Infrared Eye: Prototype 2
Abstract
The Infrared (IR) Eye was developed with support from the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS), in view of improving the efficiency of airborne search-and rescue operations. The IR Eye concept is based on the human eye and uses simultaneously two fields of view to optimize area coverage and detection capability. It integrates two cameras: the first camera, with a wide field of view of 40 degrees, is used for search and detection while the second one has a narrower field of view of 10 degrees, giving the higher resolution required for identification; this narrower field is mobile within the wide field and slaved to the operator's line of sight by means of an eye-tracking system. The images from both cameras are fused and shown simultaneously on a high resolution CRT display unit, interfaced with the eye-tracking unit in order to optimize the human-machine interface. The IR Eye system was flight tested using the Advanced system Research Aircraft (Bell 412 helicopter) from the Flight Research Laboratory of the National Research Council of Canada. This memorandum describes the prototype and its design approach, presents some results of the flight tests, indicates the strengths and deficiencies of the system, and suggests future improvements for an advanced system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA630620
Entities
People
- Benoit Ricard
- Mario Pichette
- Paul Chevrette
Organizations
- DRDC Valcartier