# US 12,007,591 B2 · Digital image overlay in image intensified and telescopic system

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- Number: US 12,007,591 B2
- Document ID: US12007591B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/386,757
- Filed: 2021-07-28
- Published: 2021-11-18
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2018-05-03
- Assignees: Qioptiq Limited
- Applicants: Qioptiq Limited
- Inventors: James Babington
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007591B2

## CPC

- G02B 5/1842: {Gratings for image generation (G02B5/1847 takes precedence)}
- G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features}
- G02B 5/1828: {having means for producing variable diffraction (controlling the direction of light by means of one or more diffracting elements G02B26/0808; acousto-optical elements G02F1/11, G02F1/33; electro- or magneto-optical diffraction G02F1/292, G02F1/2955)}
- G02B 5/1847: {Manufacturing methods}
- G02B 5/1861: {Reflection gratings characterised by their structure, e.g. step profile, contours of substrate or grooves, pitch variations, materials (G02B5/1809, G02B5/1828, G02B5/1833, G02B5/1838 and G02B5/1847 take precedence)}
- G02B 27/0081: {with means for altering, e.g. enlarging, the entrance or exit pupil}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An optical system for overlaying a first image of a scene and a second image includes an image intensified night vision and/or telescopic device providing the first image, a second imaging device with an image display and collimation optics providing the second image, and a waveguide. The waveguide has a first diffraction grating configured to receive the first image, a second diffraction grating configured to receive the second image, and a guide portion disposed between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating configured to convey the second image to the first grating. The first diffraction grating is configured to overlay the first image and the second image.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optical system for overlaying a first image of a scene and a second image, comprising:
a first imaging device providing the first image, the first imaging device comprising an analogue optical device selected from the group consisting of an image intensified night vision device, and telescopic optics;
a second imaging device comprising an image display and collimation optics providing the second image; and
a waveguide, optically downstream from the image display, comprising:
a first diffraction grating configured to receive the first image;
a second diffraction grating configured to receive the second image; and
a guide portion disposed between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating configured to convey the second image to the first grating,
wherein the first diffraction grating is configured to overlay the first image and the second image.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the first diffraction grating is configured to overlay the first image and the second image in an effectively transparent mode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the first diffraction grating comprises an input coupler to the waveguide and the second diffraction grating comprises an output coupler from the waveguide.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3 wherein the first grating and/or the second grating comprises a reflective diffraction grating and/or a transmissive diffraction grating.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first image predominantly comprises a first color and the second image predominantly comprises colors other than the first color.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the waveguide comprises a planar waveguide.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6 wherein the waveguide comprises a rigid structure.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein the second imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a thermal camera, a digital display device, and a symbology device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the second imaging device and the collimation optics operate at one times magnification.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second image comprises a digital image.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10 wherein the second imaging device comprises a thermal camera.