NCJ Number
147108
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 41 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1993) Pages: 19,22-24
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Hughes Electronics and Texas Instruments have joined forces to develop a useful night vision device for the law enforcement community.
Abstract
The Hughes DataVision head up display (HUD) was combined with infrared (IR) vision technology to allow a driver to scan the area around his vehicle without taking his eyes from the road. The HUD/IR device uses the natural heat in all objects to allow an officer to see people, cars, and lights, and even to show a person standing behind a bush in broad daylight. The law enforcement version of this technology would be cheaper than military versions because the equipment would not be exposed to as much stress or extreme conditions. The HUD unit uses a ceiling-mounted projector to display information on a clear plastic screen mounted on the windshield. Computer data, vehicle navigation information, radar and laser printouts, and images produced by an IR night vision camera can be monitored by the driver. The IR camera is mounted on the car's roof and manipulated by a joy stick inside the car. IR equipment has been used in drug arrests, residential burglary investigations, and fire detection.