Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein address these and other issues by providing for a long range ballistic laser rangefinder system that helps overcome these and other obstacles. In particular, embodiments of a laser rangefinder system utilize a laser transmitter assembly with a fiber laser for generating a plurality of laser pulses that are reflected off of a target and received at a light receiver assembly that includes a light detector for detecting the reflected laser pulses. The plurality of reflected laser pulses are then used to determine an accurate distance from the laser rangefinder system to the target. This can include, for example, taking an average of the distances calculated using each of the plurality of reflected laser pulses.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein provide for substantially uniform steering of multiple laser beams of a laser rangefinder having different wavelengths, such as a rangefinder laser beam and a visible laser beam. This can allow a user of the laser rangefinder to use the visible laser beam to bore sight the range-finding laser beam to a weapon onto which the laser rangefinder is mounted. The uniform steering of the multiple laser beams can be done through the utilization of a Risley prism assembly with one or more Risley prisms having a center portion through which one laser beam travels and at least one annulus through which a second laser beam travels.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein provide for substantially uniform steering of multiple laser beams of a laser rangefinder having different wavelengths, such as a rangefinder laser beam and a visible laser beam. This can allow a user of the laser rangefinder to use the visible laser beam to bore sight the range-finding laser beam to a weapon onto which the laser rangefinder is mounted. The uniform steering of the multiple laser beams can be done through the utilization of a Risley prism assembly with one or more Risley prisms having a center portion through which one laser beam travels and at least one annulus through which a second laser beam travels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention(s) described herein enable the display of information (e.g., information related to aiming and/or target selection and/or other information) through the use of a rifle scope display adapter (RDA) that can be coupled to and/or placed in proximity to an existing rifle scope. This information, which is viewable through the eyepiece of the rifle scope, can come from a spotter and/or other information source. The RDA may utilize a polarized transmissive-reflective optical element to enable light generated by the RDA to be reflected into the objective of the rifle scope, as well as light from a scene viewable by the rifle scope to be transmitted through the polarized transmissive-reflective optical element to the objective.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein address these and other issues by providing for an optical tag that uses an optical assembly with beam splitters to allow for simultaneous detection and retro-modulation, as well as the use of a camera to facilitate alignment of the optical tag with a laser interrogator. Additional components may be used to allow for a large aperture to be used, to help maximize light received by the optical tag and minimize diffraction of retro-modulated light, which can significantly increase distances at which the optical tag can operate. Moreover, a beam splitter may further be used to balance the light directed toward an optical sensor and a retro-modulator, to help achieve optimal results.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling a wind-sensing optical scope to communicate with external components to provide for a ballistic solution. Techniques may further incorporate cost saving features such as the utilization of a photo diode and/or other features. The wind-sensing optical scope may include various sensors to collect data for the ballistic solution, and/or data from external sensors may be used. Techniques may further incorporate range finding in the wind-sensing optical scope, depending on desired functionality.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a compact and lightweight rifle scope display adapter configured to be affixed in front of the objective lens of a rifle scope. The display adapter includes a receptacle that enables the adapter to be electrically connected to a ballistic computer, rangefinder or other targeting mechanism. The display adapter is configured to receive aimpoint information and project illuminated symbology that is brought into focus by the rifle scope optics in such a way that the symbology appears to overlay an image of a scene on which the rifle scope is focused. The display adapter includes a casing that houses processing circuitry, a light emitting diode, polarizer, polarized beam splitter, liquid crystal on silicon imaging element and reflective element. The display adapter also includes a light bar, spherical mirror, quarter-wave plate and an additional polarized beam splitter contained within the light bar.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein address these and other issues by providing a retro-modulating optical “tag” with a wide FOV that enables high-speed communication in a compact design. Embodiments enable retro-modulation via a lens assembly that directs light to a reflective surface, through a Quantum Well Modulator (QWM) that modulates the light. A wide field of view can be achievable, for example, using a lens with a high index of refraction, which may be optically contacted with the QWM.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling a wind-sensing optical scope to communicate with external components to provide for a ballistic solution. Techniques may further incorporate cost saving features such as the utilization of a photo diode and/or other features. The wind-sensing optical scope may include various sensors to collect data for the ballistic solution, and/or data from external sensors may be used. Techniques may further incorporate range finding in the wind-sensing optical scope, depending on desired functionality.

Abstract: An optical communication device can address these and other issues by utilizing a system and method in which an optical device emits a series of laser pulses that trace a spiral path over a coverage area. Each laser pulse containing a packet of information modulated at a relatively rate to help mitigate adverse effects from device movements, scintillation, and the like. The beam width of the laser, speed of the scan (along the spiral path), and number of laser pulses can be configured such that corresponding response pulses (e.g., retro-modulated pulses) received from an illuminated tag within the coverage may have a variety of different amplitudes, increasing the likelihood that at least one of the response pulses will have power characteristics that facilitate a proper decoding of the response pulse.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention(s) described herein enable the display of information (e.g., information related to aiming and/or target selection and/or other information) through the use of a rifle scope display adapter (RDA) that can be coupled to and/or placed in proximity to an existing rifle scope. This information, which is viewable through the eyepiece of the rifle scope, can come from a spotter and/or other information source. The RDA may utilize a polarized transmissive-reflective optical element to enable light generated by the RDA to be reflected into the objective of the rifle scope, as well as light from a scene viewable by the rifle scope to be transmitted through the polarized transmissive-reflective optical element to the objective.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a compact and lightweight rifle scope display adapter configured to be affixed in front of the objective lens of a rifle scope. The display adapter includes a receptacle that enables the adapter to be electrically connected to a ballistic computer, rangefinder or other targeting mechanism. The display adapter is configured to receive aimpoint information and project illuminated symbology that is brought into focus by the rifle scope optics in such a way that the symbology appears to overlay an image of a scene on which the rifle scope is focused. The adapter includes a mounting assembly that provides two attachment mechanisms. A first ring of the RDA can be screwed into the threads on the interior surface of the scope. Additionally, the scope can be inserted into a second ring of the RDA and provides compressive, radial pressure against the outside surface of the scope.

Abstract: An optical communication device can address these and other issues by utilizing a system and method in which an optical device emits a series of laser pulses that trace a spiral path over a coverage area. Each laser pulse containing a packet of information modulated at a relatively rate to help mitigate adverse effects from device movements, scintillation, and the like. The beam width of the laser, speed of the scan (along the spiral path), and number of laser pulses can be configured such that corresponding response pulses (e.g., retro-modulated pulses) received from an illuminated tag within the coverage may have a variety of different amplitudes, increasing the likelihood that at least one of the response pulses will have power characteristics that facilitate a proper decoding of the response pulse.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing the weapon-mounted optical scope that provides for wind sensing and the display a ballistic solution without the need for a separate device. Embodiments may include various additional sensors housed within the weapon-mounted optical scope to provide data for the ballistic solution calculation. Embodiments may further include a display at the input aperture rather than internally at the first-focal-plane, enabling for simpler, more cost effective embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, embodiments may include a laser, separate from the wind sensing laser, to perform range-finding functions, and/or an enhanced-image assembly.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a compact and lightweight rifle scope display adapter configured to be affixed in front of the objective lens of a rifle scope. The display adapter includes a receptacle that enables the adapter to be electrically connected to a ballistic computer, rangefinder or other targeting mechanism. The display adapter is configured to receive aimpoint information and project illuminated symbology that is brought into focus by the rifle scope optics in such a way that the symbology appears to overlay an image of a scene on which the rifle scope is focused. The adapter includes a mounting assembly that provides two attachment mechanisms. A first ring of the RDA can be screwed into the threads on the interior surface of the scope. Additionally, the scope can be inserted into a second ring of the RDA and provides compressive, radial pressure against the outside surface of the scope.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an optical sensor that can be used for wind sensing and an optical scope. The optical sensor can include a photodiode, an electrical switch, a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA), and a capacitive trans-impedance amplifier (CTIA), enabling the optical sensor to perform both wind-sensing and range-finding functions. Some embodiments may include some or all of these components in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), depending on desired functionality.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for automatically bore-sighting a laser-based optical device to a weapon or other apparatus to which the optical device may be mounted (or otherwise coupled). According to certain embodiments of the invention, a reflective element such as a retro-reflector can be located on a target, and the apparatus is sighted (or otherwise oriented) to the target. While the apparatus is thus sighted, a processing unit (or other control unit) of the laser-based optical device can manipulate a laser-steering assembly to scan the field of view of a camera of the laser-based optical device with a laser to determine where, in the field of view, the reflective element is located and how the laser-steering assembly is oriented. Hill-climbing and/or other peak-detection techniques can be used to make either or both of these determinations.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an optical assembly to provide stereoscopic images of a reflected laser spot to a camera for wind measurement. According to certain embodiments of the invention, an optical assembly can include left and right (or first and second) subassemblies having lens groups and reflective elements that cause light traveling left and right subassemblies to follow similar paths to focus on respective left and right portions of a camera. The camera can then use left and right images of reflected laser light to determine wind based on turbulence patterns in the left and right images.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an optical sensor that can be used for wind sensing and an optical scope. The optical sensor can include a photodiode, an electrical switch, a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA), and a capacitive trans-impedance amplifier (CTIA), enabling the optical sensor to perform both wind-sensing and range-finding functions. Some embodiments may include some or all of these components in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), depending on desired functionality.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a low-power, high quality compact laser source. Embodiments include an optical combiner combining the outputs of a pump laser and a Fabry-Perot seed laser into a fiber amplifier. The fiber amplifier can comprise, for example, erbium-doped fiber. Embodiments can include pulsed and continuous wave lasers, depending on desired functionality.