Method and Apparatus for Using Thermal Imaging and Augmented Reality
AssigneeInformation Decision Technologies, LLC
InventorsJohn Ebersole, Andrew Hobgood, John Ebersole
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for using Augmented Reality (AR), in conjunction with a real or simulated thermal imager. A primary application is to train emergency first responders. Particularly, the system uses a thermal imaging camera or standard video camera, and tracking system to provide a tracked viewpoint in an AR environment. The augmented portions of the environment can consist of fire, smoke, extinguishing agent, or other emergencies. This allows for inexpensive, flexible, and realistic on-site training of fire fighting, damage control, search and rescue, and other first responder techniques using thermal imaging.
Claims25
A method for using thermal imaging and augmented reality, comprising
- providing an imaging device to acquire an image of the user's environment;
- providing a tracking system attached to the device;
- using the tracking system to collect the position and orientation of the device;
- providing a computer;
- using the device to capture a view of the environment to be augmented;
- sending the view to a video capture device connected to the computer;
- using the computer to compute and render a simulated thermal image of objects and features to be augmented onto the view of the environment;
- combining the simulated thermal image of the objects and features with the image of the real world to display a single, augmented view to the user that represents an augmented thermal view of the real world;
- displaying the single, final, augmented view to the user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.