# US 7,411,193 B2 · Portable radiometry and imaging apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,411,193 B2 - Document ID: US7411193B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/048,105 - Filed: 2005-01-31 - Published: 2006-04-20 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 1998-12-11 - Assignees: FLIR Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Charles C. Warner; Scott A. Foster; Stewart W. Evans; Raul Krivoy; Michael W. Burke; John R. Rae - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7411193B2 ## CPC - G02B 23/125: {head-mounted} - G02B 27/017: {Head mounted} - G02B 2027/0112: {comprising device for genereting colour display} - G02B 2027/0118: {comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility} - G02B 2027/0123: {comprising devices increasing the field of view} - G02B 2027/0138: {comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An infrared (IR) camera and associated electronics including power are systems, including devices and methods, for infrared imaging that can be switched or reprogrammed to produce or display at least two images associated with at least two temperature ranges. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable device for infrared imaging, comprising: an infrared camera for detecting and imaging scenes; and a display, operatively connected to the infrared camera, for producing images representing the scenes detected and imaged by the infrared camera; wherein the portable device is selectively programmable between a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein the first configuration causes the display to produce a first image representing a first detected and imaged scene, the first image being color coded to represent those portions of the first scene that are within a first selected temperature range in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the image; wherein the second configuration causes the display to produce a second image representing a second detected and imaged scene, the second image being color coded to represent those portions of the second scene that are within a second selected temperature range in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the image; and wherein the portable device further includes a switch, and wherein selective actuation of the switch effects reprogramming of the portable device from the first configuration to the second configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The portable device of claim 1, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in the same color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in a different color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 4 A method of producing thermal images, comprising: providing a portable device adapted to produce images of scenes adjacent to a user using an infrared camera; programming the portable device to identify portions of scenes within a first selected temperature range; using the portable device to produce a first thermal image of a first scene, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the first image; reprogramming the portable device to identify portions of scenes within a second selected temperature range different than the first selected temperature range; and using the portable device to produce a second thermal image of a second scene, wherein the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range are displayed in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the second image; wherein the step of reprogramming the portable device includes actuating a switch associated with the portable device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the step of reprogramming the portable device further includes connecting the portable device to a programming computer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a rescue operation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a fire fighting operation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in the same color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in a different color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 10 A method of producing thermal images, comprising: providing a portable device adapted to produce images of scenes adjacent to a user using an infrared camera; programming the portable device to identify portions of scenes within a first selected temperature range; using the portable device to produce a first thermal image of a first scene, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the first image; reprogramming the portable device to identify portions of scenes within a second selected temperature range different than the first selected temperature range; and using the portable device to produce a second thermal image of a second scene, wherein the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range are displayed in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the second image; wherein the step of reprogramming the portable device includes connecting the portable device to a programming computer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a rescue operation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a fire fighting operation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in the same color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in a different color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 15 A method of using a portable device adapted to display thermal images of scenes adjacent to a user using a thermal camera, comprising: programming the portable device to have a first set of system parameters that cause the portable device to display portions of thermal images corresponding to portions of scenes within a first selected temperature range in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the image; and reprogramming the portable device to have a second set of system parameters that cause the portable device to display portions of thermal images corresponding to portions of scenes within a second selected temperature range in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the image; wherein the step of reprogramming the portable device includes actuating a switch associated with the portable device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the step of reprogramming the portable device includes connecting the portable device to a programming computer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising using the portable device programmed to have the first set of system parameters to display a first thermal image of a first scene. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a rescue operation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a fire fighting operation. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising using the portable device reprogrammed to have the second set of system parameters to display a second thermal image of a second scene. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in the same color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in a different color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 23 A method of using a portable device adapted to display thermal images of scenes adjacent to a user using a thermal camera, comprising: programming the portable device to have a first set of system parameters that cause the portable device to display portions of thermal images corresponding to portions of scenes within a first selected temperature range in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the image; and reprogramming the portable device to have a second set of system parameters that cause the portable device to display portions of thermal images corresponding to portions of scenes within a second selected temperature range in a color range that is visually distinct from all other portions of the image; wherein the step of reprogramming the portable device includes connecting the portable device to a programming computer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, further comprising using the portable device programmed to have the first set of system parameters to display a first thermal image of a first scene. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a rescue operation. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a fire fighting operation. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, further comprising using the portable device reprogrammed to have the second set of system parameters to display a second thermal image of a second scene. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in the same color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the portions of the first image corresponding to the portions of the first scene within the first selected temperature range are displayed in a different color range as the portions of the second image corresponding to the portions of the second scene within the second selected temperature range.