Infrared Image Processing for Adaptive Streaky-Noise Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared image processing devices face challenges in accurately reducing streaky noise due to variations in drive wire characteristics, which are exacerbated by changes in ambient temperature, leading to decreased noise suppression effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
An infrared image processing device that calculates correction coefficients based on the difference in pixel values among multiple images, using a processor to execute a program that generates thermal images, performs smoothing processes, calculates correction coefficients, and corrects thermal images using these coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If calibration is performed using light-blocking images at constant intervals, then noise correction can be applied, but noise characteristics change over time due to ambient temperature changes, causing streaky noise to gradually occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary smoothing processing on pixel values before calculating correction coefficients. By smoothing pixel values from multiple images in advance, the system creates a more stable baseline for correction that is less sensitive to temporary temperature fluctuations, thereby extending the effective duration of noise correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent continuously calculates correction coefficients based on smoothed pixel values from multiple images and applies these corrections in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing noise characteristics caused by temperature variations, maintaining correction accuracy over extended periods without requiring frequent recalibration.
2Measurement precision
If shutter frequency is increased to perform frequent calibration, then noise correction accuracy is improved, but images turn dark at shutter times, reducing image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs smoothing processing continuously on pixel values from multiple images without interrupting image capture. This continuous processing allows the system to maintain accurate noise correction over time without requiring the images to be blocked by the shutter, thereby avoiding image darkening while still achieving frequent effective calibration.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are used to calculate correction coefficients, then streaky noise is reduced with high accuracy, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the noise correction process into distinct stages: first performing smoothing processing on individual pixel values from multiple images, then calculating correction coefficients from the smoothed data, and finally applying corrections. This segmentation makes the complex process of using multiple images more manageable and computationally efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces smoothed pixel values as an intermediary between raw pixel data and correction coefficients. By smoothing pixel values first, the system creates an intermediate representation that reduces noise and highlights systematic variations, making the subsequent calculation of correction coefficients more accurate and efficient.
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 device achieves high-accuracy reduction of streaky noise by using the calculated correction coefficients, maintaining effective noise suppression even as ambient conditions change, and preventing a decrease in noise correction accuracy over time.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal image sensor 2 to receive infrared rays and to output a signal corresponding to the infrared rays
Data Source
AI summary
The infrared image processing device includes a thermal image sensor that receives infrared rays and outputs a signal corresponding to the infrared rays, a thermal image generation unit that generates a plurality of thermal images based on the signal, a smoothing processing unit that performs a smoothing process on each pixel of each of the plurality of thermal images by using a pixel value of a vicinal pixel, thereby calculating a plurality of smoothed images and calculating smoothed pixel values that are each image's pixel values after undergoing the smoothing, a correction coefficient calculation unit that calculates a correction coefficient set including a first correction coefficient and a second correction coefficient from the thermal images and the smoothed images, and a thermal image correction unit that corrects the thermal images by using the correction coefficient set.