Encoded signal detection and display

A method, comprising:

• controlling, with a controller, emission of a beam of thermal radiation, via an orifice defined by a housing, and toward an object disposed at a location external to the housing;
• receiving, via the orifice, at least part of the thermal radiation at an optics assembly;
• identifying, by a detector coupled to the optics assembly, the at least part of the thermal radiation received by the optics assembly, the detector having a field of view;
• providing, by the detector, an input signal to the controller based on the identified at least part of the thermal radiation;
• generating, by the controller, an output signal, the output signal being based on:
• the input signal, and
• a characteristic of the beam of thermal radiation, as emitted from the housing, determined independent of the at least part of the thermal radiation;
• providing, by the controller, the output signal to a display operably connected to the controller;
• and
• displaying, by the display, an image based on the output signal, the image illustrating:
• the object, and a point of impact of the beam on the object, in accordance with the input signal, and
• a visual representation of the beam of thermal radiation emitted from the housing, the visual representation:
• being illustrated in the image as passing, from the object, at least partly along a beam path of the thermal radiation extending from the object to the housing, and
• comprising a digital enhancement of the image based on the characteristic of the beam.

A system, comprising:

• a housing comprising an orifice;
• a controller configured to control emission of a beam of thermal radiation from the housing, via the orifice, and toward an object disposed at a location external to the housing;
• a mounting component configured to removably attach the housing to an apparatus external to the housing;
• an optics assembly supported by the housing and having a central optical axis, the optics assembly configured to receive at least part of the thermal radiation via the orifice;
• a detector disposed within the housing and having an optical axis that is colinear with the optical axis of the optics assembly, the detector having a field of view and including a first plurality of pixels controlled to identify the at least part of the thermal radiation received by the optics assembly, and to provide an input signal to the controller based on the identified at least part of the thermal radiation;
• and
• a display connected to the housing and including a second plurality of pixels, the controller being configured to:
• generate an output signal, the output signal being based on:
• the input signal, and
• a characteristic of the beam of thermal radiation, as emitted from the housing, determined independent of the at least part of the thermal radiation, and
• provide the output signal to the display, the display being configured to display an image based on the output signal, the image illustrating:
• the object, and a point of impact of the beam on the object, in accordance with the input signal, and
• a visual representation of the beam of thermal radiation emitted from the housing, the visual representation:
• being illustrated in the image as passing, from the object, at least partly along a beam path of the thermal radiation extending from the object to the housing, and
• comprising a digital enhancement of the image based on the characteristic of the beam.