Infrared Sensor Millimeter Wave Illumination Concealed Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor systems, including passive video and infrared sensors, struggle to detect concealed objects like weapons and explosive devices hidden beneath clothing, while active sensors like microwave radar systems lack sufficient image resolution for identification.
Innovation Solution
An active infrared sensing system using a millimeter wave energy source and beam director to illuminate subjects, combined with an infrared sensor to capture time-varying images, allowing for the detection of concealed objects by highlighting temperature variations induced by the millimeter wave energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If passive infrared sensors are used to capture images, then high resolution images can be obtained, but concealed objects cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines passive infrared sensing with active millimeter wave illumination to create a hybrid system that achieves both high image resolution and concealed object detection capability. The infrared sensor captures thermal images while the millimeter wave source illuminates the subject, allowing the system to penetrate clothing and detect concealed objects through temperature variations induced by the illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The millimeter wave energy acts as an intermediary that penetrates the clothing barrier. The system uses millimeter wave illumination to heat concealed objects differently than surrounding areas, creating temperature variations that the infrared sensor can detect. This intermediary illumination enables the infrared sensor to see through the clothing barrier.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If active microwave radar systems are used to penetrate clothing, then concealed objects can be detected, but image resolution is insufficient for identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges millimeter wave illumination with infrared sensing to combine the penetration capability of active radar with the high resolution of infrared imaging. The millimeter wave source provides the illumination that enables concealed object detection, while the infrared sensor provides the high-resolution thermal imaging for identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical imaging limitations of radar with optical/infrared imaging capabilities. Instead of using radar's electromagnetic waves directly for imaging (which lack resolution), the system uses millimeter wave illumination to create thermal contrast that infrared optics can resolve at high detail levels.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If millimeter wave illumination is applied to illuminate subjects, then temperature variations can be detected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The millimeter wave illumination source serves multiple functions: it acts as both the detection mechanism for concealed objects and the illumination source for thermal imaging. The same millimeter wave energy that penetrates clothing to heat concealed objects also provides the illumination that creates detectable temperature variations on the subject's surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The millimeter wave illumination system is controlled by feedback from the infrared sensor to automatically adjust illumination levels. The system monitors temperature variations and self-regulates the illumination power to maintain optimal detection conditions without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems.
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 system effectively detects concealed objects by generating images that show temperature changes caused by millimeter wave absorption and reflection, providing improved resolution and enabling the identification of hidden threats.
Implementation Method 1
millimeter wave energy source to illuminate a subject and an infrared sensor to capture time-varying images of the subject as the subject is heated by the millimeter wave beam
Implementation Method 2
active infrared sensors using high power microwave illumination have been proposed for detecting buried objects such as land mines
Implementation Method 3
an infrared sensor to capture time-varying images of the subject as the subject is heated by the millimeter wave beam
Implementation Method 4
infrared sensor to detect localized temperature variations induced when a subject is illuminated by an electromagnetic energy source
Implementation Method 5
beam director to form millimeter wave energy from the source into a millimeter wave beam to illuminate a subject
Data Source
AI summary
An active infrared sensor may include an imaging infrared sensor to provide an output signal conveying time-sequential infrared images of a scene which includes a subject, a beam generator to generate a millimeter wave energy beam, and a processor. An initial infrared image of the scene may be stored in a memory. After storing the initial infrared image, the beam generator may illuminate the subject with the millimeter wave energy beam. A temperature change across the subject due to the millimeter wave energy beam may be estimated based on the output signal and the stored initial infrared image. The beam generator may stop illuminating the subject when a highest temperature change across the subject is at least equal to a predetermined temperature change limit.