Panoramic Infrared Thermography with Spatial Non-Uniformity Correction

The patent extracts the non-uniformity correction function from the internal shutter mechanism and implements it through a separate processing module that uses reference images. This separates the gain stabilization function (maintained by the internal shutter) from the spatial uniformity correction function (implemented through reference image processing), allowing both functions to operate independently and effectively without interfering with each other.

The patent implements feedback by continuously capturing reference images of a uniform scene and using these references to dynamically correct spatial non-uniformity in the main images. The processing module compares current reference images with stored reference images and adjusts corrections accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions and maintains both stability and uniformity.

The patent makes the simple fixed FOV camera multi-functional by enabling it to capture panoramic views through sequential imaging while maintaining measurement accuracy through reference image correction. The same camera hardware serves both fixed-view and panoramic functions, with the processing module adapting its correction algorithms based on the imaging mode, thus avoiding the need for complex panoramic cameras while achieving accurate measurements.

The patent performs preliminary correction by capturing reference images of a uniform scene before processing the main thermal images. These reference images are used to pre-calculate spatial non-uniformity corrections that are then applied to the main images, ensuring accurate temperature measurements are achieved before any analysis is performed on the thermal data.

The patent implements periodic action by capturing reference images at regular intervals between main thermal images. The reference images are captured periodically to track temporal variations in non-uniformity, allowing the system to maintain correction accuracy over time without requiring continuous reference imaging, thus balancing productivity with precision.

The patent uses copying by creating a digital copy of the uniform scene through reference images, which are then used to generate correction maps for the main images. This copying approach allows the system to separate the reference capture process from the main imaging process, enabling reference images to be captured efficiently and reused for multiple corrections without repeating the entire reference capture sequence for each main image.