Wearable thermal imaging cameras .... a 'new' format for challenging environs ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 04:04:03 pm
content: In a recent discussion thread I commented on how I saw Body worn thermal cameras as the step in thermal camera ergonomics. There are many applications for such a format as operatives can sometimes need both hands for reasons of safety or working. An obvious example is the work of fire fighters who need their hands for many different tasks when exploring a building, fighting a fire, or searching for casualties.Having looked for evidence of a 'new trend' in body worn thermal imaging cameras, I have been very pleasantly surprised. There are already many manufacturers developing this format of camera. Many are aiming at the Military and fire fighting markets but we may well start to see versions for 'Jo Public'.Some of the designs are very Heath Robinson in terms of ergonomics but it is still early days for this format. The helmet mounted thermal cameras were first developed by the likes of EEV back in the 1980's/90's but some fire fighters reported a disorientating effect if the camera position was not close to their eye poison. Development of helmet cams gas has continued but I am pleased to see that 'bullet' cams are now common as that is a very rigged and versatile format. I already own a 'bullet' cam that was release in the early 2000's sir covert observation. It contains an Indigo Omega core.The challenge that appears to cause problems for OEM's is how to record and display data for use by the user. Military systems often make use of personal HUD technology on a monocle but they cost many thousands of Dollars per unit. Fire fighting equipment OEM's are still struggling with a suitable personal display system that presents the required thermal image, but without impeding the users normal vision. For example, a user should never be isolated from their visual surroundings if mobile. Orientation is very important and loss of such causes nausea or worsestill, accidents through falling. It will be very interesting to see how this Body worn thermal imaging technology develops. There is at least one fire fighting thermal camera designer on this forum. I wonder where he see's this technology developing, if at all, in his companies thermal camera arsenal.With the availability of the diminutive Lepton 3 to 3rd party developers, surely we should see many new miniaturised Body worn thermal camera designs soon ? If they can just crack the challenge of an affordable and effective personal display system.I found the Thermoteknix irGo camera interesting so attach pictures of it for readers interest.http://www.thermoteknix.com/products/oem-thermal-imaging/microcam-irgo-thermal-imaging-camera/They appear to be a very innovative British companyhttp://www.thermoteknix.com/thermal-imaging-about-us/Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 05:42:54 pm
content: I just dug out the SnoopIR semi 'covert' thermal bullet camera in case its design is of interest.The SnoopIR is from 2006 and contains the Indigo Omega that was pretty advanced for that time. The I/O is via a Lemo connector on the rear and this takes power in and passes composite video out. The recording and viewing system used with the camera is an ARCHOS PVR/TV unit.This unit was used for 'Law Enforcement' covert ops and is custom designed for that application. So the Bullet format thermal camera is nothing new.Fraser

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 02:50:08 pm
content: There is also an issue around display lag, and thermal cameras need more full frame processing so it is worse for them. The original EEV helmet camera was near enough real time 50Hz, how many milliseconds lag is there in a FLIR One ?The lag can be very disorientating or even sickness inducing, it is very similar to sea sickness.The new Scott Sight is a FLIR One but has been rumoured to need a sick bucket round the back of the stand at shows !http://www.scottsight.com/Bill

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 04:52:28 pm
content: "has been rumoured to need a sick bucket round the back of the stand at shows !".Wonderful comment BillI have seen that BA mask camera before on the Internet and thought it looked excellent in terms of the implementation ..... but the real,test is in use and it looks like some more development work is needed.The brochure certainly makes it look very neat indeed. Configuration via a mobile phone app ! Adjustable line of sight and a very neat monitor attachment to a standard mask. Such a pity if it is let down by the technology used within it.https://www.scottsafety.com/en/us/DocumentandMedia1/Marketing/ProductLiteratureandCatalogs/Brochures/Bro_ScottSight1_HS7601__EN_LowRes.pdfWith regard to lag On the FLIR One, I am uncertain how much of that issue is related to the way FLIR have implimented the <9fps restriction. As you say, the Lepton has to do quite a lot of work with very little processing power 'on core'. FLIR have a high frame rate Lepton, it would be interesting to test that one and see how it performs.Fraser

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 11:24:31 pm
content: From FLIRs now programms "Thermal by FLIR" - a tiny, lepton based clip on with HUD :http://www.arsenz.com/thermoglass/thermoglassspec/

author: flyingfishfinger
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2018, 05:31:33 am
content: I'm working on one (spare time...who knows when it'll be useable) based on a stripped-down Seek Pro and some Android electronics. It's been on my mind for years but only recently gotten "cheap enough" to be worthwhile doing.R

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2018, 03:17:32 pm
content: I just purchased several Pulsar night vision scope head mounts in case of future need. They are perfect for mounting a thermal scope like the FLIR PS series for hands free observation. As Bill has indicated, you would get motion sickness if trying to use such for navigation. The mounts arrived today and look well designed and built. Not a very common item to find at a decent price so it was well worth getting them now even though I may not need them for a whileI attach pictures of the Pulsar head mount. The Pulsar products are manufactured by a Belarus company called YUKON. The mounting point allows pivoting of the scope up and out of view and it utilises a simple offset bracket plus scope mount screw. The last two pictures just show that FLIR PS series scopes have already been mounted to helmets. The Pulsar head mount is basically achieving the same stability without the need for a helmet.Fraser