Abstract:
A night vision goggle (NVG) attachment device retrofit to an existing monocular or binocular type NVG system to provide additional environmental information to the user of the NVG device. The attachable device includes a ring connector having one or more external display projectors positioned on the objective side of the NVG optical system. A sensor electronics module is attached to the ring connector and houses a number of environmental sensors, including IR transmitters and receivers for range finding information, radiation detectors, and motion/heat detectors. The sensors within the electronics module provide signal information through a connector to the existing NVG electronics. The device projects informational images into the display field of view for the user. The informational displays may take the form of one or more LED indicators or LED digital numerical displays. The user may preferably activate or de-activate one or more of the environmental sensors.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 61/508,970 filed Jul. 18, 2011, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to night vision goggles and similar devices that utilize light intensifier tubes to provide a visual display of the infrared emissions in a field of view. The present invention relates more specifically to ancillary sensor attachments for night vision equipment that provide range information, radiation detection, motion detection, and heat sensing. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Night vision goggles and devices that utilize light intensifier tubes to display visual images of infrared (IR) emissions within a field of view are known in the art. Such devices take the form of monoculars and binoculars and various other devices for displaying a field of view under low visual light conditions. Generally these devices operate by taking low level visual light and amplifying it within a display and/or taking infrared light and representing the same with visual light emissions from a light intensifier tube. 
         [0006]    In general, when an individual using a night vision devices focuses on the field of view within the display of the device, it is difficult to gather and discern other information about the environment within which the user is operating. Under circumstances where night vision equipment is used, it is highly desirable to have a better knowledge of the environment, including information such as radiation levels, motion detection, heat detection, and range information. 
         [0007]    While the user of a night vision device is focused on the field of view provided by the light intensifier tube, such helpful ancillary information about the environment is difficult to acquire. It would be desirable if a night vision device incorporated additional components that gathered such ancillary information about the environment and presented the information in a meaningful way on one or more displays positioned within the light intensifier tube display field of view presented to the user. It would be helpful if such informational displays did not interfere with the primary field of view presented by the night vision device, and if such displays could be alternately activated or de-activated, depending upon the environment of operation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In fulfillment of the above objectives, the present invention provides a night vision goggle (NVG) attachment device that may be retrofit to an existing monocular or binocular type NVG system so as to provide additional environmental information to the user of the NVG device. The attachable device includes a ring connector having one or more external display projectors positioned on the objective side of the NVG optical system. A sensor electronics module is attached to the ring connector and houses a number of environmental sensors, including IR transmitters and receivers for range finding information, radiation detectors, and motion/heat detectors. The sensors within the electronics module of the device provide signal information through a connector component to the existing night vision device electronics. The device projects informational images into the display in a manner that transmits the information into the field of view (preferably above or below the primary field of view) for the user of the NVG device. The informational displays may take the form of one or more LED indicators or LED digital numerical displays. The user may preferably activate or de-activate one or more of the environmental sensors associated with the system of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device shown attached to a night vision monocular. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a block diagram of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention shown with the range finder option. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a block diagram of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention shown with the radiation detection option. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention shown with range finder, radiation detection, motion detection, and heat detection options. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A  is a representative eyepiece display of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention shown with the radiation detection option. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6B  is a representative eyepiece display of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention shown with the range finder option. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6C  is a representative display of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention shown with radiation detection, motion detection, and range finder options. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Reference is made first to  FIG. 1  for a description of the various external components associated with a first preferred embodiment of the night vision goggle (NVG) attachment device of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , night vision goggle attachment device  10  generally comprises ring connector  12  and device housing  14 . Positioned on a forward looking face of device housing  14  are range finder components  16 . These range finder components  16  are integrated into sensor electronics module  18  which incorporates all of the necessary electronics associated with the various sensor and detector devices of the present invention. Sensor electronics module  18  also incorporates any electronics necessary to translate signals from the sensor components into the driver elements (internal to electronics module  18 ) that ultimately drive the display projector components of the device, such as display projector  24  positioned at a top (twelve o&#39;clock orientation) on ring connector  12 . 
         [0019]    Range finder components  16  in the first preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  generally comprise IR transmitter  20  and IR sensor/receiver  22 . In the preferred embodiment, IR transmitter  20  emits a coherent infrared beam that may be directed at an object within the field of view and be reflected back to IR sensor/receiver  22  for time of flight (TOF) measurements. Because the night vision device associated with the use of the present invention will typically be gathering infrared light in any case, the range finder components would preferably operate at specific frequencies or with specific signal features that could be distinguished from the balance of the environmental infrared radiation being detected. In this manner, the specific IR beam transmitted by IR transmitter  20  is detected and isolated by IR sensor  22  and the associated electronics. 
         [0020]    Radiation detector  23  may preferably be positioned as shown in  FIG. 1  on sensor electronics module  18  on device housing  14 . In a similar manner, motion/heat detector  25  may be positioned in a manner that allows for a field of view similar to that achieved by the NVG device in general. Each of these additional detectors  23  and  25  likewise utilize electronics within sensor electronics module  18  to provide signal information to the display projector devices for translation of the sensed characteristics into quantitative or qualitative information. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  provides an example of display projector  24  positioned at the top (twelve o&#39;clock) position of ring connector  12 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate placement of display projector  24  may be made in addition to the placement of two or more display projectors within the field of view provided by ring connector  12 . Also positioned in conjunction with display projector  24  on ring connector  12  is optional filter connector ring  26  which simply moves the filter ring connector structure from the night vision goggle outward to the exterior of the NVG attachment device  10 . In this manner, NVG attachment device  10  may fit to the night vision device with ring connector  12  and not obstruct or prohibit the use of the usual optional filters associated with night vision devices. 
         [0022]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 2  which provides a top plan view of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device shown in  FIG. 1 . In this view of  FIG. 2 , the orientation and arrangement of the various forward looking components of the system of the device may be seen. NVG attachment device  10  is shown to include ring connector  12  which extends to the back of the device in a manner that allows for its connection to the night vision equipment. Device housing  14  extends beneath and slightly forward of ring connector  12  and provides the necessary enclosure for sensor electronics module  18 . Towards the front, and looking forward on device housing  14 , are range finder components  16  as described above, incorporating IR transmitter  20  and IR sensor  22 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  is representative display projector  24  positioned in conjunction with optional filter connector ring  26 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  provides an overview of one manner of attachment of the device of the present invention to a typical night vision device. In the example shown, the night vision device is a monocular device that presents a single circular display field of view to the user. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the system of the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with a wide variety of night vision devices, including monoculars, binoculars, and other systems with or without eyepiece components. In  FIG. 3 , NVG attachment device  10  is shown to have ring connector  12  which serves to attach the device by way of optical interface  32  to the night vision monocular  30 . Connection between NVG attachment device  10  and the night vision monocular  30  is accomplished in general in the same manner with which optional filters are attached to the front end (forward facing objective end) of the NVG device. 
         [0024]    Also shown in  FIG. 3  are the existing night vision device optics  36  and night vision device electronics  34 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention there may be a connection between the NVG attachment device  10  and the night vision monocular  30  through and between the power and electronics components of the elements. In other words, in addition to the optical connection made between the components, power and some signal connections are desirable through electronic signal connection  38  between night vision device electronics  34  and sensor electronics module  18  housed within device housing  14 . 
         [0025]    While most of the display information is electronically provided by way of the signal line connections internal to NVG attachment device  10  (i.e., between sensor electronics module  18  and display projector  24 ) some additional signal information and power connections are desirable between the two components. Electronics signal connection  38  provides such a desired connection and requires minimal modification to the structures of night vision electronics device  34 . 
         [0026]    Reference is next made to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  which provide schematic block diagrams of two representative implementations of the first preferred embodiment of the NVG attachment device of the present invention.  FIG. 4A  shows an implementation of the range finder option into the system, while  FIG. 4B  provides implementation of the radiation detector option. In  FIG. 4A , the various components of the overall system are shown. These include the existing NVG optics  40  which are connected to the existing NVG electronics  48 . Optical connection between the existing NVG optics  40  and the device of the present invention is provided through optical interface  42  which incorporates display elements  43 . The range finder electronics  50  of the present invention are connected to optical interface  42  and display  43  and provide the necessary drivers for allowing display elements  43  to project the information into the existing NVG optics  40 . Also associated with optical interface  42  is external ring connector  44  which, as described above, provides for the ongoing attachment of optional filters  46  as with the original NVG equipment. 
         [0027]    In the range finder embodiment of the present invention IR laser/IR sensor package  52  is connected to the range finder electronics  50  which again provide the range information to optical interface  42  and thereby to display elements  43 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the range finding information is gathered by the use of a coherent IR laser beam directed into the field of view and reflected back to the IR sensor in a manner that isolates a particular object within the field of view and provides range information therefore. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are other mechanisms for utilizing time of flight signal detection to measure the distance to an object within the field of view. While acoustic emissions are frequently used for time of flight range finding, the ability to narrow an acoustic beam to a specific object within the field of view is generally more difficult than accomplishing the same task with an infrared beam. Nonetheless, various other methods (such as acoustic waves) for providing range finding information are anticipated. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4B  as indicated above provides radiation detection capabilities to the system of the present invention. Existing NVG optics  60  are once again connected to optical interface  62  which provides display elements  63 . Once again, external ring connector  64  provides the ability to connect optional filter  66  to the device as structured prior to implementation of the accessory device of the present invention. Existing NVG electronics  68  are connected to and drive existing NVG optics  60  and are likewise interfaced with radiation detector electronics  70 . Radiation detector  72  is connected to radiation detector electronics  70  through which the detected signal information is translated into a display signal appropriate for use by display elements  63  in optical interface  62 . 
         [0029]    Significant improvements have been made in the field of radiation detection that minimizes the size and complexity of detectors necessary to identify and quantify radiation levels within an immediate environment. The present invention takes advantage of some of the latest solid state devices that detect various forms of radiation including neutron particles and gamma radiation. Depending upon the environment within which the night vision device is intended to operate, radiation detector  72  may be customized to select a particular form of radiation that is anticipated. In a similar manner, radiation detector electronics may selectively drive radiation detector  72  and translate signal information received from detector  72  through optical interface  62  to provide information on display  63 . 
         [0030]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 5  which in a manner similar to the schematic block diagrams shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  provides an overview of the functional components associated with an embodiment of the system of the present invention incorporating all of the various environmental detection components. In  FIG. 5  existing NVG optics  80  are shown associated with existing NVG electronics  88  both of which are connected to optical interface  82  of the present invention which incorporates one or more display elements  83 . In a manner similar to that described above, external ring connector  84  provides the ability to connect optional filters  86 . 
         [0031]    Sensor electronics  90  in this embodiment will generally be more complex as required to receive and translate the signal information from each of a multitude of detector components and to likewise drive the multiple displays associated with optical interface  82 . In  FIG. 5 , IR laser/IR sensor system  92  is connected to sensor electronics  90 , as are radiation detector  94 , motion detector  96 , and heat detector  98 . In the preferred embodiment, motion detector  96  may preferably be a short distance acoustic transmitter/receiver pair that identifies motion by changes in time of flight (TOF) signal information received by the detector. Various other mechanisms for detecting motion such as pattern recognition in the visual and infrared emissions range are anticipated. Heat detector  98  may simply be a quantification of the infrared emissions in the area peripheral to the field of view presented to the NVG user. Again, various other heat detector devices are anticipated as being capable of providing the signal information necessary for use in conjunction with the present invention. 
         [0032]    Reference is finally made to  FIGS. 6A-6C  which provide various alternate arrangements for the field of view of the night vision equipment associated with the attachment device of the present invention.  FIG. 6A  presents a representative eyepiece display showing use of the radiation detection capability only. In this representative view, optical display  100  provides field of view  102  contained within the field of view ring  104  presented at the eyepiece optics of the device. In this instance, LED indicators  106  are presented at the top (twelve o&#39;clock) position of field of view ring  104  in a manner that generally does not obstruct the primary field of view  102 . With range finder functionality, LED indicators  106  may operate as a variable bar meter wherein the illumination of a single LED (on the left, for example) indicates a low level of radiation, whereas illumination of the second and third LEDs represent increased levels of radiation. It is anticipated that this qualitative information associated with radiation levels is preferable than displaying numerical quantitative information that may or may not translate well into the safety or danger of radiation in the environment. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6B  presents an arrangement wherein optical display  110  provides field of view  112  surrounded by field of view ring  114  and positions digital display  116  at a bottom (six o&#39;clock) position, again not obstructing the primary field of view  112 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6B  the display is digital (quantitative) which preferably may be used in conjunction with the range finder capability of the present invention. As presented in this view, a three digit display might present range information in the form of feet or meters from the user to an object selected at a center point in the field of view. The user may simply re-orient the NVG device to re-position the center of the field of view and thereby know that the range information is specific to that portion of the field of view. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6C  presents a display that incorporates radiation detection information, motion detection information, and range information. In  FIG. 6C  optical display  120  defines field of view  122  surrounded by field of view ring  124 . In this embodiment, LED indicators  126  (as described above in  FIG. 6A ) are again positioned at the top (twelve o&#39;clock) position on field of view ring  124 . Positioned at the bottom (six o&#39;clock) position are digital display  128  (as shown in  FIG. 6B ) as well as left motion indicator  130   a  and right motion indicator  130   b . The indication of motion to the user of a night vision device is preferable because the user is typically unaware of activity in the immediate vicinity as the user&#39;s visual focus is generally directed through the night vision display. Motion detectors in the present invention might provide a level of qualitative information, not only of the existence of motion, but also to which side of the viewer the motion is occurring. Such left and right motion indicators  130   a  and  130   b  provide the appropriate level of information necessary for the user to respond to motion in the immediate vicinity. 
         [0035]    Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications to these embodiments that still fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. The positioning and placement of the specific environmental detection devices are, of course, relevant to the type of information being gathered from the environment, be it visual, infrared, acoustic, or radiation. Some modification of the placement of the sensors and detectors is therefore anticipated. Likewise, some modification of the placement and positioning of the display components is anticipated within the field of view presented by the light intensifier tube of the night vision equipment. In general, the only requirement with regard to the placement of a display projector within the field of view of the light intensifier tube is that it not significantly obstruct the center of the field of view for purposes of conveying the primary subject of the view. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize the modifications necessary to utilize the system of the present invention in conjunction with monocular devices, binocular devices, and other non-eyepiece based night vision displays. Once again, these modifications, based on the type of night vision equipment to which the system is attached, do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.