Triple wavelength pointing device

Abstract

This application discloses systems and methods of a laser device which could be used to aim firearms. The device includes a laser diode capable of emitting two or more different wavelengths of light to form a laser using a collimator, for example a single collimator or a compound collimator. In embodiments using a single collimator, the collimator can be repositioned at different distances from the laser diode to ensure proper positioning to create a laser beam for the particular wavelength of light emitted from the laser diode. In embodiments using a compound collimator, the collimator could have different collimating regions and be configured to rotate to cause the different collimating regions to receive light emitted from the laser diode such that different light wavelengths are properly collimated without needing to alter the distance from the collimator to the laser diode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laser device for a firearm, comprising:
 a laser diode that generates an emission of at least one of a first electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and a second EMR; and   a compound collimator comprising a first collimator and a second collimator, wherein the first collimator collimates the first EMR and the second collimator collimates the second EMR.   
     
     
         2 . The laser device of  claim 1 , wherein the compound collimator is a fixed distance from the laser diode and the compound collimator rotates about an axis of rotation such that only one of the first collimator and the second collimator is positioned to collimate the emission from the laser diode at once. 
     
     
         3 . The laser device of  claim 2 , wherein (1) the laser diode generates the emission of at least one of the first EMR, the second EMR, and a third EMR, (2) the compound collimator further comprises a third collimator to collimate the third EMR, and (3) wherein the compound collimator rotates about the axis of rotation such that only one of the first, second, and third collimators is positioned to collimate the emission from the laser diode at once. 
     
     
         4 . The laser device of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second collimators are equidistant from the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The laser device of  claim 3 , wherein the first EMR is infrared light, the second EMR is ultraviolet, and the third EMR is visible light. 
     
     
         6 . The laser device of  claim 2 , further comprising a rotating mechanism to cause the compound collimator to rotate about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         7 . The laser device of  claim 2 , wherein, during operation, the laser diode emits (1) the first EMR when the compound collimator is in a first angular position and (2) the second EMR when the compound collimator is in a second angular position. 
     
     
         8 . The laser device of  claim 7 , further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the compound collimator into at least one of the first angular position and the second angular position. 
     
     
         9 . A laser device for a firearm, comprising:
 a laser diode that generates an emission of at least one of a first electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and a second EMR; and   a collimator that collimates (1) the first EMR at first distance from the laser diode and (2) the second EMR at a second distance from the laser diode.   
     
     
         10 . The laser device of  claim 9 , further comprising a positioning mechanism to position the collimator at a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to the first distance and the second position corresponds to the second distance. 
     
     
         11 . The laser device of  claim 10 , wherein (1) the laser diode generates the emission of at least one of the first EMR, the second EMR, and a third EMR, (2) the collimator that further collimates the third EMR at a third distance from the laser diode, and (3) the positioning mechanism further positions the collimator at a third position, wherein the third position corresponds to the third distance. 
     
     
         12 . The laser device of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of detents hold the collimator at the first, second, and third positions along the positioning mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The laser device of  claim 10 , wherein, during operation, the laser diode (1) emits the first EMR when the collimator is in the first position an (2) emits the second EMR when the collimator is in the second position. 
     
     
         14 . The laser device of  claim 10 , further comprising a motor and control system to move the collimator to the first and second positions along the positioning mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a laser device for firearms, comprising:
 providing a housing for the laser device;   affixing a laser diode within the housing, wherein the laser diode is configured to generate an emission comprising at least one of a first electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and a second EMR; and   affixing a rotating compound collimator within the housing, wherein the rotating compound collimator has at least a first collimator and a second collimator configured to collimate the first EMR and the second EMR, respectively.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of affixing a locking mechanism to the rotating compound collimator to lock the rotating compound collimator in at least a first angular position and a second angular position. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of implementing a closed-loop control system to rotate the rotating compound collimator to at least a first angular position and a second angular position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 sensing a power level output of the laser diode by an active light emitter; and   providing the power level output as feedback to a power supply.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the laser diode is configured to generate a third EMR. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first EMR is visible light, the second EMR is infrared light, and the third EMR is ultraviolet light.