to form the light distribution on the detection plane.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:

a processor-readable storage unit;

a first program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the first program allowing a user to toggle between at least two of the following modes;

(a) a communication mode for at least one of transmitting information and receiving information;

(b) a PDA mode for operating the portable electronic device as a computer; and

(c) a spectrometer mode for at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis;

a second program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the second program measures and analyzes the light distribution on the detection plane under the condition that the program is executed; and

a third program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the third program allowing the user to communicate with external devices under the condition that the program is executed.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the wireless communications unit communicates wirelessly with a remote station, thereby allowing for at least one of transmission of communication information to a third-party and reception of communication information from the third-party.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 15, wherein:

the communication information includes information corresponding to at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the spectrometer receives input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port, to which a coupling optics that focuses the input light beam may be connected, the coupling optics being one of a lens system and a mirror system.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the spectrometer receives input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port, to which a coupling optics that transmits the input light beam may be connected, the coupling optics being one of an optical fiber cable and a lens-fiber system.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the spectrometer works with input light signals over at least one of the following spectral bands;

(a) ultra-violet;

(b) visible;

(c) near infrared; and

(d) infrared.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the spectrometer receives and measures input light signals which fall into at least one of the following kinds of electro-magnetic waves;

(a) radiating from a source;

(b) reflected from an object or materials;

(c) transmitting through an object or materials;

(d) excited fluorescent radiation by a UV light or a laser from an object or materials; and

(e) excited Raman radiation by a laser from an object or materials.

21. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the portable electronic device can be used to measure and monitor a user'"'"'s blood glucose level, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(a) NIR absorption technique; and

(b) Raman technique,

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

22. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the portable electronic device can be used to measure and monitor a user'"'"'s blood cholesterols, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(a) NM absorption technique; and

(b) Raman technique,

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

23. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the portable electronic device can be used to measure a color and a spectrum of the input light beam radiating from a source, or reflected from the object, or transmitting through the material, at a field site.

24. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein:

the portable electronic device can be used to fulfill spectroscopic measurements for identifying whether certain suspicious materials of interest exist at a field site, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(a) NIR absorption technique;

(b) fluorescent technique; and

(c) Raman technique.

25. A system comprising:

(A) a portable electronic device that includes;

a wireless communications unit that transmits and receives information,

a display unit,

an input unit that allows a user to input information or commands, and

a processor (CPU); and

(B) a spectrometer that forms a spectrum of light distribution on a detection plane from an input light beam.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the portable electronic device further includes;

a processor-readable storage unit;

a first program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the first program allowing a user to toggle between at least two of the following modes;

(a) a communication mode for at least one of transmitting information and receiving information;

(b) a PDA mode for operating the portable electronic device as a computer; and

(c) a spectrometer mode for at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis;

a second program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the second program measures and analyzes the light distribution on the detection plane under the condition that the program is executed; and

a third program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the third program allowing the user to communicate with external devices under the condition that the program is executed.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the wireless communications unit communicates wirelessly with a remote station, thereby allowing for at least one of transmission of communication information to a third-party and reception of communication information from the third-party.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein:

the communication information includes information corresponding to at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the spectrometer receives input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port, to which a coupling optics that focuses the input light beam may be connected, the coupling optics being one of a lens system and a mirror system.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the spectrometer receives input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port, to which a coupling optics that transmits the input light beam may be connected, the coupling optics being one of an optical fiber cable and a lens-fiber system.

31. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the spectrometer works with input light signals over at least one of the following spectral bands;

(i) ultra-violet;

(ii) visible;

(iii) near infrared; and

(iv) infrared.

32. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the spectrometer receives and measures input light signals which fall into at least one of the following kinds of electro-magnetic waves;

(i) radiating from a source;

(ii) reflected from an object or materials;

(iii) transmitting through an object or materials;

(iv) excited fluorescent radiation by a UV light or a laser from an object or materials; and

(v) excited Raman radiation by a laser from an object or materials.

33. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the system can be used to measure and monitor a user'"'"'s blood glucose level, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique; and

(ii) Raman technique,

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

34. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the system can be used to measure and monitor a user'"'"'s blood cholesterols, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique; and

(ii) Raman technique

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

35. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the system can be used to measure a color and a spectrum of the input light beam radiating from a source, or reflected from the object, or transmitting through the material, at a field site.

36. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the system can be used to fulfill spectroscopic measurements for identifying whether certain suspicious materials of interest exist at a field site, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique;

(ii) fluorescent technique; and

(iii) Raman technique.

37. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the spectrometer (B) is detachable from the portable electronic device (A).

38. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the spectrometer (B) is connected to the portable electronic device (A) by a communication cable that permits transmission of at least one of information and power.

39. The system of claim 25, wherein:

the spectrometer includes;

(i) first collimating optics that collimates the input light beam in a vertical plane without collimating the input light beam in a horizontal plane that is substantially orthogonal to the vertical plane so as to produce a partially collimated light beam;

(ii) light beam collimating-dispersing-focusing optics that produces a partially focused dispersed light beam from the partially collimated light beam, the partially focused dispersed light beam being focused in the horizontal plane without being focused in the vertical plane; and

(iii) second focusing optics that focuses the partially focused dispersed light beam in the vertical plane to form the light distribution on the detection plane.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the portable electronic device further includes;

a processor-readable storage unit;

a first program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the first program allowing a user to toggle between at least two of the following modes;

(a) a communication mode for at least one of transmitting information and receiving information;

(b) a PDA mode for operating the portable electronic device as a computer; and

(c) a spectrometer mode for at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis;

a second program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the second program measures and analyzes the light distribution on the detection plane under the condition that the program is executed; and

a third program stored on the processor-readable storage unit, the third program allowing the user to communicate with external devices under the condition that the program is executed.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the wireless communications unit communicates wirelessly with a remote station, thereby allowing for at least one of transmission of communication information to a third-party and reception of communication information from the third-party.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein:

the communication information includes information corresponding to at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis.

43. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the spectrometer receives input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port, to which a coupling optics that focuses the input light beam may be connected, the coupling optics being one of a lens system and a mirror system.

44. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the spectrometer receives input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port, to which a coupling optics that transmits the input light beam may be connected, the coupling optics being one of an optical fiber cable and a lens-fiber system.

45. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the spectrometer works with input light signals over at least one of the following spectral bands;

(a) ultra-violet;

(b) visible;

(c) near infrared; and

(d) infrared.

46. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the spectrometer receives and measures input light signals which fall into at least one of the following kinds of electro-magnetic waves;

(a) radiating from a source;

(b) reflected from an object or materials;

(c) transmitting through an object or materials;

(d) excited fluorescent radiation by a UV light or a laser from an object or materials; and

(e) excited Raman radiation by a laser from an object or materials.

47. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the system can be used to measure and monitor a user'"'"'s blood glucose level, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(a) NIR absorption technique; and

(b) Raman technique,

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

48. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the system can be used to measure and monitor a user'"'"'s blood cholesterols, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(a) NIR absorption technique; and

(b) Raman technique,

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

49. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the system can be used to measure a color and a spectrum of the input light beam radiating from a source, or reflected from the object, or transmitting through the material, at a field site.

50. The system of claim 39, wherein:

the system can be used to fulfill spectroscopic measurements for identifying whether certain suspicious materials of interest exist at a field site, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(a) NIR absorption technique;

(b) fluorescent technique; and

(c) Raman technique.

51. A method of measuring spectral characteristics of an input light beam using a portable electronic device that is at least one of a spectrometer-phone device and a spectrometer-phone system, the method comprising:

inputting an input light beam into a spectrometer of the portable electronic device;

forming a spectrum of light distribution from the input light beam with the spectrometer of the portable electronic device; and

collecting information relating to the spectrum of light distribution with a processor disposed in the portable electronic device.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

executing at least one program that is stored on a processor-readable storage unit disposed in the portable electronic device, at least one program being chosen among a first program, a second program, and a third program;

wherein

the first program allows a user to toggle between at least two of the following modes;

(a) a communication mode for at least one of transmitting information and receiving information;

(b) a PDA mode for operating the portable electronic device as a computer; and

(c) a spectrometer mode for at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis;

the second program measures and analyzes the light distribution on the detection plane under the condition that the program is executed; and

the third program allows the user to communicate with external devices under the condition that the program is executed.

53. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating with a remote station, thereby allowing for at least one of transmission and reception of communication information between the portable electronic device and a third-party.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein:

the communication information includes information corresponding to at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis.

55. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

receiving input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port in the spectrometer of the portable electronic device,

wherein a coupling optics that focuses the input light beam may be connected to the input port, the coupling optics being one of a lens system and a mirror system.

56. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

receiving input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port in the spectrometer of the portable electronic device,

wherein a coupling optics that transmits the input light beam may be connected to the input port, the coupling optics being one of an optical fiber cable and a lens-fiber system.

57. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

receiving and measuring input light signals with the portable electronic device,

wherein the input light signals are over at least one of the following spectral bands;

(i) ultra-violet;

(ii) visible;

(iii) near infrared; and

(iv) infrared.

58. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

receiving and measuring input light signals with the portable electronic device,

wherein

the input light signals fall into at least one of the following kinds of electro-magnetic waves;

(i) radiating from a source;

(ii) reflected from an object or materials;

(iii) transmitting through an object or materials;

(iv) excited fluorescent radiation by a UV light or a laser from an object or materials; and

(v) excited Raman radiation by a laser from an object or materials.

59. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

measuring and monitoring a user'"'"'s blood glucose level with the portable electronic device,

wherein at least one of the measurement and the monitor of the blood glucose level is based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique; and

(ii) Raman technique,

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

60. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

measuring and monitoring a user'"'"'s blood cholesterols with the portable electronic device,

wherein at least one of the measurement and the monitor of the blood glucose level is based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique; and

i) Raman technique

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

61. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

measuring a color and a spectrum of the input light beam radiating from a source, or reflected from the object, or transmitting through the material, at a field site with the portable electronic device.

62. The method of claim 51, further comprising of:

fulfilling spectroscopic measurements for identifying whether certain suspicious materials of interest exist at a field site with the portable electronic device, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique;

(ii) fluorescent technique; and

(iii) Raman technique.

63. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

(A) collimating the input light beam with a first optical element disposed in the dispersion spectrometer, the first optical element collimating the light beam in a vertical plane without collimating the light beam in a horizontal plane that is substantially orthogonal to the vertical plane, to produce a partially collimated light beam;

(B) producing a partially focused dispersed light beam from the partially collimated light beam, the partially focused dispersed light beam being focused in the horizontal plane without being focused in the vertical plane; and

(C) focusing the partially focused dispersed light beam in the vertical plane with an optical element disposed in the dispersion spectrometer, the optical element being different from an optical element that forms the partially focused dispersed light beam, to form the light distribution.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

executing at least one program that is stored on a processor-readable storage unit disposed in the portable electronic device, at least one program being chosen among a first program, a second program, and a third program;

wherein

the first program allows a user to toggle between at least two of the following modes;

(a) a communication mode for at least one of transmitting information and receiving information;

(b) a PDA mode for operating the portable electronic device as a computer; and

(c) a spectrometer mode for at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis;

the second program measures and analyzes the light distribution on the detection plane under the condition that the program is executed; and

the third program allows the user to communicate with external devices under the condition that the program is executed.

65. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

wirelessly communicating with a remote station, thereby allowing for at least one of transmission and reception of communication information between the portable electronic device and a third-party.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein:

the communication information includes information corresponding to at least one of spectroscopic measurement and spectroscopic analysis.

67. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

receiving input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port in the spectrometer of the portable electronic device,

wherein a coupling optics that focuses the input light beam may be connected to the input port, the coupling optics being one of a lens system and a mirror system.

68. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

receiving input light corresponding to spectral signals via an input port in the spectrometer of the portable electronic device,

wherein a coupling optics that transmits the input light beam may be connected to the input port, the coupling optics being one of an optical fiber cable and a lens-fiber system.

69. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

receiving and measuring input light signals with the portable electronic device,

wherein the input light signals are over at least one of the following spectral bands;

(i) ultra-violet;

(ii) visible;

(iii) near infrared; and

(iv) infrared.

70. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

receiving and measuring light input signals with the portable electronic device,

wherein

the input light signals fall into at least one of the following kinds of electro-magnetic waves;

(i) radiating from a source;

(ii) reflected from an object or materials;

(iii) transmitting through an object or materials;

(iv) excited fluorescent radiation by a UV light or a laser from an object or materials; and

(v) excited Raman radiation by a laser from an object or materials.

71. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

measuring and monitoring a user'"'"'s blood glucose level with the portable electronic device,

wherein at least one of the measurement and the monitor of the blood glucose level is based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique; and

(ii) Raman technique,

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

72. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

measuring and monitoring a user'"'"'s blood cholesterols with the portable electronic device,

wherein at least one of the measurement and the monitor of the blood glucose level is based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique; and

(ii) Raman technique

either of which is performed through a certain part of a user'"'"'s body.

73. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

measuring a color and a spectrum of the input light beam radiating from a source, or reflected from the object, or transmitting through the material, at a field site with the portable electronic device.

74. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

fulfilling spectroscopic measurements for identifying whether certain suspicious materials of interest exist at a field site with the portable electronic device, based on at least one of the following spectroscopic approaches;

(i) NIR absorption technique;

(ii) fluorescent technique; and

(iii) Raman technique.