Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods to intelligently reduce the dynamic range of a signal. Using a histogram analysis of the signal, significant and insignificant portions of the original dynamic range can be identified. Compaction can then be focused on the insignificant portions of the dynamic range, resulting in significant dynamic range reduction with less signal loss. By compacting the little used portions of the original signal, the dynamic range of the rest of the signal can be largely maintained which results in little loss to signal fidelity, and thus mitigates saturation, quantization, signal mutual suppression, and other issues observed in prior art methods.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an imaging device is provided. The method comprises forming a contact pad over a semiconductor substrate. The contact pad has a malleable metal. The method further comprises providing a readout circuit having a first side and a contact plug. The contact plug has a base affixed to the first side of the readout circuit and a plurality of prongs extending from the base away from the first side. The first side of the readout circuit is moved towards the substrate so that the prongs of the contact plug are pressed into the pad and displace a portion of the pad into a space defined by and between a first and a second of the prongs. Stop elements formed over the substrate are aligned with and contact stop elements provided on the readout circuit so that the prongs are inhibited from passing completely through the contact pad.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for providing temperature data in a video stream are provided. The method includes receiving a video stream having a plurality of video frames with a first frame rate and receiving temperature data having a plurality of temperature frames with a slower second frame rate. To interlace the temperature data, a subset of temperature frames in the plurality of temperature frames can be extracted. The method further includes transmitting each temperature frame in the subset of temperature frames with the plurality of video frames in a data stream. The method may further include identifying missing data in the subset of temperature frames and correlating the missing data with the plurality of video frames. Based on the correlation of the missing data with the plurality of video frames, missing data can be provided to the subset of temperature frames to reconstruct the full plurality of temperature frames.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling stray light reflections are provided. An optical system includes an aperture having an optical axis passing therethrough, one or more optical elements disposed along an optical path, and a detector disposed along the optical path. The system further includes an optical housing disposed between the aperture and the detector. The interior surface of the optical housing includes a predetermined surface feature adapted to control reflections of stray light along the optical path between the aperture and the detector. A method of fabricating an optical housing includes forming a pattern comprising a predetermined surface feature on an interior surface of the optical housing. The predetermined surface feature is configured to control reflections of stray light along an optical path between an aperture at a proximal end of the optical housing and a detector at a distal end of the optical housing.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for generating a temperature map of a scene are provided. The method may include receiving thermal data of the scene, wherein the thermal data includes a plurality of frames of thermal infrared data. A mapping may be created for each frame of the plurality of frames based on the digital thermal infrared data. The method further comprises generating the temperature map using the mapping, wherein the temperature map is generated prior to a contrast enhancement process and separately transmitting the temperature map and the digital thermal infrared data in a data channel.

Abstract: A system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, having an optical device and a shock attenuator is provided. The optical device is configured to operate with a weapon. The shock attenuator is disposed between the optical device and the weapon. The system includes the shock attenuator that is configured to reduce shock experienced by the optical device during operation of the weapon to less than 250 g's.

Abstract: A thermal imaging camera includes an infrared detector operable to capture thermal video data, a processor coupled to the infrared detector and operable to process the thermal video data, and at least one communications interface operable to communicate the processed thermal video data to a consumer mobile device coupled thereto.

Abstract: An imaging system which includes a housing for a radiation detector having a window disposed above and in axial alignment with the radiation detector, a variable aperture assembly which includes a base ring having a first opening and mounted on the radiation detector housing such that the first opening is in axial alignment with the window, a plate having a first aperture and adapted to engage the base ring such that the first aperture is disposed over the window, at least one aperture blade each operatively coupled to the base ring, and an aperture drive mechanism having a body and an actuator coupling member extending at an angle from the body. In addition, the imaging system includes an actuator assembly having an actuator and an actuator arm, the actuator arm disposed adjacent to the radiation detector housing in proximity to the actuator coupling member.

Abstract: Methods and structures of photodetectors are described. The structure may include a readout integrated circuit substrate having an internally integrated capacitor. The structure may additionally include an external capacitor overlying the readout integrated circuit substrate. The external capacitor may be coupled with the internally integrated capacitor of the readout integrated circuit substrate, and configured to operate in parallel with the internally integrated capacitor of the readout integrated circuit substrate. The structure may also include a detector overlying the external capacitor.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a pulsed radiation source may include an imaging sensor having a frame rate that is less than a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of the pulsed radiation source. A processing unit may be in communication with the imaging sensor, and be configured to (i) process a sequence of image data of a scene captured by the imaging sensor to determine whether radiation of the pulsed radiation source is detected, (ii) determine a PRF code of the pulsed radiation source from possible multiple different PRF codes based on the processed sequence of image data, and (iii) notify a user of the PRF code or information associated with the PRF code.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing video are provided. A method includes receiving first and second video signals and generating a mask as a function of the second video signal, the mask having mask and peripheral areas. The method displays the first video signal in the peripheral area and processes the second video signal in the mask area. The method displays the processed second video signal in the mask area. A system includes a processor and a memory with stored instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive first and second video signals and generate a mask as a function of the second video signal, wherein the mask has a mask area and a peripheral area. The system displays the first video signal in the peripheral area, processes the second video signal in the mask area, and displays the processed second video signal in the mask area.

Abstract: Methods and structures of photodetectors are described. The structure may include a readout integrated circuit substrate having an internally integrated capacitor. The structure may additionally include an external capacitor overlying the readout integrated circuit substrate. The external capacitor may be coupled with the internally integrated capacitor of the readout integrated circuit substrate, and configured to operate in parallel with the internally integrated capacitor of the readout integrated circuit substrate. The structure may also include a detector overlying the external capacitor.

Abstract: A radiation detector is provided that includes a photodiode having a radiation absorber with a graded multilayer structure. Each layer of the absorber is formed from a semiconductor material, such as HgCdTe. A first of the layers is formed to have a first predetermined wavelength cutoff. A second of the layers is disposed over the first layer and beneath the first surface of the absorber through which radiation is received. The second layer has a graded composition structure of the semiconductor material such that the wavelength cutoff of the second layer varies from a second predetermined wavelength cutoff to the first predetermined wavelength cutoff such that the second layer has a progressively smaller bandgap than the first bandgap of the first layer. The graded multilayer radiation absorber structure enables carriers to flow toward a conductor that is used for measuring the radiation being sensed by the radiation absorber.

Abstract: A method for reducing scintillation in an image of a scene includes receiving an input sequence of images of the scene and grouping a first plurality of images of the sequence of images into a first subset of images comprising a first number of images that occur in sequence within the input sequence of images of the scene. The method also includes grouping a second plurality of images of the sequence of images into a second subset of images comprising a second number of images that occur in sequence within the input sequence of images of the scene. The method further includes generating a set of averaged images comprising an averaged image for the first subset of images and an averaged image for the second subset of image and outputting a composite image based at least the set of averaged images.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing video are provided. A method includes receiving first and second video signals and generating a mask as a function of the second video signal, the mask having mask and peripheral areas. The method displays the first video signal in the peripheral area and processes the second video signal in the mask area. The method displays the processed second video signal in the mask area. A system includes a processor and a memory with stored instructions, that, when executed by the processor, cause to processor to receive first and second video signals and generate a mask as a function of the second video signal, wherein the mask has a mask area and a peripheral area. The system displays the first video signal in the peripheral area, processes the second video signal in the mask area, and displays the processed second video signal in the mask area.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for blind image deconvolution. One method of blind image deconvolution comprises capturing a video using an imaging device and measuring a sharpness degradation metric for the video. The method further comprises determining parameters of a point spread function (PSF) corresponding to the sharpness degradation metric using a predetermined equation and performing deconvolution on at least one frame of the video using the PSF and the determined parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a detector that measures radiation. The apparatus also includes a window that is relationally coupled to the detector and a shield, so that the window is in between the detector and the shield. The apparatus further includes the shield that emits substantially constant radiation, and substantially blocks radiation from a camera housing at least partially surrounding the shield, so that the detector measures radiation passing through an optical system and the shield.

Abstract: A multi-axis motor includes a first elongate magnet member disposed in a first orientation and a second elongate magnet member disposed in a second orientation orthogonal to the first orientation and mechanically coupled to the first elongate magnet member. The first elongate magnet member is operable to adjust a first axis of a fine axis structure. The second elongate magnet member is operable to adjust a second axis of the fine axis structure.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and apparatuses that include a focusable lens, as well as methods for focusing the optical lens. The focusable lens system includes a single element lens having a concave refractive surface characterized by a first radius of curvature and a convex refractive surface characterized by a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. A detector element generates electrical signals representative of infrared rays refracted by the single element lens and incident on the detector element, and an aperture stop is disposed around an optical axis of the optical system and secured in a constant position relative to the detector element, the aperture stop configured to limit a cone angle of rays refracted by the single element lens. They system also includes image processing circuitry configured to generate digital pixilation data based on electrical signals generated by the detector element.

Abstract: A system and method of image processing is provided, including implementing adaptive pixel replacement techniques or reducing noise. The method includes obtaining a data map of an image frame, wherein the data map comprises good pixels and bad pixels at locations associated with the data map. The method also includes assigning different techniques to the bad pixels, wherein a first technique is assigned to a first bad pixel and a second technique is assigned to a second bad pixel. The method further includes adjusting information associated with the bad pixels for a chosen technique for each of the bad pixels.