GB2259211A - Thermal imaging system - Google Patents
Thermal imaging system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2259211A GB2259211A GB9007955A GB9007955A GB2259211A GB 2259211 A GB2259211 A GB 2259211A GB 9007955 A GB9007955 A GB 9007955A GB 9007955 A GB9007955 A GB 9007955A GB 2259211 A GB2259211 A GB 2259211A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- imaging system
- sensor
- user
- output image
- thermal sensor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000001931 thermography Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004297 night vision Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
- G01S3/78—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
- G01S3/781—Details
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/017—Head mounted
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/20—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
- H04N23/23—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from infrared radiation only from thermal infrared radiation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
- H04N7/181—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/0101—Head-up displays characterised by optical features
- G02B2027/0138—Head-up displays characterised by optical features comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B27/0179—Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed
- G02B2027/0187—Display position adjusting means not related to the information to be displayed slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
- G02B27/01—Head-up displays
- G02B2027/0192—Supplementary details
- G02B2027/0198—System for aligning or maintaining alignment of an image in a predetermined direction
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Studio Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A thermal imaging system links a dual waveband, dual magnification sensor 1 to a head steering system, using frame stores 2, 3 to store information from each sensor, and addressing the frame stores to supply to a helmet-mounted display 5 the correct thermal image depending upon the direction the user's head is facing, as indicated by the helmet position which is detected by sensor 8. <IMAGE>
Description
P 71" r:- 1 THERMAL IMAGING SYSTEM This invention relates to a thermal
imaging system. In recent years there has been a drive to extend fighter aircraft utilization by equipping it to fly at night and in poor visibility. For example. a forward looking infra red sensor (FLIR) may be mounted on the aircraft, and a raster head- up display (HUD) used to display the resulting image. This arrangement offers the pilot simultaneous overlaid visual (through the HUD combiner glass) and thermal (on the HUD raster) images of the terrain ahead. The final element in this arrangement is to equip the pilot with night-vision goggles (NVG),, thus giving him the all-important look-around capability to enable him to fly low and fast, using daylight f lying techniques, at night and in poor visibility.
This arrangement has a number of limitations:
1. Just before dawn and just after sunset, there are periods of time when ambient light levels are too high to permit NVG operation, but too low to fly unaided; 2. Under certain combinations of moon phase, height above the horizon and aircraft flight path,, NVG cannot resolve terrain features; and 3. under high humidity atmospheric conditions, the FLIR image can be quite poor, as water vapour absorbs IR radiation in the 8 to 12pn waveband most commonly used by FLIR sensors.
2 Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a thermal imaging system, comprising a wide angle thermal sensor providing an output signal representing successive image frames, means for temporarily storing information representing each frame in turn. means for' superimposing on the field of view of a user an output image frame, means for detecting the position of the user's head and for selecting as the output image frame a portion of the stored image frame according to said detected position.
Another aspect of the invention provides a thermal imaging system, comprising a wide angle thermal sensor and a narrow angle thermal sensor, each providing an output signal representing successive image frames. the field of view of the narrow angle thermal sensor lying within that of the wide angle thermal sensor, means associated with each sensor for temporarily storing information representing each f rame in turn, means f or superimposing on the f ield of view of a user an output image f rame, means for detecting the position of the user's head and for selecting as the output image frme a portion of one or both of the stored image frames according to said detected position.
A further aspect of the invention provides a thermal imaging system, comprising a wide angle thermal sensor and a narrow angle thermal sensor, each providing an output signal representing successive image frames, the narrow angle thermal sensor having a f ield of view directable within that of the wide angle thermal sensor, means associated with each sensor for temporarily storing information representing each frame in turn, means for superimposing on the field of view of a user an output image frame, means for detecting the position of the user's head and for selecting as the output image frame a portion of the stored wide angle image frame according to said detected position, means for selecting as an alternative output image frame a portion of the stored narrow angle image frame according to the detected position, and means for switching between the alternative output image frames. The means for switching between alternative output image f rame may comprise means selectively operable to combine the two alternative output image frames into a single output image f rame. The narrow angle thermal sensor suitably comprises steering prisms f or directing the f ield of view of the sensor in accordance with the detected position of the user's head.
The narrow angle thermal sensor is preferably sensitive to a dif f erent waveband to that of the wide angle thermal sensor. For example, the wide angle thermal sensor may operate in the 8 to 12pm waveband and the narrow angle thermal sensor may operate in the 3 to 5pm waveband.
The temporary storage means may comprise f rame stores. Preferably, the means for superimposing an output image f rame on the f ield of view of a user comprises a helmet-mounted head-up display. The means for detecting the position of the user, s head may then comprise means mounted on the helmet for providing a position signal to be detected by f ixed means located near to the helmet. Alternatively. the means for detecting the position of the user's head may comprise detector means mounted on the helmet f or detecting a position signal provided by fixed means located near to the helmet.
Reference is made to the drawings. in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to one aspect of the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagram representing the fields of view of the two sensors in the system illustrated by Figure 1.
In the system shown in the drawings. a dual-waveband, dual magnification sensor 1 is capable of providing video outputs representing a wide field of view in the 8 to 12pn IR waveband and a narrow, magnified, field of view in the 3 to 5pm IR waveband. These two video outputs are sent to separate frame stores 2 and 3, the output from each of which is directed to a mixer 4. The resultant video signal, representing output video frames, is passed to a helmetmounted display 5 providing a head-up display in the line of sight of the wearer of the helmet. The display 5 is provided on the visor 6 of the helmet 7, which carries a head position sensor 8, which may be based on an optical or a magnetic sensor device. Such sensors and their monitoring systems are well-known in the art and will therefore not be described in detail.
The information provided by the head position sensor 8 passes, after suitable processing. to a pair of address modifiers 9 and 10, one for each waveband. These provide signals to the respective f rame stores 2 and 3 to output video information in accordance with addresses in the stores which correspond to the position sensed by the head position sensor. In other words, the image displayed by the helmet-mounted display corresponds to the area towards which the wearer of the helmet is looking. Referring to Figure 2 as an example, the field of view covered by the 8 to 12pm sensor is 120' by 8V, and the 3 to 5m sensor covers a field of view of 25 by 170 at the centre of this. If the wearer of the helmet directs the centre of his gaze away from the centre of the wide field of view, as indicated by turning his head, which is detected by the head- position sensor, the image area passed to the helmet-mounted display is also changed accordingly. The new area. for example as indicated by numeral 20 in Figure 2, covers a part 20a of the wide angle image 21, and a part 20b of the narrow angle image 22. The wearer will see the image in his display accordingly.
6 -
Claims (12)
1. A thermal imaging system, comprising a wide angle thermal sensor providing an output signal representing successive image frames, means for temporarily storing information representing each frame in turn,, means for superimposing on. the f ield of view of a user an output image frame, means for detecting the position of the user's head and for selecting as the output image frame a portion of the stored image frame according to said detected position.
2. A thermal imaging system, comprising a wide angle thermal sensor and a narrow angle thermal sensor,, each providing an output signal representing successive image frames, the field of view of the narrow angle thermal sensor lying within that of the wide angle thermal sensor, means associated with each sensor for temporarily storing information representing each frame in turn, means for superimposing on the field of view of a user an output image frame, means for detecting the position of the user's head and for selecting as the output image frame a portion of one or both of the stored image frames according to said detected position.
3. A thermal imaging system, comprising a wide angle thermal sensor and a narrow angle thermal sensor, each providing an output signal representing successive image frames, the narrow angle thermal sensor having a field of view directable within that of the wide angle thermal sensor, - 7 means associated with each sensor for temporarily storing information representing each frame in turn,, means for superimposing on the field of view of a user an output image frame, means for detecting the position of the user's head and f or selecting as the output image f rame a portion of the stored wide angle image frame according to said detected position, means for selecting as an alternative output image f rame a portion of the stored narrow angle image f rame according to the detected position, and means for switching between the alternative output image frames.
4. A thermal imaging system according to Claim 3. wherein the means for switching between alternative output image f rame comprises means selectively operable to combine the two alternative output image frames into a single output image frame.
5. A thermal imaging system according to Claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the narrow angle thermal sensor is sensitive to a different waveband to that of the wide angle thermal sensor.
6. A thermal imaging system according to Claim 5, wherein the wide angle thermal sensor operates in the 8 to 12pm waveband and the narrow angle thermal sensor operates in the 3 to 5pn waveband.
7. A thermal imaging system according to any preceding claim, wherein the temporary storage means comprise frame stores.
8. A thermal imaging system according to any preceding claim, wherein the means f or superimposing an output image f rame on the f ield of view of a user comprises a helmet-mounted head-up display.
9. A thermal imaging system according to Claim 8, wherein the means for detecting the position of the user's head comprises means mounted on the helmet for providing a position signal to be detected by fixed means located near to the helmet.
10. A thermal imaging system according to Claim 8. wherein the means for detecting the position of the user's head comprises detector means mounted on the helmet f or detecting a position signal provided by fixed means located near to the helmet.
11. A thermal imaging system according to Claim 3, wherein the narrow angle thermal sensor comprises steering prisms for directing the f ield of view of the sensor in accordance with the detected position of the user's head.
12. A thermal imaging system, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
-106.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9007955A GB2259211B (en) | 1990-04-07 | 1990-04-07 | Thermal imaging system |
DE4136250A DE4136250B4 (en) | 1990-04-07 | 1991-04-05 | Thermal imaging system |
FR9113555A FR2686208B1 (en) | 1990-04-07 | 1991-10-31 | THERMAL IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9007955A GB2259211B (en) | 1990-04-07 | 1990-04-07 | Thermal imaging system |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9007955D0 GB9007955D0 (en) | 1993-01-06 |
GB2259211A true GB2259211A (en) | 1993-03-03 |
GB2259211B GB2259211B (en) | 1994-04-27 |
Family
ID=10674110
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9007955A Expired - Fee Related GB2259211B (en) | 1990-04-07 | 1990-04-07 | Thermal imaging system |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
DE (1) | DE4136250B4 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2259211B (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2291304A (en) * | 1994-07-07 | 1996-01-17 | Marconi Gec Ltd | Head-mountable display system |
EP0713331A1 (en) * | 1994-11-17 | 1996-05-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera control device |
EP0742460A2 (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1996-11-13 | HE HOLDINGS, INC. dba HUGHES ELECTRONICS | Display optimization for night vision enhancement systems |
GB2307816A (en) * | 1995-12-01 | 1997-06-04 | Fuji International Productions | Combined infra-red and visible spectrum television camera arrangement |
EP1161094A2 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2001-12-05 | Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image cut-away/display system |
EP2895916A4 (en) * | 2012-09-12 | 2016-03-09 | Bae Sys Inf & Elect Sys Integ | Face mounted extreme environment thermal sensor system |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN108974374B (en) * | 2018-08-08 | 2021-11-19 | 缪纪生 | All-weather visual guidance landing system |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3654386A (en) * | 1970-04-06 | 1972-04-04 | Farrand Optical Co Inc | Dual raster television system |
DE3146552C2 (en) * | 1981-11-24 | 1983-11-17 | IBP Pietzsch GmbH, 7505 Ettlingen | Method for observation with several recording systems and device for carrying out the method |
US4751571A (en) * | 1987-07-29 | 1988-06-14 | General Electric Company | Composite visible/thermal-infrared imaging apparatus |
US5072218A (en) * | 1988-02-24 | 1991-12-10 | Spero Robert E | Contact-analog headup display method and apparatus |
DE58902538D1 (en) * | 1988-05-19 | 1992-12-03 | Siemens Ag | METHOD FOR OBSERVING A SCENE AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD. |
-
1990
- 1990-04-07 GB GB9007955A patent/GB2259211B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1991
- 1991-04-05 DE DE4136250A patent/DE4136250B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2291304A (en) * | 1994-07-07 | 1996-01-17 | Marconi Gec Ltd | Head-mountable display system |
US6266085B1 (en) | 1994-11-17 | 2001-07-24 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera imaging and magnification device |
EP0713331A1 (en) * | 1994-11-17 | 1996-05-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera control device |
US6452628B2 (en) | 1994-11-17 | 2002-09-17 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Camera control and display device using graphical user interface |
EP0742460A2 (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1996-11-13 | HE HOLDINGS, INC. dba HUGHES ELECTRONICS | Display optimization for night vision enhancement systems |
EP0742460A3 (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1997-04-09 | Hughes Aircraft Co | Display optimization for night vision enhancement systems |
US5781243A (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1998-07-14 | Hughes Electronics | Display optimization for night vision enhancement systems |
GB2307816B (en) * | 1995-12-01 | 2000-03-29 | Fuji International Productions | Television production using infra-red light |
GB2307816A (en) * | 1995-12-01 | 1997-06-04 | Fuji International Productions | Combined infra-red and visible spectrum television camera arrangement |
EP1161094A2 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2001-12-05 | Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image cut-away/display system |
EP1161094A3 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2001-12-19 | Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image cut-away/display system |
EP2895916A4 (en) * | 2012-09-12 | 2016-03-09 | Bae Sys Inf & Elect Sys Integ | Face mounted extreme environment thermal sensor system |
US9998687B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2018-06-12 | Bae Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc. | Face mounted extreme environment thermal sensor system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE4136250B4 (en) | 2004-09-09 |
DE4136250A1 (en) | 1993-07-15 |
GB9007955D0 (en) | 1993-01-06 |
GB2259211B (en) | 1994-04-27 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20090407 |