Abstract: A low-light viewing device includes a housing, having mounted thereto: a lens, an electronic camera for receiving light focused by the lens and for providing an output signal; a display for receiving the output signal and displaying an image detected by the camera; a controller for controlling the camera and the display, and a user interface for operating the controller. The lens may be a fixed focus lens having an F number of less than about 1, and a T number of less than about 1.5. The display may have a resolution at least as great as the resolution of the camera. The device may have a processor programmed to provide control signals to the camera and display depending on a selected light environment.

Abstract: A portable searchlight with a focused beam operating both in the infrared and visible portions of the spectrum with a range of approximately 400 meters includes telescopic lens system integrated with an illumination system. The beam of the searchlight and the telescopic lens are automatically aligned to both focus on the distant object. The telescopic lens system is combined with a digital camera system and an LCD display. The searchlight includes an eyepiece lens enabling an user to choose either viewing a display screen or using the eyepiece lens to optically observe the field of view.

Abstract: A portable searchlight with a focused beam operating both in the infrared and visible portions of the spectrum with a range of approximately 400 meters includes telescopic lens system integrated with an illumination system. The beam of the searchlight and the telescopic lens are automatically aligned to both focus on the distant object. The telescopic lens system is combined with a digital camera system and an LCD display. The searchlight includes an eyepiece lens enabling an user to choose either viewing a display screen or using the eyepiece lens to optically observe the field of view.

Abstract: A digital low-light viewing device comprises a housing having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end defining an optical input aperture and the second end defining an optical output aperture; an infra-red camera assembly responsive to low intensity light and infra red energy received via the input aperture for generating an output image; a signal processor coupled to the camera assembly for processing the output image; a display assembly coupled to the camera assembly for displaying the processed image; a zoom lens assembly coupled to the camera assembly for electronically variably focusing the output image; and control electronics responsive to a control mechanism disposed on a surface of the housing for controlling operating functions of the low-light viewing device, the control mechanism navigable via a user's digit for controlling the operating functions.

Abstract: A long-range, high intensity handheld searchlight has several novel features that improve existing designs. The invention minimizes electrical penetrations to the handheld searchlight by having a magnetic ON/OFF switch. A heat sink is disclosed that is in thermal contact with the external housing without physically penetrating the housing. Additionally, when an external power source in required, power transfer is achieved by inductive coupling to further eliminate electrical penetrations that affect watertight integrity. Also disclosed is a lamp socket assembly for a handheld searchlight that has springs that act as floating contacts within a lamp socket hole. The springs provide proper alignment for the lamp that is critical to achieve a high intensity light beam. A lamp is disclosed that has its electrodes adjacent to one another for easy installation and removal of the lamp. A shoulder strap is further disclosed to facilitate transportation and use of a handheld searchlight.

Abstract: A long-range, high intensity handheld searchlight has several novel features that improve existing designs. The invention minimizes electrical penetrations to the handheld searchlight by having a magnetic ON/OFF switch. A heat sink is disclosed that is in thermal contact with the external housing without physically penetrating the housing. Additionally, when an external power source in required, power transfer is achieved by inductive coupling to further eliminate electrical penetrations that affect watertight integrity. Also disclosed is a lamp socket assembly for a handheld searchlight that has springs that act as floating contacts within a lamp socket hole. The springs provide proper alignment for the lamp that is critical to achieve a high-intensity light beam. A lamp is disclosed that has its electrodes adjacent to one another for easy installation and removal of the lamp. A shoulder strap is further disclosed to facilitate transportation and use of a handheld searchlight.

Abstract: A digital low-light viewing device comprises a housing having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end defining an optical input aperture and the second end defining an optical output aperture; an infra-red camera assembly responsive to low intensity light and infra red energy received via the input aperture for generating an output image; a signal processor coupled to the camera assembly for processing the output image; a display assembly coupled to the camera assembly for displaying the processed image; a zoom lens assembly coupled to the camera assembly for electronically variably focusing the output image; and control electronics responsive to a control mechanism disposed on a surface of the housing for controlling operating functions of the low-light viewing device, the control mechanism navigable via a user's digit for controlling the operating functions.

Abstract: A xenon arc searchlight incorporates a high frequency/high efficiency electronic circuit that allows lamp ballasting and charging of the system battery to occur over a wide range of external DC power supplies. The xenon arc searchlight has a converter circuit coupled to both the battery, the ballasting circuit and the arc lamp for converting DC voltage from the battery to pulse width modulated switched current to the arc lamp in which the DC voltage is switched by parallel switching transistors. The ballisting circuit is controllable by a switch to vary current supplied to the converter circuit and hence intensity of the lamp which discrete steps in intensity of the lamp are not visually perceptibly different between one step to a next step in the sequence of steps of the current to the lamp. The lamp, ballast, battery and charger are provided in a single rugged package.

Abstract: A xenon arc searchlight or illumination system incorporates a quick change release and assembly so that the lamp, reflector and battery assemblies are easily field replaceable without tools. The lamp, ballast, battery and charger are provided in a single rugged package which can be sealed for field use. The searchlight is combined by an appropriate mounting adaptable with other optical detector devices such as cameras, binoculars and night vision telescopes. The beam output is similarly usable with a combination of filters to allow the most varied intensity and wavelengths for a particular application, such as smoke filled environments, surveillance employing near-infrared or infrared illumination, ultraviolet, underwater illumination or illumination with any color in the visible range.

Abstract: A xenon arc search lamp has a lamp beam focused by relative movement of a reflector by advancing or retracting it along its optical axis of symmetry on which the lamp is aligned. The battery and lamp assemblies are field replaceable without tools. The beam output is usable with a combination of filters to allow the most varied intensity and wavelengths for a particular application, such as smoke filled environments, infrared illuminations and underwater illuminations. The xenon arc lamp is oriented within the searchlight with respect to the reflector to provide the most uniform field of illumination on which the lamp is capable, namely with the anode of the lamp turned away from the forward beam direction in the reflector.