# US 11,445,131 B2 · Imager with array of multiple infrared imaging modules

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,445,131 B2
- Document ID: US11445131B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/147,381
- Filed: 2018-09-28
- Published: 2019-05-09
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2009-06-03
- Assignees: Teledyne FLIR, LLC
- Applicants: Teledyne Flir, LLC
- Inventors: Nicholas Högasten; Mark Nussmeier; Eric A. Kurth; Theodore R. Hoelter; Katrin Strandemar; Pierre Boulanger; Barbara Sharp
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11445131B2

## CPC

- H04N 13/243: using three or more two-dimensional [2D] image sensors
- H04N 23/23: from thermal infrared radiation
- H04N 23/45: for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
- H04N 25/68: applied to defects
- H10F 39/024: {of coatings or optical elements}
- H10F 39/803: {Pixels having integrated switching, control, storage or amplification elements}
- H10F 39/8057: {Optical shielding}
- H10F 39/8063: {Microlenses}
- H04N 13/218: using spatial multiplexing
- H04N 23/21: from near infrared [NIR] radiation
- H04N 25/671: for non-uniformity detection or correction
- H04N 25/674: based on the scene itself, e.g. defocusing
- H10F 39/8053: {Colour filters}
- H10F 39/806: {Optical elements or arrangements associated with the image sensors}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION

## Abstract

An imager array may be provided as part of an imaging system. The imager array may include a plurality of infrared imaging modules. Each infrared imaging module may include a plurality of infrared sensors associated with an optical element. The infrared imaging modules may be oriented, for example, substantially in a plane facing the same direction and configured to detect images from the same scene. Such images may be processed in accordance with various techniques to provide images of infrared radiation. The infrared imaging modules may include filters or lens coatings to selectively detect desired ranges of infrared radiation. Such arrangements of infrared imaging modules in an imager array may be used to advantageous effect in a variety of different applications.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An imaging system comprising:
a system housing;
a plurality of infrared imaging modules arranged in a lattice configuration having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of the infrared imaging modules positioned on a shared base, disposed in the system housing, and adapted to image a scene, wherein each of the infrared imaging modules comprises:
a module housing,
an optical element adapted to receive infrared radiation from the scene,
an array comprising a plurality of infrared sensors arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of the sensors disposed in the module housing and adapted to capture an image of the scene based on the infrared radiation received through the optical element,
wherein a first one of the imaging modules is adapted to capture a first image of a first wavelength range of the infrared radiation, and
wherein a second one of the imaging modules is adapted to capture a second image of a second wavelength range of the infrared radiation different from the first wavelength range; and
a processor adapted to compare the first and second images to determine a presence of gas in the scene.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The imaging system of claim 1, wherein:
the first and second wavelength ranges overlap with each other and both comprise an absorption band of a gas;
a third one of the imaging modules is adapted to capture a third wavelength range of the infrared radiation; and
the third wavelength range overlaps with the first wavelength range and substantially corresponds to another absorption band of the gas and/or an absorption band of another gas.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:
map pixels of the first and second images to a coordinate space;
compare pixels of the first and second images mapped to the same coordinates in the coordinate space; and
determine the presence of the gas in the scene based on values of the pixels.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to provide a result image that indicates the presence of the gas in the scene.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the second imaging module comprises a filter adapted to pass only the second wavelength range of the infrared radiation to the sensor, wherein the filter is a coating on the optical element of the second imaging module.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The imaging system of claim 1, wherein:
the first and second imaging modules are adapted to capture the first and second images substantially simultaneously; and
the imaging system is a thermal camera.

### Claim 7

A method comprising:
receiving electromagnetic radiation from a scene at a plurality of infrared imaging modules arranged in a lattice configuration having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of the infrared imaging modules positioned on a shared base, disposed in a housing of an imaging system, and adapted to image a scene, wherein each of the infrared imaging modules comprises:
a module housing,
an optical element adapted to receive infrared radiation from the scene,
an array comprising a plurality of infrared sensors arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of the sensors disposed in the module housing and adapted to capture an image of the scene based on the infrared radiation received through the optical element,
wherein a first one of the imaging modules is adapted to capture a first image of a first wavelength range of the infrared radiation, and
wherein a second one of the imaging modules is adapted to capture a second image of a second wavelength range of the infrared radiation different from the first wavelength range; and
comparing, by a processor, the first and second images to determine a presence of gas in the scene.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein:
the first and second wavelength ranges overlap with each other and both comprise an absorption band of a gas;
a third one of the imaging modules is adapted to capture a third wavelength range of the infrared radiation; and
the third wavelength range overlaps with the first wavelength range and substantially corresponds to another absorption band of the gas and/or an absorption band of another gas.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the comparing comprises:
mapping pixels of the first and second images to a coordinate space;
comparing pixels of the first and second images mapped to the same coordinates in the coordinate space; and
determining the presence of the gas in the scene based on values of the pixels.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a result image that indicates the presence of the gas in the scene.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the second imaging module comprises a filter adapted to pass only the second wavelength range of the infrared radiation to the sensor, wherein the filter is a coating on the optical element of the second imaging module.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein:
the capturing the first and second images are performed substantially simultaneously; and
the imaging system is a thermal camera.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the infrared imaging modules are substantially equal sized.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The imaging system of claim 13, wherein the infrared imaging modules are configured to be secured in sockets.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the infrared imaging modules are a first set of infrared imaging modules having a first size, wherein the imaging system further comprises a second set of infrared imaging modules having a second size.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of infrared imaging modules is a first plurality of infrared imaging modules, the imaging system further comprising a second plurality of infrared imaging modules arranged in a multi-level staggered configuration and at least partially overlapping with the first plurality of infrared imaging modules.

### Claim 17 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the infrared imaging modules are substantially equal sized.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the infrared imaging modules are configured to be secured in sockets.

### Claim 19 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the infrared imaging modules are a first set of infrared imaging modules having a first size, the method further comprising performing the receiving and the comparing with a second set of infrared imaging modules having a second size.

### Claim 20 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of infrared imaging modules is a first plurality of infrared imaging modules, the imaging system further comprising a second plurality of infrared imaging modules arranged in a multi-level staggered configuration and at least partially overlapping with the first plurality of infrared imaging modules.