Augmented-reality helmet with night-vision optics

Abstract

Disclosed herein are exemplary augmented reality (AR) helmets with cheek-mounted night-vision optics. The AR helmets can include ergonomic night-vision units that distribute the weight of the night-vision optics across the cheeks of the user and a visor configured to fold down in front of the user's eyes and / or fold up out of the user's sight. The visor can provide the user with an AR heads-up display (HUD) containing visual information overlaid on the visor. For example, the night-vision images obtained by the night-vision optics can be refracted up through the visor via an arrangement of mirrors, lenses, and internal wave guides, such that the night-vision images are displayed to the user directly on the AR HUD without requiring a digital processing step. In some embodiments, the visor can be split down the middle into left and right halves, and each half of the visor can be independently positioned.

Description

AUGMENTED-REALITY HELMET WITH NIGHT- VISION OPTICSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 645,728, filed May 10, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to helmet systems, and more specifically to augmented-reality military helmets with integrated night-vision optics.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Military and tactical helmets are often retrofitted with optical accessories that provide night-vision or other imaging capabilities. These imaging capabilities can be used to provide increased situational awareness by allowing the wearer of the helmet to access and view information that would not be visible to the naked eye. In current retrofit designs for military and tactical night-vision helmets, one or more large night-vision units and optics are mounted to the top of the helmet, and each night-vision unit may flip down from a raised position atop and in front of the helmet to an active position in which one or more nightvision lenses are positioned, protruding in front of the helmet, in front of the wearer’s eyes.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] As noted above, current military and tactical helmet designs provide nightvision capabilities by relying on retrofitted optical assemblies that mount to the top of the helmet and are movable between a raised position atop and in front of the helmet and an active position directly in front of the wearer’s eyes. There are several drawbacks and shortcomings of these current designs, which are not optimized for tactical functionality, energy efficiency, adaptability, durability, and ergonomics.

[0005] For example, current helmet designs with retrofitted night-vision goggles typically attach the goggles to the top and / or front of the helmets, which creates a high and forward center of gravity for the night-vision unit, putting a strain on the users’ neck due to the weight of the helmet and night-vision unit. To prevent the current helmets from tipping over due to their imbalanced and top-heavy design, current helmet designs typically attach counterweights to the backs of the helmets to balance the weight of the goggles, whichincreases the overall helmet weight and can lead to further strain on users’ necks. Additionally, current helmets must be tightly strapped to the users’ heads to support the substantial and imbalanced weight of the retrofitted night-vision units, which decreases user comfort and ease of use.

[0006] In addition to ergonomic drawbacks, current night-vision helmet retrofit designs also have flaws that affect their core usability and functionality. For example, in current designs, in order to alternate between looking through the night-vision goggles and looking forward without the goggles, users must lean forward and / or backward to maneuver and align the goggles into the desired viewing position. This mode of operation is unreliable, inefficient, and uncomfortable.

[0007] Furthermore, current night-vision retrofitted-helmets are resource-intensive and require heavy power packs to remain operational. This further increases the overall helmet weight, requires frequent re-charging, and limits the operational duration of the nightvision features. Once the helmets run out of power, the night-vision goggles and empty power packs functionally become dead weight that provides no user benefits.

[0008] Thus, there is a need for an improved military and tactical night-vision helmets that provide users with night-vision features in a functional, reliable, energyefficient, adaptable, durable, and ergonomic manner. Described herein are improved military and tactical night-vision helmets that may address one or more of the above-identified needs.

[0009] Disclosed herein are military / tactical helmets with an augmented-reality heads-up displays. The helmet has a transparent visor configured to display optical information from one or more integrated night-vision units and an integrated multispectral imaging unit. The helmet includes one or more integrated night-vision units that are mounted directly to a bottom edge of the visor, such that the night-vision unit is positioned below the visor and rests against a cheek of the user when the helmet is worn. This design, in which a night- vision unit is mounted to the bottom of a visor and rests against the user’s cheek, provides improved ergonomics, comfort, and usability by providing a center of gravity that is lower and closer to the user’s face, as compared to previous designs. Furthermore, ergonomics, comfort, and usability are improved by allowing the weight of the assembly to be borne in part by the user’s cheek, rather than the weight of the assembly all being borne via an attachment point at the top of the helmet as in previous designs.

[0010] In some embodiments, the visor upon which the night-vision unit is mounted may be configured to move between a raised position and an active position, where in the raised position the visor is folded up and forwards from a hinge at the visor’s top edge above the wearer’s eyes, and in the active position the visor is folded down such that the nightvision unit rests against the wearer’s cheek.

[0011] In some embodiments, the helmet may be configured such that the nightvision unit provides augmented-reality heads-up (HUD) display functionality, rendering visualizations of night-vision images on the visor to which the night-vision unit is mounted. Thus, the night-vision optics can be operated without requiring the user to lean forward and / or backward to maneuver into the desired viewing position, thereby providing the user with a comfortable viewing experience.

[0012] In some embodiments, the night-vision images obtained by the night-vision optics can be refracted up through the visor via an arrangement of one or more mirrors, lenses, and internal wave guides, such that the night-vision images are displayed to the user directly on the visor (e.g., on the HUD) without requiring a digital processing step. Using a refraction-based technique for displaying night-vision images on the visor is resourceefficient: because the night-vision images do not require digital processing, the power required to operate the night-vision optics is significantly reduced.

[0013] In some embodiments, the helmet visor may be split down the middle into left and right halves, and each half of the visor can be independently positioned (e.g., folded up out of the user’s sight, or folded down in front of the user’s eye). In some such embodiments in which the visor is split down the middle, each half of the visor may have a physically and optically independent night-vision unit mounted to its lower edge. A split visor may allow a user to have flexibility in moving the night-vision optics into the desired viewing position. Furthermore, a split visor may make the helmet overall more durable, such that damage to one half the visor and / or to one or two night-vision units may not render the helmet completely non-functional.

[0014] In some embodiments, in addition to night-vision optics, the helmet may also include one or more additional imaging units. In some embodiments, a forehead-mounted multispectral imaging unit may be provided on the helmet and may be configured to capture multispectral image data which may be rendered on the visor, optionally at the same time as the night-vision visualizations, as part of a combined HUD visualization.

[0015] According to some embodiments, an exemplary tactical helmet with an integrated night-vision unit can comprise: a helmet shell configured to be worn on a head of a user; a visor configured to be worn in front of an eye of the user; and a night-vision unit attached to a bottom edge of the visor and configured to rest against a cheek of the user, wherein the night-vision unit comprises night-vision optics configured to capture night-vision optical information and to optically relay the night-vision optical information to be rendered on the visor to be viewed by the user as part of a heads-up-display (HUD) visualization.

[0016] In some embodiments, the tactical helmet can further comprise one or more cameras attached to a front surface of the helmet shell, wherein the one or more cameras are configured to capture a multispectral image. In some embodiments, the one or more cameras can comprise one or more of a multispectral camera, a thermal camera, a high-speed camera, and an infrared camera. In some embodiments, the one or more cameras can comprise four cameras arranged in a dice configuration.

[0017] In some embodiments, the tactical helmet can further comprise one or more projectors attached to a rim of the helmet shell beneath the one or more cameras and electronically connected to the one or more cameras. In some embodiments, the one or more projectors can comprise one or more projector optics configured to project the multispectral image onto a surface of the visor.

[0018] In some embodiments, the tactical helmet can further comprise one or more batteries and one or more processors attached to a back surface of the helmet shell.

[0019] In some embodiments, the visor can provide an augmented reality heads-up display (HUD) that overlays visual information on the visor. In some embodiments, the visor can comprise one or more layers of engineered glass through which the night-vision image is refracted.

[0020] In some embodiments, the visor can comprise two visor halves that are configured to be independently adjustable; and the helmet can further comprise two visor positioning arms configured to attach the visor to the helmet shell, wherein each arm of the two visor positioning arms is configured to attach to a respective half of the two visor halves. In some embodiments, independently adjusting the two visor halves can comprise moving one or both halves between a lowered position in front of the eye of the user and a raised position above the eye of the user. In some embodiments, each arm of the two visor positioning arms can comprise one or more struts attached to a respective half of the visor, asliding channel configured to allow linear motion and / or rotational motion of the one or more struts, and a locking mechanism configured to inhibit the linear motion and / or the rotational motion of the one or more struts.

[0021] In some embodiments, the night-vision optics can be configured to refract the night-vision optical information into the visor and can comprise one or more of the following: one or more lenses, one or more mirrors, and one or more internal wave guides.

[0022] It will be appreciated that any of the variations, aspects, features and options described in view of the systems can be combined.

[0023] Additional advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The aspects and descriptions herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

[0024] All publications, including patent documents, scientific articles and databases, referred to in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication were individually incorporated by reference. If a definition set forth herein is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, applications, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth herein prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary augmented reality helmet with cheek-mounted night-vision optics, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0027] FIGS. 2A-2C depict three different positions of an exemplary visor unit of an augmented reality helmet, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0028] FIGS. 3A-3B depict exemplary night-vision units of an augmented reality helmet, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0029] FIGS. 4A-4B depict an exemplary projector unit of an augmented reality helmet, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary camera unit and an exemplary visor positioning arm unit of an augmented reality helmet, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary electronics unit of an augmented reality helmet, in accordance with some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0032] Disclosed herein are exemplary augmented reality (AR) helmets with cheekmounted night-vision optics. The AR helmets described herein can include ergonomic nightvision units that distribute the weight of the night-vision optics onto the cheeks of the user. The night-vision units can be used in conjunction with a visor configured to fold down in front of the user’s eyes and / or fold up out of the user’s sight. The visor can provide the user with an AR heads-up display (HUD) containing visual information, such as night-vision images, overlaid on the visor. For example, the night-vision images obtained by the nightvision optics can be refracted up through the visor via an arrangement of mirrors, lenses, and internal wave guides, such that the night-vision images are displayed to the user directly on the visor (e.g., on the HUD) without requiring a digital processing step. In some embodiments, the visor can be split down the middle into left and right halves, and each half of the visor can be independently positioned (e.g., folded up out of the user’s sight, or folded down in front of the user’s eye).

[0033] As described above, current military helmets fail to implement night-vision features in a user-friendly, resource-efficient manner, and as a result, users of such helmets may experience physical discomfort. For example, current military helmets with built-in and / or retrofitted night-vision goggles typically attach the goggles to the fronts of the helmets, relying on the users’ neck muscles to support the weight of the helmets. To prevent the helmets from tipping over, current military helmet designs typically attach counterweights to the backs of the helmets to balance the weight of the goggles, which increases the overall helmet weight and can lead to strain on users’ necks. The helmets must be tightly strapped to the users’ heads to support the weight of the helmet, which decreases user comfort. Additionally, to alternate between looking through the goggles and looking forward without the goggles, users must lean forward and / or backward to maneuver the goggles into the desired viewing position, which is not user-friendly and can lead to further strain on users’ necks. Furthermore, the night-vision goggles built into and / or retrofitted onto current military helmets are resource-intensive and require additional features, such as power packs,to remain operational. This further increases the overall helmet weight and limits the operational duration of the night-vision features. Once the helmets run out of power, the night-vision goggles and empty power packs functionally become dead weight that does not benefit users.

[0034] Conversely, the AR helmets described herein improve upon the ergonomics of current military helmets by distributing some of the weight of night-vision optics onto the cheeks of the user, which reduces torque on the wearer’s neck as compared to top-mounted arrangements. Additionally, the lower overall center of gravity of the night-vision optics reduces forces on the user’s neck and improves stability and balance for the user. Distributing the weight of the night- vision optics across the user’s face reduces the reliance on the user’s neck muscles to support the helmet.

[0035] Additionally, the night-vision optics can be attached directly to (and functionally and optically integrated with) a lower edge of a visor configured to fold down in front of the user’s eyes and / or fold up out of the user’s sight. The night- vision images obtained by the night-vision optics can be refracted up through the visor via an arrangement of mirrors, lenses, and internal wave guides, such that the night-vision images are displayed to the user directly on the visor. Thus, the night-vision optics can be operated without requiring the user to lean forward and / or backward to maneuver into the desired viewing position, thereby providing the user with a comfortable viewing experience. The refractionbased technique for displaying night-vision images on the visor is resource-efficient: since the night-vision images do not undergo digital processing, the power required to operate the night-vision optics is significantly reduced.

[0036] Furthermore, the visor can be split down the middle into left and right halves, and each half of the visor can be independently positioned (e.g., folded up out of the user’s sight, or folded down in front of the user’s eye). This allows the user to have flexibility in moving the night-vision optics into the desired viewing position.

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to implementations and embodiments of various aspects and variations of systems and methods described herein. Although several exemplary variations of the systems and methods are described herein, other variations of the systems and methods may include aspects of the systems and methods described herein combined in any suitable manner having combinations of all or some of the aspects described.Augmented Reality Helmet

[0038] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary AR helmet 100 to be worn on a head of a human user. The AR helmet 100 can utilize one or more cameras (e.g., via camera unit 110) and one or more night-vision optics (e.g., via night-vision units 150) to provide the user with situational awareness. In some embodiments, the AR helmet 100 can simultaneously display both multispectral images from the camera unit 110 and night-vision images from the nightvision units 150 on the visor unit 120, thereby providing the user with increased situational awareness. In some embodiments, the AR helmet 100 can be worn in low-light conditions to improve the user’s vision (e.g., by enabling the user to see environmental hazards).

[0039] In some embodiments, the AR helmet 100 can include various components, including, but not limited to: a helmet shell 102, a projector unit 104, a feed cable 106, a camera unit 110, a visor unit 120 (comprising HUD 122), visor positioning arm units 130, and night-vision units 150. The orientation, configuration, and functionality of the components of the AR helmet 100 can include any combination of the following description.

[0040] In some embodiments, one or more components of the AR helmet 100 can be mounted onto the helmet shell 102. In some embodiments, the helmet shell 102 can support a camera unit 110 for obtaining multispectral images of the user’s environment. Images from the camera unit 110 can be projected onto a visor unit 120 via a projection unit 104, which can also be attached to the helmet shell 102. The visor unit 120 can be attached to the helmet shell 102 via one or more visor positioning arm units 130, which enable the user to adjust and reposition the visor unit 120. In some embodiments, the helmet shell 102 can support one or more night-vision units 150, which are attached to the helmet shell 102 via the visor unit 120. The night- vision units 150 can rest on the user’s cheeks, thereby distributing their weight across the user’s face.

[0041] In some embodiments, the helmet shell 102 can include a hard-shell helmet configured to cover at least a portion of the user’s head. The helmet shell 102 can be a protective and / or structural component that protects the user’s head from physical threats (e.g., blunt-force impact) while providing structural support for other components of the AR helmet 100. The helmet shell 102 can evenly distribute the weight of the AR helmet 100 across the head of the user such that the user’s comfort is preserved. For example, the helmet shell 102 can be designed to follow the contour of a user’s head such that weight is evenlydistributed across the head. The helmet shell 102 can include any number of adjustable straps, padding, vents, and other components for user comfort.

[0042] In some embodiments, the projector unit 104 can include one or more projectors arranged along a rim of the helmet shell 102. For example, the projector unit 104 can include a plurality of projectors connected to the helmet shell 102 such that the plurality of projectors is positioned near a brow-line of the user. The projector unit 104 can project an image (e.g., from the camera unit 110) onto the visor unit 120 to provide the user with situational awareness information (e.g., an AR overlay of the user’s visual field). In some embodiments, the projector unit 104 can be electronically connected to an image source (e.g., the camera unit 110), one or more batteries, and one or more processors of the AR helmet 100. An exemplary projector unit is described in further detail in FIGS. 4A-4B.

[0043] In some embodiments, the camera unit 110 can include one or more cameras arranged on an external surface of the helmet shell 102. For example, the camera unit 110 can include a plurality of cameras arranged in a dice formation along the front surface of the helmet shell 102 such that the cameras are positioned on a forehead of the user. The camera unit 110 can be configured to capture multispectral images of the user’s environment (e.g., vegetation as viewed under visible light and infrared light) and, as described above, can be used in conjunction with the projector unit 104 and visor unit 120 to provide the user with situational awareness information. In some embodiments, the camera unit 110 can be electronically connected to the projector unit 104, one or more batteries, and one or more processors of the AR helmet 100. An exemplary camera unit is described in further detail in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the feed cable 106 can connect the camera unit 110 to the one or more processors and / or the one or more batteries of the AR helmet 100. The feed cable 106 can include any wire, cord, or cable capable of data transfer, electronic data communication, and / or power transfer between the processors, the batteries, and / or the camera unit 110. In some embodiments, the feed cable 106 can transfer data between the processors and the camera unit 110, and power can be transferred to a battery connected to the camera unit 110. In some embodiments, one or more processors included in camera unit 110 or elsewhere in AR helmet 100 may execute computer program code comprising instructions that cause the AR helmet 100 to perform one or more techniques described herein, that control one or more systems herein, and / or that control one or more other electronic systems. An exemplary battery is described in further detail in FIG. 6.

[0044] In some embodiments, the visor unit 120 can include one or more layers of glass. The glass can include any type of transparent and / or translucent glass-like material, such as engineered glass. The visor unit 120 can be attached to the helmet shell 102 via one or more visor positioning arm units 130, which enable the user to adjust and reposition the visor unit 120. The visor unit 120 can be positioned in front of the user’s eyes to protect the eyes and display information. As described above, the visor unit 120 can be used in conjunction with the projector unit 104 and camera unit 110 to provide the user with situational awareness information. In some embodiments, the glass may be tinted to reduce the amount of light that escapes the visor unit 120 when information is projected by the projector unit 104. This can improve the user’s stealth when using the AR helmet 100. In some embodiments, the visor unit 120 can split into two halves, and each half can be attached to a visor positioning arm 130 and independently positioned. For example, the left half can be folded up above the user’s sight so that the user’s left eye is unaided, while the right half can be folded down in front of the user’s right eye so that the user can view the situational awareness information. An exemplary visor unit is described in further detail in FIGS. 2A- 2C.

[0045] In some embodiments, the visor unit 120 can provide the user with a HUD 122 for overlaying visual information, such as multispectral images, on the glass. The visual information overlay of the HUD 122 may be projected onto and / or through the glass. In some embodiments, the HUD 122 can incorporate the AR aspects of the AR helmet 100 by overlaying digital content onto the user’s field of view using the visor unit 120. For example, the HUD 122 can be positioned in front of the user’s eyes when the visor unit 120 is folded down in front of the user’s eyes, such that the digital content is superimposed on the user’s view of the environment. The HUD 122 can have any shape and display any visual information, so long as the displayed information can be scaled to fit on the visor unit 120. The HUD 122 can display one or more of: images (e.g., environmental images), maps (e.g., a road map of the user’s surrounding area), navigation instructions (e.g., map arrows pointing to a target destination), directions (e.g., a compass pointing north), names (e.g., of nearby buildings), descriptions (e.g., of the species names and characteristics of nearby flora), notifications (e.g., warning messages for hazards in the area), data (e.g., temperature readings), and crosshairs.

[0046] In some embodiments, the visor positioning arm units 130 can include one or more arms configured to provide structural support for the visor unit 120. As discussedpreviously, the visor positioning arm units 130 can enable the user to adjust and reposition the visor unit 120. For example, the visor positioning arm units 130 can include a left arm connected to the left half of the visor unit 120 and a right arm connected to the right half. Each arm can be independently manipulated by the user to adjust each half of the visor unit 120. The visor positioning arm units 130 can be connected to the helmet shell 102 along the sides of the user’s head and connected to the visor unit 120 along the left and right sides of the left and right halves, respectively. In some embodiments, the visor positioning arm units 130 can be locked into a desired position to hold the visor unit 120 in place. An exemplary visor positioning arm unit is described in further detail in FIG. 5.

[0047] In some embodiments, the night- vision units 150 can include one or more night-vision optics. For example, the night-vision optics may be embedded in medical -grade silicon that rests on top of the user’s cheeks such that the weights of the night- vision units 150 are distributed on the face). The night-vision units 150 can be attached to the helmet shell 102 via the visor unit 120. In some embodiments, the night-vision units 150 can be attached to a bottom edge of the visor unit 120 such that when the visor unit 120 is fully folded down, the night-vision units 150 rest on the user’s cheeks, and when the visor unit 120 is folded up (either partially or fully), the night-vision units 150 are folded up alongside the visor unit 120. The night-vision images obtained by the night-vision optics 150 can be refracted up through the visor unit 120 via an arrangement of mirrors, lenses, and internal wave guides, such that the night-vision images are displayed to the user directly on the visor unit 120. The use of mirrors to reflect the night-vision image directly into the glass of the visor unit can reduce motion sickness for users because it relies on analog light (e.g., reflected by the mirrors) instead of digital light. An exemplary night-vision unit is described in further detail in FIGS. 3A-3B.Visor and Heads-up Display

[0048] FIGS. 2A-2C depict three different positions of an exemplary visor unit 220 of an AR helmet 200. (The visor unit 220 can share any features of the visor unit 120 of FIG. 1, the AR helmet 200 can share any features of the AR helmet 100 of FIG. 1, and vice versa.) The visor unit 220 can include various components, including, but not limited to: a visor screen 224 for displaying the HUD 222, support brackets 226, and a nose pad 228. In some embodiments, the visor screen 224 can be split into a left half and a right half that can be independently folded up and / or down to allow the user to customize the configuration of the AR helmet 200. The user can adjust each half of the visor screen 224 between a fully foldeddown position, a fully folded up position, and any position in-between. The orientation, configuration, and functionality of the components of the visor unit 220 can include any combination of the following description.

[0049] FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary configuration in which both halves of the visor screen 224 are fully folded down (e.g., positioned in front of the user’s eyes such that the night- vision units 250 are resting on the user’s cheeks). Support brackets 226 can connect the leftmost and rightmost edges of the visor screen 224 to the visor positioning arms (e.g., visor positioning arm units 130 of FIG. 1). Each of the support brackets 226 can support one of the two halves of the visor screen 224. A magnetic seal along the junction of the two halves (e.g., along the dotted line) can connect the two halves of the visor screen 224. Between the edge of the visor screen 224 and the user’s nose, the attached nose pad 228 can include a rubber and / or silicon seal to form a comfortable interface. The nose pad 228 can be divided in half such that each half of the nose pad 228 moves with the respective half of the visor screen 224.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2A, the HUD 222 can display information on both halves of the visor screen 224 when both halves of the visor screen 224 are fully folded down. Both eyes of the user can look through the AR display on the HUD 222 in this configuration. Information from the camera unit (e.g., camera unit 110 of FIG. 1) can be simultaneously displayed with information from the night-vision units 250 to provide visual information from a variety of sources to the user. In some embodiments, the user can use a switch, toggle, or other control feature on the night-vision units 250 to switch between either nightvision information or camera information to display on the HUD 222.

[0051] FIG. 2B depicts an exemplary configuration in which the left half of the visor screen 224 is fully folded up (e.g., secured on top of the user’s head such that the user’s left eye is not looking through the visor screen 224). As shown, the left visor positioning arm can lock the left half of the visor screen 224 in position above the helmet shell 202, outside of the user’s vision. In some embodiments, when fully folded up, the left visor half can be positioned slightly forward of center relative to the helmet shell 202. This can balance the weight distribution of the helmet 200, improving the comfort of the user relative to folding the visor half to and / or beyond the center of the helmet shell 202. In some embodiments, the left half of the visor screen 224 can be deactivated when not folded down and / or in use. For example, to reduce power usage, the HUD 222 can display information only on the right halfof the visor screen 224, which would be visible to the user’s right eye, and not on the left half of the visor screen 224, which would not be visible to the user.

[0052] FIG. 2C depicts an exemplary configuration in which both halves of the visor screen 224 are fully folded up (e.g., the visor screen 224 is not in use). In some embodiments, when fully folded up, the entire visor screen 224 can be deactivated. Thus, the user can rely entirely on natural vision without using the AR capabilities of the AR helmet 200. This may be useful in situations in which the AR helmet 200 has been fully depleted of power and can no longer use the visor screen 224.Night-Vision Optics

[0053] FIGS. 3A-3B depict exemplary night-vision units 350 of an AR helmet 300. (The night-vision units 350 can share any features of the night-vision units 150 of FIG. 1 and 250 of FIG. 2A; the AR helmet 300 can share any features of the AR helmet 100 of FIG. 1 and 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C; and vice versa.) Each of the night-vision units 350 can include various components, including, but not limited to: a visor-mounted cheek-resting housing 352, a barrel 354, a lens 356, an amplifier 358, a phosphor screen 360, and a refraction-based wave guide 362. The orientation, configuration, and functionality of the components of the night- vision units 350 can include any combination of the following description.

[0054] FIG. 3 A depicts an exemplary angle view of the night- vision units 350. As shown, the AR helmet 300 can include two night-vision units 350: one for each eye. For each night-vision unit 350, the visor-mounted cheek-resting housing 352 can be connected to the bottom edge of the visor screen 324 and can rest on the cheeks of the user. The barrel 354, which contains the night-vision optics components of the night- vision unit 350, can be mounted to a front surface of the cheek-resting housing 352 such that a lens 356 at one end of the barrel 354 is pointing forward (e.g., in the same direction that a user is facing).

[0055] In some embodiments, the cheek-resting housing 352 can include a hard housing surrounded by medical -grade silicon to interface with the cheeks of the user. The cheek-resting housing 352 can evenly distribute the weight of the night-vision unit 350 across the face of the user such that the user’s comfort is preserved. For example, the cheek-resting housing 352 can be designed to follow the contour of a user’s face such that weight is evenly distributed across the cheeks. The cheek-resting housing 352 can include padding, vents, and any number of other components for user comfort.

[0056] In some embodiments, the barrel 354 can be mounted to a front surface of the cheek-resting housing 352. The barrel 354 can include a hollow, tube-like shell that protects and contains the night- vision optics of the night-vision units 350. The night- vision optics can amplify light in dark conditions and, through the use of wave guides, direct the amplified output of the night-vision optics through the bottom edge of the visor screen 324, thereby producing a night-vision image. For example, to produce a night-vision image, the nightvision optics may take in visible light (photons) via a lens 356, convert the photons into electrons and amplify the electron current via an amplifier 358, convert the electrons back into photons via a phosphor screen 360, and direct the photons into the visor screen 324 using a refraction-based wave guide 362. FIG. 3B depicts an exemplary internal optics diagram of the barrel 354 of a night-vision unit 350.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, natural light from an external source enters the barrel 354 via a lens 356 at the front end of the barrel. This natural light is obtained from the user’s environment and can be used to generate a night- vision image of the user’s environment. In low-light environments, the natural light may be dim and require amplification in order to generate the night-vision image. Accordingly, after passing through the lens 356, the natural light may subsequently travel through an amplifier 358 and become amplified light. In some embodiments, the amplifier 358 can include a nonelectric amplifier configured to convert the photons of natural light into electrons, then amplify the current of the electrons to generate amplified light. The amplified light may subsequently travel to a phosphor screen 360, which generates photons when struck by the amplified electrons. In some embodiments, the phosphor screen 360 can include white phosphor and / or green phosphor. The generated photons can represent the night-vision image in greater contrast than the natural-light image due to the amplification process. After reaching the phosphor screen 360, the generated photons may be directed into a refraction-based wave guide 362, which refracts the light of the generated photons upward, at an angle, into the visor screen 324. The light of the generated photons can travel through the glass of the visor screen 324 to display the night-vision image to the user.

[0058] In some embodiments, the phosphor screen 360 may be the only powered component of the night- vision unit 350. All other components may be purely analog components that do not require power and / or digital processing in order to generate the nightvision image on the visor screen 324. The phosphor screen 360 can be electronically connected to the one or more batteries of the AR helmet 300. In some embodiments, a switchon the side of the night-vision unit 350 can enable and / or disable power to the phosphor screen 360 to activate and / or deactivate the night-vision functionality of the night-vision unit 350. The switch does not alter the configuration of any of the night- vision optics components.Multispectral Cameras and Projectors

[0059] FIGS. 4A-4B depict an exemplary projector unit 404 of an AR helmet 400. (The projector unit 404 can share any features of the projector unit 104 of FIG. 1; the AR helmet 400 can share any features of the AR helmet 100 of FIG. 1, 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C, and 300 of FIGS. 3A-3B; and vice versa.) The projector unit 404 can include various components, including, but not limited to: a projector 405, an image source (e.g., from the camera unit 110 of FIG. 1), a mirror, lenses, and a flat beam combiner. The orientation, configuration, and functionality of the components of the projector unit 404 can include any combination of the following description.

[0060] FIG. 4A depicts an exemplary angle view of the projector unit 404. The projector unit 404 can be attached to the rim of the helmet shell (e.g., helmet shell 102 of FIG. 1) and electronically connected to the camera unit (e.g., camera unit 110 of FIG. 1). Electronic cables and components may enter along the sides of the projector unit 404 and run in the same direction as the rim of the helmet shell before connecting to the projectors 405.In some embodiments, the projector unit 404 can be positioned at or above the top edge of the visor screen 424 and can follow the contour of the visor screen 424. In some embodiments, the projector unit 404 can include four projectors 405 spaced out along the length of the projector unit 404. For example, the leftmost two projectors 405 may project images onto the left half of the visor screen 424, and the rightmost two projectors 405 may project images onto the right half of the visor screen 424. The projectors 405 can utilize flat beam combiners to display multiple inputs from the projectors 405 onto the visor screen 424. The use of multiple projectors can provide the user with a panoramic field of vision across the visor screen 424 rather than a single projector setup, which may provide a more limited field of vision. It is to be understood that the projector unit 404 can have any number of projectors 405 that can be arranged in any configuration, and is not limited to the above example.

[0061] FIG. 4B depicts an exemplary internal optics diagram of a projector 405 of the projector unit 404. Light projected from an image source of the projector (e.g., light representing a multispectral image captured by the camera unit 110 of FIG. 1) passes througha series of lenses and mirrors housed within the projector unit 404. When exiting the projector unit 404, the light reflects from a flat beam combiner, which focuses the light onto a desired eye position on the visor screen 424. The multispectral image can thus be displayed on the visor screen 424. The desired eye position on the visor screen 424 may be chosen based on one or more of the user’s eyesight, the location of the user’s eye, the amount of other information displayed on the screen, and a predetermined position. It is to be understood that the projector 405 can have any number of lenses, mirrors, and flat beam combiners that can be arranged in any configuration, and is not limited to the above example.

[0062] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary camera unit 510 of an AR helmet 500. (The camera unit 510 can share any features of the camera unit 110 of FIG. 1; the AR helmet 500 can share any features of the AR helmet 100 of FIG. 1, 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C, 300 of FIGS. 3A-3B, and 400 of FIGS. 4A-4B; and vice versa.) The camera unit 510 can include various components, including, but not limited to: a camera housing 512, cameras 514, and a camera cover 516. The orientation, configuration, and functionality of the components of the camera unit 510 can include any combination of the following description.

[0063] In some embodiments, the camera housing 512 can be mounted to a front surface of the helmet shell. The camera housing 512 can include a hard shell that protects and contains the cameras 514 and their associated electronics.

[0064] In some embodiments, the cameras 514 can include a plurality of cameras for capturing multispectral images of the user’s environment. As shown in FIG. 5, the cameras 514 can include four cameras mounted in a quad-camera dice formation within the camera housing 512. The cameras 514 may be centered above the visor screen 524 of the AR helmet 500. In some embodiments, the cameras 514 can include one or more of a multispectral camera, a thermal camera, a high-speed camera, and an infrared camera with a longpass filter (e.g., the filter cuts off light below a specific wavelength). The cameras 514 may be electronically connected to the projector unit (e.g., projector unit 104 of FIG. 1) via one or more cables. In some embodiments, a T-junction may divide and / or route the cables as they exit the camera housing 512 and connect to the sides of the projector unit.

[0065] In some embodiments, the camera cover 516 can include a protective cover for the cameras 512. The camera cover 516 may be attached to the camera housing 512 via a hinge mechanism, slide mechanism, or other adjustable mechanism. The camera cover 516may mirror the shape of the camera housing 512 such that, when the camera cover 516 is closed, the camera housing 512 and 516 form a protective enclosure around the cameras 514.Visor Positioning Arm

[0066] FIG. 5 further depicts an exemplary visor positioning arm unit 530 of the AR helmet 500. (The visor positioning arm unit 530 can share any features of the visor positioning arm unit 130 of FIG. 1.) The visor positioning arm unit 530 can have enough degrees of freedom to position the halves of the visor unit (e.g., visor unit 120 of FIG. 1) in the correct position for users of any facial structure and / or eye position. Further, the visor positioning arm unit 530 can allow the user to easily move and / or lock the visor to a folded up and / or stowed position outside of the user’s vision. The visor positioning arm unit 530 can include various components, including, but not limited to: struts 532, a sliding channel 534, and a locking mechanism 536. The orientation, configuration, and functionality of the components of the visor positioning arm unit 530 can include any combination of the following description.

[0067] In some embodiments, the visor positioning arm unit 530 can include one or more struts 532 configured to attach to the support bracket 526 of the visor unit (e.g., visor unit 120 of FIG. 1). The struts 532 can include one or more arms extending between the helmet shell (e.g., helmet shell 102 of FIG. 1) and the visor unit to hold the visor unit in place. In some embodiments, the visor positioning arm unit 530 can include a sliding channel 534 configured to allow linear motion and / or rotational motion of the struts 532. In some embodiments, the visor positioning arm unit 530 can include a locking mechanism 536 configured to inhibit the linear motion and / or the rotational motion of the struts 532.

[0068] In some embodiments, the struts 532 can include one or more stiff tension springs, which can move outwards / inwards and can slide back and forth along the sliding channel 534 on the side of the helmet 500. The struts 532 can be attached to a sliding piece, such as a disk, spring, and / or plate, located within the groove of the sliding channel 534. Moving the sliding piece back and forth along the sliding channel 534 can move the struts 532 and the visor unit along with the sliding piece. In some embodiments, the sliding piece can also rotate clockwise and counterclockwise such that the struts 532 and the visor unit can be folded up above the user’s eyes and down in front of the user’s eyes. In some embodiments, the sliding piece may be a locking mechanism 536 configured to lock in place at a desired rotation angle and slide position along the sliding channel 534. The lockingmechanism 536 may include a switch, toggle, button, or other physical feature that, when adjusted by the user, can prevent the visor unit from moving out of the desired placement.

[0069] In some embodiments, the visor positioning arm unit 530 can be used to offset any discrepancies between the display of the night-vision image (e.g., from night-vision unit 150 of FIG. 1) and / or the display of the multispectral image (e.g., from camera unit 110 of FIG. 1) and the user’s view of the environment. This correction may be performed by the user by lining up one or more visual crosshairs displayed on the visor unit with one or more objects in the environment. The correction of discrepancies may reduce motion sickness for the user and make the operation of AR helmet 500 more comfortable.Batteries and Processors

[0070] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary electronics unit 670 of the AR helmet 600. (The AR helmet 600 can share any features of the AR helmet 100 of FIG. 1, 200 of FIGS. 2A-2C, 300 of FIGS. 3A-3B, 400 of FIGS. 4A-4B, and 500 of FIG. 5; and vice versa.) The electronics unit 670 can include one or more batteries and / or one or more processors of the AR helmet 600. In some embodiments, the electronics unit 670 can be positioned on the back of the helmet shell (e.g., helmet shell 102 of FIG. 1). This location of the electronics unit 670 can balance out the weight of the camera unit, projector unit, visor unit, and other units positioned on the front of the helmet shell. Using the batteries and processors as counterbalances can eliminate the need to add additional counterweights to the AR helmet 600 in order to balance it on the user’s head. This can reduce the overall weight of the AR helmet 600 and improve the user’s comfort. A feed cable 606 can connect the electronics unit 670 to the camera unit and / or night-vision unit on the front of the helmet shell. (The feed cable 606 can share any features of the feed cable 106 of FIG. 1.) In some embodiments, the batteries of the electronics unit 670 can include one or more rechargeable and / or replaceable batteries that provide power to the AR helmet 600. In some embodiments, the processors of the electronics unit 670 can include one or more processors configured to perform one or more computer-based actions, such as processing a digital image, transforming digital content, and transmitting and receiving signals from other components of the AR helmet 600.

[0071] Although the examples provided above describe optical accessories (e.g., night-vision units) that are integrated directly with tactical helmets, it is to be understood that the optical accessories described herein can also be provided in other form factors. In someembodiments, any of the optical accessories described herein can be integrally formed with a helmet during manufacturing. In some such embodiments, one or more the components of the optical accessories can be directly manufactured as an integral part of the helmet such that they are not removable. In some embodiments, the optical accessories described herein can comprise helmet-mountable systems separate from and retrofittable onto existing helmets. In some such embodiments, one or more components of the optical accessories may be removably attached to the existing helmets. The helmets may be designed to provide any number of housings, attachment points, and other design features to enable the integration of the optical accessories. In some embodiments, the optical accessories described herein can be attached to a user’s head without requiring a helmet to be worn by the user. For example, the optical accessories may be mounted to the user’s head using one or more adjustable straps. Other variations may include aspects of the optical accessories and / or helmets described herein combined in any suitable manner having combinations of all or some of the aspects described.

[0072] For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments; however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure includes embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.Additional Definitions

[0073] Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other technical and scientific terms or terminology used herein are intended to have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed subject matter pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and / or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art.

[0074] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is also to be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It is further to be understood that the terms “includes, “including,” “comprises,” and / or “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and / or units but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and / or groups thereof.

[0075] The above description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tactical helmet with an integrated night-vision unit, the helmet comprising: a helmet shell configured to be worn on a head of a user; a visor configured to be worn in front of an eye of the user; and a night-vision unit attached to a bottom edge of the visor and configured to rest against a cheek of the user, wherein the night-vision unit comprises night-vision optics configured to capture night-vision optical information and to optically relay the night-vision optical information to be rendered on the visor to be viewed by the user as part of a heads-up-display (HUD) visualization.

2. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising one or more cameras attached to a front surface of the helmet shell, wherein the one or more cameras are configured to capture a multispectral image.

3. The helmet of claim 2, wherein the one or more cameras comprise one or more of a multispectral camera, a thermal camera, a high-speed camera, and an infrared camera.

4. The helmet of any one of claims 2-3, wherein the one or more cameras comprise four cameras arranged in a dice configuration.

5. The helmet of any one of claims 2-4, further comprising one or more projectors attached to a rim of the helmet shell beneath the one or more cameras and electronically connected to the one or more cameras.

6. The helmet of claim 5, wherein the one or more projectors comprise one or more projector optics configured to project the multispectral image onto a surface of the visor.

7. The helmet of any one of claims 1-6, further comprising one or more batteries and one or more processors attached to a back surface of the helmet shell.

8. The helmet of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the visor provides an augmented reality heads-up display (HUD) that overlays visual information on the visor.

9. The helmet of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the visor comprises one or more layers of engineered glass through which the night-vision image is refracted.

10. The helmet of any one of claims 1-9, wherein: the visor comprises two visor halves that are configured to be independently adjustable; and the helmet further comprises two visor positioning arms configured to attach the visor to the helmet shell, wherein each arm of the two visor positioning arms is configured to attach to a respective half of the two visor halves.

11. The helmet of claim 10, wherein independently adjusting the two visor halves comprises moving one or both halves between a lowered position in front of the eye of the user and a raised position above the eye of the user.

12. The helmet of any one of claims 10-11, wherein each arm of the two visor positioning arms comprises one or more struts attached to a respective half of the visor, a sliding channel configured to allow linear motion and / or rotational motion of the one or more struts, and a locking mechanism configured to inhibit the linear motion and / or the rotational motion of the one or more struts.

13. The helmet of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the night-vision optics are configured to refract the night-vision optical information into the visor and comprise one or more of the following: one or more lenses, one or more mirrors, and one or more internal wave guides.

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