A laser ranging binocular for distance detection includes a first lens barrel having a first eyepiece and a first objective lens, and a second lens barrel having a second eyepiece and a second objective, lens with the first and second lens barrels rotatable relative to each other. A laser transmitter in the first lens barrel is operable to transmit a laser beam through a first optical splitting unit, the propagated light is directed through a first prism and through the first objective lens towards a target object. Laser light reflected from the target object is received by the second objective lens and directed to a second prism, which directs the received light to a second optical splitting unit and to a laser receiver. A processor in communication with the laser transmitter and receiver measures elapsed time and calculates a distance to the target.

An optical system includes an external common entrance pupil, a front multispectral objective lens group configured to receive and direct electromagnetic radiation in the multispectral infrared wavelengths, and a first beamsplitter configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the front objective lens group. The first beamsplitter further is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the short wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength and the middle wave infrared (MWIR) wavelength and to transmit electromagnetic radiation in the long wave infrared (LWIR) wavelength. The optical system further includes a second beamsplitter configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the first beamsplitter. The second beamsplitter further is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the SWIR wavelength and to transmit electromagnet radiation in the MWIR wavelength. The optical assembly further includes a spectral hybrid optics groups configured to direct spectrum beams in the LWIR wavelength band, the MWIR wavelength band and the SWIR wavelength.

An optical system includes an external common entrance pupil, a front multispectral objective lens group configured to receive and direct electromagnetic radiation in the multispectral infrared wavelengths, and a first beamsplitter configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the front objective lens group. The first beamsplitter further is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the short wave infrared (SWIR) wavelength and the middle wave infrared (MWIR) wavelength and to transmit electromagnetic radiation in the long wave infrared (LWIR) wavelength. The optical system further includes a second beamsplitter configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the first beamsplitter. The second beamsplitter further is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the SWIR wavelength and to transmit electromagnet radiation in the MWIR wavelength. The optical assembly further includes a spectral hybrid optics groups configured to direct spectrum beams in the LWIR wavelength band, the MWIR wavelength band and the SWIR wavelength.

An assembly and method of switching direction of camera view. The method comprises disposing a beam splitter element on a camera, the beam splitter element being configured such that first and second beams of light incident on first and second faces, respectively, of the beam splitter element are directable towards an entry lens of the camera; disposing first and second shutter elements in the paths of the first and second beams of light, respectively; and controlling the first and second shutter elements such that one of the first and second shutter elements is in an open state while the other one is in a closed state, and vice-versa.

An endoscope imager includes a system-in-package and a specularly reflective surface. The system-in-package includes (a) a camera module having an imaging lens with an optical axis and (b) an illumination unit. The system-in-package includes (a) a camera module having an imaging lens with an optical axis and (b) an illumination unit configured to emit illumination propagating in a direction away from the imaging lens, the direction having a component parallel to the optical axis. The specularly reflective surface faces the imaging lens and forming an oblique angle with the optical axis, to deflect the illumination toward a scene and deflect light from the scene toward the camera module.

An endoscope imager includes a system-in-package and a specularly reflective surface. The system-in-package includes (a) a camera module having an imaging lens with an optical axis and (b) an illumination unit. The system-in-package includes (a) a camera module having an imaging lens with an optical axis and (b) an illumination unit configured to emit illumination propagating in a direction away from the imaging lens, the direction having a component parallel to the optical axis. The specularly reflective surface faces the imaging lens and forming an oblique angle with the optical axis, to deflect the illumination toward a scene and deflect light from the scene toward the camera module.

An apparatus and to a method for imaging the inner contour of a tube are provided. The method includes radiating light having a first polarization direction onto a first tube end in the longitudinal direction of the tube; reflecting the light downstream of a second tube end, wherein the light that is returning through the tube due to the reflection has a second polarization direction that is orthogonal with respect to the first polarization direction; and filtering the returning light with a polarization filter to transmit only the returning light.

An apparatus and to a method for imaging the inner contour of a tube are provided. The method includes radiating light having a first polarization direction onto a first tube end in the longitudinal direction of the tube; reflecting the light downstream of a second tube end, wherein the light that is returning through the tube due to the reflection has a second polarization direction that is orthogonal with respect to the first polarization direction; and filtering the returning light with a polarization filter to transmit only the returning light.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed to share images observed through an optical device and display data through the optical device. An input/output device may be positioned in an optical path of the optical device. The input/output device may include a beam splitter to redirect a portion of a beam of light traveling along the optical path of the optical device to an imaging device. The beam splitter may also combine the beam of light with another beam of light generated by a display device.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed to share images observed through an optical device and display data through the optical device. An input/output device may be positioned in an optical path of the optical device. The input/output device may include a beam splitter to redirect a portion of a beam of light traveling along the optical path of the optical device to an imaging device. The beam splitter may also combine the beam of light with another beam of light generated by a display device.