JP2001249051A - Infrared imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user friendly interface for inputting to set a temperature range on a screen in an infrared imaging apparatus constituted with the use of a computer system. SOLUTION: It is inquired whether or not retained data are to be utilized (#101) when an auto focus button is pressed. A color bar is displayed (#102) when the retained data are to be utilized. A lower limit temperature and an upper limit temperature for auto focusing are set with the use of a pointing device (#103). A selection menu is displayed when the retained data are not to be utilized (#104), and temperature information is selected (#105). After the auto focusing is executed (#106), if a retention button for auto focusing temperature information is pressed (Yes in #107), a retention window is displayed (#108). A file name and the like are inputted (#109), thereby retaining the file (#110).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an interface for setting and inputting a temperature range on a screen in an infrared imaging apparatus constructed using a computer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed an infrared imaging apparatus in which an infrared camera is connected to a computer system (personal computer) and the personal computer is used to operate the infrared camera.

In such an infrared imaging apparatus, a processing unit of a personal computer converts temperature information given from an infrared camera into a video signal containing color information and displays the video signal on a display device. A predetermined color map table stored in advance is used to convert the temperature information into the color information. The temperature range of a subject that can be detected by the infrared camera is wide ranging from a low temperature to a high temperature. In addition, the temperature of a subject can be measured with a resolution of usually about 14 bits.

However, for example, when a human body is imaged, the temperature range of a normal subject to be detected is considerably narrower than the temperature range that can be detected by an infrared camera. Therefore,
When converting temperature information into a video signal containing color information and displaying it on a display device, a user of the device usually sets a temperature range to be displayed. Conventionally, such a temperature range is set by inputting a numerical value of the temperature range using a keyboard or the like.

In the infrared imaging apparatus as described above, a method has been proposed in which an infrared camera is provided with a drive device for a focus lens, and the drive device is controlled by a processing device of a personal computer, thereby realizing automatic focusing. I have. In this case, the processing device controls the driving device of the focus lens based on the temperature information from the infrared camera. It is preferable that the temperature range of the temperature information used for the autofocus control can be set. Conventionally, the setting of the temperature range is also performed by numerical input using a keyboard or the like.

[0006]

However, setting the temperature range by inputting numerical values as described above is not easy for a user who is not used to operating the apparatus, and it takes time and effort to set the temperature range. The color map table used for converting the temperature information into the color information is usually in a predetermined relationship (a general consensus such as a cool color at a low temperature and a warm color at a high temperature).
The correspondence between the temperature information and the color information can be arbitrarily changed by changing the contents of the color map table. In this case, if the user changes, the correspondence between the temperature information and the color information becomes difficult to understand immediately.

Further, in many cases, not only for displaying the measurement result of the temperature distribution of the subject and for autofocusing, but also for saving and editing the measurement data, temperature information is input. May be confused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to perform temperature range setting input on a screen in an infrared imaging apparatus configured using a computer system. It aims to provide a user-friendly interface.

[0009]

A first configuration of an infrared imaging apparatus according to the present invention is obtained by an infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from an imaging target including a subject via a focus lens, and an infrared detection sensor. Used for the auto-focusing in an infrared imaging apparatus including a processing device that converts the temperature information of the subject into color information and displays it on a display device and controls the driving device of the focus lens to execute auto-focusing. A user interface for setting a temperature range of the temperature information to be performed on a screen in association with a color map table used for converting the temperature information into color information. According to this configuration, the user can set the temperature range in a visually easy-to-understand manner.

It is preferable that the temperature range set in this way is saved with an appropriate file name, and is called up and reused with the file name as needed. It is possible to manage setting information of a different temperature range according to a subject in association with a file name.

A second configuration of the infrared imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises an infrared detection sensor that receives infrared light from a subject, and converts temperature information of the subject obtained from the infrared detection sensor into color information and displays the color information on a display device. And a color map table used to convert the temperature information into color information is displayed on a screen, and a file name is stored in the storage device. And a user interface for performing the operation. According to this configuration, the color map table itself can be stored in a plurality of types in association with the file names and can be reused. Provided in the device,
Alternatively, each color map table may be associated with a plurality of buttons displayed on the screen, and a desired color map table may be extracted and displayed with one touch.

A third configuration of the infrared imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from a subject, and a display device which converts a temperature distribution image of the subject obtained from the infrared detection sensor into a color distribution image. An infrared imaging device comprising a processing device for displaying on the screen a plurality of colors together with the color distribution image, selecting one of the plurality of colors using a pointing device, the color distribution image A user interface for changing a color region corresponding to a predetermined predetermined temperature region to the selected one color is provided. According to such a user interface, the correspondence between the temperature and the display color can be easily reset without switching the screen display.

In the above user interface,
It is preferable that the cursor of the pointing device changes to the selected color when one of the colors is selected using the pointing device.

In a fourth configuration of the infrared imaging apparatus according to the present invention, an infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from an imaging region including a subject, and a temperature distribution image obtained from the infrared detection sensor are converted into a color distribution image. A user selects a predetermined area in the display window of the color distribution image, and the processing apparatus performs predetermined image processing on the selected area. It is characterized by having such a configuration.

In a fifth configuration of the infrared imaging apparatus according to the present invention, an infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from an imaging region including a subject, and a temperature distribution image obtained from the infrared detection sensor are converted into a color distribution image. In the infrared imaging device having a processing device to display on a display device, a user selects a predetermined point in a display window of the color distribution image,
The apparatus is characterized in that the processing device cuts out an area including an area corresponding to a predetermined temperature range including the temperature of the selected point, and performs predetermined image processing on the cut out area.

According to the above-described fourth or fifth configuration, when performing image processing such as differentiation, integration, and peak hold of imaged data by the processing device, it is possible to specify and execute only a necessary area. Therefore, the time required for processing is reduced.

A sixth configuration of the infrared imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises an infrared detection sensor that receives infrared light from an imaging area including a subject, and processes imaging data obtained from the infrared detection sensor and displays the processed data on a display device. A processing device for causing
An infrared imaging device comprising a storage device, wherein the processing device monitors the number of pixels included in one frame of the imaging data included in a specified temperature range, and the number of pixels is set to a threshold. The recording of the imaging data in the storage device is started when the number of times exceeds the threshold value, and the recording is stopped when the number of times falls below a threshold value. According to such a configuration, it is possible to automatically select and record imaging data of a frame mainly including a desired subject.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an infrared imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the infrared imaging device includes a focus lens 11, an infrared detection sensor 12, an A / D converter 13, a digital signal processing circuit 14, a focus lens driving device 15, a display device 16, a storage device 17, and a pointing device. A device (mouse or the like) 18 is provided. The focus lens 11, the infrared detection sensor 12, the A / D converter 13, and the focus lens driving device 15 are provided in the infrared camera 10, and the other parts are configured by a personal computer.

Infrared rays (thermal radiation) emitted from the subject
Forms an image on the infrared detection sensor (image sensor) 12 through the focus lens 11. Infrared detection sensor 12
Is an element (Hg-Cd-) whose resistance changes when thermal radiation (middle infrared to far infrared) emitted from a subject is detected.
Te or the like) to detect the distribution of thermal radiation energy.
A temperature curve is obtained from the relationship between the detected radiant energy and the detected wavelength, and the approximate temperature of the subject with respect to the perfect black body can be measured.

The temperature information received by the infrared detection sensor 12 is converted into an electric signal (analog signal) and converted into an A / D converter 1
After being converted into a digital signal in step 3, the signal is supplied to a digital signal processing circuit 14. Digital signal processing circuit 14
Converts the input temperature information (digital signal) into a video signal containing color information and outputs the video signal to the display device 16. A predetermined color map table which is set and stored in advance is used for converting the temperature information into the color information.

The display device 16 is composed of a CRT, an LCD or the like, and displays an image corresponding to the temperature distribution of the subject on a screen according to an image signal provided from the digital signal processing circuit 14. Further, the user can change the attributes (color map table, center temperature, etc.) of the imaging information using the pointing device 18 such as a mouse. The attributes of the video information, the temperature information, and the imaging information are stored in the storage device 17.
Can be saved.

The digital signal processing circuit 14
Focus lens driving device 1 based on a digital signal (object temperature information) input from / D converter 13
Auto-focus control for driving the focus lens 11 via 5 is also performed. Digital signal processing circuit 14
Sends a command to move the focus lens little by little in order to adjust the focus.
Give 5

The focus lens driving device 15 moves the focus lens 11 in the direction of the optical axis according to the given command. When the focus lens 11 moves, as a result, infrared imaging information (temperature distribution) of a subject formed on the infrared detection sensor 12 through the focus lens 11 is obtained.
Changes. This change is reflected on a digital signal supplied to the digital signal processing circuit 14 via the A / D converter 13.

The digital signal processing circuit 14 performs a predetermined operation based on the digital signal provided from the A / D converter 13 to calculate an evaluation value. Then, the evaluation value at each position is calculated while moving the focus lens 11 at a predetermined pitch within the movable range of the focus lens or within the designated movement range. From the change in the evaluation value with respect to the position of the focus lens obtained as a result, for example, a position where the evaluation value is maximum or minimum is determined as the best focus position.

As the evaluation value, for example, the total number of pixels within a predetermined temperature range is obtained. Infrared detection sensor 12
The imaging information (temperature distribution information of the subject) obtained from the above corresponds to a set (temperature distribution) of temperature information at each point (two-dimensional coordinates) of the subject. Therefore, a lower limit temperature and an upper limit temperature are set near the target temperature of the subject, and the total number of pixels within this temperature range is obtained as an evaluation value. The position of the focus lens 11 at which this evaluation value is minimal is defined as the best focus position. This is because, when the subject is out of focus, a donut-shaped aura close to the temperature of the subject is generated around the subject, and as a result, the evaluation value increases compared to the state where the subject is in focus (best focus state). .

A method of obtaining the total number of pixels within a predetermined temperature range as an evaluation value and obtaining a position where the evaluation value is maximum or minimum as a best focus position is as follows.
This is particularly effective when capturing an image of a subject whose temperature range is known in advance, such as a human body.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a display interface (user interface) used for setting a temperature range (lower limit temperature and upper limit temperature) for the above-described autofocus. When the auto focus is executed, a color bar 22 as shown in FIG. 2 and two arrow marks 23 and 24 corresponding to the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature are displayed on the screen 21. The color bar 22 corresponds to the above-described color map table used by the digital signal processing circuit 14 for conversion from temperature information to color information, and includes a plurality of colors (A, B, C,. .X) and the temperatures corresponding to the respective colors are displayed side by side.

The user sets the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature of the temperature range used for autofocus by moving the two arrow marks 23 and 24 in the horizontal direction using the pointing device 18 such as a mouse. As described above, the temperature range can be easily set by using the display of the color bar 22 at which the relationship between the color used for displaying the subject and the temperature can be seen at a glance.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a display interface when the set contents of the temperature range set as described above are stored in the storage device 17. When saving is instructed while the color bar 22 and the arrow marks 23 and 24 are displayed on the screen 21, a window 25 for saving the set contents of the temperature range appears. Enter an appropriate file name and save. . FIG. 3 shows the setting of a temperature range when a human body is set as a subject, and “human body temperature” is input as a file name.

As described above, if the setting contents of the temperature range are stored with the file name that allows the type of the subject and the imaging condition to be immediately known, the imaging can be performed with the same subject and the same condition.
The temperature range used for the autofocus can be immediately read from the storage device 17 and used. Further, since the color map table is also stored at the same time, it is convenient when reusing.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a display interface when the stored content of the temperature range is read from the storage device 17 and used. During imaging, a window 26 for selecting a subject is displayed on the screen 21.
In the window 26, a plurality of file names of setting contents of the temperature range stored in the storage device 17 and an arrow mark 27 for selection are displayed. The user selects a desired file name by moving the arrow mark 27 for selection up and down using the pointing device 18, and displays the color bar 22 and arrow marks 23 and 24 indicating the temperature range on the screen 21. . In this state, as described with reference to FIG.
The setting contents of the temperature range can be changed by moving the two arrow marks 23 and 24 in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which an image 28 obtained by converting a temperature distribution of a captured object into a color distribution is displayed on the screen 21. In this example, arrow marks 23 and 2 indicating the temperature range set as the color bar 22 on the image 28 are shown.
4 is displayed. Thereby, the relationship between the color used in the color image 28 showing the temperature distribution of the subject and the temperature can be understood at a glance.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing after the auto focus button is pressed. First, it is asked whether to use the stored data (step # 10).
1) If used, a color bar is displayed (step # 102), and the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature for autofocus are set as described above (step # 10).
3). When the stored data is not used, a selection menu is displayed (step # 104), and temperature information is selected (step # 105).

When the autofocus temperature information save button is pressed after the execution of the autofocus in step # 106 (Yes in step # 107), a save window is displayed (step # 108). A file name or the like is input (step # 109), and the file is saved (step # 110).

FIG. 7 shows a display interface when the color map table corresponding to the color bar 22 displayed on the screen 21 is stored. As described above, the file name (for example, “human body temperature”) is also input in the storage window 29 displayed on the screen 21 for the color map table that does not include the setting content of the temperature range, and is stored in the storage device 17. be able to.

FIG. 8 shows a display interface when a plurality of color map tables stored in the storage device 17 are read out and reused. A plurality of color bars 22 corresponding to a plurality of color map tables are read out and displayed on the screen 21 together with their file names 31.
A color map table adjusted using a plurality of types of subject models in advance is stored in the storage device 17 together with an appropriate file name. Then, when the subject is imaged, a plurality of color map tables (color bars 22) are read from the storage device 17 and displayed on the screen 21 as shown in FIG. Select

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing after the color map selection button is pressed. When the color map selection button is pressed, a selectable color map table is displayed (step # 201). In step # 202, a color map table is selected, and an infrared imaging window is displayed using the selected color map table (step # 203). When editing the color map table (Yes in step # 204)
Is edited in step # 205. If the edit result is to be saved (Yes in step # 206), a save window is displayed in step # 207, and a file name is entered to execute saving (step # 208).

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a display interface when the relationship between the temperature and the display color in the color map table is set by using the display of the actual imaging result of the subject. In this example, an infrared imaging window 34 for displaying an image 33 obtained by converting a temperature distribution of a captured object (human hand) into a color distribution, and a color table for selecting a display color corresponding to each temperature are displayed. Window 35 is displayed. The image 33 of the human hand is
As shown by the shaded portion, the peripheral portion is a predetermined temperature region 33a, and this region is associated with a specific color.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the cursor (open arrow) 36 is moved to a desired color in the color table using the pointing device 18, the cursor changes to that color. In this state, as shown in FIG. 11, the cursor is moved (dragged) to a predetermined temperature area 33 a of the image 33 of the human hand displayed on the infrared imaging window 34 using the pointing device 18. Then, the color of the predetermined temperature region (shaded portion) 33a changes to the color of the cursor 36, that is, the color selected in the window 35 of the color table.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing after the color map edit button is pressed. When the color map edit button is pressed, selectable colors are displayed (step # 301). When a desired color is selected in step # 302, the color of the cursor 36 changes to the selected color (step # 303). When the cursor 36 is dragged onto the infrared imaging window 34 (step # 30)
4), the temperature area (shaded area) designated by the cursor 36
The color of 3a changes to the color of the cursor 36 (step # 3)
05). In this manner, the relationship between the temperature and the display color can be set in a visually easy-to-understand manner.

FIG. 13 shows how the digital signal processing circuit 14 specifies a target area for image processing (processing such as differentiation, integration, and peak hold). For example, by using the pointing device 18 to specify two points on the diagonal of the rectangle, the predetermined area 38 is specified. Alternatively, when one point 39 of the subject image 33 is designated by using the pointing device 18, a rectangular area 40 including an area including a predetermined temperature range including the temperature of the point 39 (substantially equal to the area of the subject image 33) is converted into a digital signal. The processing circuit 14 may automatically cut out. On this occasion,
As shown in FIG. 14, two rulers 41 and 42 for each of the vertical and horizontal directions that define the rectangular area 40 are displayed. By moving these rulers 41 and 42 with the pointing device 18, the designated area is changed. (Fine adjustment) may be possible.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of processing after the area designation button is pressed. When the automatic area designation is performed (Yes in step # 401), the one point 39 of the subject image 33 is designated using the pointing device 18 (step # 402). In step # 403, the digital signal processing circuit 14 determines that the rectangular area 4 including the area corresponding to the predetermined temperature range including the temperature of the point 39
Specify 0 automatically (cut out). On the other hand, when the automatic area designation is not performed (No in step # 401), the rectangular area is directly designated using the pointing device 18. In step # 405, two rulers 41, 42 each in the vertical and horizontal directions that define the specified rectangular area
Is displayed. The designated area is adjusted by moving the rulers 41 and 42 with the pointing device 18 (step # 406).

FIG. 16 shows a display interface for displaying a color bar 43 and arrow marks 44 and 45 indicating a temperature range when one point 39 of the subject image 33 is designated. When the user designates one point 39 of the subject image 33, the digital signal processing circuit 14
Are obtained, and arrow marks 44 and 4 indicating a predetermined range including the temperature (for example, a temperature range corresponding to a human body temperature).
5 is displayed in association with the color bar 43. Since the user can specify the temperature range using the subject image 33, the user can easily specify the temperature range even when the temperature of the subject is not known.

The information on the temperature range specified as described above can also be used to determine whether or not to record image data. That is, the digital signal processing circuit 14
The number of pixels included in one frame of the imaging data included in the specified temperature range is monitored, and when the number of pixels exceeds a threshold, the imaging data storage device 1 is monitored.
7, the recording is stopped. It is preferable to provide a hysteresis between the recording start threshold value and the recording stop threshold value. Or,
Even if the number of pixels becomes equal to or less than the threshold immediately after the start of recording, the recording may be continued for the set period.

As described above, various embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms.

[0047]

As described above, according to the first configuration of the infrared imaging apparatus of the present invention, the setting of the temperature range of the temperature information used for the autofocus can be performed from the temperature information to the color information. Since the user interface is provided on the screen in association with the color map table used for the conversion, the user can set the temperature range in a visually easy-to-understand manner.

Further, according to the second configuration, a user interface for displaying a color map table used for converting temperature information into color information on a screen, assigning a file name, and storing the file name in a storage device. Because it has
A plurality of types of color map tables can be stored and reused in correspondence with file names.

According to the third configuration, a plurality of colors are displayed on a screen together with a color distribution image of a subject, and one of the plurality of colors is selected using a pointing device.
Since a user interface is provided for changing a color region corresponding to a predetermined temperature region in the color distribution image to a selected color, the correspondence between the temperature and the display color can be easily reset without switching the screen display. it can.

According to the fourth configuration, the user selects a predetermined area in the display window of the color distribution image, and the processing device performs predetermined image processing on the selected area. I have. On the other hand, according to the fifth configuration, the user selects a predetermined point in the display window of the color distribution image, and processes the area including the area corresponding to the predetermined temperature range including the temperature of the selected point. Is configured to perform predetermined image processing on the extracted region. Therefore, in any of the configurations, when performing image processing such as differentiation, integration, and peak hold of imaging data by the processing device, it is possible to specify and execute only a necessary area, and the time required for the processing is reduced. .

Further, according to the sixth configuration, the processing device comprises:
The number of pixels included in one frame of the imaging data included in the specified temperature range is monitored, and when the number of pixels exceeds a threshold, recording of the imaging data in the storage device is started, Since the recording is stopped when the voltage falls below the threshold value, it is possible to automatically select and record the imaging data of the frame mainly including the desired subject.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an infrared imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display interface used for setting a temperature range for autofocus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display interface when a set content of a set temperature range is stored in a storage device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display interface when a stored temperature range setting content is read from a storage device and used.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an image obtained by converting a temperature distribution of a captured subject into a color distribution is displayed on a screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing after an auto focus button is pressed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display interface when a color map table corresponding to a color bar displayed on a screen is stored.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display interface when a plurality of color map tables stored in a storage device are read and reused.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing after a color map selection button is pressed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display interface when setting a relationship between a temperature and a display color in a color map table using display of an actual imaging result of a subject.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display interface when setting a relationship between a temperature and a display color in a color map table using display of an actual imaging result of a subject.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing after a color map edit button is pressed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a target area of image processing executed by the digital signal processing circuit is designated.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a specified area is adjusted by moving a ruler that defines a rectangular area.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing after an area designation button is pressed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display interface for displaying a color bar and an arrow mark indicating a temperature range when one point of a subject image is designated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 infrared camera 11 focus lens 12 infrared detection sensor 13 A / D converter 14 digital signal processing circuit (processing device) 15 focus lens driving device 16 display device 17 storage device 18 pointing device 21 screen 22 color bar (color map table) 23 , 24 Temperature range setting arrow mark 31 File name 33 Subject image (color distribution image) 33a Color region corresponding to predetermined temperature region 38, 40 region

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/18 H04N 7/18 CN 9/04 9/04 B (72) Inventor Ryoichi Sato Kawasaki, Kanagawa Fujitsu Toki System Co., Ltd. 4-1-1, Kamikodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Fujitsu Tokuseki Systems Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhito Hatake 4-1-1, Kamikodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Reference) 2G066 AC13 BA13 BA22 BC01 BC02 BC04 BC07 BC15 BC22 BC23 CA02 5C022 AA15 AB28 AB68 AC01 AC69 5C054 CA05 CH06 EE00 FC12 FE05 5C065 AA06 BB05 DD01 GG18 GG22 GG24 GG26 HH04 5C082 AA12 BB02 BA21 BA21 BA21 BA20 MM08

Claims (6)

[Claims] An infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from an imaging target including a subject through a focus lens, and converting temperature information of the subject obtained from the infrared detection sensor into color information to be displayed on a display device. A processing device that controls the driving device of the focus lens to execute autofocus, wherein the setting of a temperature range of temperature information used for the autofocus is performed based on the temperature information. An infrared imaging apparatus comprising a user interface for performing on a screen in association with a color map table used for conversion into information. 2. An infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from a subject, a processing device for converting temperature information of the subject obtained from the infrared detection sensor into color information and displaying the color information on a display device, and a storage device. An infrared imaging apparatus, comprising: a user interface for displaying a color map table used for converting the temperature information into color information on a screen, assigning a file name, and storing the file name in the storage device. An infrared imaging device characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. An infrared imaging system comprising: an infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from a subject; and a processing device for converting a temperature distribution image of the subject obtained from the infrared detection sensor into a color distribution image and displaying the color distribution image on a display device. An apparatus, wherein a plurality of colors are displayed on a screen together with the color distribution image, one color is selected from the plurality of colors using a pointing device, and the color corresponds to a predetermined temperature region in the color distribution image. An infrared imaging apparatus comprising a user interface for changing a color region to the selected one color. 4. An infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from an imaging area including a subject, and a processing device for converting a temperature distribution image obtained from the infrared detection sensor into a color distribution image and displaying the color distribution image on a display device. An infrared imaging apparatus, wherein a user selects a predetermined area in a display window of the color distribution image, and the processing apparatus performs predetermined image processing on the selected area. Infrared imaging device. 5. An infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from an imaging area including a subject, and a processing device for converting a temperature distribution image obtained from the infrared detection sensor into a color distribution image and displaying the color distribution image on a display device. An infrared imaging device, wherein a user selects a predetermined point in a display window of the color distribution image, and the processing device determines an area including an area corresponding to a predetermined temperature range including the temperature of the selected point. An infrared imaging apparatus, which is configured to perform predetermined image processing on a cut-out and cut-out area. 6. An infrared sensor comprising: an infrared detection sensor for receiving infrared light from an imaging region including a subject; a processing device for processing imaging data obtained from the infrared detection sensor and displaying the data on a display device; and a storage device. An imaging device, wherein the processing device monitors the number of pixels included in one frame of the imaging data included in a specified temperature range, and when the number of pixels exceeds a threshold, the imaging device performs the imaging. An infrared imaging apparatus, wherein recording of data in the storage device is started, and the recording is stopped when the data falls below a threshold value.