Patents Assigned to FLIR System, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120275038
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for an optical system is provided. Two concentric eccentric rings support a back end of an optical element. The movements of the two rings relative to each other re-position the back end to affect the orientation of the field of view of the optical element. A clamp ring is provided to fix the position of the back end after the adjustment is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8298496
    Abstract: A fluidic configuration, both structural and methodological, for the injection of sample greatly reduces dead volume allowing rapid transition to 100% sample in a flow cell. For a continuous flow injection analysis system the structure and method provide counter flows to remove in one direction the dispersed region of the sample to waste before injecting non-dispersed sample into the flow cell by reversing the effective flow direction. The injection point itself is directly adjacent to the flow cell where all channels are microfluidic channels. Therefore, only the flow cell volume needs to be displaced during injection of sample in order to achieve 100% transition to sample within the flow cell. This greatly accelerates the rise and fall times thereby extending the kinetic range of the real-time interaction analysis instrument. In addition such rapid transition to sample improves overall data quality thereby improving kinetic model fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gerard Quinn
  • Patent number: 8287811
    Abstract: The current invention provides a passive sampling device suitable for collecting and detecting the presence of target analytes. In particular, the passive sampling device is suitable for detecting nitro-aromatic compounds. The current invention further provides a passive sampling device reader suitable for determining the collection of target analytes. Additionally, the current invention provides methods for detecting target analytes using the passive sampling device and the passive sampling device reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross James Harper, Marcus la Grone, Mark Fisher
  • Publication number: 20120249863
    Abstract: A boresight alignment system facilitates aligning a plurality of cameras and/or images of the cameras with respect to one another. The system may have a mount configured to facilitate attachment of a bezel containing a plurality of cameras to the mount. The system may have a plurality of targets and each target may be configured to provide light of at least two different wavelengths and/or ranges of wavelengths. One or more baffles may be disposed optically between the mount and the target assembly to inhibit stray light from being incident upon the cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Marco A. Scussat, Richard M. Goeden, Jeffrey S. Scott, Richard G. Lane, Gary B. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8269893
    Abstract: A compact optical payload for an unmanned aircraft includes two infrared cameras for wide and narrow field viewing, a daylight color camera, a laser pointer and a laser range finder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen V. McKaughan, Philip A. Rombult, Robert J. Campbell, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120224063
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide, for some embodiments, infrared cameras and target position acquisition techniques for various applications. For example, in one embodiment, a system may include a portable imaging/viewing subsystem having a target position finder and may also include a fixed mount camera subsystem having a camera and a camera positioner. A communications link may be configured to communicate a signal from the target position finder to the camera positioner. The signal may be representative of a position of a target being imaged/viewed with the portable imaging/viewing subsystem. The camera positioner may aim the camera toward the target in response to the signal. The target may, for example, be a man overboard. Thus, the system may be useful in search and rescue operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: William A. Terre, Jeffrey D. Frank, James T. Woolaway, Austin A. Richards, Patrick B. Richardson, Nicholas Högasten
  • Patent number: 8245585
    Abstract: The current invention provides a modulated pressure wave vapor generator suitable for use outside of the laboratory. The vapor generator of the current invention produces a controlled analyte vapor sample without using bulk movement of gas. Additionally, the current invention compensates for changes in the environment to ensure discharge of the preferred volume of analyte from the vapor generator. Finally, the current invention provides a method for generating a controlled volume of analyte vapor suitable for calibrating vapor sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Szabo, Matthew Laurence Dock, Craig Allen Aker
  • Publication number: 20120207401
    Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for obtaining and/or correcting images, particularly from atmospheric and/or other distortions. These corrections may involve, among others, collecting two or more sets of image data corresponding to images of the same scene in different wavelength regimes, and using correlations between wavelength and expected distortion to distinguish apparent image motion due to distortion from apparent image motion due to object or scene motion. These systems may be useful in any suitable imaging context, including navigation, targeting, search and rescue, law enforcement, commercial video cameras and/or surveillance, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Cynthia I. Archer
  • Patent number: 8243274
    Abstract: A diesel particulate matter (DPM) monitor that can be worn, attached to a particular location or piece of equipment, and collects real-time data about DPM levels. In an exemplary embodiment, ambient air is drawn by a flow-controlled diaphragm pump through a particle size selector which only passes submicron particles. These particles are collected on an optically transparent filter. A laser illuminates the filter and the transmittance of the laser beam is measured in real-time by a photo detector. As DPM accumulates on the filter, the laser transmittance decreases. The instrument is calibrated to convert this decrease in transmittance to a real-time concentration of elemental carbon in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Aiken, Trever Edward William Skilnick
  • Publication number: 20120200212
    Abstract: A modular, self-contained optical box is provided. The optical box has a back plate fixedly attached to a front wall. Optical sensors, such as infrared cameras, visible cameras and optical pointers, are fixedly attached to the front wall and the back plate. Distal, round ends of the optical sensors are captured by translation plates. Each translation plate is capable of moving the distal end of the optical element in two directions to or in a planar fashion to align the optical element to the optical box, or to adjust the line of sight of the optical sensors relative to the optical box, before securing the distal end of the optical element. The optical box is designed to be incorporated into a gimbal, and the front wall forms a part of an outer housing of the gimbal. In one embodiment, the optical box is rotatable about one axis relative to the gimbal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas K. Hebert
  • Patent number: 8228379
    Abstract: In a night vision arrangement for a motor vehicle in which a camera captures an infra-red image of the roadway in front of the vehicle, a video signal generated by the camera is processed by a signal processor so that the field of view of the image displayed by a display unit is selected in accordance with a control signal. The control signal is generated by a signal generator which is responsive to one or more parameters of the movement of the vehicle. The width of the field of view may be decreased with increasing speed. The axial direction of the field of view may be adjusted depending upon the nature of a turning movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Autoliv Development AB, Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan-Erik Kallhammer, Dick Eriksson, Lars Karlsson, Staffan Straat
  • Patent number: 8223206
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for identifying filters used with infrared cameras. A plurality of filters may be installed in a filter wheel of an infrared camera. Identifiers associated with the filters may be read by the infrared camera to identify the various types of filters currently installed in the filter wheel. The installed filters can be selected by the camera or a user for use in particular applications as desired. For example, filters may be selected based on associations between the filters, filter identifiers, and targets stored in a table or other record maintained by the infrared camera. Settings of the infrared camera may be adjusted in response to filter selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, inc.
    Inventors: Brian Cromwell, Calvin Banks
  • Publication number: 20120161001
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a dual-band focal plane array includes a readout circuit (ROIC), and a plurality of electro-optical (EO) polymer pixels for absorbing visible and/or short wave infrared (SWIR) radiation, each of the EO polymer pixels electrically coupled to the ROIC. The detector further includes a plurality of microbolometers for detecting long wave infrared (LWIR) radiation, each microbolometer electrically coupled to the ROIC via contact legs disposed between adjacent microbolometers and between adjacent EO polymer pixels. A method of fabricating a focal plane array is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard E. Bornfreund
  • Patent number: 8208755
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide scene-based non-uniformity correction for infrared images, in accordance with one or more embodiments. For example in one embodiment, a method of processing infrared images of a scene captured by an infrared image sensor comprising a plurality of sensor elements includes receiving a first frame comprising a first plurality of pixel data of a first infrared image; receiving a second frame comprising a second plurality of pixel data of a second infrared image; determining frame-to-frame motion between the first frame and the second frame, wherein the frame-to-frame motion identifies portions of the first and second pixel data corresponding to identical scene coordinates captured by different sensor elements for the first and second frames; determining irradiance differences between the first and second portions of pixel data; and determining pixel offset information for scene based non-uniformity correction terms based on the irradiance differences and the frame-to-frame motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Hogasten
  • Patent number: 8208026
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for processing an infrared image to receive infrared image data of a non-uniform scene, apply column noise filter correction to the infrared image data, and/or apply row noise filter correction to the infrared image data, and provide corrected infrared image data based on the column and/or row noise filter correction as infrared output image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Högasten, Malin Ingerhed
  • Publication number: 20120154140
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes: a sensor device adapted to selectively monitor a plurality of sensors including an electrical sensor adapted to monitor at least one electrical parameter associated with a circuit and a heat sensor adapted to monitor heat, wherein the sensor device includes a wireless transceiver within the sensor device adapted to transmit measurement information from the selected sensor; and a receiver indicator device adapted to wirelessly receive the measurement information from the sensor device, and provide an indication based on the measurement information to a user operating the receiver indicator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8189050
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide filtering techniques for image processing applications. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a Median-X filtering algorithm is disclosed that may be used for various infrared image processing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Hughes, Nicholas Högasten, Nuwan Nagahawatte
  • Patent number: 8188432
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide for a lens package comprising a housing having a vacuum compatible interior space, a base coupled to the housing, a lens coupled to the housing, and an infrared detector within the housing for providing infrared images representative of infrared energy received through the lens. The housing, base, and lens are adapted to form an infrared detector vacuum package assembly. The housing may include a focal alignment feature that allows for focal adjustment of the lens relative to the infrared detector by applying pressure to at least a portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vu L. Nguyen, Theodore R. Hoelter, Marcel Tremblay, Farhad Mirbod
  • Patent number: 8186873
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for determining thermal resistance values of building materials through the use of infrared cameras. In one example, an infrared camera may be used to capture one or more infrared images of a wall. Using temperatures obtained from the images, a thermal resistance value such as an R-Value associated with the wall may be determined. Potential cost savings associated with adjusting the thermal resistance value may also be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Madding
  • Patent number: D661331
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Woodward, Colin R. French