Night vision system utilizing an illumination module and a method related thereto

• US 6,809,870 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Fohl, Timothy, Weber, Willes H., Remillard, Jeffrey Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HASAN, MOHAMMED A
• Application Number:
  US10/348,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20030128434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 359/625, 359/627, 359/628, 359/726, 359/15, 359/30, 359/359, 362/558, 250/339.06, 250/504.R
• US Class Current: 359/627
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/136 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary body G02B5/124 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes a detector for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a signal responsive to the received light.

Claims

1. A night vision system comprising:

a light source;

a transparent thin sheet optical element extending along a first axis receiving light from the light source and directing the light generally in a first direction; and

a light detector configured to receive a portion of light reflected from an object and generating a signal responsive to the received portion of light.

2. The night vision system of claim 1 further comprising:

a light filter positioned to receive light from the thin sheet optical element with filtered light traveling toward the object.

3. The night vision system of claim 2 wherein the light filter comprises a holographic diffuser.

4. The night vision system of claim 1 wherein the thin sheet optical element is constructed from a polymeric material.

5. The night vision system of claim 1 wherein the thin sheet optical element directs the light toward the object.

6. A night vision system comprising:

a light source;

a thin sheet optical element extending along a first axis receiving light from the light source and directing the light generally in a first direction, wherein the thin sheet optical element redirects light from the light source using total internal reflection; and

a light detector configured to receive a portion of light reflected from an object and generating a signal responsive to the received portion of the light.

7. A night vision system comprising:

a light source;

a thin sheet optical element extending along a first axis receiving light from the light source and directing the light generally in a first direction, wherein the thin sheet optical element comprises a plurality of facets for redirecting light from the light source;

a light detector configured to receive a portion of light reflected from an object and generating a signal responsive to the received portion of light.

8. The night vision system of claim 7 wherein at least one of the plurality of facets includes a reflective coating.

9. The night vision system of claim 7 wherein the light source comprises a halogen bulb.

10. A night vision system comprising:

a light source;

a transparent thin sheet optical element for receiving light from the light source and using total internal reflection to direct at least a portion of the light from the light source toward an object; and

a light detector configured to receive a portion of light reflected from the object and to generate a signal responsive thereto.

11. The night vision system of claim 10 further comprising:

a light filter receiving light front the optical element, filtered light traveling toward the object.

12. The night vision system of claim 11 wherein the light filter filters light reflected from the object before traveling to the light detector.

13. The night vision system of claim 11 wherein the light filter redirects filtered light toward the object.

14. The night vision system of claim 10 wherein the optical element comprises least one facet for directing a portion of the light from the light source toward the object.

15. The night vision system of claim 10 wherein the optical element filters light from the light source.

16. A night vision system comprising:

an infrared light source;

a transparent optical element extending along a first axis receiving light from the light source and directing the light generally in a first direction using a plurality of facets; and

a detector for receiving light reflected from an object and generating a signal responsive to the received light.

17. A night vision system comprising:

a light source;

an optical element receiving light from the light source and redirecting at least a portion of the light using total internal reflection toward an object;

a filter for filtering a portion of light reflected from the object; and

a camera for receiving the filtered light and generating a video signal responsive to the received light.

18. The night vision system of claim 17 wherein the light source comprises one of an infrared diode laser and a halogen bulb.

19. The night vision system of claim 17 wherein the filter comprises a band pass filter.

20. The night vision system of claim 17 wherein the filter comprises an infrared light filter.

21. The night vision system of claim 17 wherein the optical element comprises a thin sheet optical element constructed from a polymeric material.

22. A night vision system comprising:

an infrared light source;

a transparent optical element receiving infrared light from the infrared light source end directing the infrared light toward an object; and

an infrared detector configured to receive a portion of light reflected from the object.

23. A method for detecting an object utilizing a night vision systems, the method comprising:

transmitting light from a light source to an optical element using at least one fiber optic;

redirecting the light from the light source toward the object using the optical element;

filtering light from the optical element, the filtered light traveling toward the object;

receiving a portion of the filtered light reflected from the object; and

generating an image of the object based on the filtered light reflected from the object.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of transmitting light comprises transmitting infrared light.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of redirecting light comprises redirecting the light from the light source using total internal reflection.

26. A method for detecting an object utilizing a night vision system, the method comprising:

transmitting light from a light source to a transparent thin sheet optical element;

redirecting a least a portion of the light using the thin sheet optical element toward a filter;

filtering a portion of the light, the filtered light traveling toward the object;

receiving light reflected from the object; and

generating an image of the object based on the light reflected from the object.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of transmitting light comprises transmitting infrared light.