Proximity detector for night vision goggles shut-off
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A night vision device comprising:
- a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube;
a proximity sensor mounted on the housing;
an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor, wherein operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “
ON”
position automatically activates the proximity sensor; and
the proximity sensor comprises an infrared emitter electrically coupled to the ON/OFF switch and an infrared detector disposed to receive a signal emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from a body;
wherein the housing is mounted on a fixture and the housing is pivotably movable on the fixture between a first position, wherein the proximity sensor is within an activation distance of the body, and a second position, wherein the proximity sensor is not within activation distance of the body, andthe infrared detector is pivoted to the first position for receiving the signal emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from the body, and the infrared detector is pivoted to the second position for not receiving a reflection from the body.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A night vision device is disclosed. The device includes a housing that houses an intensifier tube and a proximity sensor mounted on the housing. An ON/OFF switch is operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor such that operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “ON” position automatically activates the proximity sensor. A method of operating the night vision device with the proximity sensor is also disclosed.
-
Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A night vision device comprising:
-
a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube; a proximity sensor mounted on the housing; an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor, wherein operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “
ON”
position automatically activates the proximity sensor; andthe proximity sensor comprises an infrared emitter electrically coupled to the ON/OFF switch and an infrared detector disposed to receive a signal emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from a body; wherein the housing is mounted on a fixture and the housing is pivotably movable on the fixture between a first position, wherein the proximity sensor is within an activation distance of the body, and a second position, wherein the proximity sensor is not within activation distance of the body, and the infrared detector is pivoted to the first position for receiving the signal emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from the body, and the infrared detector is pivoted to the second position for not receiving a reflection from the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method of operating a night vision device comprising a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube;
- a proximity sensor mounted on the housing; and
an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor, wherein the method comprises the steps of;pivotally mounting the night vision device on a support; turning the ON/OFF switch to the ON position; pivoting the proximity sensor to a close proximity of a body to activate the intensifier tube; and pivoting the proximity sensor from a close proximity of the body to deactivate the intensifier tube.
- a proximity sensor mounted on the housing; and
-
6. A night vision device comprising:
-
a support structure; a night vision device mounted on the support structure and pivotably movable relative to the support structure between a first position and a second position, wherein the night vision device comprises; a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube; a proximity sensor mounted on the housing, wherein the proximity sensor is operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and includes an infrared emitter and detector; and an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tube and to the proximity sensor, wherein operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “
ON”
position automatically activates both the intensifier tube and the proximity sensor;wherein the infrared detector is pivoted to the first position for receiving a signal emitted from the infrared emitter and reflected from a body, and the infrared detector is pivoted to the second position for not receiving a reflection from the body. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
-
-
9. A night vision assembly comprising:
-
a support structure; and a night vision device mounted on the support structure, wherein the night vision device comprises; a housing, wherein the housing houses an intensifier tube; a proximity sensor mounted on the housing, wherein the proximity sensor is operatively coupled to the intensifier tube; and an ON/OFF switch operatively coupled to the intensifier tubes and to the proximity sensor, wherein operation of the ON/OFF switch to the “
ON”
position automatically activates the proximity sensor;wherein, when the proximity sensor mounted on the support structure is proximate to an activating body, the proximity sensor activates the intensifier tube, and when the proximity sensor mounted on the support structure is distal from the activating body, the proximity sensor deactivates the intensifier tube.
-
Specification