Hyper-spectral MEMs chip on smart phone for characterizing life quality of a living entity via imaging and analysis, and applications thereof
11622714 · 2023-04-11
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
A61B5/448
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61B5/441
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61B5/7246
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61B2576/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61B5/6898
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61B5/0075
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61B2562/028
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, and applications thereof, such as managing life quality of a living entity. Includes acquiring hyper-spectral imaging data and information of: anatomical features of the living entity, and substances consumable by the living entity; generating and maintaining a living entity-specific database containing data and information about the living entity; processing acquired living entity anatomical feature and consumable substance hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and living entity data and information; using processed data and information to generate living entity life quality data and information characteristic of life quality of the living entity. Applicable to any living entity (human, animal, plant). Applicable to integrated microelectromechanical (MEM) [chip level] components in desk top devices or miniature smart/intelligent devices. Applicable to generating, processing, or/and utilizing demographic data and information about living entities and consumable substances.
Claims
1. A method for characterizing life quality of a living human or animal via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, the method comprising: acquiring hyper-spectral imaging data and information of: (a) at least one anatomical feature selected from the group consisting of hair, nails, teeth, eyelid, eyebrow, and eyelash of the living human or animal, and (b) at least one substance to be consumed by the living human or animal, wherein said hyper-spectral imaging data and information of at least one consumable substance relates to said at least one consumable substance prior to said consumable substance coming into contact with the living human or animal, and wherein said at least one substance comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of foods and food products, clothing, bedding, toiletries and bathroom products, cosmetics and cosmetic products, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical products, and, medicines and medicine or medicinal products; generating and maintaining a living human- or animal-specific database containing (c) reference hyper-spectral imaging data and information about said at least one anatomical feature of the living human or animal and said at least one substance to be consumed, via a data-information processing unit; applying fuzzy logic to correlate (a) said acquired living human or animal anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, (b) said acquired living human or animal consumable substance hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and (c) said reference hyper-spectral imaging data and information; wherein said acquiring, said generating and maintaining, and said correlating are performed according to a chronological sequence, a plurality of times, spanning a pre-determined period or length of time; and by said data-information processing unit, generating based on said correlation living human or animal life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living human or animal as a function of time; wherein the method comprises obtaining demographic data pertaining to the living human or animal, and wherein said life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality is generated also based on said demographic data; and wherein said processing includes segmenting, via analyzing and classifying, as a function of time: (i) elements of said acquired living human or animal anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, (ii) elements of said acquired living human or animal consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and (iii) elements of said living human- or animal-specific database containing reference data and information about the living human or animal, wherein said using includes correlating at least two of: (i) said segmented acquired living human or animal anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, (ii) said segmented acquired living human or animal consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and (iii) said segmented reference data and information about the living human or animal, wherein said at least two of: (i) said segmented acquired living human or animal anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, (ii) said segmented acquired living human or animal consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and (iii) said segmented reference data and information about the living human or animal are correlated based on said fuzzy logic, to generate the living human or animal life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living human or animal as a function of time.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said pre-determined period or length of time is on order of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring, said generating and maintaining, said processing, and said using, are performed according to a real-time manner or mode of operation, a non-real-time manner or mode of operation, or a combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring, said generating and maintaining, said processing, and said using, are performed in a form of integrated microelectromechanical (MEM) [chip level] components as part of a miniature or hand held smart or intelligent device.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said miniature or hand held smart or intelligent device is selected from the group consisting of smart or intelligent phones, smart or intelligent wallets, smart or intelligent watches, smart or intelligent hand bracelets, and smart or intelligent finger rings.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing includes forming sets and databases of interferogram images from said acquired living human or animal anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, said acquired living human or animal consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and said data and information about the living human or animal.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein following said correlating, at least some elements of said processed data and information of said acquired living human or animal anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, said acquired living human or animal consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and said data and information about the living human or animal, are fed back to said generating and maintaining, to update or/and modify said generating and maintaining said living human- or animal-specific database containing data and information about the living human or animal.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein following said correlating, at least some elements of said generated living human or animal life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living human or animal are fed back to said processing, to update or/and modify said processing of said acquired living human or animal anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, said acquired living human or animal consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and said data and information about the living human or animal.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using said living human or animal life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living human or animal to assist in managing life quality of the living human or animal.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring, said generating and maintaining, said processing, and said using, are performed for each living human or animal of a plurality of living humans or animals, to thereby generate a first level or layer database comprising living human or animal life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of said each living human or animal of said plurality of living humans or animals.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising processing and analyzing said first level or layer database, to identify and group together elements thereof having in common at least one attribute or characteristic of said living human or animal life quality data and information.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said attribute or characteristic comprises one of demographic type data and information and consumer type data and information of said plurality of living humans or animals, wherein said at least one common attribute or characteristics is associated with common one of demographic type data and information and consumer type data and information among said plurality of living humans or animals.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said demographic type data and information is selected from the group consisting of home living places of said living humans or animals, work places of said living humans or animals, travel places of said living humans or animals, hobbies of said living humans or animals, sexes of said living humans or animals, ages of said living humans or animals, weights of said living humans or animals, heights of said living humans or animals, skin colors of said living humans or animals, eye colors of said living humans or animals, hair colors of said living humans or animals, and anatomical features of said living humans or animals.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said consumer type data and information is selected from the group consisting of substances consumable by said living humans or animals.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said substances consumable by said living humans or animals are selected from the group consisting of foods and food products, water and water products, air, clothing, bedding, toiletries and bathroom products, cosmetics and cosmetic products, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical products, and, medicines and medicine or medicinal products.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a second level or layer database comprising a plurality of groups, wherein each said group is identifiable according to said at least one common attribute or characteristic of said living human or animal life quality data and information.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising processing and analyzing said second level or layer database of said plurality of groups, for characterizing living human or animal life quality data and information of said plurality of living humans or animals.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said processing and analyzing said second level or layer database includes cross referencing and correlating elements of said second level or layer database containing data and information of said plurality of groups.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating a third level or layer database comprising living human or animal life quality data and information characteristic of said plurality of living humans or animals.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising processing and analyzing, and using, said third level or layer database for making predictions about said living human or animal life quality data and information of said plurality of living humans or animals.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising using said predictions to assist in managing life quality of one or more of said each living human or animal of said plurality of living humans or animals.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring hyper-spectral imaging data and information of: said at least one anatomical feature of the living human or animal, and said at least one substance consumable by the living human or animal is performed by a hyper-spectral imaging unit.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein a controller-processor is configured to control said hyper-spectral imaging unit, wherein said controller-processor is operatively connected to said hyper-spectral imaging unit and to said data-information processing unit.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein further comprising a controller-processor configured to control said hyper-spectral imaging unit, wherein data and information, or/and control signals, are transferrable one of between said controller-processor and said hyper-spectral imaging unit and between said data-information processing unit and said controller-processor.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Some embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative description of some embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, the description taken together with the accompanying drawings make apparent to those skilled in the art how some embodiments of the present invention may be practiced.
(2) In the drawings:
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DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
(8) The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to life quality characterization of a living entity, and applications thereof, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatuses for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, and applications thereof, such as managing life quality of a living entity. The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, is directed to subject matter corresponding to a unique intersection of the fields and arts relating to: (i) characterizing life quality of a living entity, (ii) managing life quality of a living entity, and (iii) hyper-spectral imaging and analysis. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are applicable to numerous fields and arts, such as business and health, which involve generating, processing, or/and utilizing demographic data and information about living entities and consumable substances.
(9) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are applicable for being practiced whereby the living entity is any live or living entity, such as a live human being, a live animal, or a live plant. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are applicable for being practiced whereby the substance consumable by the living entity (consumable substance) is essentially any substance, material, or object, which is consumable or usable (i.e., may be consumed or used) by a living entity in a manner where the consumable substance, material, or object, contacts (touches, comes into direct contact with, or is ingested by) at least part of the body of the living entity.
(10) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are applicable for being implemented according to different ‘temporal’ manners or modes of operation, in the context of ‘time’, including, for example, according to chronological or sequential, periodic, non-periodic, real-time or/and non-real-time manners or modes of operation.
(11) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are applicable for being implemented according to different ‘spatial’ manners or modes of operation, particularly, in the context of various different possible ‘equipment or hardware’ configurations and operations thereof. For example, in the form of a ‘standard sized’ multi-assembly or multi-device type of an apparatus or system, where one or more of the various assemblies or devices is/are configured and sized, for example, similar to, or on the order of, configurations and sizes of travel baggage (luggage) cases, brief cases, or attaché cases. For example, in the form of a ‘miniature sized’ multi-assembly or multi-device type of an apparatus or system, where one or more of the various assemblies or devices is/are configured and sized, for example, similar to, or on the order of, configurations and sizes of (integrated) microelectromechanical (MEM) [chip level] components. For example, where one or more of such miniature sized assemblies or devices, or even the entire apparatus or system, is/are configured and operative as part of (inside of) any one of various different types or kinds of a miniature or hand held smart or intelligent device, such as a smart or intelligent phone, a smart or intelligent wallet, a smart or intelligent watch, a smart or intelligent hand bracelet, or a smart or intelligent finger ring, among other possible miniature or hand held smart or intelligent devices, used by people.
(12) Exemplary embodiments of the invention may be implemented by using various different forms of differently configured and sized hyper-spectral imaging terminal or scanner type devices. Such exemplary devices are desk top (hyper-spectral imaging) terminal type devices, or, miniature or hand held (hyper-spectral imaging) scanner type devices. Such exemplary hyper-spectral imaging devices are, for example, in wired or/and wireless electronic communication with any one or more different types or kinds of computing devices. In exemplary embodiments, exemplary computing devices are selected from the group consisting of desk top computing devices, personal (PC) type computing devices, lap top computing devices, and tablet type computing devices, among other types of variously configured and sized computing devices.
(13) Exemplary embodiments of the invention are applicable for being implemented via local based wired or/and wireless communication methods, protocols, and equipment, or/and via web/internet/cloud based wired or/and wireless communication methods, protocols, and equipment.
(14) In the following illustrative description of some embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the figures (
(15) Additionally, it is to be fully understood that certain aspects, characteristics, and features, of the present invention, which are illustratively described and presented in the context or format of a plurality of separate embodiments, may also be illustratively described and presented in any suitable combination or sub-combination in the context or format of a single embodiment. Conversely, various aspects, characteristics, and features, of the present invention, which are illustratively described and presented in combination or sub-combination in the context or format of a single embodiment, may also be illustratively described and presented in the context or format of a plurality of separate embodiments.
(16) For example, the following includes illustrative description of several aspects of some embodiments of the invention. Specifically, the following presentation includes illustrative description of some embodiments of a method for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, and some embodiments of an apparatus (in the form of a system or of a small device) for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis. It is to be understood that some embodiments of the disclosed method may be implemented independent of the disclosed apparatus, or by using some embodiments of the disclosed apparatus, and vice versa. Accordingly, it is to be understood that illustrative description of one or more particular aspects of some embodiments of the invention may be considered independent or dependent of the respective illustrative description of one or more particular aspects of some other embodiments of the invention.
(17) Living (Live) Entities
(18) The phrase ‘living entity’, as used herein, refers to any living (live) entity, such as a living (live) human being, a living (live) animal, or, a living (live) plant. The phrase ‘living entity’, as used herein, is synonymous with, and equivalent to, the phrase ‘live entity’.
(19) The living entity can be of any age, from a newly (new) born or formed living entity, to an old or aged living entity.
(20) For example, the living entity may be a live human being, for example, selected from the group consisting of a newly (new) born baby (infant), a baby (infant), a child, an adolescent, a young adult, an adult, a middle aged person, and an old-aged (elderly) person.
(21) For example, the living entity may be a live animal member of the animal kingdom (phylum, class, order, family, genus, or species thereof), of any age.
(22) For example, the living entity may be a live plant member of the plant kingdom (phylum/division, class, order, family, genus, or species thereof), of any age.
(23) Anatomical Features/Body Parts
(24) The phrase ‘anatomical feature’, as used herein, refers to essentially any anatomical feature, or part of the body, of a living entity which is or can be (partly or fully) exposed and at least partly viewable by an observer, either with or without movement or manipulation of the body of the living entity or/and removal of something covering the body of the living entity. The phrase ‘anatomical feature’, as used herein, may be considered synonymous with, and equivalent to, the phrases ‘part of the body’ and ‘body part’, unless specifically stated otherwise.
(25) In the case of the living entity being a living human or living animal, exemplary anatomical features are those parts of the human or animal body which are typically (partly or fully) exposed and at least partly viewable by an observer, such as skin, hair, nails, teeth. Additional exemplary anatomical features of a living human or living animal are those body parts associated with an eye, such as an eyelid, an eyebrow, and an eyelash.
(26) In the case of the living entity being a living plant, exemplary anatomical features are those parts of the plant body which are typically (partly or entirely) exposed and at least partly viewable by an observer, such as stems, stalks, branches, leaves, flowers, or/and roots.
(27) Consumable Substances, Materials, Objects
(28) The phrase ‘substance consumable by the living entity’, or, alternatively, the phrase ‘consumable substance’, as used herein, refers to essentially any substance, material, or object, which is consumable or usable (i.e., may be consumed or used) by a living entity in a manner where the consumable substance, material, or object, contacts (touches, comes into direct contact with, or is ingested by) at least part of the body of the living entity.
(29) The phrases ‘substance consumable’ and ‘consumable substance’ are herein used in a synonymous and equivalent manner, and it is to be understood that appearance and meaning of either of these phrases are equivalent to appearance and meaning of the other phrase. Moreover, the phrases ‘substance consumable’ and ‘consumable substance’, as used herein, are synonymous with, and equivalent to, the phrases ‘material consumable’, ‘consumable material’, ‘object consumable’, and ‘consumable object’, unless specifically stated otherwise. Accordingly, it is to be understood that appearance and meaning of any of these phrases are equivalent to appearance and meaning of the other phrases, unless specifically stated otherwise.
(30) Exemplary consumable substances, materials, or objects, are those which are typically required and consumed by a living entity for regularly (daily) maintaining basic good health, well being, and quality of life thereof. Additional exemplary consumable substances, materials, or objects, are those which are consumed by a living entity for maintaining, or/and improving, or/and enhancing, or/and treating, health, well being, and quality of life thereof.
(31) Such exemplary consumable substances, materials, or objects, are selected from the group consisting of foods (food products), water (water products), air, clothing, bedding, toiletries (bathroom products), cosmetics (cosmetic products), and pharmaceuticals (pharmaceutical products)/medicines (medicine [medicinal] products).
(32) Additional exemplary consumable substances, materials, or objects, are those which are typically not required by a living entity for regularly (daily) maintaining basic good health, well being, and quality of life thereof, but, are consumed by the living entity. Such exemplary consumable substances, materials, or objects, are selected from the group consisting of tobacco (and tobacco products), alcohol (and alcohol products), and drugs (and drug products).
(33) Here, such drugs (and drug products), although possibly made up of, or including, same or similar components or/and ingredients making up, or included in, above stated pharmaceuticals (pharmaceutical products)/medicines (medicine [medicinal] products), are typically not required by a living entity for regularly (daily) maintaining basic good health, well being, and quality of life thereof, but, are nevertheless consumed by the living entity. Such consumption may be, for example, in the context of drug abuse. Accordingly, such drugs (and drug products) are consumed by a living entity for purposes other than for routinely maintaining, or/and improving, or/and enhancing, or/and treating, health, well being, and quality of life thereof.
(34) Foods/Food Products
(35) Exemplary (consumable) foods (food products) are essentially any food item or product which are obtainable and consumable (edible, fit to be eaten, ingestible, fit to be ingested). Such exemplary (consumable) foods (food products) are consumable in their natural states, or consumable (edible, ingestible) after processing (cleaning, cutting, spicing, cooking, baking, roasting, etc.). Exemplary (consumable) foods (food products) are essentially any food item or product which is derived from one or more naturally existing agricultural products. Exemplary (consumable) foods (food products) are essentially any food item or product which is partly or wholly synthetically made or manufactured.
(36) Examples of the above stated types or kinds of exemplary (consumable) foods (food products) are selected from the group consisting of grains or seeds (and grain or seed products), fruits (and fruit products), vegetables (and vegetable products), fish (and fish products), meat (and meat products), and dairy products.
(37) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) foods (food products) may be in essentially any physicochemical form of a solid, or a liquid, or a combination thereof.
(38) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) foods (food products) may be suitable for use in essentially any type or kind of human, veterinary, or agricultural/botanical, application.
(39) Water/Water Products
(40) Exemplary (consumable) water (water products) are essentially any water-based liquid which is consumable (ingestible, fit to be ingested). Exemplary (consumable) water (water products) are tap (faucet) water, filtered water, bottled water, water-based beverages, and water-based drinks. Such exemplary (consumable) water (water products) are obtainable and consumable (ingestible) in their natural states, or consumable (ingestible) after processing (cleaning, filtering, removing or adding minerals, etc.).
(41) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) water (water products) may be suitable for use in essentially any type or kind of human, veterinary, or agricultural/botanical, application.
(42) Air
(43) Exemplary (consumable) air is outdoor air, or indoor air present inside of a residential building (dwelling), such as a home or apartment, or air inside of a commercial (office) building, and which comes into contact with a living entity. Exemplary (consumable) air is air that is processed, re-processed, circulated, or/and generated, by an air processing device, such as an air filtration device, or an air conditioner. Such air typically contains dust and other air particular matter, among other substances, materials, and objects, possibly present in the (consumable) air.
(44) Any of the above listed or described food (food products), water (water products), air, types of consumable substances, materials, or objects, may include essentially any type or kind, and amount, of contamination (contaminant, pollutant, impurity, or the like). Examples of such contamination are human growth products, animal growth products, plant growth products, fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and the like.
(45) Clothing/Garments
(46) Exemplary (consumable) clothing (garments) are essentially any type or kind of outer wear clothing (garments), or under wear clothing (garments).
(47) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) clothing (garments) may be suitable for use in essentially any type or kind of human or veterinary application.
(48) Bedding/Bedclothes
(49) Exemplary (consumable) bedding (bedclothes) are sheets, blankets, and other coverings of a bed, such as pillow cases, that are ordinarily used with a bed for a living entity to sleep.
(50) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) bedding (bedclothes) may be suitable for use in essentially any type or kind of human or veterinary application.
(51) Toiletries/Bathroom Products
(52) Exemplary (consumable) toiletries/bathroom products are soaps, soap products, and related soap type body cleaning products, shampoos, hair conditioners, and related hair cleaning/conditioning type products, toothpaste, mouth wash and related mouth cleaning type products, toothbrushes and related mouth cleaning type products, hair combs, hair brushes, body towels, hand towels, toilet paper, wash cloths, tissues, deodorants, and antiperspirants.
(53) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) toiletries/bathroom products may be in essentially any physicochemical form of a solid, or a liquid, or a combination thereof.
(54) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) toiletries/bathroom products may be suitable for use in essentially any type or kind of human or veterinary application.
(55) Cosmetics/Cosmetic Products
(56) Exemplary (consumable) cosmetics (cosmetic products) are facial makeup, and body/skin/facial/leg/hand powders, ointments, creams, lotions, gels, oils. Additional exemplary (consumable) cosmetics (cosmetic products) are formulations (sunscreens, sun blockers, and the like) applied to prevent or minimize UV radiation from damaging the skin.
(57) Any of the above listed exemplary (consumable) cosmetics (cosmetic products) may be in essentially any physicochemical form of a solid, or a liquid, or a combination thereof.
(58) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) cosmetics (cosmetic products) may be suitable for use in essentially any type or kind of human or veterinary application.
(59) Pharmaceuticals/Pharmaceutical Products/Medicines/Medicine (Medicinal) Products
(60) Exemplary (consumable) pharmaceuticals (pharmaceutical products)/medicines (medicine [medicinal] products) are essentially any over-the-counter, or prescription only, type pharmaceutical (pharmaceutical product)/medicine (medicine [medicinal] product) which is consumed by a living entity for maintaining, or/and improving, or/and enhancing, or/and treating, health, well being, and quality of life thereof.
(61) Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) pharmaceuticals (pharmaceutical products)/medicines (medicine [medicinal] products) may be in essentially any physicochemical form of a solid, a semi-solid, a liquid, or a combination thereof. Any of the above listed or described exemplary (consumable) pharmaceuticals (pharmaceutical products)/medicines (medicine [medicinal] products) may be suitable for use in essentially any type or kind of human or veterinary application.
(62) Real-Time Manner or Mode of Implementation
(63) The term ‘real-time’, as used herein, refers to essentially any aspect of the disclosed method, or any aspect of the disclosed apparatus, which is (automatically or/and manually) performed, implemented, or used, at the same time, or at nearly the same time, with negligible or insignificant time lag, that a targeted (observed, tracked, monitored) event, scene, or situation of interest occurs or takes place. For example, the term ‘real-time’, as used herein, refers to essentially any action, activity, step, procedure, process, operation, function, or piece of equipment, of the disclosed method or apparatus, which is (automatically or/and manually) performed, implemented, or used, at the same time, or at nearly the same time, with negligible or insignificant time lag, that a targeted (monitored, tracked, observed) event, scene, or situation of interest occurs or takes place.
(64) Steps or procedures, sub-steps or sub-procedures, and, equipment and materials, system units, system sub-units, devices, assemblies, sub-assemblies, mechanisms, structures, components, elements, and configurations, and, peripheral equipment, utilities, accessories, and materials, as well as operation and implementation, of exemplary embodiments, alternative embodiments, specific configurations, and, additional and optional aspects, characteristics, or features, thereof, of some embodiments of the present invention, are better understood with reference to the following illustrative description and accompanying drawings. Throughout the following illustrative description and accompanying drawings, same reference notation and terminology (i.e., numbers, letters, symbols, terms, and phrases) are consistently used and refer to same steps or procedures, sub-steps or sub-procedures, system units, system sub-units, devices, assemblies, sub-assemblies, mechanisms, structures, components, elements, and configurations, and, peripheral equipment, utilities, accessories, materials, components, elements, or/and parameters.
(65) An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is a method for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis.
(66) Referring now to the drawings,
(67) In exemplary step (procedure) referenced by 112, there is acquiring hyper-spectral imaging data and information of: at least one anatomical feature of the living entity, and at least one substance, material, or object consumable by the living entity.
(68) In exemplary step (procedure) referenced by 114, there is generating and maintaining a living entity-specific database containing data and information about the living entity, via a data-information processing unit.
(69) In exemplary step (procedure) referenced by 116, there is processing the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, the acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and the data and information about the living entity, via the data-information processing unit.
(70) In exemplary step (procedure) referenced by 118, there is using the processed data and information, via the data-information processing unit, to generate living entity life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity.
(71) In exemplary, optional, step (procedure) referenced by 120, the processed data and information of the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, the acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and the data and information about the living entity, obtained via exemplary step 116, are fed back to the preceding step (procedure) 114, for example, as a way of updating or/and modifying step (procedure) 114 of generating and maintaining a living entity-specific database containing data and information about the living entity.
(72) In exemplary, optional, step (procedure) referenced by 122, the living entity life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity (generated via exemplary step 118) are fed back to the preceding step (procedure) 116, for example, as a way of updating or/and modifying step (procedure) 116 of processing the data-information.
(73) Exemplary embodiments of method 100, optionally, further includes exemplary step (procedure) referenced by 130, of using the living entity life quality data and information to assist in managing life quality of the living entity. This exemplary step (procedure) may be considered as part of an exemplary application of some embodiments of the method 100.
(74) Accordingly, another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is a method for assisting in managing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, the method including the exemplary steps (procedures) and features of: characterizing life quality of the living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, so as to generate living entity life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity; and using the living entity life quality data and information to assist in the managing of life quality of the living entity.
(75) In exemplary embodiments of such a method, the step (procedure) of characterizing life quality of the living entity is performed according to the preceding described exemplary embodiments of the method 100, as shown in
(76) Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is an apparatus for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, and applications thereof.
(77)
(78) As shown in
(79) A hyper-spectral imaging unit 204, configured to acquire (indicated by dashed arrows 208 and 212) hyper-spectral imaging data and information of: at least one anatomical feature of the living entity 216, and at least one object consumable by the living entity 220.
(80) A living entity-specific database 224 containing data and information about the living entity.
(81) A data-information processing unit 228, operatively connected to the hyper-spectral imaging unit and configured to: generate and maintain (indicated by two-headed dashed arrow 232) the living entity-specific database 224; to process the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information 216, the acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information 220, and the data and information about the living entity contained in the living entity-specific database 224; and using the processed data and information to generate (indicated by dashed arrow 236) living entity life quality data and information 240 characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity.
(82) In exemplary embodiments, apparatus 200 additionally includes a controller-processor 250 configured to control processes and operation of the hyper-spectral imaging unit 204.
(83) In exemplary embodiments, acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information 216 is transferred (indicated by dashed arrow 244) from hyper-spectral imaging unit 204 to data-information processing unit 228, and acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information 220 is transferred (indicated by dashed arrow 248) from hyper-spectral imaging unit 204 to data-information processing unit 228.
(84) In exemplary embodiments, data and information about the living entity contained in the living entity-specific database 224 is transferrable (indicated by dashed two-headed arrow 232) between living entity-specific database 224 and data-information processing unit 228. In exemplary, optional, embodiments, data-information processing unit 228 feeds back (indicated by hollow arrow 252) processed data and information to living entity-specific database 224, for example, as a way of updating or/and modifying the living entity-specific database 224 and the data and information about the living entity contained therein.
(85) In exemplary embodiments, living entity life quality data and information 236 is fed back (indicated by hollow arrow 256) to data-information processing unit 228, for example, as a way of data-information processing unit 228 updating or/and modifying processing of the living entity life quality data and information 240.
(86) In exemplary embodiments, data and information, or/and control signals, are transferrable (indicated by dashed line 260) between data-information processing unit 228 and hyper-spectral imaging unit 204. In exemplary embodiments, data and information, or/and control signals, are transferrable (indicated by dashed line 264) between controller-processor 250 and hyper-spectral imaging unit 204. In exemplary embodiments, data and information, or/and control signals, are transferrable (indicated by dashed line 268) between data-information processing unit 228 and controller-processor 250.
(87) In exemplary embodiments of apparatus 200, the data-information processing unit 228 is optionally configured to enable using (indicated by dashed arrow 272) the living entity life quality data and information 240 to assist in managing life quality of the living entity 276. This exemplary optional configuration may be considered as part of an exemplary application of apparatus 200.
(88) Accordingly, another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is an apparatus for assisting in managing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, the apparatus includes the following exemplary components, functionalities, and features thereof: an apparatus for characterizing life quality of the living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, configured to generate living entity life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity; and a data-information processing unit, configured to enable using the living entity life quality data and information to assist in the managing of life quality of the living entity.
(89) In exemplary embodiments of such an apparatus, the apparatus for characterizing life quality of the living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis includes the same exemplary components, functionalities, and features, which are included in the preceding described exemplary embodiments of apparatus 200, as shown in
(90) Temporal Aspects, Characteristics, and Features
(91) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are applicable for being implemented according to different ‘temporal’ manners or modes of operation, in the context of ‘time’.
(92) As a function of time, for example, wherein embodiments of the invention are implemented a number of times, for example, according to a chronological sequence or plurality of a number of times, spanning a pre-determined period or length of time, wherein an exemplary pre-determined period or length of time is on the order of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years.
(93) Accordingly, in exemplary embodiments, exemplary method 100, and exemplary steps (procedures) thereof, for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, are performed as a function of time. For example, wherein exemplary method 100, and exemplary steps (procedures) thereof, are performed a number of times, for example, according to a chronological sequence or plurality of a number of times, spanning a pre-determined period or length of time.
(94) Accordingly, in exemplary embodiments, exemplary apparatus 200, and, exemplary components and functionalities thereof, for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, are configured to operate as a function of time. For example, wherein exemplary apparatus 200, and, exemplary components and functionalities thereof, are configured to operate a number of times, for example, according to a chronological sequence or plurality of a number of times, spanning a pre-determined period or interval of time.
(95) In exemplary embodiments, an exemplary pre-determined period or length of time is on the order of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years.
(96) Exemplary embodiments of exemplary method 100, or/and of exemplary apparatus 200, are implemented in a manner corresponding to chronologically and sequentially, periodically or/and non-periodically characterizing life quality of the living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis. Such a mode of implementation corresponds to chronologically and sequentially, periodically or/and non-periodically observing, tracking, or monitoring, the living entity life quality data and information 240 characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity.
(97) Exemplary embodiments of exemplary method 100, or/and of exemplary apparatus 200, are implemented according to a real-time manner or mode of operation, or/and according to a non-real-time manner or mode of operation.
(98) According to a real-time manner or mode of operation, for example, wherein exemplary method 100, and exemplary steps (procedures) thereof, are performed according to a real-time manner or mode of operation. For example, wherein exemplary apparatus 200, and, exemplary components and functionalities thereof, are configured to operate according to a real-time manner or mode. For example, wherein at least one action, activity, step, procedure, process, operation, function, or piece of equipment, of the exemplary method 100 or of the exemplary apparatus 200, is (automatically or/and manually) performed, implemented, or used, at the same time, or at nearly the same time, with negligible or insignificant time lag, that a targeted (monitored, tracked, observed) event, scene, or situation of interest occurs or takes place, in the context of characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis.
(99) According to a non-real-time manner or mode of operation, for example, wherein exemplary method 100, and exemplary steps (procedures) thereof, are performed according to a non-real-time manner or mode of operation. For example, wherein exemplary apparatus 200, and, exemplary components and functionalities thereof, are configured to operate according to a non-real-time manner or mode. For example, wherein at least one action, activity, step, procedure, process, operation, function, or piece of equipment, of the exemplary method 100 or of the exemplary apparatus 200, is (automatically or/and manually) performed, implemented, or used, not at the same time, but with significant time lag, that a targeted (monitored, tracked, observed) event, scene, or situation of interest occurs or takes place, in the context of characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis.
(100) Spatial Aspects, Characteristics, and Features
(101) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are applicable for being implemented according to different ‘spatial’ manners or modes of operation, particularly, in the context of various different possible ‘equipment or hardware’ configurations and operations thereof.
(102) For example, in the form of a ‘standard sized’ multi-assembly or multi-device type of an apparatus or system, where one or more of the various assemblies or devices is/are configured and sized, for example, similar to, or on the order of, configurations and sizes of travel baggage (luggage) cases, brief cases, or attaché cases.
(103) For example, in the form of a ‘miniature sized’ multi-assembly or multi-device type of an apparatus or system, where one or more of the various assemblies or devices is/are configured and sized, for example, similar to, or on the order of, configurations and sizes of (integrated) microelectromechanical (MEM) [chip level] components. For example, where one or more of such miniature sized assemblies or devices, or even the entire apparatus or system, is/are configured and operative as part of (inside of) any one of various different types or kinds of a miniature or hand held smart or intelligent device, such as a smart or intelligent phone, a smart or intelligent wallet, a smart or intelligent watch, a smart or intelligent hand bracelet, or a smart or intelligent finger ring, among other possible miniature or hand held smart or intelligent devices, used by people.
(104) Accordingly, for example, in exemplary embodiments, exemplary method 100, and exemplary steps (procedures) thereof, and exemplary apparatus 200, and, exemplary components and functionalities thereof, for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, are implemented in the form of a ‘standard sized’ multi-assembly or multi-device type of an apparatus or system, where one or more of the various assemblies or devices is/are configured and sized, for example, similar to, or on the order of, configurations and sizes of travel baggage (luggage) cases, brief cases, or attaché cases.
(105) Accordingly, for example, in exemplary embodiments, exemplary method 100, and exemplary steps (procedures) thereof, and exemplary apparatus 200, and, exemplary components and functionalities thereof, for characterizing life quality of a living entity via hyper-spectral imaging and analysis, are implemented in the form of a ‘miniature sized’ multi-assembly or multi-device type of an apparatus or system, where one or more of the various assemblies or devices is/are configured and sized, for example, similar to, or on the order of, configurations and sizes of (integrated) microelectromechanical (MEM) [chip level] components. For example, where one or more of such miniature sized assemblies or devices, or even the entire apparatus or system, is/are configured and operative as part of (inside of) any one of various different types or kinds of a miniature or hand held smart or intelligent device (for example, as shown in
(106) Exemplary embodiments of the invention (for example, exemplary method 100, or/and exemplary apparatus 200) may be implemented by using various different forms of differently configured and sized hyper-spectral imaging terminal or scanner type devices. Such exemplary devices are desk top (hyper-spectral imaging) terminal type devices, or, miniature or hand held (hyper-spectral imaging) scanner type devices. Such exemplary hyper-spectral imaging devices are, for example, in wired or/and wireless electronic communication with any one or more different types or kinds of computing devices. In exemplary embodiments, exemplary computing devices are selected from the group consisting of desk top computing devices, personal (PC) type computing devices, lap top computing devices, and tablet type computing devices, among other types of variously configured and sized computing devices.
(107) Additional Functional (Operational) and Structural Aspects, Characteristics, and Features
(108) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention, for example, as illustratively described herein above in the context of exemplary method 100 (
(109) In exemplary embodiments, for example, via exemplary step (procedure) 112, using, for example, hyper-spectral imaging unit 204, there is acquiring hyper-spectral imaging data and information of at least one anatomical feature of the living entity, and acquiring hyper-spectral imaging data and information of at least one substance consumable by the living entity.
(110) In exemplary embodiments, the living entity may be any living (live) entity, such as a living (live) human being, a living (live) animal, or, a living (live) plant, for example, as listed and described hereinabove.
(111) In exemplary embodiments, the at least one anatomical feature of the living entity may be essentially any anatomical feature, or part of the body, of the living entity which is or can be (partly or fully) exposed and at least partly viewable by an observer, either with or without movement or manipulation of the body of the living entity or/and removal of something covering the body of the living entity, for example, as listed and described hereinabove. In exemplary embodiments, the at least one substance consumable by the living entity may be essentially any substance, material, or object, which is consumable or usable (i.e., may be consumed or used) by a living entity in a manner where the consumable substance, material, or object, contacts (touches, comes into direct contact with, or is ingested by) at least part of the body of the living entity, for example, as listed and described hereinabove.
(112) In exemplary embodiments, for example, via exemplary step (procedure) 114, via data-information processing unit 228, there is generating and maintaining a living entity-specific database containing data and information about the living entity.
(113) In exemplary embodiments, the living entity-specific database contains data and information including hyper-spectral imaging data and information about the hereinabove listed and described anatomical features of the living entity, and, also contains data and information including hyper-spectral data and information about the hereinabove listed and described substances consumable by the living entity. Such a living entity-specific database serves as an updatable ‘reference’ type of database containing reference data and information, including reference hyper-spectral data and information, about the living entity.
(114) In exemplary embodiments, for example, via exemplary step (procedure) 116, and via the data-information processing unit 228, there is processing the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, the acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and the data and information about the living entity.
(115) In exemplary embodiments, such processing includes performing at least some of the following exemplary steps (procedures), via the data-information processing unit.
(116) Forming sets and databases of interferogram images from the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, the acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and the data and information about the living entity.
(117) Segmenting (via analyzing and classifying), for example, as a function of time: (i) elements of the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, (ii) elements of the acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and (iii) elements of the living entity-specific database containing the (reference) data and information about the living entity.
(118) Such segmenting, for example, as a function of time, is done in order to generate or form: (i) segmented (analyzed and classified) acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, (ii) segmented (analyzed and classified) acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and (iii) segmented (analyzed and classified) reference data and information about the living entity, as a function of time.
(119) In exemplary embodiments, following the preceding segmenting, for example, via exemplary step (procedure) 118, and via the data-information processing unit 228, there is using the processed data and information to generate living entity life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity.
(120) This step includes, for example, correlating (via using software programs based on, for example, fuzzy logic decision making, and matching/mismatching, algorithms) at least two of: (i) the (time dependent) segmented (analyzed and classified) acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, (ii) the (time dependent) segmented (analyzed and classified) acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and (iii) the (time dependent) segmented (analyzed and classified) reference data and information about the living entity.
(121) Such correlating, for example, as a function of time, is done in order to generate the living entity life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity, for example, as a function of time.
(122) In exemplary embodiments, for example, following the preceding correlating, for example, via exemplary step (procedure) 120, at least some elements of the processed data and information of the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, the acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and the data and information about the living entity, obtained via exemplary step 116, are fed back to the preceding step (procedure) 114, for example, as a way of updating or/and modifying step (procedure) 114 of generating and maintaining the living entity-specific database containing data and information about the living entity.
(123) In exemplary embodiments, for example, following the preceding correlating, for example, via exemplary step (procedure) 122, at least some elements of the generated living entity life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of the living entity are fed back to the preceding step (procedure) 116, for example, as a way of updating or/and modifying step (procedure) 116 of processing the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information, the acquired living entity consumable object hyper-spectral imaging data and information, and the data and information about the living entity.
(124) In exemplary embodiments, for example, via exemplary step (procedure) 130, the living entity life quality data and information is used to assist in managing life quality of the living entity. This exemplary step (procedure) may be considered as part of an exemplary application of some embodiments of the present invention.
(125) Multi-Level/Multi-Layer Manner or Mode of Implementation
(126) Exemplary embodiments of the present invention, for example, as illustratively described herein above in the context of exemplary method 100 (
(127) Such a multi-level or multi-layer mode or manner of operation corresponds to extending implementation of exemplary method 100 (
(128) The third level or layer database is then processed and analyzed, and used, for making predictions about the living entity life quality data and information of the plurality of living entities, at the level of a plurality of different groups of living entities, or/and at the level of a single group of living entities, or/and at the level of an individual living entity. Such predictions about the living entity life quality data and information of the plurality of living entities are then used to assist in managing life quality of one or more of each living entity of the plurality of living entities, for example, at the level of a plurality of different groups of living entities, or/and at the level of a single group of living entities, or/and at the level of an individual living entity.
(129)
(130) In exemplary step (procedure) 154, there is generating a first level or layer database which includes living entity life quality data and information characteristic of at least one aspect of life quality of each living entity of the plurality of living entities. In exemplary embodiments of the method, for example, method 100 (
(131) Exemplary step (procedure) 154 is performed, for example, via a plurality of living entities using a corresponding plurality of apparatuses 200 (
(132) In exemplary step (procedure) 158, there is processing and analyzing the first level or layer database, for example, via the central or global data-information processing unit, so as to identify and group together elements thereof having in common at least one attribute or characteristic of the living entity life quality data and information.
(133) In exemplary embodiments, the attribute or characteristic comprises demographic type data and information of the plurality of living entities, wherein the at least one common attribute or characteristics is associated with common demographic type data and information among the plurality of living entities. In exemplary embodiments, the demographic type data and information is selected from the group consisting of home living places of the living entities, work places of the living entities, travel places of the living entities, and hobbies of the living entities. In exemplary embodiments, the demographic type data and information is selected from the group consisting of sexes of the living entities, ages of the living entities, weights of the living entities, heights of the living entities, skin colors of the living entities, eye colors of the living entities, and hair colors of the living entities.
(134) In exemplary embodiments, the demographic type data and information is selected from the group consisting of anatomical features of the living entities. In exemplary embodiments, the attribute or characteristic includes consumer type data and information of the plurality of living entities, wherein the at least one common attribute or characteristics is associated with common consumer type data and information among the plurality of living entities. In exemplary embodiments, the consumer type data and information is selected from the group consisting of substances consumable by the living entities. In exemplary embodiments, the substances consumable by the living entities are selected from the group consisting of foods and food products, water and water products, air, clothing, bedding, toiletries and bathroom products, cosmetics and cosmetic products, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical products, and, medicines and medicine or medicinal products.
(135) In exemplary step (procedure) 162, there is generating, for example, via the central or global data-information processing unit, a second level or layer database which includes a plurality of groups, wherein each group is identifiable according to the at least one common attribute or characteristic of the living entity life quality data and information.
(136) In exemplary step (procedure) 166, there is processing and analyzing, for example, via the central or global data-information processing unit, the second level or layer database of the plurality of groups, for characterizing living entity life quality data and information of the plurality of living entities. In exemplary embodiments, processing and analyzing the second level or layer database includes cross referencing and correlating elements of the second level or layer database containing data and information of the plurality of groups.
(137) In exemplary step (procedure) 170, there is generating, for example, via the central or global data-information processing unit, a third level or layer database which includes living entity life quality data and information characteristic of the plurality of living entities.
(138) In exemplary step (procedure) 174, there is processing and analyzing, and using, for example, via the central or global data-information processing unit, the third level or layer database for making predictions about the living entity life quality data and information of the plurality of living entities.
(139) In exemplary step (procedure) 178, there is using the predictions about the living entity life quality data and information of the plurality of living entities to assist in managing life quality of one or more of each living entity of the plurality of living entities.
(140) The above described multi-level or multi-layer mode or manner of operation, in the context of exemplary method 100, is implemented, for example, by using a corresponding plurality of apparatuses 200 (
(141) In exemplary embodiments, the central or global data-information processing unit is configured to process and analyze the first level or layer database, so as to identify and group together elements thereof having in common at least one attribute or characteristic of the living entity life quality data and information. In exemplary embodiments, the central or global data-information processing unit is further configured to generate the second level or layer database including a plurality of groups, wherein each group is identifiable according to at least one common attribute or characteristic of the living entity life quality data and information. In exemplary embodiments, the central or global data-information processing unit is further configured to process and analyze the second level or layer database of the plurality of groups, for characterizing living entity life quality data and information of the plurality of living entities. In exemplary embodiments, the central or global data-information processing unit is configured to process and analyze the second level or layer database by cross referencing and correlating elements of the second level or layer database containing data and information of the plurality of groups.
(142) In exemplary embodiments, central or global data-information processing unit is configured to generate the third level or layer database including living entity life quality data and information characteristic of the plurality of living entities. In exemplary embodiments, central or global data-information processing unit is configured to process and analyze, and use, the third level or layer database for making predictions about the living entity life quality data and information of the plurality of living entities. In exemplary embodiments, the predictions are used to assist in managing life quality of one or more of each living entity of the plurality of living entities.
(143) Exemplary Applications
(144) As described hereinabove, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are applicable for being implemented according to different ‘spatial’ manners or modes of operation, particularly, in the context of ‘equipment or hardware’ configurations and operations thereof. Such exemplary embodiments may be, for example, in the form of a ‘miniature sized’ multi-assembly or multi-device type of an apparatus or system, where one or more of the various assemblies or devices is/are configured and sized, for example, similar to, or on the order of, configurations and sizes of (integrated) microelectromechanical (MEM) [chip level] components.
(145)
(146) As shown in
(147) A hyper-spectral imaging unit 310, configured to acquire hyper-spectral imaging data and information of: at least one anatomical feature of a living entity, and at least one object consumable by the living entity. Hyper-spectral imaging unit 310 includes an HSI-MEMS chip, a CCD—camera chip, and a lens assembly. In alternative exemplary embodiments, hyper-spectral imaging unit 310 includes an HSI-MEMS terminal box instead of an HSI-MEMS chip.
(148) A data-information processing unit 320, configured as a smart device main computer including: an operating system, hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) software, (local) features data and information, and a (local) living entity-specific database (for example, 224 of
(149) Data-information processing unit 320 is configured to: process the acquired living entity anatomical feature hyper-spectral imaging data and information (for example, 216 of
(150) Data-information processing unit 320 is also configured to generate (for example, 236 of
(151) In exemplary embodiments of apparatus 300, the data-information processing unit 320 is optionally configured to enable using (for example, 272 of
(152) Exemplary apparatus 300 also includes a controller-processor 330 configured to control operation of the hyper-spectral imaging unit 310.
(153) In exemplary embodiments, data and information, or/and control signals, are transferrable (indicated by the term “I2C” and the two-headed arrow 340) between data-information processing unit 320 and hyper-spectral imaging unit 310.
(154) In exemplary embodiments, data and information, or/and control signals, are transferrable (indicated by the pair of arrows 344) between controller-processor 330 and hyper-spectral imaging unit 310.
(155) In exemplary embodiments, data and information, or/and control signals, are transferrable (indicated by the term “USB” and the two-headed arrow 348) between data-information processing unit 320 and controller-processor 330.
(156)
(157) Each of the following terms written in singular grammatical form: ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’, as used herein, means ‘at least one’, or ‘one or more’. Use of the phrase one or more herein does not alter this intended meaning of ‘a’, ‘an’, or ‘the’. Accordingly, the terms ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, a plurality of the stated entity or object, unless otherwise specifically defined or stated herein, or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the phrases: ‘a unit’, ‘a device’, ‘an assembly’, ‘a mechanism’, ‘a component’, ‘an element’, and ‘a step or procedure’, as used herein, may also refer to, and encompass, a plurality of units, a plurality of devices, a plurality of assemblies, a plurality of mechanisms, a plurality of components, a plurality of elements, and, a plurality of steps or procedures, respectively.
(158) Each of the following terms: ‘includes’, ‘including’, ‘has’, ‘having’, ‘comprises’, and ‘comprising’, and, their linguistic/grammatical variants, derivatives, or/and conjugates, as used herein, means ‘including, but not limited to’, and is to be taken as specifying the stated component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), or step(s), and does not preclude addition of one or more additional component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), step(s), or groups thereof. Each of these terms is considered equivalent in meaning to the phrase ‘consisting essentially of’.
(159) Each of the phrases ‘consisting of’ and ‘consists of’, as used herein, means ‘including and limited to’.
(160) The phrase ‘consisting essentially of’, as used herein, means that the stated entity or item (system, system unit, system sub-unit, device, assembly, sub-assembly, mechanism, structure, component, element, or, peripheral equipment, utility, accessory, or material, method or process, step or procedure, sub-step or sub-procedure), which is an entirety or part of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention, or/and which is used for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention, may include at least one additional ‘feature or characteristic’ being a system unit, system sub-unit, device, assembly, sub-assembly, mechanism, structure, component, or element, or, peripheral equipment, utility, accessory, or material, step or procedure, sub-step or sub-procedure), but only if each such additional ‘feature or characteristic’ does not materially alter the basic novel and inventive characteristics or special technical features, of the claimed entity or item.
(161) The term ‘method’, as used herein, refers to steps, procedures, manners, means, or/and techniques, for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those steps, procedures, manners, means, or/and techniques, either known to, or readily developed from known steps, procedures, manners, means, or/and techniques, by practitioners in the relevant field(s) of the disclosed invention.
(162) Throughout this disclosure, a numerical value of a parameter, feature, characteristic, object, or dimension, may be stated or described in terms of a numerical range format. Such a numerical range format, as used herein, illustrates implementation of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, and does not inflexibly limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, a stated or described numerical range also refers to, and encompasses, all possible sub-ranges and individual numerical values (where a numerical value may be expressed as a whole, integral, or fractional number) within that stated or described numerical range. For example, a stated or described numerical range from 1 to 6′ also refers to, and encompasses, all possible sub-ranges, such as from ‘1 to 3’, from ‘1 to 4’, from ‘1 to 5’, from ‘2 to 4’, from ‘2 to 6’, from ‘3 to 6’, etc., and individual numerical values, such as ‘1’, ‘1.3’, ‘2’, ‘2.8’, ‘3’, ‘3.5’, ‘4’, ‘4.6’, ‘5’, ‘5.2’, and ‘6’, within the stated or described numerical range of from ‘1 to 6’. This applies regardless of the numerical breadth, extent, or size, of the stated or described numerical range.
(163) Moreover, for stating or describing a numerical range, the phrase ‘in a range of between about a first numerical value and about a second numerical value’, is considered equivalent to, and meaning the same as, the phrase ‘in a range of from about a first numerical value to about a second numerical value’, and, thus, the two equivalently meaning phrases may be used interchangeably. For example, for stating or describing the numerical range of room temperature, the phrase ‘room temperature refers to a temperature in a range of between about 20° C. and about 25° C.’, and is considered equivalent to, and meaning the same as, the phrase ‘room temperature refers to a temperature in a range of from about 20° C. to about 25° C.’.
(164) The term ‘about’, as used herein, refers to ±10% of the stated numerical value.
(165) The phrase ‘operatively connected’, as used herein, equivalently refers to the corresponding synonymous phrases ‘operatively joined’, and ‘operatively attached’, where the operative connection, operative joint, or operative attachment, is according to a physical, or/and electrical, or/and electronic, or/and mechanical, or/and electro-mechanical, manner or nature, involving various types and kinds of hardware or/and software equipment and components.
(166) It is to be fully understood that certain aspects, characteristics, and features, of the present invention, which are illustratively described and presented in the context or format of a plurality of separate embodiments, may also be illustratively described and presented in any suitable combination or sub-combination in the context or format of a single embodiment. Conversely, various aspects, characteristics, and features, of the present invention, which are illustratively described and presented in combination or sub-combination in the context or format of a single embodiment, may also be illustratively described and presented in the context or format of a plurality of separate embodiments.
(167) Although the present invention has been illustratively described and presented by way of specific exemplary embodiments thereof, and examples thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations, thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that all such alternatives, modifications, and variations, fall within, and are encompassed by, the scope of the appended claims.
(168) All patents, patent applications, and publications, cited or referred to in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual patent, patent application, or publication, was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this specification shall not be construed or understood as an admission that such reference represents or corresponds to prior art of the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.
REFERENCES
(169) 1. WIPO PCT Pat. Appl. Int'l. Pub. No. WO 2012/150557, published Nov. 8, 2012, of PCT Pat. Appl. No. PCT/IB2012/052195, filed May 2, 2012, of same applicant/assignee as the present disclosure, entitled: “Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) And (MEM) Optical Interferometer For Hyper-Spectral Imaging And Analysis”. 2. WIPO PCT Pat. Appl. Intl. Pub. No. WO 2007/0990540, published Sep. 7, 2007, of PCT Pat. Appl. No. PCT/IL2007/000268, filed Mar. 1, 2007, of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Processing And Analyzing Hyper-spectral Image Data And Information Via Dynamic Database Updating”. 3. U.S. Pat. No. 8,817,253, to Moshe, of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Hyper-spectral Imaging And Analysis Of A Sample Of Matter, For Identifying And Characterizing An Object Of Interest Therein”. 4. U.S. Pat. No. 8,159,661, to Moshe, of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Hyper-spectral Imaging And Analysis Of A Sample Of Matter, And Preparing A Solution Or Suspension Therefrom”. 5. U.S. Pat. No. 7,411,682, to Moshe, of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Real Time High Speed High Resolution Hyper-Spectral Imaging”. 6. U.S. Pat. No. 6,697,510, to Moshe, of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Method For Generating Intra-particle Crystallographic Parameter Maps And Histograms Of A Chemically Pure Crystalline Particulate Substance”. 7. U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,048, to Moshe, of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Method For Generating Intra-particle Morphological Concentration/Density Maps And Histograms Of A Chemically Pure Particulate Substance”. 8. U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,261, to Moshe, et al., of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Method Of In-situ Focus-Fusion Multi-layer Spectral Imaging And Analysis”. 9. U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,843, to Horesh, et al., of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Method Of Calibration And Real-time Analysis Of Particulates”. 10. U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,830, to Schechter, of same applicant/assignee as the present invention, entitled: “Spectral Imaging Method For On-line Analysis Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Aerosols”.