Abstract: A sighted device has a sight that includes an objective lens lying on an optical axis of the sight so that an input beam is coincident with the optical axis, an eyepiece lens lying on the optical axis, an imaging detector having a detector output signal, a signal processor that receives the detector output signal from the imaging detector, modifies the detector output signal, and has a processor output signal, and a video display projector that receives the processor output signal and has a video display projector output. An optical beam splitter lies on the optical axis. The beam splitter allows a first split subbeam of the input beam to pass to the eyepiece lens and reflects a second split subbeam of the input beam to the imaging detector. An optical mixer mixes the first split subbeam and the video display projector output prior to the first split subbeam passing through the eyepiece lens.

Abstract: A light source includes a first set of first beam sources having parallel output beams lying in a first-beam-source plane and a second set of second beam sources having parallel output beams lying in a second-beam-source plane. The first-beam-source output beams are parallel to the second-beam-source output beams, but are spatially offset in a direction perpendicular to the first-beam-source output beams. A spatial optical interleaver disposed receives the first-beam-source output beams and the second-beam-source output beams. The first-beam-source output beams pass unimpeded through a set of first-beam openings in the spatial optical interleaver, and the second-beam-source output beams are reflected parallel to the first-beam-source output beams and in the first-beam-source plane.

Abstract: A light-beam-scanning system includes two counter-rotating prism wheels. Each prism wheel has a set of prisms at its periphery, selected so that prisms of equal half-angle deflections are sequentially aligned. A light transceiver structure directs a light beam parallel to the rotational axes of the prism wheels and at a distance from the rotational axes so that the light beam passes through the aligned prisms. A prism-wheel drive is operable to drive the prism wheels in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: A housing for underwater imaging comprising a first section for housing an optical instrument; a second section secured to the first section adapted to house a window; a window disposed within the second section; and a buffer ring disposed between the window and the first section. The buffer ring is a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to that of the window. In the best mode, the window is optical grade glass and the buffer ring is aluminum foil. In the illustrative embodiment, a mounting ring is disposed between the buffer ring and the second section of the housing. The mounting ring is steel and must be polished, lapped, stainless steel as well. The buffer ring protects the glass window from the mounting ring. A third ring is disposed over the window and secures it to the second section of the housing.

Abstract: A reticle illumination system. The novel system includes a first light source adapted to output light toward a target surface and a material having a predetermined index of refraction disposed between the first light source and the target surface for coupling light from the first light source to the target surface. In an illustrative embodiment, the material is a glue or epoxy having an index of refraction matching that of the target surface, and the target surface is a prism surface upon which a reticle is disposed. The system also includes a second light source adapted to output light into the material such that the light is reflected and scattered off of an exit end of the fiber, and/or off of scattering centers distributed throughout the material, towards the target surface.

Abstract: An optical sight includes an optical train having an optical path therethrough, an entrance, and an exit. A reticle is visible through the exit of the optical path. An unpowered reticle illumination source has a first light source that illuminates the reticle responsive to the level of ambient light, and a second light source that illuminates the reticle with an unpowered light source. The reticle illumination source preferably has a scintillation material positioned so that ambient light entering the ambient-light receiver is incident upon the scintillation material, whereupon the scintillation material responsively emits secondary light. A light-gathering prism receives the secondary light and has a diffusing surface disposed to illuminate the reticle using the secondary light. An unpowered light source is positioned to emit light through the diffusing surface to be incident upon the reticle. The unpowered light source may be a tritium light source.

Abstract: A riflescope. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive riflescope is implemented with a housing having an exterior surface and a texture applied to the surface of the housing. In the best mode, the texture has an elevation of 250 microns above the surface of the housing. In more specific embodiments, the texture is uniform and geometric.

Abstract: A leadscrew drive has a leadscrew follower, and a leadscrew. The leadscrew is formed as an elongated annular leadscrew shell having a thread-form outer surface. The leadscrew may be fabricated by depositing a leadscrew-shell material, such as nickel, onto a mandrel having a thread-form outer surface, so that the thread-form outer surface of the mandrel is replicated in an outer surface of the leadscrew-shell material. The mandrel may be removed, to leave a hollow leadscrew shell, or left in place.

Abstract: An optical communications system has a selective block/add capability of an optical channel. An optical beam separator receives and separates an input mixed optical beam into a separated optical channel and a remainder optical beam. A block/add unit receives as an input the separated optical channel and produces as an output a controllably modified separated optical channel. The block/add unit includes a source of an add input optical signal, and a controllable mirror. The controllable mirror is controllable between a first state in which the controllable mirror does not block the path of the separated optical channel, so that the separated optical channel is the output of the block/add unit, and a second state in which the controllable mirror blocks the path of the separated optical channel, and also reflects the add input optical signal as the output of the block/add unit.

Abstract: A sight includes at least one lens having a lens central axis parallel to a lens through-thickness direction and which is laterally physically truncated parallel to the lens central axis, and a sight housing in which the at least one lens is received. The sight housing has a horizontal dimension, and a vertical dimension less than the horizontal dimension. A greatest dimension of the lens is parallel to the horizontal dimension of the sight housing.

Abstract: An optical sight includes an optical train with a reticle having a reticle substrate, and a reticle relief pattern in the reticle substrate having a relief surface oriented so that the relief surface faces an output end of the optical sight. A layer of a barrier material that is opaque to visible light is deposited upon the relief surface. There is a wavelength-converting material within the reticle relief pattern that converts a non-visible excitation wavelength to visible light. A light source of the non-visible excitation wavelength controllably illuminates the wavelength-converting material. The optical train prevents the non-visible wavelength from propagating out of the input end of the optical train.

Abstract: A sighting device is used to aim along a line of sight at a target. The sighting device includes a reticle structure formed of a roof prism assembly having an inclined final roof-prism mirror surface that is not perpendicular to the line of sight. The inclined final roof-prism mirror surface is the last surface of the roof prism assembly from which an optical path of the target reflects before leaving the roof prism assembly. There are two sets of sighting reference features, wherein the sets of sighting reference features are disposed on the inclined roof-prism mirror surface. A separately operable illumination source is provided for each of the sets of sighting reference features, wherein each illumination source illuminates only one set of sighting reference features.

Abstract: An optical sight includes an optical train having an optical path therethrough. The optical train typically includes an objective, a prism that receives the optical path from the objective, and an eyepiece that receives the optical path from the prism. A reticle is formed on a surface of the prism. The reticle is illuminated by a reticle illumination source including a light source having a light-source output beam that illuminates the reticle, and a light diffuser lying in the light-source output beam between the light source and the reticle. The light diffuser is made of a non-lambertian material such as acetal.

Abstract: A software program having a plurality of separately installable features installed on a computer system is to be updated. An end user invokes an update program to update the installed software program. The user selects one of a plurality of operating modes for the computer system and identifies a target drive and directory where the software program is stored. Thereafter, the user identifies a source drive and directory where a plurality of update files are stored. If a prompted mode of operation has been selected, the system copies the update files from the source drive and directory to the target drive and directory and then applies all of the updates to the respective features stored on the target drive in a sequential manner. If a full function mode of operation has been selected, the system copies the update files from the source drive and directory to the target drive and directory and then displays the highest numbered update stored on the target drive and directory for a selected installed feature.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for transferring backup copies of designated multi-track datasets which are stored in a plurality of storage subsystems to a host system via data channel during concurrent execution of an application. Upon receiving a request for a backup copy, execution of an application is temporarily suspended. A dataset logical-to-physical storage system address concordance is formed and execution of the application is resumed thereafter. Any application initiated updates to affected tracks within the designated datasets which occur prior to generation of a backup copy are processed by buffering the updates, copying the affected tracks to storage subsystem memory, updating the address concordance and writing the updates to the affected tracks within the dataset.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the efficiency of communication between multiple direct access storage devices and a storage system controller in a data processing system. In a data processing system having a storage system controller connected between a plurality of host computers and a plurality of storage devices, a processors, within the storage system controller, is provided for controlling the storage devices. Commands and data are communicated between the processor and the storage devices over a communication channel. An independent polling mechanism is provided which is coupled to the communication channel and the processor. The independent polling mechanism is utilized for collecting and storing interrupt status data from each of the storage devices.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the efficiency of communication between multiple host computers and a storage system controller via multiple communication channels. After detecting a transmission of a specific message from the storage system controller to a selected host computer, channel data bits corresponding to that particular communication channel are set within preliminary control words which are stored in temporary storage locations. A timer circuit is coupled to the temporary storage locations and periodically resets the channel data bits. A final control word is then calculated by combining the channel data bits from all of the preliminary control words. A control circuit is then utilized to prohibit the retransmission of the specific message from the storage system controller to the selected host computer for a predetermined minimum period of time in response to the state of the channel data bits within the final control word.

Abstract: A method and system for improved communication in a data processing system. The data processing system includes at least one host and a storage subsystem having storage subsystem devices and at least one storage subsystem controller. The storage subsystem controller includes paths coupling the storage subsystem controller to storage subsystem devices. Communication is initiated between the storage subsystem controller and a selected storage subsystem device in response to a receipt of a request for communication. The request for communication specifies a predetermined path and a specified activity in response to a failure condition. A specified activity is automatically selected in response to a failure to achieve communication utilizing the predetermined path.

Abstract: A data processing system regulating access from a plurality of host computers to a plurality of direct access storage devices. The data processing system has a storage controller connected for data communication to the host computers by one or more channels per host computer. The storage controller is further connected to direct access storage devices used to provide auxiliary storage. The storage controller, responsive to host computer request, selectively establishes a communication link for data transfer between the host computers and the direct access storage devices. Channels are temporarily disqualified from obtaining control of the storage controller or a storage device during periods of contention for access to the storage devices or the storage controller. Transmission of device end and control unit end signals is also selective by channel. Override conditions are specified to allow for host computer or channel failure without disabling the data processing system.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing the efficiency of data accessing within a storage subsystem which is coupled to a host system via a storage subsystem controller and a data channel. The storage subsystem controller preferably includes a tracked cyclic storage device which has multiple disks which are rotatable about a single spindle. Recording tracks within each disk are then accessed utilizing multiple switchable transducer heads. A signal transmitted from the host system is utilized to define a sequence in which a group of recording tracks are to be accessed. That signal is then utilized to create a transducer head switching table within the storage subsystem controller which lists each recording track to be accessed and an associated control parameter for selecting a particular transducer head to be utilized to access a subsequent recording track.