Long range active thermal imaging system and method
First Claim
1. A method of obtaining a thermal image of a target, comprising:
- directing an electromagnetic radiation from a microwave source directly onto the target to produce an infrared response in and infrared radiation emission directly from the target;
receiving the infrared radiation emission in an infrared imager; and
generating a series of thermal images of the target wherein a measured initial temperature variation within the target area is removed by an averaging process in the thermal imaging data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A long-range active thermal imaging system includes an electromagnetic radiation source in the range of from about 10 GHz to about 500 GHz; a beam controller for receiving and retransmitting the electromagnetic radiation in a desired direction toward and onto a surface of a target, thereby heating the target and producing an infrared radiation emission from the target surface; and an infrared imager, e.g. an infrared camera coupled to a processor and display, for receiving the target'"'"'s infrared radiation emission and generating a thermal image of the target. The radiation source may be selected such that the radiation penetrates into the target to provide a thermal signature, e.g. from subsurface features or objects. The thermal signature exhibits rapid changes that can be monitored in real time. This may allow surface or subsurface details or objects to be detected that would not otherwise be apparent.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of obtaining a thermal image of a target, comprising:
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directing an electromagnetic radiation from a microwave source directly onto the target to produce an infrared response in and infrared radiation emission directly from the target; receiving the infrared radiation emission in an infrared imager; and generating a series of thermal images of the target wherein a measured initial temperature variation within the target area is removed by an averaging process in the thermal imaging data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of obtaining a thermal image of a target, comprising:
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directing an electromagnetic radiation from a microwave source directly onto a target to produce an infrared response in and infrared radiation emission directly from the target; receiving the infrared radiation emission in an infrared imager; and generating a series of thermal images of the target, wherein an energy density of the electromagnetic radiation at the target is raised in order to produce a nonthermal signature of the target.
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9. A method of obtaining a thermal image of a target, comprising:
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directing an electromagnetic radiation from a microwave source directly onto a remote target to produce an infrared response in and infrared radiation emission directly from the target; receiving the infrared radiation emission in an infrared imager; and generating a series of thermal images of the target where an enhanced chemical vapor outgassing is detected via optical emission or absorption.
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10. A method of obtaining a thermal image of a target, comprising:
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directing an electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source for emitting radiation in a frequency range of from about 10 GHz to about 500 GHz, directly onto a remote target to produce an infrared response in and infrared radiation emission directly from the target; receiving the infrared radiation emission in an infrared imager; and generating a series of thermal images of the target wherein a measured initial temperature variation within the target area is removed by an averaging process in the thermal imaging data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of obtaining a thermal image of a target, comprising:
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directing an electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source for emitting radiation in a frequency range of from about 10 GHz to about 500 GHz, directly onto a remote target to produce an infrared response in and infrared radiation emission directly from the target; receiving the infrared radiation emission in an infrared imager; and generating a series of thermal images of the target wherein an energy density of the electromagnetic radiation at the target is raised in order to produce a nonthermal signature of the target. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of obtaining a thermal image of a target, comprising:
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directing an electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source for emitting radiation in a frequency range of from about 10 GHz to about 500 GHz, directly onto a remote target to produce an infrared response in and infrared radiation emission directly from the target; receiving the infrared radiation emission in an infrared imager; and generating a series of thermal images of the target where an enhanced chemical vapor outgassing is detected via optical emission or absorption. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification