Night vision device for vehicles

• US 6,803,574 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2002
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HELLA KG Hueck & Co.
• Original Assignee: HELLA KG Hueck & Co.
• Inventors: Abel, Bjoern, Burg, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannaher, Constantine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gabor, Otilia
• Application Number:
  US10/252,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20030066965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 250/330, 250/332, 250/334, 250/353, 250/339.04, 250/339.14, 250/339.15, 250/341.8, 250/342, 356/815, 356/851, 356/859, 348/148, 348/164
• US Class Current: 250/330
• 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 device and method for vehicles is provided, including a radiation device for generating infrared radiation, a detection device for receiving an infrared image, wherein the detection device works together with the radiation device, and a display device for visual display of the infrared image for the vehicle driver, wherein the radiation device has a semiconductor radiation source that can be controlled such that the infrared radiation is emitted in a discrete-time fashion.

Claims

1. A night vision device for a vehicle comprising:

a radiation device for generating infrared radiation;

a detection device for receiving an infrared image, wherein the detection device works together with the radiation device; and

a display device for visually displaying the infrared image to the vehicle driver, wherein the radiation device has a semiconductor radiation source that can be controlled such that the infrared radiation is emitted in a discrete-time fashion.

2. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor radiation source can be controlled such that the infrared radiation is radiated in the form of a periodic radiation pulse.

3. The night vision device according to claim 2, wherein the pulse width of the periodic radiation pulse is less than {fraction (1/10)} of the period, and wherein the average radiated power is approximately {fraction (1/10)} of the average radiated power in continuous operation.

4. The night vision device according to claim 2, wherein the semiconductor radiation source is controlled in such a manner that the periodic radiation pulse is emitted with a constant frequency in a range between 20 and 200 Hz.

5. The night vision device according to claim 2, wherein an infrared sensor is provided to detect an interfering radiated signal generated by an oncoming vehicle, and in that as a function of the interfering radiated signal the semiconductor radiation source is controlled in such a manner that a temporal shifting of the periodic radiation pulses occurs.

6. The night vision device according to claim 5, wherein a pulse pattern, a pulse width, a pulse height, or a pulse frequency of the periodic radiation pulse is altered as a function of the presence of the interfering radiated signal from the oncoming vehicle.

7. The night vision device according to claim 2, wherein the pulse width of the periodic radiation pulse is less than {fraction (1/20)} of the period, and wherein the average radiated power is approximately {fraction (1/10)} of the average radiated power in continuous operation.

8. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor radiation source and the detection device are operated synchronously such that the detection device detects the infrared image of a visual field in front of the vehicle, simultaneously with the radiation of the radiation pulses.

9. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor radiation source is integrated into a headlight that has at least one light source for performing a lighting function.

10. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor radiation source comprises one or more infrared laser diodes.

11. The night vision device according to claim 10, wherein the semiconductor radiation source comprises one or more infrared diodes.

12. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein an optic collector is arranged in front of the semiconductor radiation source.

13. The night vision device according to claim 12, wherein the optic collector comprises a fresnel lens and a bifocal lens for focusing the infrared radiation to form a desired radiation distribution.

14. The night vision device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is a camera.

15. A method for displaying an infrared image to a vehicle driver, said method steps comprising:

generating infrared radiation from a radiation device;

receiving an infrared image in a detection device, wherein the detection device operates in conjunction with the radiation device; and

displaying the infrared image to the vehicle driver, wherein the radiation device has a semiconductor radiation source that can be controlled such that the infrared radiation is emitted in a discrete-time fashion.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

controlling the semiconductor radiation source to radiate the infrared radiation in a form of a periodic radiation pulse.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

operating said radiation device and said detection device synchronously, such that the detection device detects the infrared image of a visual field in front of the vehicle simultaneously with the radiation of the radiation pulses.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

detecting an interfering radiated signal, which is generated by an oncoming vehicle, by an infrared sensor; and

shifting a periodic radiation pulse of the infrared radiation generated by the radiation device, as a function of the detected interfering radiated signal.

19. A vehicle headlight having an integrated night vision device, said vehicle headlight comprising:

a light source for illuminating a visual field in front of a vehicle;

a semiconductor radiation source for generating infrared radiation in a discrete-time fashion;

an optic collector for focusing the infrared radiation to form a desired radiation distribution; and

a control unit for synchronously operating the semiconductor radiation source and a detector in a periodic pulse, wherein the control unit modifies the periodic pulse such that an interfering infrared radiation generated by an oncoming vehicle will have a different and non-interfering periodic pulse.

20. The vehicle headlight according to claim 19, wherein the semiconductor radiation source comprises one or more infrared laser diodes.

21. The vehicle headlight according to claim 19, wherein the optic collector is arranged in front of the semiconductor radiation source in the direction of the desired radiation distribution.