Thermal Imaging Camera Object Property Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle systems lack a robust evaluation of sensor information from infrared cameras, particularly in distinguishing and predicting the behavior of vehicles with complex heat distributions, which is crucial for accident prevention and minimizing injury severity.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an image processing device to evaluate heat distribution in thermal images to determine object properties such as position, orientation, and operating state of vehicles, enhancing the accuracy of environment modeling and predictive capabilities for driver assistance systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If passive infrared cameras are used to detect objects, then the ability to recognize animals or people on the road is improved, but the capability to distinguish vehicle components with complex heat distributions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal image analysis into multiple processing stages: initial object detection, heat distribution evaluation, and component-specific property determination. This segmentation allows the system to first identify objects using standard infrared detection, then separately analyze heat patterns to extract detailed component information that would be lost in conventional single-stage processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the evaluation parameters from simple object presence detection to multi-parameter analysis including heat distribution patterns, temperature gradients, and spatial thermal characteristics. This parameter transformation enables the extraction of component-specific information (engine position, battery location, exhaust system) from the thermal data without requiring additional sensors.
2Device complexity
If thermal imaging cameras record only infrared radiation emitted by objects, then the simplicity of the system is improved, but the ability to obtain detailed object properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a thermal dimension to the existing infrared detection capability by evaluating heat distribution patterns across the detected objects. Instead of merely detecting the presence of objects, the system analyzes the two-dimensional heat distribution maps to infer three-dimensional spatial information about vehicle components, effectively adding an informational dimension without increasing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation step that processes the raw infrared data through heat distribution analysis algorithms. This intermediary processing layer extracts meaningful component information (engine, battery, exhaust) from the thermal patterns without requiring direct physical contact with or additional sensors on the detected vehicles, thus maintaining system simplicity while gaining detailed information.
3Speed
If object recognition is based on edge or contour recognition, then the speed of detection is improved, but the accuracy of determining object properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary edge and contour recognition to quickly identify and locate objects in the thermal image. This preliminary action provides the spatial framework needed for subsequent detailed heat distribution analysis, allowing the system to maintain fast initial detection while preparing the groundwork for more accurate property determination through thermal pattern evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous analysis of heat distribution across the entire object and surrounding area, rather than performing discrete separate operations. This continuous thermal evaluation works in parallel with edge detection, ensuring that both speed (from contour recognition) and accuracy (from heat pattern analysis) are maintained throughout the detection process without sequential delays.
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
This approach provides a more robust environment model, enabling better prediction of vehicle behavior and improved accident prevention by utilizing detailed information about vehicle properties, such as engine status and battery position, to optimize safety system activation and collision trajectories.
Implementation Method 1
passive infrared cameras are often used. With these cameras, only the infrared radiation emitted by objects is recorded
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
Motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one control device (6), a thermal imaging camera (2) and an image processing device (3), wherein the image processing device (3) is designed to recognize objects on a thermal image from the thermal imaging camera (2), wherein the image processing device (3) is designed to ascertain at least one object property of at least one recognized object, particularly of a recognized vehicle (14), by evaluating the thermal distribution in the thermal image in a region that comprises the recognized object, wherein the control device (6) is designed to use the object property for operation of a vehicle system (10, 12).