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In this paper, a new optical approach based on omnidirectional thermalvisualization system is proposed. It will provides observer or image processingtool a 360 degree viewing of surrounding area using a single thermal camera. Byapplying the proposed omnidirectional thermal visualization system even in poorlighting condition, surrounding area is under proper surveillance and thesurrounding heating machineries/items can be monitored indeed. Infrared(IR)reflected hyperbolic mirrors have been designed and custom made for thepurpose of reflecting omnidirectional scenes in infrared range for the surroundingarea to be captured on a thermal camera, thus producing omnidirectional thermalvisualization images. Five cost effective and market-common IR reflectedmaterials used to fabricate the designed hyperbolic mirror are studied, i.e.stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, brass, and chromium. Among thesematerials, chromium gives the best IR reflectivity, withεr = 0.985. Specifically, weintroduce log-polar mapping for unwarping the captured omnidirectional thermalimage into a panoramic view, hence providing observers or image processingtools a complete wide angle of view. Three mapping techniques are proposed inthis paper namely the point sample, mean sample and interpolation mappingtechniques. Point sample mapping technique provides the greatest interest dueto its lower complexity and moderate output image quality.

Image processing --- Image representation --- Omnidirectional vision --- Thermal imaging --- Architecture for imaging and vision systems.