Multiple channel optical system

Claim 1

An optical system for combining different visual information contained in separate first and seCond channels having intersecting, substantially orthogonally disposed first and second axes, respectively, into a single composite image comprising: first and second prisms of material substantially transparent to light transmission, said prisms being positioned in a common, diagonally disposed, planar interface at the intersection of said axes to form a composite cubic optical element with said planar interface at an angle of 45* relative to each of said axes; a source of light energy disposed substantially opposite the visual information of said second channel; means for directing said light energy along a path substantially at an angle of 5* relative to said second axis for total internal reflection at said planar interface and right angular redirection to illuminate the visual information image of said first channel; reflective means positioned to reflect the illuminated visual information image of said first channel back through said cubic optical element for non-reflective passage therethrough along said first axes; and means for directing the visual information of said second channel to said cubic optical element at an angle of the order of 5* relative to said second axis for total internal reflection at said planar interface and right angular redirection along the path of said first axis for combination with said visual information from said first channel within a single image area at a common image plane.