초록 ▼

A low cost night vision system for use in connection with law enforcement vehicles, marine vessels, and other nonmilitary surface vehicles. The invention includes a night vision camera having an array of uncooled detectors. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the pointing angle of the night vision

A low cost night vision system for use in connection with law enforcement vehicles, marine vessels, and other nonmilitary surface vehicles. The invention includes a night vision camera having an array of uncooled detectors. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the pointing angle of the night vision camera in response to scan control signals. Output signals from the uncooled detectors are further processed into a standard video format and displayed on a conventional display located, for example, within a vehicle or marine vessel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A night vision system for a surface vehicle comprising:an infrared camera mounted on the surface vehicle, said infrared camera comprising:a first housing having an aperture;a window disposed on the first housing at the aperture, the window being transmissive to infrared e

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A night vision system for a surface vehicle comprising:an infrared camera mounted on the surface vehicle, said infrared camera comprising:a first housing having an aperture;a window disposed on the first housing at the aperture, the window being transmissive to infrared energy;an array of detectors disposed within the first housing, each detector providing an electrical output signal when illuminated with infrared energy;reflective optical means for focusing infrared radiation onto said array;a chopper disposed between the reflective optical means and the array; andsignal processing means for providing electrical output signals from the array;pointing means for adjusting a pointing angle of the camera, said pointing means comprising:a tilt gimbal adaptable to support the camera and allow the camera to rotate about a first axis of rotation that extends through the center of gravity of the camera;a pan gimbal supporting the tilt gimbal and rotating about a second axis of rotation;a second housing for supporting the pan gimbal and the tilt gimbal, the second housing being mountable to the surface vehicle;means, responsive to a first control signal, for rotating the pan gimbal;means, responsive to a second control signal, for rotating the tilt gimbal;means for generating the first and second control signals, wherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal includes a pan gear attached to the pan gimbal, a longitudinal axis of the pan gear being coaxial with the second axis of rotation; andan electric motor and at least one gear for allowing the electric motor to drive the tilt gear,wherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal further includes means for sensing the position of the pan gimbal, the sensing means including a magnetized portion on the pan gear and at least one magnetic sensor proximate the pan gear, andwherein the means for rotating the pan gimbal further includes a circuit board mounted proximate the pan gear and a circuit for driving the motor, the circuit and the at least one magnetic sensor being mounted on the board;control means for providing position control signals to said pointing means, said pointing means adjusting said pointing angle in response to said control signals; anddisplay means for displaying the electrical output signals from said array in the camera.