Imaging system for optical devices

Abstract

An imaging system for use with an optical device. The system comprises a lower housing having an input portion and an output portion. An upper housing is coupled to the lower housing and has an optical port. A primary lens is disposed within the lower housing. A secondary lens is disposed within the upper housing. The imaging system also includes a recording device. Light rays from the optical device, representing a visual image, are directed to the input portion and are split by the primary lens into a first image and a second, identical image. The first image is directed to the output portion for viewing. The second image is directed to the secondary lens, deflected by the secondary lens, directed to the optical port, and coupled to the recording device. The recording device generates visual data corresponding to the second image.

1 . An imaging system, comprising: 
 a lower housing having an input portion and an output portion;    an upper housing coupled to the lower housing and having an optical port;    a primary lens disposed within the lower housing;    a secondary lens disposed within the upper housing; and    a recording device,    wherein light rays from an optical device, representing a visual image, are directed to the input portion and are split by the primary lens into a first image and a second, identical image,    the first image is directed to the output portion for viewing, and    the second image is directed to the secondary lens, deflected by the secondary lens, directed to the optical port, and coupled to the recording device,    wherein the recording device generates visual data corresponding to the second image.    
   
   
       2 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the upper housing is rotatably attached to the lower housing.  
   
   
       3 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the recording device is one of an analog still camera, digital still camera, analog video camera and digital video camera.  
   
   
       4 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the recording device is selectably activated.  
   
   
       5 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connector to couple the visual data to at least one of a visual display and a recording device.  
   
   
       6 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising an audio pickup to receive sounds proximate the imaging system and generate aural data corresponding to the sounds.  
   
   
       7 . The imaging system of  claim 6  wherein the audio pickup device is selectably activated.  
   
   
       8 . The imaging system of  claim 6 , further comprising an electrical connector to couple the aural data to at least one of an audio speaker transducer and a recording device.  
   
   
       9 . The imaging system of  claim 6 , further comprising a wireless link.  
   
   
       10 . The imaging system of  claim 9 , further comprising a recording device coupled to the wireless link to record the aural data.  
   
   
       11 . The imaging system of  claim 6 , further comprising an audio input to couple external aural data to the recording device.  
   
   
       12 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the primary lens is generally aligned under the secondary lens.  
   
   
       13 . The imaging system of  claim 1  wherein the secondary lens is laterally offset from the secondary lens.  
   
   
       14 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector attached to the input portion of the lower housing such that the imaging system can be attached to an optical device.  
   
   
       15 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless link.  
   
   
       16 . The imaging system of  claim 15 , further comprising a recording device coupled to the wireless link to record the visual data.  
   
   
       17 . The imaging system of  claim 15  wherein the imaging device is remotely controlled via the wireless link.  
   
   
       18 . The imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising an eyepiece attached to the output portion of the lower housing.  
   
   
       19 . An imaging system, comprising: 
 a lower housing having an input portion and an output portion;    an eyepiece attached to the output portion of the lower housing;    an upper housing coupled to the lower housing and having an optical port;    an audio pickup to receive sounds proximate the imaging system and generate aural data corresponding to the sounds;    a primary lens disposed within the lower housing;    a secondary lens disposed within the upper housing; and    a recording device,    wherein light rays representing a visual image are directed to the input portion and are split by the primary lens into a first image and a second, identical image,    the first image is directed to the output portion for viewing, and    the second image is directed to the secondary lens, deflected by the secondary lens, directed to the optical port, and coupled to the recording device,    wherein the recording device generates visual data corresponding to the second image.    
   
   
       20 . The imaging system of  claim 19  wherein the upper housing is rotatably coupled to the lower housing.