Abstract: A traffic monitoring device may comprise a radar and a camera, the radar having a radar field of view extending around a radar central axis and the camera having a camera field of view extending around a camera central axis that are both situated in such a manner that the radar field of view is situated within the camera field of view. The radar and the camera may be positioned so that their a central axis of each field of view makes a predetermined angle with respect to the other, the radar being provided for determining coordinates of moving objects within the radar field of view. The device may comprise selecting means a processing unit to provided for selecting within the image an image section or portion, and a data processing unit to for transforming the coordinates of the moving object within the image portion into further coordinates relative to an image reference frame and for to displaying within the image portion an identifier at the further coordinates.

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: 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: Systems and methods are directed to contacts for an infrared detector. For example, an infrared imaging device includes a substrate having a first metal layer and an infrared detector array coupled to the substrate via a plurality of contacts. Each contact includes for an embodiment a second metal layer formed on the first metal layer; a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer, wherein the third metal layer at least partially fills an inner portion of the contact; and a first passivation layer formed on the third metal layer.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing a radar system. In one example, such a radar system includes a radar unit adapted to broadcast radar signals and receive return signals in response thereto. The radar unit includes a waveform generator adapted to provide pulse waveforms of different pulse widths and Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) waveforms, wherein the waveforms are interleaved with each other to provide a transmission sequence for the radar signals for detection of long range and short range targets, a power amplifier adapted to amplify the radar signals for broadcast, and an antenna adapted to broadcast the radar signals and receive the return signals. Other examples of radar systems and related methods are also provided.

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.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed to detect and mitigate the effects of burn-in events occurring in thermal imaging systems. Such events may be attributable to the sun (e.g., solar burn-in) and/or other high thermal energy sources. In one example, a method includes detecting a burn-in event that causes thermal images captured by a focal plane array (FPA) to exhibit a blemish; and mitigating the blemish in the thermal images. In another example, a thermal imaging system includes a focal plane array (FPA) adapted to capture thermal images; and a processor adapted to: detect a burn-in event that causes the thermal images to exhibit a blemish, and mitigate the blemish in the thermal images.

Abstract: A laser illuminator/pointer can have an array of diode lasers for providing laser beams. A beam shaping optic can shape each of the laser beams. A movable, substantially transparent window can be in a path of the laser beams. A plurality of diffusers can be disposed on the window and can be positioned to vary a divergence of at least one of the laser beams when the window is moved.

Abstract: A pan tilt tracking mount is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the pan tilt tracking mount includes an at least one housing, wherein interior dimensions of the at least one housing are precisely defined; a first assembly located within the at least one housing based upon at least one of the precisely defined interior dimensions, the first assembly including a first shaft and a first worm gear set, wherein the first worm gear set allows tilt rotation of the first assembly; and a second assembly located within the at least one housing based upon at least one of the precisely defined interior dimensions, the second assembly including a second shaft and a second worm gear set, wherein the second worm gear set allows pan rotation of the second assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide for infrared camera systems and methods for dual sensor applications. For example, in one embodiment, an enhanced vision system comprises an image capture component having a visible light sensor to capture visible light images and an infrared sensor to capture infrared images. The system comprises a first control component adapted to provide a plurality of selectable processing modes to a user, receive a user input corresponding to a user selected processing mode, and generate a control signal indicative of the user selected processing mode, wherein the plurality of selectable processing modes includes a visible light only mode, infrared only mode, and a combined visible-infrared mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the presence of oxidizing salts. According to the current invention, analyte is collected on a swipe and subsequently heated to a temperature sufficient to release a detectable vapor phase component of the oxidizing salt. The vapor phase component passes reacts with a pH sensitive molecule. Reaction of the vapor phase product with the pH sensitive molecule produces a detectable change in response intensity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe an illuminator having a light source to originate an illumination beam, wherein the light source further comprises a set of vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), including a first VCSEL having a first laser emission wavelength, and a second VCSEL having a second laser emission wavelength different than the first laser emission wavelength. Thus, by varying laser emission wavelengths of VCSELs in a VCSEL array, embodiments of the invention produce low-contrast speckle, and do not limit the imaging capabilities of the host illumination system. In some embodiments of the invention, vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VECSELs) are utilized to produce the above described varying laser emission wavelengths.

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 provided for performing detection using a focal plane array (FPA). For example, in one embodiment, a unit cell of an FPA may be implemented to support rapid sampling in response to one or more laser pulses reflected from an object or feature of interest. An FPA implemented with such unit cells may be used, for example, in an imaging system capable of detecting a plurality of two dimensional image frames and providing a three dimensional image using the detected two dimensional image frames. Other applications of such rapid sampling unit cells are also contemplated.

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.

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: A microbolometer is disclosed, including a bottom multilayered dielectric, having a first silicon oxynitride layer and a second silicon oxynitride layer disposed above the first silicon oxynitride layer, the first and second silicon oxynitride layers having different refractive indices. The microbolometer further includes a detector layer disposed above the bottom multilayered dielectric, the detector layer comprised of a temperature sensitive resistive material, and a top dielectric disposed above the detector layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a tunable absorption-emission band in a wavelength selective device are disclosed. A device for selectively absorbing incident electromagnetic radiation includes an electrically conductive surface layer including an arrangement of multiple surface elements. The surface layer is disposed at a nonzero height above a continuous electrically conductive layer. An electrically isolating intermediate layer defines a first surface that is in communication with the electrically conductive surface layer. The continuous electrically conductive backing layer is provided in communication with a second surface of the electrically isolating intermediate layer. When combined with an infrared source, the wavelength selective device emits infrared radiation in at least one narrow band determined by a resonance of the device. In some embodiments, the device includes a control feature that allows the resonance to be selectively modified.