METHOD OF OPERATING AN INTEGRATED NIGHT VISION DEVICE AND LASER RANGER

摘要

An integrated night vision device and laser range finder provides both night-time and day-time imaging by use of an image intensifier tube, as well as providing laser range finding operations both day and night. In a laser range finder mode of operation the device projects a pulse of laser light into a scene being viewed, and a power supply and laser range finder circuit of the device temporarily utilizes the image intensifier tube as a sensor to detect reflected laser light. During laser range finding, imaging is cut off for a very short time interval. Also, during imaging operations, the power supply and laser range finder circuit operates the image intensifier tube in a unique way in order to provide both improved automatic brightness control (ABC) and improved bright-source protection (BSP). The ABC and BSP functions are coordinated with the laser range finding function in order to prevent interference by the ABC or BSP functions with laser range finding operations.