Patent classifications
G01J5/80
Readout circuits and methods
Methods of sensor readout and calibration and circuits for performing the methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include driving an active sensor at a voltage. In some embodiments, the methods include use of a calibration sensor, and the circuits include the calibration sensor. In some embodiments, the methods include use of a calibration current source and circuits include the calibration current source. In some embodiments, a sensor circuit includes a Sigma-Delta ADC. In some embodiments, a column of sensors is readout using first and second readout circuits during a same row time.
NON-CONTACT MEDICAL THERMOMETER WITH DISTANCE SENSING AND COMPENSATION
A non-contact medical thermometer is disclosed that includes an IR sensor assembly having an IR sensor for sensing IR radiation from a target, a distance sensor configured to determine a distance of the thermometer from the target, and a memory component operatively coupled at least to the IR sensor assembly and the distance sensor. The memory component contains predetermined compensation information that relates to predetermined temperatures of targets and to predetermined distances from at least one predetermined target. A microprocessor is operatively coupled to the memory component. The microprocessor is configured to perform temperature calculations based on the IR radiation from the target, the distance of the thermometer from the target, and the predetermined compensation information.
READOUT CIRCUITS AND METHODS
Methods of sensor readout and calibration and circuits for performing the methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include driving an active sensor at a voltage. In some embodiments, the methods include use of a calibration sensor, and the circuits include the calibration sensor. In some embodiments, the methods include use of a calibration current source and circuits include the calibration current source. In some embodiments, a sensor circuit includes a Sigma-Delta ADC. In some embodiments, a column of sensors is readout using first and second readout circuits during a same row time.
IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM
In an image processing apparatus, a first correction unit corrects imaging data acquired from an infrared imaging device, based on a first correction table, and outputs first corrected data. A second correction unit generates a second correction table for the imaging data in a state in which a shutter is closed, and outputs second corrected data based on the second correction table. A saturated region detection unit detects a saturated region in the imaging data. A shutter control unit performs closing control for the shutter, based on a result of detection of the saturated region. An abnormal pixel detection unit detects whether or not the imaging data acquired in the state in which the shutter is closed includes an abnormal pixel. A selection unit selects and outputs either the first corrected data or the second corrected data in accordance with a result of detection by the abnormal pixel detection unit.
System for Monitoring a Device
A system and method includes at least one temperature sensor, a processing unit, and an output unit. The temperature sensor acquires a temperature measurement at a first location of an operational device, which first location is in thermal contact with a second location of the operational device. The processing unit selects a simulated temperature distribution of the first location of a simulated device from a plurality of simulated temperature distributions of the first location and compares the temperature measurement with simulated temperature distributions of the first location, and determines whether a hot spot exists or is developing at the second location. The determination comprises utilization of a correlation between the simulated temperature distribution of the first location and the second location for the selected simulated temperature distribution of the first location of the simulated device.
System for Monitoring a Device
A system and method includes at least one temperature sensor, a processing unit, and an output unit. The temperature sensor acquires a temperature measurement at a first location of an operational device, which first location is in thermal contact with a second location of the operational device. The processing unit selects a simulated temperature distribution of the first location of a simulated device from a plurality of simulated temperature distributions of the first location and compares the temperature measurement with simulated temperature distributions of the first location, and determines whether a hot spot exists or is developing at the second location. The determination comprises utilization of a correlation between the simulated temperature distribution of the first location and the second location for the selected simulated temperature distribution of the first location of the simulated device.
Method and system for calibrating imaging system
A method includes capturing and scaling VLC and an IAS outputs to generate a scaled VLC output and a scaled thermal output (STO), aligning the scaled VLC output to the STO to generate an aligned image based on the scaled VLC output and the STO, determining alignment value(s) based on the aligned image, a laser pointer outputting a light beam to produce a laser dot on a target, and capturing a further output of the VLC. The method includes displaying the further output of the VLC (including a representation of the laser dot (RLD)), and an alignment marker, shifting the alignment marker and/or the RLD to a common position; determining coordinate(s) of the output of the IAS based on coordinate(s) of the further output of the VLC where the alignment marker and the RLD are shown at the common position; and storing the coordinate(s) of the output of the IAS.
THERMAL IMAGING TEST ARTICLE
In an example, a thermal imaging test article comprises a block configured to be attached to a blackbody on a back side of the block, the block having a variable thickness to represent facial features of a human face, the block including a cutout to allow a thermal imaging device to see the blackbody behind the block through the cutout, and one or more heaters thermally coupled to the block to produce heat to heat the block. The variable thickness of the block and the heat produced by the one or more heaters are selected to simulate thermally the human face on a front side of the block.
THERMAL IMAGING TEST ARTICLE
In an example, a thermal imaging test article comprises a block configured to be attached to a blackbody on a back side of the block, the block having a variable thickness to represent facial features of a human face, the block including a cutout to allow a thermal imaging device to see the blackbody behind the block through the cutout, and one or more heaters thermally coupled to the block to produce heat to heat the block. The variable thickness of the block and the heat produced by the one or more heaters are selected to simulate thermally the human face on a front side of the block.
Use of thermopiles to detect human location
A method of detecting presence and location uses sensor data received from a plurality of thermopiles, each thermopile having a different field of view. In response to detecting a change in the sensor data, stored background values for each field of view are accessed and then the location of a body (e.g. a human or animal)is determined based on differences between the sensor data and sensor values predicted using a forward model and the stored background values for each field of view. Having determined the location, the stored background values are updated based on differences between the sensor data and the predicted sensor values for a body at the determined location.