Abstract: An infrared camera architecture includes, for an embodiment, an infrared detector, a substrate, a plurality of electrical components coupled to the substrate, and a pedestal made of a thermally conductive material and having a leg coupled to the substrate. The infrared detector is supported by and thermally coupled to the pedestal, with the pedestal thermally isolating the infrared detector from the plurality of electrical components.

Abstract: Systems having throwable devices with thermal imaging capabilities may be provided for observing a potentially hazardous environment with possible human or environmental threats. A system may include a throwable observation device configured to be thrown into the potentially hostile environment and to capture at least thermal images of portions of the environment and a mobile handset configured to wirelessly receive the captured thermal images from the observation device. The observation device may include a durable housing structure having openings, an imaging module in each of the openings, a processor for processing the captured thermal images, and communications components for transmitting the captured thermal images to the mobile handset. The mobile handset may include a processor for further processing the received captured thermal images and a display for displaying processed thermal images.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging devices to image scenes in proximity to a vehicle. An imaging system may include one or more infrared imaging devices, a processor, a memory, a display, a communication module, and modules to interface with a user, sensors, and/or a vehicle. Infrared imaging devices may be positioned in proximity to, mounted on, installed in, or otherwise fixed relative to a vehicle. Infrared imaging devices may be configured to capture infrared images of scenes in proximity to a vehicle. Various infrared image analytics and processing may be performed on captured infrared images to correct and/or calibrate the infrared images. Monitoring information, notifications, and/or control signals may be generated based on the corrected infrared images and then presented to a user and/or a monitoring and notification system, and/or used to control aspects of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing systems for providing alignment guide information to selectively direct a visible light source to substantially align the visible light source with a desired subject and to project a visible light beam substantially on the desired subject. For example, a system may include a small form factor infrared imaging module to capture thermal images of a scene, which may be received by a processor to generate alignment guide information such as a user-viewable image of the scene, a user-viewable cue, and a framing reticle. In another example, such a system may be implemented as a camera. In yet another example, such a system may be implemented as a spotlight.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing systems and methods for orienting one or more lenses or other optical elements in a lens sleeve. For example, a system may include a lens sleeve defining an interior lens cavity. A plurality of lens positioning features extend from the lens sleeve adjacent the interior lens cavity. A first lens is secured in the lens cavity at a first position relative to the lens sleeve. A first set of the lens positioning features are located at a second position relative to the lens sleeve, and a second set of the lens positioning features are located at a third position relative to the lens sleeve. A second lens engages either the first set or the second set of the plurality of lens positioning features depending on a desired distance between the first lens and the second lens.

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: Various techniques are disclosed for providing systems for providing alignment guide information to selectively direct a visible light source to substantially align the visible light source with a desired subject and to project a visible light beam substantially on the desired subject. For example, a system may include a small form factor infrared imaging module to capture thermal images of a scene, which may be received by a processor to generate alignment guide information such as a user-viewable image of the scene, a user-viewable cue, and a framing reticle. In another example, such a system may be implemented as a camera. In yet another example, such a system may be implemented as a spotlight.

Abstract: Techniques using small form factor infrared imaging modules are disclosed. An imaging system may include visible spectrum imaging modules, infrared imaging modules, illumination modules, and other modules to interface with a user and/or a monitoring system. Visible spectrum imaging modules and infrared imaging modules may be positioned in proximity to a scene that will be monitored while visible spectrum-only images of the scene are either not available or less desirable than infrared images of the scene. Imaging modules may be configured to capture images of the scene at different times. Image analytics and processing may be used to generate combined images with infrared imaging features and increased detail and contrast. Selectable aspects of non-uniformity correction processing, true color processing, and high contrast processing, may be performed on the captured images. Control signals based on the combined images may be presented to a user and/or a monitoring system.

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: 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 the 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: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods using small form factor infrared imaging devices to image scenes in proximity to a vehicle. An imaging system may include one or more infrared imaging devices, a processor, a memory, a display, a communication module, and modules to interface with a user, sensors, and/or a vehicle. Infrared imaging devices may be positioned in proximity to, mounted on, installed in, or otherwise fixed relative to a vehicle. Infrared imaging devices may be configured to capture infrared images of scenes in proximity to a vehicle. Various infrared image analytics and processing may be performed on captured infrared images to correct and/or calibrate the infrared images. Monitoring information, notifications, and/or control signals may be generated based on the corrected infrared images and then presented to a user and/or a monitoring and notification system, and/or used to control aspects of the vehicle.

Abstract: Techniques using small form factor infrared imaging modules are disclosed. An imaging system may include visible spectrum imaging modules, infrared imaging modules, and other modules to interface with a user and/or a monitoring system. Visible spectrum imaging modules and infrared imaging modules may be positioned in proximity to a scene that will be monitored while visible spectrum-only images of the scene are either not available or less desirable than infrared images of the scene. Imaging modules may be configured to capture images of the scene at different times. Image analytics and processing may be used to generate combined images with infrared imaging features and increased detail and contrast. Triple fusion processing, including selectable aspects of non-uniformity correction processing, true color processing, and high contrast processing, may be performed on the captured images. Control signals based on the combined images may be presented to a user and/or a monitoring system.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for binning (e.g., clustering or grouping) two or more infrared sensors of a focal plane array (FPA) to permit configuration of the FPA to various dimensions and/or pixel sizes. For example, according to one or more embodiments, switchable interconnects may be implemented within the FPA, wherein the switchable interconnects comprise a plurality of switches adapted to selectively connect or disconnect infrared sensors of the FPA to/from column lines, row lines, and between each other. The switchable interconnects may also comprise another set of switches adapted to selectively connect adjacent column lines together. By selectively opening and closing appropriate switches of the switchable interconnects, two or more neighboring infrared sensors may be binned together to form a binned detector. Advantageously, the binned detector, along with the array and associated circuitry, may provide increased sensitivity, reduced power consumption, and/or increased frame rate.

Abstract: A shutter assembly may be provided for an infrared imaging module to selectively block external infrared radiation from reaching infrared sensors of the infrared imaging module. For example, the shutter assembly may comprise a paddle situated external to an optical element (e.g., lens) and adapted to be selectively moved by an actuator to substantially block external infrared radiation from entering the optical element. The shutter assembly may be stacked relative to a housing of the infrared imaging module without excessively increasing the overall profile of the infrared imaging module. A substantially reflective low emissivity interior surface may be provided on the paddle to reflect infrared radiation originating from an infrared sensor assembly of the infrared imaging module back to the infrared sensor assembly.

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 identify anomalous pixels in images captured by imaging devices. In one example, an infrared image frame is received. The infrared image frame is captured by a plurality of infrared sensors based on infrared radiation passed through an optical element. A pixel of the infrared image frame is selected. A plurality of neighborhood pixels of the infrared image frame are selected. Values of the selected pixel and the neighborhood pixels are processed to determine whether the value of the selected pixel exhibits a disparity in relation to the neighborhood pixels that exceeds a maximum disparity associated with a configuration of the optical element and the infrared sensors. The selected pixel is selectively designated as an anomalous pixel based on the processing.

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 provided to monitor electrical equipment. In some implementations, a monitoring system for a cabinet may include an infrared camera and a non-thermal camera. The infrared camera may be configured to capture one or more thermal images of at least a portion of electrical equipment positioned in an interior cavity of the cabinet. The non-thermal camera may be configured to capture one or more non-thermal images such as visible light images of the portion of electrical equipment. In some implementations, combined images may be generated that include characteristics of the thermal images and the non-thermal images for viewing by a user. In some implementations, the cameras 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 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: Various techniques are disclosed for testing and/or calibrating infrared imaging modules. For example, a method of calibrating an infrared imaging module may include providing a plurality of temperature controlled environments. The method may also include transporting the infrared imaging module through the environments. The method may also include performing a measurement in each environment using an infrared sensor assembly of the infrared imaging module and determining a plurality of calibration values for the infrared imaging module based on the measurements.