Night vision device with holographic reticle which is transparent in a first condition and visibly superimposed in a second condition
AssigneeLitton Systems, Inc.
InventorRoland M. Morley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A night vision device with a holographic reticle ordinarily provides a user with all image of a night time scene unimpaired by any reticle pattern. Such a reticle pattern can interfere with night time observations, or may be distracting to the user. Consequently, the utility of the night vision device for use by observers is improved. However, when the holographic reticle is activated, the user is provided with a clearly visible reticle pattern superimposed on the night time scene. The reticle pattern may be used, for example, to estimate ranges to objects observed, or to aim a weapon.
Claims24
A viewing device comprising:
- an objective lens through which light from a scene is received;
- an eye piece through which an image of the scene is provided to a user of the device;
- and an optical pathway extending between said objective lens and said eye piece;
- a holographic reticle disposed in said optical pathway and being substantially completely transparent in a first condition, in a second condition said holographic reticle providing a holographic reticle pattern visible in said eye piece and superimposed on the scene image.
A method of providing a night vision device in a first condition providing a view of a night scene which is unobstructed by any reticle pattern and in a second condition providing a view with a reticle pattern, said method including the steps of:
- providing the night vision device with an optical pathway including a focal plane at which an image of the night scene is formed;
- providing a transparent holographic reticle in said optical pathway and spaced from said focal plane;
- and
- using said holographic reticle to provide a holographic reticle pattern at said focal plane and superimposed on said night scene image thereat.
A night vision device comprising:
- an objective lens for receiving low-level light from a night scene and providing an image of the night scene;
- an image intensifier assembly receiving said low-level light and providing a visible image representative thereof;
- an eye piece in which said image is visible;
- said objective lens, image intensifier assembly, and said eye piece cooperatively defining an optical pathway;
- and
- a holographic reticle disposed in said optical pathway for providing a holographic reticle pattern superimposed on said image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.