In-Mask Thermal Display View-Shifting for Wide-Field Situational Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal imaging systems used with respirator masks face limitations in displaying wide-field images captured by wearable thermal cameras due to the small size of the in-mask display unit, which often results in valuable information being discarded, particularly in applications like firefighting where a broader field of view is crucial for situational awareness.
Innovation Solution
The thermal imaging system employs a view-shifting arrangement that allows the in-mask display unit to show a secondary subimage in place of or in addition to the primary subimage, enabling the user to access more information by directionally displacing portions of the primary subimage, thereby utilizing the full field of view captured by the camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide-field thermal imaging camera is used to capture a broader field of view, then situational awareness is improved, but the small in-mask display unit cannot show the entire captured image, resulting in loss of information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the captured thermal image into multiple subimages (primary subimage and secondary subimage) that can be selectively displayed on the in-mask display unit. The processor separates the wide-field image data into distinct displayable portions, allowing the full image information to be preserved in memory while only displaying relevant portions on the limited-size screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the display by allowing switching between different subimages over time. Instead of attempting to display all information simultaneously on the limited display area, the system presents different portions of the thermal image at different times, effectively using time as an additional dimension to overcome the spatial limitations of the small display unit.
2Ease of operation
If the in-mask display unit shows only a primary subimage, then the display is simple and easy to operate, but valuable secondary information is discarded or hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic display system where the in-mask display unit can switch between displaying the primary subimage, the secondary subimage, or both simultaneously based on user input or system conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the display to maintain simplicity when only primary information is needed while providing access to secondary information when required, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and information completeness.
3Loss of information
If a larger display unit is used to show the full thermal image, then all image information can be displayed, but the device becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the thermal image into multiple subimages that can be displayed sequentially or selectively on a small display unit. This eliminates the need for a large display unit while preserving all image information, as the segmented subimages contain the complete visual data distributed across multiple displayable portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of different portions of the thermal image (primary subimage and secondary subimage) that can be independently processed and displayed. These digital copies allow the system to present multiple views of the thermal data on a small display without requiring physically large display hardware, thus avoiding the complexity and size increase that would result from using a larger display unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal imaging system for use with a respirator mask comprising an in-mask display unit, and methods of configuring and operating such a system. The system uses a thermal imaging camera to capture a thermal image. The system is configured with the capability to shift from a default view in which an in-mask micro-display of the in-mask display unit shows a primary subimage of the captured thermal image but does not show a secondary subimage of the captured thermal image, to an auxiliary view in which the secondary subimage is now shown in place of at least a portion of the primary subimage.