CA2695767A1 - Optical-electronic sighting system and method of its operation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a system and method which combine optical sights (OPS) mounted on firearms with electronic video units to improve sightings for firearms. The main components are: a head mounted display-wireless (HMD-W), a main wireless video-camera (MWVC), a main wireless video transmitter (MWVT), a connector (CNT), optionally, a second wireless video camera with transmitter (SWVC-T), and a main displaying switch (MD-Swt). The MWVC is coupled or uncoupled to the OPS by using the CNT. When the MWVC is coupled to the OPS, the user aims the target through the HMD-W. When the MWVC is uncoupled from the OPS, the user aims the target through the OPS. The SWVC-T is carried separately by the user, it has a second displaying switch (SD-Swt), and it enables the user to monitor the target through the HMD-W when the use of the MWVC is unsafe.

Description

2 OPTICAL-ELECTRONIC SIGHTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ITS OPERATION
Technical Field Of The Invention The present invention relates in general to sighting systems for firearms, and more particularly relates to optical sights in conjunction with wireless video cameras and wireless head mounted displays permitting the user to view a scene and to target the firearm either through the optical sight or from a safety position using a display remotely located from the video camera and the firearm.

Background Video targeting and remotely monitoring systems for use with firearms are well known in the art. Over the years, various techniques and devices have been developed to help a person accurately detect, recognize, identify, aim, and engage targets from a position of safety.

U.S. Pat. No. 2359032 describes such a video control system which remotely aims and fires a gun. The system includes a television camera, mounted on the weapon, and a television receiver remotely located from the gun. All components of the system are connected through wires and supplied by a battery.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,621 describes a video camera mounted at the rear end of a gun sight so that the target is observed and aimed through the viewfinder of the camera.
The main object of the invention is to monitor "live" the shooting action or to play back a recording of the shooting action. The invention does not include a remotely monitoring device.

Operations in an urban environment are particularly hazardous for attacking soldiers.
Enemy soldiers are usually well camouflaged and, therefore, the attackers are forced to expose themselves around corners, in windows, etc. There are a number of new sighting systems, which do support urban operations. While the benefits of these aiming sights are well known, soldiers still have to expose themselves when acquiring targets. Over the past 15 years, therefore, army has investigated the use of weapon-mounted sensors and helmet mounted sights to overcome this risk. With only the arms exposed to enemy fire, such indirect or video shooting offers significant improvements to survivability and lethality for the soldier. A number of soldier modernization programs have incorporated a video sighting system into their future soldier system ensemble. A

3 video sighting system includes a video camera mounted to the rifle barrel of the soldier's personal weapon, which can be used to remote the sight image to a Helmet Mounted Display (HMD). By using a video sighting system soldiers can limit the duration and extent of exposure to enemy fire by remaining behind cover while observing the field of fire through their video sight.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,786,966; 4,884,137; 4,970,589; 5,005,213; and 5,200,827, describe a complex video sighting system including a video camera mounted on the weapon for aiming and monitoring the target, and a helmet mounted display (HMD) on which the image is holographically presented and which also includes a sight reticle superimposed on the image of the target so that the soldier can aim the weapon by moving it until the target displayed by the HMD is aligned with the sight reticle. The video signal is transmitted from the camera to the display through a wireless means. However, the system is complex and does not enable soldiers to maintain their situation awareness in rapidly changing pace of battle.

US Pat No 5,834,676 describes a system which enables a user to aim a weapon and monitor the actions of a person from a position of safety relative to a location to be monitored. It includes an imager mounted on the weapon for generating video images of the location and person being monitored. It further includes a viewer for receiving the video images generated by the imager so as to be viewed by the user, which viewer is adapted to be worn by the user.
It also includes elements for electronically connecting the imager to the viewer, for receiving the video images of the location generated by the imager, processing the video images, and directly transmitting the processed video images to the viewer for viewing by the user of the location and person being monitored. An inconvenient of this system is that the all components a connected through wires and also, the system does not enable soldiers to maintain their situation awareness.

Systems like the abovementioned ones are inefficient when speed and aggression are keys in the assault. According to the military researches, in such kind of situations, the optical sight is preferred for its speed and ease of target detection and engagement and for enabling the soldier to maintain their situation awareness in rapidly changing pace of battle.
Thus, soldiers were able to detect targets in urban streets three times faster with the optical sight than with the video sight and, in wooded and in-building terrain, participants were twice as fast at detecting targets with the optical sight over the video sight. On the other hand, the video sight and remotely monitoring

4 system offers advantages in static defensive positions for minimizing detection by the enemy, where the high speed-zoom capability can be employed effectively, and in close quarter battle situations in complex urban terrain where survivability risks can be reduced at dangerous crossing areas and in buildings.

From the foregoing, a need has arisen for a firearm sighting system which includes both optical and electronic sighting options. While the above cited references introduce and disclose a number of noteworthy advances and technological improvements within the art, none completely fulfills the specific objectives achieved by this invention.

Summary Of The Invention In accordance with the present invention, an optical-electronic sighting system and method of its operation are disclosed which substantially eliminate or reduce the problems associated with the prior art techniques, enabling the user to detect, recognize, identify, aim and engage targets either through the OPS or using a HMD-W remotely located from video cameras and the firearm.
Thus, the input end of the OPS receives from the area of observation the image of the target to be monitored or aimed through its objective lens assembly. The image is optically transmitted and magnified by a prism assembly and an eyepiece assembly of the OPS. The eyepiece assembly of the OPS forms an exit pupil image at a point to the rear of it. This is the point with which the pupil of the user's eye or the MWVC's objective lenses should be aligned for best viewing of the virtual, erect and magnified images of the monitored or aimed target. This sighting system allows the user to engage targets both through the OPS and through the HMD-W remotely located from the OPS.
When the targets are engaged through the HMD-W, the MWVC is coupled to the eyepiece assembly of the OPS with the aid of a CNT. The exit pupil image formed by the OPS's eyepiece assembly is received by the objective lenses of the MWVC. The MWVC converts the optical images in electronic signals and sends them to the MWVT. The MWVT processes the electronic signals received from MWVC and transmits them wireless to the HMD-W. The HMD-W
converts the electronic signals in video images and displays them to the user. When the targets are engaged through the OPS, the MWVC is uncoupled from the OPS's eyepiece assembly with the aid of a CNT
and the image formed by the OPS's eyepiece assembly is received directly by the pupil of the user's eye. The HMD-W is activated and deactivated by the user through a MD-Swt placed either on the firearm, on the CNT, or on the HMD-W. Optionally, the sighting system can include a SWVC-T which can be adjusted for the same frequency with HMD-W; SWVC-T has the same features like the MWVC. The SWVC-T is carried separately by the user. The SWVC-T enables the user to monitor the target when the use of the MWVC for monitoring the target is unsafe. The SWVC-T receives the image of the target from the area of observation, converts the optical images in electronic signals and sends the signals to its own transmitting unit. The SWVC-T has a SD-Swt which is activated as long as it is kept pressed by the user. When the SD-Swt is kept pressed and the MD-Swt is OFF, the HMD-W displays the images generated only by SWVC-T.
When the MD-Swt is ON, the HMD-W displays the images generated by the MWVC.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a modular optical-electronic sighting system for firearms which combines an optical sight for firearms with wireless video cameras and a wireless head mounted display, system developed to enable a person accurately to detect, recognize, identify, aim and engage targets either through the optical sight, for maintaining the situation awareness, or from a position of safety using a display remotely located from the video cameras and the firearm.

Another object of this invention is to provide a MWVC, adapted to be mounted at the rear end of the OPS, for generating video images of the target being monitored and aimed through the OPS.
Another object of this invention is to provide a SWVC-T, adapted to be carried separately by the user for enabling the user to monitor the target when the use of the MWVC for monitoring the target is unsafe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a HMD-W, adapted to be worn over the left or right eye of the user, for viewing the video images generated by the MWVC
and SWVC-T.
Another object of this invention is to provide a MWVT, adapted to be mounted on the firearm or on the fixed part of the CNT, for receiving, processing and transmitting wireless video images from MWVC to HMD-W.

Another object of this invention is to provide a CNT, adapted to be mounted on the OPS, for enabling the user to monitor and aim targets either through the OPS or through the HMD-W.
The CNT consists of two parts: the first part is fixed to the OPS and can include the MWVT and batteries; the second part is mobile and includes the MWVC. When the two parts are uncoupled, the user aims the target directly through the OPS. When the two parts are coupled, the MWVC
takes over the images from the OPS, and the user aims the target indirectly through the HMD-W.
Another object of this invention is to provide a MD-Swt for activating and deactivating the HMD-W. The MD-Swt can be mounted either on the firearm, on the CNT, or on the HMD-W.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent throughout the specification and claims hereinafter related.

Brief Description Of The Drawings A more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above is available from the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and discussed in further detail below.
Through this reference, it can be seen how the above cited features, as well as others that will become apparent, are obtained and can be understood in detail. The drawings nevertheless illustrate only typical, preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the connector as mounted on the optical sight of the rifle, a perspective view of the wireless head (helmet) mounted display as a eyeglasses with a monocular viewing system integrated within the eyeglass lens, a side view of the connecting unit with the two parts coupled or uncoupled, a side view of the second wireless video camera with a swivel head, and a side view of a military firearm comprising an optical sight and a connector mounted on the optical sight of the rifle.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the optical path through the optical sight of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a military firearm comprising an optical sight with a connector mounted on the optical sight of the rifle, in which the two parts of the connector are coupled.
FIG. 4 shows a side view of a military firearm comprising an optical sight with a connector mounted on the optical sight of the firearm, in which the two parts of the connector are uncoupled.

Detailed Description Of The Invention The principles and concepts of the invention are best understood by referring first to FIG.1.
The optical-electronic sighting system, according to the invention, includes an OPS (1) mounted on a conventional military rifle (2), a CNT (3), a MWVT (4), a MWVC (5), a HMD-W
(6), a MD-Swt (7), and, optionally, a SWVC-T (8) with SD-Swt (20). The target to be monitored or aimed is shown in FIG. 2 as a tree (9). Thus, as shown in FIG.2, the input end of the OPS (1) receives the image of the target (9) to be monitored or aimed through an objective lens assembly (10).
The image is optically transmitted and magnified by a prism assembly (11) and an eyepiece assembly (12) of the OPS.
The eyepiece assembly of the OPS forms an exit pupil image at a point to the rear of it. This is the point with which the pupil of the user's eye or the MWVC objective lenses should be aligned for best viewing of the virtual, erect and magnified images (9") of and the monitored or aimed target.
This optical-electronic sighting system allows the user to engage targets both through an OPS and through a HMD-W remotely located from the OPS. When the targets are engaged through the HMD-W, as shown in FIG.3, the MWVC is couplet to the eyepiece assembly of the OPS with the aid of a CNT. The exit pupil image formed by the OPS's eyepiece assembly is received by the objective lenses of the MWVC. The MWVC converts the optical images in electronic signals and sends them to the MWVT. The MWVT processes the electronic signals received from MWVC and transmits them wireless to the HMD-W. The HMD-W converts the electronic signals received from the MWVT in video images and displays them to the user. When the targets are engaged through the OPS, as shown in FIG.4, the MWVC is uncoupled from the OPS's eyepiece with the aid of a CNT and the image formed by the OPS's eyepiece assembly is received directly by the pupil of the user's eye. The HMD-W is activated and deactivated by the user through a MD-Swt placed either on the firearm, on the CNT, or on the HMD-W.

The user can carries separately a SWVC-T which can be adjusted for the same frequency with HMD-W, and which has the same features like the MWVC. The SWVC-T has a SD-Swt. The SWVC-T enables the user to monitor the target when the use of the MWVC for monitoring the target is unsafe. The SWVC-T receives the image of the target from the area of observation, converts the optical images in electronic signals and sends the signals to its own wireless transmitting unit; the own wireless transmitting unit sends the signal wireless to the HMD-W by using the SD-Swt. The SWVC-T is ACTIVATED as long as the SD-Swt is kept pressed by the user and the MD-Swt is OFF. When the SWVC-T is ACTIVATED, the HMD-W displays the images generated by SWVC-T and transmitted wireless by its own transmitter to the HMD-W. When the MD-Swt is ON, the HMD-W displays only the images generated by the MWVC.

More particularly, referring to FIG. 2, the optical system of the OPS
comprises an objective lens assembly (10), a prism assembly (11), an eyepiece assembly (12) and a reticule assembly (13).
Parallel rays of light from a point on a distant target strike the surface of the objective lens assembly (10). The rays pass through the lens and, by refraction, are caused to converge so that they form a totally inverted image of the distant target in the image plane.
The converging rays emerge from the objective lens assembly (10) travelling towards the prism assembly (11). The rays pass through the incident face of the prism assembly (11) to the reflective surfaces of the prism assembly (11). The rays strike the surfaces and are totally reflected internally. The reflected rays travel toward the emergent face of the prism assembly (11). The converging rays of light exit the prism assembly (11) travelling toward the eyepiece assembly (12). Also, the eyepiece assembly (12) receives the diffused light rays from the reticule assembly (13). The correcting lens (14) of the eyepiece assembly (12) receives the diverging rays from the reticule assembly (13) and the reflected rays from the reflecting surfaces of the prism assembly (11). The rays pass through the correcting lens (14) and, by refraction, are caused to be less divergent, without affecting the characteristics of the image. The correcting lens (14) improves the field of view and eliminates all aberrations. The divergent rays emerge from the correcting lens (14) travelling toward the field lens (15) of the eyepiece assembly (12). The diverging rays from the correcting lens (14) strike the surface of the field lens (15). They pass through the lens and, by refraction, are caused to be less divergent from one another while having no effect on the characteristics of the image. The diverging rays emerge from the field lens (15) travelling toward the eye-lens (16) of the eyepiece assembly. The eye-lens (16) receives the diverging rays from the field lens (15). They pass through the lens and, by refraction, they emerge from the lens still slightly divergent from one another.
The emergent rays form an exit pupil image (9") at a point to the rear of the eyepiece assembly (12). This is the point with which the pupil of the user's eye or the MWVC's objective lenses should be aligned for best viewing of the virtual, erect and magnified images (9") of target (9). The image (9") can be viewed by the user either directly by his/her eye, or indirectly through the HMD-W.
These options are obtained using the CNT.

Referring to FIG. 1, CNT (3) consists of two parts that can be coupled or uncoupled either by sliding or by rotating around a hinge (17). The first part (18) is fixed to the OPS (1) and includes two batteries' (21) cases, and can includes also one MWVT (4) case. The second part (19) is mobile and includes the MWVC (5). When mobile part (19) is uncoupled (flip-up or slide-up) from fixed part (18), the user aims the target directly through the OPS (1). When the mobile part (19) is coupled (flip-down or slide-down) to the fixed part (18), the exit pupil image formed by the OPS's eyepiece assembly is received by the objective lenses of the MWVC (5).

The MWVC is a miniaturized wireless CCD colour video camera with reduced size and weight and which performs consistently after the shock of weapon firing. The MWVC is a low-range high resolution wireless camera with high resolution and magnification minimum X2 optical.
The zoom has both capabilities: automatic high-speed zoom adjustment and manually zoom adjustment which can be continuous or stepped. Best compromise is a manual two-stage lens system, unmagnified - magnified image. Also, the MWVC includes: high-sensitive automatic and manual iris adjustment; automatic and manual gain control; automatic and manual contrast adjustment and images stabilization; night vision capability with both Image Intensification and Thermal System; Red Dot Aiming system, which is switchable between day and night use, or laser range finder; and text-on-screen superimposed over the image to produce aiming reticule on the HMD-W. The MWVC converts the optical images received from OPS in electronic signals and sends them to the MWVT.

The MWVT processes the electronic signals received from MWVC and transmits them wireless to the HMD-W.

The HMD-W converts the electronic signals received from MWVT in video images and displays them to the user. HMD-W is a monocular high quality display featuring Bluetooth wireless technology and includes: high resolution, minimum 800(H) x 600(V) x RGB;
display type 0.49 inch 1.44 million pixel LCD; Virtual Image Size 44' viewed at 2m; Eye Relief 25 mm;
fast refresh frame-rate video signal. The HMD-W can be: integrated eyewear; see-through prism display; transparent virtual retina display; holographic display; off-head tablet display; or Bluetooth short-range digital wireless viewer with minimum 12-bit qVGA color display.

The HMD-W is activated and deactivated by the user through a MD-Swt () placed either on the firearm, on the CNT, or on the HMD-W.

Referring to FIG. 1, the user can carries separately a SWVC-T (8) which can be adjusted for the same frequency with HMD-W (6), and which has the same features like the MWVC (5). The SWVC-T (8) has a SD-Swt (20). The SWVC-T enables the user to monitor the target from a position of safety when the use of the MWVC for monitoring the target is unsafe. The SWVC-T receives the image of the target from the area of observation, converts the optical images in electronic signals and sends the signals to the own transmitting unit. The own transmitting unit processes the electronic signals received from the SWVC-T and transmit them wireless the HMD-W by using the SD-Swt. The SWVC-T is ACTIVATED as long as the SD-Swt is kept pressed by the user and the MD-Swt is OFF. Only when the SWVC-T is ACTIVATED the HMD-W displays the images generated by SWVC-T. When the MD-Swt is ON, the SWVC-T is DEACTIVATED, and the HMD-W
displays the images generated by the MWVC.

Although one embodiment has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that various substitutions, additions, modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims (81)

The Embodiments Of The Invention In Which An Exclusive Property Or Privilege Is Claimed Are Defined As Follow:

1. A sighting system for a firearm which combines optical sight with electronic and mechanic units to enable users either to maintain their situation awareness and to monitor and aim a target from a position of safety remotely located from the firearm, the invention comprising:

(a) a main imaging unit, adapted to receive the optical images from the optical sight of the firearm and to generate video images of the target being monitored or aimed by the optical sight of the firearm;

(b) optionally, a second imaging unit with transmitter, adapted to be carried by the user, adapted to receive directly the images from the area of observation through its own objective, and adapted to generate video images of the area of observation when the use of the main imaging unit is unsafe for the user;
(c) a viewing unit, adapted to be worn by the user and to display the video images generated by the main imaging unit or the second imaging unit with transmitter for viewing by the user;
(d) a connecting unit, adapted to be mounted on the optical sight of the firearm, and adapted to enable targeting either through the optical sight of the firearm or through the viewing unit;

(e) a main transmitting unit, adapted to be mounted on the connecting unit, adapted to receive the video images generated by the main imaging unit, adapted to process the video images received, and adapted to transmit wireless the processed video images to the viewing unit for displaying to the user;

(f) a main switch unit, adapted to be mounted either on the firearm, on the connecting unit, or on the viewing unit, and adapted to enable users to activate and to deactivate the viewing unit.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the optical sight of the firearm is mountable on a firearm.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein the optical sight of the firearm has mounted at its rear end a connecting unit.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein the connecting unit enables user to monitor and aim the target either through the optical sight of the firearm or through the viewing unit.

5. The invention of claim 3, wherein the connecting unit consists of two parts: a fixed part and a mobile part.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein the fixe part is mountable at the rear end of the optical sight of the firearm.

7. The invention of claim 5, wherein the fixed part can be adapted to contain the main transmitting unit and batteries.

8. The invention of claim 5, wherein the fixed part can be adapted to contain the main switch unit.

9. The invention of claim 5, wherein the mobile part contains the main imaging unit.

10. The invention of claim 5, wherein the contact surfaces of the two parts can be coupled or uncoupled by rotating or sliding one against the other side.

11. The invention of claim 5, wherein the two parts can be adjusted by the user in 3 directions for alignment of the main imaging unit with the optical sight of the firearm so that the main imaging unit to receive the best optical image from the optical sight of the firearm.

12. The invention of claim 1, wherein the main imaging unit is a main wireless video camera.

13. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera receives the optical image from the optical sight of the firearm, converts the optical images in electronic signals and sends the electronic signals to the main transmitting unit.

14. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera is mounted on the mobile part of the connecting unit.

15. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera is adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

1 6. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera is a miniaturized wireless CCD colour video camera with reduced size and weight.

17. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera performs consistently after the shock of weapon firing.

18. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has high resolution capability.

19. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has adjustable magnification with minimum X2 optical.

20. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has the zoom with both capabilities: automatic high-speed zoom adjustment and manually zoom adjustment which can be continuous or stepped.

21. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has the minimum compromise for the zoom system: a manual two-stage lens system, unmagnified and magnified image.

22. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has high-sensitive automatic and manual iris adjustment.

23. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has automatic and manual gain control.

24. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has automatic and manual contrast adjustment and images stabilization.

25. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has night vision capability with both Image Intensification and Thermal System.

26. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has Red Dot Aiming system, which is switchable between day and night use, or laser range finder.

27. The invention of claim 12, wherein the main wireless video camera has text-on-screen superimposed over the image to produce aiming reticule on the viewing unit.

28. The invention of claim 1, wherein the main transmitting unit is a main wireless video transmitter.

29. The invention of claim 28, wherein the main wireless video transmitter is adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

30. The invention of claim 28, wherein the main wireless video transmitter processes the electronic signals received from main imaging unit and transmits them wireless to the viewing unit.

31. The invention of claim 28, wherein the main wireless video transmitter is adapted to be mounted on the fixed part of the connecting unit or on the firearm.

32. The invention of claim 1, wherein the second imaging unit with transmitter can be optional.

33. The invention of claim 1, wherein the second imaging unit with transmitter is carried by the user and it is used separately from the main imaging unit and firearm.

34. The invention of claim 1, wherein second imaging unit with transmitter is used when the use of the main imaging unit is unsafe for the user.

35. The invention of claim 1, wherein the second imaging unit with transmitter is a second wireless video camera with transmitter.

36. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter is adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

37. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter includes a second displaying switch for the viewing unit.

38. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter is ACTIVATED only when the second displaying switch is kept PRESSED and the main switch unit is OFF.

39. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter is DEACTIVATED when the displaying switch is RELEASED, or when the main switch unit is ON.

40. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter receives directly the images from the area of observation through its own objective, converts the optical images in electronic signals, and sends the electronic signals to the own wireless transmitter.

41. The invention of claim 40, wherein the wireless transmitter of the second wireless video camera with transmitter receives the electronic signals from the second wireless video camera with transmitter, processes the electronic signals, and transmits wireless the processed electronic signals to the viewing unit for displaying to the user only when the second wireless video camera with transmitter is ACTIVATED.

42. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter is adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

43. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter can be adjusted for same frequency with viewing unit which is worn by the user.

44. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter is a miniaturized wireless CCD colour video camera with reduced size and weight.

45. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter performs consistently at shocks.

46. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has high resolution capability.

47. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has Adjustable Magnification and minimum X2 optical.

48. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has the zoom with both capabilities: automatic high-speed zoom adjustment and manually zoom adjustment which can be continuous or stepped.

49. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has the minimum compromise for the zoom system: a manual two-stage lens system, unmagnified and magnified image.

50. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has high-sensitive automatic and manual iris adjustment.

51. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has automatic and manual gain control.

52. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has automatic and manual contrast adjustment and images stabilization.

53. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has night vision capability with both Image Intensification and Thermal System.

54. The invention of claim 35, wherein the second wireless video camera with transmitter has Red Dot Aiming system, which is switchable between day and night use, or laser range finder.

55. The invention of claim 1, wherein the viewing unit is a wireless head (helmet) mounted display.

56. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display is adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

57. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display can be adapted to contain the main switch unit.

58. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display converts the electronic signals received from the wireless transmitters in video images and display them to the user.

59. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display displays the images generated by the main wireless video camera when the main switch unit is ON.

60. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display displays the images generated by the second wireless video camera with transmitter when the second wireless video camera with transmitter is ACTIVATED.

61. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display is a monocular high quality display featuring Bluetooth wireless technology and includes high resolution and fast refresh frame-rate video signal.

62. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display is adapted to be worn over the left or right eye of the user, for viewing the video images generated by the imaging units.

63. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display can be an integrated eyewear.

64. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display can be a see-through prism display.

65. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display can be a transparent virtual retina display.

66. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display can be a holographic display.

67. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display can be an off-head tablet display.

68. The invention of claim 55, wherein the wireless head (helmet) mounted display can be a Bluetooth short-range digital wireless viewer with minimum 12-bit qVGA color display.

69. The invention of claim 1, wherein the main switch unit is a main displaying switch for the viewing unit.

70. The invention of claim 69, wherein the main displaying switch enables displaying the images from the main imaging unit to the viewing unit when the main displaying switch is ON.

71. The invention of claim 69, wherein the main displaying switch disables displaying the images from the main imaging unit to the viewing unit, when the main displaying switch is OFF.

72. The invention of claim 69, wherein the main displaying switch enables displaying the images from the second imaging unit to the viewing unit when the main displaying switch is OFF.

73. The invention of claim 69, wherein the main displaying switch disables displaying the images from the second imaging unit to the viewing unit when the main displaying switch is ON.

74. The invention of claim 69, wherein the main displaying switch can be mounted either on the firearm, on the connecting unit, or on the viewing unit.

75. A method for sighting systems mounted on the firearms to enable users either to maintain their situation awareness and to monitor and aim a target from a position of safety remotely located from the firearm, including the steps of:

(a) receiving the optical images from the optical sight of the firearm and generating video images of the target being monitored or aimed by the optical sight of the firearm by using a main imaging unit;

(b) optionally, receiving directly the images from the area of observation through a second imaging unit with transmitter, carried by the user separately from the firearm, and generating video images of the area of observation when the use of the main imaging unit is unsafe for the user;

(c) receiving the video images generated by the imaging units, processing the video images received, and transmitting wireless the processed video images to the viewing unit for displaying to the user by using transmitting units;

(d) displaying the video images generated by the main imaging unit or the second imaging unit for viewing by the user by using a viewing unit;

(e) targeting either through the optical sight of the firearm or through the viewing unit by using a connection unit;
(f) activating and deactivating of the viewing unit by using a main switch unit.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the connecting unit is mounted at the rear end of the optical sight of the firearm, and consists of two parts: a mobile part and a fixed part; the mobile part contains the main imaging unit; the fixed part contains the main transmitting unit, batteries, and can be adapted to contain the main switch unit.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the main imaging unit is the main wireless video camera mounted on the mobile part of the connecting unit, and adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

78. The method of claim 75, wherein main transmitting unit is the wireless video transmitter of the main imaging unit, it is mounted on the fixed part of the connecting unit or on the firearm, and it is adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

79. The method of claim 75, wherein second imaging unit with transmitter is optionally, it is a second wireless video camera with own wireless transmitter, it is carried by the user, it is used separately from the main imaging unit, and it is adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

80. The method of claim 75, wherein the viewing unit is a head (helmet) mounted display (HMD) and it is adapted to be used with a wireless video system.

81. The method of claim 75, wherein the main switch unit is adapted to be mounted either on the firearm, on the connecting unit, or on the viewing unit.