Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electro-optical detector device which provides vision to the user in dark environments by detecting the thermal energy emitted by the objects and the infrared radiations via detector.

Background of the Invention

People cannot have adequate vision in dark, foggy, misty, snowy weather conditions. In these environments, providing vision with human eye becomes difficult because the light beams in 300-800nm wavelength, to which the human eye is sensitive, cannot move forward.

In cases wherein the human eye's vision is limited, the limitation of movement ability poses great problems in terms of both search and rescue and military intelligence.

Current night vision systems are heavy as they will limit the movement ability. And lighter systems cannot operate effectively because of the inadequacy of their cooling blocks. Also in the current systems, it is not possible to make software improvements that can be done later or to upload software optimized according to the located to be found. And this requires that the system should be completely renewed and constant parameters should be used for every environment to be found when a better software is produced.

International patent document no WO0037970, an application known in the state of the art, discloses a mobile radiometric imaging device which can provide vision in smoke, fog etc. weather conditions, is cooled by using cooling block. United States patent document no US5047638, an application known in the state of the art, discloses a boresighting system in order that systems which can make thermal imaging, can determine target distance and can mark the target are used together.

Summary of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to realize an electro-optical detector system the software of which can be updated.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize an electro-optical detector system which can display distance and coordinate information of the target.

A further objective of the present invention is to realize an electro-optical detector system which has an integrated laser distant measuring and digital magnetic compass unit. Yet another objective of the present invention is to realize an electro-optical detector system which has ability to mark the target.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The electro-optical detector system realized to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures wherein,

Figure 1 is the view of the inventive electro-optical detector system.

Figure 2 is the view of the inventive electro-optical detector system.

Figure 3 is the view of the inventive electro-optical detector system.

Figure 4 is the view of the inventive electro-optical detector system.

The components shown in the figures are numbered individually, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. Electro-optical detector device

2. Body

201. Cabling set

202. Body work 203. Thermal detector

204. Distance measuring unit

205. Marking unit

206. Detector holder

207. Battery socket

208. Battery cover

209. Lock mechanism

210. Lock holder

211. Lateral connecting piece

212. Spacer connecting piece

213. Adapter

214. Slot

215. Image processing card

216. Card holder

217. Power card

218. Card holder

219. Adapter group

220. Battery adapter

221. Battery contact

222. Compass

3. Cover

301. Cover work

302. Cabling set

303. Position detector

4. Imaging group

401. Imaging unit

402. Ocular adapter

403. Collimator adapter

5. Protective cover

The inventive electro-optical detector system (1) comprises

-at least one body (2) in which there is a space wherein the pieces are placed, -at least one cover (3) which enables the space located inside the body (2) to be closed,

- at least one imaging group (4) which is connected to the body (2) and enables the environment to be viewed in inconvenient weather conditions for vision such as night, fog, mist, snow, blizzard etc,

-at least one protective cover (5) which protects the imaging group (4) to be affected from outer impacts.

The body (2) comprises

-at least one cabling set (201) which enables electrical communication,

-a body work (202) which forms the outer shape of the body (2),

-at least one thermal detector (203) which detects the temperatures of the objects in the environment,

-at least one distance measuring unit (204) which enables the distance to the target to be measured,

-at least one marking unit (205) which enables the target to be marked,

-at least one detector holder (206) on which the thermal detector (203) and the imaging group (4) are mounted,

-at least one battery socket (207) wherein a battery providing power to the device (1) is placed inside,

-at least one battery cover (208) which enables the sealing of the battery socket (207),

-at least one lock mechanism (209) which enables the battery cover (208) to be locked,

-at least one lock holder (210) which holds the lock mechanism (209),

-at least one lateral connecting piece (211) which enables the distance measuring device (204) to be aligned with the thermal detector (203) in the vertical axis, -at least one spacer connecting piece (212) which enables the distance measuring device (204) to be aligned with the thermal detector (203) in the horizontal axis, -at least one adapter (213) which enables the distance measuring device (204) to be aligned with the thermal detector (203) in the vertical axis, -at least one slot (214) which enables the marking unit (205) to be mounted on the distance measuring unit (204),

-at least one image processing card (215) which enables the image to be formed by processing the data obtained from the thermal detector (203),

-at least one card holder (216) which enables the image processing card (215) to be mounted inside the body (2),

-at least one power card (217) which enables the regulation of the power enabling the device (1) to operate,

-at least one card holder (218) which enables the power card (218) to be mounted inside the body (2),

-at least one compass (222) which enables the angle that is formed by the target in the parallel plane to the ground with the magnetic north and the angle formed with the ground to be measured, The cabling set (201) comprises an adapter group (219) which enables the power to be transferred o the device (1) from the battery.

The adapter group (219) comprises:

-at least one battery adapter (220) which enables the battery contact pieces to be mounted to the body (2),

-at least one battery contact (221) which enables the device (1) to transfer the energy coming from the battery to the cabling set (302) by contacting the battery contacts.

The cover (3) comprises:

-at least one cover work (301) wherein the pieces forming the device (1) are mounted, which forms the outer shape of the device (1) by being mounted on the body (2),

-at least one cabling set (302) which enables electrical connection,

-at least one position detector (303) which enables the coordinate information of the user on earth to be detected.

The imaging group (4) comprises: -at least one imaging unit (401) which enables the image formed by the image processing card (215) to be transferred to the eye, has at least one lens,

-at least one ocular adapter (402) which enables the imaging unit (401) to be mounted to the cover (3),

-at least one collimator adapter (403) which enables the lenses included by the imaging unit (401) to be aligned.

The user displays the object, which he/she wants to measure its distance, with the device (1). In case the target on the image transferred to the imaging unit (401) is aligned such that it will be on certain area of the imaging unit (401), the distance to the target is measured with the distance measuring unit (204) and transferred to the imaging unit (401).

The coordinate information of the user on the earth is determined with the position detector (303).

The angle that it made by the target in the parallel plane to the ground with the magnetic north and the angle made with the ground are measured with the compass (222).

The coordinate information of the target on the earth is measured by using coordinate information of the user on the earth, distance information with the target, the information of the angle that it made by the target in the parallel plane to the ground with the magnetic north and the angle made with the ground, and the said information is transferred to the user via the imaging unit (401).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (1) can store the previous distance information and then it displays the said distance information on the imaging unit (401).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance measuring unit (204) performing the distance measurement enables the distance measuring by using laser. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the dioptry of the imaging unit (401) can be adjusted, so that user with visual impairment (myopia, hypermetropia etc.) can also use the device (1). The image processing card (215) can freeze the images obtained from the thermal detector (203), can change the polarity, contrast and intensity of the images.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, high definition OLED screen is used as imaging unit (401). Thus the user can distinguish the target on the display easily.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the user looks at the target from the looking optic with double ocular. Thus the user can detect the depth of the target and the objects around it such as tree, building etc. In case a battery that will provide power cannot be used, the device (1) can be fed by an external power source. Thus in cases such as battery's going dead, breaking down etc, the device (1) is enabled to be used.

The device (1) can be mounted onto a platform with a connection screw located under the device, thus the image shakings that can occur during imaging the targets at the long distances is eliminated.

The device (1) can operate without any performance loss under inconvenient conditions such as different medium temperatures, platform shakes, contaminants like dust and water.

It is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive Electro-Optical Detector Device (1). The invention can not be limited to the examples described herein and it is essentially according to the claims.