De-aligned Infrared Sensor Array for Thermal Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infrared imaging devices suffer from noise artifacts due to the alignment of sensor arrays with scene features, leading to unsatisfactory noise reduction techniques that result in image distortion and residual noise.
Innovation Solution
An infrared imaging system with a de-aligned infrared sensor array is implemented, where the rows and columns of sensors are fixedly positioned to be non-parallel with horizontal and vertical scene features, preventing alignment and thereby reducing noise artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor array is aligned with horizontal and vertical scene features, then the imaging device can capture thermal images with standard orientation, but row and column noise artifacts are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately misaligning the sensor array grid with the horizontal and vertical directions. The sensor rows and columns are positioned at oblique angles relative to the scene features, creating an asymmetric configuration that prevents alignment between the sensor array and noise patterns. This asymmetric arrangement breaks the correspondence between row/column sensors and horizontal/vertical noise artifacts, thereby reducing visible noise in the captured thermal images.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If noise reduction techniques are applied to aligned sensor arrays, then some noise is reduced, but image distortion and residual noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-positioning the sensor array in a de-aligned configuration before image capture. Instead of applying noise reduction algorithms after image acquisition, the system proactively prevents noise alignment by orienting sensor rows and columns at non-standard angles relative to the scene. This preliminary geometric arrangement counteracts the tendency of noise to align with horizontal and vertical directions, reducing the need for subsequent noise processing that would cause distortion.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the sensor array is de-aligned from horizontal and vertical features, then row and column noise artifacts are reduced, but the sensor array positioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the de-aligned sensor array configuration during the manufacturing or calibration phase. The sensor array is pre-oriented at specific oblique angles relative to the housing axes, and this geometric relationship is fixed through mechanical mounting structures. By performing the complex positioning action beforehand, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during operation, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining noise reduction benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
Various techniques are provided to capture one or more thermal image frames using an infrared sensor array that is fixably positioned to substantially de-align rows and columns of infrared sensors. In one example, an infrared imaging system includes an infrared sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensors arranged in rows and columns and adapted to capture a thermal image frame of a scene exhibiting at least one substantially horizontal or substantially vertical feature. The infrared imaging system also includes a housing. The infrared sensor array is fixably positioned within the housing to substantially de-align the rows and columns from the feature while the thermal image frame is captured.