Patent Description:
Different solutions exist for providing surveillance image data or a vision system for vehicles.

For example, a camera system where a wide field-of-view is generated by a camera mounted to a motorized gimbal which combines images captured at different times and different directions into a single aggregate image. This system relies on covering a wide field-of-view by changing the direction of the camera and is able to simultaneously capture images from the multiple cameras.

Periscopes are well known from prior art, also for armored vehicles. They are used, inter alia, to transmit image information to a protected space. A periscope of usual configuration comprises an angled mirror assembly including two mirrors obliquely inclined relative to the observation direction, which deflect the incident light two times to direct it to the observer. A modular periscope for an armored vehicle is known from <CIT>. Other relevant prior art is <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

A general problem with such periscopes is their challenging environment for easy and reliable mounting and a wide variety of requirements for the imaging system provided by the periscopes in different installations and in different operating environments.

Furthermore, there are several aspects and demanding requirements that need to be considered for the design, development, and qualification of a camera system for military vehicles, for example.

A highly reliable and precisely engineered camera system is essential in meeting the mission objectives, and ensuring the safety and survival of the vehicle's crew in different operating modes and circumstances.

Thus, a solution is needed to enable accurate, efficient, and reliable periscope apparatus for providing universal system for vehicles.

Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims, which define the invention.

According to a first example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a periscope apparatus for an armored vehicle comprising a top module, a middle module and a bottom module, wherein.

In an embodiment, the top housing is configured to receive a camera device and a mirror to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing is configured to receive a camera device for the second channel.

In an embodiment, the top housing is configured to receive a lens of a first camera device and a mirror to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing is configured to receive a sensor of the first camera device for the first channel and a camera device for the second channel.

In an embodiment, the top housing is configured to receive two mirrors to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing is configured to receive two camera devices for the first and the second channel, respectively.

In an embodiment, the first channel is a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel and the second channel is a visible spectrum (VIS) channel.

In an embodiment, the first channel is a visible spectrum (VIS) channel and the second channel is a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module is configured to be arranged vertically in view of their optical axis.

In an embodiment, the universal adaptation device comprises at least one adaptation ring configured to adjust installation height of the camera device.

In an embodiment, the adaptation ring is configured to mount the camera device to the middle housing using at least two mounting members.

In an embodiment, the mounting member comprises a screw or a bolt extending horizontally between the adaption ring and the middle housing wall.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a display module arranged to be releasably connected with the bottom module and operationally connected to the control unit.

In an embodiment, user-operable mounting brackets are configured to clamp the middle module to a pod of the armored vehicle for mounting the periscope apparatus.

In an embodiment, at least one camera device within the top module is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises at least one auxiliary module comprising an auxiliary top module and an auxiliary middle module, and the auxiliary module is operationally connected to the bottom module.

In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to operate on a first and second channel, wherein the first channel is a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel and the second channel is a visible spectrum (VIS) channel.

In an embodiment, the camera device comprises at least one of the following: LWIR sensor, SWIR sensor, CMOS sensor, image Intensified CMOS, and CCD sensor.

In an embodiment, a bottom plate of the bottom module comprises of a detachable memory for storing and maintaining image data from at least one camera device of the periscope apparatus.

In an embodiment, the top housing comprises a lens and the middle housing comprises a sensor of a camera device, and a bended fibre optic is arranged between the lens and the sensor.

In an embodiment, the lens is directed to horizontal direction and the sensor is directed to vertical direction.

In an embodiment, the bended fibre optic is glued to the sensor.

In an embodiment, the bottom module further comprising a desiccant element.

In an embodiment, the desiccant element comprises a desiccant cartridge arranged within the bottom module or integrated to the control unit.

In an embodiment, the desiccant element comprises a valve that configured to be used to fill interior of the periscope apparatus with nitrogen,.

In the following description, like numbers denote like elements.

A military vehicle periscope system needs to contend with harsh environmental conditions, such as gunfire shock, muzzle flash, vibration, high- and low- temperatures, solar load, water, sand, dust and mud. Different and fast changing light conditions while the vehicle is moving from dark shadow areas to bright sunlight requires an imaging sensor, which can quickly adapt and integrate. When firing a <NUM> gun, a howitzer or a machine gun, a strong muzzle flash can cause image blur when using common standard dynamic range CMOS or CCD imaging sensors. During fast climate change from cold to hot, fogging inside the camera housing could limit the camera view.

Climate and visibility conditions define further challenges, and weather conditions vary. There can be early morning rain or snow, desert sunlight with dust, sunset conditions, and extremely poor visibility.

No single sensor technology can cover all these operational conditions. Typically a combination of two or more different image sensor technologies, such as Long Wavelength Infra-Red (LWIR), and Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (optical sensor) CMOS or Charge Coupled Device (optical sensor) CCD sensors may provide an image under all such different conditions.

Additionally, different vehicles operating in different areas with varying conditions, require different camera technologies to be installed, and thus different periscopes.

Horizontal field of view & detection recognition range define their own challenges. These parameters may actually be in contradiction. The larger the horizontal field of view for a single sensor camera system, the lower the Detection Recognition Identification (DRI) range may be. A single camera and lens optic with a wide horizontal field of view (HFOV) may have the disadvantage of optical distortion and a fisheye effect, which leads to poor depth perception. When combining two of the same cameras with lenses, and using an image stitching algorithm, the DRI range may be significantly better with a larger HFOV. A stitching algorithm, however, causes no dead zones on the vehicle, compared to different single camera installations.

Safety and reliability are key factors. The digital camera system needs to be available under any conditions, since freezing camera images could cause a crash or threaten the vehicle's operation. Thus, a modular software with different threats for each process is required. Each process needs to be monitored with a software watchdog. Additionally, a built-in hardware test is required in order to display system failure immediately.

System latency plays an important role on the system performance. The overall system latency should be as low as possible from glass to glass, as different studies have shown that a latency of more than <NUM> milliseconds causes the vehicle crew to suffer "motion sickness" while viewing the camera system monitor.

Human stress factor in combat situations are important too. During operations and combat situations the stress factor of the crew is high. Thus, the HMI of the vision system, including the software menu, needs to be simple and operating failure proof. Input keys needs to be illuminated, ergonomically arranged, and in compliance with relevant standards.

Resolution of the sensors and display panel have their own effects. As the imaging sensor resolution increases, the pixel size decreases, as does the low light sensitivity. For a low light sensitive camera system, a sensor pixel size of between <NUM> and <NUM> at <NUM> x <NUM> up to <NUM> x <NUM> sensor resolution is the combination of one example embodiment. The display panel resolution and display ratio should be the same as, or very similar to, the imaging sensor resolution and sensor ratio, otherwise the monitor display may become a limiting factor for the vision system.

<FIG> shows a schematic picture of a vehicle <NUM>, vehicle system <NUM> and a control apparatus <NUM> according to an example embodiment.

The vehicle system <NUM> comprises a control apparatus <NUM> configured to provide and operate a dynamic view model (DVM) <NUM>. The control apparatus <NUM> may also be called as a surveillance apparatus when combined with the cameras <NUM> and a display <NUM>.

The control apparatus <NUM> may be configured to receive environmental information via communication link (COM) <NUM> or via vehicle sensors (SEN) <NUM>, for example. The environmental information comprises at least one of the following: weather information; obstacle information; topography information; and brightness information.

Gun system (GUN) <NUM> may comprise any guns, weapons, or ammunition relating to the firepower of the vehicle <NUM>. The gun system (GUN) <NUM> may provide operational characteristics for the control apparatus <NUM>, such as offensive information. The offensive information may comprise, for example, currently active gun and ammunition related information of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, a modular periscope <NUM> is provided. The modular periscope <NUM> is configured to be fitted in universal way to different kinds of vehicles <NUM> and/or vehicle systems <NUM>. The modular periscope <NUM> may comprise at least one camera device <NUM> and optionally a dedicated display. Also the display <NUM> of the vehicle system <NUM> may be used. The periscope <NUM> may also comprise own processing unit and/or the control apparatus <NUM> of the vehicle system <NUM> may be used.

The operational characteristics received by the control apparatus <NUM> may also comprise defensive information. The defensive information may comprise, for example, detected enemy threat related information of the vehicle. Such information may be determined based on information received via sensors <NUM> including radars, camera system <NUM> or via communication link <NUM>, for example.

A display system (DISP) <NUM> may be configured to provide overall status information of the vehicle <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be external to the control apparatus <NUM>, integrated as part of it, or both.

In an embodiment, an advanced vehicle system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> is configured to operate in degraded visual environments (DVE) and is modular and can be integrated within various versions of Main Battle Tank(s), Armoured Personnel Carrier (s) (APC) and other special purpose vehicles. A number of different advanced cameras <NUM>, configurations and packages are possible. Various embedded processing units <NUM> can be connected to operate in a cluster as a full <NUM>° system.

In an embodiment, by establishing a dynamic view model (DVM) <NUM> for communicating between systems <NUM>-<NUM> it is possible for the on-board systems to negotiate an optimal solution for the route or some activity. Top priority for optimization may be defined to be safety, and second and third priority can be set by the vehicle operator (optimal offensive or defensive position, energy efficiency, fuel consumption, speed/time, etc.), for example. The model (DVM) <NUM> may operate as a virtual pilot for a route.

The model (DVM) <NUM> solution may allow different levels of automation within the vehicle <NUM>. In first operation mode, the model (DVM) <NUM> may be configured to provide a route plan, which the crew can use for scheduling their activities. In second operation mode, the model (DVM) <NUM> may be configured to provide an embedded solution, wherein the sub-systems can notify the crew based on the plan, when to perform certain tasks or be switched on or set to standby. This notification may be repeated on the main control display or remote-control station. In third operation mode, the model (DVM) <NUM> may be configured to provide a solution to be fully automated and automatically executing the plan of the model (DVM) <NUM> with merely notification provided to the crew or remote-control station when performing different automated tasks.

No matter a plurality of different elements <NUM>-<NUM> is disclosed in <FIG>, not all are mandatory for embodiments of the invention. Only mandatory feature is the periscope apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic picture of a periscope apparatus <NUM>, wherein some elements of the apparatus <NUM> are shown according to an example embodiment.

In an embodiment, a periscope apparatus <NUM> for an armored vehicle comprises a top module <NUM>, a middle module <NUM> and a bottom module <NUM>.

The top module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module <NUM>, and the top module comprises a top housing <NUM> and configured to selectively receive at least two elements selected from a plurality of different mirrors, lenses and camera devices; or their combination; <NUM>-<NUM> to receive light beams entering through an opening <NUM> of the top module <NUM>.

The middle module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the top module and the bottom module, and the middle module comprises a middle housing <NUM> configured to selectively receive at least one camera device(s) <NUM>-<NUM> of a plurality of different size camera devices, wherein the at least one camera device <NUM>-<NUM> is configured to be attached to the middle housing <NUM> using an universal adaptation device 224a-b.

The bottom module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module <NUM>, and the bottom module <NUM> comprises a bottom housing <NUM> and configured to receive a control unit <NUM> for the periscope apparatus <NUM>.

Optionally, the periscope apparatus <NUM> may further comprise a display module <NUM> arranged to be releasably connected with the bottom module <NUM> and operationally connected to the control unit <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the top housing <NUM> is configured to receive a camera device <NUM> and a mirror <NUM> to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing <NUM> is configured to receive a camera device <NUM> for the second channel.

In an embodiment, the top housing <NUM> is configured to receive a lens <NUM> of a first camera device and a mirror <NUM> to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing <NUM> is configured to receive a sensor <NUM> of the first camera device for the first channel and a camera device <NUM> for the second channel.

In an embodiment, the top housing <NUM> is configured to receive two mirrors <NUM>-<NUM> to receive light beams for a first and a second channel, respectively, and the middle housing is configured to receive two camera devices <NUM>-<NUM> for the first and the second channel, respectively.

One of the channels may be a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel and the other channel may be a visible spectrum (VIS) channel, for example.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera device <NUM>-<NUM> within the middle module <NUM> is configured to be arranged vertically in view of their optical axis.

In an embodiment, at least one camera device <NUM>-<NUM> within the middle module <NUM> is configured to be arranged vertically in view of their optical axis and at least one element <NUM>-<NUM> within the top module <NUM> is configured to be arranged horizontally in view of the optical axis.

The universal adaptation device 224a-b may comprise at least one adaptation ring configured to adjust installation height of the camera device <NUM>-<NUM>.

The adaptation ring 224a-b may be configured to mount the camera device <NUM>-<NUM> to the middle housing <NUM> using at least two mounting members.

The adaptation ring 224a-b may comprise one adaption ring or a plurality of adaptation rings. The adaptation ring may be of fixed height or different height adaptation rings may be provided. Adaptation device(s), such as adaptation ring(s) 224a-b are advantageous since different sizes of camera devices and/or elements can be flexibly installed within the periscope apparatus <NUM> without the need to change the modules and/or housings of the periscope apparatus <NUM>.

The mounting member comprises a screw or a bolt extending horizontally between the adaption ring and the middle housing wall (see e.g. <FIG>). As shown for example in <FIG>, a pattern of attachment apertures is arranged to lower part of the middle housing wall <NUM>, wherein the mounting member can fix the adaption ring to the housing wall <NUM>.

In an embodiment, at least one element or camera device <NUM>-<NUM> within the top module <NUM> is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

In an embodiment, the at least one element or camera device <NUM>-<NUM> within the middle module <NUM> is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

In an embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> is configured to operate on a first and second channel, wherein the first channel is a longwave infrared (LWIR) channel and the second channel is a visible spectrum (VIS) channel.

In an embodiment, the camera device <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> comprises at least one of the following: LWIR sensor, SWIR sensor, CMOS sensor, image Intensified CMOS, and CCD sensor.

In an embodiment, the bottom module <NUM> may comprise a desiccant element <NUM>. The desiccant element <NUM> may comprise, for example, a desiccant cartridge arranged within the bottom module <NUM> or integrated to the control unit <NUM>, for example. The desiccant element <NUM> may alternatively comprise, for example, a valve that can be used to fill complete periscope interior (all modules <NUM>-<NUM>) with nitrogen, for example. Both alternatives protect against fogging inside during weather change.

The periscope apparatus <NUM> for an armored vehicle may comprise a top module <NUM>, a middle module <NUM> and a bottom module <NUM>.

The top module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module <NUM>, and the top module comprises a top housing <NUM> and configured to receive at least two mirrors or camera devices or their combination of a plurality of different mirrors and camera devices to receive light beams entering through an opening <NUM> of the top module <NUM>.

The middle module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the top module and the bottom module, and the middle module comprises a middle housing <NUM> configured to receive at least one camera device <NUM>-<NUM> of a plurality of different size camera devices, wherein the at least one camera device is configured to be attached to the middle housing <NUM> using an universal adaptation device.

The bottom module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module <NUM>, and the bottom module <NUM> comprises a bottom housing <NUM> and configured to receive a control unit for the periscope apparatus <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module <NUM> is configured to be arranged vertically in view of the optical axis.

In an embodiment, at least one camera device within the top module <NUM> is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module <NUM> is selected from the group comprising VIS and LWIR camera devices with different physical sizes and properties.

In an embodiment, a bottom plate <NUM> of the bottom module <NUM> comprises a detachable memory, for example a USB recording memory for storing and maintaining image data from at least one camera device of the periscope apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another schematic picture of a periscope apparatus <NUM>, wherein some elements of the apparatus <NUM> are shown according to an example embodiment.

The top module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module <NUM>, and the top module comprises a top housing and configured to receive at least two mirrors or camera devices or their combination of a plurality of different mirrors and camera devices to receive light beams entering through an opening of the top module <NUM>.

The middle module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the top module and the bottom module, and the middle module comprises a middle housing (not shown in <FIG> to illustrate content of the module) configured to receive at least one camera device <NUM>-<NUM> of a plurality of different size camera devices, wherein at least one camera device <NUM> is configured to be attached to the middle housing using an universal adaptation device 224b. In case a camera device <NUM> is used, then no camera device <NUM> is needed to be installed but another mirror suffice.

The bottom module <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module <NUM>, and the bottom module <NUM> comprises a bottom housing and configured to receive a control unit for the periscope apparatus <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera device within the middle module <NUM> is configured to be arranged vertically in view of their optical axis.

In an embodiment, a mirror <NUM> is arranged in the top module <NUM> to provide optical path for the camera device <NUM> and its optics <NUM>. The mirror <NUM> may comprise, for example, a <NUM>° Silver Mirror for an VIS camera device <NUM>.

Instead of the camera device <NUM>, another mirror <NUM> may be arranged in that place. The mirror <NUM> may provide an optical path for the camera device <NUM>. The mirror <NUM> may comprise, for example, a <NUM>° Gold or Silver Mirror for an IR camera device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, instead of the <NUM>° mirror <NUM>, a bended fibre optic with <NUM>° can be used. One end of the bended fibre optic can be glued directly on a camera sensor of the camera device <NUM>, and a lens can be directly assembled on the other end of the fibre arranged to receive light beams instead of the mirror. See e.g. <FIG> for further details on bended fibre embodiment.

The periscope apparatus <NUM> for an armored vehicle may comprise a periscope apparatus <NUM> further comprising at least one auxiliary module <NUM>-<NUM> comprising an auxiliary top module and an auxiliary middle module, and the auxiliary module <NUM>-<NUM> is operationally connected to the bottom module of the apparatus <NUM>. Thus a single bottom module of the apparatus <NUM> may control and process data also for the auxiliary modules <NUM>-<NUM>. Otherwise the structure of the auxiliary modules <NUM>-<NUM> may correspond to the modules as disclosed for the periscope apparatus <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the left auxiliary module <NUM> may comprise camera devices (1x VIS, 1x LWIR), operationally connected to the control unit <NUM> of the center periscope apparatus <NUM>. The center periscope apparatus <NUM> may comprise the control unit <NUM> and camera devices (1x VIS, 1x LWIR). The right auxiliary module <NUM> may comprise camera devices (1x VIS, 1x LWIR), operationally connected to the control unit <NUM> of the center periscope apparatus <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be an EPU (Embedded processing unit) with image acquisition and processing software. The control unit <NUM> is configured with at least one processor, memory and associated software code to process 3x VIS channel/camera images and stitch to a wide field of view image, for example. Furthermore, the control unit <NUM> is configured with at least one processor, memory and associated software code to process 3x LWIR channel/camera images and stitch to a wide field of view image, for example.

<FIG> shows another schematic picture of an image sensor <NUM>, a fibre optic <NUM> and a lens <NUM> of a periscope apparatus <NUM>, wherein some elements of the apparatus <NUM> are shown according to an example embodiment.

In an embodiment, instead of the <NUM>° mirror <NUM> as in <FIG>, a bended fibre optic <NUM> with <NUM>° can be used. One end (A) of the bended fibre optic <NUM> can be glued directly on a camera sensor <NUM> of a camera device, and the lens <NUM> can be directly assembled on the other end (B) of the fibre <NUM> arranged to receive light beams instead of a mirror, for example.

Item 620a illustrates a crossview on plane F-F of the fibre optic <NUM> and its conduit. Fibre optic conduit comprises several single fibres as illustrated in item 620b that is a magnified portion of the fibre optic <NUM> and its conduit.

The sensor <NUM> may comprise, for example, a <NUM>" CMOS image sensor with a package mounted on a camera device <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG> or <FIG>). Active pixels may be, for example <NUM> x <NUM> with pixel size of <NUM>,<NUM> x <NUM>,<NUM>. Also other sensor sizes than <NUM>" sensors may be used, such as <NUM>/<NUM>,<NUM>" and <NUM>/<NUM>", for example.

In an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be glued to the fiber optic <NUM> in end B to a horizontal part of the bended fibre <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sensor <NUM> may be glued to the fiber optic <NUM> in end A to a vertical part of the bended fibre <NUM>.

The lens <NUM> may be directed to horizontal direction and the sensor <NUM> may be directed to vertical direction, for example.

The diameter of the fibre optic <NUM> in end A needs to cover the active area of the image sensor <NUM> completely. One option is to use 4x single fibers aligned with one sensor pixel that means a sensor <NUM> with <NUM> x <NUM> active pixels to require as minimum an optical conduit <NUM> with <NUM> x <NUM> single fibres at a rectangular shape in the sensor format, for example.

In an embodiment, when a camera sensor <NUM> comes typically with a glass package, it is possible to remove the glass package from the sensor <NUM> before glueing the fibre optic conduit <NUM> directly on the sensor <NUM> active surface.

In an embodiment, the camera device <NUM> (see e.g. <FIG> or <FIG>) may comprise a CMOS camera with an image intensifier assembly upstream to the sensor <NUM> where the fibre optic conduit <NUM> is glued to the image intensifier window.

Optionally, the periscope apparatus <NUM> may further comprise a display module <NUM> arranged to be releasably connected with the bottom module <NUM> and operationally connected to the control unit.

In an embodiment, the periscope apparatus <NUM> may further comprise user-operable mounting brackets <NUM>-<NUM>. The user-operable mounting brackets <NUM>-<NUM> are configured to clamp the middle module <NUM> to an opening of the armored vehicle body for mounting the periscope apparatus <NUM> to the vehicle body. The middle module <NUM> may be clamped, for example, to a pod arranged to the armored vehicle body. The mounting brackets <NUM>-<NUM> may clamp the periscope apparatus <NUM> inside the pod so that no tools or vehicle modification is required. The mounting brackets <NUM>-<NUM> may be user operated inside the vehicle. User operation may be performed using lever mechanic system <NUM>-<NUM> that is operationally connected to the mounting brackets <NUM>-<NUM>. When the user pulls the lever mechanic system <NUM>-<NUM> downwards, the mounting brackets <NUM>-<NUM> extend horizontally to provide the clamping effect.

In an embodiment, the periscope apparatus <NUM> may further comprise protection device <NUM> to prevent falling of the periscope apparatus <NUM> out of the pod if the mounting brackets <NUM>-<NUM> fail during operation.

Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise, include and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is improved method and apparatus for vision system of a vehicle. Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is improved method and apparatus for universal operation of the periscope apparatus in different kinds of installations and/or vehicles.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that safety is improved since there is less likelihood of human error, and systems are efficiently utilized, and greater efficiency that allows reduced operating costs.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that optimal mounting of the periscope apparatus is enabled.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is improved flexibility of single size modules and/or housings to be used for a plurality of different size camera devices or other corresponding elements.

Claim 1:
A periscope apparatus (<NUM>) for an armored vehicle comprising a top module (<NUM>), a middle module (<NUM>) and a bottom module (<NUM>), wherein the top module is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module, and comprises a top housing (<NUM>) configured to selectively receive at least two elements selected from a plurality of different mirrors, lenses and camera devices (<NUM>, <NUM>), to receive light beams entering through an opening of the top module;
the middle module is arranged to be releasably connected with the top module and the bottom module, and comprises a middle housing (<NUM>);
the bottom module is arranged to be releasably connected with the middle module, and comprises a bottom housing (<NUM>) configured to receive a control unit (<NUM>) for the periscope apparatus, characterized in that the middle housing is configured to selectively receive at least one camera device (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a plurality of different size camera devices, wherein the at least one camera device is configured to be attached to the middle housing using an universal adaptation device (224a, 224b).