Infrared Image Resolution via Visible Light Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current infrared imaging solutions for medical diagnostics lack sufficient resolution and are costly, with existing technologies failing to provide high-quality, clear images necessary for accurate medical diagnostics, and require strict environmental controls and complex processing to enhance image clarity.
Innovation Solution
A non-visible radiation imaging system that enhances lower resolution infrared images using visible light data to increase resolution, incorporating image fusion and processing techniques to generate high-resolution images for medical diagnostics, while automating the extraction of diagnostic information to reduce human error and improve decision time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional infrared imaging technologies (bolometer, pyroelectric device, thermopile) are used, then infrared radiation detection capability is achieved, but image resolution remains insufficient for demanding medical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visible light imaging as an intermediary component to capture anatomical structural information that complements the thermal data from infrared imaging. The visible light image serves as a mediator that provides high-resolution anatomical context, which when fused with lower-resolution infrared thermal data, enhances the overall diagnostic accuracy without requiring expensive high-resolution infrared detectors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two different imaging modalities (visible light and infrared) into a single fused image that combines the strengths of both. The visible light provides high-resolution anatomical structure while the infrared provides thermal information, and their fusion creates a composite image that achieves diagnostic-quality resolution without requiring expensive high-resolution infrared hardware
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution infrared imaging systems are deployed, then diagnostic image quality improves, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visible light imaging to create a high-resolution anatomical copy or template that can be overlaid and fused with the lower-resolution infrared thermal image. This visible light copy serves as a reference that provides the missing spatial detail, allowing the system to achieve high effective resolution using inexpensive visible light detectors rather than expensive high-resolution infrared detectors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the imaging system multi-functional by integrating both visible light and infrared sensing capabilities into a single platform. This universal system can capture both anatomical structure (visible light) and thermal information (infrared), providing comprehensive diagnostic data while using affordable detector technologies for both modalities rather than requiring expensive specialized high-resolution infrared detectors
3Measurement precision
If strict environmental controls (temperature, humidity, emissivity verification) are implemented, then infrared image quality improves, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visible light imaging component acts as an intermediary that captures anatomical structural information independent of environmental thermal conditions. Since visible light imaging is not affected by ambient temperature, humidity, or emissivity variations in the same way infrared imaging is, it provides a stable reference that reduces the system's vulnerability to environmental controls
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by capturing images across different electromagnetic spectrum bands (visible light and infrared). By operating in multiple spectral bands with different sensitivities to environmental conditions, the system can compensate for environmental variations - the visible light band provides stability against thermal environmental changes while the infrared band provides thermal diagnostic information
4Reliability
If manual infrared image processing and analysis is performed, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the image fusion algorithm automatically adjusts and optimizes the combination of visible light and infrared data based on image quality metrics and diagnostic relevance. This automated feedback loop enables rapid processing while maintaining diagnostic accuracy by systematically evaluating and enhancing key features without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automated image fusion and analysis algorithms that independently process the combined visible light and infrared data to generate diagnostic results. The automated processing pipeline includes automatic feature detection, image registration, and diagnostic parameter extraction, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual analysis while maintaining or improving diagnostic accuracy through consistent algorithmic evaluation
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 enables the generation of high-resolution images from affordable, lower-resolution infrared imaging systems, providing clear and clinically useful images for medical diagnostics, reducing costs and improving diagnostic efficiency by automating image processing and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
infrared light (e.g., thermal radiation) can be imaged to determine the temperature characteristics of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A non-visible radiation imaging system is provided in which an image is obtained based on non-visible infrared radiation of a subject. The image can be enhanced to increase its resolution. Additionally, the image can be combined with another image based on visible light for the subject. The system also provides for a step by step procedure which must be following to obtain a non-visible radiation image accurately for medical diagnostics. Further, a non-visible radiation diagnostic examination system and method are provided that perform an automatic diagnostic information extraction based on examination of the subject using one or more of the images.