Electro-Sensing Technology for Diverse Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to develop innovative solutions for various industries, including agriculture, composite materials, athlete monitoring, environmental pollution tracking, and microorganism analysis.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent's electric field sensor technology, designed for bio-potential signal sensing, has limitations in terms of its applicability to other fields. This inventive concept addresses the problem of capacitive coupled noise and capacitive load in these new applications, providing a more accurate and reliable sensing technology.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new inventive concept applies the closed-loop unit-gain amplifier with chopper modulation to various industries, enabling the development of novel systems and methods. For example, in agriculture, an array of electrodes with the amplifier unit can monitor the electrical properties of products, ensuring quality control. In composite materials, the technology can detect defects by analyzing the electric field response. The wearable device for athlete hydration monitoring and the system for real-time environmental pollutant tracking are other examples of the inventive concept's versatility. Finally, the device for detecting and analyzing microorganisms' electrical properties can aid in their identification and characterization.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the original patent's technology, which were not considered in the original invention. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address specific challenges in these diverse industries, resulting in innovative solutions that improve sensing accuracy and reliability.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in electrode design, amplifier configurations, and data processing algorithms tailored to specific industries. Additionally, the technology could be integrated with other sensing modalities, such as optical or acoustic sensing, to create hybrid systems with enhanced capabilities.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including agriculture, aerospace, sports, environmental monitoring, and biomedical research. The technology's ability to provide accurate and reliable sensing solutions can lead to improved product quality, enhanced athlete performance, and more effective environmental pollution tracking.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical and electrical sensing technologies, focusing on low-noise signal acquisition systems with particular expertise in bio-potential measurement, amplifier design, and noise reduction techniques
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
An electrical engineer with advanced degree and 3-5 years experience in analog circuit design, signal processing, and sensor systems, familiar with chopper modulation techniques and bio-potential measurement principles
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the source patent's core innovation of noise-minimizing chopper modulation as a versatile signal acquisition technique readily adaptable to multiple sensing domains. The PTD demonstrates predictable extensions of the original technology by applying the established closed-loop unit-gain amplifier approach to different sensing contexts with minimal technical modification. The fundamental signal processing principles remain consistent across agricultural, medical, environmental, and materials sensing applications.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,328 |
|---|---|
| Title | Active electrode having a closed-loop unit-gain amplifier with chopper modulation |
| Assignee(s) | T&W Engineering A/S |