DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
And
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[Refer section 10 and Rule 13]

1. Title of the invention:
FTIR INTERFEROMETER, A METHOD & SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING SAMPLES
2. Applicant(s):
(A) Name: BEAM OPTICS LLP
(B) Nationality: INDIAN
(C) Address: A-402, QUEENSTOWN, PIMPRI CHINCHWAD, PUNE – 411026, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

3. Preamble to the description

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an FTIR interferometer, a method and system for analyzing samples, more particularly it relates to an accurate and robust FTIR spectrometric instrument to analyze samples, a method and system to do the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
India is one of the largest producers of milk, however exports from India of milk are relatively low, because quality is non-standard, primarily due to the disaggregate production of milk – the average dairy farmer in India, owns 2 livestock. The milk from different farmers is collected at the village level in a Bulk milk collection centre (BMCCs) and the farmer is compensated on two variables – amount of milk given and amount of fat in the milk. This leads to a lot of adulteration at the farmer level, which at an aggregate level reduces exports due to non-standardized quality of milk. Currently, ultrasonic machines are mostly used in BMCCs to test for fat levels in milk, the problem with ultrasonic milk analysers is that it cannot detect adulterants in milk, it can only measure Fat and SNF. Further, tests to identify and detect various components of a liquid or even a solid form such as powders are necessary in the beverage, food & FMCG industries. For measuring adulterants the technology of choice is FTIR spectrometry. FTIR instruments are generally expensive and precise instruments, so it is essential to design an instrument which is robust, does not need frequent maintenance and can operate in various environments even those such as BMCC.
The core principle of FTIR instruments is based on the concept of interference of light, most commonly a Michelson interferometer which has a moving mirror to change the optical path length. This moving mirror is also the part that is most prone to failures.
There is, therefore, a need for a FTIR interferometer to operate in un-standardized conditions such as mentioned above while being robust, accurate and functional to analyze un-standardized samples including those with high fat content. There’s also a need for an FTIR interferometer offering a detection of adulterants while analyzing the sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
FIGURE 1a shows a line diagram 100 in the x/y plane of the Michelson type interferometer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 1b shows an exploded view of the the Michelson type interferometer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 shows a three-dimensional view 200 of the Michelson type interferometer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 3 shows an exploded view of the Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) 300 to control at least a moving mirror in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 4 shows a flow chart diagram of the steps involved in the location based chemometric models in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 5 shows a flow chart diagram of the steps involved in the working of the instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 6 shows IR peak/ maxima position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 7a shows sectioning of laser signal around the IR peak / maxima of the IR signal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 7b shows the determining zero crossing length and mean for the sectioned laser signal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 8 shows a system architectural drawing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Some embodiments of the present disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any product and method similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to optimize the outcome of the present invention.
Various embodiments of the invention provide an improved FTIR interferometer, a method and a system for analyzing samples based on the principle of interference of light, particularly using a Michelson interferometer which has a moving mirror to change the optical path length. Further, the present invention discloses an improved mechanism to control the movement of the moving mirror.
In an aspect, the FTIR interferometer of the present invention comprises of a beamsplitter; a reference beam source, preferably Laser; an observance source, preferably broadband IR source; detector(s); at least a moving mirror and a stationary mirror. Wherein each beam/source directed towards a beam splitter for dividing the incident beams into a reflected beam and a transmitted beam. The angle formed between each beam path is marked as theta which is less than or equal to (<=) the divergence half-angle of the observation beam (IR). In an aspect, the FTIR interferometer of the present invention having a moving mirror, is controlled by a Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) with a proprietary control loop to create a robust mechanism of movement. Wherein the moving mirror is mounted on the Voice Coil Actuator, which makes more reliable operations. The movement of the VCA is controlled with a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) for precise control. The movement of the VCA is controlled to keep the reference laser frequency to about 1200 Hz , which makes the interferometer independent of any temperature effects (temperature affects the wavelength of the reference laser)
In an aspect, the FTIR interferometer of the present invention having a moving mirror, is controlled by a Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) comprising a moving component selected from a moving magnet and moving coil, locked by a retaining ring, at least a centering leaf to guide the force towards the central axis, at least one plano mirror connected to a piston and a ring to lock said plano mirror(s).
In an aspect, the FTIR interferometer of the present invention has a built-in conductivity sensor, which can detect NaCl as an adulterant as well provide a solute concentration from which FPD can be derived.
In an aspect, the FTIR interferometer of the present invention having a KBr, Caf2 or a BaF2 beamsplitter coated on at least one side to allow the transmission of a selective wavelength in the range of 400-12,000 wavenumber.
In an aspect, the FTIR of the present invention uses absorption of light at different wavelengths in the infrared spectrum to detect the presence of specific parameters in liquid samples like Fat, SNF and Protein. The samples for testing may include milk samples, wine samples, other alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages, solid samples including powder forms, edible & non-edible samples. Wherein the milk samples may be cow milk, buffalo milk, other animal milk, or vegan milk.
The components employed by the present invention enable testing of a versatile range of elements including liquids, solids, edible, inedible etc.
In another embodiment, a method of operating an FTIR instrument of the present invention is disclosed, comprising the steps of simultaneously launching a reference beam from the monochromatic radiation source (217) said reference beam being laser of defined wavelength, preferably 850nm VCSEL laser and a divergent observation beam from the observation optical radiation source (206) along respective propagation paths towards the first face of the beamsplitter (209, 210, 211) of the interferometer (200), the reference beam being launched along its propagation path to be incident at the first face at a first angle (?) with respect to the propagation path of the observation beam which is less than or equal to the divergence half-angle (?) of the observation beam.
As shown in the system architectural drawing of Figure 8 and as disclosed in a further embodiment disclosing the steps which comprise of passing the observation beam through a sample holder located in the instrument (903) containing sample material for sample testing (902) to obtain information characteristic of the sample material as the testing parameters (904), obtained by processing data using a cloud based data processor (908) ; Wherein the test parameters/readings obtained after passing the observation beam through the sample are communicated (905) to the cloud (907) to be evaluated against pre-existing data stored as “model(s)” taken from model library (909) located in the backend cloud (910) to identify a match, if a match is obtained, the test reading is categorised under said model and reported back/ synced (906) to the user on the instrument (903) or a user interface, if the parameters of the test do not fully match the model, the system may update the model to include the unmatched parameters for future reference while still “syncing” with the instrument (906), in a third instance where none of the major parameters match any of the models, a new model is created by the system and stored for future reference.
In an embodiment, for every sample test performed by an instrument, resulting in test parameters relating to the sample, additional information related to said sample may be automatically selected by the instrument, the system, manually entered by the user or a combination thereof. Such additional information may include but is not limited to geographical location of sample collection or where the test was performed, or both, origin & source information of the test material (e.g. type of cow, origin of buffalo, family of the grape from which wine is made, etc.), other factors such as temperature at the time of testing, humidity levels, aerosols/air pollutants etc. which may/may not affect the sample.
In yet another embodiment, a system comprising the FTIR instrument of the present invention is disclosed, wherein said system employs an algorithm, a controller, a processor, at least a display screen, a user application, a wireless connection and ancillary parts, a server (selected from physical, cloud based, etc.) an AI/ML block.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the AI/ML block includes a trained AI model loop which may be provided with training data set so to try various corrective algorithms based on the type of sample and infer if the data fits the trained AI model so as to improve accuracy of the testing method. The iterative feedback loop increases the accuracy as well as eliminates manual intervention and for any data set, the ratio is identified automatically by intelligently learning from the provided data for providing best accuracy.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the AI/ML block includes a task executor wherein an input dataset may be provided to or received by a task executor. The task executor, may be configured to forward the input dataset to the trained model. The trained model, may be configured to implement the AI model trained by model trainer.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the AI/ML block includes a model trainer which may be configured to train the AI model and the ML model. Further the trained model, may be configured to generate results for the input data processed by the AI model. A tuner, may be configured to evaluate the results of the output. Further the tuner based on the feedback received on the results by evaluation is configured to optimize the training model.
In yet another aspect of the present invention the AI/ML block includes a model trainer which may be configured to train the AI model and the ML model with reference to the location of the instrument / sample collected via GPS. The samples collected are accordingly recorded with reference to their respective location such that any patterns of changes or difference in limits are noted in the test results, accordingly a new model is trained with a tuned limit of detection based on said location; said new model is then synced with the instrument when the network is available.
In yet another embodiment, a system comprising the FTIR instrument of the present invention is disclosed, wherein said system employs a digital twin model capable of receiving data from each subsystem of each machine including subsystem level components, enabling predictive analysis of maintenance, operations, and to facilitate updates to various system models, units, subsystems, components, devices, applications inter alia.
FIGURE 1a shows a line diagram 100 in the x/y plane of the Michelson type interferometer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The interferometer 100 may comprise a moving mirror (101), a stationary mirror (102), a sample holder, detectors (103, 104), a beam splitter, at least a source (105);
FIGURE 1b shows an exploded view of the Michelson type interferometer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The interferometer may comprise IR Source (101b); Source Mirror (102b); Fixed Mirror (103b); Beam Splitter (104b); Compensator (105b); Moving Mirror (106b); Laser Source (107b) additionally Figure 1b shows the angles theta and alpha
FIGURE 2 shows a three-dimensional view 200 of the Michelson type interferometer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The interferometer 200 may comprise a moving mirror (212) controlled by a VCA, a stationary mirror (205), a sample holder (203), detectors (201, 208), a beam splitter (209,210,211), a source (206, 217)
FIGURE 3 shows an exploded view of the Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) 300 to control at least a moving mirror in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The VCA 300 may comprise a moving mirror (307), moving magnet (302), centering leaf front side (303), centering leaf backside (304), housing body (305), retaining ring (306), piston for mirror (308), securing screws (309, 310), ring to lock moving mirror (311).
FIGURE 4 shows a flow chart diagram of the steps involved in the location based chemometric models of data collection and processing. The steps involve Collecting data with lab reference values, the collected data is uploaded to a cloud computing platform such as AWS wherein the data is processed and prepared in a defined format, said processed data is compared with existing models to calculate accuracy; If the accuracy is detected to be within the given limit, no changes are made to the current model. However, if the accuracy is detected to be lower than the given limit, a new model is trained with a tuned limit of detection; said new model is then synced with the instrument when the network is available
FIGURE 5 shows a flow chart diagram of the steps involved in the working of the instrument. Said steps comprise:
a. Capturing IR and Laser signal at defined VCA speeds;
b. Finding IR peak/ maxima position as shown in figure. 6;
c. Sectioning 1800 point / ± 900 points of laser signal around the IR peak / maxima of the IR signal as shown in figure. 7a;
d. Determining zero crossing length and mean for the sectioned laser signal as shown in figure.7b;
e. Generate calibration curve for speed v/s zero crossing length to get optimum speed at which laser signal gives a mean of 23.5-24.4 i.e Laser frequency of range 984-1022 Hz;
Generate calibration curve for mean v/s speed to get a coefficient/ correction factor by which the speed changes if the mean is not within the range of 23.5-24.4.
FIGURE 8 , As shown in the system architectural drawing showing a user (901) using the instrument (903) containing sample material for sample testing (902) to obtain information characteristic of the sample material as the testing parameters (904), obtained by processing data using a cloud based data processor (908) . Wherein the test parameters/readings obtained after passing the observation beam through the sample are communicated (905) to the cloud (907) to be evaluated against pre-existing data stored as “model(s)” taken from model library (909) located in the backend cloud (910) to identify a match, if a match is obtained, the test reading is categorised under said model and reported back/ synced (906) to the user on the instrument (903).
A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily ascertain that the aforementioned embodiments are set out to explain the present invention, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. The embodiments are presented herein for purposes of clarity and disclosure, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS

We Claim:

Claim 1.
An FTIR instrument (200) comprising a beamsplitter (209,210,211); at least a moving mirror (212), a stationary mirror (205); detector(s)(201,208); a reference beam source, preferably Laser; an observance source, preferably broadband IR source; each being directed towards a beam splitter (209,210,211) for dividing the incident beams into a reflected beam and a transmitted beam and wherein the angle formed between each beam path is marked as theta (?) which is less than or equal to (<=) the divergence half-angle (?) of the observance beam (IR).

Claim 2.
The FTIR interferometer as claimed in claim 1 having a moving mirror, is controlled by a Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) with a proprietary control loop to create a robust mechanism of movement, wherein the moving mirror is mounted on the Voice Coil Actuator (300), to make reliable operations.

Claim 3.
The FTIR interferometer as claimed in claims 1 and 2 having a moving mirror (307), is controlled by a Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) (300) comprising a moving component (302) selected from a moving magnet and moving coil, locked by a retaining ring (306), at least a centering leaf (303,304) to guide the force towards the central axis, at least one plano mirror connected to a piston and a ring to lock said plano mirror(s), wherein the movement of the moving component (302) is controlled with a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) for precise control and to make the interferometer independent of any temperature effects which may affect the wavelength of the reference beam.

Claim 4.
The FTIR interferometer as claimed in claim 1 having a built-in conductive sensor, for detecting NaCl as an adulterant in the sample to be tested as well to provide a solute concentration from which Freezing Point Depression can be derived.

Claim 5.
The FTIR interferometer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the beamsplitter is selected from KBr, Caf2 or a BaF2 beamsplitter, coated on at least one side to allow the transmission of a selective wavelength in the range selected from 400-12,000 wavenumber.

Claim 6.
The FTIR interferometer as claimed in claim 1 employs components capable of testing a wide range of samples selected from milk samples, wine samples, other alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages, solid samples including powder forms, edible & non-edible samples wherein the milk samples being cow milk, buffalo milk, other animal milk, or vegan milk.

Claim 7.
A method of operating the FTIR instrument claimed in claim 1 comprising steps of simultaneously launching a reference beam from the monochromatic radiation source (217) said reference beam being laser of defined wavelength, preferably 850nm VCSEL laser and a divergent observation beam from the observation optical radiation source (206) along respective propagation paths towards the first face of the beamsplitter (209, 210, 211) of the interferometer (200), the reference beam being launched along its propagation path to be incident at the first face at a first angle (?) with respect to the propagation path of the observation beam which is less than or equal to the divergence half-angle (?) of the observation beam.

Claim 8
The method claimed in claim 7 further comprising the steps of passing the observation beam through a sample holder containing sample material to obtain information characteristic of the sample material, obtained by processing in a data processor (908) the readings obtained after passing the observation beam through the sample

Claim 9
A system employing the FTIR instrument as claimed in claim 1; an algorithm, a controller, a processor, at least a display screen, a user application, a wireless connection and ancillary parts, a server (selected from physical, cloud based, etc.) , an AI/ML block.

Claim 10
The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the AI/ML block includes a model trainer which may be configured to train the AI model and the ML model. Further the trained model, may be configured to generate results for the input data processed by the AI model. A tuner, may be configured to evaluate the results of the output. Further the tuner based on the feedback received on the results by evaluation is configured to optimize the training model.

Claim 11
The system as claimed in claim 9 comprising the FTIR instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system employs a digital twin model capable of receiving data from each subsystem of each machine including subsystem level components, enabling predictive analysis of maintenance, operations, and to facilitate updates to various system models, units, subsystems, components, devices, applications inter alia.

Claim 12
The system as claimed in claim 9 having a sample holder located in the instrument (903) containing sample material for sample testing (902) to obtain information characteristic of the sample material as the testing parameters (904), obtained by processing data using a cloud based data processor (908) ; wherein the test parameters obtained after passing the observation beam through the sample are communicated (905) to the cloud (907) to be evaluated against pre-existing data stored as “model(s)” taken from model library (909) located in the backend cloud (910) to identify a match, if a match is obtained, the test reading is categorised under said model and reported back(906) to the user (901) via the instrument (903) or a user interface.

Dated: 8th day of August, 2023

For, Beam Optics LLP
By Applicant’s Registered Agent

(RAGINI SHAH)
Patent Agent No.: IN/PA/2898