Imaging Device Temperature Estimation via Light-Shielding Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging devices require multiple thermal sensors to enhance temperature measurement accuracy, leading to increased component count and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device that estimates temperature using a light-shielding wall's projected image on an imaging plane, eliminating the need for additional thermal sensors by calculating the temperature from the image length and using a thermal sensor for reliability validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple thermal sensors are used to enhance temperature measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is designed to serve dual functions: capturing optical images of the object and measuring temperature through thermal imaging. By making the imaging element multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate thermal sensors while maintaining temperature measurement capability, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the optical imaging function and thermal imaging function into a single imaging element. This merging of functions allows temperature measurement without adding separate thermal sensors, thereby improving temperature measurement accuracy while reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost
2Measurement precision
If multiple thermal sensors are used to enhance temperature measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is designed to serve dual functions: capturing optical images of the object and measuring temperature through thermal imaging. By making the imaging element multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate thermal sensors while maintaining temperature measurement capability, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the optical imaging function and thermal imaging function into a single imaging element. This merging of functions allows temperature measurement without adding separate thermal sensors, thereby improving temperature measurement accuracy while reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost
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
This approach reduces the number of thermal sensors required, enhancing reliability and precision in temperature measurement while minimizing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature estimation unit configured to calculate, from the imaging signal, a length of an image of the light-shielding wall projected on an imaging plane of the imaging element, and to estimate a first temperature using the calculated length of the image of the light-shielding wall
Implementation Method 2
The light passing through the openings 902a, 902b, 902c, and 902d of the aperture member 902 is refracted by the optical blocks 903a, 903b, 903c, and 903d
Data Source
AI summary
The number of thermal sensors in an imaging device that requires temperature measurement is reduced. The imaging device includes: a lens array (112) including lenses; an imaging element (122) provided at a predetermined distance from the lens array (112) and having imaging areas respectively corresponding to the lenses; a light-shielding wall (113) which partitions a space between the lens array and the imaging element so as to prevent light entering each of the lenses from reaching the imaging areas different from a corresponding one of the imaging areas; an imaging signal input unit (133) configured to generate an imaging signal by digitalizing an electric signal provided by the imaging element; and a temperature estimation unit (143) configured to calculate, from the imaging signal, a length of an image of the light-shielding wall projected on an imaging plane of the imaging element, and to estimate a temperature using the calculated length of the image of the light-shielding wall.