Night Vision Spectacles Using Separate Camera and Digital Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing night vision goggles suffer from high operating voltage, weight, limited image quality, and sensitivity issues, making them unsuitable for military and surveillance applications, and they can reveal the user's presence due to infrared light emission, leading to identification risks and difficulty in orienting oneself in low-light environments.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a separate camera with a digital image sensor, wireless transmission capabilities, and an image processing unit that allows for real-time, high-sensitivity image display without infrared light, along with adjustable optics and amplifiers to enhance image quality and user safety, while maintaining operational stealth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional night vision goggles use image converters with cathode ray tubes to amplify residual light, then night vision capability is improved, but weight and operating voltage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the image converter and cathode ray tube from the optical path, extracting only the necessary function of light detection. Instead of amplifying photons through complex conversion processes, the system uses a camera sensor to detect and digitally process the image, eliminating the heavy hardware while maintaining night vision capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical and electro-optical image conversion system is replaced with a digital imaging system. The camera records the scene, the image processor digitally enhances the captured image, and the result is displayed on the display unit. This substitution of mechanical/electro-optical processes with digital processing achieves the same function with dramatically reduced weight.
2Reliability
If infrared light sources are used to improve night vision efficiency, then image quality in low light conditions is improved, but power consumption increases and user detectability by enemies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared light source is completely removed from the system. Instead of actively illuminating the scene with infrared light, the patent relies on the camera sensor's ability to detect available ambient light and digitally enhance the captured image through processing algorithms, eliminating the need for active illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the naturally available ambient light (moonlight, starlight, residual light) to capture images. The image processor then enhances these weak signals through digital processing, allowing the system to serve itself by utilizing environmental resources rather than requiring additional power-consuming illumination devices.
3Illumination intensity
If image converters amplify residual light to enable night vision, then visibility in low light is improved, but image quality and detail recognition remain limited
Solution Approach 1:
The analog light amplification process is replaced with digital image capture and processing. The camera sensor captures the scene with high sensitivity, and the image processor applies digital enhancement algorithms that preserve and improve image quality, allowing for detailed recognition that was not achievable with analog amplification methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple technological components: a sensitive camera sensor for light detection, a powerful image processor for digital enhancement, and a high-resolution display unit for output. This composite approach leverages the strengths of each component to achieve superior image quality that exceeds the capabilities of individual analog amplification systems.
4Illumination intensity
If sharp brightness changes occur in the observed area, then contrast information is improved, but the user becomes blinded and unable to act
Solution Approach 1:
The direct optical path from the observed scene to the user's eye is replaced with a digital imaging and display system. The camera captures the scene, the image processor analyzes and adjusts the brightness levels, and the processed image is displayed on the display unit. This substitution allows for electronic control of brightness and contrast, preventing blinding effects while preserving useful contrast information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the captured image through the image processor, which analyzes brightness levels and adjusts display parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that sudden brightness changes are detected and managed, preventing them from overwhelming the user's visual system while maintaining the ability to perceive important contrast differences.
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 provides enhanced image quality, increased operational safety, and reduced detectability in low-light conditions, enabling more effective surveillance and navigation without the limitations of traditional night vision goggles.
Implementation Method 1
a camera separate from the day and night vision goggles in terms of signals, which is provided with a digital image sensor
Implementation Method 2
at least one transmission and/or reception interface, which is signal-connected to another camera separate from the glasses
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to electronic spectacles, especially to night vision spectacles (10), which comprise a camera (26), integrated into the spectacles, as the primary recording device for the user of the spectacles (10), said camera being provided with a special camera lens system and a CCD/CMOS sensor. An image processing unit (48) mounted downstream of the camera (26) electronically processes the image taken by the camera (26) and provides an output signal for display means (28, 39) which are associated with every eye for displaying the image. A reproduction lens system (32, 34) is mounted downstream of every display means (28, 39). The invention is characterized in that at least one transmission and/or reception interface (64, 66) is provided and is connected to an additional camera (126), separate from the spectacles (10), by signals. Said camera is provided with a CCD or CMOS sensor. The image signals of the additional camera (126) are available via the interface (64, 66) to the display means (28, 39) for displaying the image of the additional camera (126).