Camera-Based Humidity Measurement Using Optical Flow Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infrared humidity sensors require specific environmental conditions and are not suitable for everyday use, necessitating a simpler and more accessible method for humidity measurement.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with a camera, processing module, and storage module calculates humidity by analyzing optical flow feature vectors and motion vectors derived from multiple images, using pre-established formulas to determine humidity levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If infrared sensing is used for humidity measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and environmental requirement constraints increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity measurement capabilityVSAvoidsensor environmental requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex infrared sensing system with a camera-based optical flow analysis system. Instead of using specialized infrared humidity sensors that require specific environmental conditions, the invention uses a standard camera to capture images and analyzes motion vectors and optical flow features to calculate humidity, thereby simplifying the device requirements and making it suitable for daily life use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If simple equipment is used for humidity measurement, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-friendliness of humidity measurementVSAvoidhumidity measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces optical flow feature vectors and motion vectors as intermediary parameters that bridge the gap between simple camera imaging and accurate humidity measurement. By analyzing the motion patterns and optical flow characteristics from video frames, the system achieves both ease of operation (using common camera equipment) and measurement precision (through sophisticated image analysis algorithms).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct infrared detection to indirect optical flow-based calculation. The system captures video frames, extracts optical flow features, calculates motion vectors, and uses these parameters in a formula to derive humidity values, thereby achieving accurate measurement with simple equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12417545B2Method for measuring humidity and electronic device using same

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 NANNING FUGUI PRECISION IND CO LTD

AI summary

A method for measuring humidity at long range using simplified equipment includes creating a formula according to a relationship between multiple sets of known optical flow feature vectors and a known humidity. First and second images are obtained, wherein the first image and the second image are captured as being in the same range of capture. A plurality of feature points in the first image is obtained and an optical flow feature vector for each of the feature points according to apparent changes in position of each feature point according to the second image are calculated. The degree of current humidity according to the optical flow feature vectors and the formula is thus obtained.