Applications and Performance of IR Helmetcams

Abstract

The maturing commercialization of uncooled focal plane arrays and high-density electronics enables lightweight, low cost, small camera packages that can be integrated with headgear. It is only recently that low weight, staring LWIR sensors have become available in uncooled formats at sensitivities that provide enough information for useful manportable wearable applications. By placing the IR camera on the head, a hands-free infrared virtual reality is presented to the user. This paper describes three helmet mounted IR sensors, presents images from the first-version helmetcam and discusses applications. INTRODUCTIONTraditionally, infrared cameras or viewers were handheld, tripod mounted or located in a gimbal. However, with the advent of uncooled arrays, bright displays and wearable computers, the versatility of infrared viewing can now be closely integrated with the user. Three versions of helmetcams have been developed in which the user wears the infrared sensor rather than holds or controls it. This results in an "Infrared Virtual Reality" for the wearer resulting in true and ergonomic infrared vision.The sensor is pointed by the most natural and intuitive manner-head movements. Human evolution resulted in locating key biological sensor receptors on the head. The eyes and nose are located in front of the head pointing forward. The ears are on the side, but oriented such that they have maximum sensitivity in the region where the eyes are pointed. Even a person's cheeks have a heightened sense of temperature and tactile feel. Thus, they are located in such a manner that the head is to be pointed toward the area where the person wishes the maximum awareness. For example, your head is pointed towards the words that you are reading and if there were a loud noise to the right, you would naturally turn your heard to the right. By integrating the camera and display on the human head, the user can exploit natural movements and reactions to increase situational awareness and personal safety.Three helmetcams are described: a large (F#0.8 optics) highly sensitive militarized version, a smaller (F#1.3) military version and a specific version designed for firefighters. The described helmetcams are designed to present

3D building reconstruction and thermal mapping in fire brigade operations

“…In our system we employ uncooled cameras because they are cheaper, smaller and consume less energy than cooled cameras, which makes them well-suited for head or helmetmounting. A description of head-mounted thermal cameras in the context of firefighting is provided by [6]. The temperature measurements of uncooled cameras are influenced by factors, like sensor temperature, which need to be compensated for.…”