Thermal Camera Parallax Correction via Range Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal imaging cameras face challenges in accurately aligning visible light and infrared images due to parallax errors caused by the offset optical axes, which hinders precise distance measurement and concurrent display of both images.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a range imaging camera module that captures distance-to-target data for each portion of the scene, allowing for alignment of visible light image portions based on this data to correct parallax errors between visible and infrared images, enabling concurrent display in registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two separate sets of optics are used to capture thermal and visible light images independently, then independent focusing control is achieved, but parallax error occurs between the two images
Solution Approach 1:
A range imaging camera module is introduced as an intermediary component to capture distance information. This mediator provides the data needed to calculate and correct parallax error, allowing the two separate optics systems to be aligned accurately without compromising their independent focusing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment methods with a computational approach. By using range imaging data and software-based parallax correction algorithms, the system achieves precise image alignment without requiring complex mechanical coordination between the two optics systems
2Device complexity
If all portions of the visible light image are aligned together by a fixed shift, then alignment is simple, but accuracy is reduced due to varying distances to different scene portions
Solution Approach 1:
The visible light image is divided into multiple portions, each corresponding to a different depth range in the scene. Each portion is then aligned using its specific distance-to-target data, allowing for accurate alignment across the entire image while maintaining a relatively simple processing approach
Solution Approach 2:
Different alignment parameters are applied to different portions of the image based on their local distance characteristics. This local quality approach ensures that each region of the image is aligned with the precision appropriate for its depth, rather than applying a uniform alignment that would compromise accuracy
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
Improves the accuracy of concurrently displaying visible light and infrared images by aligning each portion of the visible light image with corresponding portions of the infrared image, reducing parallax errors and enhancing image interpretation.
Implementation Method 1
a range imaging camera module that is configured to capture a visible light image that includes distance-to-target data associated with each of a plurality of different portions of a target scene
Implementation Method 2
thermal imaging cameras are often used during maintenance inspections to thermally inspect equipment
Implementation Method 3
thermal imaging cameras are configured to generate both a thermal image and a visual light image
Implementation Method 4
The different positional arrangement of each set of optics can create a parallax, or shift, between the two images. The parallax may be proportional to the distance between each set of optics. The parallax may also be proportional to the distance between the thermal imaging camera and the object being observed
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal imaging camera may be used to capture a visible-light (VL) image and an infrared (IR) image. In some examples, the camera includes a range imaging camera module that captures the VL and an infrared camera module that captures the IR image. In such examples, the VL image may include a plurality of different portions that each correspond to a different portion of the scene and distance-to-target data associated with each of the different portions of the scene. The camera may align each of the plurality of different portions of the VL image based on the distance-to-target data associated with corresponding portions of the scene so as to correct a parallax error between the VL image and the IR image. The camera may then concurrently display the VL image in alignment with the IR image.