Abstract: The HCPV industry has converged on the use of relatively inexpensive Fresnel refractive optics to concentrate sunlight to 500-1000 suns or more. One fundamental disadvantage of using Fresnel optics is their susceptibility to chromatic aberration. With a Fresnel lens, this chromatic aberration increases as a function of distance away from the optical axis of a lens—that is, greater chromatic aberration is seen as one moves along a radius away from the center of a Fresnel lens. Embodiments herein disclose TIR-mediated optics which can be used alone or with Fresnel-mediated optics to concentrate solar energy. The system and method described herein utilize novel TIR and Fresnel concentrator designs to enable lower F-number optical systems, resulting in smaller systems with higher concentrations of solar energy than is currently attainable with Fresnel lenses alone (or with secondary optics) while simultaneously minimizing chromatic aberration.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting glass breakage using thermal imaging is provided. The system includes an infrared image detector for acquiring an infrared image of a monitored area, and a signal processor for processing the acquired images to determine removal of a glass door or window based on a comparison of the thermal signature of the acquired image against the thermal signature of a reference image. Specifically, signal processor subtracts the reference image data from the acquired image data, which results in a substantially uniform image when the acquired image matches the reference image. On the other hand, the image resulting from the subtraction exhibits significant non-uniformity when the acquired image does not match the reference image, as would be the case if the pane of glass of a door or window were broken, removed or opened.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting glass breakage using thermal imaging is provided. The system includes an infrared image detector for acquiring an infrared image of a monitored area, and a signal processor for processing the acquired images to determine removal of a glass door or window based on a comparison of the thermal signature of the acquired image against the thermal signature of a reference image. Specifically, signal processor subtracts the reference image data from the acquired image data, which results in a substantially uniform image when the acquired image matches the reference image. On the other hand, the image resulting from the subtraction exhibits significant non-uniformity when the acquired image does not match the reference image, as would be the case if the pane of glass of a door or window were broken, removed or opened.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting glass breakage using thermal imaging is provided. The system includes an infrared image detector for acquiring an infrared image of a monitored area, and a signal processor for processing the acquired images to determine removal of a glass door or window based on a comparison of the thermal signature of the acquired image against the thermal signature of a reference image. Specifically, signal processor subtracts the reference image data from the acquired image data, which results in a substantially uniform image when the acquired image matches the reference image. On the other hand, the image resulting from the subtraction exhibits significant non-uniformity when the acquired image does not match the reference image, as would be the case if the pane of glass of a door or window were broken, removed or opened.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting glass breakage using thermal imaging is provided. The system includes an infrared image detector for acquiring an infrared image of a monitored area, and a signal processor for processing the acquired images to determine removal of a glass door or window based on a comparison of the thermal signature of the acquired image against the thermal signature of a reference image. Specifically, signal processor subtracts the reference image data from the acquired image data, which results in a substantially uniform image when the acquired image matches the reference image. On the other hand, the image resulting from the subtraction exhibits significant non-uniformity when the acquired image does not match the reference image, as would be the case if the pane of glass of a door or window were broken, removed or opened.

Abstract: An optical filter device for filtering radiation energy includes a substrate having a plurality of coating layers which are both transmissive to a specified wavelength band of radiation. The plurality of coating layers on a surface of the substrate each have a specified coating thickness. The plurality of coating layers cause destructive interference and/or reflection of the radiation outside the specified wavelength band of the radiation while radiation within the specified wavelength band is passed through the substrate and the plurality of coating layers. The substrate or window/filter may be positioned in a housing between a receiving element such as a pyroelectric element and the radiation energy wherein the specified wavelength band of radiation passes through the substrate and plurality of coating layers to the pyroelectric element. A signaling device communicates a signal indicating when the radiation energy within the specified wavelength band reaches the at least one pyroelectric element.

Abstract: A system and method of discerning human intrusion from animal presence without compromising sensitivity to human intruders exhibiting low intensity infrared signatures. At least four infrared sensing elements are arranged with at least one horizontal pair and at least one vertical pair, such as within a quad-sensing element device. To generate an intrusion alert in a pet-immune mode, simultaneous changes in infrared energy must be registered in at least two vertically adjacent detection zones spanning two tiers of sensing elements, corresponding to detecting a standing or semi-standing human intruder. Intrusion is generated in a non-pet-immune detection mode in response to registering sufficient infrared activity within any one or more individual detection zones. The focal lengths of the lens elements and position of the lens tiers are configured to produce a vertical separation of detection tiers sufficient to prevent a pet from simultaneously occupying space in two vertically adjacent detection zones.