Personal radiation detector and method of operation of same
First Claim
1. A personal radiation detector comprising:
- at least one ionizing radiation scintillation sensor for generating analog impulses representative of a detected radiation in an environment;
a converter connected to the sensor for converting the impulses to digital signals;
a microcontroller connected to the converter to receive the digital signals therefrom;
a nonvolatile memory connected to the microcontroller for data arrangement and command set,an alarm device connected to the microcontroller for emitting warning signal in response to the detected radiation exceeding a preset level;
a power supply connected to the microcontroller for energizing the microcontroller;
a housing enclosing the sensor, the converter, the memory, the microcontroller, and the power supply, the housing having a form factor that substantially fits in a human palm; and
an interface for connecting the microcontroller with a computer,wherein the detector can operate autonomously and without being connected to the computer, andwherein, when connected to the computer, the detector acts as a plug-and-play device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multipurpose, small-sized, ergonomic device determines and measures ionizing radiation and stores the obtained data for subsequent processing. An ionizing radiation detector is used as a sensing unit and is connected with a microcontroller by a converter. The device contains a nonvolatile memory for data arrangement and command set and an interface for connection with a computer. Measurements are carried out constantly, records are made periodically by the user setting. In the case of a value current or accumulated established criterion level excess, the device gives an alert signal and stores current value, not waiting for periodic write time. At connection with a computer, these data are automatically transferred to the computer and processed for identification and saving.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A personal radiation detector comprising:
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at least one ionizing radiation scintillation sensor for generating analog impulses representative of a detected radiation in an environment; a converter connected to the sensor for converting the impulses to digital signals; a microcontroller connected to the converter to receive the digital signals therefrom; a nonvolatile memory connected to the microcontroller for data arrangement and command set, an alarm device connected to the microcontroller for emitting warning signal in response to the detected radiation exceeding a preset level; a power supply connected to the microcontroller for energizing the microcontroller; a housing enclosing the sensor, the converter, the memory, the microcontroller, and the power supply, the housing having a form factor that substantially fits in a human palm; and an interface for connecting the microcontroller with a computer, wherein the detector can operate autonomously and without being connected to the computer, and wherein, when connected to the computer, the detector acts as a plug-and-play device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operation of a personal radiation detector comprising the steps of:
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constantly detecting an environment contamination level using a scintillation sensor; constantly calculating an ionizing radiation level of the detected contamination level; issuing a warning in response to the ionizing radiation level exceeding a preset level; periodically recording records of the calculated ionizing radiation levels at predetermined periodic recording times; issuing an alert signal and storing the current value in response to one of a current value and an accumulated value of the ionizing radiation level exceeding an established criterion level without waiting for a periodic recording time; and automatically transferring the stored data to a computer for processing of the data for identification and saving, wherein the transfer of the stored data occurs upon connection of a detector to the computer, the detector being configured as a plug-and-play device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A palm-size personal radiation detector comprising:
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an ionizing radiation scintillation sensor that detects radiation spectrum and produces signals corresponding to the spectrum; a microcontroller capable of receiving the signals and analyzing the spectrum and the radioisotopes that emit the radiation; a power supply connected to the microcontroller and to the radiation sensor; a housing enclosing the sensor, the microcontroller, and the power supply, the housing having a form factor that substantially fits in a human palm; a display on the housing showing information about the detected radiation, the display being controlled by the microprocessor; and an interface for connecting the microcontroller to a computer, wherein the personal radiation detector can operate without being connected to the computer, and wherein, when connected to the computer, the detector acts as a plug-and-play device. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification