Thermal Image Magnification and Temperature Overlay for Heat Source Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image display devices for thermal images do not allow users to easily and intuitively recognize temperature information of a heat source, as they require manual switching between images and do not support enlargement of thermal images.
Innovation Solution
An image display device with a tablet terminal configuration, featuring a touch panel and cameras for visible and infrared imaging, allows users to switch between display modes by pinching or enlarging the thermal image, enabling intuitive temperature state recognition through side-by-side display, enlarged thermal images, and superimposed temperature values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermal image and visible image are displayed side by side, then both images can be viewed, but the thermal image cannot be enlarged to recognize temperature distribution details
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a 2D side-by-side display to a 3D spatial arrangement where the thermal image is positioned behind the visible image, creating a layered depth structure. This allows the thermal image to be enlarged independently while maintaining the visible image as reference, solving the contradiction between viewing convenience and temperature distribution recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested display structure where the thermal image is positioned behind and can be enlarged within the same display space as the visible image. The enlarged thermal image occupies the background layer while the visible image remains in the foreground, allowing both images to coexist without overlapping conflicts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual button pressing is used to switch between images, then image switching is possible, but the operation is not intuitive and learning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically respond to user gestures without requiring manual button pressing. The touch panel detects pinch-to-zoom gestures and automatically switches between full visible image display and enlarged thermal image display, making the system self-adaptive to user intentions and eliminating the need for learned button sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with a touch-based gesture recognition system. The touch panel detects pinch-to-zoom gestures and translates them into image switching commands, substituting physical mechanical interaction with intuitive touch-based interaction that directly reflects user intent.
3Measurement precision
If visible image is displayed in enlarged manner, then detail visibility is improved, but thermal image cannot be displayed in enlarged manner simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into two independent functional layers: a foreground layer for the visible image and a background layer for the thermal image. This segmentation allows independent enlargement control of each image type, enabling the thermal image to be enlarged without affecting the visible image display, and vice versa.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a depth dimension to the display system, positioning the thermal image in a background layer behind the visible image. This dimensional separation enables independent scaling of each image layer, allowing the thermal image to be enlarged for temperature distribution analysis while the visible image remains accessible in the foreground.
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 users to easily and intuitively learn the temperature state of a heat source by allowing magnification control of thermal images and superimposing temperature values, improving work efficiency in identifying heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal images are used to measure a temperature of an object using far infrared rays radiated from the object
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An image display device includes a display that displays at least one of a visible image of an object and a thermal image that represents temperature information of the object by a color and a control unit that controls the display. The control unit causes the display to display one of a first image and a second image. The first image includes thermal image (41) and visible image (40). The second image does not include the visible image but includes thermal image (41c) that is more enlarged as compared to the thermal image in the first image with a numerical value indicating a temperature being superimposed for each predetermined region on thermal image (41c).