Modular panoramic night vision goggles

• US 20040021938A1
• Filed: 06/10/2003
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kollsman Incorporated (Elbit Systems Limited), Night Vision Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kollsman Incorporated (Elbit Systems Limited), Night Vision Corporation
• Inventors: Ziv, Robert O, Filipovich, Danny, Fiore, Jack, Uy, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 7,072,107 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/409
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/125 head-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/18 for binocular arrangements focusing binocular pairs G02B7/06; adjusting pupillary distance of binocular pairs G02B7/12

Abstract

A modular binocular-like vision assembly (300) has individual interconnecting inner (320, 330) and outer (310, 340) optical modules. Each module is separately sealed and self-contained and includes image intensifier means for converting incoming light to an intensified visible image for presentation to the eyes of the observer in low light conditions. Electrical connectors are provided between the modules for permitting free flow of electrical power and information between the modules. Attaching system is provided for removably attaching the outer modules to the inner modules to deliver a panoramic field of vision and removal of any single module from the assembly will not break any pressure seals or degrade the optical performance of the removed module or the remaining modules.

Claims

1. A modular binocular-like vision assembly for enabling an observer to view an object, said assembly comprising:

at least two optical modules including a first optical module comprising a first input end that receives light from said object and a first output end that receives light from said first input end, wherein said first output end defines a first optical axis along which light received from said first input end is transmitted;

a second optical module comprising a second input end that receives light from said object and a second output end that receives light from said second input end, wherein said second output end defines a second optical axis along which light received from said second input end is transmitted;

a bridge; and

securing means for removably securing said first and second optical modules to said bridge in spaced-apart parallel fashion.

2. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 1, wherein light transmitted from said at least two optical modules forms a field of view comprising a vertical field of view of approximately 40 degrees.

3. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second optical modules further includes image intensifier means for converting incoming infrared and/or visible light to an intensified visible image for presentation to the eyes of the observer.

4. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said optical modules is individually sealed and self-contained.

5. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 2, wherein each of said first and second optical modules further includes image intensifier means for converting incoming infrared and/or visible light to an intensified visible image for presentation to the eyes of the observer.

6. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 2, wherein each of said optical modules is individually sealed and self-contained.

7. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 3, wherein each of said optical modules is individually sealed and self-contained.

8. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 3, including an individually sealed and self-contained head-up display module removably secured to said assembly for displaying information to the observer.

9. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 6, including an individually sealed and self-contained head-up display module removably secured to said assembly for displaying information to the observer.

10. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 7, including an individually sealed and self-contained head-up display module removably secured to said assembly for displaying information to the observer.

11. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 9, including an individually sealed and self-contained camera removably secured to said assembly.

12. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 10, including an individually sealed and self-contained camera removably secured to said assembly.

13. A modular binocular-like vision assembly for enabling an observer to view an object under low light conditions, said assembly comprising:

a first inner optical module comprising a first-input end that receives light from said object and a first output end that receives light from said first input end, wherein said first output end defines a first optical axis along which light received from said first input end is transmitted;

a second inner optical module comprising a second input end that receives light from said object and a second output end that receives light from said second input end, wherein said second output end defines a second optical axis along which light received from said second input end is transmitted;

at least one outer optical module comprising a third input end that receives light from said object and a third output end that receives light from said third input end, wherein said third output end defines a third optical axis along which light received from said third input end is transmitted, wherein light transmitted along said first, second and third optical axes is simultaneously transmitted from said modular binocular-like vision assembly to said observer and forms a continuous field of view comprising a first peripheral portion presented to an eye of the user, and a central portion presented to both eyes of the user so as to provide full depth perception and stereo vision in said central portion;

image intensifier means operably positioned in said modules for converting incoming infrared and/or visible light to an intensified visible image for presentation to the eyes of the observer;

a bridge; and

securing means for removably securing said first and second optical modules to said bridge in spaced-apart parallel fashion.

14. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 13, wherein each of said optical modules is individually sealed and self-contained.

15. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 14, wherein light transmitted from said first, second and third optical modules forms a field of view comprising a vertical field of view of approximately 40 degrees.

16. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 15, further comprising a fourth individually sealed and self-contained outer optical module comprising a fourth input end that receives light from said object and a fourth output end that receives light from said fourth input end, wherein said fourth output end defines a fourth optical axis along which light received from said fourth input end is transmitted, wherein the combined effect of the optical modules provides a continuous field of view which includes left and right peripheral portions presented to the left and right eyes, respectively, of the user, and a central portion presented to both eyes of the viewer so as to provide full depth perception and stereo vision in the central portion.

17. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 16, wherein said continuous field of view is at least 80 degrees in the horizontal direction, and said central portion of said field of view is at least 35 degrees in the horizontal.

18. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 16, wherein said third and fourth outer optical modules are interchangeable.

19. A modular panoramic vision assembly for enabling an observer to view an object under low light conditions, said assembly comprising:

a first inner optical module comprising a first input end that receives light from said object and a first output end that receives light from said first input end, wherein said first output end defines a first optical axis along which light received from said first input end is transmitted;

a second inner optical module comprising a second input end that receives light from said object and a second output end that receives light from said second input end, wherein said second output end defines a second optical axis along which light received from said second input end is transmitted;

a third outer optical module comprising a third input end that receives light from said object and a third output end that receives light from said third input end, wherein said third output end defines a third optical axis along which light received from said third input end is transmitted,

a fourth outer optical module comprising a fourth input end that receives light from said object and a fourth output end that receives light from said fourth input end, wherein said fourth output end defines a fourth optical axis along which light received from said fourth input end is transmitted, wherein light transmitted along said first, second, third and fourth optical axes is simultaneously transmitted from said modular panoramic vision assembly to said observer and forms a field of view comprising a vertical field of view of at least 35 degrees and a horizontal field of view of at least 80 degrees;

image intensifier means operably positioned in said modules for converting incoming infrared and/or visible light to an intensified visible image for presentation to the eyes of the observer;

a bridge; and

securing means for removably securing said first and second inner optical modules to said bridge in spaced-apart parallel fashion.

20. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 19, wherein each of said optical modules is individually scaled and self-contained.

21. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 20, including electrical connector means provided between said modules for permitting free flow of electrical power and information between said modules.

22. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 21, wherein said modules having attachment means for attaching said outer modules to said inner modules such that said modules are removably secured together in proper alignment.

23. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 22, wherein said third and fourth outer modules are interchangeable.

24. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 23, including an individually sealed and self-contained head-up display module removably secured to said assembly for displaying information to the observer.

25. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 24, including an individually sealed and self-contained camera removably secured to said assembly.

26. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 25, wherein said electrical connector means comprising wiper contacts and contact pads on adjacently mating modules.

27. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 26, wherein said attachment means comprising tongue-and-groove type connectors.