Abstract: A quad-emissive display apparatus to provide suitable emissive energy in four spectral bands to provide simultaneous evaluation of sensors having different spectral sensitivities. The apparatus can simultaneously provide four spectral bands of visible (0.4 to 0.7 microns), near infrared (0.7 to 1.0 microns), short wave infrared (1.0 to 3.0 microns) and the long wave infrared (8.0 to 14.0 microns) radiation.

Abstract: A cost considered arrangement for evaluating local illumination interference with operation of a night vision apparatus in for example the confines of an illumination inclusive aircraft cockpit. The evaluation is especially applicable to identifying interference between aircraft instrument lighting having infrared content for example, and night vision apparatus operation in the aircraft. The evaluation is cost is limited by use of a common household lamp night vision apparatus source calibrated with a common light measuring instrument operated at close range and with modification of the measured illumination through mathematical manipulation of the source operating distance to achieve the low light levels needed for night vision apparatus operation. A standard visual acuity chart and multiple operator interpretations of the chart resolutions achieved are included.

Abstract: A self-contained, military usage compatible, stabilized illumination calibration system and method of using same to enable in-the-field accurate determination of the low-level light falling on the surface of a night vision apparatus resolution chart and attending adjustment of a night vision device. Use of such charts, such as the chart of U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,923, preferably includes known levels of illumination at several different expected night vision goggle compatible lower-levels in order to both evaluate and adjust the performance of a night vision device prior to its use or during extended use periods. The disclosed system is digital computer controlled and provides an accurate, easy to use, and low cost alternative to previous laboratory-like methods of determining night vision evaluation illumination. The disclosed system provides go or no go indications of achieved chart illumination.

Abstract: A laser energy window arrangement especially usable in a tactical aircraft having night vision equipment-aided cockpit visual information input requirements. The laser energy window arrangement enables use of laser apparatus directed external to the aircraft for target designation or other purposes while minimizing the amount of energy from such laser returning spuriously inside the cockpit where it inherently acts a noise signal for night vision equipment. The laser energy window limits the portion of the aircraft windshield or canopy exposed to laser radiation and its effects to a relatively small area, an obscurable area generating significantly reduced amounts of spurious return energy in comparison with use of the laser directly through an unlimited windshield, canopy, or other type of transparency.

Abstract: A laser energy window arrangement especially usable in a tactical aircraft having night vision equipment-aided cockpit visual information input requirements. The laser energy window arrangement enables use of laser apparatus directed external to the aircraft for target designation or other purposes while minimizing the amount of energy from such laser returning spuriously inside the cockpit where it inherently acts a noise signal for night vision equipment. The laser energy window limits the portion of the aircraft windshield or canopy exposed to laser radiation and its effects to a relatively small area, an obscurable area generating significantly reduced amounts of spurious return energy in comparison with use of the laser directly through an unlimited windshield, canopy, or other type of transparency.

Abstract: Device and method are described for measuring transmissivity and haze in transparencies as detected through night vision goggles, including an emitter portion and a sensor portion, the emitter portion including a first light source for presenting an image to the sensor portion through the transparency and a second light source for projecting a haze producing light onto the transparency, the sensor portion including a light intensifier tube and a photometer for measuring the luminance output of the light intensifier tube and quantifying attenuation (transmissivity) and haze (light scatter) characteristics of the transparency as viewed through night vision goggles.

Abstract: A fluid filled variable power optical lens is described that includes a substantially tubular shaped housing having in one embodiment an optically transparent elastic membrane disposed over one end thereof and a transparent plate over the second end thereof and defining a chamber for containing an optically transparent fluid and in another embodiment an optically transparent elastic membrane disposed over each end thereof and defining a chamber containing the fluid, and pump assembly for inserting or withdrawing fluid from the chamber whereby each membrane is correspondingly selectively bulged outwardly or inwardly in the shape of a convex or concave lens.

Abstract: An instrument and method for optically calibrating and balancing low level luminances of lighted instrument panel displays within the operator station of a vehicle is described which comprises a self-contained, calibrated luminance source and a beamsplitter for combining and juxtaposing an image of the calibrated luminance source with an image of the luminance from a lighted instrument panel display to be calibrated or balanced, whereby the images may be compared in luminance, the lighted instrument panel display being adjustable in intensity using the vehicle instrument panel light trim capability.

Abstract: An adaptor detachably mounted on an ocular of night vision goggles for quly adjusting the objective lens focus to clearly view far and near objects. The adaptor includes a positive optical power or close-up lens mounted in a holder pivotally mounted between a stowed, inoperative position and an operative position locating the close-up lens in axial alignment with the objective lens of the ocular. The close-up lens has an effective diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the objective lens to raise the F/number of the objective lens/close-up lens combination for increasing the depth of focus for enhanced near viewing. Auxiliary illumination is provided by a battery powered infra-red Light Emitting Diode (LED) mounted in the adaptor and energized by a switch as the lens holder moves toward its operative position.

Abstract: A night vision device enhancement wherein occurrence of a bright object in an input scene of the night vision device is precluded from adversely affecting reproduction of adjacent low radiance level portions of the input scene. By optically limiting or excluding bright object input scene portions from the night vision device input field the disclosed system precludes both image intensifier-related effects, effects such as blooming and current saturation, and also precludes automatic gain control-related effects such as full-field sensitivity decrease based on the bright object. Plural embodiments of the system are disclosed, embodiments based on bright object attenuation by both yet to be developed photo active materials such as photochromics and embodiments which use present state of the art liquid crystal materials and accompanying electronics. Military and non-military uses of the improved night vision device are contemplated.

Abstract: An automated and preferably computer-controlled night vision device test arrangement for determination of spectral sensitivity in the infrared or other input spectrum regions. The test arrangement includes feedback control of night vision device input port signal levels, incremented selection of input signal wavelength, loop-residing spectrum increments and automated collection and presentation of test results.

Abstract: A test arrangement for assessing the spectral energy distribution-determined response of a night vision device or other electro-optical apparatus. The test arrangement provides a library of spectral energy-distributed test signals or input scenes which may be selected to represent for example typical or extreme conditions expected during field use of the tested night vision device. The test signals originate in an array of energy transducer devices such as light emitting diode elements with each such light emitting diode element proving a limited wavelength component of the wide band composite optical signal received at the input port of the night vision device. Each component signal is arranged to be controlled electrically in presence or absence and also controlled electrically in radiance or intensity according to the needs of the scene being presented; such control is provided by a manual controller or by a programmed digital computer or by other controlling apparatus such as a programmed logic array.

Abstract: A system for measuring crazing in a transparency is described which comprises one or more light sources disposed near a first surface of the transparency for projecting light rays through the transparency at the portion thereof having a crazed condition, optical detectors corresponding in number to the number of light sources disposed on the opposite side of the transparency, each detector positioned to detect only light from a single corresponding source reflected from the crazed portion of the transparency, and a source of power for the sources and detectors. A sequencing circuit may be included to selectively activate selected light sources and corresponding optical detectors.

Abstract: A monocular night vision apparatus employing an infrared energy spectrum source of illumination and a camera lens and night vision image intensifier combined receiver apparatus into a small hand-held portable package that is both low in cost and reliable in nature is described. The night vision transmitter apparatus includes a laser diode energy source that is coupled to an aperture controlled and focus controlled optical system and driven by an electronic closed-loop feedback energization circuit which employs self-contained battery sources of energy. Multiple operating modes and operating intensities of the light source are provided through a plurality of signal inputs to the closed feedback loop of the laser diode energy source. Disturbance of the closed feedback loop by reflected energy within the optical transmitter apparatus is precluded by the use of feedback prevention optical alignment in the transmitter's optical system.

Abstract: System and method for measuring angular deviation in a transparency are described which comprise the steps of directing a large diameter collimated beam of light along an optical axis through a transparency, focusing a portion of the collimated beam, determining the position of the focus of the beam portion relative to the axis, repeating the above steps without the transparency, measuring any difference in position of the focus with and without the transparency, and calculating the vertical and horizontal components of angular deviation in the transparency according to relationships disclosed.

Abstract: A system for measuring optical angular deviation in a transparency such as an aircraft or automobile windscreen, visor, optical lens or the like is described wherein orthogonal first and second incoherent light line images are combined and separately optically encoded, such as by wavelength or by polarization vector using suitable color or polarization filters or beamsplitters, and projected through a transparency under examination, the combined images then separated to detect simultaneously and separately the vertical and horizontal components of angular deviation at a specific location in the transparency.

Abstract: A device for measuring optical transmissivity of a transparency is described which comprises a diffuse light source (Lambertian diffuser) of controllable substantially constant luminance and preselected light emitting surface area for placement near a first side of a transparency for transmitting diffuse light along an optical axis through the transparency, a housing having a wall defining an aperture for placement near the second side of the transparency opposite the diffuse light source, and a detector in the form of a photo diode, cadmium sulfide cell or the like disposed within the housing and coaxial with and spaced a preselected distance from the aperture, the aperture being selected in size to expose all of the effective light detection surface area of said detector to the light emitting surface area of the diffuse light source.

Abstract: A method for measuring optical distortion in a transparency is described which comprises the steps of acquiring an analog image of a grid board through the transparency, digitizing the analog image to form a digitized image comprising a multiplicity of pixels defining the shape of the grid board as viewed through the transparency, locating on the digitized image the pixels defining the grid and determining optical distortion of the transparency by comparing the shape of the grid in the digitized image to the actual grid shape on the grid board.

Abstract: A synthetic color arrangement for a night vision inclusive surveillance system and its display is disclosed. The system partitions an input scene video signal into spectrally segregated scene components which are provided with separate processing as video signals and then recombined into a composite but now multiple color inclusive output representation of the input scene. The system in effect shifts input spectral components to a different part of the electromagnetic spectrum, the visible range of the spectrum, where operator controllable new spectral wavelength values are assigned to each different input scene spectral wavelength. Use of charge coupled device video camera elements, a video signal mixer apparatus, input wavelengths within both the visible and infrared spectral regions and signal processing according to the NTSC standards are also included. Military and non military uses of the apparatus are contemplated.

Abstract: System and method for in situ measurement of haze in a transparency, such as an aircraft windscreen, canopies, windows or the like are described which comprise an annular light source for illuminating a selected test area of the transparency along a selected optical axis, a photodetector, and a lens for projecting an image of the illuminated test area along the axis onto the photodetector.