Imaging method and device

Abstract

A system for monitoring a human operator of critical equipment comprises an imaging module; a biometric measurement module; a risk detection module; and a risk response module. The imaging module includes a multi-spectral light source configured to emit light in a first spectral wavelength range for illuminating at least a portion of the human operator; a camera configured to detect light received from the human operator in a second spectral wavelength range; an imaging data generator configured to generate image data based on the emitted light and detected light. The biometric measurement module is configured to receive the image data; and based on the image data, perform at least one biometric measurement on the human operator. The risk detection module is configured to establish a safety risk associated with the human operator; and the risk response module is configured to based on the safety risk generate a risk response.

1 . A system for monitoring a human operator of critical equipment, the system comprising:
 an imaging module;   a biometric measurement module;   a risk detection module; and   a risk response module,   wherein:
 the imaging module includes:
 a multi-spectral light source configured to emit light in a first spectral wavelength range for illuminating at least a portion of the human operator; 
 a camera configured to detect light received from the human operator in response to said illumination and in a second spectral wavelength range; and 
 an imaging data generator configured to generate image data based on the emitted light and detected light; 
 
 the biometric measurement module is configured to:
 receive the image data; and 
 based on the image data, perform at least one biometric measurement on the human operator; 
 
 the risk detection module is configured to:
 based on the biometric measurements establish a safety risk associated with the human operator; and 
 
 the risk response module is configured to:
 based on the safety risk generate a risk response. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the critical equipment includes at least one of an airplane, a heavy machinery, a train, an air traffic control system, a car, and a bus.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the safety risk includes at least one of fatigue, a seizure, a heart-attack or a stroke.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the risk response includes at least one of generating an audio alarm, halting the equipment, transferring control to another operator, overriding the operator over the equipment, and sending an alarm message.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the imaging module is configured to be installed facing the human operator.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first spectral wavelength range includes a near IR spectrum region;   the second first spectral wavelength range includes the near IR spectrum region; and   the biometric measurement module is configured to perform pulse oximetry.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the biometric measurement module is further configured to determine the body temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the biometric measurement module is further configured to determine the heart rate. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the imaging module is a first imaging module;   the light source is an IR strobe configured to emit light in a near IR spectral region;   the camera is an IR sensitive camera;   the system further comprises a second imaging module that includes:
 an RGB strobe; and 
 a visible light sensitive camera configured to:
 detect visible light in the visible electromagnetic wavelengths range; and 
 block IR light in the IR spectrum region; and 
 
   the biometric measurement module is configured to:
 receive data from the IR sensitive camera and the visible light sensitive camera; and 
 based on the received data determine a biometric parameter. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the biometric measurement module is configured to perform pulse oximetry by comparing an IR reflectance derived from data received from the IR sensitive camera and red light reflectance derived from the data received from the visible light sensitive camera. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the system further comprises a thermal camera configured to receive thermal radiations; and   the biometric measurement module is further configured to use data received from the thermal camera to determine the biometric parameter.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an alarm signal mechanism for raising an alarm when the determined biometric parameter is in an alarm range. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the IR strobe and the RGB strobe alternate in sending signals. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first and the second ranges of electromagnetic wavelengths include a green wavelength; and   the biometric measurement module is configured to determine the heartbeat rate based on a reflectance of the green wavelength.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric measurement module is configured to determine the heartbeat rate based on a time dependence of the image data. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric measurement module is configured to detect an extremity of a subject and determine the biometric parameter by analyzing image data received from a skin portion of the extremity. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric measurement module is configured to detect a face of a subject and determine an age of the subject based on an image of the face. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric measurement module is configured to estimate a volume of a subject and based on the volume estimate a weight of the subject. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the RGB strobe emits light with a first polarization;   the IR sensitive camera blocks light with a second polarization;   the visible light sensitive camera blocks light a third polarization that is perpendicular to the second polarization;   the first polarization is parallel to the second polarization or to the third polarization; and   the biometric parameter includes the skin moisture.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the biometric measurement includes at least one of measuring an oxygen level of   
       blood, a heartbeat rate, blood pressure, a body temperature, and a breathing rate.