Radiometric Thermal Imaging With Reflection-Based Disparity Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems for mobile platforms are either too expensive and bulky or lack sufficient contrast under common environmental conditions, making them unreliable for safe and reliable auto or assisted navigation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multispectral imaging systems that capture and process imagery across multiple spectral bands, including visible, infrared, and ultraviolet, to enhance scene differentiation and obstacle detection, combined with compact design to reduce size and power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional imaging systems are used for mobile platforms, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability of navigation is insufficient due to lack of sufficient contrast under common environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spectral imaging modules (visible light, infrared, ultraviolet) into a single integrated imaging system. This merging of multiple imaging functions into one system provides enhanced scene differentiation and obstacle detection capabilities across different environmental conditions while maintaining a unified device structure, thereby improving navigation reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to capture and process imagery across multiple spectral bands simultaneously, making it universally applicable to various environmental conditions. The system can switch between or combine visible, infrared, and ultraviolet imaging modes depending on lighting and environmental conditions, providing multi-functional capability that enhances navigation reliability across diverse scenarios.
2Reliability
If multispectral imaging systems are implemented to enhance scene differentiation, then the navigation reliability improves, but the device size and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested modular architecture where multiple spectral imaging modules are integrated within a common housing and share common components such as power supply, processing unit, and communication interfaces. This nesting approach allows the system to provide multispectral imaging capabilities while minimizing overall system weight by eliminating redundant components and optimizing space utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional imaging systems are used, then the device is compact, but the operational range is limited due to insufficient scene evaluation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system incorporates dynamic adaptability by automatically selecting and adjusting which spectral bands to activate based on real-time environmental conditions, navigation requirements, and power availability. This dynamic configuration allows the system to extend its operational range across diverse conditions without requiring a permanently complex multi-band setup, as the system adapts its complexity to match the operational demands.
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal imaging and navigation systems and related techniques are provided to improve the operation of manned or unmanned mobile platforms, including passenger vehicles. A system includes a thermal imaging device configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The thermal imaging device is configured to, when mounted on the vehicle, capture a first image of a scene encompassing a portion of the vehicle and capture a second image associated with a reflection of the scene from the portion of the vehicle. The system further includes a logic device configured to communicate with the thermal imaging device and determine a disparity map based on the first image and the second image.