A linked night vision range finder illumination system

Abstract

The application provides a linkage night vision range-finding illumination system, and relates to the technical field of night vision illumination.The application constructs a closed-loop linkage mechanism among a night vision imaging module, a range-finding module and an illumination module through a core control module, and can realize the collaborative work of "imaging aiming-precise range finding-intelligent light compensation".When the night vision imaging module locks a target, the core control module can automatically drive the range-finding module to aim at the target for range finding, and simultaneously dynamically adjusts the illumination module according to the range finding result, so that manual operation of each module is not needed, the operation process is greatly simplified, the response time is shortened, the problem of target loss or judgment error caused by untimely manual adjustment is effectively avoided, and the efficiency and reliability of night work are significantly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of night vision illumination technology, and more specifically, to a linked night vision ranging illumination system. Background Technology

[0002] In scenarios such as nighttime or low-light operations, security, outdoor exploration, and military operations, night vision devices are core visual aids that help users overcome lighting limitations and obtain clear images of target areas. As application demands continue to evolve, devices with only night vision imaging capabilities can no longer meet the requirements of precision operations. For example, in nighttime security patrols, it is necessary to accurately determine the distance between suspicious targets and the operator in order to formulate a response strategy; in outdoor exploration, it is necessary to determine the distance to obstacles in order to plan the route. To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies typically employ a combination of a night vision device, an independent ranging device, and an independent lighting device. This involves the user carrying multiple independent devices, each performing night vision imaging, ranging, and supplementary lighting functions. However, this combined approach has several inherent drawbacks: First, poor device coordination. The field of view of the night vision device, the measurement direction of the ranging device, and the illumination coverage area of ​​the lighting device cannot be precisely synchronized. When aiming at different targets, the parameters of the three devices must be adjusted separately, resulting in cumbersome operation, delayed response, and a high risk of missing crucial opportunities. Second, low device integration. Multiple independent devices are inconvenient to carry, and the independent power supply and data transmission systems of each device not only increase equipment weight and operating costs but also increase the risk of power failures or data transmission interruptions. Therefore, we propose an improved, interconnected night vision device ranging and illumination system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a linked night vision ranging and illumination system, comprising a night vision imaging module, a ranging module, an illumination module, and a core control module; The night vision imaging module is used to acquire image information of the target area in low-light environments and transmit the image information to the core control module; The ranging module is electrically connected to the core control module and is used to measure the distance to targets within the target area under the drive of the core control module, acquire target distance data, and feed the target distance data back to the core control module. The lighting module is electrically connected to the core control module and is used to output light to the target area under the control of the core control module. The lighting parameters of the lighting module are adjustable. The core control module establishes communication connections with the night vision imaging module, the ranging module, and the illumination module, respectively. It is used to receive image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module and drive the ranging module to aim at the target and measure the distance based on the image information. The core control module is also used to generate illumination control commands based on the target distance data fed back by the ranging module and send them to the illumination module to adjust the illumination parameters of the illumination module, so as to realize the linkage of night vision imaging, ranging and illumination.

[0004] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the night vision imaging module includes a night vision lens, an image sensor, and an image preprocessing unit; the night vision lens is used to converge the light of the target area, the image sensor is used to convert the light signal into an electrical signal, and the image preprocessing unit is used to perform noise reduction and enhancement processing on the electrical signal to generate the image information and transmit it to the core control module.

[0005] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the ranging module is a laser ranging module, including a laser transmitter, a laser receiver, and a ranging signal processing unit; the laser transmitter is used to emit laser signals, the laser receiver is used to receive laser signals reflected by the target, and the ranging signal processing unit is used to calculate the target distance based on the emission time and reception time of the laser signal, and generate the target distance data.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the ranging field of view of the laser ranging module is matched with the imaging field of view of the night vision imaging module, and the core control module can drive the laser emission direction of the laser ranging module to be consistent with the imaging aiming direction of the night vision imaging module according to the image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the lighting module includes an LED light source and a light source driving unit; the light source driving unit is used to adjust the output power of the LED light source according to the lighting control command of the core control module.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the core control module includes a main control chip, a communication interface unit, and a storage unit; the communication interface unit is used to realize data interaction with the night vision imaging module, the ranging module, and the lighting module; the storage unit is used to store a preset correspondence table between illumination parameters and target distance, and the main control chip is used to query the correspondence table according to the target distance data to generate corresponding illumination control commands; The main control chip is also used to extract the target's clarity and contrast parameters based on the image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module, calibrate the target distance data fed back by the ranging module, and correct the ranging error.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the ranging signal processing unit calculates the target distance using the following formula: d = (c × Δt) / 2; where d is the target distance, c is the speed of light in vacuum, Δt is the difference between the emission time and the reception time of the laser signal, and the division by 2 is because the laser signal needs to be emitted from the system to the target and then reflected back to the system.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of this application, when the main control chip calibrates the ranging data, it adopts the following calibration formula: a1=a2×(1+k×(C1-C2)); where a1 is the calibrated target distance, a2 is the original distance data output by the ranging module, k is the calibration coefficient, C1 is the target contrast extracted from the night vision imaging image, and C2 is the preset standard contrast threshold.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of this application, when the light source driving unit adjusts the output power of the LED light source, the corresponding relationship between the power and the target distance satisfies the formula: P1=P2×(d1 / d2)×η; where P1 is the output power of the LED light source, P2 is the preset reference power, d1 is the target distance, d2 is the reference distance (within the range of 10-20 meters), and η is the ambient light compensation coefficient. The value of η is dynamically adjusted according to the ambient light intensity fed back by the night vision imaging module. The lower the ambient light intensity, the larger the value of η, and the range of η is 1.0-1.5.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of this application, the ambient light compensation coefficient η is calculated using the following formula: η=1.0+0.5×(L1-L2) / L1; where L1 is the preset standard ambient light intensity, L2 is the current ambient light intensity collected by the night vision imaging module, and when L1≥L2, η is 1.0.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: In the scheme of this application: 1. This application constructs a closed-loop linkage mechanism between the night vision imaging module, the ranging module, and the lighting module through a core control module, which can realize the coordinated work of "imaging aiming - precise ranging - intelligent supplementary lighting". When the night vision imaging module locks onto the target, the core control module can automatically drive the ranging module to aim at the target and measure the distance. At the same time, it can dynamically adjust the lighting module according to the ranging result. There is no need for manual operation of each module, which greatly simplifies the operation process, shortens the response time, effectively avoids the problem of target loss or misjudgment due to untimely manual adjustment, and significantly improves the efficiency and reliability of night operations. 2. This application employs an active ranging module (such as a laser ranging module), combined with a ranging field of view design that matches the night vision imaging field of view. This enables accurate ranging of targets in harsh environments such as low illumination, low contrast, and complex terrain, reducing ranging error compared to existing passive ranging methods. Simultaneously, the core control module can perform secondary calibration on the ranging results based on parameters such as image clarity and target contrast fed back by the night vision imaging module, further improving ranging accuracy and ensuring accurate target distance information can be obtained in various nighttime scenarios. 3. This application overcomes the limitations of fixed power output in existing lighting equipment. The lighting module can adaptively adjust the light intensity based on the target distance data output by the ranging module through the core control module. For example, when the target distance is close (e.g., ≤10 meters), the light power is automatically reduced and the illumination range is narrowed to avoid overexposure affecting image clarity. When the target distance is far (e.g., >50 meters), the light power is automatically increased and the illumination range is expanded to ensure that the target area receives sufficient light. At the same time, the light center of the lighting module can be precisely aligned with the target center of night vision imaging and the measurement center of ranging, avoiding the problem of insufficient target illumination caused by light offset. This fundamentally solves the defect of insufficient supplementary lighting accuracy in the prior art and ensures the clarity and stability of night vision imaging. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the linked night vision rangefinding illumination system provided in this application; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the linked night vision imaging module provided in this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the linkage ranging module provided in this application; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the lighting module provided in this application; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the core control module provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0016] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features and technical solutions in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0017] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0018] For an example, please refer to... Figures 1-5 A linked night vision ranging and illumination system includes: a night vision imaging module, a ranging module, an illumination module, and a core control module; The night vision imaging module is used to acquire image information of the target area in low-light environments and transmit the image information to the core control module. This ensures that the target area can still be clearly acquired in low-light scenes such as night and dim light, providing a reliable image basis for the core control module to identify targets and drive other modules to work, thus broadening the applicable scenarios of the system. The ranging module is electrically connected to the core control module and is used to measure the distance to targets within the target area under the drive of the core control module, obtain target distance data, and feed the target distance data back to the core control module. Through linkage with the core control module, the ranging module can accurately measure the target specified by the core control module without continuous ranging, reducing energy consumption. Moreover, the measurement data can be directly transmitted to the control center, ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of subsequent lighting adjustments. The lighting module is electrically connected to the core control module and is used to output light to the target area under the control of the core control module. The lighting parameters of the lighting module are adjustable. The adjustability of the lighting parameters allows the lighting module to adapt to different usage scenarios. Through the control of the core control module, parameters such as light intensity can be adjusted to the optimal state, which not only meets the imaging requirements, but also avoids energy waste or visual interference. The core control module establishes communication connections with the night vision imaging module, ranging module, and illumination module respectively. It receives image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module and drives the ranging module to aim at the target and measure the distance based on the image information. The core control module is also used to generate illumination control commands based on the target distance data fed back by the ranging module and send them to the illumination module to adjust the illumination parameters of the illumination module, so as to realize the linkage of night vision imaging, ranging, and illumination. As the central hub for information processing and command issuance, the core control module can integrate the information of each module and perform coordinated scheduling, avoiding the delay and error of manual operation, so that imaging, ranging, and illumination form a closed-loop control, ensuring that each link can adapt to actual needs. It also includes a power supply module, which is electrically connected to the night vision imaging module, ranging module, lighting module, and core control module to provide stable power to each module. The power supply module includes a lithium battery, a charging management unit, and a power conversion unit. This ensures the stability of the operating voltage of each module and avoids problems such as abnormal module operation, increased measurement error, or decreased imaging quality caused by voltage fluctuations. It also includes a human-computer interaction module, which is electrically connected to the core control module and is used to display target distance data and image information. This allows users to intuitively view the system's working status and detection results without needing to read data through additional equipment, thus improving the user experience. It also provides users with visual feedback.

[0019] Furthermore, the night vision imaging module includes a night vision lens, an image sensor, and an image preprocessing unit. The night vision lens is used to converge light from the target area, the image sensor is used to convert the light signal into an electrical signal, and the image preprocessing unit is used to perform noise reduction and enhancement processing on the electrical signal to generate image information and transmit it to the core control module. The night vision lens enhances the light converging ability and increases the intensity of the light signal. The noise reduction and enhancement processing of the image preprocessing unit can filter out interference noise in the electrical signal, enhance the target outline and details, and solve the problems of blurry and noisy original image signals.

[0020] Furthermore, the ranging module is a laser ranging module, including a laser transmitter, a laser receiver, and a ranging signal processing unit. The laser transmitter is used to emit laser signals, the laser receiver is used to receive laser signals reflected by the target, and the ranging signal processing unit is used to calculate the target distance based on the emission and reception times of the laser signal, generating target distance data. Laser ranging has the characteristics of high measurement accuracy, fast response speed, and strong anti-interference ability, and can quickly obtain accurate target distance data in complex environments, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of subsequent lighting adjustments.

[0021] Furthermore, the ranging field of view of the laser ranging module matches the imaging field of view of the night vision imaging module, and the core control module can drive the laser emission direction of the laser ranging module to be consistent with the imaging aiming direction of the night vision imaging module based on the image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module. The matching of the field of view and the consistency of the direction make the detection range and target pointing of the two completely synchronized. The core control module does not need to perform additional complex coordinate transformations. It can directly control the ranging module to align with the target through the imaging image, reducing the ranging error caused by the mismatch of the field of view or the deviation of the direction.

[0022] Furthermore, the lighting module includes an LED light source and a light source driver unit; the light source driver unit is used to adjust the output power of the LED light source according to the lighting control instructions of the core control module; the inherent characteristics of the LED light source make it suitable for the portability and low energy consumption requirements of the system, and the light source driver unit can convert the instructions of the core control module into precise power adjustment signals to achieve smooth and rapid adjustment of light intensity, which is more suitable for dynamic adjustment scenarios than traditional light sources (such as incandescent lamps).

[0023] Furthermore, the core control module includes a main control chip, a communication interface unit, and a storage unit. The communication interface unit is used to realize data interaction with the night vision imaging module, ranging module, and illumination module. The storage unit is used to store a preset correspondence table between illumination parameters and target distances. The main control chip is used to query the correspondence table based on the target distance data to generate corresponding illumination control commands. The communication interface unit standardizes the data interaction method, reduces compatibility issues between modules, and ensures that data transmission is not delayed or lost. The preset correspondence table avoids the main control chip from performing complex calculations every time; it only needs to query to generate commands, thus improving response speed. By calibrating the ranging data through image parameters, it can compensate for the slight deviations of laser ranging in complex environments and use the detailed information of the imaging image to correct distance errors, making the data more accurate.

[0024] The main control chip is also used to extract the target's sharpness and contrast parameters based on the image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module, calibrate the target distance data fed back by the ranging module, and correct the ranging error.

[0025] Furthermore, when calculating the target distance, the ranging signal processing unit uses the following formula: d = (c × Δt) / 2; where d is the target distance, c is the speed of light in a vacuum, and Δt is the difference between the emission time and the reception time of the laser signal. Dividing by 2 is because the laser signal needs to be emitted from the system to the target and then reflected back to the system; the speed of light c is a known fixed value, and the distance can be calculated simply by accurately measuring the time difference Δt between emission and reception. The calculation process does not require complex algorithms and has high computational efficiency. The design of dividing by 2 accurately compensates for the round-trip path length of the laser signal, ensuring the correctness of the calculation results, which is the core accuracy guarantee of laser ranging.

[0026] Furthermore, when calibrating the ranging data, the main control chip uses the following calibration formula: a1=a2×(1+k×(C1-C2)); where a1 is the calibrated target distance, a2 is the original distance data output by the ranging module, k is the calibration coefficient, C1 is the target contrast extracted from the night vision imaging image, and C2 is the preset standard contrast threshold. The target contrast C1 can reflect the clarity of the target image. When there is a deviation between C1 and the standard threshold C2, it often means that the ranging process has been interfered with (such as weak reflection of the target surface or smoke in the environment). By introducing the calibration coefficient k to adjust the deviation, the original data can be accurately corrected, making the distance data more consistent with the actual situation. For indoor short-distance ranging (<5m), in a stable environment with small contrast fluctuations, K can be taken as 0.001-0.01; For outdoor medium-to-long distance measurement (5-50m), where lighting and occlusion cause large fluctuations in contrast, K can be taken as 0.01-0.1. In extremely low-light scenarios (nighttime without auxiliary light sources), where contrast noise is high and ranging deviation is large, K can be set to 0.1-0.5.

[0027] Furthermore, when the light source driving unit adjusts the output power of the LED light source, the relationship between the power and the target distance satisfies the formula: P1=P2×(d1 / d2)×η; where P1 is the output power of the LED light source, P2 is the preset reference power, d1 is the target distance, d2 is the reference distance (ranging from 10 to 20 meters), and η is the ambient light compensation coefficient. The value of η is dynamically adjusted according to the ambient light intensity fed back by the night vision imaging module. The lower the ambient light intensity, the larger the value of η, and the range of η is 1.0-1.5. The light intensity will decrease with increasing distance, and the proportional term d1 / d2 in the formula can compensate for the insufficient light caused by distance attenuation. The ambient light compensation coefficient η takes into account the lighting needs under different ambient light conditions. Through dynamic adjustment, it ensures that the target area can obtain appropriate light intensity under any ambient light conditions, ensuring clear imaging.

[0028] Furthermore, the ambient light compensation coefficient η is calculated using the following formula: η = 1.0 + 0.5 × (L1 - L2) / L1; where L1 is the preset standard ambient light intensity, and L2 is the current ambient light intensity collected by the night vision imaging module. When L1 ≥ L2, η is 1.0. The formula calculates the compensation range by the ratio of the difference between the standard ambient light intensity L1 and the current ambient light intensity L2. The logic is rigorous and can accurately reflect the degree of insufficient ambient light. The restriction on the value of η when L1 ≥ L2 avoids excessive light and energy waste caused by over-compensation when the ambient light is sufficient, making the compensation more reasonable.

[0029] In use, the handheld device is aimed at the target area to be observed. The device angle is adjusted through the preview screen of the human-machine interface module to center the target on the screen. If the preview screen is blurry, the focus ring of the night vision lens can be rotated until the target outline is clearly visible. The core control module automatically receives the image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module, identifies the target, and drives the laser ranging module to measure the distance to the target. After the distance measurement is completed, the target distance data is displayed in real time on the screen of the human-machine interface module. At the same time, the core control module automatically queries the preset illumination parameter correspondence table based on the distance data and generates control commands to adjust the LED output power of the lighting module.

[0030] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] Obviously, the embodiments described above are merely some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. The accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in many different forms; rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing specific embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any equivalent structures made using the content of this specification and drawings, directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, are similarly within the patent protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A linked night vision ranging and illumination system, characterized in that, include: Night vision imaging module, ranging module, illumination module, and core control module; The night vision imaging module is used to acquire image information of the target area in low-light environments and transmit the image information to the core control module; The ranging module is electrically connected to the core control module and is used to measure the distance to targets within the target area under the drive of the core control module, acquire target distance data, and feed the target distance data back to the core control module. The lighting module is electrically connected to the core control module and is used to output light to the target area under the control of the core control module. The lighting parameters of the lighting module are adjustable. The core control module establishes communication connections with the night vision imaging module, the ranging module, and the illumination module, respectively. It is used to receive image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module and drive the ranging module to aim at the target and measure the distance based on the image information. The core control module is also used to generate illumination control commands based on the target distance data fed back by the ranging module and send them to the illumination module to adjust the illumination parameters of the illumination module, so as to realize the linkage of night vision imaging, ranging and illumination.

2. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The night vision imaging module includes a night vision lens, an image sensor, and an image preprocessing unit. The night vision lens is used to converge light from the target area, the image sensor is used to convert light signals into electrical signals, and the image preprocessing unit is used to perform noise reduction and enhancement processing on the electrical signals to generate the image information and transmit it to the core control module.

3. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ranging module is a laser ranging module, which includes a laser transmitter, a laser receiver, and a ranging signal processing unit. The laser transmitter is used to emit laser signals, the laser receiver is used to receive laser signals reflected by the target, and the ranging signal processing unit is used to calculate the target distance based on the emission and reception times of the laser signals, and generate the target distance data.

4. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ranging field of view of the laser ranging module matches the imaging field of view of the night vision imaging module, and the core control module can drive the laser emission direction of the laser ranging module to be consistent with the imaging aiming direction of the night vision imaging module according to the image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module.

5. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lighting module includes an LED light source and a light source driving unit; the light source driving unit is used to adjust the output power of the LED light source according to the lighting control command of the core control module.

6. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The core control module includes a main control chip, a communication interface unit, and a storage unit; the communication interface unit is used to realize data interaction with the night vision imaging module, the ranging module, and the lighting module; the storage unit is used to store a preset correspondence table between illumination parameters and target distances, and the main control chip is used to query the correspondence table based on the target distance data to generate corresponding illumination control commands; The main control chip is also used to extract the target's clarity and contrast parameters based on the image information transmitted by the night vision imaging module, calibrate the target distance data fed back by the ranging module, and correct the ranging error.

7. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the ranging signal processing unit calculates the target distance, it uses the following formula: d = (c × Δt) / 2; where d is the target distance, c is the speed of light in vacuum, Δt is the difference between the emission time and the reception time of the laser signal, and the division by 2 is because the laser signal needs to be emitted from the system to the target and then reflected back to the system.

8. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the main control chip calibrates the ranging data, it uses the following calibration formula: a1=a2×(1+k×(C1-C2)); where a1 is the calibrated target distance, a2 is the original distance data output by the ranging module, k is the calibration coefficient, C1 is the target contrast extracted from the night vision imaging image, and C2 is the preset standard contrast threshold.

9. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the light source driving unit adjusts the output power of the LED light source, the relationship between the power and the target distance satisfies the formula: P1=P2×(d1 / d2)×η; where P1 is the output power of the LED light source, P2 is the preset reference power, d1 is the target distance, d2 is the reference distance, and η is the ambient light compensation coefficient. The value of η is dynamically adjusted according to the ambient light intensity fed back by the night vision imaging module. The lower the ambient light intensity, the larger the value of η. The range of η is 1.0-1.

5.

10. The linked night vision ranging and illumination system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The ambient light compensation coefficient η is calculated using the following formula: η = 1.0 + 0.5 × (L1 - L2) / L1; where L1 is the preset standard ambient light intensity, L2 is the current ambient light intensity collected by the night vision imaging module, and when L1 ≥ L2, η is 1.0.

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