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Infrared or IR Corrected Lenses use Low dispersion glass (LD glass) which is a type of glass that greatly reduces Chromatic Aberration. Chromatic Aberration is a type of distortion in which there is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same convergence point or image plane as shown in the left image of (Fig. 1) Fig. 1 Different Types of LD Glass Listed Below: Special low dispersion glass (SLD glass) and extraordinary low dispersion glass (ELD glass) are glasses with yet lower dispersion (and yet higher price). Other glasses in this class are extra-low dispersion glass (ED glass), and ultra-low dispersion glass (UL glass). Standard lenses do not focus all frequencies, wavelengths or colors of light on to an image plane at the same location (Fig. 2). Standard lenses do focus most of the visible light on to the image plane but because CCD and CMOS image sensors are sensitive in the Infrared range your image will look softer or out of focus when Near Infrared and Infrared light is also prevalent in the captured scene (Fig. 3). The image on the color camera is not as blurry because the inherent design of color imaging cameras require an IR Cut Filter which is in place in these color images. This all holds true when using a Day/Night “Color/Monochrome” cameras. The IR Cut filter is removed when Day/Night cameras switches to Night or Monochrome mode. Fig. 2 Fig. 3 (Bright Sun / +100°F) This focus shift is mostly apparent in the Near Infrared and Infrared frequency range. When using a standard lens in a normal lighting condition and then switch to a dark condition with Infrared Illumination your image will become out of focus and refocusing the lens will be needed. Infrared or IR Corrected Lenses should be used on both color and monochrome cameras in all lighting conditions to achieve a crisp sharp image at all times.

Google has recently unveiled its latest project in development, Google Glass. Essentially a smart pair of glasses with a built in camera and projector (we’re not sure what oem camera they use, but we are sure it’s going to be amazing) to display visual notifications on a tiny prism screen that sits right above your line of sight. Allowing the user to see whats on display by glancing up. The glasses also include an embedded GPS, microphone, and uses bone induction to give you sound for a total interactive experience. Their mission is to make wearable computing mainstream. But even with all its potential, there are still a lot of questions to be answered for this new technology. Some worry about potential accidents that can occur with a distracting heads up display. While others debate the issue of privacy as the thought of everything you say or do while wearing them could potentially be taped, turned into text and searchable. But with every new advanced technology there will also be ways to abuse it, we just have to weigh in its capacity for good and the progress it could bring.