Optical state monitor with an indicator-sensor

Abstract

In one configuration, an optical state monitor is augmented or comprises one or more indicator-sensors that self-generate different optical profiles (signatures) in response to an item or its environment; wherein wherein the indicator-sensors cooperate with the electromagnetic radiation detectors of the optical state monitor in the detection and determination of the condition(s) of the item or its environment, or of the indicator-sensor and its environment. Of particular interest are indicator-sensors that are thin, flexible, patternable and printable (or otherwise deposited) as films or additive layers to electromagnetic detection layers or other structures of the optical state monitor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical state monitor constructed to determine a state of an item or an environment, comprising:
 one or more electromagnetic indicator-sensors for generating an optical signature responsive to the good or the environment;   one or more electromagnetic detectors for detecting electromagnetic radiation from the indicator-sensors, wherein the detected electromagnetic radiation is dependent on the generated optical signature,   a memory constructed to store a predefined optical state profile regarding the state of the item or environment;   a processor for evaluating the generated electronic signals using the optical state profile to determine the state of the item or the environment;   a power source; and   wherein the electromagnetic detectors are constructed to detect electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the optical state profile.   
     
     
         2 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator-sensors are the same type. 
     
     
         3 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator-sensors are of different types. 
     
     
         4 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation detectors are the same type. 
     
     
         5 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation detectors are of different types. 
     
     
         6 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , further comprising electromagnetic radiation detectors configured to detect electromagnetic radiation directly from the item or the environment. 
     
     
         7 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more electromagnetic radiation sources. 
     
     
         8 . The optical state monitor of  claim 7 , wherein the electromagnetic sources produce electromagnetic radiation of different types. 
     
     
         9 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator-sensors are integral to the optical state monitor. 
     
     
         10 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator-sensors is attachable, detachable, connectable, disposable, swappable, or replaceable. 
     
     
         11 . The optical state monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical signature detection is performed according to an optical measurement protocol stored in memory. 
     
     
         12 . The optical state monitor of  claim 10 , further comprising an environmental sensor, and responsive to an electrical signal from the environmental sensor, the processor adjusts the optical measurement protocol. 
     
     
         13 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , further comprising a visual or acoustic interface for presenting alerts, alarms, or messages. 
     
     
         14 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , further comprising a wired or wireless interface for presenting alerts, alarms, or messages. 
     
     
         15 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The optical state monitor of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator is the light detection layer, and responsive to light stimulation, the light detection layer causes the optical state monitor to transition from a zero or low power state to a higher power state. 
     
     
         17 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the determined optical state of the item or environment is indicative of a condition, characteristic, quality, utility of the item or its environment. 
     
     
         18 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator-sensors or the electromagnetic radiation detectors are constructed as a layer. 
     
     
         19 . The optical state monitor of  claim 7 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation sources are constructed as a layer. 
     
     
         20 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , wherein one or more indicator-sensors are visible to a user. 
     
     
         21 . The optical state monitor of  claim 1 , having a plurality of indicator-sensors that are spaced apart from each other.