Configurable Optical Helmet Visor for Night Vision Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing helmets with audio and visual communication capabilities are expensive and not suited for modular or dismounted use, as they are designed for specific applications and lack versatility in displaying data from thermal and night vision sensors effectively, with weight and visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A display system integrated into helmets or other devices, featuring a configurable optical display module that can be transmissive, reflective, or both, using waveguide holographic technology to overlay data images with real-world views, incorporating data capturing devices like video and thermal cameras, and a power supply for flexible operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If thermal and NV sensors are added to existing helmets, then the helmet provides night vision and thermal imaging capabilities, but the weight increases by approximately five pounds or more making it cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical thermal and NV sensor systems with a lightweight optical display system that projects images onto a configurable visor. The display module uses optical projection rather than bulky sensor hardware, substituting mechanical complexity with optical simplicity while maintaining the same functional capabilities of night vision and thermal imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heavy thermal and NV sensor components from the helmet system and replaces them with a lightweight display module that projects pre-captured or pre-processed images. The actual sensing function is separated from the display function, allowing the helmet to show thermal and NV images without carrying the heavy sensors on the user's head.
2Loss of information
If an opaque reflective visor is used to display video imaging data, then the pilot can view guidance imaging, night imaging and object tracking, but the pilot cannot see outside the helmet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a configurable visor that can dynamically change its optical properties between opaque reflective and transparent transmissive states. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements - displaying video imaging data when needed while maintaining external visibility when the environment requires natural viewing, thus resolving the contradiction between information display and external awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different optical characteristics in different portions of the visor or at different times, allowing specific regions to be opaque for displaying critical video imaging data while other regions remain transparent for external visibility. This local differentiation of optical properties enables simultaneous achievement of both display functionality and external awareness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a monocular single color display is used for thermal and NV sensors, then the helmet provides dismounted use capability, but the wearer does not visually perceive images with both eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal display system that can present thermal and NV images in multiple formats and configurations - including binocular stereoscopic display, monocular display, color display, and grayscale display. The system adapts to different user preferences and operational requirements, providing both dismounted use capability and enhanced binocular visual perception through a single multi-functional display module.
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
Enables clear viewing of both real-world scenery and overlaid data images, improving usability and reducing weight, making the system versatile for various applications, including helmets, windshields, and glasses.
Implementation Method 1
The display module can include a waveguide holographic display. The waveguide beam can be provided by the first projector.
Implementation Method 2
waveguide holographic display
Implementation Method 3
a display module having a configurable optical characteristic that varies from substantially transmissive to substantially reflective
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide a display system. The display system can include a display module having a configurable optical characteristic that varies from substantially transmissive to substantially reflective, at least one data capturing device configured to capture data to form a display image, and at least a first projector configured to project the display image to the display module. Therefore, the display image can be overlaid with a real image according to an optical configuration of the display module.