Stealth Laser Sighting System For Firearms

Abstract

A stealth laser sighting system for a firearm includes a non-visible laser and night imaging device with display. The stealth laser sighting system combines all of the features required for stealth laser sighting within a self-contained accessory. The stealth laser sighting system provides for an optional visible laser system. and can include features such as electronic calibration, laser rangefinder compensation, target zoom, projected graphic laser marking, and windage and elevation adjustments on a graphical overlay. The stealth laser sighting system can be packaged as an accessory or all of the features can be integrated into a firearm.

1 . A laser sighting system for use with a firearm, the firearm having a barrel having provision for detachably attaching the laser sighting system, the laser sighting system comprising:
 at least one laser disposed and aimed in parallel to an axis of the barrel along which a bullet is discharged, said at least one laser projecting a laser spot on a target;   an imaging device imaging the laser spot projected on the target, said imaging device generating there from a real-time image stream;   an imaging display displaying the real-time image stream being generated, said imaging display oriented to provide a firearm user a direct view of said imaging display while the firearm is aimed and discharged;   the laser spot projected by said at least one laser being aligned with a location where the bullet discharged from the firearm will strike the target; and   a controller controlling a supply of power to said at least one laser, imaging device, and imaging display to facilitate operation.   
   
   
       2 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one laser projects a non-visible laser spot on the target in a stealth operating mode. 
   
   
       3 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one laser projects selectively a non-visible laser spot on the target in a stealth operating mode, and projects a visible laser spot on the target in a non-stealth operating mode. 
   
   
       4 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging device is a low light level CCD video camera that generates a real time video stream to said imaging display, said imaging display comprising an LCD. 
   
   
       5 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory for storing and recalling the real time image stream generated by said imaging device. 
   
   
       6 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one laser produces the visible laser spot and the non-visible laser spot confined within a single optical path. 
   
   
       7 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 1 , wherein the laser spot projected by said at least one laser is aligned with the location where the bullet discharged from the firearm will strike the target using at least one of a mechanically controlled adjuster to adjust said at least one laser in its horizontal and vertical relationship to the axis of the barrel of the firearm and an electronically controlled adjuster to adjust a graphic overlay on the said imaging display to provide a visual reference to where the bullet will strike the target, said graphic overlay includes a graphic indication of sighting adjustments for range and windage. 
   
   
       8 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 7 , wherein said electronically controlled adjuster includes a laser range finder used to adjust a location of said graphic overlay on the said imaging display to provide the visual reference to where the bullet will strike the target. 
   
   
       9 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one laser includes an aperture to project a graphical laser spot, said graphical laser spot provides calibrated marks used for range and windage adjustment. 
   
   
       10 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller further controls at least one of a manual activation of digital zoom and variable zoom lens attached to said imaging device. 
   
   
       11 . The laser sighting system according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller includes an accelerometer to allow rapid power-up of the laser sighting system upon detection of motion of the firearm. 
   
   
       12 . A firearm with integral laser sighting system comprising:
 at least one laser disposed and aimed in parallel to an axis of a barrel along which a bullet is discharged, said at least one laser projecting a laser spot on a target;   an imaging device imaging the laser spot projected on the target, said imaging device generating there from a real-time image stream;   an imaging display displaying the real-time image stream being generated, said imaging display oriented to provide a firearm user a direct view of said imaging display while the firearm is aimed and discharged;   the laser spot projected by said at least one laser being aligned with a location where the bullet discharged from the firearm will strike the target; and   a controller controlling a supply of power to said at least one laser, imaging device, and imaging display to facilitate operation.   
   
   
       13 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one laser projects a non-visible laser spot on the target in a stealth operating mode. 
   
   
       14 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one laser projects selectively a non-visible laser spot on the target in a stealth operating mode, and projects a visible laser spot on the target in a non-stealth operating mode. 
   
   
       15 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 12 , wherein said imaging device is a low light level CCD video camera that generates a real time video stream to said imaging display, said imaging display comprising an LCD. 
   
   
       16 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a memory for storing and recalling the real time image stream generated by said imaging device. 
   
   
       17 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least one laser produces the visible laser spot and the non-visible laser spot confined within a single optical path. 
   
   
       18 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 12 , wherein the laser spot projected by said at least one laser is aligned with the location where the bullet discharged from the firearm will strike the target using at least one of a mechanically controlled adjuster to adjust said at least one laser in its horizontal and vertical relationship to the axis of the barrel of the firearm and an electronically controlled adjuster to adjust a graphic overlay on the said imaging display to provide a visual reference to where the bullet will strike the target, said graphic overlay includes a graphic indication of sighting adjustments for range and windage. 
   
   
       19 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 18 , wherein said electronically controlled adjuster includes a laser range finder used to adjust a location of said graphic overlay on the said imaging display to provide the visual reference to where the bullet will strike the target. 
   
   
       20 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least one laser includes an aperture to project a graphical laser spot, said graphical laser spot provides calibrated marks used for range and windage adjustment. 
   
   
       21 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 12 , wherein said controller further controls at least one of a manual activation of digital zoom and variable zoom lens attached to said imaging device. 
   
   
       22 . The firearm with integral laser sighting system according to  claim 12 , wherein said controller includes an accelerometer to allow rapid power-up of the laser sighting system upon detection of motion of the firearm.