Viewing device for optical devices
A viewing device captures one or more images from a spotting scope. A communication device transmits the images to one or more remote display devices. A self-aligning mount allows the viewing device to be automatically aligned with an optical pathway of the spotting scope as it is attached thereto. An adjustment ring allows focusing adjustments to be made to the spotting scope, even after the viewing device is attached. With the viewing device, a user need not physically move to peer through the spotting scope, since images from the spotting scope may be remotely viewed at one or more remote display devices. In addition to spotting scopes, the viewing device may be used with other optical devices, such as binoculars, telescopes, rifle scopes, microscopes, and other optics.
1. A viewing device for an optical device comprising one or more optical elements, the viewing device comprising:
an imaging device that captures one or more images;
a mount that secures the viewing device to the optical device, wherein, when secured to the optical device by the mount, the imaging device is aligned with the one or more optical elements;
an adjustment control coupled with at least a portion of the optical device via the mount, wherein movement of the adjustment control mechanically changes an optical setting of the optical device via the coupling; and
a communication device that transmits the one or more images captured by the imaging device to one or more remote devices, wherein the one or more images are captured by the imaging device using the one or more optical elements;
wherein the mount comprises a plurality of jaws that open and close in a synchronized manner, each of the plurality of jaws being a planar structure having a distal section aligned coaxially with the viewing device and a proximal section angled non-coaxially with the viewing device such that only the distal section engages the optical device when the viewing device is secured to the optical device.
2. The viewing device of claim 1 , further comprising a viewfinder that presents the one or more images at the viewing device.
3. The viewing device of claim 2 , wherein the viewfinder is rotatable independent of the imaging device.
4. The viewing device of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment control is a ring.
5. The viewing device of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting control, wherein operation of the mounting control opens or closes the plurality of jaws.
6. The viewing device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more tapered supports, wherein the plurality of jaws move along the one or more tapered supports when opening and closing.
7. A viewing device for an optical device comprising one or more optical elements, the viewing device comprising:
an imaging device that captures one or more images;
a mount that secures the viewing device to the optical device, wherein, when secured to the optical device by the mount, the imaging device is aligned with the one or more optical elements;
a rotatable viewfinder;
an adjustment control coupled with at least a portion of the optical device via the mount, wherein movement of the adjustment control mechanically changes an optical setting of the optical device via the coupling; and
a communication device that transmits the one or more images captured by the imaging device to one or more remote devices, wherein the one or more images are captured by the imaging device using the one or more optical elements;
wherein the mount comprises a plurality of jaws that open and close in a synchronized manner, each of the plurality of jaws being a planar structure having a distal section aligned coaxially with the viewing device and a proximal section angled non-coaxially with the viewing device such that only the distal section engages the optical device when the viewing device is secured to the optical device.
8. The viewing device of claim 7 , wherein the adjustment control is coupled to the at least a portion of the optical device via the mount.
9. The viewing device of claim 7 , wherein the adjustment control is a ring that is operated by rotation thereof.
10. The viewing device of claim 7 , further comprising a mounting control, wherein operation of the mounting control opens or closes the plurality of jaws.
11. The viewing device of claim 7 , further comprising one or more tapered supports, wherein the plurality of jaws move along the one or more tapered supports when opening and closing.
12. A method for providing imaging from an optical device comprising one or more optical elements with a viewing device, the method comprising:
securing the viewing device to the optical device with a mount, wherein an imaging device of the viewing device is aligned with the one or more optical elements and an adjustment control of the viewing device is coupled with at least a portion of the optical device via the mount when the viewing device is secured to the optical device;
capturing one or more images with the imaging device, wherein the one or more images are captured by the imaging device using the one or more optical elements; and
mechanically adjusting an optical setting of the optical device when the adjustment control is moved via the coupling between the adjustment control and the at least a portion of the optical device; and
transmitting the one or more images to one or more remote devices with one or more communication devices of the viewing device;
wherein the mount comprises a plurality of jaws that open and close in a synchronized manner, each of the plurality of jaws being a planar structure having a distal section aligned coaxially with the viewing device and a proximal section angled non-coaxially with the viewing device such that only the distal section engages the optical device when the viewing device is secured to the optical device.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising presenting the one or more images at a viewfinder.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the viewfinder is rotatable independent of the imaging device.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of jaws move along one or more tapered supports when opening and closing.