Data communication between image sensors and image displays

• US 10,645,348 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensors Unlimited Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sensors Unlimited Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Moseman, Samuel, Canahuati, Mathew
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Eileen M
• Application Number:
  US16/029,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20200014887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 668 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/165 using a TV-monitor
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/326 for checking the angle between the axis of the gun sighting device and an auxiliary measuring device F41G3/323 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00129 with a display device, e.g. CRT or LCD monitor with a television apparatus H04N1/00283; arrangements for control of display devices G09G
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0022 Selecting or switching between an image communication mode and a non-image communication mode H04N2201/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An imaging method includes determining heading of a digital weapon sight, determining heading of a helmet mounted display, and calculating difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display. When the difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display is outside of a predetermined range image data communication between the digital weapon sight and the helmet mounted display is disabled. Imaging systems and weapons assemblies having imaging systems are also described.

Claims

1. An imaging method, comprising;

determining heading of a digital weapon sight coupled to a weapon;

determining heading of a helmet mounted display;

calculating difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display; and

disabling image data communication between the digital weapon sight and the helmet mounted display when the difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display is outside of a predetermined range.

2. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, further comprising enabling image data communication between the digital weapon sight and the helmet mounted display when the difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display is outside of the predetermined range.

3. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, wherein the heading difference is calculated at the digital weapon sight.

4. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, wherein the heading difference is calculated at the helmet mounted display.

5. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, further comprising communicating heading of the digital weapon sight to the helmet mounted display using a low-bandwidth wireless channel.

6. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, further comprising communicating heading of the helmet mounted display to the digital weapon sight using a low-bandwidth wireless channel.

7. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, further comprising ceasing image data communication from the digital weapon sight to the helmet mounted display using a high-bandwidth wireless channel once image data communication is disabled.

8. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, further comprising establishing a radio frequency link between the digital weapon sight and the helmet mounted display having a low-bandwidth wireless channel and a high-bandwidth wireless channel.

9. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, further comprising collecting inertial data at the digital weapon sight.

10. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, further comprising collecting inertial data at the helmet mounted display.

11. The imaging method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

toggling the helmet mounted display into a reticle pop-up mode;

displaying a reticle in the helmet mounted display; and

removing the reticle from the helmet mounted display when the difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display is outside of a predetermined range while the helmet mounted display remains in the reticle pop-up mode.

12. The imaging method as recited in claim 11, further comprising returning the reticle to the helmet mounted display when the difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display is outside of a predetermined range.

13. An imaging system, comprising:

a digital weapon sight with an inertial measurement unit (MU) coupled to a weapon;

a helmet mounted display with an IMU;

a wireless module coupling the sight to the helmet mounted display; and

a controller operatively connected to the wireless module and responsive to instructions recorded on a memory to determine heading of a digital weapon sight;

determine heading of a helmet mounted display;

calculate difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display; and

disable image data communication between the digital weapon sight and the helmet mounted display when the difference between the heading of the digital weapon sight and the heading of the helmet mounted display is outside of a predetermined range.

14. The imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the digital weapon sight includes an image sensor, the wireless module coupling the image sensor to the helmet mounted display.

15. The imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the helmet mounted display includes an image sensor and a display, the wireless module coupling the weapon sight to the display.

16. The imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the instructions further cause the controller to enable image data communication between the digital weapon sight and the helmet mounted display when the difference between heading of the digital weapon sight and heading of the helmet mounted display is outside of the predetermined range.

17. The imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the wireless module includes a low-bandwidth channel and a high-bandwidth channel, the controller disposed in communication with the weapon sight IMU or the helmet mounted display IMU by the low-bandwidth channel.

18. The imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the wireless module includes a low-bandwidth channel and a high-bandwidth channel, digital weapon sight disposed in communication with the helmet mounted display by the high bandwidth channel.

19. The imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the helmet mounted display includes an image sensor with a field of view, wherein the controller is configured to disable image data communication between the digital weapon sight and the helmet mounted display when heading of the digital weapon scope is outside of the field of view of the helmet mounted display image sensor.

20. The imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller is fixed relative to the helmet mounted display and is disposed in communication with IMU of the digital weapon sight by the wireless module.

21. The imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller is connected to the digital weapon sight IMU or the helmet mounted display IMU by the wireless module.

22. A weapon assembly, comprising:

a weapon;

an imaging system as recited in claim 13, wherein the digital weapon sight is fixed relative to the weapon, wherein the helmet mounted display is movable relative to the weapon such that heading of the digital weapon sight can be outside a field of view of the helmet mounted display; and

a battery in electrical communication with the imaging system, disabling of the data communication between the digital weapon sight and the helmet mounted display conserving battery life when heading of the digital weapon sight is outside the field of view of the helmet mounted display.