Shutterless FIR Camera Noise Correction via Drift Coefficient Smoothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shutterless far-infrared (FIR) cameras used in automotive safety systems face challenges in correcting fixed pattern noise due to ambient drift, leading to inaccurate image processing and noise patterns, which is exacerbated by the absence of a shutter mechanism that would typically perform calibration and correction.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to determine and smooth a drift coefficient based on calibration values and high pass filter values applied to FIR images, allowing for noise removal from input images without the need for a shutter, using an integrated circuit and processing circuitry within the camera to perform pixel-based corrections and ambient drift compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a shutter mechanism is used to perform flat-field correction and remove ambient drift, then image quality and calibration accuracy are improved, but mechanical reliability deteriorates due to moving parts wearing out and causing malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the shutter mechanism from the FIR camera system, eliminating the moving parts that cause mechanical wear and failure. Instead of using a physical shutter to block infrared wavelengths for calibration, the system uses computational methods to achieve flat-field correction without any mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter system with an electronic/computational calibration system. The flat-field correction is achieved through electronic processing and algorithms that analyze and correct pixel response variations without requiring any mechanical movement or physical shutter components.
2Measurement precision
If a shutter is used for frequent calibration to correct ambient drift, then calibration accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to blackout periods freezing the captured image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous image capture and processing without interruption by eliminating the shutter's blackout periods. The computational calibration method allows the system to continuously acquire and correct images in real-time, maintaining uninterrupted operation essential for automotive safety applications where continuous monitoring is critical.
3Measurement precision
If a shutter mechanism is included in the FIR camera, then flat-field correction capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional moving parts and calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shutter mechanism entirely from the camera system, simplifying the device structure by eliminating moving parts, mechanical assemblies, and associated control systems. This extraction of the unnecessary component reduces overall device complexity while maintaining calibration capability through alternative computational methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for correcting fixed pattern noise in far-infrared (FIR) images captured by a shutterless FIR camera. The method includes: determining a drift coefficient based on previously determined calibration values and high pass filter values applied to an input FIR image captured by the shutterless FIR camera; smoothing the drift coefficient based, in part, on previously computed drift coefficient values; and removing noise from the input image based on the smoothed drift coefficient value.