Nightvision Image Intensifier PRF Decoding Without Extra Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nightvision systems and laser designators are typically implemented as separate components requiring individual attention and control, power supplies, and display components, leading to increased complexity and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A nightvision system with integrated pulsed light data extraction capabilities, incorporating an image intensifier tube, power supply, and signal processor to detect and decode data embedded in pulsed laser light without the need for additional cameras, allowing for automatic brightness control and heads-up display functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nightvision systems and laser designators are implemented as separate components, then each system can be optimized independently, but the overall system complexity increases and requires multiple power supplies, enclosures, and control interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nightvision system and laser designator into a single integrated unit that shares common components including power supply, enclosure, display interface, and control electronics. This merging eliminates the need for separate systems while maintaining the functional capabilities of both components, thereby reducing overall system complexity without sacrificing independent optimization benefits
2Ease of operation
If separate power supplies are used for nightvision and laser designator, then each system has dedicated power control, but the overall power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single shared power supply system that serves both the nightvision tube and laser designator components. This unified power system includes intelligent power management circuitry that can allocate power dynamically between components and provides centralized power control through a single interface, reducing total power consumption while maintaining operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system is designed to perform multiple functions: it powers both the nightvision and laser components, provides power management control, and includes battery monitoring capabilities. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate power supplies while maintaining dedicated power control through universal power management circuitry
3Loss of information
If additional cameras and signal processors are added to extract data from pulsed light, then data extraction capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing nightvision image intensifier tube multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary function of amplifying low-level light for nightvision and a secondary function of detecting pulsed light signals for data extraction. The existing photodetector array and signal processing circuitry are utilized for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate cameras and reducing system complexity while maintaining data extraction capability
4Reliability
If manual monitoring and control of separate systems is required, then individual system performance can be optimized, but the ease of operation decreases and requires more user attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the control interfaces of both nightvision and laser designator systems into a single unified control unit. This unified interface allows the user to control both components through one set of controls, reducing the cognitive load and attention required while maintaining the ability to independently adjust settings for each component through the same interface
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
Simplifies the integration of nightvision systems with laser designators by reducing components and enabling real-time data extraction and display of relevant information, such as object identification and communication messages, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
receiving low levels of light reflected off of, or emitted from objects and providing that light to an image intensifier
Implementation Method 2
The power supply is configured to vary voltage or current to the image intensifier tube to implement automatic brightness control (ABC) for the intensifier tube based on intensity of light incident to the image intensifier tube
Implementation Method 3
The signal processor is configured to extract data embedded in light incident to the image intensifier tube by detecting changes in voltage or current supplied by the power supply
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
Extracting data in pulsed light, the method includes receiving input light at an image intensifier tube. At a power supply coupled to the image intensifier tube, current to the image intensifier tube is varied to implement automatic brightness control of the intensifier tube based on intensity of the input light received at the image intensifier tube. At a signal processor coupled to the power supply, changes in voltage or current supplied by the power supply occurring as a result of changes in the intensity of the input light to the image intensifier tube are detected. Based on the changes in voltage or current supplied by the power supply, data embedded in the input light to the image intensifier tube is extracted.