Multispectral Calibration Target With Metallic Plate And Polymeric Ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calibration methods for multispectral imaging systems, particularly in non-visible light spectra like MWIR and LWIR, face challenges due to manufacturing aberrations and environmental factors, leading to inaccurate geometric calibration and low contrast visibility, which are not effectively addressed by standard targets designed for visible light imaging systems.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral geometrical calibration target comprising a metallic plate with a surface roughness of N9 to N10 and a polymeric ink pattern, which provides low emissivity and high emissivity differences, respectively, along with heating elements to control temperature and minimize environmental reflections, enabling accurate calibration across various spectral bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a standard checkerboard target is used for calibration, then visible light imaging systems can achieve accurate geometric calibration, but non-visible light imaging systems (MWIR/LWIR) suffer from low contrast visibility and cannot distinguish exact corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the calibration target by using a metallic plate with specific surface roughness (N9 to N10) instead of traditional cardboard or plastic materials. This parameter change enables the target to provide sufficient contrast in non-visible light spectra (MWIR/LWIR) while maintaining visibility in visible light, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and object-affected harmful factors across multiple spectral bands
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a metallic plate substrate with polymeric ink patterns. The metallic plate provides the base contrast for non-visible light detection, while the polymeric ink patterns enhance visibility in visible light spectra. This composite material approach allows the single target to effectively serve both visible and non-visible light imaging systems simultaneously
2Reliability
If heating elements are added to control target temperature and minimize environmental reflections, then calibration accuracy in dynamic environmental conditions improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates heating elements that can pre-heat or maintain the target at a controlled temperature before and during the calibration process. This preliminary thermal preparation minimizes the impact of environmental temperature variations and reduces reflections from temperature gradients, thereby improving calibration reliability without requiring complex real-time compensation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements act as an intermediary between the target and the environmental thermal conditions. By actively controlling the target temperature through these elements, the system mediates the interaction between the calibration target and dynamic environmental conditions, ensuring stable thermal conditions for accurate calibration while isolating the measurement process from external thermal disturbances
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 target allows for precise calibration of IR cameras and visible light cameras by enhancing contrast and reducing environmental reflections, resulting in accurate geometric calibration and improved image quality across a wide spectral range, including outdoors and dynamic environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a substantially flat metallic plate, wherein a first surface of the metallic plate has a surface roughness of between N9 to N10
Implementation Method 2
a pattern made from a polymeric ink applied on the first surface
Data Source
AI summary
A target and a method of calibration of an IR camera unit is disclosed. The target may include, a substantially flat metallic plate, such that a first surface of the metallic plate has a surface roughness of between N9 to N10; and a pattern made from a polymeric ink applied on the first surface. The method may include, receiving from an IR camera, included in the camera unit, an image of the target taken in the infrared spectrum; extracting parameters, related to the camera, form the image; and calibrating the camera based on the extracted first parameters.