Fiber optics viewing device

• US 4,969,707 A
• Filed: 06/19/1987
• Issued: 11/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis Rogant, Eddie Sacks, Frank E. Archer, Has Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Has Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Hopkins, Ralph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heartney, Phan T.
• Application Number:
  US07/064,904
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.24, 350/96.25, 350/96.26
• US Class Current: 385/116
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0006 Arrays G02B3/02, G02B5/188 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/06 the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images

Abstract

A high quality fiber optic viewing device is provided which includes a fiber optic bundle having two ends, each end being cut in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the optical fibers and highly polished. At the input end of the device a lens system presents a wide angle view to the bundle. The output end is able to be viewed directly or by a television camera. The device is particularly suited for use in moving vehicles, security systems and inspection of dangerous or hard to reach objects.

Claims

1. A fiber optic viewing device comprising:

at least one lens for focusing a field of view in only one direction therethrough into a parallel light path,

a fiber optic bundle having an input end and an output end, each of said ends occupying a plane cut perpendicular to the direction of said fiber optic bundle and polished to have a smooth surface, all of said optical fibers being substantially parallel to one another throughout their lengths,

said input end of said fiber optic bundle being oriented with respect to said at least one lens such that parallel light path enters said input end of said fiber optic bundle, and

said output end of said fiber optic bundle being oriented so as to present at a desired location an image transmitted by said fiber optic bundle from said input end, said output end being arranged for direct viewing by an observer.

2. A vehicle including at least one of said fiber optic viewing devices as in claim 1.

3. A vehicle as in claim 2 in which said at least one said fiber optic viewing device comprises only two fiber optic viewing devices, each having a 90°

field of vision.

4. A vehicle as in claim 2 in which said two fiber optic viewing devices have said input ends mounted near upper rear corners of said vehicle.

5. A vehicle as in claim 4 in which the normal to the principal plane of said at least one lens is directed to make an angle of at least ten degrees with a horizontal plane.

6. A vehicle as in claim 4 in which the normal to the principal plane of said at least one lens is directed to make an angle of about forty degrees from a vertical plane running from front to back through the center of the vehicle, the normal toward its respective one of the rear corners of said vehicle.

7. A vehicle as in claim 4 in which said lenses include means for shielding said lenses from above.

8. A vehicle as in claim 4 in which said two fiber optic viewing devices have their output ends mounted so as to be viewable by a driver of said vehicle.

9. A vehicle as in claim 8 in which said output ends are mounted side by side.

10. A vehicle as in claim 9 in which said output ends are mounted on a dash board of said vehicle.

11. A vehicle as in claim 9 in which said output ends are mounted in a dash board of said vehicle.

12. A vehicle as in claim 9 in which said output ends are mounted near the top of a windshield of said vehicle.

13. An aircraft further including at least one said fiber optic viewing device as in claim 1.

14. An aircraft as in claim 13 in which said at least one said fiber optic viewing device comprises four fiber optic viewing devices.

15. An aircraft as in claim 14 in which two of said four fiber optic viewing devices have their input ends mounted near two rear corners of said aircraft, one on the top of said aircraft and one on the bottom of said aircraft.

16. An aircraft as in claim 15 in which said output ends are mounted so as to be viewable by a pilot of said aircraft.

17. A security system including at least one said fiber optic viewing device as in claim 1.

18. A security system including a plurality of fiber optic viewing devices as in claim 1.

19. A security system as in claim 18 in which output ends of said plurality of fiber optic viewing devices are scanned by at least one television camera which in turn provide video signals to at least one television screen.

20. A security system as in claim 19 in which said plurality of fiber optic viewing devices are scanned by a plurality of television cameras which in turn provide video signals to a plurality of corresponding television screens.

21. A security system as in claim 19 in which said plurality of fiber optic viewing devices and said at least one television camera are located above a false ceiling in a building where said security system is located.

22. A nuclear power plant including at least one said fiber optic viewing device as in claim 1.

23. A nuclear power plant as in claim 22 in which said at least one fiber optic viewing device comprises multiple fiber optic viewing devices having their input ends mounted to view locations in said nuclear power plant which require inspection.

24. A clean room including at least one said fiber optic viewing device as in claim 1.

25. A clean room as in claim 24 in which said at least one fiber optic viewing device comprises multiple fiber optic viewing devices having their input ends mounted to view locations in said clean room which require inspection.