Modular panoramic night vision goggles

• US 7,072,107 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2001
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kollsman Incorporated (Elbit Systems Limited), Night Vision Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kollsman Incorporated (Elbit Systems Limited), Night Vision Corporation
• Inventors: Fiore, Jack C., Ziv, Ofer Robert, Filipovich, Danny, Uy, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thong Q
• Application Number:
  US10/343,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20040021938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,754 Days
• Field of Search: 359350-361, 359399-431, 359808-819, 359480-482, 250/214.VT
• US Class Current: 359/407
• 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, a first output end that receives light from said first input end, a first outer module mechanical attachment port, and a first outer module electrical connector, 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 removably separable from said first optical module, said 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, a second outer module mechanical attachment port, and a second outer module electrical connector, wherein said second output end defines a second optical axis along which light received from said second input end is transmitted;

a bridge removably separable from said first and second optical modules;

first attachment means for enabling the removable attachment and detachment of said first and second optical modules to said bridge in spaced-apart parallel fashion; and

second attachment means for removably attaching and detaching a third and a fourth optical module to respective said first and second optical modules, thereby converting the binocular-like vision assembly to panoramic viewing wherein the horizontal field of vision achieved with four optical modules is approximately 80 degrees or greater,

said second attachment means including electrical connector means provided between said optical modules for permitting free flow of electrical power and information between said modules when the modules are mechanically attached,

said second attachment means operating to removably secure said third and fourth optical modules to the first and second optical modules in proper viewing alignment, and

wherein each said optical module is individually sealed and self-contained such that the removal of any one of said optical modules does not affect the optical performance of any remaining optical module.

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, including an individually sealed and self-contained head-up display module removably secured to said assembly for displaying information to the observer, wherein the removal of said head-up display module does not affect the performance of any remaining module of the assembly.

5. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 4, including an individually sealed and self-contained camera removably secured to said assembly, wherein the removal of said camera module does not affect the performance of any remaining module of the assembly.

6. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 1, including an individually sealed and self-contained camera module removably secured to said assembly, wherein the removal of said camera module does not affect the performance of any remaining module of the assembly.

7. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 1, wherein said third and fourth optical modules define outer optical modules, said third and fourth optical modules being identical and interchangeable such that said third outer optical module is removably securable to either one of said respective first or second inner optical modules, and said fourth outer optical module is removably securable to either one of said respective first or second inner optical modules.

8. 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, each said optical module being removably separable from one another and from the assembly such that the removal of any one of said optical modules does not affect the optical performance of any remaining optical module;

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

a bridge;

first attachment means for enabling the removable attachment and detachment of said first and second inner optical modules to said bridge in spaced-apart parallel fashion; and

second attachment means for enabling the removable attachment and detachment of said third and fourth outer optical modules, respectively, to said adjacently mating first and second inner optical modules,

wherein said second attachment means includes electrical connector means provided between said optical modules for permitting free flow of electrical power and information between said optical modules with the mechanical attachment of said modules;

wherein operational connection of only said first and second optical modules together yields a binocular vision assembly;

wherein operational connection of said first, second, and third optical modules together yields a semi-panoramic vision assembly; and

wherein operational connection of said first, second, third, and fourth optical modules together yields a panoramic vision assembly having a horizontal field of view of at least 80 degrees.

9. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 8, wherein the combined effect of the four 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.

10. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 9, 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.

11. The modular binocular-like vision assembly of claim 9, wherein said third and fourth outer optical modules are interchangeable.

12. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 8, wherein said third and fourth outer modules are interchangeable in that said third outer optical module is removably securable to either one of said respective first or second inner optical modules, and said fourth outer optical module is removably securable to either one of said respective first or second inner optical modules.

13. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 8, including an individually sealed and self-contained head-up display module removably secured to said assembly for displaying information to the observer, wherein the removal of said head-up display module does not affect the performance of any remaining module of the assembly.

14. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 8, including an individually sealed and self-contained camera module removably secured to said assembly, wherein the removal of said camera module does not affect the performance of any remaining module of the assembly.

15. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 14, including an individually sealed and self-contained head-up display module removably secured to said assembly for displaying information to the observer, wherein the removal of said head-up display module does not affect the performance of any remaining module of the assembly.

16. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 8, wherein said electrical connector means comprises wiper contacts and contact pads on adjacently mating optical modules.

17. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 8, wherein said second attachment means includes tongue-and-groove type mechanical connectors.

18. 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, each said optical module being removably separable from one another and from the assembly such that the removal of any one of said optical modules does not affect the optical performance of any remaining optical module;

a bridge;

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;

attachment means operably positioned in said optical modules for interchangeably connecting each respective outer module to an inner module in an aligned and spaced-apart fashion;

wherein said attachment means includes electrical connector means provided between said optical modules for electric communication therebetween when said connector means is actuated;

wherein the third outer module is operationally connectable to either said inner optical module;

wherein the fourth outer module is operationally connectable to either said inner optical module;

wherein operational connection of only said first and second inner optical modules together yields a binocular vision assembly; and

wherein operational connection of respective said outer optical modules to respective said inner optical modules yields a panoramic vision assembly having a horizontal field of view of at least 80 degrees.

19. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 18 wherein said third outer optical module and said fourth outer optical module are identical.

20. The modular panoramic vision assembly of claim 18 wherein said attachment means couples a respective said outer optical module with a respective said inner optical module such that the optical axes of said inner optical module and said outer optical module diverge from one another.

21. A modular vision assembly for presenting a user with a panoramic view of low-lit objects, comprising in combination:

a pair of parallel inner optical modules, each inner optical module having a respective first input end for receiving light from an object, a respective inner module output end for receiving light from the respective first input end, a respective first inner module mechanical connection port, a respective first inner module electrical connection port, a respective first outer module mechanical connection port, and a respective first outer module electrical connection port, wherein each respective first output end defines a respective inner optical axis along which light received from the respective first input end is transmitted, and wherein the respective inner optical axes are substantially parallel;

a pair of outer optical modules, each respective outer module comprising a respective outer input end for receiving light from the object and a respective outer output end for receiving light from the respective outer input end, wherein each respective outer output end defines an outer optical axis along which light received from the respective outer input end is transmitted and wherein when connected to an inner optical module the respective outer optical axis is non-parallel with the inner optical axes;

a bridge extending between each respective inner optical module; and

an image intensifier operationally connected to at least one of the optical modules for converting incoming infrared and/or visible light to an intensified visible image for presentation to the eyes of the user,

wherein each outer optical module is removably separable from the modular vision assembly and removably attachable to one of said pair of inner modules in an automatically aligned and spaced-apart fashion.