Thermal Imaging Enclosure for Tool-Free Room Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing imaging apparatuses in rooms are cumbersome, requiring technical skills and tools, and can cause privacy concerns due to visible devices, with low-resolution thermal cameras lacking spatial detail for identification.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure with orthogonal mounting faces and a visually opaque base face is designed to simplify installation by aligning the imaging apparatus with room directions, ensuring it is not visible and using low-resolution thermal imaging for detection without identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment methods are used with monitoring devices, then the imaging apparatus can be positioned to capture the required region, but the installation process becomes complex requiring technical skills and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging apparatus performs self-alignment by automatically detecting room features (walls, ceiling, floor) and determining its own orientation and position without requiring external alignment tools or technical expertise for installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment processes with automated electronic detection and computation systems that use sensors, image processing, and coordinate system transformations to achieve precise positioning without physical alignment tools
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution cameras are used for monitoring, then detailed identification is possible, but privacy concerns arise from visible devices and clear imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different resolution qualities to different monitoring needs: low-resolution thermal imaging for general occupancy detection and high-resolution imaging only when specifically required for identification, thereby reducing privacy concerns while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from visible light (high resolution) to thermal infrared radiation (low resolution), allowing occupancy and activity detection without capturing identifiable visual details that would raise privacy concerns
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
The enclosure allows easy, tool-free installation and hides the apparatus, addressing privacy concerns while effectively monitoring room occupancy and activities.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging apparatus (175) disposed within the enclosure (167) and having a predetermined orientation with respect to the enclosure (167)
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure having: a base face that is opaque or translucent to human eyes viewing from outside of the enclosure and transparent to infrared radiation; and at least two flat, orthogonal mounting faces configured to be overlaid respectively on at least two surfaces of walls and ceiling of a room. A thermal imaging apparatus configured to image based on infrared radiation and mounted within the enclosure with a predetermined orientation relative to the base face to have a designed imaging direction with respect to the room when the enclosure is mounted in the room to have the at least two orthogonal mounting faces overlaid respectively on the at least two surfaces.