An optical instrument, such as a spotting scope, is provided. The optical instrument may include a range finder configured to calculate or otherwise determine a distance between the optical instrument and an identified object. The optical instrument may also include a display and a user interface. In some embodiments, an operation system associated with the optical instrument may include sensing touchless gestures. For example, hand gestures or eye gestures may be used to navigate a user interface, to actuate the laser range finder, to alter the brightness of a display, or to carry out any of a number of other operational commands.

An optical instrument, such as a spotting scope, is provided. The optical instrument may include a range finder configured to calculate or otherwise determine a distance between the optical instrument and an identified object. The optical instrument may also include a display and a user interface. In some embodiments, an operation system associated with the optical instrument may include sensing touchless gestures. For example, hand gestures or eye gestures may be used to navigate a user interface, to actuate the laser range finder, to alter the brightness of a display, or to carry out any of a number of other operational commands.

A wireless vision equipment for weapons including an image capturing device configured to be mounted on a weapon using standard weapon attachment systems, a camera slot, an integrated transmitter using at least one wireless communication protocol, a beam splitter mirror aligned with an aim line, wherein the splitter mirror multiplies an incoming image by two conjugate images, a camera, a transmitter using the at least one wireless communication protocols, a receiver, an antenna, a cable, a shooting glass and a viewing device configured to be lifted upwards to avoid limiting a user's field of vision.

A wireless vision equipment for weapons including an image capturing device configured to be mounted on a weapon using standard weapon attachment systems, a camera slot, an integrated transmitter using at least one wireless communication protocol, a beam splitter mirror aligned with an aim line, wherein the splitter mirror multiplies an incoming image by two conjugate images, a camera, a transmitter using the at least one wireless communication protocols, a receiver, an antenna, a cable, a shooting glass and a viewing device configured to be lifted upwards to avoid limiting a user's field of vision.

Medical imaging camera head devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system or other medical scope or borescope. Afocal light from the scope is manipulated and split. The resulting first and second beams are passed through focusing optics to a single sensor. To take better advantage of the available number image sensor pixels, the beam may pass through lens elements (or prisms) to generate an anamorphic aspect ratio prior to being split, increasing the resolution of the image in one dimension. The afocal anamorphic beam is then split, and both images are focused on the image sensor. The anamorphism is compensated for in image processing, permitting higher resolution in one dimension along the image sensor. The manipulation of the beams prior to being split (and in some cases after or while being split) can take several forms, each offering distinct advantages over existing systems.

Medical imaging camera head devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system or other medical scope or borescope. Afocal light from the scope is manipulated and split. The resulting first and second beams are passed through focusing optics to a single sensor. To take better advantage of the available number image sensor pixels, the beam may pass through lens elements (or prisms) to generate an anamorphic aspect ratio prior to being split, increasing the resolution of the image in one dimension. The afocal anamorphic beam is then split, and both images are focused on the image sensor. The anamorphism is compensated for in image processing, permitting higher resolution in one dimension along the image sensor. The manipulation of the beams prior to being split (and in some cases after or while being split) can take several forms, each offering distinct advantages over existing systems.

An unobscured five-mirror afocal telescope includes an aperture configured to direct electromagnetic radiation to first, second, third, fourth and fifth mirrors, each configured to receive electromagnetic radiation and reflect electromagnetic radiation along a beam path. The five mirrors are arranged to sequentially reflect from one another electromagnetic radiation received via the aperture to produce a collimated output beam of the electromagnetic radiation at an exit pupil, with the five mirrors consisting of a three-element objective and a two-element eyepiece. A beam splitter may be disposed between the first mirror and the second mirror to direct short-wavelength electromagnetic radiation toward a device along a separate path.

An unobscured five-mirror afocal telescope includes an aperture configured to direct electromagnetic radiation to first, second, third, fourth and fifth mirrors, each configured to receive electromagnetic radiation and reflect electromagnetic radiation along a beam path. The five mirrors are arranged to sequentially reflect from one another electromagnetic radiation received via the aperture to produce a collimated output beam of the electromagnetic radiation at an exit pupil, with the five mirrors consisting of a three-element objective and a two-element eyepiece. A beam splitter may be disposed between the first mirror and the second mirror to direct short-wavelength electromagnetic radiation toward a device along a separate path.

A spectral measurement device capable of achieving a high level of diffraction efficiency by reducing the polarization sensitivity of the device. Many such embodiments are capable of achieving high diffraction efficiency by fixing the polarization of the incoming light to a fixed polarized state internal to the device, thereby allowing for the full spectrum of light to be captured and measured by the device.

A diffractive optic reflex sight (DORS) is provided for aiming devices in which a virtual image, such as a reticle, is produced and appears in the distance of a user's view when looking through the reflex sight. A light source illuminates a diffractive optical element (DOE) that includes a modulation pattern that generates a patterned illuminations corresponding with the virtual image. A reflective image combiner then reflects the patterned illumination so that the virtual image appears in the distance of the viewer's view. The DORS optical design system is mechanically and optically stable for precision aiming across a range of environmental conditions and in different use scenarios or applications including use in rapidly changing temperatures, varying light conditions, and a wide range of user proficiencies. The DORS optical design system is a readily manufacturable aiming and sighting device for a wide range of applications from handguns to astronomical telescopes.