Wearable apparatus with integrated infrared imaging module
Various techniques are disclosed for providing a wearable apparatus having an integrated infrared imaging module. In one example, a wearable apparatus implemented as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) may include a shield to protect a user from an external environment, one or more infrared imaging modules, a projector, a processor, and a communication module for projecting a user-viewable thermal image onto a surface of the shield. Such infrared imaging modules may be positioned internal to the SCBA for protection from a hazardous external environment. In another example, a wearable apparatus implemented as a welding mask may include one or more infrared imaging modules, a projector, a processor, and a communication module, so as to project a user-viewable thermal image onto a surface of a shield of the welding mask, while at the same time protecting these components and the welder's face from a harsh welding environment.
1. A method of presenting a user-viewable image on a wearable apparatus having a shield, the method comprising:
capturing, using a focal plane array (FPA) of an infrared imaging device of the wearable apparatus, a thermal image of an external environment;
converting the thermal image into a user-viewable image of the external environment;
presenting the user-viewable image using a display for viewing by a user while wearing the wearable apparatus;
passing, by the shield, at least some visible light from the external environment to the user for viewing the external environment through the shield;
passing, by a window provided in the shield, infrared radiation from the external environment to the infrared imaging device, wherein the infrared imaging device is positioned behind the window of the shield to receive the infrared radiation passed through the window; and
protecting the infrared imaging device, the display, and at least a portion of the user's face from the external environment by the shield while the wearable apparatus is worn by the user,
wherein the infrared imaging device and the display are positioned interior to and behind the shield to be protected from the external environment.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising protecting the display from the external environment by the shield while the wearable apparatus is worn by the user, wherein the display is positioned interior to and behind the shield to be protected from the external environment by the shield, wherein the passing the infrared radiation is by a window provided in the shield, wherein the infrared imaging module is positioned behind the window of the shield to receive the infrared radiation passed through the window.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the display comprises one or more optical elements and a screen; and
the presenting of the user-viewable image comprises displaying the user-viewable image on the screen for the user to view through the one or more optical elements.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the display comprises one or more optical elements and a projector; and
the presenting of the user-viewable image comprises projecting the user-viewable image for the user to view through the one or more optical elements.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the display comprises a projector; and
the presenting of the user-viewable image comprises projecting the user-viewable image onto an inner surface of the shield for viewing by the user.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the display comprises a plate and a projector; and
the presenting of the user-viewable image comprises projecting the user-viewable image onto the plate for viewing by the user.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the converting of the thermal image into the user-viewable image comprises overlaying information and/or alarms on the user-viewable image.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the overlaid information and/or alarms comprise an indication of thermal hot spots or a temperature reading.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the wearable apparatus is a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA);
the method further comprises sealingly engaging a mask frame of the wearable apparatus with the user; and
the mask frame is sealingly coupled to the shield.
10. A method of constructing the wearable apparatus to perform the method of claim 1 , the method of constructing comprising:
providing the shield for protecting at least the portion of the user's face from the external environment, wherein the shield is configured to pass the at least some visible light for the user to view the external environment through the shield;
positioning the infrared imaging device interior to and behind the shield to protect the infrared imaging device from the external environment by the shield, wherein the infrared imaging device comprises the FPA configured to capture the thermal image of the external environment while the wearable apparatus is worn by the user;
positioning the display interior to and behind the shield to protect the display from the external environment by the shield, wherein the display is configured to present the user-viewable image for viewing by the user while wearing the wearable apparatus; and
communicatively coupling a processor with the infrared imaging device and the display.
11. A wearable apparatus configured to perform the method of claim 1 , the wearable apparatus comprising:
the shield configured to protect at least the portion of the user's face from the external environment and pass the at least some visible light from the external environment to the user for viewing the external environment through the shield;
the infrared imaging device comprising the FPA configured to capture the thermal image of the external environment;
a processor configured to convert the thermal image into the user-viewable image of the external environment; and
the display configured to present the user-viewable image for viewing by the user while wearing the apparatus.
12. The wearable apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the display is positioned interior to and behind the shield to be protected from the external environment by the shield.
13. The wearable apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the display comprises one or more optical elements and a screen configured to present the user-viewable image for the user to view through the one or more optical elements.
14. The wearable apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the display comprises one or more optical elements and a projector configured to project the user-viewable image for the user to view through the one or more optical elements.
15. The wearable apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the one or more optical elements comprise a lens, a prism, and/or a mirror, wherein the shield comprises an aperture, wherein the window is part of a window assembly that seals the aperture, and wherein the window assembly further comprises a frame configured to hold the window and seal the aperture with the window.
16. The wearable apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the display comprises a projector configured to project the user-viewable image onto an inner surface of the shield for viewing by the user.
17. The wearable apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the display comprises a plate and a projector configured to project the user-viewable image onto the plate for viewing by the user.
18. The wearable apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to overlay information and/or alarms on the user-viewable image.
19. The wearable apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the overlaid information and/or alarms comprise an indication of thermal hot spots or a temperature reading.
20. The wearable apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the wearable apparatus is a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) further comprising a mask frame sealingly coupled to the shield and configured to sealingly engage the user.