Integrated black body and lens cap assembly and methods for calibration of infrared cameras using same
First Claim
1. An assembly for use in calibrating an infrared camera, the assembly comprising:
- a housing having a back end and a front end, and sufficiently sized so as to be substantially supported by a lens of the infrared camera when engaging therewith;
a heat emitter positioned within the housing for emitting a set amount of heat necessary for calibration purposes;
a heating element for controlling the amount of heat to be emitted by the heat emitter; and
an arm hingedly connecting the housing to the camera to provide a reliable and repeatable way to position and move the housing between its engaging position at the front of the lens and a docking position away from the lens and onto the camera.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A black body assembly is provided for use in the calibration of infrared cameras. The assembly includes, among other things, a housing within which calibration components may be situated, and a lens guide for accurately positioning the assembly over a lens of the infrared camera. A heat emitter may be positioned within the housing for emitting a necessary amount of heat for calibration purposes. A heating element may also be provided within the housing for controlling the heating and cooling of the heat emitter. The assembly may also include a heat sink to remove excessive heat generated from the thermoelectric cooler during temperature cycling. An arm may be employed to hingedly connected to the assembly the camera to provide reliable and repeatable way to position the black body assembly at the front of the infrared lens. A method for calibrating an infrared camera is also provided.
21 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An assembly for use in calibrating an infrared camera, the assembly comprising:
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a housing having a back end and a front end, and sufficiently sized so as to be substantially supported by a lens of the infrared camera when engaging therewith;
a heat emitter positioned within the housing for emitting a set amount of heat necessary for calibration purposes;
a heating element for controlling the amount of heat to be emitted by the heat emitter; and
an arm hingedly connecting the housing to the camera to provide a reliable and repeatable way to position and move the housing between its engaging position at the front of the lens and a docking position away from the lens and onto the camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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5. An assembly as set forth in claim I, wherein the heating element includes one of a bi-polar heating/cooling element, a Peltier device, or a thermoelectric cooler.
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20. An assembly for use in calibrating an infrared camera, the assembly comprising:
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a housing having a back end and a front end, and sufficiently sized so as to be substantially supported by a lens of the infrared camera when engaging therewith;
a heat emitter positioned within the housing for emitting a set amount of heat necessary for calibration purposes;
a heating element for controlling the amount of heat to be emitted by the heat emitter; and
a lens guide positioned within the housing toward its front end to substantially align the heat emitter to the lens and to securely position the housing on the lens for calibration purposes. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for calibrating an infrared camera, the method comprising:
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providing an assembly having a housing sufficiently sized so as to be substantially supported by a lens of the infrared camera when engaging therewith, a heat emitter positioned within the housing for emitting a set amount of heat necessary for calibration purposes, a heating element for controlling the amount of heat to be emitted by the heat emitter, and an arm hingedly connecting the housing to the camera;
moving the arm so that the assembly is positioned substantially in front of the lens of the camera;
allowing the housing to engage the lens so that the assembly is substantially supported by the lens;
activating the heating element to a first set temperature so as to set the temperature of the heat emitter thereto;
determining a first photon count associated with the first set temperature from the heat emitter;
activating the heating element to a second set temperature so as to set the temperature of the heat emitter thereto; and
determining a second photon count associated with the second set temperature from the heat emitter. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for calibrating an infrared camera, the method comprising:
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providing an assembly having a housing sufficiently sized so as to be substantially supported by a lens of the infrared camera when engaging therewith, a heat emitter positioned within the housing for emitting a set amount of heat necessary for calibration purposes, a heating element for controlling the amount of heat to be emitted by the heat emitter, and a lens guide positioned within the housing toward its front end;
positioning the assembly substantially in front of the lens of the camera;
engaging the lens guide with the lens so that the heat emitter is substantially aligned with the lens;
allowing the assembly to be substantially supported by and securely engaged to the lens;
activating the heating element to a first set temperature so as to set the temperature of the heat emitter thereto;
determining a first photon count associated with the first set temperature from the heat emitter;
activating the heating element to a second set temperature so as to set the temperature of the heat emitter thereto; and
determining a second photon count associated with the second set temperature from the heat emitter. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for calibrating an infrared camera, the method comprising:
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providing a heat emitter having a highly emissive coating for uniformly emitting across its surface a set amount of heat necessary for calibration purposes;
coupling a heating element to the heat emitter for controlling the amount of heat to be emitted by the heat emitter;
aligning the heat emitter with a lens of the infrared camera;
positioning a guide between the heat emitter and the lens, so that upon engagement of the heat emitter and guide to the lens, uniformity and repeatability of a distance between the emitter and the lens can occur; and
allowing the heat emitter and the guide to be substantially supported by the lens upon engagement therewith. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification