TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application generally relates to periscopes. Furthermore, the present application relates especially to periscopes for armored systems, such as armored vehicles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art.

[0003] Different solutions exist for providing surveillance image data or a vision system for vehicles.

[0004] For example, a camera system where a wide field-of-view is generated by a camera mounted to a motorized gimbal which combines images captured at different times and different directions into a single aggregate image. This system relies on covering a wide field-of-view by changing the direction of the camera and is able to simultaneously capture images from the multiple cameras.

[0005] Periscopes are well known from prior art, also for armored vehicles. They are used, inter alia, to transmit image information to a protected space. A periscope of usual configuration comprises an angled mirror assembly including two mirrors obliquely inclined relative to the observation direction, which deflect the incident light two times to direct it to the observer.

[0006] A general problem with such periscopes is their challenging environment for easy and reliable mounting and a wide variety of requirements for the imaging system provided by the periscopes in different installations and in different operating environments. [0007] Furthermore, there are several aspects and demanding requirements that need to be considered for the design, development, and qualification of a camera system for military vehicles, for example.

[0008] A highly reliable and precisely engineered camera system is essential in meeting the mission objectives, and ensuring the safety and survival of the vehicle’s crew in different operating modes and circumstances.

[0009] Thus, a solution is needed to enable accurate, efficient, and reliable periscope apparatus for providing universal system for vehicles.

SUMMARY

[0010] Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

[0011] According to a first example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a periscope apparatus for an armored vehicle comprising a top module, a middle module and a bottom module, wherein the top module is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module, and comprises a top housing configured to selectively receive at least two elements selected from a plurality of different mirrors, lenses and camera devices, to receive light beams entering through an opening of the top module; the middle module is arranged to be releasably connected with the top module and the bottom module, and comprises a middle housing configured to selectively receive at least one camera device of a plurality of different size camera devices, wherein the at least one camera device is configured to be attached to the middle housing using an universal adaptation device; and the bottom module is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module, and comprises a bottom housing configured to receive a control unit for the periscope apparatus.

[0012] In an embodiment, the top housing is configured to receive a camera device and a mirror to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing is configured to receive a camera device for the second channel. [0013] In an embodiment, the top housing is configured to receive a lens of a first camera device and a mirror to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing is configured to receive a sensor of the first camera device for the first channel and a camera device for the second channel.

[0014] In an embodiment, the top housing is configured to receive two mirrors to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing is configured to receive two camera devices for the first and the second channel, respectively.

[0015] In an embodiment, the first channel is a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel and the second channel is a visible spectrum (VIS) channel.

[0016] In an embodiment, the first channel is a visible spectrum (VIS) channel and the second channel is a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel.

[0017] In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module is configured to be arranged vertically in view of their optical axis.

[0018] In an embodiment, the universal adaptation device comprises at least one adaptation ring configured to adjust installation height of the camera device.

[0019] In an embodiment, the adaptation ring is configured to mount the camera device to the middle housing using at least two mounting members.

[0020] In an embodiment, the mounting member comprises a screw or a bolt extending horizontally between the adaption ring and the middle housing wall.

[0021] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a display module arranged to be releasably connected with the bottom module and operationally connected to the control unit.

[0022] In an embodiment, user-operable mounting brackets are configured to clamp the middle module to a pod of the armored vehicle for mounting the periscope apparatus.

[0023] In an embodiment, at least one camera device within the top module is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties. [0024] In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

[0025] In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises at least one auxiliary module comprising an auxiliary top module and an auxiliary middle module, and the auxiliary module is operationally connected to the bottom module.

[0026] In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to operate on a first and second channel, wherein the first channel is a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel and the second channel is a visible spectrum (VIS) channel.

[0027] In an embodiment, the camera device comprises at least one of the following: LWIR sensor, SWIR sensor, CMOS sensor, image Intensified CMOS, and CCD sensor.

[0028] In an embodiment, a bottom plate of the bottom module comprises of a detachable memory for storing and maintaining image data from at least one camera device of the periscope apparatus.

[0029] In an embodiment, the top housing comprises a lens and the middle housing comprises a sensor of a camera device, and a bended fibre optic is arranged between the lens and the sensor.

[0030] In an embodiment, the lens is directed to horizontal direction and the sensor is directed to vertical direction.

[0031] In an embodiment, the bended fibre optic is glued to the sensor.

[0032] In an embodiment, the bottom module further comprising a desiccant element.

[0033] In an embodiment, the desiccant element comprises a desiccant cartridge arranged within the bottom module or integrated to the control unit.

[0034] In an embodiment, the desiccant element comprises a valve that configured to be used to fill interior of the periscope apparatus with nitrogen,

[0035] Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in implementations of the present invention. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a schematic picture of a vehicle according to an example embodiment;

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a schematic picture of a periscope apparatus, wherein some elements of the apparatus are shown according to a first example embodiment; [0039] Fig. 3 shows a schematic picture of a periscope apparatus, wherein some elements of the apparatus are shown according to an example embodiment;

[0040] Fig. 4 shows another schematic picture of a periscope apparatus, wherein some elements of the apparatus are shown according to an example embodiment;

[0041] Fig. 5 shows another schematic picture of a periscope apparatus, wherein some elements of the apparatus are shown according to an example embodiment;

[0042] Fig. 6 shows another schematic picture of an image sensor, a fibre optic and a lens of a periscope apparatus, wherein some elements of the apparatus are shown according to an example embodiment; and

[0043] Fig. 7 shows another schematic picture of a periscope apparatus, wherein some elements of the apparatus are shown according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] In the following description, like numbers denote like elements.

[0045] A military vehicle periscope system needs to contend with harsh environmental conditions, such as gunfire shock, muzzle flash, vibration, high- and low- temperatures, solar load, water, sand, dust and mud. Different and fast changing light conditions while the vehicle is moving from dark shadow areas to bright sunlight requires an imaging sensor, which can quickly adapt and integrate. When firing a 120mm gun, a howitzer or a machine gun, a strong muzzle flash can cause image blur when using common standard dynamic range CMOS or CCD imaging sensors. During fast climate change from cold to hot, fogging inside the camera housing could limit the camera view.

[0046] Climate and visibility conditions define further challenges, and weather conditions vary. There can be early morning rain or snow, desert sunlight with dust, sunset conditions, and extremely poor visibility.

[0047] No single sensor technology can cover all these operational conditions. Typically a combination of two or more different image sensor technologies, such as Long Wavelength Infra-Red (LWIR), and Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (optical sensor) CMOS or Charge Coupled Device (optical sensor) CCD sensors may provide an image under all such different conditions.

[0048] Additionally, different vehicles operating in different areas with varying conditions, require different camera technologies to be installed, and thus different periscopes.

[0049] Horizontal field of view & detection recognition range define their own challenges. These parameters may actually be in contradiction. The larger the horizontal field of view for a single sensor camera system, the lower the Detection Recognition Identification (DRI) range may be. A single camera and lens optic with a wide horizontal field of view (HFOV) may have the disadvantage of optical distortion and a fisheye effect, which leads to poor depth perception. When combining two of the same cameras with lenses, and using an image stitching algorithm, the DRI range may be significantly better with a larger HFOV. A stitching algorithm, however, causes no dead zones on the vehicle, compared to different single camera installations.

[0050] Safety and reliability are key factors. The digital camera system needs to be available under any conditions, since freezing camera images could cause a crash or threaten the vehicle’s operation. Thus, a modular software with different threats for each process is required. Each process needs to be monitored with a software watchdog. Additionally, a built-in hardware test is required in order to display system failure immediately.

[0051] System latency plays an important role on the system performance. The overall system latency should be as low as possible from glass to glass, as different studies have shown that a latency of more than 100 milliseconds causes the vehicle crew to suffer “motion sickness” while viewing the camera system monitor.

[0052] Human stress factor in combat situations are important too. During operations and combat situations the stress factor of the crew is high. Thus, the HMI of the vision system, including the software menu, needs to be simple and operating failure proof. Input keys needs to be illuminated, ergonomically arranged, and in compliance with relevant standards.

[0053] Resolution of the sensors and display panel have their own effects. As the imaging sensor resolution increases, the pixel size decreases, as does the low light sensitivity. For a low light sensitive camera system, a sensor pixel size of between 5 nm and 10 nm at 1280 x 768 up to 1920 x 1080 sensor resolution is the combination of one example embodiment. The display panel resolution and display ratio should be the same as, or very similar to, the imaging sensor resolution and sensor ratio, otherwise the monitor display may become a limiting factor for the vision system.

[0054] Fig. 1 shows a schematic picture of a vehicle 105, vehicle system 110 and a control apparatus 120 according to an example embodiment.

[0055] The vehicle system 110 comprises a control apparatus 120 configured to provide and operate a dynamic view model (DVM) 121. The control apparatus 120 may also be called as a surveillance apparatus when combined with the cameras 150 and a display 170.

[0056] The control apparatus 120 may be configured to receive environmental information via communication link (COM) 160 or via vehicle sensors (SEN) 180, for example. The environmental information comprises at least one of the following: weather information; obstacle information; topography information; and brightness information.

[0057] Gun system (GUN) 140 may comprise any guns, weapons, or ammunition relating to the firepower of the vehicle 105. The gun system (GUN) 140 may provide operational characteristics for the control apparatus 120, such as offensive information. The offensive information may comprise, for example, currently active gun and ammunition related information of the vehicle.

[0058] In an embodiment, a modular periscope 200 is provided. The modular periscope 200 is configured to be fitted in universal way to different kinds of vehicles 105 and/or vehicle systems 1 10. The modular periscope 200 may comprise at least one camera device 150 and optionally a dedicated display. Also the display 170 of the vehicle system 1 10 may be used. The periscope 200 may also comprise own processing unit and/or the control apparatus 120 of the vehicle system 110 may be used.

[0059] The operational characteristics received by the control apparatus 120 may also comprise defensive information. The defensive information may comprise, for example, detected enemy threat related information of the vehicle. Such information may be determined based on information received via sensors 180 including radars, camera system 150 or via communication link 160, for example.

[0060] A display system (DISP) 170 may be configured to provide overall status information of the vehicle 105. The display 170 may be external to the control apparatus 120, integrated as part of it, or both.

[0061] In an embodiment, an advanced vehicle system 110 of the vehicle 105 is configured to operate in degraded visual environments (DVE) and is modular and can be integrated within various versions of Main Battle Tank(s), Armoured Personnel Carrier (s) (APC) and other special purpose vehicles. A number of different advanced cameras 150, configurations and packages are possible. Various embedded processing units 120 can be connected to operate in a cluster as a full 360° system.

[0062] In an embodiment, by establishing a dynamic view model (DVM) 121 for communicating between systems 120-180 it is possible for the on-board systems to negotiate an optimal solution for the route or some activity. Top priority for optimization may be defined to be safety, and second and third priority can be set by the vehicle operator (optimal offensive or defensive position, energy efficiency, fuel consumption, speed/time, etc.), for example. The model (DVM) 121 may operate as a virtual pilot for a route. [0063] The model (DVM) 121 solution may allow different levels of automation within the vehicle 105. In first operation mode, the model (DVM) 121 may be configured to provide a route plan, which the crew can use for scheduling their activities. In second operation mode, the model (DVM) 121 may be configured to provide an embedded solution, wherein the sub-systems can notify the crew based on the plan, when to perform certain tasks or be switched on or set to standby. This notification may be repeated on the main control display or remote-control station. In third operation mode, the model (DVM) 121 may be configured to provide a solution to be fully automated and automatically executing the plan of the model (DVM) 121 with merely notification provided to the crew or remote-control station when performing different automated tasks

[0064] No matter a plurality of different elements 120-180 is disclosed in Fig. 1 , not all are mandatory for embodiments of the invention. Only mandatory feature is the periscope apparatus 200.

[0065] Fig. 2 shows a schematic picture of a periscope apparatus 200, wherein some elements of the apparatus 200 are shown according to an example embodiment.

[0066] In an embodiment, a periscope apparatus 200 for an armored vehicle comprises a top module 210, a middle module 220 and a bottom module 230.

[0067] The top module 210 is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module 220, and the top module comprises a top housing 211 and configured to selectively receive at least two elements selected from a plurality of different mirrors, lenses and camera devices; or their combination; 212-213 to receive light beams entering through an opening 214 of the top module 210.

[0068] The middle module 220 is arranged to be releasably connected with the top module and the bottom module, and the middle module comprises a middle housing 221 configured to selectively receive at least one camera device(s) 222-223 of a plurality of different size camera devices, wherein the at least one camera device 222-223 is configured to be attached to the middle housing 221 using an universal adaptation device 224a-b. [0069] The bottom module 230 is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module 220, and the bottom module 230 comprises a bottom housing 231 and configured to receive a control unit 232 for the periscope apparatus 200.

[0070] Optionally, the periscope apparatus 200 may further comprise a display module 240 arranged to be releasably connected with the bottom module 230 and operationally connected to the control unit 232.

[0071] In an embodiment, the top housing 211 is configured to receive a camera device 212 and a mirror 213 to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing 221 is configured to receive a camera device 223 for the second channel.

[0072] In an embodiment, the top housing 211 is configured to receive a lens 212 of a first camera device and a mirror 213 to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing 221 is configured to receive a sensor 222 of the first camera device for the first channel and a camera device 223 for the second channel.

[0073] In an embodiment, the top housing 21 1 is configured to receive two mirrors 212-213 to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing is configured to receive two camera devices 222-223 for the first and the second channel, respectively.

[0074] One of the channels may be a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel and the other channel may be a visible spectrum (VIS) channel, for example.

[0075] In an embodiment, the at least one camera device 222-223 within the middle module 220 is configured to be arranged vertically in view of their optical axis.

[0076] In an embodiment, at least one camera device 222-223 within the middle module 220 is configured to be arranged vertically in view of their optical axis and at least one element 212-213 within the top module 211 is configured to be arranged horizontally in view of the optical axis.

[0077] The universal adaptation device 224a-b may comprise at least one adaptation ring configured to adjust installation height of the camera device 222-223.

[0078] The adaptation ring 224a-b may be configured to mount the camera device 222-223 to the middle housing 221 using at least two mounting members. [0079] The adaptation ring 224a-b may comprise one adaption ring or a plurality of adaptation rings. The adaptation ring may be of fixed height or different height adaptation rings may be provided. Adaptation device(s), such as adaptation ring(s) 224a-b are advantageous since different sizes of camera devices and/or elements can be flexibly installed within the periscope apparatus 200 without the need to change the modules and/or housings of the periscope apparatus 200.

[0080] The mounting member comprises a screw or a bolt extending horizontally between the adaption ring and the middle housing wall (see e.g. Figs. 3-4). As shown for example in Fig. 3, a pattern of attachment apertures is arranged to lower part of the middle housing wall 221 , wherein the mounting member can fix the adaption ring to the housing wall 221 .

[0081] In an embodiment, at least one element or camera device 212-213 within the top module 210 is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

[0082] In an embodiment, the at least one element or camera device 222-223 within the middle module 220 is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

[0083] In an embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to operate on a first and second channel, wherein the first channel is a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel and the second channel is a visible spectrum (VIS) channel.

[0084] In an embodiment, the camera device 212-213, 222-223 comprises at least one of the following: LWIR sensor, SWIR sensor, CMOS sensor, image Intensified CMOS, and CCD sensor.

[0085] In an embodiment, the bottom module 230 may comprise a desiccant element 233. The desiccant element 233 may comprise, for example, a desiccant cartridge arranged within the bottom module 230 or integrated to the control unit 232, for example. The desiccant element 233 may alternatively comprise, for example, a valve that can be used to fill complete periscope interior (all modules 210-230) with nitrogen, for example. Both alternatives protect against fogging inside during weather change. [0086] Fig. 3 shows a schematic picture of a periscope apparatus 200, wherein some elements of the apparatus 200 are shown according to an example embodiment.

[0087] The periscope apparatus 200 for an armored vehicle may comprise a top module 210, a middle module 220 and a bottom module 230.

[0088] The top module 210 is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module 220, and the top module comprises a top housing 211 and configured to receive at least two mirrors or camera devices or their combination of a plurality of different mirrors and camera devices to receive light beams entering through an opening 214 of the top module 210.

[0089] The middle module 220 is arranged to be releasably connected with the top module and the bottom module, and the middle module comprises a middle housing 221 configured to receive at least one camera device 222-223 of a plurality of different size camera devices, wherein the at least one camera device is configured to be attached to the middle housing 221 using an universal adaptation device.

[0090] The bottom module 230 is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module 220, and the bottom module 230 comprises a bottom housing 231 and configured to receive a control unit for the periscope apparatus 200.

[0091] Optionally, the periscope apparatus 200 may further comprise a display module 240 arranged to be releasably connected with the bottom module 230 and operationally connected to the control unit 232.

[0092] In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module 220 is configured to be arranged vertically in view of the optical axis.

[0093] In an embodiment, at least one camera device within the top module 210 is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

[0094] In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module 220 is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties. [0095] In an embodiment, a bottom plate 232 of the bottom module 230 comprises a detachable memory, for example a USB recording memory for storing and maintaining image data from at least one camera device of the periscope apparatus 200.

[0096] Fig. 4 shows another schematic picture of a periscope apparatus 200, wherein some elements of the apparatus 200 are shown according to an example embodiment.

[0097] The periscope apparatus 200 for an armored vehicle may comprise a top module 210, a middle module 220 and a bottom module 230.

[0098] The top module 210 is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module 220, and the top module comprises a top housing and configured to receive at least two mirrors or camera devices or their combination of a plurality of different mirrors and camera devices to receive light beams entering through an opening of the top module 210.

[0099] The middle module 220 is arranged to be releasably connected with the top module and the bottom module, and the middle module comprises a middle housing (not shown in Fig. 4 to illustrate content of the module) configured to receive at least one camera device 222-223 of a plurality of different size camera devices, wherein at least one camera device 223 is configured to be attached to the middle housing using an universal adaptation device 224b. In case a camera device 222 is used, then no camera device 212 is needed to be installed but another mirror suffice.

[00100] The bottom module 230 is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module 220, and the bottom module 230 comprises a bottom housing and configured to receive a control unit for the periscope apparatus 200.

[00101] Optionally, the periscope apparatus 200 may further comprise a display module 240 arranged to be releasably connected with the bottom module 230 and operationally connected to the control unit 232.

[00102] In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module 220 is configured to be arranged vertically in view of their optical axis. [00103] In an embodiment, a mirror 213 is arranged in the top module 210 to provide optical path for the camera device 223 and its optics 410. The mirror 213 may comprise, for example, a 45° Silver Mirror for an VIS camera device 223.

[00104] Instead of the camera device 212, another mirror 212 may be arranged in that place. The mirror 212 may provide an optical path for the camera device 222. The mirror 212 may comprise, for example, a 45° Gold or Silver Mirror for an IR camera device 222.

[00105] In an embodiment, instead of the 45° mirror 213, a bended fibre optic with 90° can be used. One end of the bended fibre optic can be glued directly on a camera sensor of the camera device 223, and a lens can be directly assembled on the other end of the fibre arranged to receive light beams instead of the mirror. See e.g. Fig. 6 for further details on bended fibre embodiment.

[00106] Fig. 5 shows another schematic picture of a periscope apparatus 500, wherein some elements of the apparatus 500 are shown according to an example embodiment.

[00107] The periscope apparatus 500 for an armored vehicle may comprise a periscope apparatus 200 further comprising at least one auxiliary module 510-520 comprising an auxiliary top module and an auxiliary middle module, and the auxiliary module 510-520 is operationally connected to the bottom module of the apparatus 200. Thus a single bottom module of the apparatus 200 may control and process data also for the auxiliary modules 510-520. Otherwise the structure of the auxiliary modules 510-520 may correspond to the modules as disclosed for the periscope apparatus 200.

[00108] In an embodiment, the left auxiliary module 510 may comprise camera devices (1x VIS, 1x LWIR), operationally connected to the control unit 232 of the center periscope apparatus 200. The center periscope apparatus 200 may comprise the control unit 232 and camera devices (1x VIS, 1x LWIR). The right auxiliary module 520 may comprise camera devices (1x VIS, 1x LWIR), operationally connected to the control unit 232 of the center periscope apparatus 200. The control unit 232 may be an EPU (Embedded processing unit) with image acquisition and processing software. The control unit 232 is configured with at least one processor, memory and associated software code to process 3x VIS channel/camera images and stitch to a wide field of view image, for example. Furthermore, the control unit 232 is configured with at least one processor, memory and associated software code to process 3x LWIR channel/camera images and stitch to a wide field of view image, for example.

[00109] Fig. 6 shows another schematic picture of an image sensor 610, a fibre optic 620 and a lens 630 of a periscope apparatus 600, wherein some elements of the apparatus 600 are shown according to an example embodiment.

[00110] In an embodiment, instead of the 45° mirror 213 as in Fig. 4, a bended fibre optic 620 with 90° can be used. One end (A) of the bended fibre optic 620 can be glued directly on a camera sensor 610 of a camera device, and the lens 630 can be directly assembled on the other end (B) of the fibre 620 arranged to receive light beams instead of a mirror, for example.

[00111] Item 620a illustrates a crossview on plane F-F of the fibre optic 620 and its conduit. Fibre optic conduit comprises several single fibres as illustrated in item 620b that is a magnified portion of the fibre optic 620 and its conduit.

[00112] The sensor 610 may comprise, for example, a 1 “ CMOS image sensor with a package mounted on a camera device 223 (see e.g. Fig. 2 or 4). Active pixels may be, for example 1.280 x 1.024 with pixel size of 10,6 pm x 10,6pm. Also other sensor sizes than 1 ” sensors may be used, such as 1/1 ,8” and 2/3”, for example.

[00113] In an embodiment, the lens 630 may be glued to the fiber optic 620 in end B to a horizontal part of the bended fibre 620.

[00114] In an embodiment, the sensor 610 may be glued to the fiber optic 620 in end A to a vertical part of the bended fibre 620.

[00115] The lens 630 may be directed to horizontal direction and the sensor 610 may be directed to vertical direction, for example.

[00116] The diameter of the fibre optic 620 in end A needs to cover the active area of the image sensor 610 completely. One option is to use 4x single fibers aligned with one sensor pixel that means a sensor 610 with 1.280 x 1.024 active pixels to require as minimum an optical conduit 620 with 5.120 x 4.096 single fibres at a rectangular shape in the sensor format, for example. [00117] In an embodiment, when a camera sensor 610 comes typically with a glass package, it is possible to remove the glass package from the sensor 610 before glueing the fibre optic conduit 620 directly on the sensor 610 active surface.

[00118] In an embodiment, the camera device 223 (see e.g. Fig. 2 or 4) may comprise a CMOS camera with an image intensifier assembly upstream to the sensor 610 where the fibre optic conduit 620 is glued to the image intensifier window.

[00119] Fig. 7 shows another schematic picture of a periscope apparatus 200, wherein some elements of the apparatus 200 are shown according to an example embodiment.

[00120] The periscope apparatus 200 for an armored vehicle may comprise a top module 210, a middle module 220 and a bottom module 230.

[00121] Optionally, the periscope apparatus 200 may further comprise a display module 240 arranged to be releasably connected with the bottom module 230 and operationally connected to the control unit.

[00122] In an embodiment, the periscope apparatus 200 may further comprise user-operable mounting brackets 710-711. The user-operable mounting brackets 710-71 1 are configured to clamp the middle module 220 to an opening of the armored vehicle body for mounting the periscope apparatus 200 to the vehicle body. The middle module 220 may be clamped, for example, to a pod arranged to the armored vehicle body. The mounting brackets 710-711 may clamp the periscope apparatus 200 inside the pod so that no tools or vehicle modification is required. The mounting brackets 710-711 may be user operated inside the vehicle. User operation may be performed using lever mechanic system 730-731 that is operationally connected to the mounting brackets 710-71 1. When the user pulls the lever mechanic system 730-731 downwards, the mounting brackets 710-711 extend horizontally to provide the clamping effect.

[00123] In an embodiment, the periscope apparatus 200 may further comprise protection device 720 to prevent falling of the periscope apparatus 200 out of the pod if the mounting brackets 710-711 fail during operation.

[00124] Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise, include and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity. If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined. Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[00125] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is improved method and apparatus for vision system of a vehicle. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is improved method and apparatus for universal operation of the periscope apparatus in different kinds of installations and/or vehicles.

[00126] Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that safety is improved since there is less likelihood of human error, and systems are efficiently utilized, and greater efficiency that allows reduced operating costs.

[00127] Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that optimal mounting of the periscope apparatus is enabled.

[00128] Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is improved flexibility of single size modules and/or housings to be used for a plurality of different size camera devices or other corresponding elements. [00129] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[00130] It is also noted herein that while the foregoing describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications, which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.