JP2002013983A - Two dimensional infrared thermal image device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a two dimensional infrared thermal image device capable of recording an event to be observed at good timing. SOLUTION: This two dimensional infrared thermal image device detecting an infrared ray irradiated from an object and producing a thermal image of this object is characterized by that it has a two dimensional infrared ray sensor receiving an infrared energy accumulation start signal for starting the accumulation of the infrared energy and producing the thermal image, a frame data recording part recording the thermal image from the two dimensional infrared ray sensor under control of a recording timing signal, a sensor timing control part receiving an external synchronizing signal from a separately provided external synchronizing signal generating part synchronized with occurrence timing of the event to be observed for generating the infrared energy accumulation start signal, and a recording part timing control part receiving the external synchronizing signal for generating the recording timing signal and controlling operation timing of the frame data recording part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared thermal imaging apparatus having a two-dimensional infrared sensor, and more particularly to a technique for recording a phenomenon in which the temperature of an object fluctuates at high speed with good timing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An object emits infrared rays according to its temperature, and the temperature and the amount of emitted infrared rays have a fixed relationship.
Utilizing this relationship, a device for detecting infrared rays emitted from each part of the object and constructing the temperature distribution of the object as a visible image is referred to as an infrared thermal imager, and the obtained image is referred to as a thermal image. Name. In this measurement method, a wide temperature distribution can be instantaneously obtained without contact.

On the other hand, there is an increasing need for promotion of energy saving, improvement of product quality, accurate and quick diagnosis and maintenance of equipment, and the like, and there are some fields where the contact-type temperature measurement method alone has limitations and cannot be dealt with. There are many. This background coincides with the features of the infrared thermal imaging device, and the use of the infrared thermal imaging device has been gradually increasing in various industries and research institutions in the past several years, and its effectiveness has been increasing. Has been recognized.

An infrared thermal imaging apparatus uses a rotating mirror system to input infrared energy radiated from an object to a one-dimensional infrared sensor, and detects infrared energy from a thermal image generator using a two-dimensional infrared sensor. Are now producing thermal images. Hereinafter, an infrared thermal imaging device using a two-dimensional infrared sensor will be referred to as a two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging device.

The rotary mirror type infrared thermal imaging apparatus has a relatively slow frame rate of 1/30 sec. On the other hand, the two-dimensional infrared thermal imager has a frame rate of 1
/ 120 seconds, which is about four times faster, and is used to observe high-speed phenomena. In order to take advantage of the feature of high speed, a function for recording frame data of a thermal image stored in a two-dimensional infrared sensor in real time is required.

In general, a two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus accumulates infrared energy for a certain period in one frame period, generates and displays one screen data. FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a main part of the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus accumulates incident infrared energy for a certain period of time and outputs a generated thermal image as frame data. A frame data recording unit 2 that records the data in real time and performs scan conversion, a frame timing signal that generates a frame synchronization signal and an accumulation signal of infrared energy, and controls the operation of the two-dimensional infrared sensor 1, and a frame data recording unit. The recording section timing control section 41 controls the operation timing. FIG. 4 shows the operation timing of the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging device. 4A shows a frame synchronization signal, FIG. 4B shows an infrared energy accumulation time in the two-dimensional infrared sensor 1, and FIG. 4C shows a frame image data output.

As shown in FIG. 4, this two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus uses a two-dimensional infrared sensor 1 based on a frame synchronization signal generated by a sensor timing control section 2 and an infrared energy storage signal synchronized with the frame synchronization signal. , The infrared energy is accumulated in frame units to generate a thermal image, and this thermal image is recorded in the frame data recording unit 3 as frame data.

[0008]

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in a two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus, the storage of infrared energy, the generation of a thermal image, the recording of frame data of a thermal image and the internal frame synchronization signal are all performed. It is executed in synchronization with.
However, the event to be actually observed is rarely generated in synchronization with the internal frame synchronization signal. Therefore, the accumulation of infrared energy of the event to be observed at an appropriate timing is not started and a desired thermal image is obtained. There was a problem that can not be. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention can easily execute a desired thermal image by synchronizing with execution of an external synchronizing signal synchronized with the occurrence timing of an event to observe the accumulation of infrared energy in a two-dimensional infrared sensor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging device capable of capturing and recording.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus according to the present invention detects infrared rays emitted from an object and generates an infrared image of the object. The storage of the infrared energy is started at a timing synchronized with the occurrence timing of a desired event, a thermal image is formed, and the thermal image is recorded according to the timing.

A second two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus according to the present invention detects infrared rays emitted from an object and generates an infrared image of the object. A two-dimensional infrared sensor that receives and stores the infrared energy to generate a thermal image; and a frame data recording unit that records a thermal image from the two-dimensional infrared sensor under control of a recording timing signal. A sensor timing control unit for generating the infrared energy accumulation start signal by receiving an external synchronization signal from an external synchronization signal generation unit synchronized with an occurrence timing of an event to be observed, and generating the recording timing signal by receiving the external synchronization signal And a recording unit timing control unit for controlling the operation timing of the frame data recording unit. It is an butterfly.

According to the present invention, the start of infrared storage of the two-dimensional infrared sensor is executed in synchronization with the occurrence of an event to be observed, so that a desired thermal image can be captured and recorded.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a two-dimensional infrared thermal image apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external synchronous operation, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an operation timing chart of the device. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a two-dimensional infrared sensor that receives an infrared energy storage signal and stores the infrared energy to generate a thermal image. Reference numeral 2 denotes a thermal image from the two-dimensional infrared sensor under the control of a recording timing signal. A frame data recording unit for recording and scanning conversion for display
3 receives the external synchronization signal from the external synchronization signal generation unit synchronized with the occurrence timing of the event to be observed separately provided during the external synchronization operation, and generates the infrared energy accumulation signal;
At the time of internal operation, the sensor timing control section 4 for generating the infrared energy accumulation signal in synchronization with the frame synchronization signal of the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus receives the external synchronization signal, generates the recording timing signal, and generates the frame data. A recording unit timing control unit that controls the operation timing of the recording unit 3.

Here, the two-dimensional infrared sensor 1 and the frame data recording unit 2 have the same configuration as in the conventional example, and the sensor timing control unit 3 and the recording unit timing control unit 4 operate when an external synchronization signal is input. It has a configuration different from the conventional example in that a processing function is added.

In FIG. 2, (A) is a frame synchronization signal of the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging device, (B) is an external synchronization signal,
(C) shows the accumulation time of infrared energy in the two-dimensional infrared sensor, and (D) shows the frame image data output. 4A shows a frame synchronization signal of the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging device, FIG. 4B shows a storage time of infrared energy in the two-dimensional infrared sensor, and FIG. 4C shows a frame image data output.

Next, the operation of the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus according to the present invention has an external synchronization and a normal operation synchronized with the timing of occurrence of an event to be observed in order to accurately record an event occurring asynchronously with the internal synchronization of the apparatus. The thermal image from the two-dimensional infrared sensor 1 can be taken out as frame data by the internal synchronization of. The frame data of the thermal image is recorded in the frame data recording unit 3.

First, a description will be given of a case where the operation is performed by internal synchronization which is a normal operation. This two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus operates in internal synchronization when no external synchronization signal is input. This operation is the same as the conventional example, and the operation timing at this time is as shown in FIG. That is, upon receiving the frame synchronization signal (FIG. 4A) and the accumulation time signal generated by the sensor timing control unit 3, the two-dimensional infrared sensor 1 is an object to be observed for a predetermined time (FIG. 4B). The infrared energy from the object not to be stored is stored, and the frame data of the thermal image is output. The frame data of this thermal image is recorded in the frame data recording unit 2 in response to a recording start signal from the recording unit timing control unit 4, is scan-converted, and is displayed on a display unit (not shown).

Next, the case of operating in external synchronization will be described. This operation changes depending on the presence or absence of an external synchronization signal. The operation timing at this time is as shown in FIG. That is, the sensor timing control unit 3 generates an infrared energy accumulation signal from an external synchronization signal synchronized with an event to be observed which occurs asynchronously with the frame synchronization signal, and this signal generates an object (not shown) in the same manner as described above. The infrared energy is accumulated for a predetermined time and output from the two-dimensional infrared sensor as frame data of a thermal image.

Here, the validity / invalidity of the external synchronization signal is determined depending on whether or not the infrared energy accumulation time has started. The meaning of the validity / invalidity focuses on whether or not to generate an infrared energy accumulation signal in synchronization with an external synchronization signal. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 (2), it is effective when the infrared energy storage is not started when the external synchronization signal is input, and the infrared energy storage signal is generated in synchronization with the external synchronization signal. FIG.
If the accumulation of infrared energy has already started when the external synchronization signal is input as in (3), this is invalid.
The infrared energy storage is not started again, but the infrared energy storage is continued for a predetermined time. This is because the accumulation of infrared energy when the external synchronizing signal is input is continuing, so that an event to be observed is captured.

The operation when the external synchronizing operation is performed and there is no external synchronizing signal will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, when there is no external synchronization signal, the sensor timing control unit 3 generates the infrared energy accumulation signal in synchronization with the internal frame synchronization signal. Since it is not generated, the frame data of the thermal image from the two-dimensional infrared sensor 1 is indeterminate in that it is not desired. Since the frame data is not worth recording, the recording unit timing control unit 4 Since no recording timing signal is generated, it is not recorded in the frame data recording unit 2.

Next, a case where the external synchronization signal is valid will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 (2), when an external synchronization signal is input when the infrared energy accumulation signal is not output, the sensor timing control unit 3 recognizes that the external synchronization signal is valid, and synchronizes with the external synchronization signal. Generate and output an infrared energy storage signal. At this time, the frame data of the thermal image from the two-dimensional infrared sensor 1 is sent to the frame data recording unit 2 in synchronization with the next frame synchronization signal, so that the recording unit is synchronized with the next frame synchronization signal. A recording timing signal is output from the timing control unit 4, and the frame data is recorded in the frame data recording unit 2. Thus, a thermal image at a desired timing is recorded. This thermal image is scan-converted and displayed on a display unit (not shown).

Next, the case where the external synchronization signal is invalid will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 (3), if the external synchronization signal is input at the time when the infrared energy storage signal has already started storing the infrared energy, the infrared energy has already been started. The accumulation is not started, and the external synchronization signal is invalidated, and the accumulation is continued as it is. The thermal image thus obtained is recorded as it is in the frame data recording unit 2 in the procedure described above,
Here, scan conversion is performed and displayed on a display unit (not shown).

As described above, the storage of the infrared energy is started in synchronization with the external synchronization signal synchronized with the event to be observed, or when the external synchronization signal is input, the infrared energy is already stored. Since the thermal image obtained at that time is recorded and displayed as frame data, an event to be observed is recorded and displayed with good timing.

[0023]

According to the present invention, the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus is capable of accumulating infrared energy by internal synchronization and external synchronization.
It is possible to observe the temperature distribution and temperature change of the object in synchronization with the frame synchronization signal of the three-dimensional infrared thermal imaging device, and if it is operated externally, it will be synchronized with the external synchronization signal synchronized with the event to be observed The temperature distribution and temperature change of the object can be recorded and displayed with good timing, so that the object whose temperature changes at high speed can be recorded and displayed reliably and accurately.
A three-dimensional infrared thermal imaging device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main block diagram of a two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation timing chart at the time of an external synchronization operation of the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a main part block diagram of a conventional two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an operation timing chart of the conventional two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus, and an operation timing chart of the two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus of FIG. 1 at the time of an internal synchronous operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 2D infrared sensor 2 Frame data recording unit 3 Sensor timing control unit 4 Recording unit timing control unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An infrared thermal imaging apparatus for detecting an infrared ray emitted from an object and generating a thermal image of the object, wherein the infrared energy storage is started at a timing synchronized with the occurrence timing of an event to be observed. A two-dimensional infrared thermal imaging apparatus characterized in that a thermal image is formed and the thermal image is recorded according to the timing. 2. An infrared thermal imaging apparatus for detecting an infrared ray emitted from an object and generating a thermal image of the object, comprising: receiving an infrared energy accumulation start signal; A two-dimensional infrared sensor for generating an image; a frame data recording unit for recording a thermal image from the two-dimensional infrared sensor under the control of a recording timing signal; and an external synchronization provided separately and synchronized with an occurrence timing of an event to be observed. A sensor timing control unit that receives the external synchronization signal from the signal generation unit to generate the infrared energy accumulation start signal; and generates the recording timing signal in response to the external synchronization signal, and adjusts the operation timing of the frame data recording unit. 2. The two-dimensional infrared device according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording unit timing control unit for controlling. Thermal imaging device.