Heat Trace Region Extraction Using Thermal Imaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting touched areas using surveillance cameras are inefficient due to the need for strong light sources and are affected by camera position, making it difficult to accurately identify touched regions for targeted disinfection.

Innovation Solution

A heat trace region extraction device that uses both visible and thermal imaging to generate difference images, allowing for the pinpoint identification of touched areas by extracting heat traces left by human contact, independent of camera position and light source requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a strong light source such as a projector is used to detect touched areas using shadow, then the detection of touched regions becomes possible, but the device complexity increases and the method becomes unsuitable for many environments where strong light sources cannot be installed freely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of touched areasVSAvoidrequirement of strong light source

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical shadow detection system (requiring projectors and specific light sources) with a thermal imaging system that detects heat traces left by human contact. This substitution eliminates the need for complex light source equipment while achieving accurate touched area detection through thermal camera imaging of heat patterns on surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If shadow-based contact detection is used, then touched areas can be identified, but the recognition accuracy is significantly affected by the positional relationship between the camera and the light source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecognition accuracy of touched areasVSAvoidsensitivity to camera position and light source arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the shadow-based detection system whose accuracy depends on precise camera-light source positioning with a thermal imaging system. The thermal camera detects heat traces regardless of camera position, as heat transfer from human contact to surfaces creates detectable thermal patterns that are independent of viewing angle or camera placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If disinfection is performed on all places that may have been touched by people at regular intervals, then infection prevention is achieved, but the labor and disinfectant solution usage increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection prevention effectivenessVSAvoiddisinfection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by targeting disinfection only to specific regions where heat traces indicate actual human contact, rather than uniformly disinfecting all surfaces. The system identifies precise touched areas through thermal imaging and directs disinfection resources only to those locations, optimizing both infection prevention and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using thermal camera detection to identify touched areas in real-time or near-real-time, then using this information to guide subsequent disinfection actions. This closed-loop approach ensures disinfection is performed based on actual usage patterns rather than predetermined schedules, improving both effectiveness and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Improves the accuracy of detecting touched areas, enabling targeted disinfection and reducing the use of disinfectants while minimizing labor, thereby enhancing infection control.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal image which is an image of heat emitted by the actual object obtained by photographing the certain range with a thermal camera for photographing the heat emitted by the actual object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12159414B2Heat trace area extraction apparatus, heat trace area extraction method and program

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A heat trace region extraction device includes: a difference actual object image generation unit 130 that generates a difference actual object image which is an image of a difference between an actual object image which is an image of an actual object obtained by photographing a certain range with an actual object camera for photographing the actual object and a background actual object image which is an actual object image of a background of the certain range; a difference thermal image generation unit 16 that generates a difference thermal image which is an image of a difference between a thermal image which is an image of heat emitted by the actual object obtained by photographing the certain range with a thermal camera for photographing the heat emitted by the actual object and a background thermal image which is a thermal image of the background; and a heat trace region extraction unit 17 that extracts a heat trace region by removing a region of the actual object from the thermal image based on the difference actual object image and the difference thermal image.