Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20130258111A1/en
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 19:46:01+00:00

Document:
2013-08-05 Assigned to FLIR SYSTEMS, INC. reassignment FLIR SYSTEMS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HOGASTEN, NICHOLAS, HOELTER, THEODORE R., LI, XIANG, MAO, ZHENMEI, STRANDEMAR, KATRIN, FRANK, JEFFREY D.
Various techniques are disclosed for providing a device attachment configured to releasably attach to and provide infrared imaging functionality to mobile phones or other portable electronic devices. For example, a device attachment may include a housing with a tub on a rear surface thereof shaped to at least partially receive a user device, an infrared sensor assembly disposed within the housing and configured to capture infrared image data, and a processing module communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor assembly and configured to transmit the infrared image data to the user device. Infrared image data may be captured by the infrared sensor assembly and transmitted to the user device by the processing module in response to a request transmitted by an application program or other software/hardware routines running on the user device. The infrared image data may be transmitted to the user device via a device connector or a wireless connection.
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/652,075 filed May 25, 2012 and entitled “DEVICE ATTACHMENT WITH INFRARED IMAGING SENSOR” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/423,027 filed May 25, 2012 and entitled “DEVICE ATTACHMENT WITH CAMERA” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041744 filed Jun. 8, 2012 and entitled “LOW POWER AND SMALL FORM FACTOR INFRARED IMAGING,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041744 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/656,889 filed Jun. 7, 2012 and entitled “LOW POWER AND SMALL FORM FACTOR INFRARED IMAGING,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041744 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/545,056 filed Oct. 7, 2011 and entitled “NON-UNIFORMITY CORRECTION TECHNIQUES FOR INFRARED IMAGING DEVICES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041744 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,873 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA PACKAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041744 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,879 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041744 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,888 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA CALIBRATION TECHNIQUES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041749 filed Jun. 8, 2012 and entitled “NON-UNIFORMITY CORRECTION TECHNIQUES FOR INFRARED IMAGING DEVICES,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041749 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/545,056 filed Oct. 7, 2011 and entitled “NON-UNIFORMITY CORRECTION TECHNIQUES FOR INFRARED IMAGING DEVICES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041749 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,873 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA PACKAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041749 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,879 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041749 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,888 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA CALIBRATION TECHNIQUES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041739 filed Jun. 8, 2012 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041739 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,873 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA PACKAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041739 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,879 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/041739 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/495,888 filed Jun. 10, 2011 and entitled “INFRARED CAMERA CALIBRATION TECHNIQUES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/622,178 filed Sep. 18, 2012 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING INFRARED IMAGES,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/529,772 filed Jun. 21, 2012 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING INFRARED IMAGES,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/396,340 filed Mar. 2, 2009 and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING INFRARED IMAGES,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
One or more embodiments of the invention relate generally to infrared imaging devices and more particularly, for example, to infrared imaging devices for portable equipments.
Various types of portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, cell phones, tablet devices, portable media players, portable game devices, digital cameras, and laptop computers, are in widespread use. These devices typically include a visible-light image sensor or camera that allows users to take a still picture or a video clip. One of the reasons for the increasing popularity of such embedded cameras may be the ubiquitous nature of mobile phones and other portable electronic devices. That is, because users may already be carrying mobile phones and other portable electronic devices, such embedded cameras are always at hand when users need one. Another reason for the increasing popularity may be the increasing processing power, storage capacity, and/or display capability that allow sufficiently fast capturing, processing, and storage of large, high quality images using mobile phones and other portable electronic devices.
However, image sensors used in these portable electronic devices are typically CCD-based or CMOS-based sensors limited to capturing visible light images. As such, these sensors may at best detect only a very limited range of visible light or wavelengths close to visible light (e.g., near infrared light when objects are actively illuminated with infrared light). In contrast, true infrared image sensors can capture images of thermal energy radiation emitted from all objects having a temperature above absolute zero, and thus can be used to produce infrared images (e.g., thermograms) that can be beneficially used in a variety of situations, including viewing in a low or no light condition, detecting body temperature anomalies in people (e.g., for detecting illness), detecting invisible gases, inspecting structures for water leaks and damaged insulation, detecting electrical and mechanical equipment for unseen damages, and other situations where true infrared images may provide useful information. Even though mobile phones and other portable electronic devices capable of processing, displaying, and storing infrared images are in widespread daily use, these devices are not being utilized for infrared imaging due to a lack of a true infrared imaging sensor.
Various techniques are disclosed for providing a device attachment configured to releasably attach to and provide infrared imaging functionality to mobile phones or other portable electronic devices. For example, a device attachment may include a housing with a partial enclosure (e.g., a tub or cutout) on a rear surface thereof shaped to at least partially receive a user device, an infrared sensor assembly disposed within the housing and configured to capture infrared image data, and a processing module communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor assembly and configured to transmit the infrared image data to the user device. Infrared image data may be captured by the infrared sensor assembly and transmitted to the user device by the processing module in response to a request transmitted by an application program or other software/hardware routines running on the user device. The infrared image data may be transmitted to the user device via a device connector or a wireless connection.
In one embodiment, a device attachment includes a housing configured to releasably attach to a user device; an infrared sensor assembly within the housing, the infrared sensor assembly configured to capture infrared image data; a processing module communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor assembly and configured to transmit the infrared image data to the user device.
In another embodiment, a method of providing infrared imaging functionality for a user device includes releasably attaching to the user device a device attachment comprising an infrared sensor assembly and a processing module; capturing infrared image data at the infrared sensor assembly; and transmitting the infrared image data to the user device using the processing module.
FIG. 12 illustrates a rear-left-bottom perspective view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 13 illustrates a rear-left-bottom perspective view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly, showing a user device releasably attached thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 14 illustrates a front elevational view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 15 illustrates a rear elevational view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 16 illustrates a left side elevational view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 17 illustrates a right side elevational view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 18 illustrates a top plan view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 19 illustrates a bottom plan view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 20 illustrates a front-left-top perspective view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 21 illustrates a rear-left-bottom perspective view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 22 illustrates a rear view of a device attachment having an infrared sensor assembly, showing a user device releasably attached thereto in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.
In various embodiments, infrared imaging module 100 may be configured to operate at low voltage levels and over a wide temperature range. For example, in one embodiment, infrared imaging module 100 may operate using a power supply of approximately 2.4 volts, 2.5 volts, 2.8 volts, or lower voltages, and operate over a temperature range of approximately −20 degrees C. to approximately +60 degrees C. (e.g., providing a suitable dynamic range and performance over an environmental temperature range of approximately 80 degrees C.). In one embodiment, by operating infrared imaging module 100 at low voltage levels, infrared imaging module 100 may experience reduced amounts of self heating in comparison with other types of infrared imaging devices. As a result, infrared imaging module 100 may be operated with reduced measures to compensate for such self heating.
In block 510, a NUC process initiating event is detected. In one embodiment, the NUC process may be initiated in response to physical movement of host device 102. Such movement may be detected, for example, by motion sensors 194 which may be polled by a processor. In one example, a user may move host device 102 in a particular manner, such as by intentionally waving host device 102 back and forth in an “erase” or “swipe” movement. In this regard, the user may move host device 102 in accordance with a predetermined speed and direction (velocity), such as in an up and down, side to side, or other pattern to initiate the NUC process. In this example, the use of such movements may permit the user to intuitively operate host device 102 to simulate the “erasing” of noise in captured image frames.
To prevent real scene data from being interpreted as noise, upper and lower threshold values may be used (thPix and −thPix). Pixel values falling outside these threshold values (pixels d1 and d4 in this example) are not used to obtain the offset error. In addition, the maximum amount of row and column FPN correction may be limited by these threshold values.
Thus, it can be expected that following block 560, any remaining high spatial frequency content (e.g., exhibited as areas of contrast or differences in the blurred image frame) may be attributed to spatially uncorrelated FPN. Accordingly, in block 565, the blurred image frame is high pass filtered. In one embodiment, this may include applying a high pass filter to extract the high spatial frequency content from the blurred image frame.
In another embodiment, this may include applying a low pass filter to the blurred image frame and taking a difference between the low pass filtered image frame and the unfiltered blurred image frame to obtain the high spatial frequency content. In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a high pass filter may be implemented by calculating a mean difference between a sensor signal (e.g., a pixel value) and its neighbors.
In one embodiment, the risk of introducing scene information into the NUC terms can be further reduced by applying some amount of temporal damping to the NUC term determination process. For example, a temporal damping factor λ between 0 and 1 may be chosen such that the new NUC term (NUCNEW) stored is a weighted average of the old NUC term (NUCOLD) and the estimated updated NUC term (NUCUPDATE). In one embodiment, this can be expressed as NUCNEW=λ·NUCOLD(1−λ)·(NUCOLD+NUCUPDATE).
After blocks 571-573 are finished, a decision is made regarding whether to apply the updated NUC terms to captured image frames (block 574). For example, if an average of the absolute value of the NUC terms for the entire image frame is less than a minimum threshold value, or greater than a maximum threshold value, the NUC terms may be deemed spurious or unlikely to provide meaningful correction. Alternatively, thresholding criteria may be applied to individual pixels to determine which pixels receive updated NUC terms. In one embodiment, the threshold values may correspond to difference's between the newly calculated NUC terms and previously calculated NUC terms. In another embodiment, the threshold values may be independent of previously calculated NUC terms. Other tests may be applied (e.g., spatial correlation tests) to determine whether the NUC terms should be applied.
In block 826, temporal filtering is performed on image frames 802 in accordance with a temporal noise reduction (TNR) process. FIG. 9 illustrates a TNR process in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In FIG. 9, a presently received image frame 802 a and a previously temporally filtered image frame 802 b are processed to determine a new temporally filtered image frame 802 e. Image frames 802 a and 802 b include local neighborhoods of pixels 803 a and 803 b centered around pixels 805 a and 805 b, respectively. Neighborhoods 803 a and 803 b correspond to the same locations within image frames 802 a and 802 b and are subsets of the total pixels in image frames 802 a and 802 b. In the illustrated embodiment, neighborhoods 803 a and 803 b include areas of 5 by 5 pixels. Other neighborhood sizes may be used in other embodiments.
Differences between corresponding pixels of neighborhoods 803 a and 803 b are determined and averaged to provide an averaged delta value 805 c for the location corresponding to pixels 805 a and 805 b. Averaged delta value 805 c may be used to determine weight values in block 807 to be applied to pixels 805 a and 805 b of image frames 802 a and 802 b.
In one embodiment, as shown in graph 809, the weight values determined in block 807 may be inversely proportional to averaged delta value 805 c such that weight values drop rapidly towards zero when there are large differences between neighborhoods 803 a and 803 b. In this regard, large differences between neighborhoods 803 a and 803 b may indicate that changes have occurred within the scene (e.g., due to motion) and pixels 802 a and 802 b may be appropriately weighted, in one embodiment, to avoid introducing blur across frame-to-frame scene changes. Other associations between weight values and averaged delta value 805 c may be used in various embodiments.
The weight values determined in block 807 may be applied to pixels 805 a and 805 b to determine a value for corresponding pixel 805 e of image frame 802 e (block 811). In this regard, pixel 805 e may have a value that is a weighted average (or other combination) of pixels 805 a and 805 b, depending on averaged delta value 805 c and the weight values determined in block 807.
For example, pixel 805 e of temporally filtered image frame 802 e may be a weighted sum of pixels 805 a and 805 b of image frames 802 a and 802 b. If the average difference between pixels 805 a and 805 b is due to noise, then it may be expected that the average change between neighborhoods 805 a and 805 b will be close to zero (e.g., corresponding to the average of uncorrelated changes). Under such circumstances, it may be expected that the sum of the differences between neighborhoods 805 a and 805 b will be close to zero. In this case, pixel 805 a of image frame 802 a may both be appropriately weighted so as to contribute to the value of pixel 805 e.
However, if the sum of such differences is not zero (e.g., even differing from zero by a small amount in one embodiment), then the changes may be interpreted as being attributed to motion instead of noise. Thus, motion may be detected based on the average change exhibited by neighborhoods 805 a and 805 b. Under these circumstances, pixel 805 a of image frame 802 a may be weighted heavily, while pixel 805 b of image frame 802 b may be weighted lightly.
Other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, although averaged delta value 805 c has been described as being determined based on neighborhoods 805 a and 805 b, in other embodiments averaged delta value 805 c may be determined based on any desired criteria (e.g., based on individual pixels or other types of groups of sets of pixels).
In the above embodiments, image frame 802 a has been described as a presently received image frame and image frame 802 b has been described as a previously temporally filtered image frame. In another embodiment, image frames 802 a and 802 b may be first and second image frames captured by infrared imaging module 100 that have not been temporally filtered.
FIG. 10 illustrates further implementation details in relation to the TNR process of block 826. As shown in FIG. 10, image frames 802 a and 802 b may be read into line buffers 1010 a and 1010 b, respectively, and image frame 802 b (e.g., the previous image frame) may be stored in a frame buffer 1020 before being read into line buffer 1010 b. In one embodiment, line buffers 1010 a-b and frame buffer 1020 may be implemented by a block of random access memory (RAM) provided by any appropriate component of infrared imaging module 100 and/or host device 102.
Referring again to FIG. 8, image frame 802 e may be passed to an automatic gain compensation block 828 for further processing to provide a result image frame 830 that may be used by host device 102 as desired.
FIG. 8 further illustrates various operations that may be performed to determine row and column FPN terms and NUC terms as discussed. In one embodiment, these operations may use image frames 802 e as shown in FIG. 8. Because image frames 802 e have already been temporally filtered, at least some temporal noise may be removed and thus will not inadvertently affect the determination of row and column FPN terms 824 and 820 and NUC terms 817. In another embodiment, non-temporally filtered image frames 802 may be used.
Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 19, various views are shown of a device attachment 1200 having an infrared sensor assembly 1202 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 12 is a rear-left-bottom perspective view of device attachment 1200, and FIG. 13 is a rear-left-bottom perspective view of device attachment 1200 and illustrates a user device 1250 releasably attached thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
User device 1250 may be any type of portable electronic device that provides all or some of the functionality of host device 102 of FIG. 1. User device 1250 may be any type of portable electronic device that may be configured to communicate with device attachment 1200 to receive infrared images captured by infrared sensor assembly 1202. For example, user device 1250 may be a smart phone (e.g., iPhone™ devices from Apple, Inc., Blackberry™ devices from Research in Motion, Ltd., Android™ phones from various manufactures, or other similar mobile phones), a cell phone with some processing capability, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a tablet device (e.g., iPad™ from Apple, Inc., Galaxy Tab™ from Samsung Electronics, Ltd., or other similar portable electronic devices in a tablet form), a portable video game device (e.g., PlayStation PSP™ from Sony Computer Entertainment Corp., Nintendo DS™ from Nintendo, Ltd.), a portable media player (e.g., iPod Touch™ from Apple, Inc.), a laptop or portable computer, a digital camera, a camcorder, or a digital video recorder.
Device attachment 1200 may include a housing 1230 for releasably attaching to user device 1250. In this regard, housing 1230 may comprise a tub 1232 (e.g., also referred to as a basin or recess) formed on a rear surface thereof and defined by a recessed rear wall 1234, an inner wall 1236, and side walls 1238A-1238C. Tub 1232 may be shaped to at least partially receive user device 1250, such that at least a portion of user device 1250 may be fittingly inserted into tub 1232 as shown in FIG. 13. In another embodiment, one or more of sidewalls 1238A-1238C and inner wall 1236 may be pliable and comprise cantilevered top edges that extend toward the center of tub 1232, such that the cantilevered edges cover a portion of the front side of user device 1250 when inserted into tub 1232. In another embodiment, recessed rear wall 1234 may be hingedly attached to housing 1230, such that recessed rear wall 1234 may be lifted open to provide access to, for example, a battery compartment.
When fittingly inserted into tub 1232, user device 1250 may be securely yet removably attached to device attachment 1200. In this regard, in some embodiments, housing 1230 may also comprise an engagement mechanism 1233 (e.g., a connector plug with a latch that releasably engages a connector receptacle or socket of user device 1250, a hook that releasably engages a connector receptacle of user device 1250, or other engagement mechanisms that releasably engage any suitable part of user device 1250 to aids in securing user device 1250 in place) for added security, as shown in FIG. 15 illustrating a rear view of device attachment 1200.
In various other embodiments, the device attachment of the present disclosure may releasably attach to user device 1250 in any other suitable manner, instead of receiving user device 1250 in tub 1232 or similar structures. For example, the device attachment may be clipped on, clamped on, or otherwise releasably attach to one of the sides of user device 1250 (e.g., the top side of user device 1250) via a clamp or similar fastening mechanism. In another example, the device attachment may releasably attach to user device 1250 via a connector plug comprising a latch that releasably engages a connector receptacle of device 1250.
Because access to some features of user device 1250, such as various buttons, switches, connectors, cameras, speakers, and microphones, may be obstructed by housing 1230 when user device 1250 is attached, device attachment 1200 may comprise various replicated components and/or cutouts to allow users to access such features. For example, device attachment 1200 may comprise a camera cutout 1240, replicated buttons 1242A-1242C, a switch cutout 1244, replicated microphone and speaker 1246A-1246B, and/or replicated earphone/microphone jack 1248. Various components of device attachment 1200 may be configured to relay signals between replicated components and user device 1250 (e.g., relay audio signals from user device 1250 to replicated speaker 1246B, relay button depression signals from replicated buttons 1242A-1242C to user device 1250). In some embodiments, cutouts and/or flexible cups (e.g., to allow users to press the buttons underneath) may be used instead of replicating buttons, switches, speakers, and/or microphones.
The location, the number, and the type of replicated components and/or cutouts may be specific to user device 1250, and the various replicated components and cutouts may be implemented or not as desired for particular applications of device attachment 1200. It will be appreciated that replicated components and/or cutouts may also be implemented as desired in other embodiments of the device attachment that do not comprise tub 1232 or similar structures for attaching to user device 1250.
Device attachment 1200 may comprise infrared sensor assembly 1202 disposed within housing 1230 in a main portion 1231 thereof. Main portion 1231 may house internal components of device attachment 1200, and in one embodiment, may be placed above inner wall 1236 in the top portion of housing 1230. Infrared sensor assembly 1202 may be implemented in the same or similar manner as infrared sensor assembly 128 of FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, infrared sensor assembly 1202 may include an FPA and an ROIC implemented in accordance with various embodiments disclosed herein. Thus, infrared sensor assembly 1202 may capture infrared image data and provide such data from its ROIC at various frame rates.
Infrared image data captured by infrared sensor assembly 1202 may be provided to processing module 1204 for further processing. Processing module 1204 may be implemented in the same or similar manner as processing module 160 describe herein with respect to FIG. 4 and elsewhere. In one embodiment, processing module 1204 may be electrically connected to infrared sensor assembly 1202 in the various manners described herein with respect to infrared sensor assembly 128, processing module 160, and infrared imaging module 100. Thus, in one embodiment, infrared sensor assembly 1202 and processing module 1204 may be electrically connected to each other and packaged together to form an infrared imaging module (e.g., infrared imaging module 100) as described herein. In other embodiments, infrared sensor assembly 1202 and processing module 1204 may be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to each other within housing 1204 in other appropriate manners, including, but not limited to, in a multi-chip module (MCM) and other small-scale printed circuit boards (PCBs) communicating via PCB traces or a bus.
Processing module 1204 may be configured to perform appropriate processing of captured infrared image data, and transmit raw and/or processed infrared image data to user device 1250. For example, when device attachment 1200 is attached to user device 1250, processing module 1204 may transmit raw and/or processed infrared image data to user device 1250 via a wired device connector or wirelessly via appropriate wireless components further described herein. Thus, for example, user device 1250 may be appropriately configured to receive the infrared image data from processing module 1204 to display user-viewable infrared images (e.g., thermograms) to users and permit users to store infrared image data and/or user-viewable infrared images. That is, user device 1250 may be configured to run appropriate software instructions (e.g., a smart phone “app”) to function as an infrared camera that permits users to frame and take infrared still images, videos, or both. Device attachment 1200 and user device 1250 may be configured to perform other infrared imaging functionalities, such as storing and/or analyzing thermographic data (e.g., temperature information) contained within infrared image data.
In this regard, various infrared image processing operations may be performed by processing module 1204, a processor of user device 1250, or both in a coordinated manner. For example, conversion of infrared image data into user-viewable images may be performed by converting the thermal data (e.g., temperature data) contained in the infrared image data into gray-scaled or color-scaled pixels to construct images that can be viewed by a person. User-viewable images may optionally include a legend or scale that indicates the approximate temperature of corresponding pixel color and/or intensity. Such a conversion operation may be performed by processing module 1204 before transmitting fully converted user-viewable images to user device 1250, by a processor of user device 1250 after receiving infrared image data, by processing module 1208 performing some steps and a processor of user device 1250 performing the remaining steps, or by both processing module 1204 and a processor of user device 1250 in a concurrent manner (e.g., parallel processing). Similarly, various NUC processes described herein may be performed by processing module 1208, a processor of user device 1250, or both in a coordinated manner. Moreover, various other components of user device 1250 and device attachment 1200 may be used to perform various NUC processes described herein. For example, if user device 1250 is equipped with motion sensors, they may be used to detect an NUC process initiating event as described in connection with FIG. 5.
Processing module 1204 may be configured to transmit raw and/or processed infrared image data to user device 1250 in response to a request transmitted from user device 1250. For example, an app or other software/hardware routines running on user device 1250 may be configured to request transmission of infrared image data when the app is launched and ready to display user-viewable images on a display for users to frame and take infrared still or video shots. Processing module 1204 may initiate transmission of infrared image data captured by infrared sensor assembly 1202 when the request from the app on user device 1250 is received via wired connection (e.g., through a device connector) or wireless connection. In another embodiment, an app or other software/hardware routines on user device 1250 may request infrared image data when a user takes a still and/or video shot, but use visible-light image data captured by a visible-light camera that may be present on user device 1250 to present images for framing before the user takes a shot. In yet another embodiment, an app or other software/hardware routines may use infrared image data to present images for framing, but permit users to take visible-light still and/or video shots (e.g., to allow framing of visible light flash photography in a low or no light condition).
Device attachment 1200 may include a programmable button 1249 disposed at an accessible location (e.g., on the top side surface) of housing 1230. Programmable button 1249 may be used, for example, by an app or other software/hardware routines on user device 1250 to provide a shortcut to a specific function or functions as desired for the app, such as to launch the app for infrared imaging or as a “shutter button” that users can press to take a still or video shot. Processing module 1204 may be configured to detect a depression of programmable button 1249, and relay the detected button depression to user device 1250.
Device attachment 1200 may include a lens assembly 1205 disposed, for example, on a front side surface 1237 of housing 1230 in main portion 1231. In other embodiments, lens assembly 1205 may be disposed on housing 1230 at any other location suitable for providing an aperture for infrared radiation to reach infrared sensor array 1202. Lens assembly 1205 may comprise a lens 1206 that may be made from appropriate materials (e.g., polymers or infrared transmitting materials such as silicon, germanium, zinc selenide, or chalcogenide glasses) and configured to pass infrared radiation through to infrared sensor assembly. Lens assembly 1205 may also comprise a shutter 1207 implemented in the same or similar manner as shutter 105 of host device 102. In some embodiments, lens assembly 1205 may include other optical elements, such as infrared-transmissive prisms, infrared-reflective mirrors, and infrared filters, as desired for various applications of device attachment 1200. For example, lens assembly 1205 may include one or more filters adapted to pass infrared radiation of certain wavelengths but substantially block off others (e.g., short-wave infrared (SWIR) filters, mid-wave infrared (MWIR) filters, long-wave infrared (LWIR) filters, and narrow-band filters). Such filters may be utilized to tailor infrared sensor assembly 1202 for increased sensitivity to a desired band of infrared wavelengths.
Device attachment 1200 may also include a battery 1208 disposed, for example, within housing 1230 between recessed rear wall 1234 and a front side surface 1237. In other embodiments, battery 1208 may be disposed at any other suitable location, including main portion 1231 of housing 1230, that provides room for housing battery 1208. Battery 1208 may be configured to be used as a power source for internal components (e.g., infrared sensor assembly 1202, processing module 1204) of device attachment 1200, so that device attachment 1200 does not drain the battery of user device 1250 when attached. Further, battery 1208 may be configured to provide electrical power to user device 1250, for example, through a device connector. Thus, battery 1208 may beneficially provide a backup power for user device 1250 to run and charge from. Conversely, various components of device attachment 1200 may be configured to use electrical power from the battery of user device 1200 (e.g., through a device connector), if a user desires to use functionalities of device attachment 1200 even when battery 1208 is drained.
Battery 1208 may be implemented as a rechargeable battery using a suitable technology (e.g., nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), or lithium ion polymer (LiPo) rechargeable batteries). In this regard, device attachment 1200 may include a power socket 1241 for connecting to (e.g., through a cable or wire) and receiving electrical power from an external power source (e.g., AC power outlet, DC power adapter, or other similar appropriate power sources) for charging battery 1208 and/or powering internal components of device attachment 1200.
In some embodiments, device attachment 1200 may also accept standard size batteries that are widely available and can be obtained conveniently when batteries run out, so that users can keep using device attachment 1200 and/or user device 1250 by simply purchasing and installing standard batteries even when users do not have an appropriate battery charger or DC power adapter at hand. As described above, recessed inner wall 1234 or other part of housing 1230 may be hinged and/or removable to remove/install batteries.
As described above, device attachment 1200 may include a device connector (not shown) that carries various signals and electrical power to and from user device 1250 when attached. The device connector may be disposed at a location that is suitably aligned with the corresponding device connector receptacle or socket of user device 1250, so that the device connector can engage the corresponding device connector receptacle or socket of user device 1250 when device attachment 1200 is attached to user device 1250. For example, if user device 1250 is equipped with a connector receptacle on its bottom side surface, the device connector may be positioned at an appropriate location on side wall 1238C. As described in connection with engagement mechanism 1233, the device connect may also include a mechanical fixture (e.g., a locking/latched connector plug) used to support and/or align user device.
The device connector may be implemented according to the connector specification associated with the type of user device 1250. For example, the device connector may implement a proprietary connector (e.g., an Apple° dock connector for iPod™ and iPhone™) or a standardized connector (e.g., various versions of Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors, Portable Digital Media Interface (PDMI), or other standard connectors as provided in user devices).
In one embodiment, the device connector may be interchangeably provided, so that device attachment 1200 may accommodate different types of user devices that accept different device connectors. For example, various types of device connector plugs may be provided and configured to be attached to a base connector on housing 1230, so that a connector plug that is compatible with user device 1250 can be attached to the base connector before attaching device attachment 1200 to user device 1250. In another embodiment, the device connector may be fixedly provided.
In some embodiments, another device connector may be implemented on housing 1230 to provide a connection to other external devices. For example, power socket 1241 may also serve as a connector that enables communication to and from (e.g., via an appropriate cable or wire) an external device such as a desktop computer or other devices not attached to device attachment 1200, thus allowing device attachment 1250 to be used as an infrared imaging accessory for an external device as well. Also, if desired, power socket 1241 may be used to connect to user device 1250 as an alternative way of connecting device attachment to user device 1250.
Device attachment 1200 may also communicate with user device 1250 via a wireless connection. In this regard, device attachment 1200 may include a wireless communication module 1209 configured to facilitate wireless communication between user device 1250 and processing module 1204 or other components of device attachment 1200. In various embodiments, wireless communication module 1209 may support the IEEE 802.11 WiFi standards, the Bluetooth™ standard, the ZigBee™ standard, or other appropriate short range wireless communication standards. Thus, device attachment 1200 may be used with user device 1250 without relying on the device connector, if a connection through the device connector is not available or not desired.
In some embodiments, wireless communication module 1209 may be configured to manage wireless communication between processing module 1204 and other external devices, such as a desktop computer, thus allowing device attachment 1250 to be used as an infrared imaging accessory for an external device as well.
Device attachment 1250 may further include, in some embodiments, cooling fins 1247 configured to provide a more efficient cooling of internal components. Cooling fins 1247 may be positioned on an exterior side surface (e.g., the top side surface) of housing 1230 near internal components, and comprise a plurality of fins or blades to increase the surface area in contact with air.
In various embodiments, device attachment 1250 may also include various other components that may be implemented in host device 102 of FIG. 1, but may be missing in a particular type of user device that device attachment 1250 may be used with. For example, motion sensors may be implemented in device attachment 1250 in the same or similar manner as motion sensors 194 of host device 102, if motion sensors are not implemented in user device 1250. Motion sensors may be utilized by processing module 1204, a processor of user device 1250, or both, in performing an NUC operation as described herein.
FIGS. 20-22 show various views of a device attachment 2000 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Device attachment 2000 may include a housing 2030 with a tub 2032 (e.g., also referred to as a basin or recess) shaped to at least partially receive a user device 2050, a lens assembly 2005, a camera cutout 2040, a power socket 2041, replicated buttons 2042A-2042C, a switch cutout 2044, cooling fins 2047 (e.g., heat sink and cooling fins), and replicated earphone/microphone jack 2048, any one of which may be implemented in the same or similar manner as the corresponding components of device attachment 1200 of FIGS. 12-19, except for some dissimilarities in locations and shapes of some components as can be seen from FIGS. 20-22. Device attachment 2000 may include various internal components, such as an infrared sensor assembly, a processing module, and a wireless communication module, disposed within housing 2030. Any one of such internal components may be implemented in the same or similar manner as the corresponding components of device attachment 1200.
In this example, a fixed device connector plug 2052 may implement the device connector of device attachment 1200, and may provide some additional support when user device 2050 is releasably yet securely inserted into tub 2032. This example also shows a protective cover 2054, which may protectively enclose at least some of the internal components of device attachment 2000. Protective cover 2054 may comprise a translucent logo and a light source (e.g., LED light) for illuminating the translucent logo. In this regard, cooling fins 2047 may be further configured to form part of or coupled to a heat sink to provide a more efficient cooling of the light source in addition to cooling the internal components (e.g., electronics and light source to illuminate the logo and/or electronics associated with the infrared sensor assembly or infrared sensor of device attachment 2000).
Therefore, various embodiments of device attachment 1200/2000 may releasably attach to various conventional electronic devices, and beneficially provide infrared imaging capabilities to such conventional electronic devices. With device attachment 1200/2000 attached, mobile phones and other conventional electronic devices already in widespread use may be utilized for various advantageous applications of infrared imaging.
a processing module communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor assembly and configured to transmit the infrared image data to the user device.
2. The device attachment of claim 1, further comprising a lens configured to pass infrared radiation through to the infrared sensor assembly.
3. The device attachment of claim 1, further comprising a device connector configured to pass electrical signals from the processing module to the user device.
4. The device attachment of claim 3, wherein the electrical signals comprise the infrared image data.
5. The device attachment of claim 3, wherein the device connector is further configured to pass electrical power to the user device for use by the user device.
6. The device attachment of claim 1, wherein the image data is transmitted wirelessly to the user device.
7. The device attachment of claim 1, further comprising a battery disposed within the housing and configured to provide electrical power to at least one of the infrared sensor assembly, the processing module, or the user device.
8. The device attachment of claim 1, further comprising a button accessibly disposed on the housing, wherein the processing module is configured to detect a depression of the button and transmit a signal to the user device in response to the depression of the button.
9. The device attachment of claim 1, wherein the processing module is configured to transmit the infrared image data to the user device in response to a request sent from the user device.
the processing module is configured to determine a plurality of non-uniformity correction (NUC) terms based on the intentionally blurred image frame and apply the NUC terms to the unblurred image frame to remove noise from the unblurred image frame.
transmitting the infrared image data to the user device using the processing module.
passing infrared radiation through the lens to the infrared sensor assembly.
passing electrical signals from the processing module to the user device through the device connector.
the electrical signals comprise the infrared image data.
passing electrical power to the user device for used by the user device through the device connector.
the transmitting the infrared image data further comprises transmitting the infrared image data wirelessly to the user device.
transmitting the request to the device attachment, wherein the infrared image data is captured and transmitted in response to the request.
transmitting a signal to the user device in response to the detected depression of the button.
applying the NUC terms to the unblurred image frame to remove noise from the unblurred image frame.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the determining and the applying is by a processor of the user device.

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