Avionic display with tunable filter

• US 6,714,186 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Mosier, Donald E., Johnson, Ricky J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kumar, Srilakshmi
• Application Number:
  US09/861,307
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 349/61, 349/64, 349/112, 349/198, 349/5, 349/104, 362/26, 362/559, 362/231, 385/146, 385/11, 701/45, 313/483, 345/32, 345/104, 250/214.VT
• US Class Current: 345/104
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1336 Illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133626 providing two modes of illumination, e.g. day-night
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133628 with cooling means

Abstract

The display includes a light source and a filter positioned to receive light from the light source. The filter has a different wavelength characteristic depending upon an angle of incidence of light thereon. The angle of incidence is adjustable. The display can be utilized in an avionic display system with night vision equipment. The wavelength characteristic can be a cutoff wavelength characteristic.

Claims

1. A display including a light source, the display comprising:

a filter positioned to receive light from the light source, wherein the filter has a different wavelength characteristic depending upon an angle of incidence of the light from the light source, whereby the angle of incidence of the light is adjustable.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein the filter is an NVIS filter and the wavelength characteristic attenuates light in the infrared range.

3. The display of claim 2, wherein the angle of incidence is adjusted so that a cutoff characteristic is at a wavelength of approximately 610 nm to 640 nm.

4. The display of claim 1 further comprising:

a mechanically adjustable frame, the frame supporting the filter, whereby the frame adjusts a position of the filter to adjust the angle of incidence.

5. The display of claim 4, wherein the frame includes rubber mounting blocks.

6. The display of claim 1 further comprising:

a light guide positioned to receive the light provided through the filter.

7. An avionic display system comprising:

an optical shutter;

a light guide;

a first light source; and

a night vision filter positioned to receive light from the first light source, wherein the filter has a different wavelength characteristic depending upon an angle of incidence of the light from the first light source, whereby the angle of incidence of the light is adjustable, whereby the light travels through the filter to the light guide to the optical shutter.

8. The avionic display system of claim 7 further comprising:

a second light source, wherein the avionic display system provides the light from the first light source through the filter to the light guide to the optical shutter in a night vision mode and provides light from the second light source to the optical shutter in a second mode.

9. The avionic display system of claim 8, wherein a position of the night vision filter can be adjusted relative to the light from the first light source to adjust the angle of incidence of the light on the night vision filter.

10. The avionic display system of claim 9, wherein the night vision filter is an NVIS filter.

11. The avionic display system of claim 7, wherein the night vision filter is an array of filters.

12. The avionic display system of claim 11, wherein the array of filters are angularly adjustable to adjust the angle of incidence.

13. The avionic display system of claim 12, wherein the array of filters have a Venetian blind configuration.

14. A method of calibrating a filter for use in a display system, the display system including a light source and the filter, the angle of incidence of light on the filter being adjustable, wherein the filter has a cutoff characteristic varying according to the angle of incidence of light from the light source, the method comprising:

measuring at least a portion of the spectrum of light provided through the filter; and

adjusting the angle of incidence of the light on the filter until a desired cutoff characteristic is achieved.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjusting utilizes a mechanical adjustable frame, the frame supporting the filter.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the filter is an NVIS filter.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the light source is a CRT or LCD.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the filter includes a set of filter elements.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the filter elements are disposed in a Venetian blind configuration.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the filter is mounted on flexible blocks.