Color Night Vision System Using Four-Lens Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color night vision systems are cumbersome, costly, and lack true color representation due to the need for multiple sensors and large lenses, which increases helmet weight and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A color night vision system utilizing an objective lens assembly with four smaller lenses, each projecting a real-world scene onto a quarter of a high-sensitivity digital night vision sensor, with optional color and infrared filters to achieve true color representation without increasing weight or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional cameras with large lenses are used to collect enough light for color night vision, then light collection capability is improved, but device size and weight increase making them unsuitable for head worn applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple wavelength-specific channels (visible light, near-infrared, short-wave infrared) with dedicated sensors for each. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific wavelength range, achieving effective light collection across the spectrum while keeping individual sensor sizes small and suitable for head-worn applications.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to achieve true color representation, then color discrimination is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spectral filtering characteristics to different regions of the sensor array. Specific sensor regions are designated for visible light, near-infrared, or short-wave infrared detection, with each region optimized for its wavelength range. This local specialization enables true color representation through multi-spectral data fusion while maintaining a single integrated sensor platform.
3Illumination intensity
If color filters are added to pixelated night vision sensors, then color night vision capability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single sensor platform that performs multiple functions by detecting different wavelength ranges (visible, near-infrared, short-wave infrared) simultaneously. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate camera systems for different lighting conditions, reducing overall production costs while enabling color night vision capability across various ambient light levels.
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 system provides true color night vision down to low ambient light levels without increasing helmet weight or production costs, using existing high-sensitivity sensors and processing techniques like gamma and gain corrections.
Implementation Method 1
An objective lens assembly has four smaller lenses, each of which is designed to project a real world scene to one quarter of a digital night vision sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A system may include a processor (122), a night vision sensor (118), and an objective lens assembly (106) comprising four lenses. Each of a first lens (108-1), a second lens (108-2), a third lens (108-3), and a fourth lens (108-4) may be configured to project a real world scene (102) onto one of four portions of the night vision sensor. The night vision sensor may be configured to provide four images of the real world scene from the objective lens assembly to the processor. The processor may be configured to: receive a first image, a second image, a third image, and a fourth image from the night vision sensor; generate color night vision image data based at least on the first image, the second image, the third image, and the fourth image; and output the color night vision image data.