IR Sensor Self-Calibration Using Camera Radiation Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared (IR) sensors in fire sensing devices can drift out of calibration due to environmental conditions, leading to delayed or missed fire detection, requiring tedious and time-consuming manual recalibration procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fire sensing device equipped with a camera and a controller that autonomously calibrates the IR sensor by comparing radiation levels captured by the camera with those detected by the IR sensor, using a correction factor to adjust for discrepancies, and predicting the end of life of the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual recalibration by trained personnel is used, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire sensing device performs self-calibration using its own camera and controller. The controller captures images with the camera, determines radiation levels from the images, compares these to IR sensor readings, and automatically adjusts the IR sensor calibration without external intervention. This eliminates the need for trained personnel and significantly reduces recalibration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera serves as an intermediary device to obtain reference radiation level data. Instead of requiring manual calibration equipment, the system uses the camera to capture visual information and derive radiation levels, which then serve as a reference for calibrating the IR sensor. This intermediary approach simplifies the calibration process while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If manual recalibration by trained personnel is used, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its existing camera and controller to perform self-calibration, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and trained personnel. The controller automatically processes images, determines radiation levels, compares them to IR sensor readings, and adjusts calibration parameters without human intervention, simplifying the overall process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera, originally designed for visual detection, is also used for determining radiation levels as a reference for IR sensor calibration. This multi-functional use of the camera reduces the need for separate calibration equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining calibration accuracy.
3Reliability
If IR sensor drift is not addressed, then device complexity remains low, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration actions by continuously monitoring and automatically adjusting IR sensor calibration before drift affects detection reliability. The controller regularly captures images, determines radiation levels, compares them to IR sensor readings, and makes adjustments proactively, preventing reliability degradation before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the controller continuously compares IR sensor readings with radiation levels determined from camera images. When discrepancies indicating drift are detected, the system automatically adjusts the IR sensor calibration and continues monitoring, ensuring reliability is maintained through continuous self-correction.
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
Enables self-calibration of IR sensors, reducing the risk of fire detection failures and eliminating the need for manual recalibration, thus ensuring timely fire detection.
Implementation Method 1
an IR sensor configured to detect a radiation level of the environment
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for calibrating an infrared (IR) sensor in a fire sensing device are described herein. One device includes a camera configured to capture an image of an environment, an IR sensor configured to detect a radiation level of the environment, and a controller configured to compare a radiation level of the image of the environment captured by the camera to the radiation level of the environment detected by the IR sensor and calibrate the IR sensor based on the comparison.