Night Vision Device with Display of Ancillary Environmental Information

• US 20130043395A1
• Filed: 07/18/2012
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Jamison
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Jamison
• Inventors: JAMISON, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 8,981,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/349
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/32 Night sights, e.g. luminescent optical aspects of sighting devices G02B23/00, G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0846 having multiple detectors for performing different types of detection, e.g. using radiometry and reflectometry channels
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/10 using electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification

Abstract

A night vision goggle (NVG) attachment device retrofit to an existing monocular or binocular type NVG system to provide additional environmental information to the user of the NVG device. The attachable device includes a ring connector having one or more external display projectors positioned on the objective side of the NVG optical system. A sensor electronics module is attached to the ring connector and houses a number of environmental sensors, including IR transmitters and receivers for range finding information, radiation detectors, and motion/heat detectors. The sensors within the electronics module provide signal information through a connector to the existing NVG electronics. The device projects informational images into the display field of view for the user. The informational displays may take the form of one or more LED indicators or LED digital numerical displays. The user may preferably activate or de-activate one or more of the environmental sensors.

Claims

1. A device for attachment to an existing monocular or binocular type night vision goggle (NVG) system so as to provide additional environmental information to the user of the NVG system, the attachable device comprising:

a ring connector comprising one or more external display projectors positioned on an objective side of the NVG optical system;

a sensor electronics module attached to the ring connector and comprising a plurality of environmental sensors, the plurality of sensors comprising IR transmitters and receivers for range finding information, radiation detectors, and motion/heat detectors; and

a connector component, the plurality of sensors within the electronics module providing signal information through the connector component to the existing NVG system electronics;

wherein the attachable device projects informational images into the display of the NVG system in a manner that transmits the information into the field of view for the user of the NVG system.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the informational displays comprise one or more LED indicators and/or LED digital numerical displays.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for activating and/or de-activating one or more of the environmental sensors of the sensor electronics module.