Telescope Patents (Class 359/399)
  • Patent number: 11874432
    Abstract: A space optical instrument is disclosed including a primary mirror having an optical axis and including a first face, referred to as the front face, oriented towards an observed area, and a second face opposite to the first, referred to as the rear face, the optical instrument further including a thermal stabilization device for the primary mirror, comprising a thermally conductive wall extending around the optical axis (O) on the front face side of the primary mirror towards which this face is oriented. The thermal stabilization device further includes a temperature regulating device for the circumferential wall that is capable of using the measurement of an incident heat flux on the mirror, and adapting the temperature of the circumferential wall according to the measured incident heat flux, in order to keep the front face of the mirror at a constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Didier Charvet, Sébastien Le Foll
  • Patent number: 11874091
    Abstract: A composite scope body having a composite mounting system integrally attached to the scope body. The mounting system may have a self-centering clamping mechanism. Further, a sighting system which may be used in the scope body may include at least one transparent display array for display of a digital reticle. The display array configured to selectively emit light from the array surface. The display may further be integrated with an optical component of the sight or integrated with an optical protection component. The sighting system may further include an adjustment system for adjusting the digital reticle or other information to be displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KIHO MILITARY ACQUISITION CONSULTING, INC.
    Inventor: Oliver Zang
  • Patent number: 11754827
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a measurement light beam which can be projected onto a target object, comprising a light-refracting component having an optical axis, and at least two mirrors for deflecting the measurement light beam, and an optical overall body consisting of at least one optically effective material, wherein the optical overall body is configured in such a way that the at least two mirrors are fitted inside or at the edge, in particular as a part, of the optical overall body, in such a way that the measurement light beam entering the optical overall body is offset parallel to the incident measurement light beam when emerging from the optical overall body, so that the emerging measurement light beam lies on the optical axis of the light-refracting component of the apparatus and is projected in this form onto the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bösch, Josef Müller
  • Patent number: 11644625
    Abstract: There is provided an adapter tip to be employed with an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope and an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system suitable for imaging the optical-fiber endface of an angled-polished optical-fiber connector deeply recessed within a connector adapter. The adapter tip or microscope system comprises a relay optical system comprising a Rhomboid prism. The Rhomboid prism being disposed so as to receive light reflected from said optical-fiber endface during inspection and laterally shift the light beam reflected from the angled-polished optical-fiber endface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: EXFO Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Filion, Olivier Cote
  • Patent number: 11630180
    Abstract: A technique for polar aligning the mount of a telescope or other astronomical instrument includes acquiring star images from an electronic polar scope and determining a location of a celestial pole relative to the star images based on computerized matching of the star images to information in a database. The mount has a right-ascension (RA) axis, and the technique directs an adjustment to the mount so as to align a location of the RA axis with the determined location of the celestial pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Nanjing iOptron Scientific, Inc. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chengcheng Xu, Baitao Zhao, Hua Jiang
  • Patent number: 11525677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surveying apparatus for surveying an object as well as a surveying system comprising the surveying apparatus having a simple and compact optical setup. The surveying apparatus comprises a lens arrangement including at least one movably arranged focus lens element for focusing to sight an object; an imaging unit configured to obtain an image of at least a part of the object; a distance measuring unit configured to measure a distance to the object along the optical axis of the distance measuring unit; and a beam splitter/combiner configured to combine a part of the optical imaging path of the imaging unit and a part of the optical distance measuring path of the distance measuring unit so that the optical axis of the imaging unit and the optical axis of the distance measuring unit are at least coaxially arranged with the optical axis of the lens arrangement between the lens arrangement and the beam splitter/combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Vogel, Rolf Richter, Thomas Metz, Andreas Glimm, Torsten Kludas, Ute Natura
  • Patent number: 11421960
    Abstract: A solar inner red dot sight includes a body, a power supply and a solar cell arranged on the body, a control circuit board and an LED light-emitting chip arranged on or in the body, a photoelectric sensor arranged on a side of the LED light-emitting chip, wherein the photoelectric sensor is used to collect illuminance signals of a shooting target or surroundings thereof; the control circuit board obtains power supplied to the LED light-emitting chip according to the signals of the solar cell and the illuminance signals of the photoelectric sensor, and compares the power with the solar energy, when the solar energy is less than the power energy, the control circuit board turns on the power supply to power the LED light-emitting chip; or when the solar signal is strong, the LED light emitting chip is powered by the solar cell only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Huanic Corporation
    Inventors: Jianhua Sun, Dong Wang, Yaofeng Zhao
  • Patent number: 11409089
    Abstract: An optical system includes a plurality of internal apertures, a plurality of external optical assemblies and a telescope assembly positioned between the plurality of internal apertures and the plurality of external optical assemblies. Each internal aperture is operable to receive a corresponding aperture-specific optical signal. Each external optical assembly corresponds to one of the internal apertures, and each external optical assembly is operable to direct the aperture-specific optical signal of the corresponding internal aperture in a corresponding external direction. The external direction for each external optical assembly is independently controllable and the telescope assembly defines a shared optical train arranged to direct the aperture-specific optical signals between each internal aperture and the corresponding external optical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell Limited Honeywell Limitée
    Inventors: Thomas Ducellier, Alexander Beaton, Sheng Hai Zheng
  • Patent number: 11409099
    Abstract: An optical system includes a plurality of internal apertures, a plurality of external optical assemblies and a telescope assembly positioned between the plurality of internal apertures and the plurality of external optical assemblies. Each internal aperture is operable to receive a corresponding aperture-specific optical signal. Each external optical assembly corresponds to one of the internal apertures, and each external optical assembly is operable to direct the aperture-specific optical signal of the corresponding internal aperture in a corresponding external direction. The external direction for each external optical assembly is independently controllable and the telescope assembly defines a shared optical train arranged to direct the aperture-specific optical signals between each internal aperture and the corresponding external optical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell Limited Honeywell Limitée
    Inventors: Thomas Ducellier, Alan Scott, Sheng Hai Zheng
  • Patent number: 11372193
    Abstract: An improved focusing mechanism that integrates magnetic measurement of a position sensor magnet on a focus adjustor wherein the focus position is based on capturing a focus mechanism's position with use of the position sensor magnet and 3D magnetometer and storing that captured position in memory thus allowing users to setup and save a focus mechanism's position facilitating the quick re-focusing on previously saved positions is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Meopta U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Libor Dockal, Karel Navratil, Radek Libicher, Vladimir Skricil
  • Patent number: 11181729
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system for restoring a natural image combined with a digital image, in order to characterise and highlight the objects represented on the natural image. The optical system includes an objective lens, an eyepiece, a semi-reflective plate, a processing unit, capturing means and restoring means. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: UNISTELLAR
    Inventors: Arnaud Malvache, Antonin Borot, Benjamin Lefaudeux, Laurent Marfisi
  • Patent number: 11137579
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of optical lenses and provides a camera optical lens. The camera optical lens includes, from an object side to an image side: a first lens made of a plastic material; a second lens made of a plastic material; a third lens made of a plastic material; a fourth lens made of a plastic material; a fifth lens made of a plastic material; a sixth lens made of a glass material; and a seventh lens made of a plastic material. The camera optical lens satisfies following conditions: 1.51?f1/f?2.50; 1.70?n6?2.20; ?2.00?f3/f4?2.00; 0.00?(R13+R14)/(R13?R14)?10.00; and 0.015?d11/TTL?0.200. The camera optical lens can achieve a high imaging performance while obtaining a low TTL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: AAC Optics Solutions Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaonan Zhao, Lei Zhang, Yanmei Wang, Yang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11092814
    Abstract: A high-efficiency, multiwavelength beam-expander optical system that employs dielectric-enhanced mirrors is disclosed. Each mirror includes a reflective multilayer coating formed from alternating layers of HfO2 and SiO2 that define, in order from the substrate surface, at least first and second sections, wherein the HfO2/SiO2 layer thicknesses are generally constant within a given section and get smaller section by section moving outward from the substrate surface. The first and second sections are respectively configured to optimally reflect different operating wavelengths so that the beam-expander optical system has an optical transmission of greater than 95% at the different operating wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Jue Wang
  • Patent number: 11079568
    Abstract: A payload module (1) of a stratospheric drone including: a casing (10), and a piece of optical equipment (20) comprising an optical axis, mounted in the casing, wherein the module being includes a mirror (40) positioned on the optical axis facing the optical equipment, the mirror being swivelable about at least one axis, within an angular range, wherein the casing has a through-opening (11) shaped so that any light ray received or emitted by the optical equipment parallel to the optical axis and reflected by the mirror passes through the through-opening, over the entire angular range of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space SAS
    Inventors: Pierre-Luc Georgy, Pere Roca
  • Patent number: 10921576
    Abstract: An adjusting turret for a long-range optical device, in particular a telescopic sight, includes a rotary cap rotatable about a rotary axis and at least one locking ring having a toothing and at least one locking element cooperating permanently with the toothing. The at least one locking element is moved by rotating the rotary cap out of a first, non-locked engagement position, in which the at least one locking element is in engagement with a first portion of the toothing of the at least one locking ring, overcoming a rotary resistance produced by the force of at least one elastic element into a second, non-locked engagement position, in which the at least one locking element is moved into engagement with a second, portion of the toothing of the locking ring. The adjusting turret includes at least one adjusting element in particular for the stepless adjustment of the rotary resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Kahles Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Gunther Weiszl
  • Patent number: 10901177
    Abstract: Wide angle fovea lens and a camera design using the lens are described. The lens has three lens groups and includes a single aspherical lens element. The lenses have higher magnification on the optical axis than at angles off the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Alex Ning
  • Patent number: 10901198
    Abstract: A retainer system is provided for tethering a cap to a body on an optic, where the cap and body define an inner cavity. The retainer system includes a lanyard and an inner attachment. The lanyard is fixed on a first end to a surface of the cap facing the inner cavity. The inner attachment is fixed on a first end to a second end of the lanyard and is fixed on a second end to an inside wall of the body facing the inner cavity. When the cap is closed on the body, the lanyard and inner attachment are contained completely within the inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Trijicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Glen Sabaldan Elpedes, Scott Edmond Vanwambeke
  • Patent number: 10591252
    Abstract: An optical device has a housing and an adjustment ring rotatably disposed about the housing. The adjustment ring defines a channel. A lever selectively engages with the channel and may be used to rotate the adjustment ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Burris Company
    Inventor: Matthew Travis White
  • Patent number: 10527835
    Abstract: A device for detecting light includes a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) comprising a detection area formed from an array of a plurality of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). An optical system is configured to shape the light such that the detection area is covered as completely as possible with a light beam region of substantially constant intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
    Inventors: Manuel Kremer, Marcus Dyba
  • Patent number: 10371873
    Abstract: A high efficiency optical beam dump having at least two glass plates configured to define an optical path configured to reflect a beam incident the optical path from plate to plate, wherein the plates include anti-reflective coatings and high reflective coatings and wherein the high-efficiency optical beam dump is capable of very high levels of attenuation through repetitive absorption and reflection of an optical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R Staver, Adam J Marcinuk
  • Patent number: 10359612
    Abstract: A microscopical imaging system for the widefield microscopical imaging of a sample. The imaging system includes a ray path with an objective, a tube lens system arranged behind the objective as seen from the sample, and a relay optical system with an objective-side component and an image-side component. The objective-side component includes at least one first objective-side lens group and a second objective-side lens group. The image-side component includes at least one first image-side lens group and a second image-side lens group. The relay optical system transfers an image of the exit pupil of the objective to a pupil plane between the objective-side component and the image-side component. The relay optical system transfers an image of the sample from an intermediate image plane to an image plane. The imaging system includes an adaptive optical element that is arranged at the pupil plane between the objective-side component and the image-side component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nobis, Joerg Petschulat, Wolfgang Singer
  • Patent number: 10222582
    Abstract: A foldable lens system attached to a protection case or cover that can be used as a telescope for mobile device rear camera. A compact lens system that can be easily stored. The lens holders are self-aligned concentrically to the rear camera through the alignment and recessed structure on the lens holders and the case. This system can be scaled through adding or removing some lens holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Guangwei Yuan
  • Patent number: 10151875
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a compact system for scanning electromagnetic imaging radiation, comprising a first waveguide and a second waveguide, each of which is operatively coupled to at least one electromagnetic radiation source and configured such that output from the first and second waveguides is luminance modulated and scanned along one or more axes to form at least a portion of an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Matthew D. Watson
  • Patent number: 10146048
    Abstract: An optical assembly (1) includes an optical element (2), a mount (3) configured to hold the optical element (2), and a plurality of fastening elements (12) with fastening areas (14) configured to fasten the optical element (2) to the mount (3). The fastening elements (12) bridge an interstice (11) between the optical element (2) and the mount (3), and a purge device (15) produces at least one purge gas flow (16) in the region of the optical element (2) such that the purge gas flow flows around the fastening areas (14) of the fastening elements (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Brehm, Wolfgang Merkel, Ulrich Weber, Henry Wegert
  • Patent number: 10139610
    Abstract: A catadioptric microscope objective color-corrected for any wavelength in 190 nm to 1000 nm operational range and containing primary spherical front-surface mirror devoid of a through-hole and rear-surface plane-parallel mirror, each of which mirrors has a corresponding reflective annular coating defining an aperture formed in such coating coaxially with the optical axis. The objective, devoid of a Mangin element, is configured such that for any optical field with a diameter smaller than about 50 microns the Strehl ratio is no lower than 0.0781, and/or longitudinal spherical aberration is no larger than 0.0008 mm, and/or the astigmatism is smaller than 0.0005 mm, and/or distortion is smaller than 0.012 percent within the operational range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: David M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 10120195
    Abstract: Technologies pertaining to a multi-aperture optical imaging system are described herein. The multi-aperture optical system comprises an afocal optical telescope and a plurality of sub-apertures that receive light from the telescope. Each sub-aperture comprises a focusing optic that creates a full-field image onto an individual image sensor that outputs data indicative of an intensity of light received at the sensor. Image processing techniques can be used to combine the sensor outputs for spectral discrimination, to improve dynamic range or to enhance resolution of a scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: David Bossert
  • Patent number: 10054923
    Abstract: The universal astronomical instrumentation control system is completely based on an Open Source architecture in the server- and client-side components. The system is self-contained within a single small factor package using embedded hardware architecture. No desktop or server-side components are required. The system creates a WiFi hotspot that enables mobile/tablet/desktop devices to connect to it and control any astronomical devices attached to the unit. Therefore, no external network is required in order to operate the device. The system is not limited to canonical devices. Any device with an INDI (Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface) driver can be controlled by the unit. The system's client software is cross-platform and available on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The system is a consumer-level device designed for fast and easy control of commercially popular astronomical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Jasem K. M. Mutlaq
  • Patent number: 9906736
    Abstract: A sight attachable to a weapon and comprising an objective lens, an image display, and a digital reticle. The objective lens focuses infrared light received from a scene onto a thermal imager, which is comprised of a focal plane array that detects infrared radiation in the scene focused by the lens. The image display is in signal communication with the thermal imager and provides an image of the received infrared light from the scene. The image rendered by the display is visible to the user. The digital reticle is rendered on the display and provides an aim point of the weapon upon a target in the scene. The image of the scene and superimposed reticle are directly viewable by a user with the aim point of the weapon upon the target being maintained constant over a range of viewing angles that depart from a viewing angle perpendicular to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Rochester Precision Optics, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Patton, Robert Benson
  • Patent number: 9874715
    Abstract: An imaging lens is disclosed and has an optical axis. The image lens includes a lens barrel having a lens barrel wall arranged around the optical axis and forming an accommodation space; an imaging module including a plurality of near object units and near image units separated from each other and arranged in an order from an object side to an image side in the accommodation space; and a spacing part sandwiched between the near object units and the near image units. The spacing part includes a first reflecting surface facing the near image units and a second reflecting surface connected with the first reflecting surface, the light from the near image units is reflected two times by the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Jie Ma, Chuandong Wei
  • Patent number: 9777990
    Abstract: A reticle unit equipped with an optical apparatus such as a riflescope includes: red and green light sources radiating red light and green light; a disc-like shaped reticle substrate that has a diffraction grating formed at substantially the center of a surface having substantially circular shape; and red and green mirror members converge light radiated from the red and green light sources, make incidence on the reticle substrate from corresponding side surface portions of the reticle substrate to illuminate the diffraction grating so as to emit first order diffracted light reflected and diffracted by the diffraction grating along a normal direction of the diffraction grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nikon Vision Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Arai
  • Patent number: 9703088
    Abstract: A telescope made up of mutually connectable modules, which telescope includes at least a lens module and an eyepiece module, and the lens module and eyepiece module each have a connection interface for connecting the modules, wherein an optical system for changing the zoom is integrated in the lens module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Swarovski-Optik KG.
    Inventors: Konrad A. Roider, Ludwig Pernstich, Benno Miller
  • Patent number: 9645387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cutoff mechanism (5) for an optical module comprising a housing (100) and a driving motor (30) provided with an armature resistance and being arranged to cause the movement of a light beam cutoff shield (10), said housing (100) being made of a plastic material, characterized in that said armature resistance is comprised between 25 and 120 Ohms. The invention also relates to an optical module comprising such cutoff mechanism (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: AML Systems
    Inventors: Cyril Rivier, Hassan Koulouh, Claudio Chiatelli
  • Patent number: 9541741
    Abstract: A folded optical zoom lens and an image pickup apparatus including the same are provided. The zoom lens includes a first reflection plate and a second reflection plate having reflection surfaces facing each other; a light incidence region disposed around the second reflection plate; a light exit region disposed in a hole in a center portion of the first reflection plate; and a mirror, which is disposed around the second reflection plate and reflects light incident via the light incidence region toward the first reflection plate. The mirror is configured to change a length of a an optical path of light incident via the light incidence region, reflected between the first reflection plate and the second reflection plate, and exiting the zoom lens via the light exit region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee-chul Han, Jong-Chul Choi
  • Patent number: 9417036
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical scope including an objective lens, an eyepiece lens, and a reticle, wherein a field lens having negative power is disposed in at least one of a front and a back of the reticle disposed on an image formation surface of the objective lens to increase eye-relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventors: In Jung, Dong Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9389411
    Abstract: An unobscured afocal three-mirror telescope can provide a two-axis gimbal architecture that is more compact, more lightweight, and less expensive than traditional coudé path approaches. The telescope can create a real exit pupil and position the exit pupil on a 90-degree fold mirror. Two orthogonal rotational axes can intersect substantially at or about the center of the telescope's exit pupil and on or about the center of the last fold mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary Alvis Granger, Douglas S. Russum, David M. Stubbs
  • Patent number: 9366853
    Abstract: An opto-mechanical deployable telescope includes a hub, at least one deployable multiple petal primary mirror mounted to the hub, a deployment assembly, a secondary optic assembly, and a deployment engine assembly. The deployment assembly is operable to move the at least one primary mirror between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment engine assembly is operable to power the deployment assembly using stored mechanical energy. The deployment assembly includes a kinematic or semi-kinematic interface between the hub and the at least one primary mirror to hold petals of the at least one primary mirror in alignment relative to each other in the deployed position. The secondary optic assembly comprising a secondary optical member and is operable to axially position the secondary optical member relative to the primary mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Trent Newswander, Blake Crowther, James Champagne, Kendall B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9341826
    Abstract: Wide angled image generation may be facilitated by directing light rays of a field of view through a partial spherical ball lens along an original axis. The light rays may be redirected off of a flat surface of the partial spherical ball lens along a different axis to at least one image sensor. The at least one image sensor is operable converts the light rays into digital data representing the redirected light rays. Wide angled images may be generated from the digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Fussy
  • Patent number: 9328997
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a sight device can include an integrated range finder and/or a camera with an associated display device. The display device can present a field of view associated with the target and an aiming element such as a dot or crosshairs. Data associated with a distance to a target can be employed to update a presentation by the display device such that the aiming element accurately represents a location at the distance to the target a projectile is expected to hit upon discharge. Updates to the presentation can relate to, e.g., a zoom factor or a vertical-axis offset determined based on the distance to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Mickey McArthur Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9255770
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a clamp tube including an open front end and an opposed open rear end and defining an inner cavity extending from the front end to the rear end. A light assembly is receivably connected to the clamp tube at the rear end. The clamp tube is configured to receivably connect to an eyepiece of a scope of a firearm at the front end. The light assembly projects illumination through the inner cavity and through the scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Mark DiCorte
  • Patent number: 9194656
    Abstract: A dot-sighting device includes a light source, a beam splitter and a reflective element. The light source emits light. The beam splitter includes a surface that reflects at least a portion of a first light component of the light and transmits at least a portion of a second light component. The reflective element reflects at least a portion of the first light component reflected by the surface of the beam splitter toward the beam splitter. The light reflected by the reflective element includes the second light component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventors: In Jung, Bo Sun Jeung
  • Publication number: 20150146288
    Abstract: An opto-mechanical deployable telescope includes a hub, at least one deployable multiple petal primary mirror mounted to the hub, a deployment assembly, a secondary optic assembly, and a deployment engine assembly. The deployment assembly is operable to move the at least one primary mirror between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployment engine assembly is operable to power the deployment assembly using stored mechanical energy. The deployment assembly includes a kinematic or semi-kinematic interface between the hub and the at least one primary mirror to hold petals of the at least one primary mirror in alignment relative to each other in the deployed position. The secondary optic assembly comprising a secondary optical member and is operable to axially position the secondary optical member relative to the primary mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Trent Newswander, Blake Crowther, James Champagne, Kendall B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150138633
    Abstract: To improve the flexibility of a scope, such as a riflescope, spotting scope, and the like, a holder is mounted forward of the scope. The holder allows connection of a lens system, such as a wide angle lens system for improving the viewing angle. The holder may be mounted on a rail, such as a standard Picatinny rail, or may include a ring locking mechanism that engages and locks onto the outer scope housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SUPAS LTD
    Inventors: Hermann Theisinger, Zhao Wang
  • Patent number: 9025040
    Abstract: A rifle scope includes an image sensor configured to capture visual data corresponding to a view area, a display, and a controller coupled to the display and the image sensor. The controller is configured to apply a first stabilization parameter to at least a portion of the visual data to produce a stabilized view, to provide the stabilized view and a reticle to the display, and to apply a second stabilization parameter to stabilize the reticle relative to the stabilized view in response to motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: TrackingPoint, Inc.
    Inventors: Dane Andrew Thyssen, John Hancock Lupher
  • Publication number: 20150103402
    Abstract: An active space telescope intended to be mounted on a satellite and comprising at least one mirror, a mechanism for servo-controlling the mirror according to at least three degrees of freedom which comprises actuators and a support fixed to the actuators, an interface for fixing the mirror to the servo-control mechanism. The interface is a suspension system of predetermined stiffness which allows dynamic displacements of the mirror relative to the servo-control mechanism, and the telescope comprises means for limiting these dynamic displacements in the form of elastic abutments and means of cooperation with these elastic abutments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Cyrille LABORDE, Gilles CARTE
  • Patent number: 8989584
    Abstract: An RF/Optical shared aperture is capable of transmitting and receiving optical signals and RF signals simultaneously. This technology enables compact wide bandwidth communications systems with 100% availability in clear air turbulence, rain and fog. The functions of an optical telescope and an RF reflector antenna are combined into a single compact package by installing an RF feed at either of the focal points of a modified Gregorian telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ruggiero, Hsueh-yuan Pao, Paul Sargis
  • Publication number: 20150077847
    Abstract: An optical system for forming a final image of a non-circular light source on a workpiece with a desired non-circular cross-section and desired size B includes a plurality of spaced lenses. The plurality of lenses are arranged with spaced upstream and downstream lenses which are configured to transmit the beam emitted by the light source. The optical system is configured with an F-theta lens spaced downstream from the downstream lens and converging the beam incident thereon so that the beam has a final waist. The F-theta and downstream lenses are spaced apart so that F ? ? 4 Fth = A B , wherein F4 a positive focal length of the downstream lens, Fth is the negative focus of the F-theta lens, B is the desired size of the final image, and A is a size of a preliminary noncircular image of the source different from the desired size B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Timur Erbatov
  • Publication number: 20150077846
    Abstract: A positioning system comprising a mounting assembly arranged to move a positioning device via a magnetic coupling interaction between the mounting assembly and the positioning device. The positioning device is configured to limit the spread of flux away from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Commonwealth of Australia as represented by Department of Industry
    Inventors: Peter Gillingham, James Gilbert, Gregory Smith, Nicholas Staszak, Jerzy Brzeski, Stanislaw Miziarski, Scot Smedley, Tony Farrell, Lewis Waller
  • Patent number: 8982458
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with an improved optical architecture. An optical telescope having a longitudinal axis is configured to allow a beam having a first wavelength to laterally transverse a telescope barrel along a first axis. An optical module directs and corrects the beam from the first axis to a second and third axis, and to a beam expander. The beam expander transmits a beam having a second wavelength through the optical telescope along the longitudinal axis. The optical architecture may be incorporated onto an on-gimbal component that is side-mounted to a gimbaled system, as a method of minimizing the operational burdens on the gimbaled system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20150070758
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment turret for a long-range optical device comprising a base, a rotary control element which can be rotated relative to the base about an axis of rotation, a stop pair consisting of a first stop and a second stop which in the stop position limit the rotational movement of the rotary control element, and a mechanism for overcoming the stop position of the stop pair wherein the mechanism comprises an actuating element accessible from the outside which bears or cooperates with one of the stops, and in at least one rotational position of the rotary control element can be moved relative to the base and relative to the rotary control element, so that by activating the actuating element one stop can be displaced relative to the other stop and the stop position can be overcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Mario Ingenito
  • Patent number: 8958149
    Abstract: Regarding a sighting telescope comprising a reversing system which is configured between an objective and is fitted an ocular and fitted with an objective-proximate field lens and at least two mutually displaceable optical elements near the ocular, further comprising an objective-proximate image plane situated between the objective and the field lens and spaced from latter, further with an ocular-proximate image plane situated between the reversing system and the ocular, where, when displacing the said optical elements, an intermediate image projected by the objective into the ocular-proximate image plane is erected and reproduced at a variable magnification in the ocular proximate image plane, and at a magnification of at least 4×, the invention stipulates configuring a correcting field lens element between the objective-proximate image plane and the field lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schmidt & Bender GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helke Karen Hesse