GB2115575A - Injecting information display into viewing device - Google Patents

Injecting information display into viewing device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2115575A
GB2115575A GB08304583A GB8304583A GB2115575A GB 2115575 A GB2115575 A GB 2115575A GB 08304583 A GB08304583 A GB 08304583A GB 8304583 A GB8304583 A GB 8304583A GB 2115575 A GB2115575 A GB 2115575A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
image
display
bundle
viewing device
optical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08304583A
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GB8304583D0 (en
GB2115575B (en
Inventor
Gordon Frank Hazelerigg Lloyd
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UK Secretary of State for Defence
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UK Secretary of State for Defence
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Publication date
Application filed by UK Secretary of State for Defence filed Critical UK Secretary of State for Defence
Priority to GB08304583A priority Critical patent/GB2115575B/en
Publication of GB8304583D0 publication Critical patent/GB8304583D0/en
Publication of GB2115575A publication Critical patent/GB2115575A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2115575B publication Critical patent/GB2115575B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/02—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices involving prisms or mirrors
    • G02B23/10—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices involving prisms or mirrors reflecting into the field of view additional indications, e.g. from collimator
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/32—Fiducial marks and measuring scales within the optical system
    • G02B27/36—Fiducial marks and measuring scales within the optical system adjustable

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • Telescopes (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)

Abstract

An optical viewing device which incorporates a display and particularly relates to night vision goggles which include information displays, comprises an optical viewing device which includes an eyepiece (10), a coherent fibre optic bundle (3) for transmitting to the eyepiece an image of a scene, and a set of opto-electric display elements (8) contained in a plane normal to the optical axis of the bundle, wherein the optical transparency of the elements can be varied by varying the voltage applied to the elements to thereby generate a display which is superimposed on the image of the scene viewed through the eyepiece. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to optical viewing devices incorporating displays The invention relates to an optical viewing device which incorporates a display and particularly, though not exclusively relates to night vision goggles which are capable of displaying information during normal use.
Several types of night vision goggles employing image intensification systems are currently used by pilots for surveillance or target acquisition and also to aid them in flying their aircraft. A typical system includes an image intensifier in the form of a micro-channel plate in an evacuated envelope sandwiched between plates of coherent fibre optic bundles.
A particular disadvantage associated with such known system is that they require refocussing when, for example, a change from instrument or flight information display to surveillance is made.
The present invention provides an optical viewing device which can be used simultaneously for viewing a far scene image and a super imposed image without the need for refocussing.
According to the present invention an optical viewing device includes an eyepiece, a coherent.
fibre optic bundle for transmitting to the eyepiece on image of a scene, and a set of opto-electric display elements contained in a plane normal to the optical axis of the bundle, wherein the optical transparency of the elements can be varied by varying the voltage applied to the elements to thereby generate a display which is super imposed on the image of the scene viewed through the eyepiece.
The opto-electric display elements may be formed in cavities which may be etched in the fibre optic bundle. Each of the elements may comprise first and second transparent electrodes coated, deposited or otherwise formed on opposite faces of the cavity in the bundle, and a layer of liquid crystal material, preferably twisted nematic liquid crystal material, contained between the first and second electrodes.
The device may further include a phosphor coating on the light input face of the fibre optic bundle and a high voltage image intensifier having a micro channel plate adjacent the phosphor coated face and arranged to project an image of a scene onto the phosphor coated face.
An optical viewing device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.
Referring to Figure 1, which is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one optical channel of a pair of night vision goggles. An objective lens system show schematically as a single objective lens 2 mounted in a tube 1 focusses the image of a distant scene onto a first coherent fibre optic bundle 3 which has its optical fibres parallel to the optical axis X-X of the channel. The image is transmitted via the first bundle 3 to a high voltage image intensifier of known construction, comprising a micro-channel plate amplifier 4 in an evacuation chamber 5. The intensifier produces an intensified image on a phosphor coated face 6 of a second coherent fibre optic bundle 7 which has fibre which are inclined with respect to the axis X-X and serve to rotate the intensified image through 1800.The rotated image is then transmitted through a third coherent fibre optic bundle 9 which has a concave output face. The rotated, intensified image is viewed through an eyepiece lens system which is shown schematically as a single eyepiece lens 10. An opto-electronic display device 8 is located at the interface between the twisted bundle 7 and the output bundle 9. The device 8 comprises a series of thin cavities disposed in a fixed pattern each cavity having opposite walls coated with transparent electrodes and filled with twisted nematic liquid crystal material. The term 'twisted nematic liquid crystal material' is intended to include material which is itself not naturally nematic but which is structurally identical to a nematic material whose molecular arrangement is adjusted to have a twist therein.
The cavities are formed by etching the flat face of bundle 9.
Various modifications of the above described embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention. The display can be of any desired format and may include alpha-numeric characters. For example a display format such as is used in a conventional head-up display system in an aircraft may be used.
Coloured polarizers may be used in conjunction with the liquid crystal display to provide a coloured display. Dichroic or guest-host display may also be used to provide a colour display.
The opto-electric display elements may include opto-electronic materials other than liquid crystals. For example optically active PLZT (lead lanthanum zirconium tantalum) material may be used as an alternative.
Claims
1. An optical viewing device including an eyepiece, a coherent fibre optic bundle for transmitting to the eyepiece an image of a scene, and a set of opto-electric display elements contained in a plane normal to the optical axis of the bundle, wherein the optical transparency of the elements can be varied by varying the voltage applied to the elements to thereby generate a display which is superimposed on the image of the scene viewed through the eyepiece.
2. An optical viewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opto-electric display elements are formed in cavities in the fibre optic bundle.
3. An optical viewing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cavities are formed by etching a surface of fibre optic bundle normal to the optical axis of the bundle.
4. An optical viewing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the elements comprise first and second transparent electrodes formed on
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to optical viewing devices incorporating displays The invention relates to an optical viewing device which incorporates a display and particularly, though not exclusively relates to night vision goggles which are capable of displaying information during normal use. Several types of night vision goggles employing image intensification systems are currently used by pilots for surveillance or target acquisition and also to aid them in flying their aircraft. A typical system includes an image intensifier in the form of a micro-channel plate in an evacuated envelope sandwiched between plates of coherent fibre optic bundles. A particular disadvantage associated with such known system is that they require refocussing when, for example, a change from instrument or flight information display to surveillance is made. The present invention provides an optical viewing device which can be used simultaneously for viewing a far scene image and a super imposed image without the need for refocussing. According to the present invention an optical viewing device includes an eyepiece, a coherent. fibre optic bundle for transmitting to the eyepiece on image of a scene, and a set of opto-electric display elements contained in a plane normal to the optical axis of the bundle, wherein the optical transparency of the elements can be varied by varying the voltage applied to the elements to thereby generate a display which is super imposed on the image of the scene viewed through the eyepiece. The opto-electric display elements may be formed in cavities which may be etched in the fibre optic bundle. Each of the elements may comprise first and second transparent electrodes coated, deposited or otherwise formed on opposite faces of the cavity in the bundle, and a layer of liquid crystal material, preferably twisted nematic liquid crystal material, contained between the first and second electrodes. The device may further include a phosphor coating on the light input face of the fibre optic bundle and a high voltage image intensifier having a micro channel plate adjacent the phosphor coated face and arranged to project an image of a scene onto the phosphor coated face. An optical viewing device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings. Referring to Figure 1, which is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one optical channel of a pair of night vision goggles. An objective lens system show schematically as a single objective lens 2 mounted in a tube 1 focusses the image of a distant scene onto a first coherent fibre optic bundle 3 which has its optical fibres parallel to the optical axis X-X of the channel. The image is transmitted via the first bundle 3 to a high voltage image intensifier of known construction, comprising a micro-channel plate amplifier 4 in an evacuation chamber 5. The intensifier produces an intensified image on a phosphor coated face 6 of a second coherent fibre optic bundle 7 which has fibre which are inclined with respect to the axis X-X and serve to rotate the intensified image through 1800.The rotated image is then transmitted through a third coherent fibre optic bundle 9 which has a concave output face. The rotated, intensified image is viewed through an eyepiece lens system which is shown schematically as a single eyepiece lens 10. An opto-electronic display device 8 is located at the interface between the twisted bundle 7 and the output bundle 9. The device 8 comprises a series of thin cavities disposed in a fixed pattern each cavity having opposite walls coated with transparent electrodes and filled with twisted nematic liquid crystal material. The term 'twisted nematic liquid crystal material' is intended to include material which is itself not naturally nematic but which is structurally identical to a nematic material whose molecular arrangement is adjusted to have a twist therein. The cavities are formed by etching the flat face of bundle 9. Various modifications of the above described embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention. The display can be of any desired format and may include alpha-numeric characters. For example a display format such as is used in a conventional head-up display system in an aircraft may be used. Coloured polarizers may be used in conjunction with the liquid crystal display to provide a coloured display. Dichroic or guest-host display may also be used to provide a colour display. The opto-electric display elements may include opto-electronic materials other than liquid crystals. For example optically active PLZT (lead lanthanum zirconium tantalum) material may be used as an alternative. Claims
1. An optical viewing device including an eyepiece, a coherent fibre optic bundle for transmitting to the eyepiece an image of a scene, and a set of opto-electric display elements contained in a plane normal to the optical axis of the bundle, wherein the optical transparency of the elements can be varied by varying the voltage applied to the elements to thereby generate a display which is superimposed on the image of the scene viewed through the eyepiece.
2. An optical viewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opto-electric display elements are formed in cavities in the fibre optic bundle.
3. An optical viewing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cavities are formed by etching a surface of fibre optic bundle normal to the optical axis of the bundle.
4. An optical viewing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the elements comprise first and second transparent electrodes formed on opposite faces of the cavities in the fibre optic bundle, and a layer of optically active material contained between the first and second electrodes.
5. An optical viewing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the material comprises twisted nematic liquid crystal.
6. An optical viewing device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the material comprises optically active lead lanthanum zirconium tantalum.
7. An optical viewing device as claimed in any of the above claims including a phosphor coating on the light input face of the fibre optic bundle and a high voltage image intensifier having a micro channel plate adjacent the phosphor coated face and arranged to project an image of a scene on the phosphor coated face.
8. An optical viewing device substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
9. Night vision goggles including an optical viewing device as claimed in any preceding claim.
GB08304583A 1982-02-22 1983-02-18 Injecting information display into viewing device Expired GB2115575B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08304583A GB2115575B (en) 1982-02-22 1983-02-18 Injecting information display into viewing device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8205587 1982-02-22
GB08304583A GB2115575B (en) 1982-02-22 1983-02-18 Injecting information display into viewing device

Publications (3)

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GB8304583D0 GB8304583D0 (en) 1983-03-23
GB2115575A true GB2115575A (en) 1983-09-07
GB2115575B GB2115575B (en) 1985-05-09

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0206324A2 (en) * 1985-06-27 1986-12-30 Honeywell Inc. Dual source display apparatus
EP0381449A2 (en) * 1989-02-01 1990-08-08 Systems Research Laboratories, Inc. Heads up display for night vision goggle

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0206324A2 (en) * 1985-06-27 1986-12-30 Honeywell Inc. Dual source display apparatus
EP0206324A3 (en) * 1985-06-27 1989-05-10 Honeywell Inc. Dual source display apparatus
EP0381449A2 (en) * 1989-02-01 1990-08-08 Systems Research Laboratories, Inc. Heads up display for night vision goggle
EP0381449A3 (en) * 1989-02-01 1991-10-16 Systems Research Laboratories, Inc. Heads up display for night vision goggle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8304583D0 (en) 1983-03-23
GB2115575B (en) 1985-05-09

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