REMOTE ACTIVATION OF IMAGERY IN NIGHT VISION GOGGLES

• US 20110261204A1
• Filed: 04/27/2010
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Exelis Incorporated (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: SMITH, WILLIAM A.
• Application Number:
  US12/768,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20110261204A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/159
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/32 Night sights, e.g. luminescent optical aspects of sighting devices G02B23/00, G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/165 using a TV-monitor
• 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 27/017 Head mounted

Abstract

The present invention relates a system for displaying images. The system includes a user display for viewing images, a first sensor for capturing a first image and a second sensor for capturing a second image. A switch mounted on a hand grip of a weapon is toggled by the user to alternately display the first image and the second image.

Claims

1. A system for displaying images comprising:

a display for displaying images;

a first sensor for capturing a first image;

a second sensor for capturing a second image; and

a switch mounted on a hand grip of a weapon,

wherein the display alternately displays the first image and the second image in response to the switch being toggled.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein

the display and the first sensor are mounted on goggles worn by a user holding the weapon, and

the second sensor is mounted on the weapon.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein

the display and the first sensor are mounted on goggles worn by a user holding the weapon, and

the second sensor is mounted at a location remote to the user.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein

the goggles are enhanced night vision goggles,

the first sensor captures a light intensified image, and

the second sensor captures a thermal image through a scope mounted on the weapon.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein

the switch is a push button that toggles between the first and second image when depressed by a user, the push button being depressed by the user while holding the hand grip and firing the weapon.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein

the hand grip extends in a direction perpendicular to a barrel of the weapon, the weapon being a rifle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein

the hand grip encircles a barrel of the weapon, the hand grip extending in a direction parallel and adjacent to the barrel, the weapon being a rifle.

8. A system for displaying images comprising:

a display for displaying images;

a receiver for receiving a first image;

a sensor for capturing a second image; and

a switch mounted on a hand grip of a weapon,

wherein the display alternately displays the first image and the second image in response to the switch being toggled.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein

the display and the sensor are mounted on goggles worn by a user holding the weapon, and

the receiver is mounted to the user or to the weapon.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein

the first image is an image captured by another sensor at a location remote from the user.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein

the first image is an image generated by a computer at a location remote from the user.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein

another sensor is included for capturing a third image, and

the switch is a spring loaded rocker switch having three positions.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein

the first image is displayed when the rocker switch is in a first position,

the second image is displayed when the rocker switch is in a second position, and

the third image is displayed when the rocker switch is in a third position.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein

the switch is mounted on the hand grip such that a user can manipulate the switch while holding the hand grip.

15. A method for displaying images comprising:

toggling a switch mounted on a hand grip of a weapon; and

alternately displaying a first image and a second image on a display in response to the switch being toggled.

16. The method of claim 15, including

holding, by a user, the hand grip of the weapon while toggling the switch.

17. The method of claim 16, including

activating the switch by depressing a push button;

and

de-activating the switch by releasing the push button.

18. The method of claim 17, including

displaying the first image when the switch is activated;

and

displaying the second image when the switch is de-activated.

19. The method of claim 17, including

displaying the first image captured by a sensor mounted on a helmet of a user when the switch is de-activated;

and

displaying the second image captured by a sensor mounted on the weapon when the switch is activated.

20. The method of claim 15, including

toggling the switch when the hand grip is the forward grip of a rifle, the switch being toggled by a forward hand of a user which supports a barrel of the rifle.