Image observation apparatus

• US 4,237,492 A
• Filed: 03/02/1979
• Issued: 12/02/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sperry Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sperry Corporation
• Inventors: Davidson, Ralph, Roth, Irving
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US06/016,991
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 358/93, 358/113, 358/185, 358/209, 358/225, 358/226, 358/229, 358/108, 350/172
• US Class Current: 348/344
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1066 for enhancing image performance, like resolution, pixel numbers, dual magnifications or dynamic range, by tiling, slicing or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/144 using partially transparent surfaces without spectral selectivity G02B27/147 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

An apparatus which permits direct observation of an image produced by one image generator, simultaneously permits remote observation of an image produced by a second image generator, and switchably permits the simultaneous observation of both images directly and remotely.

Claims

1. An apparatus for viewing a multiplicity of images comprising:

first and second image generating means;

first and second means for receiving optical images; and

beam splitting means positioned in the optical paths of images generated by said first and second image generators for directing said images to said first and second optical image receiving means, said beam splitting means for controllably reflecting and transmitting portions of a light beam incident thereto to vary the percentages of said incident light beam reflected and transmitted, the range of said variations including substantially 0% reflection and substantially 100% transmission.

2. An apparatus for viewing a multiplicity of images in accordance with claim 1 wherein said beam splitting means is controllable to obtain reflections between substantially 0% and 50% of incident light beams and concomitant transmissions between substantially 100% and 50%.

3. An apparatus for viewing a multiplicity of images in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein said directing means further includes:

first means for deflecting said beam reflected from said beam splitting means to said first optical receiving means; and

second means for deflecting said beam transmitted through said beam splitting means to said second optical receiving means.

4. An apparatus for viewing a multiplicity of images in accordance with claim 3 wherein said directing means further includes third means positioned in the optical path of said second image generating means for deflecting light beams therefrom to said beam splitting means.

5. An apparatus for viewing a multiplicity of images in accordance with claim 4 further including means for collimating light deflected from said first deflecting means, and means positioned between said collimating means and said first optical receiving means for selectably varying the intensity of collimated light beams incident to said first optical receiver means.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first image generating means includes means for varying the intensity of an image projected therefrom.

7. An apparatus for viewing a multiplicity of images in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

said first image generating means is an optical telescope;

said second image generating means is a display surface of an electronically generated display means;

said first receiving means is a television camera; and

said second receiving means is an optical eye piece.