Apparatus and method for providing both day and night vision simulations
View Patent ↗An apparatus for providing both day vision simulations and night vision simulations includes a projector that seamlessly provides both night and daytime training modes. The projector includes two independent light sources, with an embedded night vision filter affixed inside the projector proximate one of the light sources to achieve the night training mode. The operator will select one light source according to the mode desired (daytime training mode or nighttime training mode). Each light source may easily be selected, and the light paths from both of the light sources may have a common path when exiting the projector for efficient operation between modes.
1. A projector assembly comprising:
a projector housing;
a first light source positioned within said projector housing for simulating day time scenarios, said first light source having a first light path;
a second light source positioned within said projector housing for simulating night time scenarios, said second light source having a second light path; and
a night vision filter affixed within said projector housing in said second light path, said night vision filter positioned proximate said second light source to be used for night vision training to provide a maximum of ten percent of the visual light between 480 nm and 600 nm.
2. The projector assembly as described in claim 1 , further comprising a controller connected to said first light source and said second light source, said controller enabling shut down of said first light source and second light source according to desired operation of said projector assembly.
3. A projector comprising:
at least two light sources;
an integrating system proximate said light sources to combine the light of said multiple light sources and illuminate one or a set of light valves; and
a night vision filter proximate one of said two light sources to reduce the light from said proximate light source by at least 90% of the visual light from 480–600 nm.
4. The projector of claim 3 , further comprising a controller connected to said light sources, said controller enabling shut down of the at least two light sources and sole operation of said light source proximate said night vision filter.
5. The projector of claim 3 , wherein said integrating system comprises:
a light rod;
a prism of which two sides are used to reflect the light from said light sources into said light rod; and
at least one light valve;
wherein the light at the exit of the light rod is sent to said light valve.
6. The projector of claim 3 , further comprising three light valves.
7. The projector of claim 3 , wherein said integrating system comprises:
a set of flye eye lenses that will homogenize and send the illumination from said at least two light sources onto a light valve.
8. A projector comprising:
a housing;
a day vision illumination module affixed in said housing; and
a night vision illumination module affixed in said housing, said night vision illumination comprising a night vision filter providing a maximum of ten percent of the visual light between 480 nm and 600 nm;
said day vision illumination module and said night vision illumination module being independently operated in said housing.
9. The projector as described in claim 8 further comprising a controller selectively determining when said day vision illumination module is operable and when said night vision illumination module is operable.
10. The projector as described in claim 8 wherein said day vision illumination module includes a first light source and a first reflector.
11. The projector as described in claim 8 wherein said night vision illumination module includes a second light source and a second reflector.