Abstract: A digital enhanced vision system assembled and adapted for mobile use by personnel in surveillance operations. The inventive system comprises separate infrared sensor channels, one featuring a short wave infrared (SWIR) camera and the other, a thermal imaging camera with a micro-bolometer for long wave infrared (LWIR) detection, each of the cameras being fixed and similarly directed upon the viewed scene to collect real-time visual data of the scene in their respective infrared bands. Respective data outputs from the SWIR and LWIR cameras are connected to an advanced vision processor for digitally fusing the respective data on a pixel-by-pixel basis providing significant enhancements to the viewed scene in a visual image presented for biocular display to both eyes of the user.

Abstract: An improved thermal imaging camera system is adapted to be releasably mounted to a protective helmet typically worn by a firefighter or other emergency personnel at an incident site. The present system comprises a thermal imaging camera assembly having a single eyepiece display flexibly coupled thereto, a protective housing for the camera assembly and a specially adapted mounting bracket assembly for releasably stationing the camera assembly and its protective housing in a central position on the helmet. The camera assembly further includes and integrates a miniaturized infrared camera unit with associated battery power supply and control electronics for high resolution image production. The single eyepiece display is flexibly coupled to the camera assembly and its housing by means of an articulated arm that accommodates positioning of the display in front of either the left or right eye of the user-wearer with or without an air mask or other protective interface being worn over the face of the user-wearer.