Digital Direct IR has created a platform technology for sensing and analyzing infrared imaging. Our patented technique (#9,655,501) allows for features such as multi-spectrum capabilities and a curved imager.

D2IR has one of the only infrared imaging technologies that can see both Mid and Far IR from the same imager. Present technologies require two separate cameras and optics to do this.

Our products are applicable in the autonomous vehicle, first responder, safety & security, military, aerospace and healthcare markets.

The existing technology for making thermal sensors is based on a 40 plus year old Analog processes of quantum well and bolometers. These technologies require smaller nano-size, complex and expensive semiconductor structures to fabricate and to make further advancements is difficult.

In addition, existing infrared systems only see one part of the infrared spectrum. The light spectrum consists of the visible, near IR, mid IR and far IR segments. Today, a user that wants to see multiple parts of the spectrum would need to buy three or four cameras and lenses; D2IR has a patented (US #10,171,758 B2) camera design that can see Visible, Near IR, Mid and Far IR from one camera with one lens, and all on the same optical centerline. Other technologies require multiple cameras and lenses.

This image depicts what is required today using conventional technology:

In addition to needing multiple cameras to see different parts of the spectrum, currently available cameras need multiple lens elements which are made from gemological materials and can be extremely expensive. They also need software to correct the chromatic aberration and spherical aberration.

Digital Direct IR has designed, patented (US 7,381,953 B1) and produced a pixel detector using an innovative new approach of digitally detecting thermal conditions without any analog components. This may improve sensitivity, simplify the device and drastically reduce the imager cost with better performance. Our pixel is easy to manufacture and can see both the mid IR and far IR parts of the spectrum. In addition, we have developed technology to integrate a second detector into our cameras which would enable D2IR to see the entire spectrum – including visible light, near IR, mid IR and far IR – from one camera and one lens. The advantage of this is that the picture is on one single optical centerline.

In addition to our hardware, we anticipate the development of additional software enhancements that may enable our systems to outperform the competition. For example, legacy products repurpose their cameras which capture incoming photons both horizontally and vertically. Our system has been custom designed to focus on a wider horizontal field of view.

Much of the current sensor technology to date has centered around Lidar. While Lidar, radar, and visible spectrum cameras provide some detail, we believe that cars should have every modality to provide the safest ride possible. Thermal imaging is particularly strong in seeing people and animals at night, and has an extremely long range. In addition, thermal imaging performs better in some weather conditions when other sensors might fail.

Digital Direct IR has developed four key insights:

• Dual spectrum imager that can see both mid IR and far IR
• A quad spectrum camera that can see from visible through far IR
• An ultra wide spectrum lens that can see from visible through far IR
• A curved imager which mimics the human and can match the curvature of the lens

Thermal Imaging: See the world in a whole new light

Thermal infrared sensors see a part of the light spectrum that the human eye cannot. Yet there is valuable information from this part of the light spectrum that is essential for our physical safety and for the environment.

Our business model differs for each market. In the automotive market, we believe our best option is to partner with one of the OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers) or tier one suppliers. Our plan is for that partner to design and build a product to their own specifications; from this, we anticipate receiving an upfront milestone payment and an ongoing royalty.

We plan to generate revenue through the following industries:

In the safety, security and first responder market we expect to manufacture a product and distribute it through a network of third party integrators and wholesalers. This strategy is expected to reduce our need for an internal salesforce and allow us to leverage the networks or our partners.

In the healthcare market we have licensed our technology to Owl Peak Labs. Owl Peak is using our patented sensor and ring-array technology (#9,655,501) to potentially build a next generation thermal endoscope as well as a swallowable pill camera.

Digital Direct IR’s platform technology is applicable to multiple end markets.

Vehicle Safety and Autonomous Vehicles

The automotive sensor market is poised to grow from $6 billion in 2018 to $25 billion in 2025, according to Autoliv. Automobiles over time have gotten smarter and safer. Enhancements such as seatbelts, rumble strips and lane avoidance have reduced fatalities and increased passenger safety. In the past several years, car manufacturers have increasingly added new and innovative features (often referred to as ADAS which stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). We believe that every autonomous car should be configured with thermal sensors to enhance nighttime driving and provide additional situational awareness.

Safety & Security

The global smart home security camera market size was valued at USD $6.42B in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.7% from 2022 to 2030, according to Grand View Research. These cameras offer enhanced night vision and are being deployed in municipalities, parking lots, borders and building exteriors.

First Responders

The market for night vision goggles is projected to grow from $7.7 billion in 2021 to $12.2 billion in 2027, a CAGR of 8.1% according to Mordor Intelligence.

First responders, such as firemen and police, routinely need to see at night, in bad weather and through smoke and fog. Thermal vision is excellent at capturing this data and making it known whether it be in a burning building or in pursuit of a suspect.

Environmental

Thermal imaging may be used for environmental uses. Thermal can see things that are invisible to the human eye, such as gas leaks and heat slippage in homes.

Healthcare

Digital Direct IR has licensed our patented Side Scanning IR sensor technology to Owl Peak Labs who is developing this IP. The patent was granted on 5/23/17 (US Patent #9,655,501 B2). This technology adds Thermal Cancer Detection capability to the GI Tract analysis tools of the Swallowable Pill Camera and Thermal Detection Endoscope. They can identify the precursors, origins and location within the GI tract of the presence of Angiogenesis, which is the indication of very early stage GI tract cancer. This may drastically improve patients outcomes and drastically reduce the costs of patient care the insurance companies have to bear.

Digital Direct IR’s milestones include:

• Fabricated its first pixel in December 2020
• Successfully tested our pixel in Q1 2021
• Licensed our technology in the healthcare industry (#9,655,501 B2)
• Recruited a world-class team
• Received a grant from NASA