Thermal Imaging Device Displaying Diagnostic Data in Segmented Regions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermal imaging devices have limited functionality in displaying thermal images alongside additional diagnostic information, often requiring users to navigate multiple interfaces, which can obscure the thermal image and complicate access to relevant data.

Innovation Solution

A thermal imaging device that captures and displays thermal images within a primary region of the screen, while providing additional information, such as servicing details, in a secondary region, allowing for easy access and manipulation of color palettes and troubleshooting tips without interrupting the thermal image display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If additional information (such as thermal map) is superimposed on top of displayed thermal image, then more diagnostic information is provided, but the thermal image information is hidden and user access requires navigating multiple displays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic information accessibilityVSAvoiduser interface navigation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple distinct regions: a first region for displaying the thermal image and a second region for displaying additional diagnostic information such as thermal maps and servicing details. This segmentation allows both types of information to be viewed simultaneously without obscuring each other, eliminating the need to navigate between multiple displays while maintaining clear access to all diagnostic data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If thermal image display is simplified to one-tone display, then processing is simplified, but the display does not provide color palette variations for different temperature mappings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay processing complexityVSAvoidcolor palette options

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic color palette selection through icons displayed in the second region. Users can switch between different color palettes (such as infrared, rainbow, or grayscale) by selecting corresponding icons, allowing the thermal image display to adapt to different diagnostic needs while maintaining relatively simple processing through predefined palette mappings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If thermal image is displayed in full screen, then viewing is unobstructed, but additional diagnostic information cannot be accessed simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal image viewing clarityVSAvoiddiagnostic information visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple distinct regions: a first region for displaying the thermal image and a second region for displaying additional diagnostic information such as thermal maps and servicing details. This segmentation allows both types of information to be viewed simultaneously without obscuring each other, eliminating the need to navigate between multiple displays while maintaining clear access to all diagnostic data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11457170B2Methods and systems for thermal image display

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 SNAP ON INC

AI summary

An example method is performed by a thermal imaging device. The method includes capturing a thermal image of a vehicle and displaying the thermal image within a first region of a display of the thermal imaging device. The method further includes displaying information related to servicing the vehicle within a second region of the display that is distinct from the first region. Other example methods performed by a thermal imaging device are also disclosed herein.