Apparatus for Measuring Optical Characteristics Including Position Detection

• US 20130020485A1
• Filed: 09/05/2012
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: 511 Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Jung, Wayne D., Jung, Russell W., Loudermilk, Alan R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,786,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/349
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/2866 Markers; Calibrating of scan
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0205 Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0216 using light concentrators or collectors or condensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0229 using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/027 Control of working procedures of a spectrometer; Failure detection; Bandwidth calculation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0272 Handheld
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0278 Control or determination of height or angle information for sensors or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/04 Slit arrangements slit adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/508 measuring the colour of teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/51 using colour filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/513 having fixed filter-detector pairs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/03 Cuvette constructions

Abstract

An apparatus measuring optical characteristics including position detection is disclosed. A processor is coupled to a display. A first optical sensor makes a first measurement and a second optical sensor makes a second measurement. A source of illumination provides illumination in the IR range it and the first optical sensor determine a minimal distance between the apparatus and an external object such that illumination emitted by the source is not received by the first optical sensor when the apparatus is less than the minimal distance from the external object. A position of the apparatus with respect to an object and an optical property of light received by the apparatus are determined. A transparent member having a thickness less than the minimal distance may be provided through which the source provides illumination and receives illumination external to the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a display coupled to the processor and displaying information to a user of the apparatus;

at least a first optical sensor making a first measurement, wherein data based on the first measurement is coupled to the processor;

at least a second optical sensor making a second measurement, wherein data based on the second measurement is coupled to the processor;

at least one source of illumination operating in the IR range of illumination under control of the processor;

wherein the source of illumination and the first optical sensor in part determine a minimal distance between the apparatus and an external object such that illumination in the IR range emitted by the source is not received by the first optical sensor when the apparatus is less than the minimal distance from the external object;

wherein data based on the first measurement made with the first optical sensor determines a position of the apparatus with respect to an object;

wherein data based on the second measurement made with the second optical sensor determines an optical property of light received by the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is controlled responsive to the first measurement.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is controlled responsive to the second measurement.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is controlled responsive to the first and second measurements.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a series of first measurements are taken and the processor determines a peak intensity when the apparatus is a predetermined distance from the external object.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a circuit coupled to the processor providing an interface to an external computer.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the circuit comprises a serial communication circuit.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display comprises an LCD.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a speaker coupled to the processor and outputting audio information.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein data indicative of temperature conditions of the apparatus are coupled to the processor, wherein the apparatus operates responsive to temperature conditions of the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of switches, wherein the apparatus operates responsive to activation of the switches.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of second optical sensors.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein one or more of the second optical sensors receive light via a filter.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising Flash memory coupled to the processor.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein either the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor comprises a photo diode array coupled to an integrator, wherein the integrator outputs a signal having a frequency characteristic dependent upon an intensity of light received by the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, where both the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor comprise a photo diode array coupled to an integrator, wherein the integrator outputs a signal having a frequency characteristic dependent upon an intensity of light received by the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor, respectively.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor comprise a light-to-frequency converter.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein both the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor comprise a light-to-frequency converter.

7. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a transparent member through which the source provides illumination external to the apparatus and through which the at least one first optical sensor receives light from external to the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the peak intensity is determined by properties of the light source and a light receiving path of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the transparent member has a thickness, wherein the thickness of the transparent member is less than the minimal distance.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the object comprises human skin.

19. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a non-reflective material positioned between the light source and the light receiving path.