Mobile Object Temperature Sensing With Image-Guided Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile computing devices face challenges in accurately determining the temperature of an object due to the influence of surrounding objects within the field of view of the temperature sensor, especially when the object does not cover the entire field of view, leading to inaccurate readings.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes both a temperature sensor and an image sensor of a mobile device, where their fields of view partially overlap, allowing for image analysis to isolate the temperature of the target object by weighting the infrared energy detected at different areas within the field of view, using linear analysis techniques to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is held close to the object, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image sensor as an intermediary device that captures visual information of the target object and surrounding environment. This image data serves as a mediator to identify and isolate the thermal signature of the specific object of interest from the temperature sensor's field of view, eliminating the need for close physical contact while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension thermal measurement approach to a multi-dimensional solution by combining spatial information from the image sensor with thermal data from the temperature sensor. This dimensional expansion allows the system to locate and measure the target object's temperature from a distance by correlating visual and thermal fields of view.
2Ease of operation
If the temperature sensor has a wide field of view, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor acts as an intermediary that provides spatial context and object identification within the temperature sensor's wide field of view. By processing image data to identify the target object's location and boundaries, the system can accurately attribute thermal readings to the specific object of interest even when surrounding objects are present in the measurement field.
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
This approach enables accurate temperature detection of a target object by isolating its temperature from surrounding objects without requiring the sensor to be very close, reducing user error and increasing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
some mobile computing devices, such as smartphones, include one or more temperature (e.g., infrared) sensors to generate data indicative of the temperature of objects within the field of view of the temperature sensor(s)
Data Source
AI summary
A system and related method for determining a temperature of an object via a mobile device having a camera that generates image data across a first field of view, and a temperature sensor that generates temperature data across a second field of view overlapping the first field of view. A computing system receives the image data, each of the plurality of images of the image data being associated with a different respective position of the mobile device. The computing system also receives the temperature data, each of the plurality of average temperatures of the temperature data corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of images. The computing system determines, based at least in part on the plurality of images and the plurality of average temperatures, a temperature of a desired object at least partially within the first and second fields of view.