Handheld Temperature Sensor with Selectable Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable devices lack the capability to accurately determine the temperature of an object in real-time, especially in situations where air and surface temperatures differ, such as distinguishing between damp and black ice on pavements.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held device with a housing, processor, camera, and temperature sensing element featuring a selectable field of view, utilizing an array of bolometer sensors to detect long-wavelength infrared radiation and provide temperature readings on a display, allowing users to frame and measure the temperature of specific object regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensing element with a fixed field of view is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot accurately measure temperature of specific framed regions captured by the camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic field of view adjustment mechanism where the temperature sensing element can change its field of view to match the framed region captured by the camera. This allows the system to adapt the sensing area dynamically based on user selection, improving measurement precision for specific regions without requiring multiple fixed sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensing element is designed to serve multiple functions: it can sense temperature across a wide area when the entire frame is selected, or focus on specific sub-regions when users frame particular areas. This multi-functionality allows a single sensor to handle various measurement scenarios, reducing the need for multiple specialized sensors.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple temperature sensors are used to cover different regions, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple fixed sensors simultaneously, the patent employs a single temperature sensing element that can dynamically adjust its effective field of view. By selecting different regions within the captured image frame, the system achieves multi-region measurement capability with a single sensor, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and focuses on specific regions of interest from the overall captured frame. Rather than requiring sensors for every possible region, the camera captures the entire scene and the temperature sensing element selectively measures only the framed region, extracting the necessary information without needing comprehensive multi-sensor coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the temperature sensing element covers the entire camera frame, then the field of view is maximized, but the temperature measurement of specific regions of interest becomes less precise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the field of view of the temperature sensing element based on user-framed regions. When a specific area is framed in the camera view, the temperature sensing element focuses its measurement on that region, providing precise temperature data for areas of interest while maintaining the ability to switch to full-frame measurement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature measurement system applies local quality by providing different measurement resolutions for different regions. The framed region receives focused, high-precision temperature measurement, while other areas remain unmeasured or measured with lower priority. This allows the system to concentrate measurement resources on regions of interest.
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 accurate and interactive temperature sensing of objects, preventing accidents by distinguishing between different temperature zones, and offering versatile applications in various environments and scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
temperature sensing element having a selectable field of view, FOV, disposed in said port and operable to generate one or more signals in response to the temperature of an object (O) within the FOV
Implementation Method 2
utilizing an array of bolometer sensors to detect long-wavelength infrared radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
A hand-held device having a housing and a processor disposed within the housing, includes a camera and a temperature sensing element having an adjustable field of view. The camera is configured to generate an image of an object and to permit the user to frame the image at a portion of the object to determine the temperature of the framed portion. The temperature sensing element includes a plurality of temperature sensors and the processor is configured to select ones of the plurality of sensors to produce a field of view (FOV) of the temperature sensing element that is less than or equal to the frame in the image. The selected sensors are activated to generate signals corresponding to the temperature of the object in the FOV and the processor is configured to determine a sensed temperature based on the sensor signals.