Full-color low-light night vision imaging device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of night vision imaging, and discloses a full-color low-light night vision imaging device which is of a split structure and comprises an image acquisition assembly, a main control assembly and an image output assembly which are detachably connected in sequence. The image acquisition assembly receives weak optical signals through an objective lens, the low-illumination CMOS sensor converts the received optical signals into electric signals, and the image circuit board acquires and preprocesses the electric signals; the main control assembly carries an advanced image processing algorithm through a high-performance processor integrated on a main control circuit board, further processes the data preprocessed by the image circuit board, realizes color night vision imaging and transmits the color night vision imaging to the OLED display circuit board; the image output assembly drives the high-resolution display screen to output a high-resolution image through the OLED driving board, and the high-resolution image is amplified through the eyepiece and is output to the display screen in a high-quality mode for a user to observe. The device realizes clear color imaging in an extreme night environment, adopts a modular design, is beneficial to maintenance and subsequent development, and is compact and simple in structure and high in universality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of night vision imaging, in particular to a full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of night vision technology, traditional night vision equipment has undergone continuous iteration, innovation and integration. At this stage, mainstream night vision devices are mainly divided into four categories, including: low-light night vision devices, active infrared night vision devices, thermal imaging infrared night vision devices, and laser night vision devices.

[0003] The advantages of low-light-level night vision devices are their low cost and suitability for low-light environments, but they cannot be used in complete darkness and are easily damaged by strong light. Active infrared night vision devices can provide clear images in total darkness and are suitable for close-range observation, but their reliance on external infrared light sources may expose the user's position, and their performance is limited when observing from a distance. Thermal imaging infrared devices work effectively in total darkness and adverse weather conditions, can identify temperature differences, and are suitable for search and rescue and surveillance, but they are expensive and have limited ability to identify targets with small temperature differences. Laser night vision devices provide high-brightness and clarity images and are suitable for complex environments, but laser lighting may expose the user's position, and the technology is complex and expensive.

[0004] The advantages and disadvantages of the above-mentioned mainstream night vision devices at this stage limit their applicability and versatility in different application scenarios. For example, each type of night vision device performs well under specific conditions, but has obvious shortcomings under other conditions. For example, low-light-level night vision devices cannot be used in complete darkness, while thermal imaging infrared night vision devices are not effective in environments with small temperature differences. Different types of night vision devices are suitable for different application scenarios, but there is a lack of a solution that can fully cover various environments and needs, and their versatility is not strong. Existing night vision devices have complex structures and are inconvenient to maintain, which increases the cost and difficulty of use for users. High-performance night vision devices (such as thermal imaging infrared night vision devices and laser night vision devices) are expensive, which limits their widespread application in certain fields. Utility Model Content

[0005] The utility model aims to provide a full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device, which can achieve high-quality full-color imaging in extremely weak light environments, has strong versatility, and is easy to maintain.

[0006] The basic solution provided by the utility model is: a full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device, which is a split structure, including an image acquisition component, a main control component and an image output component that are detachably connected in sequence;

[0007] The image acquisition assembly includes an objective lens, a sensor board, a low-light CMOS sensor mounted on the sensor board, and an image circuit board connected to the sensor board; wherein the low-light CMOS sensor is arranged on the focal plane of the objective lens and is used to convert the light signal received by the objective lens into an electrical signal; the image circuit board is used to collect and pre-process the electrical signal and output image data;

[0008] The main control assembly includes a main housing, a main control circuit board mounted at the bottom of the main housing, a power switch brightness adjustment board, an encoding switch board, a power supply board, and a key circuit board mounted at the top of the main housing; the main control circuit board is equipped with an image processor for further processing image data output by the image circuit board to form a full-color image; a battery pack is mounted on the side of the main housing; an electronic zoom knob connected to the encoding switch board and a screen brightness adjustment knob connected to the power switch brightness adjustment board are disposed on the side of the main housing opposite the battery pack, wherein the electronic zoom knob is located near the image output assembly, and the screen brightness adjustment knob is located near the image acquisition assembly;

[0009] The image output assembly includes an OLED display circuit board, an OLED driver board connected to the OLED display circuit board, an OLED cover plate, a high-resolution display screen, and a high-resolution eyepiece, which are assembled in sequence; wherein the high-resolution display screen is precisely aligned with the front end of the high-resolution eyepiece;

[0010] The main control circuit board is electrically connected to the power switch brightness adjustment board, the coding switch board, the power board, the key circuit board, the image circuit board and the OLED display circuit board.

[0011] The working principle and advantages of the utility model are as follows: weak visible light and invisible night sky light signals are received through the objective lens; the low-illumination CMOS sensor converts the received light signals into electrical signals; the image circuit board collects and pre-processes the electrical signals; the main control circuit board uses its integrated high-performance processor equipped with advanced image processing algorithms to further process the image data processed by the image circuit board to achieve color night vision imaging and transmit it to the OLED display circuit board; the OLED display circuit board drives the high-resolution display screen to output high-resolution images, and the image of the display screen is magnified and output through the eyepiece for the user to observe, ensuring image clarity and color reproduction.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0013] This device uses a combination of an objective lens and a low-light CMOS sensor to significantly improve the clarity and detail recognition capabilities of nighttime observations. It uses weak light in the environment (such as starlight, moonlight, and scattered light at night) for passive imaging. Through highly sensitive optical sensors and photomultiplier technology, it greatly amplifies weak light signals that are imperceptible to the naked eye and converts them into clearly visible images. This device has a high sensitivity to the near-infrared spectrum and can capture light waves that are invisible to the naked eye, thereby making up for the lack of visible light under low-light conditions. It can be used under even lower illumination conditions without the need for active fill light, and can also be used in complex environments. It can quickly identify targets in an extremely low-light environment and has strong adaptability, making it widely used in military, security, search and rescue and other fields. The image circuit board and the main control circuit board, combined with advanced image processing algorithms, can achieve high-quality color imaging in extreme low-light environments and ensure real-time imaging and rapid feedback in dynamic environments. It is equipped with a multi-functional circuit board inside, and device parameters such as brightness and imaging can be adjusted through buttons and knobs, giving the whole machine more auxiliary functions. The use of an OLED display makes the overall structure more compact and simple, and provides high-definition observation effects. It achieves clear color imaging in extreme night environments and can be widely used as a night vision device.

[0014] This device adopts a modular platform design, which facilitates subsequent system upgrades, production problem analysis, reliability verification, product repair and maintenance, and facilitates the rapid development of subsequent extended models. Through the reasonable selection and efficient layout of each component module, the overall structure is compact and simple, and the whole machine adopts an ergonomic design, which is more suitable for user operation. At the same time, the cost can be controlled within a reasonable range, suitable for a wide range of applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device provided by an embodiment of the utility model Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device provided by an embodiment of the utility model Figure 2 ;

[0017] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the screw thread connection of the pressure ring provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the image acquisition component provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the main control component provided by the embodiment of the utility model Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 6Schematic diagram of the structure of the main control component provided by the embodiment of the utility model Figure 2 ;

[0021] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of an image output component provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the imaging effect of a full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device provided by an embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following is a further detailed description through specific implementation methods:

[0024] The marks in the drawings of the specification include: image acquisition component 1, objective lens 11, sensor board 12, image circuit board 13, main control component 2, main control circuit board 21, lower cover 211, key circuit board 22, key cover 221, key 222, waterproof rubber pad 223, upper cover 224, battery pack 23, electronic magnification knob 24, screen brightness adjustment knob 25, image output component 3, high-resolution eyepiece 31, high-resolution display screen 32, OLED cover 33, OLED driver board 34, and pressure ring screw 4.

[0025] The embodiment is basically as shown in the attached Figure 1 and Figure 2 Shown: A full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device, which is a split structure, includes an image acquisition component, a main control component and an image output component that are detachably connected in sequence.

[0026] Specifically, such as Figure 3 The image acquisition and image output components shown are connected and tightened to the main control component via compression ring threads. Compared to screw-locked structures, this connection method provides better axial impact resistance and is easier to assemble and repair. Sealing rings are used between the three components to ensure waterproofing. The specifications and compression of the sealing rings are precisely selected to ensure a good seal.

[0027] like Figure 4 As shown, the image acquisition component includes an objective lens, a sensor board, a low-illumination CMOS sensor mounted on the sensor board, and an image circuit board connected to the sensor board.

[0028] Specifically, the objective lens is used to receive weak light signals at night, including moonlight, starlight, atmospheric glow, and galactic light. It can provide high-quality imaging effects in multiple wavelength ranges and can receive more light, which is especially important under low-light conditions. It can significantly improve the brightness and clarity of the image, while increasing the light flux to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the image, reduce noise, and make the image clearer. It can also provide good imaging performance in multiple wavelength ranges such as ultraviolet, visible light, and near-infrared, and is suitable for multi-band imaging needs. Through optimized design, chromatic aberration can be effectively corrected to ensure that light of different wavelengths is focused on the same plane, thereby improving imaging quality. The objective lens is fixed to the front end of the entire device and aligned with the optical axis of the entire device to ensure optical quality during the imaging process and avoid imaging errors caused by misalignment of the optical axis.

[0029] The low-light CMOS sensor is welded and fixed to the sensor board and set on the focal plane of the objective lens. It is used to perform photoelectric conversion on the light signal received by the objective lens. The low-light CMOS sensor can be selected from the XQE135sensor model because of its high sensitivity, which is suitable for imaging in low-light environments. During installation, the focal length of the low-light CMOS sensor is adjusted using a high-precision positioning fixture, and the low-light CMOS sensor is accurately fixed on the focal plane of the objective lens using a precision positioning fixture to ensure that the sensor can receive the light transmitted by the objective lens in the optimal position to avoid image blur caused by focal length deviation. This is especially important in low-light conditions to ensure clear imaging. At the same time, the use of a precision positioning fixture can also ensure that the sensor does not shift or loosen during use, thereby ensuring data acquisition stability during the imaging process and avoiding image quality degradation due to sensor shifting.

[0030] The image circuit board, sensor board, and image circuit board are connected via an FPC (an FPC connection is the bridge connecting the FPC board and other circuit components and is considered connection hardware). This completes nighttime imaging processing and outputs clear low-light images. The image circuit board is fixed in a dedicated position inside the image acquisition component housing with clips to prevent displacement or damage during use, ensuring stable signal transmission.

[0031] The image board primarily processes the raw photoelectric signals obtained from the low-light CMOS sensor, including signal amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, and sensor parameter control (such as exposure and gain). It converts the analog photoelectric signals into digital signals and performs basic preprocessing before transmitting them to the main control board. The result: The image board ensures the stability and accuracy of the sensor signals, providing clear and complete digital image data for subsequent in-depth processing. Its basic conversion and preprocessing reduce noise interference in the image, ensuring image signal quality.

[0032] The sensor board (i.e., sensor board) and the objective lens are fastened with locking pins with flat washers and spring washers, and positioning columns are set on the structure for positioning. The deviation between the optical axis center of the objective lens and the center of the imaging area of ​​the low-light CMOS sensor is less than 10 pixels, and the perpendicularity between the optical axis of the objective lens and the imaging surface of the low-light CMOS sensor is less than 0.05mm.

[0033] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the main control component includes a main shell, a main control circuit board installed at the lower part of the main shell, a power switch brightness adjustment board, a coding switch board and a power board, and a key circuit board installed at the upper part of the main shell; a battery pack is installed on the side of the main shell; an electronic magnification knob connected to the coding switch board and a screen brightness adjustment knob connected to the power switch brightness adjustment board are provided on the side of the main shell opposite to the battery pack, wherein the electronic magnification knob is close to the image output component, and the screen brightness adjustment knob is close to the image acquisition component.

[0034] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, the main control circuit board is responsible for coordinating and controlling the overall operation of the equipment. The main control circuit board, power switch brightness adjustment board, encoding switch board and power board are integrated and connected using the FPC board (the FPC board is a flexible circuit board used to realize wiring and group line connection), and each circuit board is fixed with screws to ensure stable connection between the circuit boards, stable and reliable data transmission, and reduce interference and delay during signal transmission.

[0035] The main control circuit board is electrically connected to the image circuit board, the OLED display circuit board and the key circuit board through wires.

[0036] The image processor on the main control circuit board integrates advanced image processing algorithms and is responsible for in-depth processing and optimization of the digital image data transmitted by the image circuit board. This includes noise reduction, color restoration, contrast enhancement, and multi-band fusion. This optimizes image quality, making images clearer and more detailed in low-light environments, and achieving color imaging and highly recognizable output. It also manages the overall operation and coordination of the system, ensuring stable operation of the device under various conditions, including ambient light adaptation, image display adjustment, and signal transmission between modules.

[0037] The power switch and brightness adjustment panel are used to control the device's power supply and adjust the display brightness. Users can manually adjust the brightness of the OLED display based on ambient light intensity using the screen brightness adjustment knob to ensure nighttime image clarity, enabling viewers to clearly see the screen in low-light environments and ensuring efficient system operation. The screen brightness adjustment knob also allows users to control power output to optimize system power consumption.

[0038] The coding switch board is used to adjust and set equipment parameters. Users can adjust the magnification and menu function operations through the electronic zoom knob. The menu function can select and process image or video branches, etc. The adjustment can be seen through the display screen to ensure that the device can adapt and adjust parameters according to different observation needs.

[0039] The power board is responsible for providing continuous and reliable power supply to each circuit board to meet the system's power requirements and read the battery power changes in real time through the I2C interface.

[0040] The battery pack provides portable power for the entire device. It has a capacity of 7.4V / 4800mAh and can provide 8-10 hours of battery life. The battery pack is connected to the power board via a connector and is firmly fixed in the main housing to prevent loosening or falling off during movement, thereby ensuring the stability of the system in various environments.

[0041] Keyboard circuit board: used to input operation instructions according to the user's operation of the hardware outside the main shell, such as picture selection and video recording. Figure 6 As shown, it is assembled and fixed in sequence through the key cover 221, key 222, waterproof rubber pad 223, and upper cover 224.

[0042] like Figure 7 As shown, the image output component includes an OLED driving board, an OLED display circuit board installed on the OLED driving board, an OLED cover, a high-resolution display screen and a high-resolution eyepiece, which are assembled in sequence.

[0043] Specifically, the OLED display circuit board is used to receive signals and power from the main control component;

[0044] The OLED driver board is used to convert signals and directly drive the display, allowing the high-resolution display to output processed images.

[0045] The high-resolution display, used to display processed images, has a resolution of at least 1920*1080. The connection sequence is OLED driver circuit board → OLED display circuit board → display (the driving order is the same). The high-resolution display is fixed in front of the eyepiece to ensure that the user can clearly see the displayed content. A silicone gasket is placed between the high-resolution display and the OLED cover to conduct heat and reduce the temperature of the OLED during operation.

[0046] The high-resolution eyepiece amplifies and outputs the display image for user observation. The high-resolution display is precisely aligned with the front end of the eyepiece, connected using a snap-on connection to prevent any distortion of the displayed content. This ensures image clarity and color reproduction, ensuring accurate observation results and an enhanced user experience.

[0047] The specific process of using this device:

[0048] During the equipment inspection, all components must be neatly arranged and placed within the housing. Ensure all components are securely connected and functioning properly, and prevent external interference with the internal circuitry. In particular, check that the objective lens, low-light CMOS sensor, and high-resolution eyepiece are clean. After powering on the device, perform a quick functional test of the image clarity and display to ensure the low-light imaging system is functioning properly.

[0049] Light signal acquisition: The front-end objective lens focuses light from an external target onto the low-light CMOS sensor. The objective lens's optical design ensures effective collection of light signals from the external scene and focuses the light onto its focal plane, forming a precise image on the low-light CMOS sensor and effectively acquiring light signals. The low-light CMOS sensor has high light sensitivity and is particularly well-suited for operation in low-light conditions, ensuring that the acquired light signals are rich in detail and low in noise.

[0050] Image Signal Processing: The low-light CMOS sensor converts the collected light signals into electrical signals and transmits them to the image circuit board for preprocessing. This basic conversion and preprocessing reduces noise interference in the image and ensures image signal quality. The main control circuit board then performs in-depth processing and optimization on the digital image data transmitted by the image circuit board, optimizing image quality. This makes images clearer and more detailed in low-light environments, achieving color imaging and highly recognizable output.

[0051] Data output and display: Image data processed by the image circuit board and main control circuit board is transmitted to the OLED display circuit board via signal wires, and drives the high-resolution display to output to the high-resolution display. Users can clearly observe high-quality full-color target images through the eyepiece.

[0052] Users can adjust the brightness and imaging parameters through buttons and knobs to meet different lighting and imaging requirements.

[0053] To evaluate the device's imaging quality in indoor low-light environments, specifically its performance under varying illumination levels, we conducted imaging quality testing experiments. These experiments were conducted indoors to simulate actual usage scenarios at varying illumination levels. An adjustable light source was used to control the indoor light intensity and ensure a stable and uniform illumination environment. The illumination levels were set to 0.001 lux, 0.002 lux, and 0.003 lux, respectively. By comparing the output images, we were able to analyze the device's imaging performance under different indoor illumination levels.

[0054] Figure 8(a) shows the imaging effect of the device in an indoor environment of 0.003 lux. Under such low illumination conditions, although the light is extremely weak, the system can still capture the outlines of major objects, demonstrating its imaging capabilities in low-light environments.

[0055] Figure 8 (b) shows the imaging effect of the device in an indoor environment of 0.002 lux. Under this condition, the device provides a clearer image with significantly improved contrast and detail, and significantly reduced noise level.

[0056] Figure 8 (c) shows the imaging effect of the device in an indoor environment of 0.001 lux. In this environment, the image quality is optimal, with clear details of the target object and high color reproduction, demonstrating the system's excellent imaging performance under higher indoor illumination.

[0057] All experiments were conducted in a well-controlled indoor environment to ensure accurate comparison results under varying illumination conditions. Analysis of image quality shows that the device performs well under varying indoor lighting conditions, maintaining excellent imaging quality in particularly low illumination. This demonstrates its suitability for surveillance and target recognition tasks in low-light environments.

[0058] The present embodiment provides a full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device that can be used under even lower illumination conditions, achieving high-quality full-color imaging without the need for active fill light. The device utilizes a combination of an objective lens and a low-light CMOS sensor to significantly improve the clarity and detail recognition capabilities of nighttime observations. It can quickly identify targets in complex environments, possesses strong adaptability, and can be widely used in military, security, search and rescue, and other fields. It ensures the device operates normally at night or in extremely low light conditions, meeting users' high demands for imaging quality. The image circuit board and main control circuit board, combined with advanced image processing algorithms, can achieve high-quality color imaging in extreme low-light environments, and ensure real-time imaging and rapid feedback in dynamic environments. A multifunctional circuit board is internally provided, allowing device parameters such as brightness and imaging to be adjusted via buttons and knobs, giving the entire device more auxiliary functions. The use of an OLED display makes the overall structure more compact and concise, and provides high-definition observation effects. This device achieves clear color imaging in extreme nighttime environments, making it a widely applicable night vision device.

[0059] This device utilizes a modular platform design, facilitating subsequent system upgrades, production problem analysis, reliability verification, product repair and maintenance, and facilitating the rapid development of subsequent extended models. Its use of a press-ring screw connection, waterproof sealing ring, and battery pack design improves battery life, durability, and stability. Through the rational selection and efficient layout of each component module, the overall structure is compact and simple. The ergonomic design of the entire device is more user-friendly, weighing ≤300g, operating for 10 hours at 25°C, and measuring approximately 219mm*57mm*84mm (L*W*H). This keeps costs within a reasonable range, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

[0060] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention. Common knowledge such as the known specific structures and characteristics in the scheme is not described in detail here. A person of ordinary skill in the art is aware of all common technical knowledge in the technical field to which the utility model belongs before the application date or priority date, is able to obtain all existing technologies in the field, and has the ability to apply conventional experimental means before that date. A person of ordinary skill in the art can, under the guidance of this application, improve and implement the present scheme in combination with his or her own abilities. Some typical known structures or methods should not become an obstacle for a person of ordinary skill in the art to implement the present application. It should be pointed out that a person of ordinary skill in the art can make several variations and improvements without departing from the structure of the present invention. These should also be considered as the scope of protection of the present invention. These will not affect the effect of the implementation of the present invention and the practicality of the patent.

Claims

1. A full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device, characterized in that: It is a split structure, including an image acquisition component, a main control component and an image output component that are detachably connected in sequence; The image acquisition assembly includes an objective lens, a sensor board, a low-light CMOS sensor mounted on the sensor board, and an image circuit board connected to the sensor board; wherein the low-light CMOS sensor is arranged on the focal plane of the objective lens and is used to convert the light signal received by the objective lens into an electrical signal; the image circuit board is used to collect and pre-process the electrical signal and output image data; The main control assembly includes a main housing, a main control circuit board mounted at the bottom of the main housing, as well as a power switch brightness adjustment board, an encoding switch board, and a power supply board, and a key circuit board mounted at the top of the main housing; the main control circuit board is equipped with an image processor for further processing image data output by the image circuit board to form a full-color image; a battery pack is mounted on the side of the main housing; an electronic zoom knob connected to the encoding switch board and a screen brightness adjustment knob connected to the power switch brightness adjustment board are disposed on the side of the main housing opposite the battery pack, wherein the electronic zoom knob is located near the image output assembly, and the screen brightness adjustment knob is located near the image acquisition assembly; The image output assembly includes an OLED display circuit board, an OLED driver board connected to the OLED display circuit board, an OLED cover plate, a high-resolution display screen, and a high-resolution eyepiece, which are assembled in sequence; wherein the high-resolution display screen is precisely aligned with the front end of the high-resolution eyepiece; The main control circuit board is electrically connected to the power switch brightness adjustment board, the coding switch board, the power board, the key circuit board, the image circuit board and the OLED display circuit board.

2. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The image acquisition component and the image output component are both connected and pressed to the main housing of the main control component through the pressing ring screw threads.

3. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing ring is used between the image acquisition component, the main control component and the image output component to ensure waterproofing.

4. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Use a precision positioning fixture to fix the low-illumination CMOS sensor on the focal plane of the objective lens.

5. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor plate and the objective lens are fastened by using locking nails with flat washers and spring washers, and positioning columns are provided for positioning.

6. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The deviation between the optical axis center of the objective lens and the center of the imaging area of ​​the low-illumination CMOS sensor is less than 10 pixels.

7. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The verticality between the optical axis of the objective lens and the imaging surface of the low-illumination CMOS sensor is less than 0.05 mm.

8. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A silicone gasket is provided between the high-resolution display screen and the OLED cover plate.

9. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-resolution display screen is precisely aligned with the front end of the high-resolution eyepiece and the two are connected using a snap-fit ​​connection.

10. The full-color low-light-level night vision imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main control component also includes an FPC board for integrating and connecting the main control circuit board, the power switch brightness adjustment board, the encoding switch board and the power board.

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