A sensor chip (4) having a pixel unit (8) that detects an infrared ray is bonded to an insulating substrate (2) using a bonding material (3). A heat generation mechanism (11) is integrated with the sensor chip (4). A control unit (14) is provided on the insulating substrate (2) and controls an amount of current to be supplied to the heat generation mechanism (11).

A far infrared sensor package includes a package body and a plurality of far infrared sensor array integrated circuits. The plurality of far infrared sensor array integrated circuits are disposed on a same plane and inside the package body. Each of the far infrared sensor array integrated circuits includes a far infrared sensing element array of a same size.

An infrared sensor is formed in such a manner that an infrared receiver and a base substrate are spaced with a beam made of a thin-film phononic crystal in which through holes are arranged periodically. The beam made of a phononic crystal is formed in such a manner that a period P of through holes increases at arbitrary intervals in a direction from the infrared receiver toward the base substrate.

An infrared thermal camera can be installed in a vehicle, such as a car, to provide different capabilities including night vision, passenger temperature monitoring, liveness detection, and avoidance of collisions with animals. The camera may be located inside the vehicle facing outwards through the front windshield. The camera may be used in multiple modes. In a first mode, the camera may be used to provide night vision or other thermal imaging of a scene outside the vehicle using a first field of view. In a second mode, the camera may be used to provide thermal imaging of a scene at least partially inside the vehicle using a second field of view, which may be useful, for example, for scanning the skin temperatures of occupants.

A thermoelectric conversion material is represented by a composition formula Ag.sub.2S.sub.(1-x)Se.sub.x. The value of x is not smaller than 0.2 and not greater than 0.95.

We disclose herein a thermal IR detector array device comprising a dielectric membrane, supported by a substrate, the membrane having an array of IR detectors, where the array size is at least 3 by 3 or larger, and there are tracks embedded within the membrane layers to separate each element of the array, the tracks also acting as heatsinks and/or cold junction regions.

We disclose an array of Infra-Red (IR) detectors comprising at least one dielectric membrane formed on a semiconductor substrate comprising an etched portion; at least two IR detectors, and at least one patterned layer formed within or on one or both sides of the said dielectric membrane for controlling the IR absorption of at least one of the IR detectors. The patterned layer comprises laterally spaced structures.

A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

A communication apparatus that includes a first antenna array having a first plurality of antenna elements, and a first plurality of thermoelectric devices that are arranged on the first plurality of antenna elements of the first antenna array such that each thermoelectric device covers a different subset of antenna elements of the first plurality of antenna elements. The communication apparatus further includes a processor that determines an operational state of the first plurality of antenna elements. The processor controls each of the first plurality of thermoelectric devices based on the determined operational state of the first plurality of antenna elements such that an adaptive cooling is applied on different subsets of antenna elements of the first plurality of antenna elements to maintain a temperature of the first plurality of antenna elements in a specified temperature range.

A thermal pixel configured as an electromagnetic emitter and/or an electromagnetic detector. The thermal pixel comprises a micro-platform suspended with semiconductor nanowires from a surrounding support platform. The nanowires comprise phononic structure providing a decrease in thermal conductivity. In some embodiments, the pixel is structured for operation within a broad bandwidth or a limited bandwidth. Metamaterial and/or photonic crystal filters provide pixel operation over a limited bandwidth. In some other embodiments, the micro-platform comprises a nanotube structure providing a broadband emission/absorption spectral response.