Abstract: Systems for guiding a user through a workflow routine can include an inspection tool, a user interface, memory, and a processor. The processor can provide instructions via the user interface to perform a workflow routine using the inspection tool and save acquiring inspection data to memory. Instructions can direct a user to which equipment to inspect and/or how to collect inspection data associated with one or more pieces of equipment. Systems can determine which equipment is available for inspection by the user, such as via image recognition or proximity detection, and instruct a user to acquire inspection data associated with such equipment. Workflow routine instructions can be provided to the user via various devices, such as an inspection tool, smartphone, or a tablet.

Abstract: Systems for guiding a user through a workflow routine can include an inspection tool, a user interface, memory, and a processor. The processor can provide instructions via the user interface to perform a workflow routine using the inspection tool and save acquiring inspection data to memory. Instructions can direct a user to which equipment to inspect and/or how to collect inspection data associated with one or more pieces of equipment. Systems can determine which equipment is available for inspection by the user, such as via image recognition or proximity detection, and instruct a user to acquire inspection data associated with such equipment. Workflow routine instructions can be provided to the user via various devices, such as an inspection tool, smartphone, or a tablet.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.

Abstract: Systems for guiding a user through a workflow routine can include an inspection tool, a user interface, memory, and a processor. The processor can provide instructions via the user interface to perform a workflow routine using the inspection tool and save acquiring inspection data to memory. Instructions can direct a user to which equipment to inspect and/or how to collect inspection data associated with one or more pieces of equipment. Systems can determine which equipment is available for inspection by the user, such as via image recognition or proximity detection, and instruct a user to acquire inspection data associated with such equipment. Workflow routine instructions can be provided to the user via various devices, such as an inspection tool, smartphone, or a tablet.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.

Abstract: A thermal imaging camera may be used to capture a visible-light (VL) image and an infrared (IR) image. In some examples, the camera includes a range imaging camera module that captures the VL and an infrared camera module that captures the IR image. In such examples, the VL image may include a plurality of different portions that each correspond to a different portion of the scene and distance-to-target data associated with each of the different portions of the scene. The camera may align each of the plurality of different portions of the VL image based on the distance-to-target data associated with corresponding portions of the scene so as to correct a parallax error between the VL image and the IR image. The camera may then concurrently display the VL image in alignment with the IR image.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to edge detection and presentation in thermal images. Infrared and visible light images comprising at least partially overlapping target scenes are analyzed. An edge detection process is performed on the visible light image to determine which pixels represent edges in the target scene. A display image is generated in which some pixels include infrared image data and in which pixels corresponding to edges in the visible light image include a predetermined color and do not include corresponding infrared image data to emphasize edges. Edge pixels in the display image can include exclusively the predetermined color, or in some examples, a blend of a predetermined color and visible light image data. Methods can include replacing one or the other of visible light edge pixels or corresponding infrared pixels with the predetermined color before combining the visible light and infrared image data to create a display image.

Abstract: Thermal imaging cameras for use in retaking infrared images and methods of retaking thermal images with thermal imaging cameras and possibly employing computational rephotography on a visible light image taken concurrently with an original thermal image to help guide the camera back to the position where the original thermal image was captured.

Abstract: Thermal imaging cameras for use in retaking images and methods of retaking images with thermal imaging cameras that include the creation and use of a pose template that helps guide the camera back to the position where the original image was captured.

Abstract: A graphical user interface facilitates methods for analyzing a temperature distribution across a scene that is captured by a thermal imaging device. Preferably, the interface includes a both a two-dimensional image of the captured scene and a three-dimensional representation of the captured scene. The three-dimensional representation is formed by a plurality of pixels, each of which are coded by a qualitative value from within a range of qualitative values, and each value, within the range, corresponds to a temperature. Each of the plurality of pixels is arranged, in a first and a second dimension of the three dimensions, according to a position of a corresponding pixel of the two-dimensional image, and, in a third dimension, according to a magnitude of the temperature associated therewith.

Abstract: A thermal imaging camera may be used to capture a visible-light (VL) image and an infrared (IR) image. In some examples, the camera includes a range imaging camera module that captures the VL and an infrared camera module that captures the IR image. In such examples, the VL image may include a plurality of different portions that each correspond to a different portion of the scene and distance-to-target data associated with each of the different portions of the scene. The camera may align each of the plurality of different portions of the VL image based on the distance-to-target data associated with corresponding portions of the scene so as to correct a parallax error between the VL image and the IR image. The camera may then concurrently display the VL image in alignment with the IR image.

Abstract: A housing of a thermal imaging camera includes a camera portion, in which an thermal imaging assembly is mounted, and to which a focusing assembly is mounted, on a first side thereof, and to which a display is mounted, on a second side thereof; a handle portion of the housing extends from a bottom side of the camera portion of the housing at an angle, away from the first side of the camera portion. The housing is configured for ergonomic handling wherein an index finger of a hand may readily activate the focusing assembly, when the hand is wrapped about the handle portion of the housing. The hand may be a right hand or a left hand, and the camera may further include additional features to provide support for single-handed operation.

Abstract: A graphical user interface facilitates methods for analyzing a temperature distribution across a scene that is captured by a thermal imaging device. Preferably, the interface includes a both a two-dimensional image of the captured scene and a three-dimensional representation of the captured scene. The three-dimensional representation is formed by a plurality of pixels, each of which are coded by a qualitative value from within a range of qualitative values, and each value, within the range, corresponds to a temperature. Each of the plurality of pixels is arranged, in a first and a second dimension of the three dimensions, according to a position of a corresponding pixel of the two-dimensional image, and, in a third dimension, according to a magnitude of the temperature associated therewith.

Abstract: A housing of a thermal imaging camera includes a camera portion, in which an thermal imaging assembly is mounted, and to which a focusing assembly is mounted, on a first side thereof, and to which a display is mounted, on a second side thereof; a handle portion of the housing extends from a bottom side of the camera portion of the housing at an angle, away from the first side of the camera portion. The housing is configured for ergonomic handling wherein an index finger of a hand may readily activate the focusing assembly, when the hand is wrapped about the handle portion of the housing. The hand may be a right hand or a left hand, and the camera may further include additional features to provide support for single-handed operation.