Helmet-mounted thermal imaging system

• US 7,369,174 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sage Technologies Limited (Sage Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Sage Technologies Limited (Sage Group PLC)
• Inventors: Olita, Jules, Medd, Owen, Sheridan, Wesley
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, HEATHER RAE
• Application Number:
  US10/034,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20030122958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,322 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/64, 348/143, 348/373, 348/164, 348/216.1, 250/330, 345/8, 359/631, 359/630, 359/356, 359/815, 2/63
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/042 Optical devices night vision goggles G02B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0176 characterised by mechanical features
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

An improved thermal imaging camera system is adapted to be releasably mounted to a protective helmet typically worn by a firefighter or other emergency personnel at an incident site. The present system comprises a thermal imaging camera assembly having a single eyepiece display flexibly coupled thereto, a protective housing for the camera assembly and a specially adapted mounting bracket assembly for releasably stationing the camera assembly and its protective housing in a central position on the helmet. The camera assembly further includes and integrates a miniaturized infrared camera unit with associated battery power supply and control electronics for high resolution image production. The single eyepiece display is flexibly coupled to the camera assembly and its housing by means of an articulated arm that accommodates positioning of the display in front of either the left or right eye of the user-wearer with or without an air mask or other protective interface being worn over the face of the user-wearer. The mounting bracket assembly includes a T-shaped base bracket having a rectangular head adapted to be fixed in a level position on the front of the helmet and a C-shaped upper bracket attached to the bottom of the housing and formed to slidingly engage the head of the base bracket thereby holding the camera system in proper position on the helmet. Spring-loaded detents on opposite sides of the head of the base bracket serve to lock the bracket assembly together by engaging the sides of the upper bracket and further allow manual disengagement therefrom so that the camera system may be quickly removed from the helmet and rapidly deployed on another similarly equipped helmet.

Claims

1. A thermal imaging system intended for use upon a helmet worn by a person observing a scene at a fire or other incident site, comprising:

infrared camera means assembled and releasably mounted in a stationary position along the centerline of the helmet for producing video signals reflective of thermal images of the scene viewed along the centerline, said infrared camera means comprising an infrared camera having a sensor array forwardly positioned to detect infrared radiation emanating from the scene for producing electrical signals indicative thereof, signal processor means connected to receive the electrical signals from said infrared camera for generating processed video signals based thereon indicative of thermal images of the scene, battery means connected to said infrared camera and said signal processor means for providing electrical power thereto, and housing means for containing said infrared camera, said signal processor means and said battery means in an assembled camera arrangement wherein the sensor array of said infrared camera is forwardly disposed to receive the infrared radiation emanating from the scene, said housing means comprising a front housing member formed having a cavity to substantially contain the assembled camera arrangement therein and further having a portal centrally therethrough to permit transmission of the infrared radiation emanating from the scene to the sensor array of said infrared camera, a rear housing member connected to said front housing member and formed to enclose the cavity thereof, said rear housing member being further formed to provide an interior compartment to hold said battery means, and a battery door pivotally connected to said rear housing member to close the interior compartment therein;

eyepiece display means extended from said infrared camera means and adjustably connected thereto for presenting thermal images of the scene to either eye of the person based on the video signals from said infrared camera means; and

bracket means assembled and interconnected between said infrared camera means and the helmet, said bracket means being axially aligned with the centerline of the helmet and interlocked therealong for releasably mounting said infrared camera means in the stationary position along the centerline of the helmet.

2. A thermal imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said eyepiece display means comprises:

an eyepiece display electrically connected to receive the processed video signals from said signal processor means for producing thermal images therefrom; and

an articulated arm connected to said housing means and adjustably configured to extend said eyepiece display therefrom in a position forward of either eye of the person.

3. A thermal imaging system according to claim 1, wherein said bracket means comprises:

a first bracket member attached to said housing means in an axial direction, said first bracket member being formed having an open rectangular configuration with a C-shaped cross-section;

a second bracket member attached to the helmet in an axial direction and along the centerline of the helmet, said second bracket member being formed having a rectangular configuration conformed to fit axially within the open rectangular configuration of said first bracket member; and

detent means secured to said second bracket member and transversely disposed thereon to releasably interlock said first and second bracket members when axially engaged.

4. A thermal imaging camera system for use upon a helmet having a brim and worn by a person observing a scene at a fire or other incident site, comprising:

infrared camera means assembled and adapted to be mounted in a stationary position upon the brim of the helmet, said infrared camera means being disposed to view the scene along the centerline of the helmet for generating processed video signals reflective of thermal images of the scene and further comprising an infrared camera having a sensor array forwardly positioned to detect infrared radiation emanating from the scene for producing electrical signals indicative thereof, signal processor means connected to receive the electrical signals from said infrared camera for generating processed video signals based thereon indicative of thermal images of the scene, battery means connected to said infrared camera and said signal processor means for providing electrical power thereto, and housing means for containing said infrared camera, said signal processor means and said battery means in an assembled camera arrangement wherein the sensor array of said infrared camera is forwardly disposed to receive the infrared radiation emanating from the scene, said housing means further comprising a front housing member formed having a cavity to substantially contain the assembled camera arrangement therein and a portal centrally therethrough to permit transmission of the infrared radiation emanating from the scene to the sensor array of said infrared camera, a rear housing member connected to said front housing member and formed to enclose the cavity thereof, said rear housing member being further formed to provide an interior compartment to hold said battery means, and a battery door pivotally connected to said rear housing member to close the interior compartment therein;

eyepiece display means electrically connected to said infrared camera means and flexibly extended therefrom for displaying thermal images of the scene to either eye of the person based on the video signals generated from said infrared camera means; and

bracket means assembled and interconnected between said infrared camera means and the brim of the helmet, said bracket means being axially aligned with the centerline of the helmet and interlocked therealong for releasably mounting said infrared camera means in the stationary position along the centerline of the helmet.

5. A thermal imaging camera system according to claim 4, wherein said eyepiece display means comprises:

an eyepiece display electrically connected to receive the processed video signals from said signal processor means for producing thermal images therefrom; and

an articulated arm connected to said housing means and adjustably configured to extend said eyepiece display therefrom in a position forward of either eye of the person.

6. A thermal imaging camera system according to claim 4, wherein said bracket means comprises:

a first bracket member attached to said housing means in an axial direction, said first bracket member being formed having an open rectangular configuration with a C-shaped cross-section;

a second bracket member attached to the brim of the helmet in an axial direction and along the centerline thereof, said second bracket member being formed having a rectangular configuration conformed to fit axially within the open rectangular configuration of said first bracket member; and

detent means secured to said second bracket member and transversely disposed thereon to releasably interlock said first and second bracket members when axially engaged.

7. A thermal imaging system intended for use upon a helmet worn by a person observing a scene at a fire or other incident site, comprising:

infrared camera means assembled and releasably mounted along the centerline of the helmet for producing video signals reflective of thermal images of the scene viewed along the centerline, said infrared camera means comprising an infrared camera having a sensor array forwardly positioned to detect infrared radiation emanating from the scene for producing electrical signals indicative thereof, signal processor means connected to receive the electrical signals from said infrared camera for generating processed video signals based thereon indicative of thermal images of the scene, battery means connected to said infrared camera and said signal processor means for providing electrical power thereto, and housing means for containing said infrared camera, said signal processor means and said battery means in an assembled camera arrangement wherein the sensor array of said infrared camera is forwardly disposed to receive the infrared radiation emanating from the scene;

eyepiece display means extended from said infrared camera means and adjustably connected thereto for presenting thermal images of the scene to either eye of the person based on the video signals from said infrared camera means; and

bracket means releasably engaged and coupled between said infrared camera means and the helmet for mounting said infrared camera means along the centerline of the helmet, a first bracket member attached to said housing means in an axial direction, said first bracket member being formed having an open rectangular configuration with a C-shaped cross-section, a second bracket member attached to the helmet in an axial direction and along the centerline of the helmet, said second bracket member being formed having a rectangular configuration conformed to fit axially within the open rectangular configuration of said first bracket member, and detent means secured to said second bracket member and transversely disposed thereon to releasably interlock said first and second bracket members when axially engaged.