Aligning Visible Light and Infrared Image Fields of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thermographic imaging, it is challenging to accurately analyze and interpret combined visible light (VL) and infrared (IR) image data due to differences in field of view (FOV) between VL and IR imaging systems, making it difficult for users to relate information between the two images.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves processing and aligning VL and IR images to ensure they have the same field of view (FOV), allowing for easier comparison and analysis by adjusting the FOV of the wider VL imaging system to match the narrower IR imaging system, and providing a user-friendly interface for displaying and storing these aligned images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If visible light imaging system captures a wider field of view than infrared imaging system, then more scene coverage is obtained in visible light image, but it becomes difficult to relate information between visible light and infrared images due to FOV mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges visible light image data and infrared image data into a single combined image display. The visible light image serves as the background layer while infrared image data is overlaid on top, allowing users to view both types of information simultaneously in the same field of view. This merging eliminates the need to switch between separate images and directly correlates thermal information with visual context at the same spatial locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the visible light image as an intermediary medium to display infrared information. Instead of displaying separate infrared and visible light images that require manual correlation, the visible light image acts as a mediator that carries both its own visual information and overlaid infrared thermal information, making it easier for users to interpret thermal data in the context of the visible scene.
2Loss of information
If separate infrared and visible light images are displayed, then complete image data is preserved, but user interpretation becomes difficult due to difficulty relating the two images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate infrared and visible light images into a single integrated display where infrared data is overlaid on the visible light image. This merging allows users to interpret thermal information directly in the context of the visible scene without needing to mentally correlate two separate images, significantly improving ease of interpretation while preserving all image data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the visible light image by overlaying infrared information as a separate layer. This creates a multi-dimensional display where the visible light image provides the base spatial context and the infrared overlay adds thermal information in the same visual space, allowing simultaneous access to both data types without requiring separate displays.
3Ease of operation
If infrared image data is overlaid on visible light image, then image interpretation is improved, but the visible light image may obscure subtle infrared features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different display qualities to different regions or aspects of the combined image. The visible light image provides the overall contextual background, while infrared features are highlighted with enhanced contrast and color coding in specific regions. This local quality differentiation allows the visible light image to provide context without completely obscuring subtle infrared features, as the infrared data is emphasized where it matters most.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial overlaying of infrared data on the visible light image rather than complete coverage. By selectively overlaying infrared information in regions where thermal features are most relevant or where they provide additional interpretive value, the system improves interpretation ease without allowing the visible light image to completely obscure subtle infrared features in all areas.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided for an embodiment a method for enabling improved analysis and interpretation of associated image data in an infrared (IR) image and a visible light (VL) image depicting a real world scene, captured using a thermography arrangement comprising an IR imaging system and a VL imaging system, the method comprising: capturing an IR image depicting the scene, having a first field of view (FOV); capturing a VL image depicting the scene, having a second FOV; processing at least one of the VL image and the IR image such that the FOV represented in the VL image substantially corresponds to the FOV represented in the IR image; associating the resulting IR and VL images to provide associated images; and enabling a user to access the associated images for display, wherein analysis and interpretation of the associated images, having image pair content, is intuitive as the resulting VL image and the resulting IR image after associating represent the same FOV.