Color Night Vision via Spatial Filtering of TOLED Technology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tube-based night vision systems lack the capability to preserve color information, resulting in monochrome images that fail to distinguish between surfaces with similar reflectance values.
Innovation Solution
The integration of spatial color filters aligned with detectors on the output side of an image intensifier, combined with transparent digital display chips, allows for the preservation and reconstruction of color information in night vision images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If image intensifier tubes with phosphor screens are used to enable night vision in low-light environments, then visibility in dark conditions is improved, but color information is lost resulting in monochrome images
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the detection process into multiple spectral segments by placing color filters (red, green, blue) in front of separate detectors. Each detector segment captures only its corresponding color wavelength range, allowing color information to be preserved while maintaining night vision capability. The segmented color data is then recombined to create a full-color night vision image.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a spectral dimension to the traditional monochrome night vision output. By incorporating multiple detectors sensitive to different wavelengths (red, green, blue) and using color filters to separate these wavelengths, the system transforms the single-channel intensity output into a multi-channel color image, adding color information as a new dimension to the visual output.
2Loss of information
If color filters are added to preserve color information, then color differentiation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: the image intensifier tube, color filters, multiple detectors (photodiodes or phototransistors), and signal processing circuitry are combined into one unified system. This integration allows color filtering and multi-wavelength detection to occur simultaneously within a compact structure, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs night vision enhancement, color filtering, and multi-wavelength detection. The same optical path and detector array serve both to amplify low-light signals and to differentiate colors, eliminating the need for separate monochrome and color imaging systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple detectors with color filters are used to capture color information, then color accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses standard semiconductor photodetector technology and commercial color filter materials that can be manufactured using established processes. The detector array is fabricated using conventional semiconductor manufacturing techniques, and the color filters are applied using standard filtering materials and methods, allowing for reproducible manufacturing with consistent color accuracy across production batches.
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
This solution enables the conversion of seemingly monochrome images from image intensifiers into full-color images, enhancing the ability to differentiate between various surfaces and objects based on color.
Implementation Method 1
Some night vision systems function by receiving low levels of light reflected off of, or emitted from objects and providing that light to an image intensifier
Implementation Method 2
Night vision systems that rely on image intensifier tubes use phosphor screens to emit visible light recreating the night vision scene for the user
Implementation Method 3
Each filter in the plurality of optical filters is aligned with a detector from among the plurality of detectors to suppress absorption of certain wavelengths of light by the underlying device thereby affecting light detected by the detectors
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical device includes an underlying device configured output light in a first spectrum. A stacked device is coupled to the underlying device is configured to be coupled in an overlapping fashion to an optical output of the underlying device. The stacked device is transparent to light in the first spectrum. The stacked device includes electro-optical circuits including: light emitters and detectors. Each detector is associated with one or more light emitters. Each detector is configured to detect light emitted from the underlying device. The light emitters are configured to output light dependent on light detected by an associated detector. Optical filters are optically coupled to an optical input of the underlying device. Each filter is aligned with a detector to suppress absorption of certain wavelengths of light by the underlying device thereby affecting light detected by the detectors and thus further affecting the light output by the light emitters.