Shutterless FIR Camera Sunburn Correction via Pixel Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shutterless far-infrared (FIR) cameras face challenges in correcting oversaturated pixels without a shutter, which is crucial for applications like advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles, where downtime is unacceptable and mechanical failures can occur due to moving parts.
Innovation Solution
A method for shutterless sunburn correction in FIR cameras using pixel-by-pixel analysis and image processing algorithms to remove oversaturated pixels, eliminating the need for a mechanical shutter and enhancing image quality for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical shutter is used for flat-field correction to remove oversaturated pixels, then image quality is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to moving parts and mechanical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter system with an electronic/image processing-based correction system. The flat-field correction is achieved through software algorithms that analyze and correct oversaturated pixels in the captured images, eliminating the need for moving mechanical parts while maintaining image quality improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic mechanical shutter component from the system while retaining the essential function of flat-field correction through alternative electronic means. The correction functionality is separated from the mechanical implementation and realized through image processing algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical shutter is used for flat-field correction, then oversaturated pixels are corrected, but productivity deteriorates due to downtime during correction cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation by implementing flat-field correction through image processing algorithms that can be applied to captured images without requiring the camera to stop or enter a correction mode. The correction is performed on already-captured frames, allowing the camera to maintain continuous operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs flat-field correction on previously captured images using stored reference frames or historical data, allowing correction to be applied without requiring a separate real-time correction cycle that would interrupt current operation.
3Measurement precision
If a mechanical shutter is used for calibration, then image uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical shutter assembly with an electronic image processing system that achieves the same uniformity correction function. The complexity of mechanical components (motor, blades, bearings, control circuitry) is replaced with software algorithms running on the camera's processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the image processing system multi-functional, using the same processor and memory that handle normal image capture and storage to also perform flat-field correction calculations, eliminating the need for dedicated correction hardware.
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
The solution allows for reliable, real-time correction of oversaturated pixels, ensuring continuous operation and improved image quality in critical applications like advanced driver assistance systems, without the mechanical limitations and downtime associated with shutter-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
the FIR sensor detects infrared radiation and translates the varying intensities of the radiation into a visual image
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for correcting oversaturated pixels in far-infrared (FIR) images captured by a shutterless FIR camera, the method comprising: capturing thermal images by a FIR sensor in the shutterless FIR camera; processing the thermal images, by the shutterless FIR camera to determine pixel value and at least a shutterless sunburn correction, wherein the shutterless sunburn correction removes oversaturated pixels based on pixel-by-pixel analysis of the thermal image; and sending the processed thermal images to an output device.