IR Camera Parallax Focusing via Dual Visual Subsystems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for focusing IR cameras with both IR and visual imaging subsystems do not enable continuous automatic focusing, which is crucial for maintaining image quality and alignment, as they rely on manual adjustments or focus motors that interrupt IR imaging functions.

Innovation Solution

A camera system with two visual imaging subsystems and a processor that calculates parallax between images from these subsystems to determine object distance and focus the IR imaging subsystem automatically, allowing continuous focusing without interrupting IR imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual focusing or focus motor based on single visual image is used, then focusing function is provided, but continuous automatic focusing is not enabled and IR imaging functions are interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic focusingVSAvoidIR imaging continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the focusing task by using two separate visual imaging subsystems to capture images at different times, then processes these segmented images through parallax calculation to determine focus distance. This allows the IR imaging subsystem to operate continuously without interruption while the focusing is performed in parallel through image processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using parallax calculation between two visual images as a mediator to determine focus distance. Instead of directly controlling the focus motor based on single image data, the system uses the parallax-derived distance information as an intermediary parameter to drive continuous automatic focusing, enabling both automation and continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If focus motor based on single visual image is used, then focusing is achieved, but focusing precision and alignment accuracy are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus distance measurementVSAvoidimage alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from two-dimensional single image analysis to three-dimensional parallax-based depth estimation. By calculating the parallax between two visual images captured at different times, the system gains an additional dimensional parameter (depth/distance) that enables precise focus distance measurement and accurate image alignment between IR and visual subsystems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8153971B2Camera with two visual imaging subsystems for determining parallax and for focusing an IR imaging subsystem

Publication Date: 2012.04.10 FLIR SYST AB

AI summary

A camera has an infrared (“IR”) imaging subsystem that includes an IR detector. The camera also has a first and second visual imaging subsystem for generating a first visual image and a second visual image of an object in a scene. The first visual image and the second visual image have a parallax that is dependent on the distance to the object and based on a known parallax function. The camera also has a processor for determining the parallax between the first visual image and second visual images. The IR imaging subsystem may also include an IR optical element for focusing IR radiation on the IR detector. The IR optical element may be operable to focus the IR radiation on the IR detector based on the parallax between the first visual image and the second visual image.