Abstract: Under twenty-first-century metropolitan conditions, almost all of our vision is mediated by cones and the photopic system, yet cones make up barely 5% of our retinal photoreceptors. This paper looks at reasons why we additionally possess rods and a scotopic system, and asks why rods comprise 95% of our retinal photoreceptors. It considers the ability of rods to reliably signal the arrival of individual photons of light, as well as the ability of the retina to process these single-photon signals, and it discusses the advantages that accrue. Drawbacks in the arrangement, including the very slow dark adaptation of scotopic vision, are also considered. Finally, the timing of the evolution of cone and rod photoreceptors, the retina, and the camera-style eye is summarised.

Abstract: Advanced in-vehicle technologies have been proposed as a potential way to keep older adults driving for as long as they can safely do so, by taking into account the common declines in functional abilities experienced by older adults. The purpose of this report was to synthesize the knowledge about older drivers and advanced in-vehicle technologies, focusing on three areas: use (how older drivers use these technologies), perception (what they think about the technologies), and outcomes (the safety and/or comfort benefits of the technologies). Twelve technologies were selected for review and grouped into three categories: crash avoidance systems (lane departure warning, curve speed warning, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, parking assistance); in-vehicle information systems (navigation assistance, intelligent speed adaptation); and other systems (adaptive cruise control, automatic crash notification, night vision enhancement, adaptive headlight, voice activated control). A comprehensive and systematic search was conducted for each technology to collect related publications. 271 articles were included into the final review. Research findings for each of the 12 technologies are synthesized in relation to how older adults use and think about the technologies as well as potential benefits. These results are presented separately for each technology. Can advanced in-vehicle technologies help extend the period over which an older adult can drive safely? This report answers this question with an optimistic “yes.” Some of the technologies reviewed in this report have been shown to help older drivers avoid crashes, improve the ease and comfort of driving, and travel to places and at times that they might normally avoid.

Abstract: Drivers' visual limitations are a leading contributor to night-time traffic crashes involving pedestrians. This paper reviews the basic changes in vision that occur at night for young and old visually healthy drivers, as well as those with common ocular pathology. To maximise their safety at night, pedestrians should be conspicuous. That is, beyond being simply visible (detectable as an ambiguous object), they should attract the attention of drivers and be readily perceivable as pedestrians. Research has established that the conspicuity of pedestrians can be optimised by attaching retroreflective markings to the pedestrian's extremities. Doing so highlights the pedestrian's ‘biological motion,’ which facilitates the accurate perception of a person; however, retroreflective markings on the torso (for example, vests) are less effective. Importantly, behavioural evidence indicates that most road users – drivers and pedestrians alike – are not aware of the limitations of night vision. For example, drivers typically ‘overdrive’ the useful range of their headlight beams and under-use their high beam headlight setting. Further, pedestrians overestimate their own conspicuity at night and fail to appreciate the extent to which their own conspicuity depends on their clothing. The widespread misunderstanding of the challenges associated with night driving reflects a lack of awareness of the fundamental limitations of night vision. Educational interventions are needed to ameliorate these dangerous misunderstandings and to improve the safety of all road users at night.

Abstract: Background/aims To determine the relationship between self-reported visual difficulties under low luminance conditions (night vision symptoms) and visual function measures in intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods One hundred participants with bilateral intermediate AMD were examined in a prospective cross-sectional study with visual function measures including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low luminance visual acuity (LLVA) and microperimetry in both eyes. A 10-item Night Vision Questionnaire (NVQ-10) was then used to determine the degree of self-reported night vision symptoms experienced by each participant. For analyses, low luminance deficit (LLD) was derived as the difference between LLVA and BCVA, and microperimetric mean sensitivity (MS; all points) and central sensitivity (CS; points within the central 1°) were determined. Rasch analysis was used to estimate the person measure of night vision symptoms, and its relationship with visual function parameters was determined. Results NVQ-10 person measures were significantly associated with LLD (β coefficient=0.067, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.130, p=0.034), but not BCVA, LLVA, microperimetric MS or CS (p≥0.090). Participants with the highest degree of self-reported night vision symptoms (fourth quartile of person measure) had significantly worse LLD than those with the least difficulty (first quartile of person measure; p=0.019). Conclusions In individuals with bilateral intermediate AMD, LLD was associated with self-reported night vision symptoms, suggesting that this measure may better capture the visual difficulties experienced by these individuals under low luminance conditions than the conventional measure of photopic visual acuity.

Abstract: To explore early findings that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have reduced scotopic ERG b-wave amplitudes. Light-adapted (LA) and dark-adapted (DA) ERGs were produced by a range of flash strengths that included and extended the ISCEV standard from two subject groups: a high-functioning ASD group N = 11 and a Control group N = 15 for DA and N = 14 for LA ERGs who were matched for mean age and range. Flash strengths ranged from DA −4.0 to 2.3 log phot cd s m−2 and LA −0.5 to 1.0 log phot cd s m−2, and Naka-Rushton curves were fitted to DA b-wave amplitude over the first growth limb (−4.0 to −1.0 log phot cd s m−2). The derived parameters (V max, K m and n) were compared between groups. Scotopic 15-Hz flicker ERGs (14.93 Hz) were recorded to 10 flash strengths presented in ascending order from −3.0 to 0.5 log Td s to assess the slow and fast rod pathways, respectively. LA 30-Hz flicker ERGs, oscillatory potentials (OPs) and the responses to prolonged 120-ms ON–OFF stimuli were also recorded. The ISCEV LA b-wave amplitude produced by 0.5 log phot cd s m−2 was lower in the ASD group (p 0.08) to the single flash stimuli, but there was a significant difference in the distribution for the LA b-wave amplitudes (corrected p = 0.006). The prolonged 120-ms ON responses were smaller in the ASD group (corrected p = 0.003), but the OFF response amplitude (p > 0.6) and ON and OFF times to peaks (p > 0.4) were similar between groups. The LA OPs showed an earlier bifurcation of OP2 in the younger ASD participants; however, no other differences were apparent in the OPs or 30-Hz flicker waveforms. DA b-wave amplitudes fell below the control 5th centile of the controls for some individuals including four ASD participants (36 %) at the 1.5 log phot cd s m−2 flash strength and two (18 %) ASD participants at the lower −2 log phot cd s m−2 flash strength. However, across the 13 flash strengths, there were no significant group differences for b-wave amplitude’s growth (repeated measures ANOVA p = 0.83). Nor were there any significant differences between the groups for the Naka-Rushton parameters (p > 0.09). No group differences were observed in the 15-Hz scotopic flicker phase or amplitude (p > 0.1), DA ERG a-wave amplitude or time to peak (p > 26). The DA b-wave time to peak at 0.5 log phot cd s m−2 was longer in the ASD group (p = 0.04). Under LA conditions, the b-wave is reduced across the ASD group, along with the ON response of the prolonged flash ERG. Some ASD individuals also show subnormal DA ERG b-wave amplitudes. These exploratory findings suggest there is altered cone-ON bipolar signalling in ASD.

Abstract: Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) operating in the near-infrared spectral region are gaining growing relevance for emerging photonic technologies, such as lab-on-chip platforms for medical diagnostics, flexible self-medicated pads for photodynamic therapy, night vision and plastic-based telecommunications. The achievement of efficient near-infrared electroluminescence from solution-processed OLEDs is, however, an open challenge due to the low photoluminescence efficiency of most narrow-energy-gap organic emitters. Diketopyrrolopyrrole-boron complexes are promising candidates to overcome this limitation as they feature extremely high photoluminescence quantum yield in the near-infrared region and high chemical stability. Here, by incorporating suitably functionalized diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives emitting at ~760 nm in an active matrix of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) and without using complex light out-coupling or encapsulation strategies, we obtain all-solution-processed NIR-OLEDs with external quantum efficiency as high as 0.5%. Importantly, our test-bed devices show no efficiency roll-off even for high current densities and high operational stability, retaining over 50% of the initial radiant emittance for over 50 hours of continuous operation at 10 mA/cm2, which emphasizes the great applicative potential of the proposed strategy.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system A comprising at least one video recording devices, digital storage system, and battery power; where the system if positioned within the vehicle V in a manner that prevents unauthorised persons from retrieving the stored data The system may be powered by the vehicles battery (C, fig 3) and integrated into the vehicles electrics via an interior light, or via independent sources such as solar or wind power, and a rechargeable battery The video recording device may be a 360o camera that has night vision capability The system may also record the images from vehicles parking cameras E and data from the vehicles ECU F and on board dashboard computer G The system may have one or more microphones, and include GPS or other location systems

Abstract: Development of broadband photodetectors is of great importance for applications in high-capacity optical communication, night vision, and biomedical imaging systems. While heterostructured photodetectors can expand light detection range, fabrication of heterostructures via epitaxial growth or wafer bonding still faces significant challenges because of problems such as lattice and thermal mismatches. Here, a transfer printing technique is used for the heterogeneous integration of InGaAs nanomembranes on silicon semiconductors and thus the formation of van der Waals heterojunction photodiodes, which can enhance the spectral response and photoresponsivity of Si photodiodes. Transfer-printed InGaAs nanomembrane/Si heterojunction photodiode exhibits a high rectification ratio (7.73 × 104 at ±3 V) and low leakage current (7.44 × 10–5 A/cm2 at −3 V) in a dark state. In particular, the photodiode shows high photoresponsivities (7.52 and 2.2 A W–1 at a reverse bias of −3 V and zero bias, respectively) in the broad...

Abstract: Commonly used vision-targeted health-related quality of life questionnaires almost exclusively focus items on vision under daytime conditions. Older adults even when in good eye health frequently report experiencing vision problems at night and under low environmental light levels, and psychophysical studies also document these visibility problems. Here we compare the progression of self-reported low luminance visibility problems and self-reported visibility problems under daytime conditions in older adults. Trained interviewers administered two questionnaires to older adults in normal eye health: the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire – 25 (NEI VFQ-25) where items are almost entirely focused on difficulties in daytime activities, and the Low Luminance Questionnaire (LLQ) where items are focused on difficulties seeing at night and under low luminance conditions. The following visual functions were also measured: visual acuity, low luminance visual acuity, low luminance deficit, contrast sensitivity, light sensitivity in the macula, and rod-mediated dark adaptation. The protocol was repeated 3 years later. Scores on the NEI VFQ-25 composite and its subscales were unchanged between baseline and 3-year follow-up, whereas scores on the LLQ composite and 5 of 6 subscales significantly decreased (corresponding to less functionality) at the 3-year follow-up. Participants were more likely to display a ≥ 5 point decrease on the LLQ composite than on the NEI VFQ-25 over 3 years. Visual functional tests were largely unrelated to changes in NEI VFQ-25 and LLQ scores from baseline to follow-up. Older adults’ vision-targeted quality of life as measured by questionnaire is more likely to exhibit a practically significant decrease over 3 years using a questionnaire that focused on low luminance activities (LLQ) than one focused on daytime activities (NEI VFQ-25). That the results of visual functional testing did not correspond to older adults’ decline in self-reported problems in low luminance activities emphasizes the importance of questionnaires in understanding visual difficulties from the patients’ own perspective.

Abstract: As cameras turn ubiquitous, balancing privacy and utility becomes crucial. To achieve both, we enforce privacy at the sensor level, as incident photons are converted into an electrical signal and then digitized into image measurements. We present sensor protocols and accompanying algorithms that degrade facial information for thermal sensors, where there is usually a clear distinction between humans and the scene. By manipulating the sensor processes of gain, digitization, exposure time, and bias voltage, we are able to provide privacy during the actual image formation process and the original face data is never directly captured or stored. We show privacy-preserving thermal imaging applications such as temperature segmentation, night vision, gesture recognition and HDR imaging.

Abstract: In the recent years, there has been rapid increase in the number of deaf and dumb victims due to birth defects, accidents and oral diseases. Since deaf and dumb people cannot communicate with normal person so they have to depend on some sort of visual communication. Gesture shows an expressive movement of body parts such as physical movements of head, face, arms, hand or body which convey some message. Gesture recognition is the mathematical interpretation of a human motion by a computing device. Sign language provide best communication platform for the hearing impaired and dumb person to communicate with normal person. The objective of this research is to develop a real time system for hand gesture recognition which recognize hand gestures, features of hands such as peak calculation and angle calculation and then convert gesture images into voice and vice versa. To implement this system we use a simple night vision web-cam with 20 megapixel intensity. The ideas consisted of designing and implement a system using artificial intelligence, image processing and data mining concepts to take input as hand gestures and generate recognizable outputs in the form of text and voice with 91% accuracy.

Abstract: Unlike desert rodents from North America, Allenby's gerbil (Gerbillus andersoni allenbyi) from the Negev Desert, Israel has evolved with snakes that do not have heat-sensitive sensory pits that enhance night vision. Does this history affect their ability to assess and respond to a snake that has this ability? As a test, we exposed gerbils to risk of predation from various predators, including snakes, owls, and foxes. The snakes included the Saharan horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) and the sidewinder rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes). The former snake lacks sensory pits and shares a common evolutionary history with the gerbil. The latter snake, while convergent evolutionarily on the horned viper, has sensory pits and no prior history with the gerbil. The gerbils exploited depletable resource patches similarly, regardless of snake species and moon phase. While the gerbils did not respond to the novel snake as a greater threat than their familiar horned viper, the gerbils were cognizant that the novel predator...

Abstract: . Collisions with power lines are a widely documented cause of avian mortality. Estimating total mortalities from counts of carcasses is usually accomplished by quantifying biasing factors, but neither crippling nor nocturnal biases are well understood. From 4 March through 13 April 2009, data were collected on Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) collisions involving a 69-kV transmission line crossing the Platte River in Nebraska, USA, at a major migration stopover area. The line was marked with devices designed to increase visibility to Sandhill Cranes, and thus reduce collisions. Numbers of carcasses detected via traditional searches that involved walking slowly in a zigzag pattern beneath the line were compared to numbers of collisions visually observed through binoculars and night vision spotting scopes and numbers of collisions detected by electronic Bird Strike Indicators (BSI). Seventeen carcasses were found during traditional surveys, 117 collisions were observed visually, and 321 collisions ...

Abstract: Purpose. To investigate the visual quality after SMILE and Femto-LASIK. Methods. About 123 eyes from 63 patients were enrolled in this study. The parameters were measured preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively using Sirius System. Results. The MTF curve increase slightly from low to high frequency at 3 mm and 6 mm pupil diameter after SMILE surgery (P 0.05) at 3 mm pupil diameter at vertical and horizontal meridian. However, significant difference was found in MTF at low to mediate frequency at 6 mm pupil diameter at vertical meridian at 1 week postoperatively (P < 0.05). Conclusions. Both SMILE and Femto-LASIK show a great improvement in optical quality at small diameter. It was found that SMILE shows better optical quality than Femto-LASIK at larger pupil diameter, which might be good for the night vision.

Abstract: This paper proposed a novel sparse representation-based infrared target tracking method using multi-feature fusion to compensate for incomplete description of single feature. In the proposed method, we extract the intensity histogram and the data on-Local Entropy and Local Contrast Mean Difference information for feature representation. To combine various features, particle candidates and multiple feature descriptors of dictionary templates were encoded as kernel matrices. Every candidate particle was sparsely represented as a linear combination of a set of atom vectors of a dictionary. Then, the sparse target template representation model was efficiently constructed using a kernel trick method. Finally, under the framework of particle filter the weights of particles were determined by sparse coefficient reconstruction errors for tracking. For tracking, a template update strategy employing Adaptive Structural Local Sparse Appearance Tracking (ASLAS) was implemented. The experimental results on benchmark data set demonstrate the better performance over many existing ones.

Abstract: Although advances have been made in oil spill remote detection, many electro-optic sensors do not provide real-time images, do not work well under degraded visual environments, nor provide a measure of extreme oil thickness in marine environments. A joint program now exists between BSEE and NVESD that addresses these capability gaps in remote sensing of oil spills. Laboratory experiments, calibration techniques, and field tests were performed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Santa Barbara, California; and the Ohmsett Test Facility in Leonardo, New Jersey. Weathered crude oils were studied spectroscopically and characterized with LWIR, and low-light-level visible/NIR, and SWIR cameras. We designed and fabricated an oil emulsion thickness calibration cell for spectroscopic analysis and ground truth, field measurements. Digital night vision cameras provided real-time, wide-dynamic-range imagery, and were able to detect and recognize oil from full sun to partial moon light. The LWIR camera provided quantitative oil analysis (identification) for >1 mm thick crude oils both day and night. Two filtered, co-registered, SWIR cameras were used to determine whether oil thickness could be measured in real time. Spectroscopic results revealed that oil emulsions vary with location and weathered state and some oils (e.g., ANS and Santa Barbara seeps) do not show the spectral rich features from archived Deep Water Horizon hyperspectral data. Multi-sensor imagery collected during the 2015 USCG Airborne Oil Spill Remote Sensing and Reporting Exercise and the design of a compact, multiband imager are discussed.

Abstract: The endogenous cannabinoid system plays important roles in the retina of mice and monkeys via their classic CB1 and CB2 receptors. We have previously reported that the G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), a putative cannabinoid receptor, is exclusively expressed in rod photoreceptors in the monkey retina, suggesting its possible role in scotopic vision. To test this hypothesis, we recorded full-field electroretinograms (ERGs) after the intravitreal injection of the GPR55 agonist lysophosphatidylglucoside (LPG) or the selective GPR55 antagonist CID16020046 (CID), under light- and dark-adapted conditions. Thirteen vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) were used in this study: four controls (injected with the vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO), four injected with LPG and five with CID. We analyzed amplitudes and latencies of the a-wave (photoreceptor responses) and the b-wave (rod and cone system responses) of the ERG. Our results showed that after injection of LPG, the amplitude of the scotopic b-wave was significantly higher, whereas after the injection of CID, it was significantly decreased, compared to the vehicle (DMSO). On the other hand, the a-wave amplitude, and the a-wave and b-wave latencies, of the scotopic ERG responses were not significantly affected by the injection of either compound. Furthermore, the photopic ERG waveforms were not affected by either drug. These results support the hypothesis that GPR55 plays an instrumental role in mediating scotopic vision.

Abstract: Purpose To describe simulated night vision, night-vision symptoms, and refractive outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction. Setting Tertiary referral eye center, Singapore. Design Prospective case series. Methods All patients had small-incision lenticule extraction using the Visumax 500 kHz femtosecond laser system. The main outcome measure was simulated night vision logMAR corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) using the super vision test-night vision goggle vision chart at 12 months. Secondary outcomes measures included refractive outcomes (ie, efficacy, predictability, and safety) up to 12 months and vision-related symptoms assessed using a validated questionnaire. Results The study comprised 50 eyes. Overall simulated night vision was not affected (mean CDVA 0.08 logMAR ± 0.1 [SD], P = .67; mean mesopic CDVA −0.02 ± 0.1 logMAR, P = .58) after small-incision lenticule extraction at the 12-month follow-up. In low myopia, simulated night vision improved from preoperatively (mean 0.099 ± 0.07) to 12 months postoperatively (mean 0.006 ± 0.09) (P = .008). Most patients reported mild or no night-vision symptoms 3 months after surgery (score range 1.6 to 2.2). At 12 months, the overall efficacy index was 0.98 ± 0.20, with 100% of eyes attaining an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better and 86% attaining 20/20 or better. Ninety-four percent eyes were within ±1.0 diopter of the attempted correction, and the overall safety index was 1.17 ± 0.17. Conclusion Small-incision lenticule extraction did not affect simulated night vision or contrast sensitivity, with patients reporting no or mild night-vision symptoms. Financial Disclosure None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Abstract: The invention develops an intelligent helmet which is provided with portable intelligent glasses and an infrared night-vision device. The intelligent helmet has GPS locating and gyroscope posture detecting functions and can be used for displaying temperature and position information of an object observed by the human eyes at night, and temperature information of the reality object seen by the human eyes can be displayed. Along with moving of the position and the view of a wearer, temperature information content of corresponding land features can be loaded and displayed in real time. A semi-transparent pseudo-color image is used for carrying out displaying, and corresponding temperature values and direction information are provided.

Abstract: Introduction Flight-induced neck pain is common in high performance jet pilots, with incidents frequently attributed to high Gz flight maneuvers. The additional load of helmet-mounted night vision goggles (NVG) is believed to increase the risk, possibly from neck muscle strain in counteracting muscles. Hence, the aim was to investigate the effect of NVG on neck muscle strain as well as on the activity level distribution through a simulated flight session in air force pilots. Methods In this post hoc randomized crossover trial, four senior air force pilots each completed two identical 1.5-h dynamic flight simulations in a human centrifuge: one with a standard helmet and NVG, and one with a standard helmet only. Simulations included repeated exposure to 3-7 Gz, during which neck muscle activity was recorded bilaterally from the anterior neck, the upper and lower posterior neck, and the upper shoulders. The number of muscle activities surpassing 50% of maximum voluntary electrical activity (MVE) and total time of activity at each MVE percentile were compared between NVG and control flights. Results There was no overall effect in number of neck strain activities between NVG and control flights; however, significantly more activities emerged in the anterior neck. In addition, MVE percentile data showed a tendency of higher activity in the lower posterior neck during NVG flights. Conclusions The results showed that the additional load of helmet-mounted NVG increases neck muscle strain in anterior stabilizing muscles, indicating that the inertia of head-worn NVG elevates the risk of flight-related neck pain. Pousette MW, Lo Martire R, Linder J, Kristoffersson M, Ang BO. Neck muscle strain in air force pilots wearing night vision goggles. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(11):928-932.

Abstract: Purpose To compare rod function among diabetic patients without and with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) and healthy controls by means of scotopic microperimetry and dark-adapted electroretinography. Methods Sixty-one diabetic patients and 30 age-matched controls (control group) underwent complete ophthalmic examination, scotopic microperimetry, and dark-adapted 0.01 electroretinography (DA-ERG). Results In 32 eyes, DR was absent (no-DR group); in 29 eyes, only microaneurysms were observed (DR group). No statistically significant differences in fixation stability, fixation location, or scotopic sensitivity among the 3 groups were observed. Implicit time and amplitude of the DA-ERG b-wave of no-DR and DR groups were not different from controls. Scotopic microperimetry showed a dense scotoma centered onto the fovea in all subjects, consistent with the rod-free zone. Greater scotopic sensitivity was found in a ring located 8° from the fovea (9.33 ± 1.33 dB). Conclusions Diabetic patients without DR and with mild nonproliferative DR did not show alterations in rod-based function, as examined by microperimetry and confirmed by DA-ERG. Scotopic microperimetry measures rod-based function and offers additional information in the evaluation of the aspects of involvement of retinal cells in diabetes.

Abstract: The U. S. Army has adopted the targeting task performance (TTP) image quality metric for formal analyses of electro-optical imager performance. The most recent release of the model, NVIPM, changes the way TTP is calculated in order to improve the accuracy of facial identification. Predictions of the original and modified models are compared to both laboratory and field data. The change degrades NVIPM predictive accuracy for the tactical vehicle target set which is often used in hardware procurement specifications.

Abstract: Astandardoperatingmicroscopewasmodifiedwithabandpassinfraredfilterinthelight path and infrared image intensifiers for each of the 2 eyepieces. We evaluated this system for subretinal injections in normal control dogs and those with a mutation in the rhodopsin gene. Rhodopsin-mutant dogs are a model for human autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, and their retinas degenerate faster when exposed to modest light levels as used in routine clinical examinations. We showed that the mutant retinas developed severe generalized degeneration when exposed to the standard operating microscope light but not the infrared light. The modified operating microscope provided an excellent view of the ocular fundus under infrared illumination and allowed us to perform subretinal injections in the retinas of the rhodopsin-mutant dogs without any subsequent light-induced retinal degeneration.

Abstract: The Night Vision Integrated Performance Model (NV-IPM) introduced a variety of measured system components in version 1.6 of the model. These measured system components enable the characterization of systems based on lab measurements which treat the system as a ‘black-box.’ This encapsulation of individual component terms into higher level measurable quantities circumvents the need to develop costly, time-consuming measurement techniques for each individual input term. Each of the ‘black-box’ system components were developed based upon the minimum required system level measurements for a particular type of imaging system. The measured system hierarchy also includes components for cases where a very limited number of measurements are possible. We discuss the development of the measured system components, the transition of lab measurements into model inputs, and any assumptions inherent to this process.

Abstract: Thermal imaging cameras, commonly used in application areas such as building inspection and night vision, have recently also been introduced as pedagogical tools for helping students visualize, interrogate and interpret notoriously challenging thermal concepts. In this paper we present a system for Spatial Augmented Reality that automatically projects thermal data onto objects. Instead of having a learner physically direct a hand-held camera toward an object of interest, and then view the display screen, a group of participants can gather around the display system and directly see and manipulate the thermal profile projected onto physical objects. The system combines a thermal camera that captures the thermal data, a depth camera that realigns the data with the objects, and a projector that projects the data back. We also apply a colour scale tailored for room temperature experiments.