Dual Sensor Infrared Camera Blending Visible Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nighttime imaging systems for vehicles require operators to constantly switch between visible light and infrared camera displays to correlate path obstructions, making it difficult to determine obstacles, especially in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced vision system that combines image signals from visible light and infrared sensors, allowing for user-selectable modes including a blended mode that retains color information from visible light sensors and shows infrared luminance, with automatic mode selection based on time of day or signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If operators use separate visible light and infrared camera displays, then each camera can capture its specific spectral information, but operators must constantly switch between displays to correlate path obstructions, making obstacle detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges visible light and infrared camera displays into a single integrated display that shows both spectral bands simultaneously. The system combines image data from both cameras and presents them in a unified view, allowing operators to see both visible and infrared information without switching between separate displays. This directly resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for constant switching while preserving the ability to access both spectral representations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display into multiple viewable regions or overlays, showing visible light and infrared image data in separate but simultaneous locations on the same display. This allows operators to perceive both spectral bands at once without confusion, maintaining the distinctness of each camera's information while eliminating the need to switch between separate displays.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operators use split view on a single display, then both visible and infrared images can be displayed simultaneously, but operators must constantly switch between each view to determine obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functionality of separate displays into a single integrated display that presents both visible and infrared views simultaneously without requiring operators to switch between them. The combined display maintains the adaptability of showing different spectral bands while eliminating the operational burden of constant switching by presenting both views at once in a unified interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides multiple selectable processing modes, then the system can adapt to different imaging requirements, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic mode selection that autonomously determines the appropriate processing mode based on detected imaging conditions such as lighting levels. Rather than requiring operators to manually select from multiple complex modes, the system self-adjusts by monitoring environmental conditions and automatically switching between processing modes, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages multiple processing modes by dynamically changing processing parameters based on detected conditions. Instead of presenting operators with complex mode selections, the system automatically adjusts parameters such as image enhancement, contrast, and spectral weighting according to lighting conditions, effectively reducing perceived complexity while maintaining adaptability through parameter-based adaptation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables enhanced vision capability for vehicle operators by providing a seamless and intuitive display of both visible and infrared data, improving navigation and obstacle detection in various lighting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor sensitive to the thermal radiation in the infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor sensitive to light in the visible spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for infrared camera systems and methods for dual sensor applications. For example, in one embodiment, an enhanced vision system comprises an image capture component having a visible light sensor to capture visible light images and an infrared sensor to capture infrared images. The system comprises a first control component adapted to provide a plurality of selectable processing modes to a user, receive a user input corresponding to a user selected processing mode, and generate a control signal indicative of the user selected processing mode, wherein the plurality of selectable processing modes includes a visible light only mode, infrared only mode, and a combined visible-infrared mode. The system comprises a processing component adapted to receive the generated control signal from the control component, process the captured visible light images and the captured infrared images according to the user selected processing mode, and generate processed images based on the processing mode selected by the user. The system comprises a display component adapted to display the processed images based on the processing mode selected by the user.