Monitor and control systems and methods for occupant safety and energy efficiency of structures
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- one or more infrared imaging modules comprising a focal plane array (FPA) configured to;
capture thermal images of an area, andcapture a thermal image frame that comprises thermal image data and noise introduced by the infrared imaging module;
a processor configured to;
determine, for each row of the thermal image frame, a corresponding row fixed-pattern noise (FPN) correction term, and for each column of the thermal image frame, a corresponding column FPN correction term;
apply the row and the column FPN correction terms to the thermal image frame to provide a corrected thermal image frame;
process the corrected image frame to determine a plurality of non-uniform correction (NUC) terms to reduce a portion of the noise comprising spatially uncorrelated FPN,apply the NUC terms to the thermal images,perform an analysis of the thermal images,determine a presence of one or more persons present in the area based on the analysis of the thermal images,identify one or more objects in the area,determine respective power usage states associated with the one or more objects in the area based on the analysis of the thermal images, andgenerate control signals to control future power usage associated with the one or more objects in response to the presence of one or more persons present in the area and the determined power usage states respectively associated with the one or more objects; and
a network interface component (NIC) configured to transmit the control signals to control the future power usage of the one or more objects.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring and controlling using small infrared imaging modules to enhance occupant safety and energy efficiency of buildings and structures. In one example, thermal images captured by infrared imaging modules may be analyzed to detect presence of persons, identify and classify power-consuming objects, and monitor environmental conditions. Based on the processed thermal images, various power-consuming objects (e.g., an HVAC system, lighting, a water heater, and other appliances) may be controlled to increase energy efficiency. In another example, thermal images captured by infrared imaging modules may be analyzed to detect various hazardous conditions, such as a combustible gas leak, a CO gas leak, a water leak, fire, smoke, and, an electrical hotspot. If such hazardous conditions are detected, an appropriate warning may be generated and/or various objects may be controlled to remedy the conditions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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one or more infrared imaging modules comprising a focal plane array (FPA) configured to; capture thermal images of an area, and capture a thermal image frame that comprises thermal image data and noise introduced by the infrared imaging module; a processor configured to; determine, for each row of the thermal image frame, a corresponding row fixed-pattern noise (FPN) correction term, and for each column of the thermal image frame, a corresponding column FPN correction term; apply the row and the column FPN correction terms to the thermal image frame to provide a corrected thermal image frame; process the corrected image frame to determine a plurality of non-uniform correction (NUC) terms to reduce a portion of the noise comprising spatially uncorrelated FPN, apply the NUC terms to the thermal images, perform an analysis of the thermal images, determine a presence of one or more persons present in the area based on the analysis of the thermal images, identify one or more objects in the area, determine respective power usage states associated with the one or more objects in the area based on the analysis of the thermal images, and generate control signals to control future power usage associated with the one or more objects in response to the presence of one or more persons present in the area and the determined power usage states respectively associated with the one or more objects; and a network interface component (NIC) configured to transmit the control signals to control the future power usage of the one or more objects. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19)
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10. A method comprising:
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capturing, at a focal plane array of an infrared imaging module, thermal images of an area; capturing a thermal image frame that comprises thermal image data and noise introduced by the infrared imaging module; determining, for each row of the thermal image frame, a corresponding row fixed-pattern noise (FPN) correction term, and for each column of the thermal image frame, a corresponding column FPN correction term; applying the row and the column FPN correction terms to the thermal image frame to provide a corrected thermal image frame; processing the corrected image frame to determine a plurality of non-uniform correction (NUC) terms to reduce a portion of the noise comprising spatially uncorrelated FPN, applying the NUC terms to the thermal images; performing an analysis of the thermal images; determining a presence of one or more persons present in the area based on the analysis of the thermal images; identifying one or more objects in the area; determining respective power usage states associated with the one or more objects in the area based on the analysis of the thermal images; generating control signals to control future power usage associated with the one or more objects in response to the presence of one or more persons present in the area and the determined power usage states respectively with the one or more objects; and communicating the control signals to the one or more objects over a network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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Specification