Abstract: An anatomical structure is segmented from images generated in an anatomical scan. A user input device is configured for manually identifying two or more seed points on a plurality of the images. An image processor is configured to identify an optimal path through seed points on the plurality of images with a graph search. The optimal path between corresponding seed points on different images defines a boundary contour, and the anatomical structure includes two or more boundary contour. The image processor is further configured to interpolate the boundary contours over a three-dimensional volume using cardinal splines.

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 thermal infrared image data, and a processing module communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor assembly and configured to transmit the thermal infrared image data to the user device. Thermal 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.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an infrared (IR) sensor module includes an IR sensor assembly, including a substrate, a microbolometer array disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; and a cap disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and hermetically enclosing the microbolometer array. A base is disposed below the substrate, and a heat spreader having a generally planar portion is interposed between a lower surface of the substrate and an upper surface of the base. In some embodiments, the heat spreader can include a material having an anisotropic thermal conductivity, e.g., graphite.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to detect abnormal clock rates in devices such as imaging sensor devices (e.g., infrared and/or visible light imaging devices). In one example, a device may include a clock rate detection circuit that may be readily integrated as part of the device to provide effective detection of an abnormal clock rate. The device may include a ramp generator, a counter, and/or other components which may already be implemented as part of the device. The ramp generator may generate a ramp signal independent of a clock signal provided to the device, while the counter may increment or decrement a count value in response to the clock signal. The device may include a comparator adapted to select a current count value of the counter when the ramp signal reaches a reference signal. A processor of the device may be adapted to determine whether the clock signal is operating in an acceptable frequency range, based on the selected count value.

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: An eye gaze and hand data capturing system for use with a human performing a manual task (such as a surgical procedure) with a hand-held instrument (such as a surgical instrument), includes subsystems for tracking pupil position head position and orientation, hand position, and force applied by the hand to an instrument, all operatively connected to a computer that repeatedly determines an eye gaze vector, the hand position and orientation, and the force applied to the instrument and records such information as a record of spatially and temporally coherent data in a database.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for implementing a segmented focal plane array (FPA) of infrared sensors. In one example, a system includes a segmented FPA. The segmented FPA includes a top die having an array of infrared sensors (e.g., bolometers). The top die may also include a portion of a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC). The segmented FPA also includes a bottom die having at least a portion of the ROIC. The top and the bottom dies are electrically coupled via inter-die connections. Advantageously, the segmented FPA may be fabricated with a higher yield and a smaller footprint compared with conventional FPA architectures. Moreover, the segmented FPA may be fabricated using different semiconductor processes for each die.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to compensate for and/or update ineffective (e.g., stale) calibration terms due to calibration drifts in infrared imaging devices. For example, a virtual-shutter non-uniformity correction (NUC) procedure may be initiated to generate NUC terms to correct non-uniformities when appropriate triggering events and/or conditions are detected that may indicate presence of an object or scene to act as a shutter (e.g., a virtual shutter). Scene-based non-uniformity correction (SBNUC) may be performed during image capturing operations of the infrared imaging device, for example, when a virtual-shutter scene is not available. Further, snapshots of calibration data (e.g., NUC terms) produced during the virtual-shutter NUC procedure, the SBNUC process, and/or other NUC process may be taken.

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 thermal infrared image data, and a processing module communicatively coupled to the infrared sensor assembly and configured to transmit the thermal infrared image data to the user device. Thermal 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.

Abstract: An antenna that radiates non-dispersive and time-aligned wave-fronts at all angles of radiation (in a half space). The antenna consists of a source radiator enclosed within a metallic shield with an aperture opening to couple plane waves radiated by the source through the aperture. Pulse dispersion is eliminated by having a truly planar aperture, resulting in an abrupt radiation zone, and the aperture field distribution being uniform. Wave-front alignment is caused by the continuity of the coupled electric field lines of force onto the metallic shield to result in radiated spherical waves. The antenna transfer function is impulse-like for all angles of radiation, thus it can be considered a distortion-less antenna.

Abstract: A partially attenuating shutter may be used to identify and reduce fixed pattern noise (FPN) associated with imaging devices. In one example, a system includes an image capture component configured to capture images in response to incident radiation from a scene along an optical path. The system includes a shutter configured to attenuate a first portion of the incident radiation and permit a second portion of the incident radiation to pass. The system also includes an actuator configured to translate the shutter between an open position out of the optical path, and a closed position in the optical path between the scene and the image capture component. The system also includes a processor configured to determine a plurality of FPN correction terms using images captured by the image capture component while the shutter is in the open and closed positions. Related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for an infrared sensor assembly having a hybrid infrared sensor array. In one example, such a hybrid infrared sensor array may include a plurality of microbolometers and a non-bolometric infrared sensor. The non-bolometric infrared sensor may be a thermopile or other type of infrared sensor different from a bolometer-based sensor. The non-bolometric infrared sensor may be utilized to provide a more accurate and stable temperature reading of an object or area of a scene captured by the array. In some embodiments, the non-bolometric infrared sensor may also be utilized to perform a shutter-less radiometric calibration of the microbolometers of the array. An infrared sensor assembly may include, for example, the hybrid infrared sensor array, as well as a substrate including bond pads and/or appropriate circuits to obtain and/or transmit output signals from the non-bolometric infrared sensor.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for implementing, operating, and manufacturing infrared imaging devices using integrated circuits. In one example, a system includes a focal plane array (FPA) integrated circuit comprising an array of infrared sensors adapted to image a scene, a plurality of active circuit components, a first metal layer disposed above and connected to the circuit components, a second metal layer disposed above the first metal layer and connected to the first metal layer, and a third metal layer disposed above the second metal layer and below the infrared sensors. The third metal layer is connected to the second metal layer and the infrared sensors. The first, second, and third metal layers are the only metal layers of the FPA between the infrared sensors and the circuit components. The first, second, and third metal layers are adapted to route signals between the circuit components and the infrared sensors.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing an infrared imaging module that exhibits a small form factor and may be used with one or more portable devices. Such an infrared imaging module may be implemented with a housing that includes electrical connections that may be used to electrically connect various components of the infrared imaging module. In addition, various techniques are disclosed for providing system architectures for processing modules of infrared imaging modules. In one example, a processing module of an infrared imaging module includes a first interface adapted to receive captured infrared images from an infrared image sensor of the infrared imaging module. The processing module may also include a processor adapted to perform digital infrared image processing on the captured infrared images to provide processed infrared images. The processing module may also include a second interface adapted to pass the processed infrared images to a host device.

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: The invention concerns a process for increasing the scratch resistance of a glass substrate by implantation of simple charge and multicharge ions, comprising maintaining the temperature of the area of the glass substrate being treated at a temperature that is less than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the glass substrate, selecting the ions to be implanted among the ions of Ar, He, and N, setting the acceleration voltage for the extraction of the ions at a value comprised between 5 kV and 200 kV and setting the ion dosage at a value comprised between 1014 ions/cm2 and 2.5×1017 ions/cm2.The invention further concerns glass substrates comprising an area treated by implantation of simple charge and multicharge ions according to this process and their use for reducing the probability of scratching on the glass substrate upon mechanical contact.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to perform flat field correction for infrared cameras using a liquid shutter. Devices and methods provide a focal plane array (FPA) that receives infrared radiation (e.g., thermal infrared radiation) from a scene, and infrared-opaque liquid disposed in a cavity of a liquid shutter housing, and a fluid controller that directs the liquid from a reservoir area of the cavity to a field of view area of the cavity to block the FPA from the infrared radiation. Flat field correction terms may be determined and radiometric calibration may be performed. In one example, a liquid shutter uses voltages to direct liquid. In another example, a liquid shutter uses magnetic fields from electromagnets to direct liquid such as ferrofluid. In another example, a liquid shutter uses electrowetting techniques to direct liquid such as water. In a further example, a liquid shutter uses a pump.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for systems and methods to process images to reduce consumption of an available output dynamic range by the sky in images. For example, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a region or area in images that may correspond to the sky may be identified based on the location of the horizon in the images. A distribution of irradiance levels in the identified sky region may be analyzed to determine a dynamic range attributable to the sky region. A transfer function that compresses the dynamic range attributable to the sky region may be generated and applied so that the sky in the images may be suppressed, thereby advantageously preserving more dynamic range for terrestrial objects and other objects of interest in the images.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for implementing an infrared imaging system. In one example, a system includes a focal plane array (FPA). The FPA includes an array of infrared sensors adapted to image a scene. The FPA also includes a bias circuit adapted to provide a bias voltage to the infrared sensors. The bias voltage is selected from a range of approximately 0.2 volts to approximately 0.7 volts. The FPA also includes a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) adapted to provide signals from the infrared sensors corresponding to captured image frames. Other implementations are also provided.

Abstract: Wearable systems with thermal imaging capabilities may be provided for detecting the presence and location of persons or animals in an environment surrounding the system in accordance with an embodiment. A wearable system may include a wearable structure such as a helmet with a plurality of imaging modules mounted to the wearable structure. An imaging module may include one or more imaging components such as infrared imaging modules and visible light cameras. Thermal images captured using the infrared imaging modules may be used to detect the presence of a person in the thermal images. The wearable imaging system may include one or more alert components that alert the wearer when a person is detected in the thermal images. The alert components may be used to generate a location-specific alert that alerts the wearer to the location of the detected person. A wearable imaging system may be a multidirectional threat monitoring helmet.