Abstract: A thermal detecting device for sensing temperature at multiple locations proximate to the detecting device is provided. The detecting device has a pair of infrared detectors each configured to measure temperature of two locations by receiving infrared energy of the two locations. A housing encloses the pair of infrared detectors. The housing is configured with an aperture to allow the infrared energy of the two locations to be received by the pair of infrared detectors. A reflective mirror or two mirrors focus the infrared energy of the two locations towards the pair of infrared detectors. The detecting device may be configured to determine if there is a temperature differential at a location as the housing moves with respect to the location.

Abstract: In an actively illuminated imaging system, illumination of a segmented scene is synchronized with an image sensing period. A scene is segmented into a plurality of scene portions utilizing a segmented lens. In an aspect, a first scene portion is illuminated when an imager is actively collecting photogenerated charge from the first scene portion, and a second scene portion is illuminated when an imager is actively collecting photogenerated charge from the second scene portion. The sensitivity of an image sensor is maximized, while simultaneously minimizing the amount of light that must be supplied to illuminate a scene. An irradiance pattern is varied allowing a more uniform distribution of light. Bands of varying wavelength, polarization, and light intensity may be variously applied to illuminate individual scene segments, as needed to enhance an identification of an object in the scene. The present invention is particularly useful with high frame rate imaging systems.

Abstract: A vehicle pre-impact sensing system and method are provided. Included in the system is an array of energy signal transmitters mounted on a vehicle for transmitting signals within multiple transmit zones incrementally spaced from the vehicle. The system further includes an array of receiver elements mounted on the vehicle for receiving signals reflected from an object located in one or more multiple receive zones indicative of the object being in certain one or more zones. The system also includes a processor for processing the received reflected signals and determining location, speed and direction of the object, wherein the processor further determines whether the object is expected to impact the vehicle as a function of the determined location, speed and direction of the object, and generates an output signal indicative of a pre-impact event.

Abstract: A detecting device for a vehicle and method thereof is provided. The device includes a first infrared detector, a second infared detector, and a controller. The first infrared detector is configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a first target area by receiving infrared radiation of the first target area over a sampling period. The second infrared detector is configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a second target area by receiving infrared radiation of the second target area over the sampling period. The controller is configured to receive and store the plurality of first and second signals, wherein the controller repeatedly compares a plurality of correlation values to a predetermined tolerance range above a minimum threshold value, wherein the correlation values are determined by repeatedly comparing a plurality of time delayed signals of the second plurality of signals to a real time signal of the plurality of first signals.

Abstract: In an actively illuminated imaging system, illumination of a segmented scene is synchronized with an image sensing period. A scene is segmented into a plurality of scene portions utilizing a segmented lens. In an aspect, a first scene portion is illuminated when an imager is actively collecting photogenerated charge from the first scene portion, and a second scene portion is illuminated when an imager is actively collecting photogenerated charge from the second scene portion. The sensitivity of an image sensor is maximized, while simultaneously minimizing the amount of light that must be supplied to illuminate a scene. An irradiance pattern is varied allowing a more uniform distribution of light. Bands of varying wavelength, polarization, and light intensity may be variously applied to illuminate individual scene segments, as needed to enhance an identification of an object in the scene. The present invention is particularly useful with high frame rate imaging systems.

Abstract: An illuminator assembly is provided for supplying night vision illumination. The assembly includes a support housing and an infrared illumination source. An infrared reflector receives the radiation emitted from the infrared illumination source and reflects the infrared radiation in a first substantially collimated field of view and transmits visible light therethrough. A visible light reflector is located behind the infrared reflective mirror for receiving visible light transmitted through the infrared reflector and reflecting scattering the visible light in a second field of view.

Abstract: A detecting device for a vehicle, the detecting device comprising: a first infrared detector configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a first target area by receiving infrared radiation of the first target area, the first infrared detector being configured to provide a plurality of first signals each corresponding to a measured temperature of the first target area over a sampling period; a second infrared detector configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a second target area by receiving infrared radiation of the second target area, the second infrared detector being configured to provide a plurality of second signals each corresponding to a measured temperature of the second target area over the sampling period, the second target area being different from the first target area; and a controller configured to receive and store the plurality of first signals and the plurality of second signals in a storage medium, wherein the controller repeatedly compares a plurality of correlation values to

Abstract: A fisheye-corrected lens system includes a plurality of axially aligned lenses. At least one of the lenses includes an aspheric surface and an image distortion of the lens system is less than about five percent at a maximum field angle. A furthest point of the aspheric surface is positioned within a distance less than about fifty percent of a diagonal dimension of an associated imager.