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Publication Number
US-10192144-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
When reading a coupon that displays a pattern when a target substance is detected, recognition of the target pattern can be hindered by nonuniform illumination of the coupon. In one aspect, methods and devices are disclosed for uniform illumination of a coupon using a negative axicon lens and a light diffusing assembly. In another separate aspect, methods are disclosed for mathematically compensating for nonuniform illumination of a coupon.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method of reading a coupon channel that displays a test section pattern after being exposed to a target substance. The method provides a device with a structure defining a light-tight chamber, a light source positioned to illuminate the light-tight chamber, computer readable memory, a digital camera, a logic assembly, and a user interface.
The method includes providing a target pattern representation for a control section pattern on an exposed and at least partially developed coupon channel, placing the target pattern into memory, and illuminating the coupon within the chamber for image-based reading. After the coupon channel is exposed to a test fluid mixture, the device automatically repeatedly uses the digital camera to take digital images of the coupon channel test section.
After each image, the logic assembly automatically compares the intensity profile of any pattern in the test section as shown in the digital image to the intensity profile of the target pattern representation. The comparison is used to determine whether the pattern passes a similarity threshold, and in response to passing the threshold the device automatically provides a human perceptible indication that the target substance has been detected.
An improvement in the device includes a negative axicon lens interposed between the light source and the light-tight chamber. The negative axicon lens diffuses the light from the light source to create an even illumination of the coupon in the chamber, addressing illumination nonuniformity during reading.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. It combines four inventive features: light-tight chamber coupon illumination, repeated digital imaging of the coupon channel test section after exposure, automated intensity-profile comparison to a stored target pattern using a similarity threshold, and a human-perceptible indication when the threshold is met. The device improvement further specifies a negative axicon lens to diffuse light and create even illumination.
Light-tight chamber illumination with negative axicon lens diffusion
Providing a device with a structure defining a light-tight chamber and a light source to illuminate the light-tight chamber, wherein the improvement includes a negative axicon lens interposed between the light source and the light-tight chamber, and wherein the negative axicon lens diffuses the light from the light source to create an even illumination of said coupon in said chamber.
Target pattern representation in memory and intensity-profile comparison
Providing a target pattern representation representative of an exposed and at least partially developed coupon channel control section pattern, placing said digitized target pattern into said memory, and automatically using said logic assembly to compare an intensity profile of any pattern in said test section as shown in said digital image to the intensity profile of said target pattern representation to determine if it passes a similarity threshold.
Automated repeated digital imaging of coupon test section and threshold-triggered detection indication
Automatically repeatedly using said digital camera to take a digital image of said coupon channel test section after said exposure, and in response to a digital image passing said similarity threshold, automatically providing a human perceptible indication that the target substance has been detected.
Across the independent claim, the inventive coverage lies in an automated coupon-reading workflow that illuminates a coupon within a light-tight chamber, repeatedly captures digital images of the test section after exposure, compares intensity profiles to a stored target pattern via a similarity threshold, and provides a human-perceptible indication when the threshold is satisfied, with even illumination produced using a negative axicon lens.
Stated Advantages
Creates an even illumination of the coupon in the chamber by using a negative axicon lens to diffuse light.
Enables automated detection by comparing intensity profiles of patterns in the test section to a stored target pattern and triggering a human-perceptible indication when a similarity threshold is met.
Documented Applications
Coupon reader use for detecting indicator patterns on bioassay coupons by reading a coupon channel that displays a test section pattern after being exposed to a target substance.
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