Night vision arrangement
First Claim
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1. A night vision arrangement for a vehicle, the night vision arrangement comprising:
- a camera, the camera comprising an optical element which is substantially transparent to at least infra-red light, the optical element defining an optical axis, the camera further comprising an infra-red sensor to capture an image received through the optical element, and a beam deflector in alignment with the optical axis adapted to deflect the beam received through the optical element and to direct the deflected beam on to the sensor; and
a display unit to display the captured image to a driver of the vehicle, part of the camera contains the sensor being mounted within the main envelope of the vehicle in with the optical element, when in an operative position, being beyond said envelope.
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Abstract
In a night vision arrangement for a motor vehicle a camera is provided which captures an image which is subsequently displayed on a display arrangement which may be a head-up display arrangement. The camera directs light on to a beam deflector which may be constituted by a mirror which deflects the beam so that it passes along a neck on to a sensor. The camera may relatively easily be mounted in position in a motor vehicle.
37 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A night vision arrangement for a vehicle, the night vision arrangement comprising:
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a camera, the camera comprising an optical element which is substantially transparent to at least infra-red light, the optical element defining an optical axis, the camera further comprising an infra-red sensor to capture an image received through the optical element, and a beam deflector in alignment with the optical axis adapted to deflect the beam received through the optical element and to direct the deflected beam on to the sensor; and
a display unit to display the captured image to a driver of the vehicle, part of the camera contains the sensor being mounted within the main envelope of the vehicle in with the optical element, when in an operative position, being beyond said envelope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19)
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18. A device for the enhancement of night vision in a vehicle like an automobile comprising:
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an infra-red camera for being mounted on the vehicle to view an area in front of the camera, and generating a video signal representing the thermal image of the area, the camera comprising an optical element for passing light therethrough, and an infra-red sensing means for sensing the light passed through the optical element, and an optical means having an elongated neck and conveying infra-red radiation received through the optical element to the infra-red sensing means;
a processing unit for processing signals from the sensing means; and
a display unit coupled to the processing unit for making an image visible to the vehicle operator.
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Specification