Abstract: An apparatus and method improve sight. The apparatus includes a first sight configured to view a scene. A second sight is configured to alter content representative of the scene in a first manner to form first altered content. A third sight is configured to alter content representative of the scene in a second manner to form second altered content. An image combiner is configured to combine the second altered content with the first altered content to form combined altered scene content.

Abstract: A shock mitigation system for a weapon having a weapon-mounted device that mitigates (reduces and/or reshapes) the total and/or peak acceleration transmitted to the weapon-mounted device when the weapon is fired. The shock mitigation system includes a weapon interface coupled between the weapon and the weapon-mounted device and having a dampening mechanism. In one embodiment, the weapon interface further includes a guide system that allows the weapon-mounted device to move axially relative to the weapon, while substantially limiting non-axial movement, from a first position (static position prior to firing) to a second position (after firing) and return to the first original position. In one embodiment, the dampening mechanism operates to provide bi-directional dampening of both the primary recoil-induced acceleration and any secondary acceleration caused by overshoot. In another embodiment, the dampening mechanism is user-adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method improve sight. The apparatus includes a first sight configured to view a scene. A second sight is configured to alter content representative of the scene in a first manner to form first altered content. A third sight is configured to alter content representative of the scene in a second manner to form second altered content. An image combiner is configured to combine the second altered content with the first altered content to form combined altered scene content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting an angle of a scene viewed by a viewing optical system through an optical device by adjusting an angle of a light beam passing through the optical device. The angle of the scene is adjusted relative to an optical axis of a viewing optical system, in accordance with a signal. A mounting device may be adapted to mount the optical device to a support and adjust a position of the optical device relative to the viewing optical system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method improve sight. The apparatus includes a first sight configured to view a scene. A second sight is configured to alter content representative of the scene in a first manner to form first altered content. A third sight is configured to alter content representative of the scene in a second manner to form second altered content. An image combiner is configured to combine the second altered content with the first altered content to form combined altered scene content.

Abstract: A line of sight adjustment device (LSAD) employs a simple yet robust structure and method to adjust the line of sight (or boresight) of a telescope, clip-on night sight, night vision sight, day scope, or other optical sighting device. In one embodiment, the LSAD includes a single optical element adjusted to change the apparent viewing angle to a target viewed through the device without degrading the optical quality of the image.

Abstract: A combination day/night sight includes an image intensifying sensor/display combination and a daytime optical path length compensator that may be selectively placed within the optical path. Use of the optical path length compensator when the image intensifying sensor/display is not being used eliminates the need for moving optical elements. The night sight therefore requires no change in focus or bore sight adjustment after switching between day and night operations.

Abstract: A night sight includes a notched bottom portion, permitting the use of a large objective lens for maximized light gathering capability while also permitting the night sight to be mounted with its center line relatively close to the center line of the barrel of the weapon with which it is used. This configuration permits the night sight to be mounted so that its center line is the same as the center line of a daytime telescopic sight used in conjunction with the night sight. The night sight includes a focusing assembly having decreased sensitivity to tilt or decenter, and a collimator mounted within a spherical bearing so that the collimator may be precisely aligned during assembly of the night sight. The night sight thereby ensures that an image viewed through the night sight appears to originate from the same angle as that with which the image entered the objective lens, and further resists a need to compensate for parallax during aiming.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided to inject an image into a viewing optical system, which is used for viewing a scene. An image injector includes first and second optical elements with first and second sides, respectively, and a reflective material. The first side adjoins the second side and the reflective material is between the adjoining sides. An image generator is optically coupled to the second optical element and generates an image. The image injector is placed at the aperture of the viewing optical system and passes energy from the scene into the viewing optical system. The reflective material reflects energy from the image generator into the viewing optical system. The image generator may produce the image based upon an information signal from an information generator. The reflective material may reflect energy from the scene into an output optical system and the information generator produce the information signal based on the energy received in the output optical system.

Abstract: An image combining viewer transmits a daylight image directly through the viewer, while reflecting at least one wavelength other than visible light towards a sensor. A display for displaying the image received by the sensor in a visible wavelength is reflected by the back surface of the mirror back along the optical path, combining the displayed image with the daylight image so that they appear to be a single image.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided to inject an image into a viewing optical system, which is used for viewing a scene. An image injector includes first and second optical elements with first and second sides, respectively, and a reflective material. The first side adjoins the second side and the reflective material is between the adjoining sides. An image generator is optically coupled to the second optical element and generates an image. The image injector is placed at the aperture of the viewing optical system and passes energy from the scene into the viewing optical system. The reflective material reflects energy from the image generator into the viewing optical system. The image generator may produce the image based upon an information signal from an information generator. The reflective material may reflect energy from the scene into an output optical system and the information generator produce the information signal based on the energy received in the output optical system.

Abstract: A night vision device provides both an amplified visible light image and an infrared image, overlayed upon each other so that they appear to be a single image. A user may select to utilize either an intensified visual image only, an infrared image only, or ratios of both images simultaneously. Dichroic surfaces within the night vision device are utilized first to separate light into visible and infrared portions, and then to recombine the visible and infrared images to a single image.

Abstract: A field-of-view indicator for use with a viewing device provides a user of the viewing device with a visible indication of a status or event. The viewing device is used by a user to view an image of a scene. An indicator mechanism is operable to display an indication to the user in at least a portion of the image. The indicator mechanism is located in a position such that, while viewing the image of the scene with the viewing device, the user does not view an image of the indicator mechanism. When not activated, the indicator mechanism does not block a portion of the user's view of the image of the scene. The indication may be a change in one of color and brightness of the portion of the image. A plurality of indications may be provided using one or more colors, flash rates, duty cycles, and intensities.

Abstract: A combination day/night sight includes an image intensifying sensor/display combination and a daytime optical path length compensator that may be selectively placed within the optical path. Use of the optical path length compensator when the image intensifying sensor/display is not being used eliminates the need for moving optical elements. The night sight therefore requires no change in focus or bore sight adjustment after switching between day and night operations.

Abstract: A night sight includes a notched bottom portion, permitting the use of a large objective lens for maximized light gathering capability while also permitting the night sight to be mounted with its center line relatively close to the center line of the barrel of the weapon with which it is used. This configuration permits the night sight to be mounted so that its center line is the same as the center line of a daytime telescopic sight used in conjunction with the night sight. The night sight includes a focusing assembly having decreased sensitivity to tilt or decenter, and a collimator mounted within a spherical bearing so that the collimator may be precisely aligned during assembly of the night sight. The night sight thereby ensures that an image viewed through the night sight appears to originate from the same angle as that with which the image entered the objective lens, and further resists a need to compensate for parallax during aiming.