Patent US5416633A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5416633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Twin-image binoculars
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1992-10-29
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2012-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An optical device, similar to binoculars, which includes, between the objective lens and the eyepiece a miniature screen displaying an image controlled by a computer, and an optical reflex device capable of superimposing the screen image on the image seen through the objective lens. The device also includes, selectively or cumulatively, a variable light attenuator and a light amplifier for night vision. The device can be used, in conjunction with a computer, to add further information on geographic positions, friends, enemies, infrared images, etc. into the scene seen through the binoculars.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Michel
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Le Pesant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:16
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/02; G02B23/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A viewing device (32) comprising a casing (1) housing optical components including an objective lens (3) and an eyepiece (2), these components providing a view along an axis (AA'), a focus adjustment (55) accessible from outside the casing (1), said optical components form an image from a field of view which may include all or part of an area determined by an optical axis and an angle Known as the aperture of the optical components, said viewing device also including, inside the casing (1): a component (4, 5, 6, 7) to display a luminous image formed of pixels controlled by a computer, and at least one reflex optical component (9, 10) to superimpose the image from the display component (4, 5, 6, 7) on the image of the field of view and mounted inside the casing, and at least one link to connect the display component (4, 5, 6, 7) to said computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A viewing device (32) comprising a casing (1) housing optical components including an objective lens (3) and an eyepiece (2), these components providing a view along an axis (AA'), a focus adjustment (55) accessible from outside the casing (1), said optical components form an image from a field of view which may include all or part of an area determined by an optical axis and an angle Known as the aperture of the optical components, said viewing device also including, inside the casing (1): a component (4, 5, 6, 7) to display a luminous image formed of pixels controlled by a computer, and at least one reflex optical component (9, 10) to superimpose the image from the display component (4, 5, 6, 7) on the image of the field of view and mounted inside the casing, and at least one link to connect the display component (4, 5, 6, 7) to said computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 in which the component to display a luminous image comprises a light-emitting screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1, in which the components which generates a luminous image consists of a liquid crystal screen illuminated by lighting components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 3, in which the lighting components consist of a light-emitting plate and a reflex mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, in which the image reflex component comprises at least one lens and a semi-transparent mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, in which the reflex component comprises at least one lens, a mirror and a semi-transparent slide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, in which the reflex component is a hologram which acts as a mirror and fulfils a focussing function.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
9 words
The device of claim 1, including an electrically-controlled attenuator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 8, in which the attenuator consists of a liquid crystal held between two thin transparent slides to which electrodes are fixed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 which also includes, placed behind the objective lens, a semi-transparent slide (16) which reflects the image seen through the objective lens towards a sensor matrix.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 10 in which the sensors are infrared sensors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said pixels of said component to display a luminous image comprise a network of electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 12, wherein said component with said pixels comprises a light emitting screen (4) located between two glass slides which carry said network of electrodes, wherein the arrangement of said electrodes define the number of said pixels in the image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 13, wherein means are provided for controlling a field between the electrodes and wherein the intensity of each pixel depends on said field.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the component to display a luminous image comprises a screen approximately 24×24 mm 2 and comprises approximately 512×512 pixels, each measuring approximately 30×30μ 2 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 15, wherein said screen has a border approximately 3 mm wide, and said screen has an electrode network, which electrode network has connections on said screen border.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 16, wherein said component to display a luminous image further comprises a lighting device (6), adjacent to and of the same dimensions as the screen, and said network and said lighting device are connected to a connector (5) for connection to outside the viewing device (32).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-15 | 2002-11-14 | 2003-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-15 | 2006-11-14 | 2007-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |