McQ Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N143-126

Description

Currently, the Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility captures infrared (IR) images to evaluate the heat and cold stress of clothing, and analyzes the images manually, which is prone to subjective interpretation and ambiguous results, thus potentially false recommendations. The purpose of this SBIR is to develop a software tool to quantitatively and automatically compare infrared images to evaluate the heat and cold stress of clothing. This Quantitative Image Comparison System (QICS) will calculate the overall performance of clothing such that the Navy can empirically discern the clothings performance. The system will automatically determine the presence of a test subject (either human or manikin) that is moving or stationary, capture an IR signature of the clothing, calculate metrics of the clothing articles together and individually, generate a report with the metrics and analysis, and display the analysis and metrics in a live streaming mode. All software developed will run on Windows 7 and utilize COTS camera equipment, either the Navys existing FLIR ThermaCamTM SC640 or equipment provided. A successful system will greatly improve the Navys ability to provide correct recommendations of the performance of various articles of clothing. During Phase I, McQ will design and deliver a functional prototype system which can be used to capture and quantify images of clothing articles such that the Navy can begin building a database of clothing metrics.