A display system comprises a projector combined with a retro reflective screen and a viewer distance from the projector such that the observation angle is less than approximately 2-3 degrees. The brightness of the image on the screen for the proposed display system is increased by a factor of ˜100-500× as compared to traditional display systems with for an equivalent power/intensity light source.

A camera mirror system for a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view. The camera has a lens that is configured to focus light on an image capture unit and a filter switch that are each arranged in an optical path provided between the lens and the image capture unit. The filter switch has an infrared (IR) filter that is movable into and out of the optical path in response to a IR filter command A display is in communication with the camera and is configured to display the field of view. An IR light-emitting diode (LED) is configured to illuminate the field of view in response to an IR LED command. A controller is in communication with the image capture unit, the filter switch and the IR LED. The controller is configured to provide the IR filter command and the IR LED command in response to a limited-use night vision condition based upon a factor other than an amount of atmospheric light.

A night vision goggle adapter including: a goggle mount assembly; a primary magnet generating a magnetic flux; a magnetic flux conducting unit having a first end and a second end; a first plurality of shunts; and a second plurality of shunts disposed about the goggle mount assembly; wherein the magnetic flux conducting unit may overlap the primary magnet and form a magnetic circuit for conducting the magnetic flux towards the second end of the magnetic flux conducting unit when none of the first plurality of shunts and none of the second plurality of shunts are overlapped by the magnetic flux conducting unit; and wherein the magnetic flux is shorted through one of the first plurality of shunts or the second plurality of shunts when the magnetic flux conducting unit is positioned to overlap one of the first plurality of shunts or one of the second plurality of shunts.

Methods and apparatus enable an image-viewing system to automatically zoom in and out as target subset matter is tracked. A hand-held body with a lens gathers an image including target subject matter. An image sensor having a resolution in pixels receives the image, and a viewfinder displays at least a portion of the image received by the image sensor. By virtue of the invention, apparatus for automatically zooming out the image displayed in the viewfinder if relative movement is detected between the target subject matter and the body and, and automatically zooming in the image displayed in the viewfinder if the relative movement of the target subject matter slows down or becomes stationary. A power zoom lens may effectuate the automatic zooming, or the zooming may be accomplished digitally without moving parts. The body may form part of a camera, video recorder, binoculars or telescope.

To maximize the light capturing and imaging resolution capability of an imaging satellite while minimizing weight, the primary reflector and other elements of the optical path have a shape optimized to the shape of the satellite. For a nanosatellite with a square cross-section, the first mirror and other elements of the telescope section in the optical path have a square cross-section, as does the sensor array of the camera section.

An optical system includes an optical waveguide, and a first optical element configured to direct a first ray, having a first circular polarization and impinging on the first optical element at a first incidence angle, in a first direction so that the first ray propagates through the optical waveguide via total internal reflection toward a second optical element. The first optical element is configured to also direct a second ray, having a second circular polarization that is distinct from the first circular polarization and impinging on the first optical element at the first incidence angle, in a second direction that is distinct from the first direction so that the second ray propagates away from the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to direct the first ray propagating through the optical waveguide toward a detector.

The present invention is a lightweight night vision device (NVD) sealed from environmental conditions, shielded from electromagnetic interference (EMI), and having mechanisms for easy adjustment and fixation of collimation and interpupillary distance. The NVD monocular housing is integrated with the eyepiece, image intensifier tube module, and objective, allowing collimation to be fixed via an optical alignment of the monocular housing to its eyepiece, tube module, and objective. Certain components from existing NVDs may be reused in assembling the present invention to provide cost savings.

A cata-dioptric optical system for high resolution imaging in visible and infrared bands. The system includes a concave primary mirror, a convex secondary mirror, at least one beam splitter, a first folding mirror, a first group of lenses, a second group of lenses, and at least two image planes. The image planes have one or more aggregated sensors, where a first image plane receives rays from the first group of lenses and a second image plane receives rays from the second group of lenses, and at least one image plane is positioned behind the primary mirror and at a radial distance from the optical axis that is no more than the radius of the primary mirror.

A cata-dioptric optical system for high resolution imaging in visible and infrared bands. The system includes a concave primary mirror, a convex secondary mirror, at least one beam splitter, a first folding mirror, a first group of lenses, a second group of lenses, and at least two image planes. The image planes have one or more aggregated sensors, where a first image plane receives rays from the first group of lenses and a second image plane receives rays from the second group of lenses, and at least one image plane is positioned behind the primary mirror and at a radial distance from the optical axis that is no more than the radius of the primary mirror.

Improved helmet mounting devices for an optical device are provided. The mounting devices herein include dual pivot axes providing multiple flip options for pivoting the viewing device and/or mount up and away from the user's line of sight. The dual pivot axes and multiple flip positions also allow the unit to be adapted for a variety of viewing devices.