Abstract: The present invention is a lightweight night vision device (NVD) sealed from environmental conditions, shielded from electromagnetic interference (EMI), and having mechanisms for easy adjustment and fixation of collimation and interpupillary distance. The NVD monocular housing is integrated with the eyepiece, image intensifier tube module, and objective, allowing collimation to be fixed via an optical alignment of the monocular housing to its eyepiece, tube module, and objective. Certain components from existing NVDs may be reused in assembling the present invention to provide cost savings.

Abstract: The present invention is a lightweight night vision device sealed from environmental conditions, shielded from electromagnetic interference (EMI), and having mechanisms for easy adjustment and fixation of collimation and interpupillary distance. The night vision device accomplishes this by removing unnecessary elements from existing designs and providing new components to provide full adjustability while maintaining EMI shielding. Certain components from existing night vision devices may be reused in assembling the present invention to provide cost savings.

Abstract: A user portable viewing device (D) includes a plurality of non-coaxially aligned sensors (26 and 32) for sensing a scene (74). A processing element (P) combines electronic images into a single electronic image. A display (24) displaying the combined electronic image is adaptable for mounting in an optical axis (A1) including an eye (20) of the user (U) and an input end (28) of the first sensor 26 for direct view. In a second embodiment, a system for fusing images comprises sensors (52 and 56) for generating sets of image data. An information processor (P) receives and samples the sets of image data to generate sample data for computing a fused image array. A display (24) receives the fused image array and displays a fused colorized image generated from the fused image array.

Abstract: A user portable viewing device includes a plurality of non-coaxially aligned sensors for sensing a scene. A processing element combines electronic images into a single electronic image. A display displaying the combined electronic image is adaptable for mounting in an optical axis including an eye of the user and an input end of the first sensor for direct view. In a second embodiment, a system for fusing images comprises sensors for generating sets of image data. An information processor receives and samples the sets of image data to generate sample data for computing a fused image array. A display receives the fused image array and displays a fused colorized image generated from the fused image array.

Abstract: A method for processing light energy is provided that includes receiving a plurality of photons reflected by an object and generating sensor data that is based a portion of the plurality of photons received. The sensor data is processed in order to generate processed sensor data. A segment of the processed sensor data that directly corresponds to the portion of the plurality of photons is displayed such that the segment may be viewed.

Abstract: A method for processing light energy is provided that includes receiving a plurality of photons reflected by an object and generating sensor data that is based a portion of the plurality of photons received. The sensor data is processed in order to generate processed sensor data. A segment of the processed sensor data that directly corresponds to the portion of the plurality of photons is displayed such that the segment may be viewed.

Abstract: A method for detecting radiation is disclosed that includes forming a detector having a photocathode (22) with a protective layer (22c) of cesium, oxygen and fluorine; a microchannel plate (MCP) (24); and an electron receiver (26). Radiation is received at the photocathode (22). The photocathode (22) discharges electrons (34) in response to the received photons. Discharged electrons (34) are accelerated from the photocathode (22) to the input face (24a) of the microchannel plate (24). The electrons (34) are received at the input face (24a) of the microchannel plate (24). A cascade of secondary emission electrons (36) is generated in the microchannel plate (24) in response to the received electrons (34). The secondary emission electrons (36) are emitted from the output face (24b) of the microchannel plate (24). Secondary emission electrons (36) are received at the electron receiver (26). An output characteristic of the secondary emission electrons (36) is produced.

Abstract: A sensor unit (F) has at least a first and second sensor (10, 12) arranged along a sensor axis (14). A head adapter (16) provides support to mount at least one selected device about a user's cranium (18). A securing module (20) is attached to the sensor unit for mounting the sensor unit (F) to the head adapter (16). The sensor unit (F) is to be mounted above an ocular axis (22) formed between a pair of eyes (24) of the user (U) when the sensor unit (F) is attached to the head adapter element (16). When the sensor unit (F) is secured to the user (U) with the head adapter element (16), the sensor axis (14) is essentially perpendicular to the user's ocular axis (22).

Abstract: An InGaAs Image Intensifier (“I2”) Camera (C) detects and forms an image (310) to be viewed. An InGaAs photocathode Image Intensifier (312) is used to pass an amplified signal (316) from a screen (320). The InGaAs image intensification tube (312) is optically coupled (328) to an imaging device (322) for passing output light. The output light (316) from the InGaAs tube (312) is transformed by an electronic circuit (322) producing a desired signal output (324). The signal output (324) from the electronic circuit (322) may be further enhanced into an enhanced signal output (310). The enhanced signal output may be formatted into a form for viewing or may be saved.

Abstract: A photocathode manufacturing intermediary article (24) includes a substrate layer (26), and an active layer (20) that is carried by the substrate layer (26). The active layer (20) includes photoemissive alkali antimonide material that is epitaxially grown on the substrate (26).

Abstract: A system (300) for gating a sensor (118) includes a detector (120) that detects light and outputs a signal (102) corresponding to the light. A control unit (334) receives the signal (106), and enables and disables a power supply (314) in response to the signal (106) to generate a gated power signal (316). The power supply (314) outputs the gated power signal (316) to a sensor (118) sensing the light.

Abstract: An InGaAs Image Intensifier (“I2”) Camera (C) detects and forms an image (310) to be viewed. An InGaAs photocathode Image Intensifier (312) is used to pass an amplified signal (316) from a screen (320). The InGaAs image intensification tube (312) is optically coupled (328) to an imaging device (322) for passing output light. The output light (316) from the InGaAs tube (312) is transformed by an electronic circuit (322) producing a desired signal output (324). The signal output (324) from the electronic circuit (322) may be further enhanced into an enhanced signal output (310). The enhanced signal output may be formatted into a form for viewing or may be saved.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for detecting photons and generating a representation of an image. A photocathode receives photons from the image. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons. A microchannel plate is located no more than about 125 microns from the photocathode. The microchannel plate has an unfilmed input face and an output face. The microchannel plate receives the electrons from the photocathode and produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A screen receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image.

Abstract: A system (100) for gating a sensor (118) includes a detector (120) that detects light and outputs a signal (102) corresponding to the light. A control unit (134) receives the signal (104), adjusts a gating signal (112) in response to the signal (104), and outputs the adjusted gating signal (112) to gate a sensor (118) sensing the light.

Abstract: A system (300) for gating a sensor (118) includes a detector (120) that detects light and outputs a signal (102) corresponding to the light. A control unit (334) receives the signal (106), and enables and disables a power supply (314) in response to the signal (106) to generate a gated power signal (316). The power supply (314) outputs the gated power signal (316) to a sensor (118) sensing the light.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a photon detector and image generator, which includes a photocathode that receives photons from an image. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons. A microchannel plate with an unfilmed input face and an output face receives the electrons from the photocathode and produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A display receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image. The photon detector and image generator has a lifetime of more than 7,500 hours.

Abstract: An improved microchannel plate (24) is disclosed. The microchannel plate has an input side (24a) and an output side (24b). A coating (32) is applied to the input side (24a) to increase secondary electron production and to prevent ions from leaving the microchannel plate (24) and damaging the photocathode (22).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for detecting photons and generating a representation of an image. A photocathode receives photons from an image. A power supply to the photocathode is gated such that the photocathode is switched between an on state and an off state. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons while the photocathode is in the on state. A microchannel plate with an unfilmed input face and an output face receives the electrons from the photocathode and produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A screen receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image.

Abstract: A method for detecting radiation comprising nine steps is disclosed. Step one, forming a detector having a photocathode (22) with a protective layer (22c) of cesium, oxygen and fluorine; a microchannel plate (MCP) (24); and an electron receiver (26). Step two, receiving radiation at the photocathode (22). Step three, photocathode (22) discharging electrons (34) in response to the received photons. Step four, accelerating discharged electrons (34) from the photocathode (22) to the input face (24a) of the microchannel plate (24). Step five, receiving the electrons (34) at the input face (24a) of the microchannel plate (24). Step six, generating a cascade of secondary emission electrons (36) in the microchannel plate (24) in response to the received electrons (34). Step seven, emitting the secondary emission electrons (36) from the output face (24b) of the microchannel plate (24). Step eight, receiving secondary emission electrons (36) at the electron receiver (26).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for detecting photons and generating a representation of an image. A photocathode receives photons from an image. A power supply to the photocathode is gated such that the photocathode is switched between an on state and an off state. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons while the photocathode is in the on state. A microchannel plate is located no more than about 125 microns from the photocathode. The microchannel plate has an unfilmed input face and an output face that receives the electrons from the photocathode. The microchannel plate produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A screen receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image.