Amici Reflector Night Vision Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional night vision systems often suffer from bulkiness and weight issues, making them unsuitable for civilian and entertainment applications, and face challenges in accurately aligning the intensified image with the real-world scene due to limitations in adjusting fold angles of reflectors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating Amici reflectors in the objective lens assembly, in conjunction with flat reflectors, to maintain correct image handedness and achieve full directional and angular alignment of the intensified image by adjusting fold angles, allowing for precise registration with the real-world scene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional night vision systems are designed to provide intensified images, then image enhancement capability is improved, but weight and bulk increase making them unsuitable for civilian applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary support structures from conventional night vision systems. By removing the need for external support frameworks, helmet mounts, and hand-held stabilization mechanisms, the invention creates a self-supporting optical system that can be worn as lightweight glasses, directly addressing the weight and bulk problem while maintaining image enhancement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable fold angles in the optical path that allow the system to adapt to different user requirements. The dynamic adjustment capability enables the optical system to maintain proper image registration and handedness while accommodating variations in user anatomy and viewing conditions, providing versatility without adding bulk
2Measurement precision
If fold angles of reflectors are adjusted to align intensified image with real world scene, then image registration accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Amici reflector with asymmetric geometry into the optical path. This single asymmetric component performs multiple functions: it corrects image handedness, enables directional alignment, and provides angular orientation control. The asymmetric design allows fold angles to be adjusted within a practical range to achieve full image registration accuracy without requiring multiple symmetric reflectors or complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The Amici reflector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a beam director, corrects image handedness, and enables both directional and angular alignment of the intensified image with the real world scene. This multi-functional component reduces the overall number of separate optical elements needed, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining high image registration accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of Amici reflectors enables the correction of directional and angular misalignments within a practical adjustment range, providing accurate and aligned intensified images in night vision devices, enhancing usability and reducing bulkiness.
Implementation Method 1
An Amici reflector, such as an Amici prism or Amici mirror, is included in the objective lens assembly. The Amici reflector rotates the optical path by a non-perpendicular (non-90°) angle
Implementation Method 2
an image intensifier that converts received light into an intensified image
Data Source
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AI summary
Image-intensifying devices (for example, glasses, goggles, etc.) suitable for certain commercial and entertainment applications by virtue of their light weight, small size, and economical production are disclosed. In one embodiment, input light passes through an Amici reflector, which is used to adjust the orientation of the intensified image to register it with the real world. In another embodiment, input light passes through at least two Amici reflectors, which are used to adjust the orientation of the intensified image to register it with the real world. In alternate embodiments, at least one Amici reflector folds the light at a non- perpendicular angle and/or input light is rotated by an angle other than (180°). Other embodiments include a field-flattening lens disposed in front of an image intensifier. The intensified image is then sent through a projective lens assembly to reach the viewer' s eye.