Night vision arrangement
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A night vision arrangement for a vehicle, the night vision arrangement comprising:
- a camera, the camera comprising an optical element which is substantially transparent to at least infra-red light, the optical element defining an optical axis, the camera further comprising an infra-red sensor to capture an image received through the optical element, and a beam deflector in alignment with the optical element positioned to deflect a beam received through the optical element and to direct the deflected beam on to the sensor; and
a display unit to display the captured image to a driver of the vehicle, a part of the camera containing the sensor being mounted within a main envelope of the vehicle with the optical element and the beam deflector, when in an operative position, being beyond said envelope, the beam deflector comprising a planar mirror.
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Abstract
In a night vision arrangement for a motor vehicle a camera is provided which captures an image which is subsequently displayed on a display arrangement which may be a head-up display arrangement. The camera directs light on to a beam deflector which may be constituted by a mirror which deflects the beam so that it passes along a neck on to a sensor. The camera may relatively easily be mounted in position in a motor vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A night vision arrangement for a vehicle, the night vision arrangement comprising:
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a camera, the camera comprising an optical element which is substantially transparent to at least infra-red light, the optical element defining an optical axis, the camera further comprising an infra-red sensor to capture an image received through the optical element, and a beam deflector in alignment with the optical element positioned to deflect a beam received through the optical element and to direct the deflected beam on to the sensor; and a display unit to display the captured image to a driver of the vehicle, a part of the camera containing the sensor being mounted within a main envelope of the vehicle with the optical element and the beam deflector, when in an operative position, being beyond said envelope, the beam deflector comprising a planar mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19)
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16. A device for the enhancement of night vision in a vehicle comprising:
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an infra-red camera for being mounted on the vehicle to view an area in front of the camera, and for generating a video signal representing a thermal image of the area, the camera comprising an optical element for passing light therethrough, and an infra-red sensing means for sensing the light passed through the optical element, and an optical means having an elongated neck and conveying infra-red radiation received through the optical element to the infra-red sensing means; a processing unit for processing signals from the infra-red sensing means; and a display unit coupled to the processing unit for making an image visible to a vehicle operator, wherein the optical means comprises a planar mirror that deflects the light, wherein a part of the camera containing the infra-red sensing means is mounted within the vehicle with the optical element and the planar mirror being positioned or positionable on an exterior of the vehicle.
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20. A device for the enhancement of night vision in a vehicle comprising:
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an infra-red camera mountable on the vehicle to view an area in front of the camera, and generating a video signal representing a thermal image of the area, the camera comprising an optical element for passing light therethrough, and an infra-red sensor for sensing the light passed through the optical element, and a beam deflector for conveying infra-red radiation received through the optical element to the infra-red sensor, the beam deflector having an elongated neck; a processing unit for processing signals from the infra-red sensor; and a display unit coupled to the processing unit for making an image visible to a vehicle operator, the beam deflector comprising a planar mirror, wherein a part of the camera containing the sensor is mounted within the vehicle with the optical element and the planar mirror being positioned or positionable on an exterior of the vehicle.
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Specification