Configurable Markers for Thermal Image Temperature Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal imaging systems lack efficient tools for quickly and effectively interpreting and analyzing thermal profiles from multiple images, particularly in a maintenance context, where users need to track and analyze temperature trends over time across various equipment and locations.
Innovation Solution
A computer software system and graphical user interface that allows users to organize, view, and analyze thermal images captured by thermal imaging devices, enabling the display of thumbnails, full-size images, and the use of configurable markers to identify specific temperature areas, along with associated data organization and analysis tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users view thermal images one by one with detailed analysis tools, then measurement precision and analysis depth are improved, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the analysis process into two distinct modes: a thumbnail view mode for rapid scanning of multiple images (enabling high productivity) and a detailed analysis mode for in-depth temperature measurement (enabling high precision). Users can switch between these segmented views to optimize for either speed or accuracy based on their immediate needs, resolving the contradiction between throughput and analysis depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a dimensional transition between thumbnail overview (2D grid layout) and full-image detailed view (expanded analysis space). This dimensional change allows users to navigate from rapid multi-image scanning to focused single-image analysis without losing context, enabling both high productivity during scanning and high precision during measurement by utilizing different viewing dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If users manually analyze each thermal image in detail, then analysis accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization and preliminary viewing actions by displaying thumbnails that show key thermal characteristics at a glance. This preliminary action allows users to quickly identify which images require detailed analysis, reducing the total time spent on comprehensive manual review while maintaining accuracy for critical images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy of the thermal data in thumbnail form, preserving essential temperature profile information in a condensed format. This copying allows rapid comparison across multiple images without requiring full detailed analysis of each one, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining sufficient accuracy for preliminary assessment and trend detection.
3Measurement precision
If the interface displays only full-size thermal images, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to navigation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into a thumbnail navigation layer and a full-image analysis layer. The thumbnail layer provides easy navigation across multiple images through a visual grid, while the full-image layer provides precise measurement capabilities. This segmentation allows users to easily navigate between images using thumbnails while maintaining access to high-precision analysis when needed, resolving the contradiction between navigation ease and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The thumbnail view serves as an intermediary between the complete set of thermal images and the detailed full-image view. This intermediary provides a simplified overview that facilitates easy navigation and selection, while maintaining direct access to the full-resolution images for precise temperature measurements, thus bridging the gap between ease of operation and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical user interface for analyzing thermal images is provided. The interface can be used to identify the temperatures at multiple areas of interest defined on an image. The areas can be denoted by configurable markers of different predetermined shapes. In some embodiments, the interface simultaneously displays temperature statistics relating to the user-identified areas of interest.