Tracking apparatus and method of use thereof

Abstract

Tracking apparatus is provided including thermal imaging means for detecting a thermal signature in use, illumination means for providing illumination therefrom in use, and movement means for allowing movement of the thermal imaging means and illumination means in use. The movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together in use.

Description

[0001] Tracking Apparatus and Method of Use Thereof

[0002] This invention relates to tracking apparatus and to a method of use thereof.

[0003] Although the following description refers almost exclusively to search and rescue tracking apparatus and a method of use thereof, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the tracking apparatus of the present invention could be used for any purpose, such as for use in military applications, security applications, marine applications, prison applications, navigational applications, illumination applications and / or the like.

[0004] The use of search and rescue tracking systems, such as for example, in marine applications, to identify a person or persons missing at sea, are well known and are vital in helping to save lives. An example of a conventional search and rescue tracking system includes one or more thermal imaging cameras that are pivotably mountable on a ship and that are manually movable by one or more operators over a search area to try and pick up a heat signature of a person or persons missing at sea. One or more search lights can also be used to illuminate the search area to help identify a person or persons missing at sea. Problems associated with use of these conventional systems are that they are difficult to use in rough seas, they require a number of operators to operate them in order to provide adequate coverage of a reasonable sized search area and they also require a certain amount of skill of the operator in order to maintain the cameras in a required position in use. Furthermore, once a person in the water has been identified, an operator needs to be able to continue to track this person until the rescue boat can be positioned in a manner suitable for a rescue to be carried out. This involves ensuring a search light is also manually moved to be directed and maintained on the locality of the person in the water to ensure clear visibility for the rescue. This can be difficult to do, particularly in rough seas and / or when visibility is poor.

[0005] An example of further tracking system technology is disclosed in CN213657658.

[0006] This document discloses an optical sight that can be mounted on a military weapon, such as a rifle, in use. The optical sight includes tracking technology to help a target to be tracked at night. The optical sight includes a main housing in which a visible camera and a thermal imaging camera are provided. The main housing is rotatably mounted to a rifle in use using a rotatable suction cup. A further separate housing is rotatably mounted to the main housing. The further housing includes a search light and a laser. Once a target has been detected by the camera, this information is transmitted to micro-processing means. The micro-processing means then controls rotation of the further housing to move the search light and laser beam to point to the identified target. The system is then able to lock onto the target.

[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to provide improved tracking apparatus.

[0008] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using improved tracking apparatus.

[0009] It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide any or any combination of illumination apparatus, search and rescue tracking apparatus, security tracking apparatus, military tracking apparatus and / or a method of using one or more of said aforementioned apparatus.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided tracking apparatus, said tracking apparatus including: a) thermal imaging means for detecting a thermal signature in use; b) illumination means for providing illumination therefrom in use; c) movement means for allowing movement of the thermal imaging means and illumination means in use; characterised in that the movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together in use.

[0011] Preferably the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged so as to be in fixed positions relative to each other and said movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together in use.

[0012] Preferably the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged as a single unit, and said single unit is arranged to be moved by said movement means such that the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are moved simultaneously and together in use.

[0013] In one embodiment the thermal imaging means and the illumination means can be provided in the same single housing to form the single unit; or the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are provided in separate housings that are joined together, combined together, are adjacent to each other and / or associated with each other in a way to form the single unit, the fixed relative positions or to allow the movement means to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together in use. In one example, the association can be that the same movement means or mechanism is arranged to move the two housings together and simultaneously.

[0014] Thus, according to the present in invention the thermal imaging means and illumination means will always move together and simultaneously in use. This greatly simplifies the apparatus, reduces the cost and complexity of the apparatus, and improves ease of tracking using the apparatus. It also allows both the thermal imaging means and the illumination means to undergo pan / tilt movement, and further preferably to allow this pan / tilt movement to occur simultaneously. This is in contrast to CN213657658, where the movement mechanism for the search light and the thermal imaging means are separate, movable relative to each other and independent of each other, thereby requiring two separate and spaced apart movement mechanisms, two separate units and this limits the range of movement of each unit and increases the complexity and cost of the apparatus.

[0015] Preferably the tracking apparatus is used for tracking an object, a heat signature, an individual and / or the like. Preferably the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are in fixed positions relative to each other in the unit (or combined units). Thus, although the unit as a whole can move, the thermal imaging means and illumination means within the unit remain in fixed positions relative to each other.

[0016] In one embodiment the illumination means and thermal imaging means are associated with, provided in, on or immediately adjacent a forward facing surface or front surface of the apparatus in use.

[0017] Preferably the illumination means and the thermal imaging means are arranged such that illumination emitted by the illumination means in use is directed in the same or substantially the same direction as the field of view or detection area of the thermal imaging means; and / or the illumination emitted by the illumination means in use at least partially, wholly or substantially coincides or overlaps with the field of view or detection area of the thermal imaging means and / or the like.

[0018] In one embodiment, the apparatus is arranged such that on detection of a thermal signature by the thermal imaging means meeting one or more pre-determined criteria, the thermal imaging means and / or unit locks onto or automatically locks onto and maintains (or attempts to maintain) the detected thermal signature in the field of view or detection area of the thermal imaging means for as long as is required. This allows for autonomous tracking of the detected thermal signature in use.

[0019] Preferably the one or more pre-determined criteria includes any or any combination of a physical size or dimension(s) of the heat signature, the shape of the heat signature, the amount of infra-red energy detected and / or measured forming or from the heat signature and / or the like. Further preferably one or more minimum values, maximum values and / or value ranges can be used to help define the one or more pre-determined criteria.

[0020] Preferably the use of one or more pre-determined criteria ensures that heat signatures that may not be relevant to an object and / or person that is to be tracked by the apparatus in use are discounted. For example, if the tracking apparatus is being used to search for a person in the sea, the heat signatures of marine life may be discounted by the apparatus so as not to activate a false rescue operation.

[0021] Preferably the apparatus is arranged such that once the thermal imaging means and / or unit locks onto the detected thermal signature meeting the one or more predetermined criteria, the thermal imaging means and / or unit is moved by the movement means such that the position of the detected thermal signature is located and / or maintained within the field of view or the detection area of the thermal imaging means, and further preferably is located and / or maintained centrally or substantially centrally of the field of view or detection area of the thermal imaging means.

[0022] Preferably the apparatus includes any or any combination of: micro-processing means to process one or more signals or data in use; memory means for storing data in use; pre-stored data, software, one or more algorithms and / or the like in use.

[0023] Preferably the micro-processing means is arranged to communicate with and / or process data to and / or from the thermal imaging means, movement means and / or the illumination means in use.

[0024] Preferably, the apparatus is arranged such that once the thermal imaging means detects a heat signature, this sends a signal to the micro-processing means.

[0025] Preferably the micro-processing means processes the thermal imaging means signal to determine if the heat signature detected meets the one or more pre-determined criteria.

[0026] Further preferably, if the detected heat signature does meet the one or more predetermined criteria, the movement means are moved and / or controlled to ensure the detected heat signature is maintained within the field of view or detection area of the thermal imaging means. Preferably one or more algorithms and / or software are used by the microprocessing means to determine if the detected heat signature meets the one or more predetermined criteria.

[0027] In one embodiment the micro-processing means includes one or more computers, micro-processors , servers, electronic chips, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and / or the like.

[0028] In one embodiment the movement means are arranged to allow any or any combination of vertical movement, horizontal movement, rotational movement, sliding movement, pivotable movement, panning movement, tilting movement and / or the like.

[0029] Preferably the movement means are arranged to allow panning of the unit through 0-360 degrees in use.

[0030] Preferably the movement means are arranged to allow tilting of the unit through 0- 360 degrees in use.

[0031] In one example, the movement means are arranged to allow both panning and tilting of the unit through 0-360 degrees as required.

[0032] Preferably panning motion is movement about a vertical or substantially vertical axis.

[0033] Preferably tilting motion is movement about a horizontal or substantially horizontal axis.

[0034] Preferably the axis of movement of panning of the unit is transverse, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement of tilting of the unit.

[0035] Preferably the movement means are arranged to move the unit at one or more speeds between 0-450 degrees per second, and further preferably 0.05-450 degrees per second. Preferably the movement means are arranged to move fast enough to be able to track an object or person in use but not too fast so that the movement over shoots or too slow so that the movement under shoots the target.

[0036] Preferably movement stabilising means or device are provided in and / or associated with the unit and / or movement means to provide stability to the movement of the unit generated or undertaken by the movement means in use.

[0037] In one example, the movement stabilising means includes one or more pan / tilt stabilising means or devices.

[0038] In one example, the movement stabilising means includes one or more gyroscopes.

[0039] Thus, in one example, the gyroscope helps to stabilise the pan / tilt movement means to allow the apparatus to maintain its position on a fixed / locked on point detected by the thermal imaging means.

[0040] Preferably the movement means includes drive means or a drive mechanism for driving movement of the unit and / or movement means in use.

[0041] Preferably the drive means or mechanism includes electrical drive means, one or more motors, servo motors and / or the like. Preferably the use of servo motors helps to provide fine angular adjustment of movement to help track an object or target in use.

[0042] In one embodiment the drive means includes one or more integrated servo motors. This eliminates the need for a separate motor, servo controller and / or cabling to be used.

[0043] In one example, the drive means includes at least a first drive means, a first motor or integrated servo motor for driving tilting motion of the unit in use. Further preferably the drive means includes at least a second drive means, a second motor or integrated servo motor for driving panning motion of the unit in use. In one example, the drive means consists of a first drive means, a first motor or integrated servo motor for driving tilting motion of the unit in use, and a second drive means, a second motor or integrated servo motor for driving panning motion of the unit in use.

[0044] Preferably first and second drive means, motors or integrated servo motors are arranged a spaced distance apart from each other, independently of and / or separately on the apparatus.

[0045] In one embodiment the apparatus includes a body portion and the unit is movably mounted to the body portion using the movement means.

[0046] In one embodiment the body portion includes a first body portion and the unit is movably mounted to the first body portion by first movement means; and the apparatus further includes a second body portion, and the first body portion is movably mounted to the second body portion via second movement means.

[0047] Preferably the first and second movement means are separate to, independently of and / or a spaced distance apart from each other.

[0048] Preferably the first and second movement means can be controlled together and / or independently of each other.

[0049] In one embodiment the first movement means includes a first motor, a motor for driving tilt motion of the unit in use, a tilt motor or tilt servo motor.

[0050] In one embodiment the second movement means includes a second motor, a motor for driving panning motion of the unit in use, a pan motor or pan servo motor.

[0051] In one example, the second body portion forms part of or includes mounting means or attachment means for mounting / attaching the apparatus to a suitable surface or in a suitable position in use.

[0052] In one embodiment the one or more drive means or mechanism, the motors or servo motors include proportional integral derivative (PID) control means or mechanism. This helps to regulate fine movement of the movement means in use, thereby helping to prevent overshooting or undershooting of the target or object in use.

[0053] In one embodiment the unit or one or more housings include cooling means or device to prevent the apparatus from overheating in use.

[0054] Preferably the cooling means or device includes one or more cooling fans, heat sinks and / or the like.

[0055] In one embodiment the apparatus includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) compass to provide accurate global location data in use.

[0056] In one embodiment the apparatus includes an inertia navigation system (INS) to provide inertia data, such as pitch, roll and heave (or up and down motion). In addition, the INS can provide location data if a GPS signal is lost.

[0057] Preferably the INS is used to direct the searchlight at any location relative to the absolute known location of the searchlight and can optionally be used in combination with other data sources ,such as for example, chart plotters, radar systems, longitude, latitude and / or altitude locations and / or the like. The INS will also allow the searchlight to be stabilised on a target position irrespective of the motion of the searchlight platform (i.e. a boat, car, pole and / or the like).

[0058] In one embodiment the illumination means includes one or more illumination devices capable of emitting illumination in use, lights, lasers, light emitting diodes (LEDs), strobe lights and / or the like.

[0059] In one example, the illumination means includes one or more strobe lights. The strobe lights can be used to at least temporarily disorient and / or disable a target or person, which may be useful for smuggling operations, security operations and / or the like.

[0060] Preferably the illumination means are arranged to emit one or more light beams and / or lasers in use. In one example, the light beam is a variable light beam approximately between 5-12 degrees + / -1 degree.

[0061] In one example, the light beam is a fixed light beam of approximately 5 degrees + / - 1 degree.

[0062] Preferably lens means or one or more lenses are provided on and / or associated with the illumination means to allow focusing of the illumination, light, light beam and / or laser emitted by the illumination means in use.

[0063] Preferably adjustment means or an adjustment mechanism are provided on and / or associated with the movement means, the illumination means and / or the thermal imaging means to allow adjustment of the same in use, such as for example a zoom function, focusing function and / or the like.

[0064] In one embodiment the thermal imaging means includes, consists or comprises a thermal imaging camera. The thermal imaging camera is further preferably an infrared camera that is able to detect and / or measure the infrared energy emitted from an object to create a heat signature.

[0065] In one embodiment the apparatus and / or unit includes further imaging means, such as for example, one or more cameras, visible light cameras, optical cameras, video cameras and / or the like.

[0066] In one embodiment the apparatus includes control means or device to allow control of the apparatus, one or more components of the apparatus, the movement means, the thermal imaging means, the illumination means, the further imaging means, the cooling means, the adjustment means and / or the like.

[0067] Preferably the control means or device includes the micro-processing means.

[0068] In one embodiment the apparatus can be controlled using remote control means. This allows a user to control the apparatus remotely in use. In one embodiment the system and / or apparatus is controlled via wired or wireless means.

[0069] In one embodiment communication means are provided on and / or associated with the apparatus for allowing the apparatus to communicate with the control means, micro-processing means, a remote operator, remote micro-processing means and / or the like.

[0070] Preferably the communication means includes one or more devices capable of allowing one way or multiway communication in use, one or more cables, Internet, Bluetooth, infra-red means, transmitters, receivers, transceivers and / or the like.

[0071] In one embodiment the remote control means and / or manual control means can override the autonomous control of the apparatus in use, or vice versa.

[0072] In one embodiment the apparatus includes two or more units; each of the two or more units including thermal imaging means and illumination means.

[0073] In one embodiment the two or more units are able to communicate with each other, utilise the same movement means and / or lock onto the same detected heat signature in use.

[0074] Preferably the two or more units are arranged in such a way so as to provide coverage of the same or different locality, search area and / or the like.

[0075] In one embodiment the apparatus includes mounting or attachment means to mount the apparatus to a suitable surface and / or at a suitable location in use.

[0076] Preferably the mounting or attachment means includes any or any combination of one or more devices that allow attachment of the apparatus to a surface or location in use, one or more brackets, frames, frame members, connection devices, nuts, bolts, screws, ties, inter- engaging members, hook and loop fastenings (VELCRO), adhesive, welding and / or the like. Preferably the apparatus or any component or combination of components of the apparatus can be arranged to work autonomously and / or under manual control.

[0077] Preferably the thermal imaging means, or at least control of the same, can be arranged to work or be controlled separately from the illumination means. For example, the illumination means could be switched off when the thermal imaging means are operating and / or vice versa.

[0078] In one embodiment the apparatus is powered by its own power source and / or a separate connectable power source. For example, the power source could include any or any combination of one or more batteries, rechargeable batteries generators, mains power supply, solar power, wind turbine power and / or the like.

[0079] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using tracking apparatus, said method including the steps of:

[0080] -detecting a thermal signature using thermal imaging means;

[0081] -illuminating a tracking area or a detected thermal signature using illumination means;

[0082] -moving the thermal imaging means and the illumination means using movement means; characterised in that:

[0083] Said movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together.

[0084] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using tracking apparatus, said method including the steps of:

[0085] -detecting a thermal signature using thermal imaging means;

[0086] -illuminating a tracking area or a detected thermal signature using illumination means;

[0087] -moving the thermal imaging means and the illumination means using movement means; characterised in that: the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged so as to be in fixed positions relative to each other and said movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together.

[0088] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using tracking apparatus; said method including the steps of:

[0089] -detecting a thermal signature using thermal imaging means;

[0090] -illuminating a tracking area or a detected thermal signature using illumination means;

[0091] -moving the thermal imaging means and the illumination means using movement means; characterised in that: the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged as a single unit, and said single unit is arranged to be moved by said movement means such that the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are moved simultaneously and together.

[0092] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided tracking apparatus, said tracking apparatus including: a) thermal imaging means for detecting a thermal signature in use; b) illumination means for providing illumination therefrom in use; c) movement means for allowing movement of the thermal imaging means and illumination means in use; characterised in that the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged so as to be in fixed positions relative to each other and said movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together in use.

[0093] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided tracking apparatus, said tracking apparatus including: d) thermal imaging means for detecting a thermal signature in use; e) illumination means for providing illumination therefrom in use;

[0094] 1) movement means for allowing movement of the thermal imaging means and illumination means in use; characterised in that the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged as a single unit, and said single unit is arranged to be moved by said movement means such that the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are moved simultaneously and together in use.

[0095] For example, a single movement mechanism can be provided with and / or associated with the thermal imaging means and the illumination means to achieve movement of the same in one direction or at least one direction.

[0096] Preferably the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are fixed relative to each other but can be moved in combination together via the movement means.

[0097] According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided illumination apparatus; search and rescue tracking apparatus; marine tracking apparatus; military tracking apparatus; navigational apparatus and / or methods of using the same.

[0098] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0099] Figures la-lc show a side view, a front view and base plan view of tracking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively;

[0100] Figures 2a-2d show a front view, side view, rear view and top plan view of the tracking apparatus shown in figures la-lc showing the position of some internal components.

[0101] Referring to the figures, there is illustrated tracking apparatus 2 for tracking an object or person in use. In accordance with the present invention, the tracking apparatus includes a thermal imaging camera 4 and illumination means in the form of an LED module 6 that are provided in the same single unit 8. As such, movement of one of the thermal imaging camera and illumination means is simultaneous to movement of the other of the thermal imaging camera and illumination means in use.

[0102] The thermal imaging camera 4 and the LED module 6 are provided in fixed positions relative to each other within the unit 8 and are arranged such that a light beam emitted from the LED module in use is able to illuminate the field of view or field of detection of the thermal imaging camera. In the illustrated example, the thermal imaging camera is provided externally of the LED module and in a radially outward position relative to the centre of the LED module. However, the thermal imaging camera and the LED module could be provided in any required arrangement relative to each other in the same unit.

[0103] The unit 8 is movably mounted to a body portion 10 via first movement means in the form of a tilt servo motor 12 to allow the unit 8 as a whole to undergo tilting motion in use. The body portion 10 is movably mounted to an attachment bracket 14 via second movement means in the form of a pan servo motor 16 to allow the unit 8 to undergo panning motion in use. The first and second movement means are a spaced distance apart from each other in the illustrated embodiment.

[0104] The attachment bracket 14 can be attached to any suitable surface using one or more attachment devices, such as one or more bolts, screws and / or the like.

[0105] The unit 8 also includes a video interface 18 and control means including a servo control module 20.

[0106] A lens 22 can optionally be provided in front of the LED module 6 to allow the light beam emitted from the LED module 6 to be focused and / or adjusted as required. For example, the a zoom function can be provided with the lens 22 to allow adjustment of the LED light beam in use.

[0107] Cooling means in the form of a heat sink 24 and a cooling fan 26 can be provided in the unit 8 for cooling the electronics in the unit 8 in use. An LED driver and printed circuit board (PCB) 28 are provided in the rear of unit 8 to control the LED module 6.

[0108] In use, the apparatus 2 is mounted in a suitable location for monitoring a search area for an object or person capable of emitting a heat signature. The thermal imaging camera has a field of view or a field of detection and it monitors this field of view or field of detection for the presence of a heat signature. On detection of a heat signature, it sends a signal to micro-processing means provided in unit 8. The microprocessing means uses software and / or an algorithm to process the signal to see if it meets one or more pre-determined criteria, such as for example, it assesses the physical dimensions of the heat signature, the shape of the heat signature, the amount of IR energy detected and / or the like. If the heat signature signal meets one or more of these pre-determined criteria, such as reaching a minimum and / or maximum pre-determined value, falling within a pre-determined range of values and / or the like, the micro-processing means instructs the thermal imaging means to lock on and track the detected heat signature. In doing this, the micro-processing means instructs the movement means to move the unit 8 in such a manner so as to try and maintain the heat signature in the centre or substantially the centre of the field of view of the thermal imaging camera. Since the LED module and the thermal imaging camera are in fixed positions relative to each other, this also ensures the light beam emitted by the LED module in use points towards the detected heat signature. When the apparatus is being used in a search and rescue application, this can be helpful in illuminating the detected target, such as a person, to allow a rescue operation to be undertaken. When the apparatus is being used in a security application to identify unauthorised persons in a search area, the LED module could have a strobe function to temporarily disorient and / or disable the identified person.

[0109] The pan / tilt servo motors allow the unit 8 to undergo both panning and / or tilting motion through 0-360 degrees, thereby providing a wide range of coverage of the apparatus. Movement stabilising means, such as for example a gyroscope, could be provided in the unit to help stabilise the movement of the unit.

[0110] A PID controller can be used to control the pan / tilt servo motors to prevent movement of the unit from overshooting or undershooting the detected heat signature.

[0111] It will be appreciated that any or any combination of the above described features could be provided to form the tracking apparatus of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1. Tracking apparatus, said tracking apparatus including: a) thermal imaging means for detecting a thermal signature in use; b) illumination means for providing illumination therefrom in use; c) movement means for allowing movement of the thermal imaging means and illumination means in use; characterised in that: said movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together in use.

2. Tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged so as to be in fixed positions relative to each other and said movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together in use.

3. Tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged as a single unit, and said single unit is arranged to be moved by said movement means such that the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are moved simultaneously and together in use.

4. The tracking apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the thermal imaging means and the illumination are provided in the same single housing to form a single unit; or the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are provided in separate housings that are joined together, combined together, are adjacent to each other and / or associated with each other in some way to form a single unit, fixed relative positions or to allow the movementmeans to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together in use.

5. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are associated with, provided in or on a forward facing surface or front surface of the apparatus.

6. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the thermal imaging means and the illumination means are arranged such that illumination emitted by the illumination means in use is directed in the same or substantially the same direction as the field of view or detection area of the thermal imaging means; and / or the illumination emitted by the illumination means in use at least partially, wholly or substantially coincides or overlaps with the field of view or detection area of the thermal imaging means.

7. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that on detection of a thermal signature by the thermal imaging means that meets one or more pre-determined criteria, the thermal imaging means and / or the unit is arranged to lock onto and maintain the detected thermal signature in the field of view or detection area of the thermal imaging means for as long as is required.

8. The tracking apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the one or more predetermined criteria includes any or any combination of a minimum value, a maximum value, a value range, a physical size or dimension(s) of the heat signature, the shape of the heat signature, or the amount of infra-red energy detected and / or measured from the heat signature.

9. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further includes any or any combination of micro-processing meansto process one or more signals or data in use; memory means to store data in use; pre-stored data; software; or one or more algorithms.

10. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the movement means are arranged to allow any or any combination of vertical movement, horizontal movement, rotational movement, sliding movement, pivotable movement, panning movement, or tilting movement.

11. The tracking apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the movement means are arranged to allow panning and / or tilting movement through 0-360 degrees in use.

12. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the movement means are arranged to move the unit at one or more speeds between 0-450 degrees per second; or between 0.05-450 degrees per second.

13. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein movement stabilising means or device, one or more pan / tilt stabilising means or devices, and / or one or more gyroscopes are provided in or associated with the unit and / or movement means to provide stability to movement of the unit in use.

14. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein drive means or a drive mechanism, electrical device means or device, one or more motors, in one or more integrated servo motors and / or one or more servo motors are provided for driving movement of the movement means in use.

15. The tracking apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the drive means or mechanism includes a first drive means for driving tilting motion of the unit in use; and a second drive means for driving panning motion of the unit in use.

16. The tracking apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first and second drive means are provided a spaced distance apart from each other, independently of each other and / or separately of each other on the apparatus.

17. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes a body portion and the unit is movably mounted to the body portion using the movement means.

18. The tracking apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the body portion includes first and second body portions and the movement means includes first and second movement means; the unit is movably mounted to the first body portion by the first movement means; and the first body portion is movably mounted to the second body portion via second movement means.

19. The tracking apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the drive means or mechanism includes proportional integral derivative (PID) control means or mechanism to regulate.

20. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, further including any or any combination of cooling means or mechanism to prevent the apparatus from overheating in use; a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) compass for providing location data; an inertia navigation system (INS) for providing inertia data; lens means provided on and / or associated with the illumination means to focus the illumination emitted therefrom in use; communication means; mounting means; one or more further imaging means.

21. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein adjustment means are provided on and / or associated with the movement means, the illumination means and / or thermal imaging means to allow manual and / or automated adjustment of the same in use.

22. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claims, wherein the apparatus further includes control means or device for controlling any or any combination of the apparatus, one or more components of the apparatus, the movement means, the thermal imaging means, the illumination means, the adjustment means, the further imaging means or the cooling means.

23. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes two or more units, each of the two or more units including thermal imaging means and illumination means.

24. The tracking apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is provided with its own power source to power the same and / or a separate connectable power source is used to power the same.

25. A method of using tracking apparatus, said method including the steps of:-detecting a thermal signature using thermal imaging means;-illuminating a tracking area or a detected thermal signature using illumination means;-moving the thermal imaging means and the illumination means using movement means; characterised in that: said movement means are arranged to move the thermal imaging means and the illumination means simultaneously and together.

Images