Pixel Curve Fitting for Thermal Sensor Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement techniques require close proximity to the subject, leading to potential health risks for operators and hygiene issues, and suffer from inaccurate lens positioning in optical sensors, causing light diffusion over multiple pixels, which necessitates processing-intensive deconvolution, resulting in high power consumption and incomplete correction.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that digitally estimate intensity values by fitting curves to neighboring pixel intensity values to simulate a narrower field of view, reducing processing power demands and power consumption, while maintaining accurate temperature measurement without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If deconvolution processing is applied to correct light diffusion, then measurement precision is improved, but processing power demand increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel array into multiple zones (e.g., first zone, second zone, third zone) with different processing strategies. High-priority zones receive deconvolution processing while low-priority zones use simplified processing, thereby reducing overall computational load and power consumption while maintaining measurement precision for critical regions
Solution Approach 2:
Different processing quality levels are applied to different spatial regions of the sensor array. The patent implements local quality enhancement by applying full deconvolution only to specific zones where high precision is required, rather than uniformly processing the entire array, thus optimizing the balance between measurement precision and power consumption
2Measurement precision
If deconvolution processing is applied to correct light diffusion, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pixel array into multiple zones and applies deconvolution processing selectively to specific segments rather than the entire array. This segmentation reduces the total number of pixels requiring intensive processing, thereby decreasing processing time while maintaining measurement precision for the segmented regions that require it
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial deconvolution processing to only the necessary portions of the pixel array rather than performing complete deconvolution on all pixels. This partial action approach achieves sufficient measurement precision for critical regions while significantly reducing overall processing time
3Manufacturing precision
If lens positioning is improved during manufacture, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and corrects the lens positioning error through digital post-processing rather than requiring perfect mechanical positioning during manufacturing. By taking out the correction function from the manufacturing process and implementing it in software, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired manufacturing precision in the final product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical precision requirements with digital processing solutions. Instead of relying on complex mechanical lens positioning systems, the patent uses computational methods to correct positioning errors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving manufacturing precision
4Object-affected harmful factors
If distance between operator and subject is increased, then safety is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct optical measurement with thermal sensing technology that can operate at increased distances. By substituting traditional optical systems with thermal sensors that detect infrared radiation, the patent enables safe remote operation while maintaining measurement precision through advanced signal processing and error correction algorithms
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 rapid and efficient temperature estimation with reduced power consumption, improving operational uptime and accuracy by simulating a narrower field of view, thus overcoming the limitations of existing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
In operation, light received by the sensor elements, for example light in the infra-red range of the electromagnetic spectrum, is translated from the optical domain to the electrical domain.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of digitally processing a plurality of pixels of an image captured using an array of sensing pixels (114) of an optical sensor device (104). The method comprises identifying (204) a measurement pixel (300) of the plurality of pixels corresponding to a measurement point on a target to be measured. The method then comprises identifying (206) a number of pixels (302) of the plurality of pixels neighbouring the measurement pixel (300), the number of pixels having a number of intensity values, respectively. A curve is then fitted (210) to the number of pixels (302) and the number of respective intensity values. An estimated intensity value is then determined (212) from the curve in respect of the measurement pixel (300), thereby simulating a predetermined field of view in respect of the measurement pixel (300) narrower than an actual field of view of the measurement pixel (300).