Using predicted irradiation profiles to extract shape information from infrared images

The author addresses the problem of infrared image formation and derive an irradiation equation for simple infrared scenes. He considers the complications caused by mutual illumination of one or more bodies and indicates how the infrared irradiation equation can also be specified for more complex scenes. The infrared irradiation equation is solved in closed form for some simple geometries for both Lambertian and non-Lambertian surfaces. Experimental results from a variety of scene geometries compare favourably with the theoretically derived equations, indicating the validity of the theoretical analysis. He describes how a knowledge of the formation of infrared images can be used to predict the image irradiation pattern of a particular object. He also shows how, with a knowledge of the radiance properties and surface geometry of the object, it is possible to detect instances of that object in a scene. Examples are given of successful object detection based on an understanding of the image irradiation.<>