EP4413741A1

EP4413741A1 - Infrared imaging device

Info

Publication number: EP4413741A1
Application number: EP22800650.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gabriel JOBERT
Original assignee: Lynred SAS
Current assignee: Lynred SAS
Priority date: 2021-10-08
Filing date: 2022-10-07
Publication date: 2024-08-14
Also published as: US20240328862A1; CA3234654A1; IL311817A; FR3128085A1; KR20240127950A; CN118285109A; JP2024538738A; WO2023057635A1

Abstract

The present description relates to an infrared imaging device (200) comprising an infrared camera (210) having an optical axis (A), said camera being intended to detect infrared radiation in a spectral range through an element (132) that is transparent to said infrared radiation, the transparent element being tilted by a tilt angle (α) greater than 0° and less than 90° or less than 0° and greater than -90° with respect to an image capture direction (C); the device further comprising a refractor element (230) that is transparent to infrared radiation in the spectral range and is capable of being positioned between the transparent element and the infrared camera, said refractor element comprising a virtual exit facet of the refractor element, corresponding to an exit facet (234) of the refractor element in a tunnel diagram of said refractor element, said virtual exit facet being substantially parallel to an entry facet (232) of the refractor element.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Infrared imaging device

Technical area

[0001] The present description relates generally to the field of infrared imaging and relates in particular to an infrared camera in which an image is detected by said infrared camera through a porthole transparent to infrared radiation.

Prior technique

[0002] In the field of infrared imaging, an infrared camera or “IR camera” suitable for capturing thermal images of a scene can be used. An IR camera generally comprises an arrangement of infrared-sensitive detectors forming a matrix of pixels. Each pixel in the pixel array converts a temperature measured at the pixel level into a corresponding voltage signal, which is converted by a digital-to-analog converter (ADC) into a digital output signal. A micro-bolometer is an example of a pixel used for an uncooled pixel-array infrared camera, suitable for capturing thermal images of a scene.

[0003] In certain applications, an IR camera can be positioned in an enclosure, or at the very least be placed behind a wall so that the radiation is detected by the IR camera through the wall. This wall can be inclined at a non-zero angle relative to the vertical. When the material of the wall is not transparent to IR radiation, the wall is provided with an element transparent to IR radiation, for example a porthole, this porthole being positioned so that the IR camera can receive the IR radiation through said window. Generally, such a porthole has the smallest possible side dimensions.

[0004] However, when the wall is inclined, so is the window. The presence of an inclined porthole with a reduced pupil may generate an unwanted vignetting phenomenon on the image captured by the IR camera, i.e. a reduction in brightness at the edges of the image ( in other words, an increase in opacity at the edges of the image). The phenomenon can worsen when the distance between the porthole and the IR camera increases.

Summary of the invention

[0005] There is a need to control the vignetting phenomenon of an infrared camera intended to be positioned behind an inclined wall.

[0006] One embodiment overcomes all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0007] One embodiment provides an infrared imaging device comprising an infrared camera having an optical axis, said camera being intended to detect infrared radiation in a spectral range through an element transparent to said infrared radiation, the transparent element being inclined at an angle of inclination greater than 0° and less than 90° or less than 0° and greater than -90° with respect to an image capture direction; the device further comprising a refracting element transparent to infrared radiation in the spectral range and able to be positioned between the transparent element and the infrared camera, said refracting element comprising a virtual output facet of the refracting element, corresponding to a facet output of the refracting element in a tunnel diagram of said refracting element, said virtual exit facet being substantially parallel to an entry facet of the refracting element.

The transparent element comprises two faces, an input face and an output face, preferably substantially planar and parallel to each other.

According to one embodiment, the input facet is adapted to refract an infrared ray of the spectral range penetrating into the refracting element, and is intended to be positioned facing the transparent element, the output facet is adapted to refract the infrared ray leaving the refracting element, and is positioned facing the infrared camera, the refracting element further comprising at least one intermediate facet adapted to reflect the infrared ray between the input facet and the output facet.

According to one embodiment, the inner surface of the intermediate facet is covered with a reflective coating adapted to increase the reflection of infrared radiation on said inner surface, for example a metal coating.

[0011]According to one embodiment, the intermediate facet comprises at least one surface adapted to correct optical aberrations, for example an irregular surface, of the free-form type, for example non-axisymmetric.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the refracting element and the infrared camera are positioned relatively to one another so that the refracted optical axis of the refracting element is substantially parallel to, or substantially coincides with, the optical axis of the infrared camera .

According to one embodiment, the optical axis of the infrared camera is offset by a distance relative to the refracted optical axis of the refracting element in a direction perpendicular to said refracted optical axis.

[0014]According to one embodiment, the exterior surface of the input facet and/or the exterior surface of the output facet is covered with an antireflection coating.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the refracting element is a prism. According to one example, the prism does not generate chromatic dispersion.

According to a particular embodiment, the prism is of the Dove prism type, said prism having the shape of a pyramid with a truncated rectangular base comprising a first base, a second base with a lower surface than said first base, a first lateral plane connecting the first and second bases and inclined at a first angle with respect to the first base, a second lateral plane connecting the first and second bases, facing the first lateral plane and inclined at a second angle with respect to the first base , the second angle being the opposite of the first angle, the first angle being greater than 0° and less than 90°, for example between 30 and 60°, the first lateral plane forming the entry facet, the second lateral plane forming the exit facet, and the first base forming the intermediate facet.

According to a particular embodiment, the prism is a half-pentaprism of the Bauernfeind prism type, said prism comprising a base forming the entrance facet, a first lateral plane arranged facing the base and forming the intermediate facet , and a second lateral plane connecting the base and the first lateral plane and forming the exit facet. According to one example, the facets are oriented with respect to each other so that an infrared ray is refracted through the input facet at an angle equal to the angle of incidence of the output facet. According to one embodiment, the entrance facet of the refracting element has a surface greater than or equal to the surface of the transparent element.

According to one embodiment, the input facet of the refracting element is substantially parallel to the transparent element.

[0020]According to one embodiment, the exit facet has a surface substantially equal to the surface of the entrance facet.

[0021]According to one embodiment, the output facet has a lower surface than the surface of the input facet.

According to one embodiment, the infrared camera further comprises at least one lens and one lens mount, said at least one lens being held by said lens mount, at least one lens and/or the lens mount comprising a truncated face adapted to be positioned opposite the output facet of the refracting element, the truncated face being for example substantially parallel to the output facet.

According to one embodiment, the infrared camera comprises:

- at least one lens and one lens mount, said at least one lens being held by said lens mount;

- an image sensor sensitive to infrared radiation of the spectral range; the image sensor and the at least one lens defining the optical axis of the infrared camera, the image sensor being arranged substantially in the image focal plane of said at least one lens. [0024] According to a particular embodiment, the at least one lens is at least partially surrounded by the lens frame.

According to one embodiment, the transparent element is surrounded by a frame and is adapted to be inserted with said frame into the opening of a wall, at least part of the wall in which the transparent element is inserted being inclined at the same angle of inclination as the transparent element.

The transparent element is preferably included in the volume released by the opening of the wall, that is to say the volume corresponding to the opening of the wall. For example, the transparent element does not protrude laterally on either side of the opening.

[0027] Preferably, the wall is inclined by the angle of inclination around the opening. For example, the wall is entirely inclined by the angle of inclination.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises means for attaching the refracting element adapted to attach said refracting element to the wall or to the frame.

[0029] According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises an interface element adapted to provide an interface between the infrared camera and the mount, said interface element furthermore being adapted to hold the refracting element between the element transparency and the infrared camera.

According to one embodiment, at least one inner surface of the interface element is shaped so as to reduce the emission of infrared radiation by said interface element towards the camera. According to one embodiment, at least one inner surface of the interface element is made of a material suitable for reducing the emission of infrared radiation by said interface element towards the camera.

According to one embodiment, at least one inner surface of the interface element is covered with a coating adapted to reduce the emission of infrared radiation by said interface element towards the camera.

[0033]According to one embodiment, the interface element comprises a first end adapted to cling to the frame of the transparent element, for example by complementarity of shape with said frame.

[0034]According to one embodiment, the interface element comprises a second end adapted to be attached to the infrared camera, for example by shape complementarity with at least part of said infrared camera.

[0035]According to one embodiment, the interface element comprises a first end shaped to attach to the mount and a second end shaped to attach to the camera. For example, the interface element comprises a body between the first and the second end.

According to one embodiment, the interface element is in two parts assembled on either side of the infrared camera. According to a particular embodiment, the interface element is in one piece.

According to one embodiment, the interface element has a hollow shape.

According to an embodiment in which the infrared camera comprises at least one lens and one lens mount, said at least one lens being held by said lens mount, the second end of the interface element is adapted to cling to the lens frame, for example by form complementarity with said lens frame.

According to an embodiment in which the infrared camera comprises at least one lens and a lens mount, said at least one lens being held by said lens mount, the interface element and the lens mount are in one piece.

According to one embodiment, the interface element is equipped with at least one temperature sensor. For example, at least one temperature probe is connected to a module for processing stray light fluxes, for example a stray light flux emitted by the device.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a removable shutter element adapted to shut off the infrared camera, for example assembled with the interface element and/or placed between the refractor element and the infrared camera. According to one example, the shutter element is covered with an emissive coating on one face of said shutter element located facing the infrared camera.

[0042]According to one embodiment, the interface element comprises at least one inner emitting surface oriented facing the infrared camera and adapted to be positioned close to the transparent element, for example against the frame of the transparent element. According to one example, said inner surface is for example covered with an emissive coating on its face located facing the infrared camera.

According to one embodiment, the interface element comprises a portion adapted to be positioned facing a region of the transparent element, for example an edge of said transparent element, so as to form a screen between said region of the transparent element and the infrared camera, said portion comprising an emitting face oriented facing the infrared camera. According to one example, said emitting face is covered with an emissive coating.

The two embodiments previously described make it possible to voluntarily degrade the vignetting over a region of the field of view of the infrared camera, preferably a region that is not critical for the intended application, and to produce an image of an interior surface of the interface element facing said degraded region of the field of view. The temperature determined by the image sensor in this degraded region of the field of view can then be used in a parasitic light flux processing module.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the infrared camera comprises a pixel array image sensor comprising an angular pixel suitable for capturing a light flux originating from an interior zone of the interface element oriented facing the sensor of image and of the field of view of the angular pixel, for example an interior zone adapted to be positioned around the transparent element. According to one example, said interior zone is covered with an emissive coating.

By angular pixel is meant a parasitic light flux detection pixel, or parasitic thermal flux, which is a pixel having a modified field of vision compared to that of image pixels of the pixel matrix, in order to promote the capture of stray heat. For example, each stray heat sensing pixel is arranged to capture a larger portion of stray heat than each image pixel in the pixel array.

[0047] One embodiment provides a system comprising: an infrared imaging device according to one embodiment and

- an element transparent to infrared radiation of a range spectral; the infrared camera of the device being adapted to detect infrared radiation of the spectral range through the transparent element; the transparent element being inclined by an angle of inclination greater than 0° and less than 90° or less than 0° and greater than -90° with respect to an image capture direction.

According to one embodiment, the transparent element is surrounded by a mount and is inserted with said mount into the opening of a wall, at least part of the wall in which the transparent element is inserted being inclined the same angle of inclination as the transparent element.

[0050] Preferably, the wall is inclined by the angle of inclination around the opening. For example, the wall is entirely inclined by the angle of inclination.

Brief description of the drawings

These characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will be explained in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made on a non-limiting basis in relation to the attached figures, among which:

[0052] figure IA, and

[0053] Figure IB are sectional views showing an example of an infrared camera arranged behind an inclined wall;

[0054] FIG. 2A is a sectional view showing an example of an infrared imaging device according to one embodiment; FIG. 2B represents a view of a tunnel diagram of the prism of the infrared imaging device of FIG. 2A;

[0056] FIG. 2C is a sectional view representing a variant of the example of infrared imaging device of FIG. 2A;

[0057] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another example of an infrared imaging device according to one embodiment;

[0058] FIG. 4 is a sectional view representing another example of an infrared imaging device according to one embodiment;

[0059] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another example of an infrared imaging device according to one embodiment;

[0060] FIG. 6A is a sectional view showing another example of an infrared imaging device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6B represents a view of a tunnel diagram of the prism of the infrared imaging device of FIG. 6A.

Description of embodiments

The same elements have been designated by the same references in the various figures. In particular, the structural and/or functional elements common to the various embodiments may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the embodiments described have been represented and are detailed. Especially, the optics, for example the lenses and their mounting, and the image sensor, for example the matrix image sensor in the form of a matrix of micro-bolometers or a matrix of photodiodes, are only detailed, being known by the person of the art in the field of the invention.

Unless otherwise specified, when reference is made to two elements connected together, this means directly connected without intermediate elements other than conductors, and when reference is made to two connected elements (in English "coupled") between them, this means that these two elements can be connected or be linked via one or more other elements.

[0065] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", etc., or relative, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to qualifiers of orientation, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc. ., unless otherwise specified, reference is made to the orientation of the figures or to an IR imaging device in a normal position of use.

[0066] When referring to the terms "input/output", "upstream/downstream", "front/rear", "front/behind", reference is made to the direction of propagation of the light rays/radiation in the device, i.e. from the transparent element to the infrared camera.

When reference is made to angle values, it should be understood that these values are in the counterclockwise direction, represented by the quarter-circle arrow with the "+" sign in the figures. A negative angle value thus corresponds to an angle oriented clockwise. In the following description, the horizontal X, Y and vertical Z directions are defined in the frame of reference of the infrared camera.

[0069] When referring to an "image capture direction", reference is made to the optical path of a light ray upstream of the transparent element which, after passing through the transparent element and the refracting element, coincides with, or is parallel to, the optical axis of the camera.

[0070] When referring to a "refracted optical axis" of the transparent element or porthole, it is referring to the optical path of a light ray which, emitted in the direction of image capture, has been refracted by said transparent element.

[0071] When referring to a "refracted optical axis" of the prism, reference is made to the optical path of a light ray which, emitted in the direction of image capture, has been refracted by the transparent element then by said prism.

[0072] When reference is made to a "prismatic tunnel diagram" or "tunnel diagram", reference is made to a two-dimensional figure obtained by unfolding the prism, the unfolding being done by planar symmetry of the prism, the plane of symmetry being a facet on which an internal reflection takes place (in the unfolded mode, the reflected optical axis is not deviated), such unfolding being done at each internal reflection in order to construct the tunnel diagram. In other words, a tunnel diagram represents, like a straight line, the optical path that a light ray takes within the prism between the entry facet and the exit facet of said prism. In a tunnel diagram, we thus define a virtual exit facet, but we also visualize the real entrance facet. Unless specified otherwise, the expressions “about”, “approximately”, “substantially”, and “of the order of” mean to within 10%, preferably within 5%.

An example of an infrared (IR) camera is represented in FIGS. IA and IB. The infrared camera 110 comprises a housing 112 containing an image sensor 114 sensitive to infrared radiation, as well as a window 116 located opposite the image sensor 114 and able to transmit IR radiation in the spectral range d. use of the IR camera, which is for example between 1 and 20 μm, preferably between 8 and 14 μm, or even between 8 and 12 μm. The image sensor is advantageously a matrix image sensor consisting of a matrix of micro-bolometers. Alternatively, the image sensor is a matrix image sensor consisting of a matrix of photodiodes based on semiconductor materials.

The IR camera further comprises a plurality of lenses 118 (only one has been shown but there are generally several of them) able to operate in the spectral range of use of the camera so as to form an image on the sensor. image (the camera is in the image focal plane of the lenses), the lenses being held in a lens mount 119 assembled to the housing 112. The lens mount 119 is positioned so that the window 116 is disposed between said mount and the image sensor 114. The sensor and the lens define the optical axis A of the camera. In the example shown, the optical axis A is in the horizontal direction X.

The IR camera 110 can be positioned in an enclosure, or at least be placed behind a wall 130, so that the radiation is detected by the IR camera through said wall. Such an enclosure or wall can perform a mechanical and/or thermal protection function of the camera, and/or protection of the camera with respect to the environment, and/or an aerodynamic function, and/or a user protection function (for example a shield, in particular a windshield) , or even an aesthetic function (for example to hide the camera) .

The wall 130 can be a planar wall, as shown. Alternatively, it may include locally, in the vicinity of the camera, at least one flat wall portion.

The wall may not be transparent to IR radiation, be unable to transmit an image, for example be rough or scattering, or may not transmit IR radiation with sufficient quality in the spectral range of use of the camera. IR. In this case, a window 132 transparent to IR radiation in the spectral range of use of the IR camera be inserted into an opening in the wall. The porthole 132 can for example be inserted into the wall using a porthole mount 134.

The porthole 132 is suitable for transmitting IR radiation to the IR camera 110. For example, the porthole can be formed from a plate of zinc sulphide (ZnS), zinc selenide (ZnSe), silicon ( Si), germanium (Ge), barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), sapphire, chalcogenide glass or any other material transparent to IR radiation in the spectral range of use of the IR camera.

[0080] The porthole 132 is characterized by two substantially parallel faces of a given occupation surface (called "pupil"), the two faces being separated by a distance (thickness). The dimensions of the two faces (dimensions of the pupil) are for example of the order of a centimeter, or ten centimeters, with a thickness of the order of a few millimeters. [0081] In certain applications, the wall 130 and the window 132 can be inclined by an angle of inclination 0 with respect to the vertical direction. The angle θ is strictly between 0 and 90°, and more specifically between 30° and 70°, for example around 60°. In other words, the wall 130 and the porthole 132 can be inclined by an angle a with respect to the direction of image capture C, which is represented in the horizontal direction X. The angle a is complementary to the angle θ , it is therefore strictly between 0 and 90°, and more specifically between 20° and 60°, for example around 30° or around 40°.

[0082] In addition, it is sometimes desired that the pupil of the porthole be as small as possible. Indeed, given that the surface occupied by the wall is subtracted from the surface occupied by the window and possibly by the window frame, this reduces the capacity of the wall to fulfill its function, for example its function of protection or aesthetics. In addition, increasing the porthole pupil may alter the mechanical integrity of the wall. In addition, the material used to form the pupil of the window has a non-negligible cost, which it is sought to reduce by reducing the pupil, and to a lesser extent its thickness.

[0083] However, the reduction of the pupil of the porthole, when the latter is tilted, has the consequence and disadvantage of limiting the field of view of the IR camera (known as "FOV" for "Field Of View" in English), by causing a phenomenon of vignetting, since the rays at the ends of the field of view are cut by the edge of the porthole. In particular, the vertical field of view ("VFOV" for "Vertical Field Of View" in English) can be degraded compared to the horizontal field of view ("HFOV" for "Horizontal Field Of View" in English) due to the inclination from the porthole. The vignetting phenomenon worsens when the distance between the porthole and the IR camera increases. Thus, it is advantageous to position the IR camera as close as possible to the window, within the limit of the spacing between the IR camera 110 and the wall 130 (this limit is marked by the dotted circles in FIGS. 1A and 1B). This spacing is all the more reduced as the angle of inclination θ is large (or as the complementary angle α is small).

[0085] Moreover, if the optical axis A of the IR camera 110 is centered on the refracted optical axis B of the porthole 132, that is to say the optical axis after deviation by refraction effect in said porthole , as illustrated in FIG. 1A, then the IR camera may exhibit asymmetrical vertical vignetting, for example vignetting favoring the upper part of the vertical field of view. Symmetrical vignetting can be obtained by vertically offsetting the optical axis A of the IR camera 110 by a distance D with respect to the refracted optical axis B of the window 132, as shown in FIG. 1B. However, this may have the effect of further reducing the spacing between the IR camera and the wall, as can be seen by comparing Figures 1A and 1B.

[0086] There is therefore a need to overcome the constraint of spacing between the infrared camera and the inclined wall in order to control the phenomenon of vignetting.

The inventors propose an infrared imaging device making it possible to meet these needs.

[0088] Examples of infrared imaging devices will be described below. These examples are non-limiting and various variants will appear to those skilled in the art from the indications of the present description.

[0089] Figure 2A is a sectional view representing an example of an infrared imaging device according to a mode of embodiment comprising an infrared camera 210 shown behind a wall 130 (the wall not forming part of the device).

Similar to the infrared camera 110 described in relation to Figures IA and IB, the infrared camera 210 comprises a housing 212 containing an image sensor 214 sensitive to radiation in the infrared, as well as a window 216 located in gaze of the image sensor 214 and capable of transmitting IR radiation in the spectral range of use of the IR camera. The image sensor is advantageously a matrix image sensor comprising a matrix of micro-bolometers. Alternatively, the image sensor is a matrix image sensor comprising a matrix of photodiodes based on semiconductor materials.

[0091] In the rest of the description, for short, the spectral range of use of the IR camera can be designated "spectral range".

The IR camera further comprises a plurality of lenses 218 capable of operating in the spectral range so as to form an image on the image sensor, the camera being in the image focal plane of the lenses. The lenses are held in a lens mount 219 assembled to the housing 212, the lens mount 219 being positioned so that the window 216 is disposed between said mount and the sensor 214. The sensor and the lenses define the optical axis A of the camera, represented substantially in the horizontal direction X.

The wall 130 is similar to the wall shown in Figures IA and IB. Thus, it comprises a porthole 132 (also referred to as "transparent element"), the porthole being transparent to infrared radiation in the spectral range. Porthole 132 is inserted with a porthole mount 134 in an opening of the wall 130. The wall can be a shield, for example a windshield. The wall may be a wall of an enclosure, for example a closed enclosure, in particular a closed enclosure capable of being thermally regulated.

For example, the porthole can be formed from a plate of zinc sulphide (ZnS), zinc selenide (ZnSe), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), sapphire, chalcogenide glass or any other material transparent to IR radiation in the spectral range of use of the IR camera.

[0095] The wall 130 and the window 132 are inclined at an angle a with respect to the direction of image capture C which is shown substantially in the horizontal direction X. The angle of inclination a is strictly between 0 and 90°, and more specifically between 20° and 60°, for example around 30° or around 50°.

[0096] It is specified that the transparent element, for example the porthole, is characterized by two faces, an entry face and an exit face, substantially planar and parallel to each other. In addition, it is specified that the angle of inclination of the wall corresponds locally to the angle of inclination of the window, that is to say to the angle of inclination of the window at least at the place where the transparent element is inserted into the wall.

[0097] The infrared camera is suitable for capturing a thermal image of a scene through the inclined window.

The IR imaging device 200 further comprises a refracting prism 230 (refractor element) transparent to radiation in the spectral range. The prism 230 is positioned between the window 132 and the IR camera 210. The prism 230 shown is a Dove prism. It has the shape of a pyramid with a truncated rectangular base comprising a first base 236 (large base), a second base 238 (small base) with a surface area smaller than said first base and substantially parallel to the first base 236, a first lateral plane 232 ( entry facet) connecting the first and second bases and inclined at an angle p with respect to the first base 236, a second lateral plane 234 (exit facet) connecting the first and second bases, facing the first lateral plane and inclined with respect to the first base 236 by an angle -p opposite to the angle p. The angle p is greater than 0° and less than 90°, for example between 30 and 60°. The first side plane 232 forms an entry facet, the second side plane 234 forms an exit facet, and the large base 236 forms an intermediate facet.

In the example shown in Figure 2A, the input and output facets are substantially the same size, but this is not limiting as will be seen in the description in relation to Figure 3.

The input facet 232 is adapted to refract an infrared ray of the spectral range penetrating into the prism, and is positioned facing the transparent element 132. The output facet 234 is adapted to refract the outgoing infrared ray of the prism, and is positioned opposite the infrared camera 210. The intermediate facet 236 is adapted to reflect the infrared ray between the input facet and the output facet.

According to one example, the angle p of the prism 230 is chosen so that said prism can be inserted between the inclined window 132 and the infrared camera 210. The angle p can be chosen to be substantially equal to the angle of inclination a of the wall: in this case, the large base 236 of the prism 230 can be positioned in the horizontal direction X, as we can see this in the configuration of Figure 2C. But this is not limiting and the large base 236 of the prism 230 can be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction X, as can be seen in FIG. 2A, in which the angle p of the prism is different from the angle inclination a.

According to another example, the angle p is imposed and the infrared camera 210 is positioned to capture the infrared radiation refracted by the output facet 234 of the prism 230.

According to one example, the length L of the prism 230, that is to say the length in the XZ plane of the large base 236 of the prism, can be defined so that the refracted optical axis B of the prism passes through the centers of the entry 232 and exit 234 facets. According to another example, the length L of the prism 230 can be defined so that the refracted optical axis B of the prism is off-center with respect to the centers of the entry facets 232 and output 234.

In the example shown in Figure 2A, the prism 230 and the infrared camera 210 are positioned relative to each other so that the refracted optical axis B of the prism 230 substantially coincides with the axis optical A of the infrared camera, but this is not limiting as will be seen in the description in relation to FIG. 2C.

The use of a refracting element such as the prism 230 between the porthole and the IR camera makes it possible to narrow the IR rays coming from the ends of the field of view of the IR camera, in order to limit the phenomenon of vignetting, in particular the phenomenon of vignetting linked to the distance between the infrared camera and the porthole. This makes it possible to prevent the IR rays at the ends of the field of view of the IR camera from being cut by the edge of the porthole, or at least to limit this phenomenon. This also makes it possible to move the spacing constraint between the IR camera and the wall, and to lighten it substantially, and this, whatever the angle of inclination a of the wall. The spacing limit between the IR camera and the wall is transferred between the prism and the IR camera, as represented by the dotted circle in FIG. 2A, but it is less constraining insofar as, due to the refraction by the prism, it is not necessary for the IR camera to be against the prism for the IR rays at the edges of the porthole to be picked up by said camera.

[0107] The device comprises an assembly means (not shown) of the prism to the wall, for example to the window frame.

[0108] One or more of the following examples, described in relation to the device 200 of FIG. 2A, can also apply to another example of a device according to one embodiment, for example to the prism 600 described later in relation to Figure 6A:

- The refracting element, for example the prism 230, can be made of the same material as the window 132;

- the refracting element, for example the prism 230, can be made of zinc sulphide (ZnS), zinc selenide (ZnSe), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), barium fluoride (BaF ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), sapphire, chalcogenide glass; the interior surface of the intermediate facet of the refracting element, for example the interior surface 236B of the intermediate facet 236 of the prism 230, can be covered with a reflective coating adapted to increase the reflection of infrared radiation on said interior surface, by example a metallic coating; the intermediate facet of the refracting element, for example the intermediate facet 236 of the prism 230, can comprise at least one surface adapted to correct optical aberrations, for example a non-regular, non-axisymmetric surface, of the free-form type; - the outer surface of the entrance facet of the refracting element, for example the outer surface 232A of the entrance facet 232 of the prism 230, can be covered with an antireflection coating;

- the outer surface of the exit facet of the refracting element, for example the outer surface 234A of the exit facet 234 of the prism 230, can be covered with an antireflection coating;

- the surfaces of the refracting element not affected by the optical functions, for example the outer and/or inner surface of the small base 238 and/or the outer surface of the large base 236 of the prism 230, can be frosted and/or structured according to an anti-stray light function.

A Dove prism has the advantage of limiting optical aberrations and chromatic dispersions. In particular, this can make it possible to limit the blurring in the image captured by the camera. This advantage is due to the positioning of the output facet with respect to the input facet, as explained below.

FIG. 2B represents a view of a tunnel diagram of the prism 230 of the infrared imaging device of FIG. 2A. In this diagram, the virtual prism 230' is obtained by virtually unfolding the prism 230 at each internal reflection, forming a virtual exit facet 234' which is parallel to the entrance facet 232. This configuration gives the prism 230 its non dispersive.

[0111] FIG. 2C is a sectional view representing a variant of the example of infrared imaging device of FIG. 2A. The device 201 of FIG. 2C differs from the device 200 of FIG. 2A mainly in that the optical axis A of the camera 210 is offset by a distance D with respect to the refracted optical axis B of the prism 230 in the vertical direction Z. This can allow, in some cases, to make the field of view of the camera 210 symmetrical so as not to favor the upper field of view with respect to the lower field of view, or vice versa.

The prism 230 operates by inverting the image by 180° with respect to the optical axis A. The image being moreover inverted by 180° by the lenses of the IR camera, we therefore find the initial orientation of the captured scene. For example, if one wishes to favor the lower field of view, the shift can be oriented downwards, as shown; if, on the contrary, it is desired to favor the upper field of view, the offset can be oriented upwards.

[0113] Figure 3 is a sectional view showing another example of an infrared imaging device 300 according to one embodiment, which differs from the infrared imaging device 201 of Figure 2C mainly in that the small base 338 of the Dove prism 330 is not parallel to the large base 336 (intermediate facet). Consequently, the entry 332 and exit 334 facets do not have the same surface. On the other hand, as can be seen with the virtual prism 330' of the tunnel diagram of the prism 330, the virtual exit facet 334' is always parallel to the entry facet 332.

According to one example, the entrance facet 332 may have a surface substantially equal to the pupil of the porthole 132, while the exit facet 334 may have a smaller surface.

According to one example, the length L of the prism 330 can be defined so that the refracted optical axis B of the prism passes through the center of the input facet 332 and of the output facet 334 of reduced size.

[0116] Figure 4 is a sectional view showing another example of infrared imaging device 400 according to one mode embodiment, which differs from the IR imaging device 201 of FIG. 2C mainly in that it further comprises an interface element 440 positioned between the infrared camera 210 and the window mount 134. The interface element 440 is adapted to provide an interface between said infrared camera and said porthole mount. This interface element is further adapted to maintain the refraction prism 230 between the porthole 132 and the infrared camera 210.

The interface element 440 makes it possible to precisely position the infrared camera 210 relative to the porthole 132, as well as the prism 230 relative to the porthole and to the infrared camera, in the direction of the optical axis A (the horizontal direction X in the example shown), and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis A (the vertical direction Z in the example shown). In the example of FIG. 4, the optical axis A of the camera 210 is offset in the vertical direction Z with respect to the refracted optical axis B of the prism. According to another example, similar to FIG. 2A, the optical axis A of the camera can coincide with the refracted optical axis B of the prism.

The interface element 440 represented is a rigid element, in one piece, having an external shape of a truncated cylinder, adapted to be inserted between the window mount 134 and the IR camera 210. The element interface 440 shown includes:

- A first end 442 shaped to cling to the window frame 134 by complementarity of shape with said frame, thus coming to assemble with the wall 130 all around the window 132;

- a second end 444 shaped to cling to the lens frame 219 by form complementarity with said lens mount;

- A body 446 between the first and the second end.

According to an alternative example, the second end of the interface element can be shaped to hook onto the housing 212 of the IR camera, or both the lens mount 219 and the housing 212.

The body 446 forms an envelope that is preferably opaque to light radiation in a spectral range. Said envelope is thus preferably adapted to block all or part of stray light rays coming from the rear of the wall 130, capable of penetrating into the space between said wall and the IR camera 210, for example in the optical path between the porthole 132 and the IR camera 210, the parasitic light rays being able to generate a parasitic image on the image sensor 214.

[0121] Holding rings 447 extend inside the body 446 and are shaped to bear against the prism 230 in order to hold it and center it in a given position between the window 132 and the infrared camera 210 Preferably, the holding rings 447 rest on surfaces of the prism other than the entry and exit facets, for example on the large base and/or the small base, and/or on one or more lateral facets perpendicular to the Y direction.

In the example shown, the interface element 440 is a separate element from the wall 130 and from the infrared camera 210. This facilitates the replacement of the various elements of the wall and/or of the device. IR imaging, for example in the event of maintenance, or when the interface element must be changed in order to be able to place the infrared camera behind a different wall or behind an identical wall with a different angle of inclination, or even when the wall needs to be replaced, for example if it is damaged during use.

Although FIG. 4 represents an embodiment of the interface element, other embodiments, described below, can be applied to the interface element.

[0124] According to one example, the interface element can be integral with the lens mount, or even with the casing of the infrared camera.

[0125]According to an advantageous example, the interface element may be able to provide a fluid-tight seal between the porthole mount and the IR camera. This can make it possible to reduce the variations in composition of the gas, for example of the air, in the space comprised between the porthole and the IR camera and contained in said interface element. For example, this can make it possible to reduce the humidity, particles and/or dust in said space, so as to provide the most constant image quality possible or at least to limit the variations in image quality. For example, the space between the porthole and the IR camera can be saturated with nitrogen, with a low concentration of particles and/or dust before being enclosed in the interface element. It can also protect the prism from certain environmental conditions. According to one example, the prism may be formed from a material which has strong thermo-optical properties, and may need to be partly thermally regulated. In one example, the prism may be made of a water-soluble material and should be protected from damage in a high relative humidity environment.

According to one example, at least a first inner surface of the interface element is formed from an absorbent material in the spectral range of use of the IR camera or is covered with an absorbent coating in said spectral range.

According to one example, at least a second inner surface of the interface element is formed from a reflective material in the spectral range of use of the IR camera, for example metal, or is covered with a reflective coating in said spectral range, for example a metallic coating.

According to one example, the interface element comprises at least a first inner surface formed from an absorbent material in the spectral range of use of the IR camera or covered with an absorbent coating in said spectral range. , and at least a second inner surface formed from a reflective material in said spectral range, for example metallic, or covered with a reflective coating in said spectral range, for example a metallic coating.

The first and second surfaces are for example defined as a function of exposure to stray light radiation and/or as a function of a temperature gradient likely to impact them.

[0130]According to one example, all or part of the interior surfaces of the interface element is shaped to limit the emission of parasitic light radiation by said interface element towards the IR camera, for example the interior surfaces of the interface element tilted towards the camera are reduced or even excluded.

[0131] According to one example, the interface element comprises, inside said element, at least one structure adapted to limit the emission of parasitic light radiation by said interface element towards the camera, for example a structure of the screen, cache and/or light trap type. It could be one (or more) structure(s) arranged regularly around the optical axis in the interface element, or structures arranged irregularly around the optical axis in the interface element.

According to one example, the interface element is made of a material with low heat conduction, for example with heat conduction of less than 10 Wm ^-1 .K ^_1 . This makes it possible to promote the thermal insulation between the porthole and the IR camera, and the thermal insulation of the prism. Indeed, the environment around the porthole can undergo temperature variations, in particular depending on the conditions outside the wall, or the temperature variations can degrade the performance of the infrared camera and/or generate non-uniformities in the response between different pixels of a matrix of pixels (for an infrared camera with a matrix of pixels), in particular by generating a parasitic thermal flux. For example, when the wall is a wall of an enclosure capable of being thermally regulated, the combination of thermal regulation in the enclosure and thermal insulation by the interface element makes it possible to obtain better performance of the infrared camera.

According to one example, the interface element is provided with at least one temperature sensor. A temperature sensor can preferably be placed inside said interface element, but can also be placed outside said interface element. For example, several temperature probes can be positioned at different locations of the interface element in order to be able to determine a temperature gradient.

According to one example, at least one temperature sensor is connected to a module for processing the parasitic light flux, that is to say the light flux captured by the infrared camera but coming from at least one source other than the scene, by example a parasitic luminous flux emitted by the device and/or the porthole. The stray light flux processing module can be included in, or be connected to, an image processing module in order to determine the light flux originating essentially from the scene, for example by correcting it for the stray light flux.

Alternatively, all or part of the parasitic luminous flux can be determined without a temperature probe, and thus simplify the infrared imaging device. For example, the interface element may include:

- at least one internal emitting surface oriented facing the infrared camera and positioned close to the transparent element, for example against the frame of the transparent element, said internal surface being for example covered with an emissive coating on its face located next to the infrared camera; and or

- a portion positioned opposite a region of the transparent element, for example an edge of said transparent element, so as to form a screen between said region of the transparent element and the infrared camera, said portion comprising an emitting face oriented opposite the infrared camera, for example covered with an emissive coating.

[0136]According to one example, the infrared camera can comprise a pixel matrix image sensor comprising an angular pixel suitable for capturing a light flux originating from an interior zone of the interface element oriented facing the sensor. 'image and in the field of view of said angular pixel, for example an inner zone positioned around the transparent element, the zone being for example covered with an emissive coating.

[0137] Examples of pixel infrared camera for detecting parasitic heat flow, of method for calibrating such an infrared camera, and of method for correcting a image captured by such an infrared camera are described in international patent applications WO2019234215A1 and WO2019234216A1.

These examples and other embodiments of the interface element are described in the "infrared imaging device" application filed by the same applicant on 09/24/2021 under number FR2110092.

[0139] Figure 5 is a sectional view showing another example of an infrared imaging device 500 according to one embodiment, which differs from the device 200 of Figure 2A mainly in that at least one lens 518 of the camera infrared 510 includes a truncated face 517 opposite the output facet 234 of the prism 230. The lens mount, not shown, is also truncated. This makes it possible to position the infrared camera 210 as close as possible to the prism 230. By reducing the distance between the infrared camera and the prism, the optical distance between the infrared camera and the window is reduced and the phenomenon can be further reduced, if necessary. of vignetting. According to one example, the truncated face 517 is substantially parallel to the exit facet 234.

[0140] Preferably, the lens truncation is designed so as not to degrade the optical performance of the lens. According to one example, a truncated lens has at least one irregular optical surface, for example of the free-form type. The irregular optical surface is preferably at least non-axially symmetrical.

[0141] FIG. 6A is a sectional view representing another example of an infrared imaging device 600 according to one embodiment, which differs from the device 200 of FIG. 2A mainly in that the refracting element is a prism of Bauernfeind 630, instead of a Dove prism. The Bauernfeind prism 630 is a half-pentaprism comprising a base 632 forming the entrance facet, a first lateral plane 636 arranged facing the base and forming the intermediate facet, and a second lateral plane 634, connecting the base and the first lateral plane and forming the exit facet. The input facet 632 is positioned facing the porthole 132. The output facet 634 is positioned facing the infrared camera 210. The facets 632, 634, 636 of the prism 630 are oriented with respect to each other so as to that an infrared ray is refracted through the entrance facet at an angle equal to the angle of incidence of the exit facet.

The infrared camera 210 is positioned to capture the infrared radiation refracted by the output facet 634 of the prism 630.

In the example shown, the prism 630 and the infrared camera 210 are positioned relative to each other so that the refracted optical axis B of the prism substantially coincides with the optical axis A of the infrared camera .

According to another example, the optical axis A of the camera 210 can be offset with respect to the refracted optical axis B of the prism in the vertical direction Z.

The use of a refracting element such as the prism 630 between the porthole and the IR camera makes it possible, similar to the prism 230 of FIG. 2A, to narrow the IR rays coming from the ends of the field of view of the IR camera. , in order to limit the phenomenon of vignetting, in particular the phenomenon of vignetting linked to the distance between the infrared camera and the window. This makes it possible to prevent the IR rays at the ends of the field of view of the IR camera from being cut by the edge of the porthole, or at least to limit this phenomenon. This also makes it possible to move the constraint of spacing between the IR camera and the wall, and to lighten it considerably, and this, whatever the angle of inclination a of the wall.

The other characteristics and examples described in relation to the devices of FIGS. 2A-2C, 4 and 5 can be adapted to a Bauernfeind prism.

A Bauernfeind prism has the advantage of limiting optical aberrations and chromatic dispersions, which can make it possible to limit blurring in the image captured by the camera. This advantage is due to the positioning of the output facet with respect to the input facet, as explained below.

FIG. 6B represents a view of a tunnel diagram of the prism of the infrared imaging device of FIG. 6A. In this diagram, the virtual prism 630' is obtained by virtually unfolding the prism 630 at each internal reflection, forming a virtual exit facet 634' which is parallel to the entrance facet 632. This configuration gives the prism 630 its non dispersive.

[0150] Compared to a Dove prism, the use of a Bauernfeind prism has the advantage of being more compact, making it possible in particular to reduce the costs associated with the material.

[0151] Various embodiments and variants have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that certain features of these various embodiments and variations could be combined, and other variations will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, all the embodiments can be made with or without offset between the optical axis of the infrared camera and the refracted optical axis of the refracting element. Furthermore, in the embodiments, the image sensor housing and the lens mount may be integral.

[0152] Finally, the practical implementation of the embodiments and variants described is within the reach of a person skilled in the art based on the functional indications given above.

Claims

CLAIMS Infrared imaging device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) comprising an infrared camera (210, 510) having an optical axis (A), said camera being intended to detect infrared radiation in a spectral range at through a transparent element (132) to said infrared radiation, the transparent element being inclined by an angle of inclination (a) greater than 0° and less than 90° or less than 0° and greater than -90° with respect to an image capture direction (C); the device further comprising a refracting element (230, 330, 630) transparent to infrared radiation in the spectral range and able to be positioned between the transparent element (132) and the infrared camera (210, 510), said refracting element comprising a virtual output facet (234', 334', 634') of the refracting element, corresponding to an output facet (234, 334, 634) of the refracting element in a tunnel diagram of said refracting element, said facet of virtual output being substantially parallel to an input facet (232, 332, 632) of the refracting element; the transparent element (132) comprising an input face and an output face which are substantially planar and parallel to each other, being surrounded by a mount (134), and being adapted to be inserted with said mount into the opening of a wall (130), at least part of the wall in which the transparent element is inserted being inclined by the same angle of inclination (a) as the transparent element. Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to claim 1, the input facet (232, 332, 632) being adapted to refract an infrared ray of the spectral range entering the refracting element, and being intended to be positioned facing the element transparent (132), the output facet (234, 334, 634) being adapted to refract the infrared ray exiting from the refracting element, and being positioned facing the infrared camera (210, 510), the refracting element ( 230, 330, 430) further comprising at least one intermediate facet (236, 336, 636) adapted to reflect the infrared ray between the input facet and the output facet. Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to claim 2, the inner surface (236B, 336B, 636B) of the intermediate facet (236, 336, 636) being covered with a reflective coating adapted to increase the reflection of infrared radiation on said interior surface, for example a metallic coating. Device according to claim 2 or 3, the intermediate facet comprising at least one surface suitable for correcting optical aberrations, for example an irregular surface, of the free-form type, for example not axi-symmetrical. Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, the refracting element (230, 330, 630) and the infrared camera (210, 510) being positioned relatively relative to each other so that the refracted optical axis (B) of the refracting element is substantially parallel to, or substantially coincident with, the optical axis (A) of the infrared camera. Device (201, 300, 400) according to claim 5, the optical axis (A) of the infrared camera (210) being offset by a distance (D) relative to the refracted optical axis (B) of the element refractor in a direction (Z) perpendicular to said refracted optical axis. Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the outer surface (232A, 332A, 632A) of the entry facet (232, 332, 632) and/ or the exterior surface (234A, 334A, 634A) of the output facet (234, 334, 634) being coated with an anti-reflective coating. Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, the refracting element (230, 330, 630) being a prism, for example a prism which does not generate chromatic dispersion . Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500) according to claim

8 in its combination with claim 2, the prism (230, 330) being of the Dove prism type, said prism having the shape of a pyramid with a truncated rectangular base comprising a first base (236, 336), a second base (238, 338) of lower surface than said first base, a first lateral plane (232, 332) connecting the first and second bases and inclined at a first angle (p) with respect to the first base (236, 336), a second plane lateral (234, 334) connecting the first and second bases, facing the first lateral plane and inclined at a second angle (-p) with respect to the first base (236, 336), the second angle being the opposite of the first angle, the first angle (p) being greater than 0° and less than 90°, for example between 30 and 60°, the first lateral plane forming the entry facet, the second lateral plane forming the exit facet, and the first base forming the intermediate facet. Device (600) according to Claim 8 in its combination with Claim 2, the prism (630) being a half-pentaprism of the Bauernfeind prism type, the said prism comprising a base (632) forming the facet input, a first lateral plane (636) disposed facing the base and forming the intermediate facet, and a second lateral plane (634) connecting the base and the first lateral plane and forming the output facet, the facets being example oriented relative to each other so that an infrared ray is refracted through the input facet at an angle equal to the angle of incidence of the output facet. Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, the input facet (232, 332, 632) of the refracting element (230, 330, 632) having a surface greater than or equal to the surface of the transparent element (132). Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, the input facet (232, 332, 632) of the refracting element (230, 330, 632) being substantially parallel to the transparent element (132). Device (200, 201, 400, 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the output facet (234) having a surface substantially equal to the surface of the input facet (232). Device (300, 600) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, the output facet (334, 634) having a lower surface than the surface of the input facet (332, 632). . Device (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the infrared camera (510) further comprising at least one lens (518) and a lens mount, said at least one lens being held by said lens mount, at least one lens (518) and/or the lens frame comprising a truncated face (517) adapted to be positioned opposite the output facet (234) of the refracting element (230), the truncated face (517) being for example substantially parallel to the output facet (234). . Device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the infrared camera (210, 510) comprising: at least one lens (218, 518) and a lens mount ( 219), said at least one lens being held by said lens mount;

- an image sensor (214, 514) sensitive to infrared radiation of the spectral range; the image sensor and the at least one lens (218, 518) defining the optical axis (A) of the infrared camera, the image sensor being arranged substantially in the image focal plane of said at least one lens. Device (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the device comprising means for attaching the refracting element (230) adapted to attach said refracting element to the wall (130) or to the mounting (134) . . Device (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the device comprising an interface element (440) adapted to provide an interface between the infrared camera (210) and the mount (134), said interface element being further adapted to maintain the refracting element (230) between the transparent element (132) and the infrared camera (210). . Infrared imaging system including:

- an infrared imaging device (200, 201, 300, 400, 500, 600) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, and - a transparent element (132) to infrared radiation of a spectral range; the infrared camera (210, 510) of the device being adapted to detect infrared radiation of the spectral range through the transparent element; the transparent element (132) being inclined by an angle of inclination (a) greater than 0° and less than 90° or less than 0° and greater than -90° with respect to the direction of image capture ( C), the transparent element (132) having an input face and an output face substantially planar and parallel to each other, being surrounded by a frame (134), and being inserted with said frame into the opening of a wall (130), at least part of the wall in which the transparent element is inserted being inclined by the same angle of inclination (a) as the transparent element.