Head-Mounted Vision Apparatus Shutter Control for Discretion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision devices that offer both direct and night vision views lack discretion, especially in low light conditions, as they often result in parasitic reflections that can be seen by third parties due to the simultaneous display of night vision images and direct scene illumination.
Innovation Solution
A vision device with a switching element and shutter that alternates between open and closed positions to control the display of night vision and direct vision views, ensuring that these views are not shown simultaneously, thereby minimizing parasitic reflections and enhancing discretion. The control device manages these cycles to optimize visibility and discretion based on ambient brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the night vision device continuously projects virtual images into the user's field of vision, then the user can see the night vision view, but parasitic reflections become visible to third parties in low light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternately switching between night vision mode and direct vision mode through a shutter mechanism. The shutter periodically blocks and allows light passage, creating cycles where parasitic reflections are suppressed during direct vision phases while maintaining night vision capability during blocked phases. This temporal separation resolves the contradiction by making parasitic reflections invisible to third parties during the periods when direct vision is active.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the shutter position changeable between open and closed states based on operational requirements. The switching element dynamically adjusts the optical path, allowing the system to adapt between projecting virtual images (shutter closed) and allowing direct vision (shutter open). This dynamic control enables the system to eliminate parasitic reflections by transitioning to the open shutter state when night vision projection is not needed.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the shutter blocks light from the surrounding scene, then parasitic reflections are hidden from third observers, but the user loses direct view of the surrounding scene
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing alternating cycles of shutter open and closed positions. During closed positions, parasitic reflections are hidden from third observers; during open positions, the user regains direct view of the surrounding scene. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by ensuring that at any given moment, one of the two requirements is satisfied, and the human visual system's persistence of vision creates the perception of continuous operation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the switching element remains in the open position, then night vision images are projected continuously, but energy consumption increases and parasitic reflections are constantly visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the switching element to alternate between open and closed positions in cyclic periods. This allows the night vision device to project images continuously over time while actually consuming energy only during the open phases. The periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining the capability for sustained night vision through the alternating cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that the night vision capability is always available through the switching element's control, even though actual image projection occurs periodically. The control device manages the switching cycles to provide continuous operational readiness while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the switching element closed during periods when night vision projection is not immediately required.
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 solution provides users with both direct and night vision views while maintaining discretion by preventing simultaneous display of these views, reducing visibility of parasitic reflections, and adapting to varying light conditions for optimal use.
Implementation Method 1
Light radiation from the night vision device can then form parasitic reflections at the remote element and/or on the user's eye and/or on the user's skin in an area of the face close to the eye
Implementation Method 2
In its closed position, the shutter blocks the passage of light between the surrounding scene and the user's eye
Implementation Method 3
The control device according to the invention allows that, for at least part of the time during which the switching element is in the open position, the shutter is in the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2~4
AI summary
Vision apparatus (100) intended to be mounted on the head of a user (100), comprising: - a night-vision device (110), for forming virtual first images; - a steering element (120), for projecting the virtual first images into the field of view of the user; - a shutter (140), such that the steering element is located between the shutter and the eye of the user, and able to take an open position in which it lets light pass and a closed position in it which it blocks light; - a switching element (160), able to take an open position in which it permits the transmission of the virtual first images or their transfer to the steering element, and a closed position in which it blocks said image transmission or said transfer; and - a controlling device (150), for controlling the shutter and the switching element in open/close cycles, so that the shutter (140) is closed for all or some of a period during which the switching element (160) is open, and vice versa.