Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide race route distribution and/or display for mobile structures. A race route distribution and/or display system includes a race route generator, a distribution server, a display board, various race route receivers, and/or a user interface, each of which may be used in conjunction with operation of one or more mobile structures participating in a race to receive a race route from the race route generator and/or distribution server. A race route receiver may include and/or be configured to communicate with a logic device, a memory, one or more sensors, actuators/controllers, and/or corresponding interface modules. The logic device may be adapted to receive the race route and display various portions of the race route to a user using intuitive symbols and/or adjust a directional control signal provided to an actuator of the mobile structure accordingly.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to facilitate electrostatic discharge mitigation for imaging devices. In one example, an imaging device includes an imager assembly. The imaging device further includes a lens holder. The lens holder includes a receiving interface configured to receive a lens assembly therein. The lens holder further includes an alignment pin including electrically conductive material and coupled to the imager assembly to provide an electrostatic discharge path via the imager assembly, where a first portion of the alignment pin has the electrically conductive material exposed and a second portion of the alignment pin has an insulating layer disposed thereon. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Materials and methods may be provided for short-wave infrared (SWIR) superlattice materials. The superlattice material includes a first sub-layer comprising InAs, and a second sub-layer adjacent to the first sub-layer including AlSb, AlAsSb, or InAlAsSb.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to detect pixels exhibiting anomalous behavior in captured image frames. In some examples, temporal anomalous behavior may be identified, such as flickering pixels exhibiting large magnitude changes in pixel values that vary rapidly from frame-to-frame. In some examples, spatial anomalous behavior may be identified, such as pixels exhibiting values that deviate from an expected linear response in comparison with other neighbor pixels.

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: Imaging system comprising an anti-rotation mount and an image detector. The mount may comprise a first frame member having a fixed relation to a set of mutually transverse X, Y, and Z axes, and a second frame member. The second frame member may be connected to the first frame member via a coupling assembly, such that the frame members are not permitted to rotate relative to one another. The mount also may comprise X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis coupling structures each formed at least partially by the coupling assembly and each permitting axial motion of the frame members relative to one another only substantially parallel to the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, respectively. The image detector may be connected to the mount via the second frame member.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided to combine visible and thermal image data. In one example, a method includes receiving visible image data and thermal image data for a scene. The method also includes extracting high spatial frequency content from the visible image data to provide filtered visible image data. The method also includes applying a corresponding gain to the filtered visible image data to provide weighted visible image data. The method also includes merging the weighted visible image data and the thermal image data to provide combined image data. Additional methods, systems, and other implementations are also provided.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for detection systems and methods to detect an object or a recess present on a surface. For example, a detection system includes a laser light source configure to emit a laser beam, a deflector configured to deflect the laser beam by a deflection angle, a modulator configured to modulate the laser beam with a modulation frequency, a control unit configured to control the deflector and the modulator to vary the deflection angle in conjunction with the modulation frequency as a function of time according to a scanning sequence, a memory configured to store the scanning sequence and reference modulation frequencies for corresponding reference times, an optical sensor configured to detect a reflected laser beam, and a signal processor to extract and compare measured modulation frequencies of the detected reflected laser beam with reference modulation frequencies to detect an object or a recess on a surface.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for an improved boresighting apparatus and related method for boresighting a light source to an imaging sensor, and for an improved material to be used in a target object in such a boresighting apparatus. For example, an apparatus for use in boresighting may include a catadioptric element and a target object, where the catadioptric element is configured to focus a laser beam from the light source and also to collimate light emitted from the target object at a different wavelength than the laser beam to be detected by the imaging sensor for indicating the location of the focused laser beam. The target object may, for example, comprises a fluorescent optical material doped with one or more optically active ions to absorb light having the wavelength of the laser beam and emit light in one or more wavebands detectable by the imaging sensors.

Abstract: Various devices including a three-stage switch and an infrared (IR) imaging module and methods for performing FFC using the three-stage switch and the IR imaging module are provided. The three-stage switch may have at least a first position in which the IR imaging module is powered off, a second position in which the IR imaging module is powered on and the shutter is positioned in the FOV, and a third position in which the IR imaging module is powered on and the shutter is positioned out of the FOV, wherein the second position is intermediate in relation to the first position and the third position. A thermal image of the shutter may be captured while the switch is at or adjacent to the second position, and an FFC map of FFC terms may be acquired based on the thermal image of the shutter.

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: 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: Disclosed is an analyte detector with a light blocking assembly. The light blocking assembly includes a light blocking cartridge positioned within the bore of a sampling tip. The light blocking assembly provides fluid communication between the environment and a sensor assembly in an analyte detector while substantially precluding the passage of light.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a wearable apparatus having an integrated infrared imaging module. In one example, a wearable apparatus implemented as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) may include a shield to protect a user from an external environment, one or more infrared imaging modules, a projector, a processor, and a communication module for projecting a user-viewable thermal image onto a surface of the shield. Such infrared imaging modules may be positioned internal to the SCBA for protection from a hazardous external environment. In another example, a wearable apparatus implemented as a welding mask may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a projector, a processor, and a communication module, so as to project a user-viewable thermal image onto a surface of a shield of the welding mask, while at the same time protecting these components and the welder's face from a harsh welding environment.

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, apparatuses, and systems for determining a range on a golf course are disclosed. Methods may utilize infrared imaging to assist in determining a range. An infrared image (e.g., a thermal image) of a portion of a golf course that includes a flagstick is captured. The flagstick includes a thermal target. The thermal target of the flagstick is detected based on the infrared image. A light is emitted to the flagstick based on the detected thermal target. The light reflected from the flagstick is detected. A distance to the flagstick is calculated based on the detected light and the distance is provided. An apparatus for performing the methods may be a thermal-assisted rangefinder that includes an infrared imaging module, a light source, a light detector, a visible light optical device, and a processor. The visible light optical device may include a lens, a display, and/or a visible light camera.

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 implement a modular infrared imager assembly configured to interface with supporting electronics provided, for example, by a third party. In one example, a system includes an imager assembly comprising a focal plane array configured to capture thermal image data from a scene and output the thermal image data, a printed circuit board assembly, and processing electronics communicatively connected to the focal plane array through the printed circuit board assembly and configured to receive and process the thermal image data. The system further includes a connector communicatively connected to the imager assembly and configured to interface with supporting electronics configured to receive and additionally process the thermal image data.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a device having a housing and a lens element configured to pass thermal radiation received from an external environment. The lens element may be an outer surface of the housing exposed to the external environment through an aperture in the housing. The device may also include a focal plane array within the housing and configured to receive the thermal radiation passed by the lens element. The device may further include a heater in thermal contact with the lens element and a controller configured to selectively operate the heater to maintain the lens element within a desired temperature range.