Infrared Imager Offset Compensation Scheduling Algorithm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared cameras experience frequent shutter actuation due to thermal changes, leading to inconvenience and reduced image quality, as existing offset compensation methods are often performed at high frequencies to maintain image quality.
Innovation Solution
An offset compensation scheduling algorithm that adjusts the periods between shutter actuations based on the drift of the focal plane array pixel levels and predicts when compensation is necessary, ensuring optimal image quality while minimizing shutter activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If offset compensation is performed at high frequency to maintain image quality, then image quality is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to frequent shutter actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the offset compensation frequency based on detected thermal stability. When thermal drift exceeds a threshold, compensation is performed; when stable, compensation is delayed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the compensation frequency responsive to actual image quality needs rather than fixed, thereby maintaining image quality only when necessary and improving user convenience during stable periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of compensation frequency based on thermal stability conditions. By monitoring thermal drift parameters and adjusting compensation timing accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between image quality maintenance and minimizing shutter actuation, directly addressing the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Reliability
If offset compensation frequency is increased during thermal changes, then image quality is maintained, but shutter actuation frequency increases causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring thermal drift and using this information to control offset compensation timing. The feedback loop detects when thermal changes actually degrade image quality and triggers compensation only at those moments, rather than operating at fixed high frequency. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating unnecessary shutter actuations during stable periods while maintaining quality during actual thermal drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary thermal stability assessment before deciding to actuate the shutter for offset compensation. By evaluating thermal drift thresholds in advance and only triggering compensation when drift exceeds acceptable levels, the system avoids unnecessary shutter operations during stable periods while ensuring timely compensation when image quality would otherwise deteriorate.
3Manufacturing precision
If shutter remains closed frequently for offset compensation, then pixel level drift is corrected, but image capture is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines shutter closure duration and frequency based on detected pixel level drift. Rather than using fixed frequent compensation intervals, the system adapts compensation timing to actual drift conditions, keeping the shutter closed only long enough to correct drift when it exceeds thresholds. This maintains pixel uniformity while minimizing interruptions to image capture continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of compensation timing based on pixel drift measurements. By adjusting when and how frequently the shutter closes for compensation based on actual pixel level uniformity needs, the system optimizes the balance between correcting pixel drift and maintaining continuous image capture, reducing unnecessary shutter operations during stable periods.
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 algorithm effectively reduces the frequency of shutter actuations, maintaining image quality and user convenience by synchronizing offset compensation with thermal stability and changes, thereby extending the periods between shutter actuations.
Implementation Method 1
infrared energy is accepted via infrared optics, including the lens, and directed onto the FPA of microbolometer infrared detector elements or pixels
Implementation Method 2
Each pixel responds to the heat energy received by changing its resistance value
Data Source
AI summary
A method of scheduling offset compensation for an infrared (IR) imaging system to maintain good image quality. The method includes a scheduling algorithm for automatic offset compensation. The scheduling algorithm automatically adjusts periods between offset compensations based on the measurement of drift of the focal plane array (FPA) pixel levels. As a result, the periods are adjusted both when the camera is thermally stable and when the camera is undergoing an internal thermal change.