Abstract: A lightweight camera is provided that includes a lightweight lens system that has a reduced number of lenses. Reducing the number of lenses produces a lighter camera, but produces a distorted local image. The distorted local image is captured by the lightweight camera, and is preferably transmitted to a remote station. The remote station then performs image processing on the distorted image to remove at least some of the distortion in the image. Preferably, a Massively Parallel Richardson-Lucy (MPRL) algorithm is used to identify and remove distortion from the image. Also, motion, temperature and inter-detector difference distortion is detected and corrected.

Abstract: A lightweight camera is provided that includes a lightweight lens system that has a reduced number of lenses. Reducing the number of lenses produces a lighter camera, but produces a distorted local image. The distorted local image is captured by the lightweight camera, and is preferably transmitted to a remote station. The remote station then performs image processing on the distorted image to remove at least some of the distortion in the image. Preferably, a Massively Parallel Richardson-Lucy (MPRL) algorithm is used to identify and remove distortion from the image. Also, motion, temperature and inter-detector difference distortion is detected and corrected.

Abstract: A method for reading a microbolometer array that is arranged into a number of rows and columns. Preferably, the method includes deselecting all columns in the microbolometer array for a period of time after a new row read line is selected. This may help reduce transients on the newly selected row read line during an actual read operation.

Abstract: A lightweight camera is provided that includes a lightweight lens system that has a reduced number of lenses. Reducing the number of lenses produces a lighter camera, but produces a distorted local image. The distorted local image is captured by the lightweight camera, and is preferably transmitted to a remote station. The remote station then performs image processing on the distorted image to remove at least some of the distortion in the image. Preferably, a Massively Parallel Richardson-Lucy (MPRL) algorithm is used to identify and remove distortion from the image. Also, motion, temperature and inter-detector difference distortion is detected and corrected.

Abstract: A lightweight camera or detector that does not require a shutter, chopper or thermoelectric stabilizer. Lightweight materials and lightweight packaging techniques are used, and in some embodiments, some or all of the calibration, compensation and processing hardware are moved from the camera itself to a remote station. Such a shutterless, lightweight, IR camera, which may operated at ambient temperature, can be mounted on a micro air vehicle (MAV) or the like, with the raw IR sensor data received and processed by a ground station.

Abstract: A microbolometer for the detection of infrared radiation that has a substrate and an array of sensor elements fixed relative to the substrate. In one embodiment, at least some of the sensor elements are less thermally isolated from the substrate than others. The less thermally isolated sensor elements are selected when transients are expected to exist within the sensor array. In another embodiment, all of the sensor elements are deselected when transients are expected.

Abstract: A microbolometer for the detection of infrared radiation that has a substrate and an array of sensor elements fixed relative to the substrate. In one embodiment, at least some of the sensor elements are less thermally isolated from the substrate than others. The less thermally isolated sensor elements are selected when transients are expected to exist within the sensor array. In another embodiment, all of the sensor elements are deselected when transients are expected.

Abstract: A lightweight camera or detector that does not require a shutter, chopper or thermoelectric stabilizer. Lightweight materials and lightweight packaging techniques are used, and in some embodiments, some or all of the calibration, compensation and processing hardware are moved from the camera itself to a remote station. Such a shutterless, lightweight, IR camera, which may operated at ambient temperature, can be mounted on a micro air vehicle (MAV) or the like, with the raw IR sensor data received and processed by a ground station.

Abstract: A microbolometer for the detection of infrared radiation that has a substrate and an array of sensor elements fixed relative to the substrate. In one embodiment, at least some of the sensor elements are less thermally isolated from the substrate than others. The less thermally isolated sensor elements are selected when transients are expected to exist within the sensor array. In another embodiment, all of the sensor elements are deselected when transients are expected.

Abstract: A lightweight camera is provided that includes a lightweight lens system that has a reduced number of lenses. Reducing the number of lenses produces a lighter camera, but produces a distorted local image. The distorted local image is captured by the lightweight camera, and is preferably transmitted to a remote station. The remote station then performs image processing on the distorted image to remove at least some of the distortion in the image. Preferably, a Massively Parallel Richardson-Lucy (MPRL) algorithm is used to identify and remove distortion from the image.

Abstract: A low-cost portable handheld still-frame thermal camera for capture of calibrated digital thermographic infrared images having a lens assembly, a slideable linear array of uncooled 8-12 um thermal IR sensors, a slider actuation mechanism, and associated digital processing capability for calibrating, displaying, and storing images captured by the camera. The sensors are preferably thermoelectric sensors. The lens passes infrared radiation, the array is contained in an evacuated chamber, and operates at room temperature. The thermographic images may be displayed immediately or remotely or may be printed by conventional techniques.