System and method for providing a remote user interface for a thermal imager

• US 8,003,941 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2008
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fluke Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fluke Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Heinke, Thomas, Warnke, Stefan H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Taningco; Marcus H
• Application Number:
  US12/074,381
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 250/330
• US Class Current: 250/330
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/025 Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0265 Handheld, portable ear thermometers G01J5/049
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings

Abstract

A thermal imaging system having a remote user interface comprises a portable thermal imager (such as a handheld thermal imager) having a communication interface for transfer of data. The imager further has an on-board memory in which image data is stored as well as an imager display to show a processed thermal image based on the image data stored in memory. A remote computer is operative to communicate with the thermal imager via the communication interface. The computer runs software operative to transfer the image data to the computer and show the processed thermal image on a computer display thereof on a real-time basis.

Claims

1. A thermal imaging system having a remote user interface, said system comprising:

a portable thermal imager having a communication interface for transfer of data, said imager having an on-board memory in which image data is stored;

said thermal imager further having an imager display to show a processed thermal image based on said image data stored in said memory;

a remote computer operative to communicate with said thermal imager via said communication interface; and

said computer running software operative to transfer dummy image data to said memory of said thermal imager;

whereby said processed thermal image shown on said imager display will be based on said dummy image data rather than current image data.

2. A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said portable thermal imager is a handheld device.

3. A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communication interface of said thermal imager is operative to communicate with said remote computer via a wired connection.

4. A thermal imaging system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said communication interface of said thermal imager is a universal serial bus interface.