Abstract: A radiometric camera having internal black body components and a method for calibrating a radiometric camera having internal black body components. A radiometric camera includes a detector, the detector further including a thermal detector configured to capture thermal images, wherein the thermal detector is pointed in a direction, wherein the radiometric camera is adapted to receive at least one black body element in front of the detector with respect to the direction of the thermal detector, the thermal detector having a plurality of portions including at least one first portion, wherein the at least one black body element affects radiation readings by the at least one first portion of a plurality of portions of the thermal detector when disposed in the radiometric camera.

Abstract: A system for securing an infrared camera lens in optical alignment with an infrared camera sensor, including: a computer-controlled robotic arm configured to adjust a relative position of the infrared camera sensor and the infrared camera lens so as to bring the infrared camera lens into an ideal lens position with respect to the infrared camera sensor; and at least one computer-controlled welder, the at least one computer-controlled welder being configured to perform welding together of at least two parts of the infrared camera after the infrared camera lens is positioned by the robotic arm in the ideal lens position with respect to the infrared sensor camera such that the infrared camera lens is permanently maintained in the ideal lens position.

Abstract: A system for securing an infrared camera lens in optical alignment with a multiple pixel infrared camera sensor, comprising: a computer-controlled robotic arm to adjust a relative position of the camera sensor and the camera lens so as to bring the lens into an ideal lens position with respect to the camera sensor, wherein the ideal lens position is determined based on focus sharpness over at least a plurality of pixels at the camera sensor of at least one projected calibration target as focused by the camera lens on the camera sensor; and at least one computer-controlled welder that is adapted to perform welding together of at least two metal parts of the camera after the camera lens is positioned by the robotic arm in the ideal lens position with respect to the camera sensor such that the camera lens is permanently maintained in the ideal lens position.

Abstract: A window for resistive heating and a camera apparatus including a window for resistive heating. The window includes a transparent member having an outer edge, wherein the transparent member is made of a first material, wherein the first material is a low conductivity material; and at least one set of two conductive pads disposed on the outer edge of the transparent member and electrically coupled to at least one source of electricity, wherein each conductive pad is made of a second material, wherein matter disposed on the transparent member is removed via resistive heating when electricity is conducted from the at least one source through the at least one set of two conductive pads and the transparent member.

Abstract: A camera mounting system and a method for processing images are disclosed. The system includes an external component configured to capture thermal images, and an internal component configured to receive the thermal images. The thermal images are wirelessly transmitted by the external component, the external component is coupled to the internal component via a glass, and the internal component is further configured to wirelessly power the external component.

Abstract: A heatable optical element for a compound lens, the optical element being adapted to (i) provide a focusing function for the compound lens and (ii) be heated by resistive heating upon application of electricity to the heatable optical element. The compound lens including the heatable optical element may be employed in a camera, with the heatable optical element being the most distal optical element from a light sensor of the camera. A method for operating such a camera comprises detecting a present condition of the distal-most element and controlling application of electricity to control heating of the distal-most element in response to the detected present condition of the distal-most element.

Abstract: A system for optical alignment and calibration of an infrared camera lens, including: a lens support mechanism configured to adjust a position of an infrared camera lens relative to a camera body; at least one collimator configured to output infrared rays, wherein the at least one collimator is positioned such that the output infrared rays converge on an infrared sensor within the camera body through the infrared camera lens; and at least one curing catalyst configured to cure an adhesive placed on the infrared camera lens when an ideal lens position is determined.

Abstract: A radiometric camera having internal black body components and a method for calibrating a radiometric camera having internal black body components. A radiometric camera includes a detector, the detector further including a thermal detector configured to capture thermal images, wherein the thermal detector is pointed in a direction, wherein the radiometric camera is adapted to receive at least one black body element in front of the detector with respect to the direction of the thermal detector, the thermal detector having a plurality of portions including at least one first portion, wherein the at least one black body element affects radiation readings by the at least one first portion of a plurality of portions of the thermal detector when disposed in the radiometric camera.

Abstract: A system for optical alignment and calibration of an infrared camera lens, including: a lens support mechanism configured to adjust a position of an infrared camera lens relative to a camera body that includes: a hexapod platform and a robotic arm to manipulate the position of the infrared camera lens that extends from the hexapod platform and is coupled thereto to be continually oriented parallel to the hexapod platform and to maintain the infrared camera lens continually oriented parallel to the orientation of the hexapod platform; at least one collimator configured to output infrared rays, wherein the at least one collimator is positioned such that the output infrared rays converge on an infrared sensor within the camera body through the infrared camera lens; and at least one curing catalyst configured to cure an adhesive placed on the infrared camera lens when an ideal lens position is determined.

Abstract: A system for securing an infrared camera lens in optical alignment with an infrared camera sensor, including: a computer-controlled robotic arm configured to adjust a relative position of the infrared camera sensor and the infrared camera lens so as to bring the infrared camera lens into an ideal lens position with respect to the infrared camera sensor; and at least one computer-controlled welder, the at least one computer-controlled welder being configured to perform welding together of at least two parts of the infrared camera after the infrared camera lens is positioned by the robotic arm in the ideal lens position with respect to the infrared sensor camera such that the infrared camera lens is permanently maintained in the ideal lens position.

Abstract: A system for optical alignment and calibration of an infrared camera lens, including: a lens support mechanism configured to adjust a position of an infrared camera lens relative to a camera body that includes: a hexapod platform and a robotic arm to manipulate the position of the infrared camera lens that extends from the hexapod platform and is coupled thereto to be continually oriented parallel to the hexapod platform and to maintain the infrared camera lens continually oriented parallel to the orientation of the hexapod platform; at least one collimator configured to output infrared rays, wherein the at least one collimator is positioned such that the output infrared rays converge on an infrared sensor within the camera body through the infrared camera lens; and at least one curing catalyst configured to cure an adhesive placed on the infrared camera lens when an ideal lens position is determined.

Abstract: A system for optical alignment and calibration of an infrared camera lens, including: a lens support mechanism configured to adjust a position of an infrared camera lens relative to a camera body; at least one collimator configured to output infrared rays, wherein the at least one collimator is positioned such that the output infrared rays converge on an infrared sensor within the camera body through the infrared camera lens; and at least one curing catalyst configured to cure an adhesive placed on the infrared camera lens when an ideal lens position is determined.

Abstract: A system for optical alignment and calibration of an infrared camera lens, including: a lens support mechanism configured to adjust a position of an infrared camera lens relative to a camera body; at least one collimator configured to output infrared rays, wherein the at least one collimator is positioned such that the output infrared rays converge on an infrared sensor within the camera body through the infrared camera lens; and at least one curing catalyst configured to cure an adhesive placed on the infrared camera lens when an ideal lens position is determined.

Abstract: A camera mounting system and a method for processing images are disclosed. The system includes an external component configured to capture thermal images, and an internal component configured to receive the thermal images. The thermal images are wirelessly transmitted by the external component, the external component is coupled to the internal component via a glass, and the internal component is further configured to wirelessly power the external component.

Abstract: An infrared camera assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes: a vehicle component having a front surface; a shutterless far-infrared (FIR) camera mounted within the vehicle component, wherein the shutterless FIR camera is utilized to output at least one thermal video stream processed by the autonomous vehicle system; and a protective window disposed on at least a portion of the front surface of the vehicle component, where the protective window is positioned to be aligned with a lens of the FIR camera, so as to allow the shutterless FIR camera to capture images therethrough.

Abstract: A camera apparatus. The camera apparatus includes a housing having a front end and a back end; a lens, wherein the lens is disposed in the front end of the housing; and a thermal core, wherein the thermal core is disposed between the lens and the back end of the housing, the thermal core further comprising: at least one substrate; at least one thermally conductive member configured to remove heat from the thermal core; and an infrared imager affixed to one of the at least one substrate, the infrared imager configured to capture an infrared video stream.

Abstract: A camera apparatus. The camera apparatus includes a housing having a front end and a back end; a lens, wherein the lens is disposed in the front end of the housing; and a thermal core, wherein the thermal core is disposed between the lens and the back end of the housing, the thermal core further comprising: at least one substrate; at least one thermally conductive member configured to remove heat from the thermal core; and an infrared imager affixed to one of the at least one substrate, the infrared imager configured to capture an infrared video stream.

Abstract: An infrared camera assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes: a vehicle component having a front surface; a shutterless far-infrared (FIR) camera mounted within the vehicle component, wherein the shutterless FIR camera is utilized to output at least one thermal video stream processed by the autonomous vehicle system; and a protective window disposed on at least a portion of the front surface of the vehicle component, where the protective window is positioned to be aligned with a lens of the FIR camera, so as to allow the shutterless FIR camera to capture images therethrough.

Abstract: A window for resistive heating and a camera apparatus including a window for resistive heating. The window includes a transparent member having an outer edge, wherein the transparent member is made of a first material, wherein the first material is a low conductivity material; and at least one set of two conductive pads disposed on the outer edge of the transparent member and electrically coupled to at least one source of electricity, wherein each conductive pad is made of a second material, wherein matter disposed on the transparent member is removed via resistive heating when electricity is conducted from the at least one source through the at least one set of two conductive pads and the transparent member.

Abstract: A camera apparatus. The camera apparatus includes a housing having a front end and a back end; a lens, wherein the lens is disposed in the front end of the housing; and a thermal core, wherein the thermal core is disposed between the lens and the back end of the housing, the thermal core further including: an electrical component; at least one substrate electrically connected to the electrical component; and an infrared imager configured to capture an infrared video stream, wherein the infrared imager is affixed to one of the at least one substrate.