Digitally enhanced night vision device

Abstract

A user portable viewing device (D) includes a plurality of non-coaxially aligned sensors ( 26 and 32 ) for sensing a scene ( 74 ). A processing element (P) combines electronic images into a single electronic image. A display ( 24 ) displaying the combined electronic image is adaptable for mounting in an optical axis (A 1 ) including an eye ( 20 ) of the user (U) and an input end ( 28 ) of the first sensor 26 for direct view. In a second embodiment, a system for fusing images comprises sensors ( 52 and 56 ) for generating sets of image data. An information processor (P) receives and samples the sets of image data to generate sample data for computing a fused image array. A display ( 24 ) receives the fused image array and displays a fused colorized image generated from the fused image array.

1 . A user portable viewing device including a plurality of non-coaxial sensors for sensing a scene to be viewed and operably attached to a processing element combining electronic images originating from at least two sensors into a single electronic image for viewing by a user, the invention comprising:
 an electronic display operably connected to the processing element for displaying the combined electronic image;   one of the sensors having an input end to sense the scene to be viewed and being adaptable for mounting in an optical axis extending from an eye of the user; and   the electronic display being adapted to be positioned in the optical axis of the user and between the eye of the user and the input end of the sensor for direct view of the display of the combined image by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of sensors include an image intensifier tube and an infrared camera. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the display to be viewed and the plurality of sensors are mounted within a housing.