Dual infrared (ir) sights for firearms

Abstract

An apparatus comprising two infrared (IR) lasers. One IR laser has an operating center wavelength of λ1, while the other IR laser has an operating center wavelength of λ2, which is different form λ1. In other words, λ2≠λ1. The apparatus further comprises a mount for mechanically mounting the first IR laser and the second IR laser to a firearm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first infrared (IR) laser for operating at a first center wavelength (λ1);   a second IR laser for operating at a second center wavelength (λ2), wherein λ2≠λ1; and   a mount for mechanically mounting the first IR laser and the second IR laser to a firearm.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mount comprises:
 a slot that affixes to a rail of a rail-equipped pistol.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the rail is a Picatinny rail. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ1 is in a near infrared (NIR) wavelength range, and wherein λ2 is in a short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength range. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ2 is in a near infrared (NIR) wavelength range, and wherein λ1 is in a short-wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength range. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ1 is detectable by sensors, wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of:
 advanced optical sensors 
 hyperspectral sensors; and 
 light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ1 is undetectable by standard night-vision devices. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ1 is detectable by advanced optical sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ1 is detectable by systems trained to identify various spectra of light that is invisible to unaided human eyes. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ2 is detectable by sensors, wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of:
 advanced optical sensors; 
 hyperspectral sensors; and 
 light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors. 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ2 is detectable by systems trained to identify various spectra of light that is invisible to unaided human eyes. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ2 is undetectable by standard night-vision devices. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first laser is configured for laser pulse modulation. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the laser pulse modulation comprises combinations of customizable pulses and customizable intervals for conveying information. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first laser and the second laser are, in combination, configured for frequency hopping. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the frequency hopping provides multiple detectable signatures. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mount is a bolt on accessory to a standard issued pistol. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mount is a bolt on accessory to a standard issued rifle. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ1 is in a wavelength range selected from the group consisting of:
 700 nanometers (nm)≤λ2≤1 millimeter (mm); 
 3 micrometers (μm)≤λ2≤8 μm; 
 750 nm≤λ2≤1400 nm; 
 700 nm≤λ2≤1400 nm; 
 1400 nm≤λ2≤3000 nm; 
 780 nm≤λ2≤3000 nm; 
 3 μm≤λ2≤50 μm; 
 700 nm≤λ2≤5 μm; and 
 5 μm≤λ2≤40 μm. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein λ2 is in a wavelength range selected from the group consisting of:
 700 nanometers (nm)≤λ2≤1 millimeter (mm); 
 3 micrometers (μm)≤λ2≤8 μm; 
 750 nm≤λ2≤1400 nm; 
 700 nm≤λ2≤1400 nm; 
 1400 nm≤λ2≤3000 nm; 
 780 nm≤λ2≤3000 nm; 
 3 μm≤λ2≤50 μm; 
 700 nm≤λ2≤5 μm; and 
 5 μm≤λ2≤40 μm.