Abstract: A method of hermetically packaging an electronic device (8), in an enclosure (2) comprising mutually inter-engageable first and second housing members (4, 6), comprising the steps of securing the electronic device (8) to the first housing member (4), engaging the first (4) and second (6) housing members such that an hermetic seal is provided there between, wherein the engagement step is performed in a controlled atmosphere. The hermetic seal may be provided by an interference fit between the first (4) and second (6) housing members or via sealing means (16) interposed between the housing members (4, 6). The second housing member (6) may comprise an optical element (20), for example a window or lens. The packaging method is particularly applicable to packaging thermal detectors, for example microbolometer arrays.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a moving object includes a visible waveband sensor 12 oriented to collect a series of images of the object as it passes through a field of view 16. An image processor 14 uses the series of images to form a composite image. The image processor 14 stores image pixel data for a current image and a predecessor image in the series. It uses information in the current image and its predecessor to analyse images and derive likelihood measures indicating probabilities that current image pixels correspond to parts of the object. The image processor 14 estimates motion between the current image and its predecessor from likelihood weighted pixels. It generates the composite image from frames positioned according to respective estimates of object image motion. Image motion may alternatively be detected by a speed sensor such as a Doppler radar 200 sensing object motion directly and providing image timing signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for communicating with a thermal detector module and an appropriate thermal detector for a use with such a control device. The device for communicating with a thermal detector module comprises a means for providing a collimated beam of thermal infrared radiation and means for modulating the intensity of the collimated beam or thermal infrared radiation. The intensity modulated thermal infrared beam, when directed on to the thermal detector module from a position within the module's field of view, is suitable or triggering a response from the thermal detector module. The intensity modulated thermal infrared beam may also he encoded with a digital signal to control the function of the thermal detector. The invention relates to a device and method for communicating with a thermal detector module and an appropriate thermal detector for a use with such a control device.

Abstract: An Array of detectors can be configured to be read as separate detectors, or to be connected into larger groups, e.g. groups of four (a 2×2 array). This allows the formation of a relatively high definition image, and a much faster formation of a lower resolution image. This may be used with in an automobile to control deployment of safety airbags in accordance with a drivers position relative to the airbags. Preferably the array is a 64×64 array of thermal detectors.

Abstract: A method of calibrating one or more image sensors in terms of position and/or attitude comprising capturing the image of a moving object such as an aircraft at one or more locations determining the 2-d position on the image (sensor). The 3-d position of the aircraft may be known or unknown. The moving object may be captured at a number of locations to improve accuracy.