Patent ID: 9250195
Filing Date: 2016-02-02
CPC Classification: C23C,C25D,G01D,G01M,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A method for detecting and responding to whiskers comprising: collecting whisker related conditions with respect to a device or structure under whisker formation surveillance; providing a first structure formed to have at least some physical, chemical, or structural characteristics corresponding to said device or structure under whisker formation surveillance; generating and controlling whisker formation related interactions with said first structure so as to approximate or match whisker generation related conditions associated with said device or structure under whisker formation surveillance; detecting whiskers formed on said first structure, wherein said detection comprises a plurality of detection activities comprising a first, second, and third detection activity, wherein said first detection activity comprises shining a light on an area of interest on or near said first structure, said second detection activity comprises sensing a first optical response from said area of interest, and said third sensing activity comprises comparing said first optical response with a stored optical response associated with said region of interest that does not have a whisker formation, wherein one or more said whiskers are detected when there is a mismatch between said first optical response and said stored optical response; and generating a whisker response needed signal based on detection of said whiskers formed on said first structure.