Camera sight device for a weapon

1. A tactical surveillance sighting device for a firearm comprising:

a rail mount comprising a lower portion adapted for mating with a rail on a firearm;

a housing connected to the rail mount, the housing comprising:

an opening substantially covered by at least one window,

a digital image sensor comprising a lens, the digital image sensor disposed within the housing and mounted behind the at least one window, such that the camera is capable of capturing images in a field of view through the at least one window;

a target reticle; and

sight adjustment controls, providing both vertical and horizontal alignment of the digital image sensor lens with the target reticle and the target.

2. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more infrared illuminators, wherein the digital image sensor is capable of capturing infrared images.

3. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 1 , further comprising a reticle selector positioned on an outer surface portion of the housing, capable of allowing a user to select a first reticle from a set of reticles as the reticle viewable on the window.

4. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 3 , further comprising a reticle light source capable of producing a reticle light beam to provide the first reticle viewable on the window.

5. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 3 , wherein the reticle selector is in electrical communication with the reticle light source, allowing the user to select a second reticle from the set of reticles to be displayed on the window in substitution of the first reticle, wherein the second reticle differs from the first reticle in brightness, color, size, or shape.

6. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the digital image sensor comprises a transmitter capable of transmitting images captured by the digital image sensor via a cable connection.

7. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 1 , wherein the digital image sensor comprises a transmitter capable of transmitting images captured by the digital image sensor via a wireless transmission.

8. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a portable power supply in electrical communication with and providing power to at least the digital image sensor and a transmitter.

9. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 1 wherein the sight adjustment controls are located on the rail mount.

10. The tactical surveillance sighting device of claim 1 wherein the sight adjustment controls are located on the housing.

11. A tactical surveillance sighting system for a firearm comprising:

a display in a first position; and

a sighting device in a second position that is different from the first position, the sighting device comprising:

a mounting portion adapted for the attachment of the surveillance sighting device to a firearm;

a digital image sensor comprising a lens, the digital image sensor disposed within the surveillance sighting device, wherein digital image sensor is capable of capturing images in a field of view;

vertical and horizontal sight alignment controls, adapted for the alignment of the lens of the digital image sensor with a target and reticle; and

a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting images captured by the digital image sensor to the display device such that the captured images are viewable by a user on a screen of the display.

12. The tactical surveillance sighting system of claim 11 , wherein the sighting device and the display each possess their own portable power supplies.

13. The tactical surveillance sighting system of claim 11 , wherein the sighting device further comprises at least one infrared illuminator, wherein the digital image sensor is capable of capturing infrared images.

14. The tactical surveillance sighting system of claim 11 , wherein the images captured by the digital image sensor and displayed on the screen of the display device, are provided with a target reticle, viewable as centered in the screen of the display device.

15. The tactical surveillance sighting system of claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises a first housing and a second housing, wherein the second housing is angularly adjustable inside of the first housing.

16. The tactical surveillance sighting system of claim 11 wherein the sight adjustment controls are located on the housing.

17. The tactical surveillance sighting system of claim 11 , wherein the housing further comprises a sealable lid or door providing access to at least one battery, housed therein.

18. The tactical surveillance sighting system of claim 11 , additionally comprising at least one on/off switch.

19. The tactical surveillance sighting system of claim 18 , further comprising at least one switch indicator, comprising a light emitting diode, capable of indicating whether the on/off switch is turned on or off.

20. A tactical surveillance sighting system comprising:

a portable display device in a first position; and

a sighting device in a second position that is different from the first position, the sighting device comprising:

a rail mount, attachable to a hand-held firearm;

at least one infrared illuminator;

a digital image sensor comprising a lens, the digital image sensor capable of capturing images, including infrared images, wherein the digital image sensor is disposed within the sighting device;

adjustment members for both the vertical and horizontal alignment of the lens of the digital image sensor with a target;

a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting images captured by the digital image sensor to the portable display device such that the captured images are viewable by a user in a screen of the portable display device.