Retrofit extended vision module for weapon system optical sight
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An extended vision module for retrofit installation onto an existing optical sight of a weapon system, said optical sight including an eyepiece, comprising:
- (a) a first optical channel for receiving an input image from said optical sight at the location where said eyepiece is normally located in said optical sight;
(b) an optical combining means for receiving said input image from said first optical channel;
(c) a second optical channel comprising (1) a luminous display device and (2) a means for directing a luminous image displayed by said display device to said optical combining means;
(d) said optical combining means combining said image from said first optical channel and said luminous image from said second optical channel to form a composite final image;
(e) said optical combining means further directing said composite final image to a third optical channel, said third optical channel comprising (1) a video camera and (2) a lens assembly for forming said final image onto said video camera, said video camera generating a video signal of said final image, and said video camera coupled to an output means for enabling transmission of said video signal to a remote location; and
(f) a housing for said first, second and third optical channels and said optical combining means, said housing adapted for mounting to said optical sight at the location of said eyepiece after removal of said eyepiece, said housing further comprising a means for receiving said eyepiece;
(g) wherein said extended vision module simultaneously provides said final image to an operator of said weapon system at said eyepiece and a video signal of said final image for transmission to a host viewing system remote from said eyepiece, whereby the performance of said optical sight and weapon system may be extended and enhanced.
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Abstract
An optical sight for a weapon system is upgraded with a retrofit module that provides both gunner sighting at the eyepiece and video transmission of the image the gunner sees to a remote location such as, for example, the helmet display of the commander for the weapon system. The video image may be used for both fire control as well as training of the gunner. The retrofit module is adaptable to most types of sighting systems.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An extended vision module for retrofit installation onto an existing optical sight of a weapon system, said optical sight including an eyepiece, comprising:
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(a) a first optical channel for receiving an input image from said optical sight at the location where said eyepiece is normally located in said optical sight; (b) an optical combining means for receiving said input image from said first optical channel; (c) a second optical channel comprising (1) a luminous display device and (2) a means for directing a luminous image displayed by said display device to said optical combining means; (d) said optical combining means combining said image from said first optical channel and said luminous image from said second optical channel to form a composite final image; (e) said optical combining means further directing said composite final image to a third optical channel, said third optical channel comprising (1) a video camera and (2) a lens assembly for forming said final image onto said video camera, said video camera generating a video signal of said final image, and said video camera coupled to an output means for enabling transmission of said video signal to a remote location; and (f) a housing for said first, second and third optical channels and said optical combining means, said housing adapted for mounting to said optical sight at the location of said eyepiece after removal of said eyepiece, said housing further comprising a means for receiving said eyepiece; (g) wherein said extended vision module simultaneously provides said final image to an operator of said weapon system at said eyepiece and a video signal of said final image for transmission to a host viewing system remote from said eyepiece, whereby the performance of said optical sight and weapon system may be extended and enhanced. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An improved weapon system comprising:
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a weapon having an electronics module for generating aiming point of regard or electronic image information; a sight presenting to an operator of said weapon an input image including the point of regard of said weapon said input image comprising an optical image and image information from said electronics module said input image normally presented at an eyepiece for said sight; and a retrofit extended vision module adapted to be installed onto said sight said retrofit extended vision module comprising a means for receiving said input image from said sight at the location of said eyepiece of said sight, and a luminous device generating a luminous image, said retrofit extended vision module combining said input image with said luminous image to form a composite final image; said retrofit extended vision module further comprising a camera generating a video signal of said composite final image, a video signal port enabling said video signal to be conveyed to a display of a remote viewing system, and an eyepiece holder receiving said eyepiece for viewing of said composite final image by said operator of said weapon; whereby a commander having access to controls for said weapon may view a display image corresponding to said video signal on said remote viewing system display and exercise remote fire control over said weapon. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification