Multiple spectral single image sighting system using single objective lens set

Abstract

A sighting system is disclosed, comprising a housing with small upper minor mounted in its upper center, redirecting light from a single objective lens set, and a larger lower mirror mounted coaxially relative to the lens set and upper minor, both mirrors set at 45° and redirecting light at 90° angles to the lens set. The smaller mirror is positioned closer than the lower minor to the lens set. A night camera system is used for receiving an image through the lens set redirected by the lower mirror and amplified through an intensifier before transmission to a video display monitor(s). A day camera system receiving the image from the lens set redirected by the smaller minor transmits the image to the monitor(s) for separate display of the image, enabling simultaneous capture of the optimum amount of light by each camera, maximizing the housing's diametrical space to receive incoming light.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-periscope sighting system comprising a housing having at least one small upper coaxial mirror and corresponding redirecting minor, said at least one small upper coaxial minor mounted in an upper center portion of the housing redirecting light to a single objective lens set with said at least one corresponding redirecting mirror mounted adjacent to said at least one small upper coaxial minor in an upper side portion of the housing facing the opposite direction relative to said lens set and said at least one small upper coaxial minor and redirecting light to said lens set, said at least one small upper coaxial mirror and corresponding redirecting minor positioned closer than an image intensifier to said lens set, a night sensor mounted at the bottom of the housing adjacent said image intensifier for receiving an image through said lens set and said image intensifier of non-redirected light; said sighting system further comprising at least one additional sensor for receiving said image from said lens set redirected by said at least one small upper coaxial mirror and corresponding redirecting minor, said at least one sensor receiving said image of redirected light for viewing of said image received by said night sensor and said at least one additional sensor. 
     
     
         2 . The sighting system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one small upper coaxial minor is smaller in diameter than said lens set. 
     
     
         3 . The sighting system according to  claim 1  wherein said intensifier has an 18 mm image intensifier tube. 
     
     
         4 . A method of simultaneous capture of a minimum amount of higher intensity incoming light flux into a non-periscope sighting system to enable an image to be reflected onto a day sensor and maximizing the amount of remaining lower intensity light to reflect said image onto a night sensor using a single objective lens set within a housing enclosing said sighting system, the steps comprising:
 a. Positioning a small upper coaxial minor in an upper center portion of the housing;   b. Positioning a corresponding redirecting minor adjacent to said small upper coaxial minor in an upper side portion of the housing facing the opposite direction relative to said lens set and said small upper coaxial mirror to redirect light to said lens set;   c. Aligning said small upper coaxial mirror and said corresponding redirecting mirror closer than an image intensifier to said lens set, said small upper coaxial minor redirecting said image using a minimum amount of higher intensity incoming light flux at its center;   d. Positioning a night sensor at the bottom of the housing adjacent said image intensifier for receiving an image through said lens set and said image intensifier of non-redirected light; and   e. Positioning a day sensor for receiving said image from said lens set redirected by said small upper coaxial mirror and said corresponding redirecting mirror, said day sensor receiving said image of redirected light for viewing of said image received by said night sensor and said day sensor.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said day sensor and said night sensor are board cameras. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said board cameras transmit said image to a video display monitor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said intensifier has an 18 mm image intensifier tube. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said day sensor and said night sensor are adapted to operate on a mobile platform. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said board cameras transmit said image to at least one monitor by radio waves. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of:
 d. Feeding the output from said board cameras as input to an image fusing means for an enhanced display of said image. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method of capturing an image into a non-periscope sighting system onto both a day camera and a night camera, the steps comprising:
 a. Positioning said night camera at one side of a housing enclosing said sighting system for receiving said image;   b. Positioning said day camera adjacent said night camera on said housing for receiving said image; and   c. Simultaneously transmitting said image to a video display monitor.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of:
 d. simultaneously capturing a minimum amount of higher intensity incoming light flux into said non-periscope sighting system to enable an image to be reflected onto said day camera and maximizing the amount of remaining lower intensity light to reflect said image onto said night camera using a single objective lens set within said housing enclosing said sighting system; 
 f. Positioning a small upper coaxial minor in an upper center portion of the housing; 
 g. Positioning a corresponding redirecting minor adjacent to said small upper coaxial minor in an upper side portion of the housing facing the opposite direction relative to said lens set and said small upper coaxial mirror to redirect light to said lens set; 
 h. Aligning said small upper coaxial mirror and said corresponding redirecting mirror closer than an image intensifier to said lens set, said small upper coaxial minor redirecting said image using a minimum amount of higher intensity incoming light flux at its center; 
 i. Positioning said night camera at the bottom of the housing adjacent said image intensifier for receiving an image through said lens set and said image intensifier of non-redirected light; and 
 j. Positioning said day camera for receiving said image from said lens set redirected by said small upper coaxial mirror and said corresponding redirecting minor, said day camera receiving said image of redirected light for viewing of said image received simultaneously by said night camera and said day camera. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said intensifier has an 18 mm image intensifier tube. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said day camera and said night camera are adapted to operate on a mobile platform. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said day camera and said night camera are board cameras that transmit said image to at least one video display monitor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said board cameras transmit said image to at least one monitor by radio waves. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of:
 d. Feeding the output from said board cameras as input to an image fusing means for an enhanced display of said image.