Night Vision Apparatus

Abstract

A night vision apparatus having a camera assembly with a camera housing that has a charge-coupled device image sensor, an infrared illuminator assembly, and a first base assembly. Further having a switch assembly and a display assembly. The camera housing has a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a lens, and an adaptor. The lens has a focal length of approximately 25 mm or 50 mm. The infrared illuminator assembly has a housing, an infrared illuminator lens, an infrared illuminator, and a supporting structure. The infrared illuminator is an approximately 2.5 watt illuminator that produces an approximately 10° main beam pattern. The infrared illuminator assembly is attached to the camera housing. The first base assembly has a suction cup secures the camera assembly onto a surface. The switch assembly is electrically connected to a battery assembly. The display receives and shows images captured by the camera assembly.

Claims

1. A night vision apparatus, comprising: A) a camera assembly comprising a camera housing having a charge-coupled device image sensor, an infrared illuminator assembly, and a first base assembly; B) a switch assembly; and C) a display assembly.

2. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said camera housing comprises a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a lens, and an adaptor.

3. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said lens has a focal length of approximately 25 mm or 50 mm.

4. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said infrared illuminator assembly comprises a housing, an infrared illuminator lens, an infrared illuminator, and a supporting structure.

5. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 4, further characterized in that said infrared illuminator is an approximately 2.5 watt illuminator that produces an approximately 10° main beam pattern.

6. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said infrared illuminator assembly is attached to said camera housing.

7. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 4, further characterized in that said first base assembly comprises an upper clamp wall, a lower clamp wall, a screw handle, a base, a base supporting structure, and a suction cup.

8. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 7, further characterized in that said suction cup secures said camera assembly onto a surface.

9. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 4, further characterized in that said switch assembly comprises a switch housing having a switch, an infrared illuminator switch, and a switch housing connector.

10. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said display assembly comprises a frame, a display, and control buttons.

11. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said display assembly is secured by a second base assembly.

12. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 10, further characterized in that said display receives and shows images captured by said camera assembly.

13. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said switch assembly is electrically connected to a battery assembly.

14. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said camera assembly is electrically connected to said switch assembly with a camera cable.

15. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said display assembly is electrically connected to said switch assembly.

16. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said switch assembly activates said camera assembly.

17. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 9, further characterized in that said infrared illuminator switch activates said infrared illuminator.

18. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said camera assembly operates at a wavelength approximately between 400 to 1200 nm allowing vision in low light and dark environments.

19. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said camera assembly captures high resolution images in low light and dark environments.

20. The night vision apparatus set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that it is mounted onto a watercraft or vehicle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0044] Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is a night vision apparatus, and is generally referred to with numeral 10. It can be observed that it basically includes camera assembly 20, switch assembly 130, and display assembly 160.

[0045] As seen in FIG. 1, camera assembly 20 comprises camera housing 30, infrared illuminator assembly 70, and base assembly 90. In a preferred embodiment, camera assembly 20 operates at a wavelength of approximately between 400 to 1200 nm allowing for visibility while viewing display assembly 160 in low light and dark environments, such as during no light, low light, and/or minimal light nighttime conditions. Camera assembly 20 captures high-resolution images in low light and/or dark environments, such as during no light, low light, and/or minimal light nighttime conditions.

[0046] Camera assembly 20 and display assembly 160 are both electrically connected to switch assembly 130. Infrared illuminator assembly 70 has connection 80, as seen in FIG. 2, from which extends camera cable 110 having camera connector 112. Camera connector 112 connects with extension cable 114 through extension connector 116. Extension cable 114 further comprises extension connector 118, which connects with connector 142 of switch cable 140. Display assembly 160 comprises display cable 170. Display cable 170 comprises display connector 172, which connects to switch housing connector 138.

[0047] Battery assembly 180 is also electrically connected to switch assembly 130. Battery assembly 180 comprises battery housing 182, battery switch 184, which is an on/off switch, and at least one battery, not seen. Battery cable 186 extends from battery housing 182 and connects to battery connector 188, which connects with connector 146 at an end of switch cable 144. Battery assembly 180 provides power/energy required for operation of present invention 10.

[0048] As seen in FIG. 2, camera housing 30 comprises top face 32, bottom face 34, and front face 36 having aperture 38. Aperture 38 aligns with lens 42.

[0049] Infrared illuminator assembly 70 comprises housing 72, which houses infrared illuminator lens 74 and infrared illuminator 76, as seen in FIG. 3. Infrared illuminator assembly 70 is attached to bottom face 34 of camera housing 30. Supporting structure 78 and connection 80 extend from housing 72.

[0050] Base assembly 90 comprises upper clamp wall 92, lower clamp wall 94, screw handle 96, base supporting structure 98, base 100, and suction cup 102. Upper clamp wall 92 holds supporting structure 78, and lower clamp wall 94 holds base supporting structure 98, securing camera housing 30 and infrared illuminator assembly 70 onto base assembly 90. Screw handle 96 secures upper clamp wall 92 and lower clamp wall 94 onto respective supporting structure 78 and base supporting structure 98.

[0051] Base assembly 90 further comprises base lateral wall 104 that extends from base protrusion structure 98 to base 100. Base lateral wall 104 comprises protrusions 106 to grasp and rotate base 100 for mounting and removing suction cup 102 from a surface. Suction cup 102 secures camera assembly 20 onto a surface, whereby base lateral wall 104 rotates onto base 100 while a vacuum forms between suction cup 102 and the surface to mount thereon.

[0052] As seen in FIG. 3, camera housing 30 further comprises charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor 40, lens 42, adaptor 44, and tube 46.

[0053] CCD image sensor 40 is a highly sensitive photon detector. CCD image sensor 40 is divided up into a large number of light-sensitive small areas, known as pixels, which can be used to build up an image. A photon of light, which falls within an area defined by one of the pixels, converts into one or more electrons, and the number of electrons collected will be directly proportional to the intensity of the scene at each pixel. CCD image sensor 40 is highly sensitive to a wide spectrum of light, approximately from 400 nm to near infrared light (800 to 1200 nm). As this wavelength is “invisible” to the human eye yet readily detected by CCD image sensor 40, images can be produced even in low light. In CCD image sensor 40, pixels are represented by p-doped MOS (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) capacitors on a silicon semiconductor substrate. These capacitors are biased above the threshold for inversion when image acquisition begins, allowing the conversion of incoming photons into electron charges at the semiconductor-oxide interface, and CCD image sensor 40 is then used to read out these charges. In order to more efficiently process low intensity light levels, CCD image sensor 40 used in present invention 10 has coupled a low light specific chip set with leading edge shutter control firmware, not shown. This basically allows CCD image sensor 40 to dynamically increase or decrease register shifting and charge dump times on each capacitor (pixel). There are just under 1/2 million pixels/capacitors on each CCD image sensor 40. More specifically, CCD image sensor 40 takes an incoming photon of light and photo reactively convert it to an electric charge value through a photo diode to an individual capacitor and discharges each capacitor through a digital register that is time based. The register output is then processed into a streaming image. Each micro-sized capacitor represents a pixel.

[0054] Lens 42 has a focal length of approximately 25 mm or 50 mm. In a preferred embodiment, lens 42 has a focal length of approximately 25 mm and an F-stop of approximately 1.4. For off-road application, lens 42 will be either 25 mm or 50 mm with an F-stop 1.4. F-stops are aperture setting of lens 42. As a basic rule, the wider the aperture, the more light is collected. The F values are numerically inverse, meaning that an F stop of 1.4 is twice as wide as a 2.8. The wider the F stop can be for present invention 10, the more light lens 42 will collect, which in low light/dark conditions is good. In a preferred embodiment, lens 42 is a high definition 25 mm F1.4 C-mount lens. Lens 42 generally focuses on distant objects. Lens 42 has lock down screws, not seen, to maintain focus and aperture settings. Adaptor 44 is a C to CS adaptor. In a preferred embodiment, adaptor 44 is a chrome ring and is positioned between CCD image sensor 40 and lens 42. In a preferred embodiment, tube 46 is 5-PSI Nitrogen (N.sub.2) filled.

[0055] CCD image sensor 40 is sensitive to near infrared (IR) light (750 nm to 1000+nm). Therefore, CCD image sensor 40 benefits from external IR light sources. Infrared (IR) illuminator assembly 70 is small, measuring approximately 3″ long and 1.75″ wide. IR illuminator assembly 70 comprises infrared (IR) illuminator 76. In a preferred embodiment, IR illuminator 76 emits light at a wavelength of approximately 840 nm. According to present invention 10, a spectral response of CCD image sensor 40 to an 840 nm external light source is about 70%.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, IR illuminator 76 is an approximately 2.5 watt illuminator that produces approximately a 10° main beam pattern. This is a nominal beam pattern with sufficient illumination to allow detection of small objects, as a paper cup, at over 100 yards and larger objects, as bridges and structures, at over 1 mile.

[0057] Infrared illumination is only necessary in extremely dark areas, usually with little or no moonlight and/or heavy overcast conditions. In so far as putting a scale factor on darkness, while subjective, the below graphic illustrates most conditions that will be encountered using present invention 10.

[0058] As seen in FIG. 4, display assembly 160 comprises frame 162, display 164, control buttons 166, and holes 168 for a speaker, not seen, within frame 162. A second base assembly 90 secures display assembly 160. Display 164 receives and shows images captured by camera assembly 20.

[0059] As seen in FIG. 5, switch assembly 130 comprises switch housing 132 having infrared (IR) illuminator switch 134, switch 136, which is an on/off switch for display assembly 160, and switch housing connector 138. Switch assembly 130 activates camera assembly 20, and IR illuminator switch 134 activates IR illuminator assembly 70, seen in FIG. 1.

[0060] As seen in FIG. 6, present invention 10 may be mounted onto watercraft 200. Watercraft 200 may be a ship, boat, yacht, houseboat, sailboat, or any other marine vessel. Present invention 10 may also be mounted onto any vehicle, such as but not limited to, an automobile, truck, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, three-wheeler, or four wheeler including all-terrain vehicles. Present invention 10 allows users to see channel markers, bridge pylons, debris, and anything else that might be a threat to watercraft 200 or a vehicle. Thus, providing the users a level of situational awareness previously unavailable. Many recreational activities that were once awkward at night, such as boating and hunting, are increasingly integrating present invention 10.

[0061] In an alternate embodiment, present invention 10 may draw power/energy from watercraft 200 and not battery assembly 180, whereby connector 146 plugs into an outlet of watercraft 200, not seen. Night vision is defined by two basic components, the ability of spectral sensitivity and the intensity of the wavelengths. Spectral sensitivity is an animal's ability or a sensor's ability to detect specific wavelengths of light. Wavelengths of light are measured in Nanometers (nm). One nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Visible light to humans falls within 400 nm to about 770 nm. In 430 nm appears violet (UV) to a human being and 770 nm appears deep red. Intensity of the wavelength is essentially determined by the amplitude of each wavelength, which is defined in many different terms and units of measurement. Basically, the higher the amplitude, the brighter the wavelength (light).

[0062] Present invention 10 is designed for operational parameters in low light/ night time environments, and to provide a realistic depth perception of distant objects due to lens 42 and sensor settings. Present invention 10 provides users with a more navigable system as opposed to wider view systems. Even in very dark conditions, present invention 10 gives the operator a realistic field of view and hence, frame of visual reference. CCD image sensor 40 has low light sensitivity that works well in conjunction with IR illuminator 76, to perform in zero light environments. CCD image sensor 40 also allows present invention 10 to provide a very standard 60 Hz video output and thus can be viewed on display 164, as seen in FIG. 4. CCD image sensor 40 also lends itself well to optional upgrades such as wireless video transmission, video recording, portable versions and more.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, present invention 10 has the following specifications:

[0064] Sensor [0065] Type: CCD [0066] Peak spectral response: Approx. 650 Nanometers (nm) [0067] Minimum illumination: 0.00005 Lux [0068] Pixels: 752 9(V)×582(H) [0069] Lens Type: C-Mount F1.4 25 mm [0070] Field of View: 14° [0071] Interchangeable lenses: Yes, C or CS Mount [0072] Iris: Fixed

[0073] System [0074] Power: 12 VDC <200 milli-amps [0075] Housing: Anodized Aluminum/powder coated [0076] Weight: <2 Lbs. [0077] Sensor Dimensions: 5.75″ L×2″ H×2.5″ W [0078] Switch Panel Functions: On/Off Illuminated. Pre-wired for Optional IR Illum. Modules, 4 pin twist lock for monitor, Aux. RCA video out [0079] Operating Temp.: 10° F. to 120° F. [0080] Cable Length: 20 ft/Custom lengths available [0081] Cable Jacket: TPE/Rubber, shielded video

[0082] Present invention 10 has the following advantages:

[0083] allows to see in absolute darkness;

[0084] allows to see in twilight;

[0085] hands free operation;

[0086] allow to read lettering;

[0087] provides video output;

[0088] allow to see through glass;

[0089] high Resolution;

[0090] video FPS of about 60 Hz.

[0091] The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

[0092] The following Table 1 shows inland darkness scale factors:

[0093] According to Table 1, IR illuminator 76 would only be required in conditions 5 and 6. In operation, present invention 10 collects as much light as possible to produce an optimum image. This is evident when using present invention 10 on a full moon night as opposed to the little or no moonlight and/or heavy overcast conditions.

[0094] The forgoing descrptions conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodimetns may be made of the inventive concpet of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illsutrative, and not in a limiting sense.