Thermal imager having sunlight exposure protection mechanism
First Claim
1. A hand-held thermal imaging apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining an entrance pupil for ingress of imaging radiation;
at least one light sensor positioned forward of said entrance pupil;
an electronic imaging device located in said housing rearward of said entrance pupil for converting said imaging radiation to electrical signals for further processing;
a display located on said housing for showing thermal images detected by said electronic imaging device;
a mechanical shutter having an open position and a closed position, wherein said shutter is located between said entrance pupil and said electronic imaging device in said closed position so as to inhibit exposure of said electronic imaging device to incident radiation; and
circuitry for selectively operating said shutter to be in said closed position based on signals produced at said light sensor when incident radiation that would otherwise impinge said electronic imaging device exceeds a predetermined threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal imaging apparatus comprises a housing defining an entrance pupil for ingress of imaging radiation. At least one light sensor is positioned forward of the entrance pupil. An electronic imaging device such as a focal plane array is located in the housing rearward of the entrance pupil for converting imaging radiation to electrical signals for further processing. The apparatus further includes a shutter having an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the shutter is located between the entrance pupil and the electronic imaging device so as to inhibit exposure of the electronic imaging device to incident radiation. Circuitry is provided for selectively operating the shutter to be in the closed position based on signals produced at the light sensor.
57 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A hand-held thermal imaging apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining an entrance pupil for ingress of imaging radiation; at least one light sensor positioned forward of said entrance pupil; an electronic imaging device located in said housing rearward of said entrance pupil for converting said imaging radiation to electrical signals for further processing; a display located on said housing for showing thermal images detected by said electronic imaging device; a mechanical shutter having an open position and a closed position, wherein said shutter is located between said entrance pupil and said electronic imaging device in said closed position so as to inhibit exposure of said electronic imaging device to incident radiation; and circuitry for selectively operating said shutter to be in said closed position based on signals produced at said light sensor when incident radiation that would otherwise impinge said electronic imaging device exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An imaging apparatus comprising:
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structure defining an entrance pupil for ingress of imaging radiation, said entrance pupil having a lens; a focal plane array located rearward of said lens; a mechanical shutter having an open position and a closed position, wherein said shutter is located between said lens and said focal plane array in said closed position so as to inhibit exposure of said focal plane array to incident radiation; circuitry for selectively operating said shutter to be in a sun protection mode wherein said shutter is in said closed position when radiation that would otherwise impinge said focal plane array exceeds a predetermined threshold; at least one light sensor located forward of said lens, said circuitry operative to control said shutter based on signals produced at said light sensor; and a lens cap adapted to cover said entrance pupil when said apparatus is not in use, wherein said apparatus is adapted to be in a powered off state when said lens cap is in position to cover said entrance pupil. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification