Portable radiometry and imaging apparatus

Abstract

Systems, including devices and methods, for infrared imaging, and more particularly to systems for infrared imaging.

1 . 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 using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a rescue operation.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a second thermal image further includes using the device for a fire fighting operation. 
   
   
       3 . 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 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. 
   
   
       4 . 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. 
   
   
       5 . 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 using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a fire fighting operation.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , 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. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , 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. 
   
   
       8 . 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;   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; and   using the portable device programmed to have the first set of system parameters to display a first thermal image of a first scene;   wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a rescue operation.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a second thermal image includes using the device for a fire fighting operation. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , 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. 
   
   
       11 . 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. 
   
   
       12 . 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. 
   
   
       13 . 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;   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; and   using the portable device programmed to have the first set of system parameters to display a first thermal image of a first scene;   wherein the step of using the portable device to produce a first thermal image includes using the device for a fire fighting operation.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , 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. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , 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. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , 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.