Abstract: An infra-red temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of a medium includes a housing; a thermal infra-red sensor element having a predetermined field of view and disposed in the housing; and a diaphragm closing the housing spaced along an axis from and in the field of view of the thermal sensor element for absorbing on its outer surface heat from the medium and emitting radiation from its inner surface to the thermal sensor element representative of the temperature of the medium.

Abstract: The invention applies wavefront coding to the front of an electro-optic/infrared device to minimize the amount of light which is retroreflected by systems, such as Fowarding Looking Infrared systems, back to its source. The invention (unlike conventional reduction methods) does not rely on reducing the laser power leaving the interrogated sensor, but primarily on controlling its direction. A sensor according to the present invention, which has been wavefront coded for reduction of reflected light, will also effect the direction of the scattered light, thereby significantly reducing that which returns to the zero bistatic angle position. In contrast, a limitation of conventional methods is that once specular reflections are addressed, the remaining retroreflected signal typically results from scattered light at the focal plane which is largely collected and recollimated by the system optics.

Abstract: A passive infra-red detector including at least three sub-detectors, each sub-detector being operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, each sub field-of-view being exclusively defined by an optical element which does not define any other sub field of view, the sub fields-of-view being angled with respect to each other, adjacent ones of the sub fields-of-view being separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees and at least one of the sub fields-of-view having at least one of the following characteristics: extending over no more then 45 degrees in azimuth; and including not more than three azimuthally distributed detection zones, and signal processing circuitry, operative to receive output signals from the sub detectors and to provide a motion detection output.

Abstract: A laser beam steering module includes an optics assembly that directs a first portion of a laser beam through an output aperture and a second portion of through a sensing path. The optics assembly adjusts a position of the laser beam through the output aperture and sensing path responsive to position control signals. A sensor array in the sensing path receives the second portion of the laser beam and in response thereto generates electrical beam position signals indicating a position of laser beam through the output aperture. The electrical beam position signals have values that are a function of a temperature of the sensor array and are used in generating the position control signals to adjust the position of the laser beam as a function of the values of the electrical beam position signals. A thermal stabilization circuit stabilizes the temperature of the sensor array responsive to thermal control signals.

Abstract: A communication device for an image pickup apparatus having its imaging lens focussing light input from a field on an image sensor uses infrared rays. An infrared ray receiving member is positioned in front of the image sensor for receiving infrared rays contained in the light transmitted through the lens. A detecting circuit detects a signal exclusive for communication contained in the infrared rays received. The infrared rays receiving member transmits visible rays so that the visible rays are incident on the image sensor.

Abstract: The optical system comprises a light source, a first optical element, a projecting lens, and an electromagnetic-wave sensor. Light from the light source passes the first optical element and the lens sequentially to reach a screen, and light reflected by the screen passes the lens and reaches the electromagnetic-wave sensor via the first optical element.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of motion detection sensors, and in particular to a system and method for adjusting the position of a printed circuit board relative to a focusing element. The invention includes a housing having a front opening and an interior cavity. A focusing element is located within the front opening and the detector is coupled to a printed circuit board located within the interior cavity. A cover is coupled to the printed circuit board and disposed within the interior cavity. A cam is operatively coupled with the cover and the printed circuit board for adjusting the position of the printed circuit board such that the detector's position is adjusted relative to the focusing element.

Abstract: An infrared receiver includes a shielding member and an infrared detecting member. The shielding member has negative refractive power for diverging incident infrared rays. The infrared detecting member includes a main body formed with a convex surface having positive refractive power and an infrared sensor enclosed in the main body. The infrared sensor receives infrared rays converged by the convex surface, and converts received infrared rays to electrical signals.

Abstract: Vehicle-based lidar systems and methods are disclosed using multiple lasers to provide more compact and cost-effective lidar functionality. Each laser in an array of lasers can be sequentially activated so that a corresponding optical element mounted with respect to the array of lasers produces respective interrogation beams in substantially different directions. Light from these beams is reflected by objects in a vehicle's environment, and detected so as to provide information about the objects to vehicle operators and/or passengers.

Abstract: In one of various embodiments, a detector assembly is provided which includes a metallic layer having a repeating pattern of structures over a dielectric substrate. The metallic layer in conjunction with the dielectric substrate form a structure capable of focusing incident radiation to sub-wavelength high field regions. A plurality of detectors are disposed within the dielectric substrate in the high field regions created by the metallic layer. In some embodiments, an array of subwavelength sized detectors may be located in the high field regions.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor is provided with a housing having an interior cavity. A switch is mounted in the interior cavity of the housing and configured for placement in the open and closed positions. A fascia cover plate may be positioned on the housing to enclose the interior cavity. The fascia cover plate has a fascia rib on an interior surface thereof. The fascia rib is arranged to interfere with the switch in the disabled state to prevent positioning of the fascia cover plate on the housing.

Abstract: A passive infra-red detector including at least three sub-detectors, each sub-detector being operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, each sub field-of-view being exclusively defined by an optical element which does not define any other sub field of view, the sub fields-of-view being angled with respect to each other, adjacent ones of the sub fields-of-view being separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees and at least one of the sub fields-of-view having at least one of the following characteristics: extending over no more then 45 degrees in azimuth; and including not more than three azimuthally distributed detection zones, and signal processing circuitry, operative to receive output signals from the sub detectors and to provide a motion detection output.

Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus comprises a radiation detector and a lens arrangement. The lens arrangement comprises a polarising element and an optical corrector. The optical corrector is preferably located between the polarising element and the radiation detector and has at least one surface designed to correct optical aberrations present in the lens arrangement. The optical corrector may be arranged to provide a mechanical support to the polarising element. The optical corrector is arranged to increase a diffraction limited acceptance angle of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photometric gas sensor containing at least an infrared radiation source; a first reflector for deflecting to a second reflector an infrared radiation coming from an infrared radiation source; a second reflector for deflecting to an infrared detector the radiation coming from the first reflector; and an infrared detector.

Abstract: A motion-activated decorative lighting fixture with a PIR motion detector hidden behind a decorative slotted wall of the fixture body. The motion-activated decorative lighting fixture includes a motion detector housing that forms an integral part of the lighting fixture body. The housing includes a slotted vertically extending exterior wall around the housing with an array of elongate vertically extending slots horizontally spaced apart from one another and extending along at least a portion of the wall. One or more PIR sensors are disposed within the housing, and a segmented Fresnel lens array is disposed within the housing behind the slots to direct infra-red energy from a monitored field of view to a sensor. The lens array includes a plurality of columns of lenslets, at least a portion of which have at least two lenslets disposed one above the other. Each column is aligned with a corresponding slot so as to direct infra-red energy from a monitored zone passing through the corresponding slot to a sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiometer comprising an IR detector, a lens and a light source. The lens is arranged with respect to the IR detector such that it focuses IR radiation from a measuring surface to the detector. The light source emits visible light for marking the measuring surface. The beam path of the visible light extends through the lens. Moreover, the invention relates to a sighting device for a radiometer for visibly marking a measuring surface the temperature of which is measured by the radiometer. The sighting device comprises a light source for emitting a visible light beam, which marks the measuring surface. A piezoactuator controls the direction of the light beam. As an alternative to the piezoactuator, the light beam may be guided at a constant angular velocity, and a stepwise change of the direction of the light beam may be accomplished by a sectorized mirror. The invention finally relates to corresponding methods.

Abstract: An infrared detection system that may note changes of temperature over time in various fields of view of a scene. The system may use an array of long wave infrared detectors to sense early or late stages of a fire. The system may check numerous fields of view. It may have a fixture with a lens for each field of view. Each lens may have its respective field of view focused on the array. All but one lens may be shuttered or closed from detecting its respective field of view at a time. The system may have a processor with a memory to record the temperatures from the array over time. Variation of temperature in one spot or another of a field of view may be an indication of an imminent fire or another situation of concern.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a preferred embodiment of a motion detector device comprises a lamp assembly, a junction box assembly with a cylindrically shaped holding arm, a rotation assembly incorporating a sensor seat, a pyro-sensor and circuitry, and a lens assembly. The lens assembly can assume a semi-spherical or cylindrical shape. The lens assembly is integrally formed by a plurality of multifaceted lenses with pre-determined focuses constituting pre-determined focusing views. Each focusing view is defined for a range/distance and angle of detection. The lens assembly can be rotated to select a specific focusing view. The sensor seat is disposed at the focus of the selected focusing view to receive infrared radiation rays. The entire or half or portion of the lens assembly carries lenses making up the pre-determined focusing views. The present invention also teaches methods of selecting a specific focusing view for a motion detector device.

Abstract: A method of controlling a flow of liquid includes calibrating a PSD infrared sensor associated with the spout. The calibrating includes turning on the spout to thereby dispense a stream of liquid from the spout and into a stream space; emitting infrared energy from the PSD infrared sensor and toward the stream of liquid; sensing a first position of the infrared energy after the infrared energy has been reflected back to the sensor from the stream of liquid; storing first information based upon the first position of the reflected infrared energy; turning off the spout to thereby inhibit the liquid from being dispensed from the spout; sensing a second position of the infrared energy after the infrared energy has been reflected back to the sensor from an object that is fixed relative to the sensor; and storing second information based upon the second position of the reflected infrared energy. Infrared energy is emitted from the PSD infrared sensor and toward the stream space.

Abstract: A dual-band reflective infrared thermal imaging system is described. The dual-band reflective infrared thermal imaging system includes a reflective infrared thermal imager and a refractive visible light video camera. The refractive visible light video camera is configured at the central axis of the reflective infrared thermal imager so that the refractive visible light video camera and the reflective infrared thermal imager can synchronously and coaxially capture the images. The reflective infrared thermal imager further includes a reflective optical module and an infrared imaging sensor. The infrared images are focused on the infrared imaging sensor by way of the reflective optical module.

Abstract: Fast microbolometer pixels integrating micro-optical focusing elements are provided. Each microbolometer pixel includes a focusing element located between the pixel body and a substrate, this focusing element preferably sending radiation back towards the central portion of the microbolometer. There is also provided a microbolometer array having a plurality of such microbolometer pixels. Advantageously, to increase the pixel speed, the present microbolometers may be built smaller than the detector and no additional structures need to be attached to said detector.

Abstract: An optical system includes a light source 102 disposed for generating light preferably in a line. An optical element 104 includes a stepped reflecting surface 106 that includes reflecting surfaces 132 and step surfaces 130. The reflecting surfaces 132 have a metalized coating thereon so that the plurality of metalized reflecting surfaces reflect light therefrom. Each reflecting surface is a circular sector that increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector.

Abstract: Reflective movable mirrors are used to reflect an image from a desired direction into the lens of a camera. This apparatus is preferably used with infrared (IR) cameras. To capture images from different directions, the orientations of the mirrors are modified. The mirrors are light, requiring only miniature motors and actuators for moving them. The mirrors are also much smaller than the focal plane electronics and the IR lens, requiring much less space for moving them than would be required for moving the camera. This provides a pointing capability for an airframe-fixed IR camera and this capability is provided with minimum additional payload, space and power requirements. The apparatus and method can be used for IR and electro-optical (EO) cameras.

Abstract: A control aperture for an IR sensor includes a die; an IR sensor disposed on the die and an IR opaque aperture layer on the die having an IR transmissive aperture aligned with the IR sensor for controlling the field of view and focus of the IR sensor.

Abstract: There is described an optical radiation sensor device for detecting radiation in a radiation field. The device comprises a sensor element capable of detecting and responding to incident radiation from the radiation field and a radiation window interposed between the sensor element and the radiation field. The radiation window comprises a non-circular (preferably square) shaped radiation transparent opening. The optical radiation sensor device can be used in a so-called dynamic manner while mitigating or obviating the detection errors resulting from the use of a circular-shaped attenuating aperture and/or angular (even minor) misalignment of the sensor device with respect to the array of radiation sources when multiple such circular-shaped attenuating apertures are used.

Abstract: An infrared imaging system used for providing images from a plurality of views. The multiple view infrared imaging system includes a plurality of lens and infrared focal plane array (FPA) pairings, wherein each pairing can be used to provide an image and/or sample scene data of a distinct view. A single set of processing circuitry and a single set of one or more output elements may be utilized to provide such images. A multi-input switch may be utilized in combination with the single set of processing circuitry and output elements to provide images from any of the lens and FPA pairings based on the positioning of the switch.

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 conventional infrared thermometer is equipped with a visible light source having exactly the same size and shape as the infrared detector to illuminate the target so as to visibly identify the area to be thermally measured. The light source is judiciously positioned within the system so as to make the images of the detector and the source formed by achromatic zooming optics coincide on the target surface. As a result, the exact location and dimensions of the target area under test are precisely identified and the system can perform errorless measurements of targets located at variable distances from the thermometer. Alternatively, the system is enabled to errorlessly measure the same target with variable spatial resolution.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detection of. One method includes receiving light of a predetermined wavelength range from a source, and splitting the received light into multiple components having differing wavelengths. The method further includes directing the components toward individual locations spaced from one another. In addition, this illustrative method includes detecting at least some of the components at the locations. One illustrative system includes a plurality of detectors provided along an image facing plane of an array, wherein each detector has a width less than or equal to that of its conesponding pixel location, wherein at least two detectors are located within a single pixel location, wherein the size of each pixel location is approximately equal to the blur spot or smallest visible spot for the focal plane array, and a plurality of light pipe regions, wherein at least two light pipe regions are located within a single pixel location.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting incoming radiation, including: a housing for receiving the incoming radiation, a lens attached to the housing to transmit incoming radiation into a radiation shield unit within the housing; a bandpass filter within the radiation shield unit to filter the incoming radiation falling outside a predetermined spectral band; an uncooled infrared detector within the radiation shield unit for detecting infrared radiation; wherein the bandpass filter is located along an optical path between the lens and the infrared detector; and wherein the lens optically focuses the incoming radiation onto the infrared detector. The radiation shield unit, the bandpass filter and the infrared detector are cooled to a temperature slightly less than room temperature, resulting in an improved signal to noise ratio of the image obtained.

Abstract: An IR imaging system includes a lens module and an imaging module coupled to the lens module. The lens module includes a barrel defining a through hole, at least one lens received in the through hole and an IR bandpass filter received in the barrel and configured for filtering out visible light. The imaging module includes a housing and an IR image sensor received in the housing. The IR imaging system can prevent IR image sensors being affected by visible light.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation detector elements and methods for detecting electromagnetic radiation, in particular, infrared radiation, are provided. The electromagnetic radiation detector element can include an electromagnetic radiation detector and a plasmonic antenna disposed over the electromagnetic radiation detector. The plasmonic antenna can include a metal film, a sub-wavelength aperture in the metal film, and a plurality of circular corrugations centered around the sub-wavelength aperture.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor element formed in a first substrate and at least one optical element formed in a second substrate, the first and second substrates being configured relative to one another such that the second substrate forms a cap over the at least one sensor element, the at least one optical element being configured to guide incident radiation on the cap to the at least one sensor element.

Abstract: An infrared detecting apparatus includes at least one infrared-sensitive element. Focusing means focuses infrared energy from a first zone onto the at least one infrared-sensitive element. An opaque element including a throughhole is positioned such that infrared energy may pass through the throughhole from a second zone to the at least one infrared-sensitive element. The second zone is closer than the first zone to the at least one infrared-sensitive element.

Abstract: The optical system comprises a light source, a first optical element, a projecting lens, and an electromagnetic-wave sensor. Light from the light source passes the first optical element and the lens sequentially to reach a screen, and light reflected by the screen passes the lens and reaches the electromagnetic-wave sensor via the first optical element.

Abstract: A light receiving device 7 includes a sensor 10 for outputting a signal correlating to incident light on a detection surface 10a and a light receiving element 8 disposed in confrontation with the detection surface and capable of transmitting light. The light receiving element has a recessed portion 22 on the opposite surface of the surface confronting the detection surface. A wall surface 24 of the recessed portion reflects the light beam L2 from a lateral direction of the detection surface toward the detection surface 10a.

Abstract: Provided is an infrared radiation detector comprising an active layer having a front side and a back side. An anti-reflective coating is disposed on the front side and is configured to minimize reflection of incident light within a wavelength band of interest upon the front side. A highly-reflective coating is disposed on the backside and is configured to increase reflection within the wavelength band of interest upon the back side. Each one of the anti-reflective coating and highly-reflective coatings are comprised of a quarterwave stack of a plurality of layers each having an optical thickness equal to one-fourth of the wavelength band of interest. The wavelength band of interest is preferably in the range of from about 3.0 to about 5.0 microns.

Abstract: A passive infra-red detector including at least three sub-detectors, each sub-detector being operative to receive infra-red radiation from a corresponding one of at least three sub fields-of-view, each sub field-of-view being exclusively defined by an optical element which does not define any other sub field of view, the sub fields-of-view being angled with respect to each other, adjacent ones of the sub fields-of-view being separated by a gap of no more than 30 degrees and at least one of the sub fields-of-view having at least one of the following characteristics: extending over no more then 45 degrees in azimuth; and including not more than three azimuthally distributed detection zones, and signal processing circuitry, operative to receive output signals from the sub detectors and to provide a motion detection output.

Abstract: Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector.

Abstract: A sensor system according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a sensor viewing an area via an optical path and a strut at least partially interposed across the viewing area. The strut is configured to taper along the optical path towards the sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the strut includes at least two sides forming an angle along their common edge exposed to the sensor along the optical path.

Abstract: A sensor mounting mechanism that includes a base member adapted to be mounted to a structure and a base neck having a first end and a second end where the first end is adapted to be coupled to a sensor with a ball-socket coupling and the second end is coupled to the base member with a rotating coupling. The mounting mechanism provides fine and coarse adjustment means for adjusting the scanning area of the sensor such as an PIR occupancy sensor without the use of a tool. The sensor includes a detachable lens holder for easy replacement of the lens.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a passive infrared sensor includes an infrared sensing element 4, a pair of lenses 5R and 5L that set mutually substantially 180° opposing side detection areas of the infrared sensing element 4, and mirrors 6R and 6L that cause infrared light from the side detection areas to enter the infrared sensing element 4. An infrared light incident surface of the passive infrared sensor is disposed facing the opposite direction from an attachment surface 30 to which the passive infrared sensor is attached at the time of installation, and the passive infrared sensor is also disposed with a lens 5C that sets plural front detection areas in the front direction. A slit 7 for allowing infrared light to be transmitted is formed in the mirrors 6R and 6L in order to allow the infrared light from the front detection areas to enter the infrared sensing element 4.

Abstract: An infrared imaging system uses an uncooled elliptical surface section between reflective surfaces to allow a detector to perceive a cold interior of a vacuum chamber rather than a warmer surface of a structure or housing. In this way, background infrared radiation from within the system may be minimized.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a passive infrared sensor 1 includes an infrared sensing element 4, a pair of lenses 5R and 5L, and main mirrors 22R and 22L. A submirror 24R is disposed on the main mirror 22R. The submirror 24R is configured so that, with respect to the main mirror 22R, the orientation of the submirror 24R is changed by a first predetermined angle in regard to the horizontal direction in a direction away from an attachment surface 30 at the installation time, and the orientation of the submirror 24R is changed by a second predetermined angle in regard to the vertical direction in a direction downward at the installation time. A submirror 23L is disposed on the main mirror 22L.

Abstract: A robust, compact spectrometer apparatus for determining respective concentrations or partial pressures of multiple gases in a gas sample with single as well as multiple and even overlapping, absorption or emission spectra that span a wide spectral range.

Abstract: A handheld infrared camera having a lens assembly, an electric energy source and a handling elements for recording and handling information received via the lens assembly has an essentially elongate housing. The lens assembly is mounted at one end of the housing, the other end portion of which is formed as a user handle, the longitudinal axis of which preferably is inclined relative to the optical axis of the lens assembly to form an angle (?alpha) with the optical axis. There are provided manual control elements for allowing single hand operation of the camera, and a visual control elements is intended to be viewed when holding and operating the camera away from the eye and the body of a user. The camera is advantageously provided with elements for wireless transmission of information from the camera.

Abstract: A thermal radiation detector for detecting thermal energy in multiple coverage zones is provided. The detector includes a heat sink support structure, a first thermal detection sensor coupled to the support structure and arranged to detect thermal energy in a first coverage zone, and a second thermal detection sensor coupled to the support structure for detecting thermal energy in a second coverage zone. The detector also has a shared optical lens coupled to the support structure and arranged to direct thermal energy from the first coverage zone to the first thermal detection sensor, and to direct thermal energy from the second coverage zone to the second thermal detection sensor. The detector is useful to detect heat emitting objects in a blind spot region of a vehicle.

Abstract: A photodetector for detecting infrared radiation (IR) using a slab waveguide is described. The slab waveguide photodetector operates by resonating transverse magnetic or electric modes within the slab from the incident IR. An IR absorbing layer is located within the slab waveguide photodetector where the magnitude of the electric field vector is greatest. This permits the use of a thinner IR absorbing layer without sacrificing photoresponse. Multi-color slab waveguide photodetectors are permitted because multiple transverse magnetic or electric modes resonate within the slab waveguide. A reflective or transmissive grating is used to launch the IR into the IR absorbing layer through a cladding or antireflection layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually observing thermal disparities between like vehicular components that are spatially separated. The invention uses only one infrared camera and one or more surfaces to reflect the thermal image of spatially separated components into the camera. The image generated by the infrared camera can be sent directly to a viewing apparatus or to a computer capable of controlling internal camera functions as well and providing video processing and analysis capabilities.

Abstract: In an embodiment according to the present invention, a coronagraph for detecting reflective bodies external to a light source is provided. A first mirror for directing a beam of light onto an occulting mask is adjusted based on a data from a fiber optic sensor or a second sensor. An occulting mask for separating the beam into a first and second portion directs the first portion onto a fiber optic sensor and the second portion onto a Lyot stop. The occulting mask is adjustable based on data from the second sensor. The Lyot stop separates the second portion of the beam into a third and fourth portion. The Lyot stop also directs the third portion of the beam onto the second sensor and the fourth portion of the beam onto a camera for detecting one or more reflective bodies external to a light source.