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US 7,607,338 B1Granted
Handheld instrument for monitoring and/or identification of chemicals
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorsWallace J. Lewis, Glen C. Rains, Samuel L. Utley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Computer Vision Chemical Detector has been developed that uses invertebrate organisms trained to respond to targeted chemical odors.
Claims18
A computer vision chemical detection device for detecting a presence of at least one chemical during a chemical detection process, the device comprising:
- at least one organism to detect the at least one chemical,
- a detection chamber enveloping the at least one organism, the detection chamber being structured so that an individual operator can carry the detection chamber from one area of investigation to a subsequent area of investigation;
- a region of interest within the detection chamber, the region of interest being structured so that the at least one organism can relocate and ambulate into and out of the region of interest during a chemical detection process;
- and,
- a sensor positioned to detect the a presence or absence of the at least one organism in the region of interest and notify the operator of a presence of the at least one chemical.
2 more elements
A computer vision system for detecting a presence of at least one chemical, the system comprising:
- at least one organism for detecting a presence of at least one chemical;
- a detection chamber enclosing the at least one organism, the detection chamber being structured so that an individual user can carry the detection chamber from one area of investigation to a subsequent area of investigation;
- a region of interest within the detection chamber, the detection chamber and the region of interest being structured so that the at least one organism is capable of ambulating and relocating into and out of the region of interest during a chemical detection process;
- a camera positioned so that the region of interest is within a field of vision of the camera;
- a user interface in communication with the camera;
- an elongate housing at least partially enclosing the camera and the detection chamber;
- and
- a fan directing a gas into the elongate housing and through the detection chamber, the camera communicating a presence or absence of the at least one organism in the detection chamber region of interest to the user interface, the user interface notifying a user of a presence or absence of the at least one chemical in the gas.
5 more elements
A method of detecting a presence of at least one chemical, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one organism for detecting a presence of at least one chemical;
- depositing the least one organism in a detection chamber, wherein the detection chamber is structured so that an individual user can carry the detection chamber from one area of investigation to a subsequent area of investigation;
- identifying a region of interest within the detection chamber, the detection chamber and the region of interest being structured so that the at least one organism is capable of ambulating and relocating into and out of the region of interest during a chemical detection process;
- positioning a camera so that the region of interest is within a field of vision of the camera;
- connecting a user interface to the camera;
- placing the camera and the detection chamber in an elongate housing;
- directing a gas into the elongate housing and through the detection chamber;
- activating the camera to observe a presence or absence of the at least one organism in the region of interest;
- enabling the user interface to analyze observations of the camera so that the user interface notifies a user of a presence of the at least one chemical in the gas based on a presence or absence of the at least one organism in the region of interest.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.