Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to reduce noise in thermal images. In one example, a method includes receiving an image frame comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. The pixels comprise thermal image data associated with a scene and noise introduced by an infrared imaging device. The image frame may be processed to determine a plurality of column correction terms, each associated with a corresponding one of the columns and determined based on relative relationships between the pixels of the corresponding column and the pixels of a neighborhood of columns. In another example, the image frame may be processed to determine a plurality of non-uniformity correction terms, each associated with a corresponding one of the pixels and determined based on relative relationships between the corresponding one of the pixels and associated neighborhood pixels within a selected distance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to reduce noise in thermal images. In one example, a method includes receiving an image frame comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. The pixels comprise thermal image data associated with a scene and noise introduced by an infrared imaging device. The image frame may be processed to determine a plurality of column correction terms, each associated with a corresponding one of the columns and determined based on relative relationships between the pixels of the corresponding column and the pixels of a neighborhood of columns. In another example, the image frame may be processed to determine a plurality of non-uniformity correction terms, each associated with a corresponding one of the pixels and determined based on relative relationships between the corresponding one of the pixels and associated neighborhood pixels within a selected distance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to combination of images. A method according to an embodiment comprises: receiving a visual image and an infrared (IR) image of a scene and for a portion of said IR image extracting high spatial frequency content from a corresponding portion of said visual image. The method according to the embodiment further comprises combining said extracted high spatial frequency content from said portion of the visual image with said portion of the IR image, to generate a combined image, wherein the contrast and/or resolution in the portion of the IR image is increased compared to the contrast and/or resolution of said received IR image.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using thermal imaging to monitor an infant or other persons that may need observation. For example, an infant monitoring system may include an infrared imaging module, a visible light camera, a processor, a display, a communication module, and a memory. The monitoring system may capture thermal images of a scene including at least a partial view of an infant, using the infrared imaging module enclosed in a portable or mountable housing configured to be positioned for remote monitoring of the infant. Various thermal image processing and analysis operations may be performed on the thermal images to generate monitoring information relating to the infant. The monitoring information may include various alarms that actively provide warnings to caregivers, and user-viewable images of the scene. The monitoring information may be presented at external devices or the display located remotely for convenient viewing by caregivers.

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.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor occupants in an interior compartment of a vehicle. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, alarm sirens, and a communication module. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle that has an interior compartment. The infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the interior compartments. Various thermal image processing and analytics may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the presence and various attributes of one or more occupants. Based on the determination of the presence and various attributes, occupant detection information and/or control signals may be generated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, arrangement, and computer program product for correcting distortion present in an image captured using an infrared (IR) arrangement, the method for an embodiment comprising: capturing a first image using a first imaging system comprised in said IR arrangement; and correcting image distortion of the first image based on a pre-determined distortion relationship. According to embodiments, the method may further comprise capturing a second image using a second imaging system comprised in said IR arrangement, wherein: said distortion relationship represents distortion caused by said first and/or second imaging systems of said IR arrangement; and said correcting of image distortion of the first image comprises correcting image distortion with relation to the second image based on said pre-determined distortion relationship, wherein the distortion relationship represents distortion caused by said first and/or second imaging systems.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging modules to monitor various components of a vehicle wheel assembly. For example, a vehicle-mounted system may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a processor, a memory, a display, a communication module, and a vehicle speed sensor. The vehicle-mounted system may be mounted on, installed in, or otherwise integrated into a vehicle that has one or more wheel assemblies. The one or more infrared imaging modules may be configured to capture thermal images of desired portions of the wheel assemblies. Various thermal image analytics and profiling may be performed on the captured thermal images to determine the operating condition of various components of the wheel assemblies and to detect abnormalities. Monitoring information may be generated based on the detected condition and abnormalities, and presented to a driver or other occupants onboard the vehicle in real time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to combination of images. A method according to an embodiment comprises: receiving a visual image and an infrared (IR) image of a scene; extracting high spatial frequency content from said visual image; and combining said extracted high spatial frequency content from said visual image with said IR image, wherein a resolution for the visual image and the IR image are substantially the same, to generate a combined image.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to capture one or more thermal image frames using an infrared sensor array that is fixably positioned to substantially de-align rows and columns of infrared sensors. In one example, an infrared imaging system includes an infrared sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensors arranged in rows and columns and adapted to capture a thermal image frame of a scene exhibiting at least one substantially horizontal or substantially vertical feature. The infrared imaging system also includes a housing. The infrared sensor array is fixably positioned within the housing to substantially de-align the rows and columns from the feature while the thermal image frame is captured.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to monitor electrical equipment. In some implementations, a monitoring system for a cabinet may include an infrared camera configured to capture thermal images of at least a portion of electrical equipment positioned in an interior cavity of the cabinet. In some implementations, the monitoring system also includes a communication interface configured to transmit the thermal images from the infrared camera for external viewing by a user. In some implementations, the thermal images may be provided through various wired and wireless communication techniques. In some implementations, the infrared camera may receive electrical power through a physical coupling to an electrical connector within the cabinet and/or through electromagnetic energy harvesting techniques. Other implementations are also provided.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a wearable apparatus having an integrated infrared imaging module. In one example, a wearable apparatus implemented as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) may include a shield to protect a user from an external environment, one or more infrared imaging modules, a projector, a processor, and a communication module for projecting a user-viewable thermal image onto a surface of the shield. Such infrared imaging modules may be positioned internal to the SCBA for protection from a hazardous external environment. In another example, a wearable apparatus implemented as a welding mask may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a projector, a processor, and a communication module, so as to project a user-viewable thermal image onto a surface of a shield of the welding mask, while at the same time protecting these components and the welder's face from a harsh welding environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of improving an IR image comprising capturing a visual image and an IR image of an object, altering a resolution of at least one of said visual image and IR image, high pass filtering said visual image to generate a processed visual image, low pass filtering said IR image to generate a processed IR image, and combining information from said processed visual image and said processed IR image to generate a combined image.

Abstract: An IR camera includes a thermal radiation capturing arrangement for capturing thermal radiation of an imaged view in response to input control unit(s) receiving user inputs from a user of the IR camera; a processing unit arranged to process the thermal radiation data in order for the thermal radiation data to be displayed by an IR camera display as thermal images; and an IR camera display arranged to display thermal images to a user of the IR camera. The processing unit is further arranged to determine at least one temperature reference value representing the temperature of the surrounding environment of the imaged view; and calculate at least one output power value indicative of an amount of energy dissipated in a part of the imaged view by using the temperature value of the thermal radiation data corresponding to said part of the imaged view and the at least one determined temperature reference value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to combination of images. A method according to an embodiment comprises: receiving a visual image and an infrared (IR) image of a scene and for a portion of said IR image extracting high spatial frequency content from a corresponding portion of said visual image. The method according to the embodiment further comprises combining said extracted high spatial frequency content from said portion of the visual image with said portion of the IR image, to generate a combined image, wherein the contrast and/or resolution in the portion of the IR image is increased compared to the contrast and/or resolution of said received IR image.

Abstract: A camera has an infrared (IR) imaging subsystem that includes an IR detector. The camera also has a visual imaging subsystem for generating a visual image of an observed scene. The camera also has one or more distance measuring devices for obtaining distance related information regarding a distance from the camera to the scene and a processor arranged to receive distance related information from one or more distance measuring devices and process the received distance related information, wherein said processing comprises determining a distance to the scene based on the received distance related information. The IR imaging subsystem may also include an IR optical element for focusing IR radiation on the IR detector. The IR optical element may be operable to focus the IR radiation on the IR detector based on the determined distance.

Abstract: A camera has an infrared (“IR”) imaging subsystem that includes an IR detector. The camera also has a first and second visual imaging subsystem for generating a first visual image and a second visual image of an object in a scene. The first visual image and the second visual image have a parallax that is dependent on the distance to the object and based on a known parallax function. The camera also has a processor for determining the parallax between the first visual image and second visual images. The IR imaging subsystem may also include an IR optical element for focusing IR radiation on the IR detector. The IR optical element may be operable to focus the IR radiation on the IR detector based on the parallax between the first visual image and the second visual image.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) camera comprising: a camera housing having an image capturing device; an objective with an optical lens system for generating an IR image of an object; a focusing mechanism for focusing the optical lens system; a focus ring that is displaceably mounted on the objective and adapted to control an electromechanical focusing servo system actuating the focusing mechanism dependent on a displacement of the focus ring.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of improving an IR image comprising capturing a visual image and an IR image of an object, altering a resolution of at least one of said visual image and IR image, high pass filtering said visual image to generate a processed visual image, low pass filtering said IR image to generate a processed IR image, and combining information from said processed visual image and said processed IR image to generate a combined image.