System and control for an enabler of a viewing optical mirror

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing lens having an active display and a mounting system for an enabler device. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing lens and an imaging enabler.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 373,770, filed on August 29, 2022, and is a non - provisional patent application thereof. The entire content of the provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to observation optical mirrors having an enabler interface. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system and an enabler interface. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an active display and a mounting system for an enabler device. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror and an imaging enabler. Background art

[0004] Sighting scopes have been in use for over a century. Although the quality and features of these devices have been greatly improved over the years, the core components used in their design, manufacture, and use (and the limitations of these components) are still very similar today to what they were 100 years ago. A sighting scope creates an enlarged or un - enlarged image of a scene far from the shooter on the focal plane, which coincides with calibration features or a reticle. The reticle consists of lines or materials deposited as a pattern on a glass surface, and it serves as a calibration reference that corresponds to the trajectory of the rifle to which it is attached. The reticle can also have specific features included to assist the shooter in distance judgment and compensating for bullet deviation at different distances.

[0005] Adjustment knobs are also used to adjust the reticle position relative to the target to compensate for bullet deviation. This is a very well - developed and reliable system that can be used by experienced and skilled shooters to make challenging long - range shots. With the aid of a laser rangefinder (LRF), a ballistic computer, and meticulous attention to detail, experienced shooters can routinely hit targets at the maximum effective range of their firearms by making the necessary mechanical adjustments to the firearm and / or performing the correct hold on the reticle pattern.

[0006] Although this system works well, there is always a desire to improve the system. In particular, it is desirable to reduce the complexity involved in hitting long - range targets. To effectively hit a long - range target, a large amount of information is required on a shot - by - shot basis, and the shooter must be able to process this information and make correct judgments and calculations in real time. In addition to the sighting scope, the shooter also needs other tools to ensure an accurate shot position. For example, a bubble level needs to be mounted outside the sighting scope to ensure that the optical mirror is level before taking a shot. This requires the shooter to move his or her head away from the pupil of the optical mirror to check the level.

[0007] A laser rangefinder and a ballistic computer are also required to measure the target distance and calculate the bullet trajectory. This again requires the shooter to pay attention to external devices and then remember the data when making the necessary adjustments. If a laser rangefinder mounted on the weapon is used, the shooter needs to take special care to ensure that the calibration points of the optical sight exactly correspond to those of the LRF.

[0008] In addition, it is not unimportant for the use of optical sights that they are only useful during the day. Once night begins to fall, thermal and / or night vision devices must be attached to the weapon in front of the optical sight. These devices capture other forms of radiation that are invisible to the human eye due to their low wavelength or intensity. These devices then recreate an image of the scene or enhance it and re-image the scene onto the objective lens of the optical sight. These devices are effective and necessary for low light conditions, but they are also heavy and large.

[0009] In the specific case of a thermal imaging device, the thermal scene is imaged onto a special thermal sensor through an infrared optical sight. The image is then recreated on a microdisplay, and the microdisplay in turn re-images it into the objective lens of the optical sight using a visible optical system. The two independent optical systems required to achieve this result in a rather large, heavy, and expensive device.

[0010] With technological advancements, a certain degree of system integration is needed to reduce the heavy processing requirements on the shooter. This integration is also needed to reduce the traditionally rather long "time to hit" when multiple devices need to be referenced and calculations and adjustments must be made. Finally, through a more integrated solution, the size and weight of the additional devices required for effective use of the optical sight in low light conditions can be reduced.

[0011] Observation optical sights with integrated display systems have previously been described in U.S. Patent Nos. 10,606,061; 10,520,716; and 10,180,565, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Compared to traditional optical sights, observation optical sights with display systems offer a significant functional improvement. Observation optical sights with display systems can be used to project aiming points into the first focal plane. In addition, compass headings can be displayed, camera feeds can be displayed, wireless data can be transmitted, training programs can be run, and a large number of other functions can be utilized using the display system.

[0012] As functionality increases, advancing technology tends to increase size, weight, and cost. While some users can truly benefit from all the features, other users may not use their functionality and would prefer a lighter and less expensive observation optical sight.

[0013] One alternative is to use an integrated display system to produce a variety of different viewing optical mirrors, the integrated display system including different combinations of additional features and enablers. The disadvantages of this approach are that inventory can grow quickly and building features directly into the optical mirror limits easy upgrades to any added components.

[0014] Accordingly, there is still a need for viewing optical mirrors with an integrated display system that has a modular system, such as a modular mounting system, such that the viewing optical mirror can accept different accessory devices or enabler devices that end users can easily select, add, and remove. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein address all of these disadvantages in an innovative way. Summary of the Invention

[0015] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical mirror, comprising: a body having more than one enabler interface located at the top of the body, the enabler interface being configured to receive an enabler device, and at least one control component configured to affect the operation of the viewing optical mirror, and an enabler device coupled to the enabler interface, wherein the enabler device is operated by the at least one control component of the viewing optical mirror.

[0016] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical mirror, comprising: a body having a first enabler interface and a second enabler interface located at the top of the body, the first enabler interface being in front of an etched reticle elevation adjustment knob and the second enabler interface being behind the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob, and at least one control component configured to affect the operation of the viewing optical mirror, and a first enabler device coupled to the first enabler interface and a second enabler device coupled to the second enabler interface, wherein at least one of the first enabler device and the second enabler device is operated by the at least one control component of the viewing optical mirror.

[0017] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical mirror, comprising: a body having more than one enabler interface located at the top of the body and configured to receive an imaging enabler device, wherein the imaging enabler device is operated by the control function of the viewing optical mirror.

[0018] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system comprising a viewing optical mirror and an enabler device, wherein the enabler device is operated by the control function of the viewing optical mirror.

[0019] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system comprising a viewing optical mirror and an imaging enabler device, wherein the imaging enabler device is operated by the control function of the viewing optical mirror.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first enabling device is a first imaging device. In one embodiment, the first imaging device is a first thermal imaging device.

[0021] In one embodiment, the second enabling device is a second imaging device. In one embodiment, the second imaging device is a second thermal imaging device.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control component is selected from the group consisting of buttons, keys, knobs, touchscreens, displays, speakers, and microphones.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first enabling device is an imaging device and the second imaging device is a laser rangefinder.

[0024] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a mounting system for more than one system component. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a mounting system for more than one enabling device. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a mounting system for more than one accessory device.

[0025] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having more than one enabling interface. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a first enabling interface in front of an etched reticle elevation adjustment knob and a second enabling interface behind the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob.

[0026] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system that has a mounting system for more than one system component. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system that has a mounting system for more than one enabling device. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system that has a mounting system for more than one accessory device.

[0027] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system that has a mounting system for more than one enabling device, including but not limited to a laser rangefinder, a camera, and a video system. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having more than one enabling interface configured to receive an enabling device and configured to permit communication between the observation optical mirror and the enabling device.

[0028] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for mounting more than one enabling device or more than one system component to an observation optical mirror including power and data transmission.

[0029] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a mounting system for an observation optical mirror, which allows more than one enabling device to be integrated with the system.

[0030] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror, which includes an optical system configured to focus a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane, an active display configured to generate a digital image, and more than one enabling interface configured to receive an enabling device, wherein the enabling interface is configured to communicate with the active display.

[0031] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror, including: a body having an optical system configured to focus a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane, and more than one enabling interface located at the top of the body and configured to receive an enabling device.

[0032] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror, including: a body having an optical system configured to focus a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane, and a mounting system located at the top of the body and configured to receive an enabling device. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a first mounting position in front of the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob and a second mounting position behind the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob. In one embodiment, the first mounting position has an inclination angle of 45° with respect to the right and left sides of the observation optical mirror. In yet another embodiment, the second mounting position has an inclination angle of 45° with respect to the right and left sides of the observation optical mirror.

[0033] In one embodiment, the mounting system includes more than one enabling interface. In yet another embodiment, the mounting system includes a front enabling interface and a rear enabling interface.

[0034] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system, including: an observation optical mirror having: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the main tube, which focuses a target image from an external scene; (c) an eyepiece system coupled to a second end of the main tube, the main tube, the objective lens system, and the eyepiece system being configured to define a first focal plane; and (d) an active display configured to generate a digital image; and more than one enabling interface located at the top of the main tube and configured to receive an enabling device, wherein the enabling device is configured to transmit information to the active display and the information is projected into the first focal plane of the observation optical mirror.

[0035] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror, comprising: a body having an optical system configured to focus a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane; a front enablement interface located at the top of the body and in front of an etched reticle elevation adjustment knob and configured to receive a first enablement device; and a rear enablement interface located at the top of the body and behind the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob and configured to receive a second enablement device.

[0036] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror, comprising: a body having an optical system configured to focus a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane; an active display configured to generate a digital image; and one or more enablement interfaces located at the top of the body and configured to receive an enablement device, wherein the enablement interface is configured to communicate with the active display of the observation optical mirror.

[0037] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the main tube that focuses a target image from an external scene; (c) an eyepiece system coupled to a second end of the main tube, the main tube, the objective lens system, and the eyepiece system being configured to define at least a first focal plane; (d) an active display configured to generate a digital image; and one or more enablement interfaces located at the top of the main tube and configured to receive an enablement, wherein the enablement interface is configured to transmit information from the enablement to the active display, and the information from the enablement is projected into the first focal plane of the observation optical mirror.

[0038] In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror has a main tube, an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the main tube, and an eyepiece system coupled to a second end of the main tube. The main tube, the objective lens system, and the eyepiece system are cooperatively configured to define at least one focal plane. The observation optical mirror further includes a beam combiner located between the objective lens system and the first focal plane. The observation optical mirror further includes an integrated display system, the integrated display system including an active display, wherein the active display generates a digital image and projects the digital image onto the beam combiner, so that the digital image and the target image from the objective lens system can be combined at the first focal plane.

[0039] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having: a first optical system including an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target onto a first focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "FFP target image"), then an erecting lens system that inverts the FFP target image and focuses it onto a second focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "SFP target image"), a beam combiner placed between the objective lens system and the FFP target image, and an eyepiece system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be observed by the human eye; and a second optical system. In one embodiment, the second optical system has an active display for generating an image and a lens system for collecting light from the active display. The image from the digital display is directed to the beam combiner so that the digital image and the target image from the objective lens system can be combined at the first focal plane and observed simultaneously.

[0040] In one embodiment, the active display is configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the observation optical mirror.

[0041] In one embodiment, the active display is configured to emit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the observation optical mirror.

[0042] In one embodiment, the mirror is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the light emitted by the display.

[0043] In one embodiment, the display and the mirror are located on a common side of the observation optical mirror body.

[0044] In one embodiment, the display and the mirror are located on opposite sides of the observation optical mirror body.

[0045] In one embodiment, the display and the mirror are located on a common side of the base that is coupled to the observation optical mirror body.

[0046] In one embodiment, the display and the mirror are located on opposite sides of the base that is coupled to the observation optical mirror body.

[0047] In one embodiment, the mirror is located on the objective lens side of the base that is coupled to the observation optical mirror body.

[0048] In one embodiment, the active display is located on the eyepiece side of the base that is coupled to the observation optical mirror body.

[0049] In one embodiment, the methods and devices disclosed herein allow an end user to easily distinguish a digital overlay from a daylight optical scene.

[0050] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having both an analog reticle and a digital reticle, the analog reticle and the digital reticle being visible to a user when viewing through the sight.

[0051] The advantages of the devices and methods disclosed herein are that various advanced aiming functions can be utilized while maintaining a direct view of the target scene.

[0052] The advantages of the devices and methods disclosed herein are that injecting the generated image into the first focal plane of the optical system from the active display allows the generated image to be unaffected by any adjustments of the adjustment knob or any changes in the position of the erecting system.

[0053] The advantages of the devices and methods disclosed herein are that the modular / scalable system allows the use of additional enabling technologies without the need for separate system integration. The observation optical mirror with an enabler interface allows the user to select specific enablers relevant to their needs.

[0054] The features, components, steps, or solutions of one embodiment described herein can be combined with those of other embodiments without limitation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Figure 1A is a schematic view depicting a part of a sight.

[0056] Figure 1B is a schematic view depicting additional parts and components of an observation optical mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 1C is of an observation optical mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 1B cross-sectional view, showing the movable optical elements within the optical mirror body.

[0058] Figure 1D is a schematic view of an observation optical mirror depicting a parallax adjustment knob according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 1E is a schematic view of an erecting system in the optical elements of an observation optical mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 2 is a side view of a sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sight having a body and a base coupled to the body.

[0061] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an observation optical mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the body has a beam combiner located between the objective lens assembly and the first focal plane.

[0062] Figure 4 is a representative schematic view showing a longitudinally sectioned body of an observation optical mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 5AIt is a representative schematic diagram of a traditional parallax adjustment knob, which has a cam pin located in a cam groove on the parallax knob.

[0064] Figure 5B It is a representative schematic diagram of a traditional parallax adjustment knob, showing aspects of the focusing unit connected to the cam pin of the parallax knob.

[0065] Figure 5C It is a representative schematic diagram of a parallax adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A connecting rod is shown, which can be used for parallax adjustment. The focusing unit (parallax lens) has been moved to allow the beam combiner (prism) to be placed in the space in front of the first focal plane.

[0066] Figure 5D It is a representative schematic diagram of a parallax adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing one end of the connecting rod having a cam pin located in a cam groove of the parallax adjustment knob assembly.

[0067] Figure 5E It is a representative schematic diagram of a parallax adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The parallax adjustment system has a connecting rod, one end of the connecting rod is connected to the focusing unit, and the other end of the rod is connected to the cam pin.

[0068] Figure 5F It is a representative schematic diagram of a parallax adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The parallax adjustment system has a connecting rod, one end of the connecting rod is connected to the focusing unit, and the other end of the rod is connected to the cam pin, and the cam pin is located in a cam groove on the parallax knob.

[0069] Figure 6 It is a representative schematic diagram showing an external erect image sleeve with a potentiometer cursor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] Figure 7 It is a representative schematic diagram showing a film potentiometer placed on the body of a telescopic sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] Figure 8 It is a representative schematic diagram showing an external erect image sleeve equipped with a potentiometer cursor and having a film potentiometer mounted on the body of a telescopic sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] Figure 9 It is a block diagram of the components of an observation optical mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Figure 10 It is a top view of a telescopic sight having a body and a base according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Figure 11Side view of a part of a sight having a body and a base, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Figure 12 Schematic cross-sectional side view of a sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the sight has: a body having a glass-etched reticle; and a base having an integrated display system.

[0076] Figure 13 Representative schematic cross-sectional side view showing an integrated display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Figure 14 Schematic cross-sectional side view of a body of an observation optical sight and a base having an integrated display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the base is coupled to at least a part of the body.

[0078] Figure 15 Representative depiction of an integrated display system for imaging a digital display onto a first focal plane of an optical system of a body of an observation optical sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] Figure 16 Schematic view of a body of an observation optical sight and a base having an integrated display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the active display of the integrated display system located in a part of the base is closest to the objective lens assembly compared to the eyepiece assembly of the body of the observation optical sight.

[0080] Figure 17 Schematic view of a body of an observation optical sight and a base having an integrated display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the active display of the integrated display system located in a part of the base is closest to the eyepiece assembly compared to the objective lens assembly of the body of the observation optical sight.

[0081] Figure 18 Representative schematic view showing the aspect ratio of a microdisplay according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Figure 19 Depicts an integrated display system having a 530 nm - 570 nm digital display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] Figure 20 Schematic view of an exemplary image that can be displayed using a 530 nm - 570 nm digital display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] Figure 21 Depicts an integrated display system having an AMOLED digital display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0085] Figure 22 It is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image that can be displayed using an AMOLED digital display according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Figure 23 It is a representative schematic diagram showing a side cross-sectional view of an active display and an optical system having an inner lens unit and an outer lens unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] Figure 24 It is a side cross-sectional view of an integrated display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a condenser optical system is installed in an observation optical mirror.

[0088] Figure 25 It is a representative schematic diagram of a top view of an integrated display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated display system having an active display, a condenser optical system having an inner unit and an outer unit, a mirror, and a screw for adjusting the tilt of the active display.

[0089] Figure 26 It is a representative schematic diagram of a rear cross-sectional view of an integrated display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated display system having an active display, a condenser optical system having an inner unit and an outer unit, a mirror, and a screw for adjusting the tilt of the active display.

[0090] Figure 27 It is a schematic diagram showing a side cross-sectional view of a microdisplay, an inner lens unit and an outer lens unit, and a spring located between the inner unit and the outer unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] Figure 28A It is a representative depiction of an integrated display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a surface that can be used to adjust the position of the inner lens unit and eliminate parallax errors.

[0092] Figure 28B It is a representative depiction of an integrated display system showing a lens system in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] Figure 29 It is a representative diagram of a side cross-sectional view of an integrated display system installed in an observation optical mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated display system having a microdisplay, an optical system, and a mirror with tilt adjustment ability.

[0094] Figure 30 It is a representative schematic diagram of a left side view of a battery compartment that can be connected to a base of a main body of a telescopic sight according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] Figure 31A representative schematic right side view of an integrated battery compartment in a base that can be coupled to a body of a sight, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] Figure 32 A representative schematic top view of an integrated battery compartment in a base that can be coupled to a body of a sight, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] Figure 33 A representative schematic side view of a base having a battery compartment that can be used to couple to a Picatinny mount, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] Figure 34 A representative schematic front view of a cantilever Picatinny mount coupled to a battery compartment of a base, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] Figure 35 A representative schematic top view of a cantilever Picatinny mount coupled to a battery compartment of a base, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] Figure 36 A representative schematic side profile view of a sight having a body and a base, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the base has an axially oriented data / communication connection.

[0101] Figure 37 A representative schematic view of a sight having a body and a base, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the base has more than one connection interface for communicating with a thermal imaging unit.

[0102] Figure 38 A rear left side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] Figure 39 A rear right side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] Figure 40 A rear right side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] Figure 41 A front left side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0106] Figure 42 A front right side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] Figure 43 Left side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] Figure 44 Right side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] Figure 45 Right side view of an embodiment of a sight, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] Figure 46 Top side view of an embodiment of a sight, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] Figure 47 Right side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] Figure 48 Top side view of an embodiment of a sight having a laser rangefinder, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] Figure 49 Representative schematic of a holographic waveguide arrangement, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a digital display is coupled into the waveguide and emitted from a second hologram that focuses light onto a predetermined focal plane.

[0114] Figure 50 Representative schematic of an alternative configuration of an observation optic, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] Figure 51 Representative schematic of an alternative configuration of an observation optic, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0116] Figure 52 Representative schematic of an alternative configuration of an observation optic, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0117] Figure 53 Representative depiction of a reticle at 1X, showing passive (fixed or etched) reticle features and markings or features from an active display.

[0118] Figure 54 Representative depiction of a reticle at 8X, showing passive (fixed or etched) reticle features and markings or features from an active display.

[0119] Figure 55Is a representative depiction of the reticle at 8X, which shows passive (fixed or etched) reticle features and markings or markings from an active display including range measurement and windshield traces.

[0120] Figure 56 Is a representative depiction of the reticle at 8X, which shows passive (fixed or etched) reticle features and markings or markings from an active display including range measurement and windshield traces.

[0121] Figure 57 Is a representative depiction of a reticle with standard etched and filled sections and an image generated from a digital display.

[0122] Figure 58 Is a representative depiction of a BDC reticle with range markings.

[0123] Figure 59 Is a representative schematic showing the effect of cant on shooting.

[0124] Figure 60 Is a representative schematic of a digital or active display that can compensate for cant.

[0125] Figure 61 Is a representative depiction of a reticle with a target having a stadia of 500 yards, which shows the real-time position of drop and wind hold at 500 yards.

[0126] Figure 62 Is a representative depiction of a reticle with a target having a stadia of 1000 yards, which shows the real-time drop and wind hold at 1000 yards.

[0127] Figure 63 Is a representative depiction of a wide-angle view of a reticle at low magnification, with fewer rows of dots below the horizontal crosshair.

[0128] Figure 64 Is a representative depiction of the central portion of a reticle at higher magnification, with a smaller center grid.

[0129] Figure 65 Is a representative depiction of a side view of an l-8x active reticle scope. The magnification adjustment ring can be seen on the right side of the image.

[0130] Figure 66 Is a representative depiction of a side view of an l-8x active reticle scope, where the body of the scope is hidden and the external cam sleeve is exposed, which rotates with the magnification adjustment ring to change the magnification setting.

[0131] Figure 67Is a representative depicted view of the base of an observation optical mirror having a circuit board that includes a photoelectric sensor and an LED for measuring the position of a reflective gradient material attached to an external cam sleeve. The external cam sleeve and associated optical system are hidden in this image.

[0132] Figure 68 Is a representative exploded view of the photoelectric sensor and the LED, with an analog visual cone drawn to show the light reception angle of the photoelectric sensor.

[0133] Figure 69 And Figure 70 Is a representative image of the photoelectric sensor and the LED that are used in conjunction with a reflective gradient strip attached to an external cam sleeve to measure the magnification setting of the optical mirror. This illustration shows a gradient strip that has 4 specific sections with different reflectivities, each associated with an optical magnification, but it should be noted that the reflectivity of this gradient strip can vary infinitely.

[0134] Figure 71 Is a representative schematic diagram of an observation optical mirror that has a beam combiner in the body and a photoelectric sensor and a filter coupled to the beam combiner.

[0135] Figure 72 Is a representative depiction of the rear of an observation optical mirror that shows a window milled into the base that is coupled to the body of the observation optical mirror, near the sensor and the carrier, both of which are located below the eyepiece.

[0136] Figure 73 And Figure 74 Is a representative depiction of an observation optical mirror having a base that has a power saving system, and the observation optical mirror is mounted on a rifle.

[0137] Figure 75 And Figure 76 Is a representative schematic diagram of an observation optical mirror where power pins project through the base that is coupled to the body of the observation optical mirror.

[0138] Figure 77 Is a representative side profile of the base showing the power pins projecting through the base of the observation optical mirror.

[0139] Figure 78 Is a representative diagram of a side profile where the base of the observation optical mirror is made transparent to show the power pins that are attached to the PCB.

[0140] Figure 79 Is a representative image of the top of a remote keyboard for communicating with the observation optical mirror.

[0141] Figure 80 is a representative side profile of a remote keyboard, which shows power pins protruding through built-in rear seat lugs.

[0142] Figure 81 is a representative bottom view showing two power pins that protrude through the distal rear seat lugs.

[0143] Figure 82 is a representative bottom view in which the cover is made transparent to show the PCB inside the remote control body.

[0144] Figure 83 is a representative depiction of a keyboard with three buttons that communicate with the observation optical mirror disclosed herein.

[0145] Figure 84 is a representative depiction of an observation optical mirror with a mechanical switch for changing the function of a remote keyboard for communicating with the observation optical mirror.

[0146] Figure 85 is a representative illustration of a display system for an observation optical mirror having a first active display and a second active display.

[0147] Figure 86 is a representative illustration of an image from an active display with high bit depth and high resolution.

[0148] Figure 87 is a representative illustration of an image from an active display with low bit depth and low resolution.

[0149] Figure 88 is an image of a printed circuit board having a photosensor, an LED, and a microprocessor function.

[0150] Figure 89 is a representative illustration of an adjustment knob having a reflective gradient strip attached to an external adjustment knob sleeve to measure the adjustment knob position. The figure shows a gradient strip with 4 specific sections of different reflectivities, but it should be noted that the reflectivity of the strip can vary infinitely.

[0151] Figure 90 is a schematic diagram of the principle of near zero and far zero.

[0152] Figure 91 is a schematic diagram of a follower with a magnet and a magazine used as components of a bullet counter system according to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0153] Figure 92 is a schematic diagram of a follower, a magazine, and a sensor on a circuit board positioned to detect a magnetic field according to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0154] Figure 93A Schematic cross-sectional view of a bullet counter system installed in the lower receiver of a firearm M4 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The follower rises in the magazine and indicates approximately 8 rounds remaining.

[0155] Figure 93B Schematic cross-sectional view of a bullet counter system installed in the lower receiver of a firearm M4 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The follower rises in the magazine and indicates approximately 4 rounds remaining.

[0156] Figure 93C Schematic cross-sectional view of a bullet counter system installed in the lower receiver of a firearm M4 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the follower rises in the magazine and indicates zero rounds remaining in the magazine.

[0157] Figure 94A and 94B Representative schematic of another embodiment of a bullet counter system, where according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the magazine follower has a magnet that interacts with a wire in or on the magazine wall.

[0158] Figure 95 Representative photograph of an observation optic with an integrated display system and a bullet counter system on a firearm with a conventional layout, where according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated display system and the bullet counter system communicate via a cable.

[0159] Figure 96 Representative photograph of an observation optic with an integrated display system and a bullet counter system on a firearm with a bullpup layout, where according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the integrated display system and the bullet counter system communicate via a cable.

[0160] Figure 97 Representative illustration showing multiple positions of an IR laser to be installed on the observation optic disclosed herein.

[0161] Figure 98 Representative photograph of a sight, showing the perspective from the objective lens of the sight.

[0162] Figure 99 Representative photograph of a sight, showing the left side perspective of a rifle sight (left and right as determined from the perspective of a user looking through the eyepiece).

[0163] Figure 100 Representative photograph of a sight, showing the right side perspective of a rifle sight (left and right as determined from the perspective of a user looking through the eyepiece).

[0164] Figure 101 Representative photograph of a sight, showing the perspective from the eyepiece system.

[0165] Figure 102 This is a representative illustration of an observation optical mirror having a front enable interface, a rear enable interface, and a cover located above the enable interfaces.

[0166] Figure 103 This is a representative illustration of an observation optical mirror having a front enable interface, a rear enable interface, and a laser rangefinder located above the rear enable interface.

[0167] Figure 104 This is a representative illustration of an observation optical mirror having a laser rangefinder coupled to a rear enable interface located on the eyepiece side of the observation optical mirror, and the front enable interface has no enable or accessory components.

[0168] Figure 105 This is a representative illustration of an observation optical mirror showing the configuration of an enable interface having cutouts for weight reduction.

[0169] Figure 106 This is a representative illustration of an observation optical mirror showing the configuration of an enable interface having a flat, uninterrupted surface except for pockets.

[0170] Figure 107 This is a representative illustration of an observation optical mirror depicting a rear enable interface located behind an etched reticle and elevation adjustment.

[0171] Figure 108 This is a representative illustration of a rear enable interface depicting a standard 20-pin connector.

[0172] Figure 109 This is a representative illustration of an observation optical mirror depicting a front enable interface located in front of an etched reticle and elevation adjustment.

[0173] Figure 110 This is a representative illustration of a front enable interface depicting a standard 20-pin connector.

[0174] Figure 111 This is a representative exploded view of a mechanism for mounting an imaging enable to an observation optical mirror.

[0175] Figure 112 This is another representative exploded view of a mechanism for mounting an imaging enable to an observation optical mirror.

[0176] Figure 113 This is a representative left front view of an imaging enable mounted to an observation optical mirror.

[0177] Figure 114 This is a representative right front view of an imaging enable mounted to an observation optical mirror.

[0178] Figure 115 Is a representative front view of an imaging enablement device installed on an observation optical lens.

[0179] Figure 116 Is a representative photograph of thermal hotspots covering an image scene.

[0180] Figure 117 Is a representative left side view of an objective lens display module with attachment.

[0181] Figure 118 Is a representative right front side view of a transparent objective lens display model.

[0182] Figure 119 Is a representative top view of a separated objective lens display module.

[0183] Figure 120 Is a representative top view of an attached transparent objective lens display model.

[0184] Figure 121 Is a representative front view without an objective lens display module.

[0185] Figure 122 Is a representative front view of an attached transparent objective lens display module.

[0186] Figure 123 Is a representative left side view of an attached objective lens mounted imager module.

[0187] Figure 124 Is a representative top view of an attached transparent objective lens mounted imager module.

[0188] Figure 125 Is a representative top view of an attached objective lens display module.

[0189] Figure 126 Is a representative front view without an objective lens display module.

[0190] Figure 127 Is a representative front view of an alternative embodiment with vertically stacked top imager and bottom imager without an objective lens display module.

[0191] Figure 128 Is a representative top view of an attached transparent objective lens mounted imager module. Detailed Description

[0192] The devices and methods disclosed herein will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The devices and methods disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0193] Those skilled in the art will understand that the set of features and / or capabilities can be readily adjusted in the context of standalone weapon sights, front or rear clip-on weapon sights, and other arrangements of optical weapon sights already deployed. Additionally, those skilled in the art will understand that various combinations of features and capabilities can be incorporated into additional modules for retrofitting any type of existing fixed or variable weapon sight.

[0194] It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as "on another element or layer", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer. Alternatively, there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on another element or layer", "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers.

[0195] Like reference numerals always refer to like elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0196] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or part from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, or part discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, or part without departing from the disclosure.

[0197] For ease of description, spatial relative terms, such as "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc., may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figures. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures, spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as "below" or "beneath" another element or feature will be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can include both an above and a below orientation. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein are to be interpreted accordingly.

[0198] I. Definitions

[0199] The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, so unless otherwise stated, values outside the range may be included. The numerical range includes all values from and including the lower limit value and the upper limit value, incremented by one unit, provided that there is at least a two-unit interval between any lower value and any higher value. For example, if a compositional, physical, or other property (such as molecular weight, viscosity, etc.) is from 100 to 1,000, it is intended to expressly enumerate all the individual values (such as 100, 101, 102, etc.) and sub-ranges (such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc.). For ranges containing values less than 1 or ranges containing decimals greater than 1 (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 as appropriate. For ranges containing single digits less than 10 (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are just examples for specific uses, and all possible combinations of the numerical values between the lowest and highest values listed should be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure. Among other things, numerical ranges are provided in this disclosure for distances from a user of a device to a target.

[0200] The term "and / or" as used herein in phrases such as "A and / or B" is intended to include: both A and B; A or B; A alone; and B alone. Similarly, the term "and / or" as used in phrases such as "A, B, and / or C" is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A alone; B alone; and C alone.

[0201] As used herein, "active display" includes image creation pixel modulation. In one embodiment, the active display is an emissive active display. Emissive active displays, including but not limited to organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs), have both an image and a light source in a single device and thus do not require an external light source. This can minimize system size and power consumption while providing excellent contrast and color space. OLEDs are made of ultrathin organic semiconductor layers that light up when connected to a voltage (charge carriers are injected and brightness is mainly proportional to the forward current). The main layers sequentially contain several organic materials (e.g., charge transport, blocking, and emission layers - each layer being a few nanometers thick), which are inserted between an anode and a cathode. The terms "active display", "digital display", and "microdisplay" are used interchangeably.

[0202] As used herein, "ammunition state" can refer to all or one or more of the following: the number of bullets in a magazine, whether a bullet is in the chamber, and whether a bullet is in the magazine but not in the chamber.

[0203] As used herein, the term "bullpup" is a firearm in which the action and magazine are located behind the trigger. This results in a shorter weapon compared to a rifle with the same barrel size. This means that the advantages of a longer barrel, such as muzzle velocity and accuracy, are retained while reducing the overall size and weight of the weapon.

[0204] As used herein, an enabler is a system or device that can be used with an observation optic. In one embodiment, an enabler is a system or device that can provide information to assist the user of an observation optic. In one embodiment, an enabler is a system or device that can be coupled to a portion of an observation optic. In one embodiment, an enabler includes but is not limited to a laser rangefinder, a camera, a compass module, a communication module, a laser aiming unit, an illuminator, a backup sight (iron sight, red dot, or other sight), a pivoting sight module, or other devices useful to the user. As used herein, the terms "enabler" and "enabler device" are used interchangeably.

[0205] As used herein, an enabler interface is a location that allows an enabler to be coupled to an observation optic.

[0206] As used herein, "erecting sleeve" is a protrusion from an erecting lens mount that engages a slot in an erecting tube and / or a cam tube or is used for a similar purpose. It can be integral with the mount or can also be detachable.

[0207] As used herein, "erecting tube" is any structure or device having an opening for receiving an erecting lens mount.

[0208] As used herein, "firearm" is a portable gun, a barreled weapon that fires more than one projectile, typically driven by the action of an explosive force. As used herein, the term "firearm" includes pistols, long guns, rifles, shotguns, carbines, automatic weapons, semi-automatic weapons, machine guns, submachine guns, assault rifles, and assault rifles.

[0209] As used herein, a "Hall effect sensor" is a device for measuring the magnitude of a magnetic field. The output voltage is proportional to the magnetic field strength passing through it. Hall effect sensors are used for proximity sensing, positioning, speed detection, and sensing applications.

[0210] As used herein, an "integrated display system" refers to a system for generating an image. In one embodiment, the integrated display system includes an active display. In one embodiment, the integrated display system includes an active display and a condenser optic. In yet another embodiment, the integrated display system includes an active display, a condenser optic, and a reflective surface.

[0211] In one embodiment, the integrated display system can be used to generate a digital image through the active display and direct the digital image to the first focal plane of an optical system to simultaneously view the digital image and an image of an external scene. As used herein, an "aiming system" refers to one or more optical devices and other systems that assist a person in aiming a firearm or other tool.

[0212] As used herein, a "magazine well" or "magwell" serves as a funnel to guide the magazine into place.

[0213] As used herein, the term "mark" can include any of a variety of visually perceivable lines, circles, dots, crosshairs, horseshoes, geometric shapes, characters, numbers, letters, marks, or symbols.

[0214] As used herein, the term "passive reticle" refers to a reticle having fixed marks that cannot be changed by the user. Representative examples of passive reticles are etched and filled reticles. Another example is a holographic reticle, where the user cannot change the marks. Passive reticles can be located in the first focal plane, the second focal plane, or both the first and second focal planes.

[0215] As used herein, the term "receiver" refers to the part or frame of a firearm that integrates other components by providing a housing for internal action components (such as hammers, bolts or breech blocks, firing pins, extractors, and trigger mechanisms), and has threaded interfaces for coupling ("receiving") components such as barrels, stocks, and action components. Receivers are typically made of forged, machined, or stamped steel or aluminum; in addition to these traditional materials, modern science and engineering have introduced polymers and sintered metal powders into receiver structures.

[0216] As used herein, the terms "round" and "cartridge" may be used interchangeably.

[0217] As used herein, the term "observation optic" refers to a device used by a shooter or observer to select, identify, or monitor a target. An "observation optic" may rely on visual observation of the target or, for example, on infrared (IR) imaging, ultraviolet (UV) imaging, radar imaging, thermal imaging, microwave or magnetic imaging, including radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, isotopes, and particle radiation, night vision, including vibration receivers for ultrasound, acoustic pulses, sonar, seismic vibrations, magnetic resonance, gravity sensors, broadcast frequencies including radio waves, television and cellular receivers, or other images of the target. The target image presented to the shooter by the "observation optic" device may be unchanged, or it may be enhanced, for example, by magnification, enlargement, subtraction, superposition, filtering, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified, or monitored by the "observation optic" may be within the shooter's line of sight, or tangent to the shooter's line of sight, or the shooter's line of sight may be blocked when the target acquisition device presents a focused target image to the shooter. The image of the target obtained by the "observation optic" may be, for example, analog or digital and is shared, stored, archived, or transmitted within a network of more than one shooter and observer by, for example, video, physical cables or wires, IR, radio waves, cellular connections, laser pulses, optical, 802.11b, or other wireless transmissions using protocols such as, for example, html, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., Bluetooth TM , serial, USB, or other suitable image distribution methods. The term "observation optic" may be used interchangeably with "optical sight".

[0218] As used herein, the term "external scene" refers to a real-world scene, including but not limited to a target.

[0219] As used herein, the term "shooter" applies to an operator who performs a shooting or an individual who cooperates with the operator performing the shooting to observe the shooting.

[0220] II. Observation Optic

[0221] Figure 1A Shows a conventional design of a sight, which is a representative example of an observation optic. Figure 1B Shows an exemplary observation optic 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1BA sight is shown. More specifically, the sight 10 has a body 38 that houses a movable optical element 15. The body 38 is an elongated tube that tapers from a larger opening at its front portion 40 to a smaller opening at its rear portion 42. An eyepiece 56 is attached to the rear of the body, and an objective lens 54 is attached to the front of the body. The central axis of the movable optical element defines the optical axis 44 of the sight.

[0222] The elevation adjustment knob 12 and the windage adjustment knob 48 are two turrets that are typically located in the outer central portion of the body 38. They are marked in increments by markings 20 on their outer perimeters 11 and are used to adjust the elevation and windage of the movable optical element for changes in the point of impact. These turrets project from a turret housing 50. The adjustment knobs are arranged such that the elevation adjustment knob rotation axis 46 is perpendicular to the windage adjustment knob rotation axis 52.

[0223] Figure 1C is shown Figure 1B a cross-sectional view of a sighting device having the basic components of an optical system 14 and a movable optical element 15. As Figure 1C shown, the optical system 14 includes an objective lens system 16, an erecting system 25, and an eyepiece system 18. Figure 1C A sight having a body 38 is shown, but the optical system 14 can also be used in other types of sighting devices. The erecting system 25 can be included within the movable optical element 15. The erecting system 25 can include a variable magnification lens element or a zoom element 25A. In Figure 1C it, the movable optical element 15 also includes a condenser lens 22, as well as a first focal plane reticle 55 and a second focal plane reticle 57. In use, the adjustment of the turret assembly 28 and the adjustment screw 29 causes the adjustment of the movable optical element 15.

[0224] The movable optical element 15 is adjusted by rotating the turret assembly 28 one click or more. When the turret is rotated, the adjustment screw 29 moves into and out of the sight, which pushes the erecting tube. The erecting tube is spring-biased, so when the adjustment screw is adjusted, it positions the erecting tube against the bottom face of the adjustment screw. The erecting tube provides a smaller view of the entire image. When the erecting tube is adjusted, the position of the reticle is modified relative to the image.

[0225] A reticle is a circular, planar, or flat transparent panel or disk that is mounted within the body, perpendicular to the optical axis or the line of sight through the sight, and is located between the objective lens element 54 and the erecting lens element, typically at the position of the front focal plane of the optical system within what is considered the housing. In one embodiment, the reticle contains fine etched lines or thin line markings that include a central vertical thin line and a central horizontal thin line that intersect orthogonally or perpendicularly at the center point.

[0226] In one embodiment, as Figure 1DAs shown, the observation optical scope may have a parallax adjustment knob 70 or a focusing knob. Parallax occurs when the optical plane of the image of the target is not coplanar with the optical plane of the image of the reticle. Due to the offset between these two optical planes, when the shooter moves their eyes around the center of the reticle, the reticle may appear to move relative to the target. This parallax error can cause the point of impact to shift from the time of firing. By enabling the optical system to be adjusted to display the image of the target and the image of the reticle in the same optical plane, the parallax adjustment of the observation optical scope allows the shooter to eliminate optical errors at different distances. Parallax compensation neither changes the focus of the reticle nor the focus of the image; it simply moves the planes at which the two objects are focused so that they share the same plane (coincide).

[0227] As Figure 1D shown, the observation optical scope may have a side wheel mounted to the rotatable parallax adjustment knob 70. The larger the diameter of the side wheel, the more space is provided for the markings to be applied (such as range markings), and it makes it easier for the shooter to rotate and read when in use. The larger diameter of the side wheel is used to increase the accuracy and resolution of the range markings.

[0228] Figure 1E A close-up view of the optical system 14 is shown in cross-section, showing how light passes through the optical system 14. The optical system 14 may have additional optical components, such as a condenser lens 22, and it is well known in the art that certain components such as the objective lens system 16, the erecting system 25, and the eyepiece system 18 may themselves have multiple components or lenses.

[0229] In one embodiment, the observation optical scope may have a focusing unit having more than one adjustable lens for providing parallax adjustment. In one embodiment, the more than one adjustable lens is one or more parallax lenses.

[0230] In one embodiment, the focusing lens is located between the eyepiece and the objective lens. The relative distance between the focusing lens and the objective lens is adjustable for providing parallax adjustment. Additionally, the erecting lens is located between the eyepiece and the focusing lens. The relative distance between the erecting lens and the objective lens is adjustable to provide magnification adjustment.

[0231] III. Observation Optical Scope with Active Display

[0232] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical sight having an active display that generates a digital image and projects the digital image into a first focal plane of the observation optical sight. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical sight having an analog reticle and a digital image, including but not limited to a digital reticle visible to a user when viewed through the observation optical sight. In one embodiment, the observation optical sight can be used with an external laser rangefinder having ballistic calculation capabilities.

[0233] In one embodiment, the observation optical sight has a movable erecting tube having an analog reticle or a glass-etched reticle mounted to the erecting tube in such a way that the analog or glass-etched reticle moves with the erecting tube. In one embodiment, the digitally injected reticle does not move with the erecting tube. Thus, the digital reticle is accurate regardless of the adjustment knob or erecting tube position.

[0234] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical sight having a digital display that can be injected into a first focal plane of the observation optical sight such that an image of the digital display on the first focal plane is independent of the movement of the erecting tube. In one embodiment, the display can provide an accurate ballistic hold point for the user regardless of the position of the erecting tube / adjustment knob of the sight.

[0235] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical sight having a hold point that is agnostic to the position of the erecting tube and / or the adjustment knob of the observation optical sight. In one embodiment, if the hold point determined by ballistics is outside the field of view of the erecting unit, the adjustment knob can be toggled to bring the hold point determined by ballistics into the field of view.

[0236] In one embodiment, the observation optical sight has a main optical system and a second optical system. The main optical system includes: an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target downward onto a first focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "FFP target image"); then an erecting lens system that inverts the FFP target image and focuses it onto a second focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "SFP target image"); a beam combiner that is placed between the objective lens system and the FFP target image; and an eyepiece system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be observed by the human eye.

[0237] In one embodiment, the second optical system has: an active display; and a lens system that collects light from the active display. The image from the digital display is directed to the beam combiner such that the target image from the objective lens system and the digital image can be combined at the first focal plane and observed simultaneously. In one embodiment, the second optical system can have a reflective material, including but not limited to a mirror.

[0238] Referring to the above description, the digital display is injected into the main optical system, between the objective lens system and the first focal plane, and then focused onto the first focal plane. At the first focal plane, the digital image from the digital display and the analog / glass etched reticle attached to the erecting lens system share the same plane. However, the analog reticle is attached to the movable erecting lens system, while the image from the digital display is not attached to the movable erecting lens system. Thus, if the erecting lens system is moved, the analog reticle will move, but the digital image will remain stationary.

[0239] In one embodiment, the observation optic can be rigidly mounted to the firearm. In another embodiment, a laser rangefinder can be mounted to the firearm or the observation optic. The laser rangefinder measures the distance to the target, calculates the ballistics for hitting the target, and provides this information to the active display, so that the correct aiming point can be displayed together with the impact point of the rifle bullet.

[0240] It is important that the digital image remains stationary because the laser rangefinder is rigidly attached to the observation optic and its aiming point does not move. This allows the digital display to be digitally adjusted so that the digital laser indicator corresponds to the laser at the initial setting, and then the two will always remain aligned regardless of how the erecting lens system is moved.

[0241] In addition, the firearm barrel is rigidly attached to the observation optic, so the aiming point of the barrel will never change relative to the digital display. This allows the digital display to be digitally adjusted so that during the initial setting, the digital aiming point corresponds to the firearm barrel at its initial "zero" distance, and then the two will always remain aligned.

[0242] When shooting at a distance different from the initial zeroing distance is required, the laser rangefinder can measure the distance and then perform a ballistics calculation to determine the new position of the aiming point. This new aiming point position is always relative to the initial zeroing distance. Therefore, the sight only needs to adjust the digital display aiming point to correspond to the new aiming point.

[0243] Another benefit of this system is that since the digital aiming point is stationary, the user can easily test the accuracy of the adjustment knob for adjusting the position of the erecting tube on the observation optic using a reticle with predefined marks at regular intervals. When the erecting tube is moved, the reticle can be measured relative to the fixed digital aiming point to see if the adjustment toggled on the adjustment knob corresponds to the amount of movement measured between the digital aiming point and the reticle attached to the erecting lens system.

[0244] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a display system for observing an optical mirror, the display system including a first active display for generating a first image and a second active display for generating a second image, wherein the first active display and the second active display are perpendicular to each other, and wherein the first image or the second image is projected into a first focal plane of the observation optical mirror. In one embodiment, the display system further includes an optical system having a first focal plane and a first beam combiner.

[0245] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a display system for observing an optical mirror, including: a first active display configured to generate an image; a second active display configured to generate a second image; a beam combiner located between the first active display and the second active display and configured to combine the first image and the second image to generate a combined image, wherein the combined image is projected into a first focal plane of the observation optical mirror. In one embodiment, the display system further includes a condenser lens system. In yet another embodiment, the display system includes a reflective material.

[0246] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a display system for observing an optical mirror, the display system including a first active display for generating a first image and a second active display for generating a second image, wherein the first active display and the second active display are perpendicular to each other, and wherein the first image or the second image is directed to a beam combiner to simultaneously overlap and observe an image of an external scene in a first focal plane of the observation optical mirror.

[0247] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a display system for observing an optical mirror, including: a first active display configured to generate an image; a second active display configured to generate a second image; a beam combiner located between the first active display and the second active display and configured to combine the first image and the second image to generate a combined image, wherein the combined image is directed to an additional beam combiner to simultaneously overlap and observe an image of an external scene in a first focal plane of the observation optical mirror. In one embodiment, the display system further includes a condenser lens system. In yet another embodiment, the display system includes a reflective material for directing the combined image to the additional beam combiner.

[0248] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of observing using an observation optical mirror, the method including: generating a first image using a first active display; generating a second image using a second active display; combining the first image and the second image using a beam combiner to generate a combined image; projecting the combined image into a first focal plane of the observation optical mirror.

[0249] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of observing using an observation optical mirror, the method comprising: generating a first image using a first active display; and generating a second image using a second active display; combining the first image and the second image using a beam combiner to generate a combined image; directing the combined image to an additional separate beam combiner to observe the combined image and an image of an external scene in a first focal plane of the observation optical mirror.

[0250] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of observing using an observation optical mirror, the method comprising: observing a field of view of an external scene using an observation optical mirror having a first focal plane and positioned along an observation optical axis; generating a first image using a first active display; generating a second image using a second active display; combining the first image and the second image using a beam combiner to generate a combined image; projecting the combined image into the first focal plane of the observation optical mirror. In one embodiment, a reflective material is used to project the combined image into the first focal plane.

[0251] Figure 85 is a representative schematic diagram of a display system 8500 having a plurality of active displays. The system 8500 has a first active display 8507 that is configured to generate a first image in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the observation optical mirror. Additionally, the system has a second active display 8509 that is configured to generate an image in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the observation optical mirror. The system also has a beam combiner 8511 that is configured to combine the images generated from the first active display 8507 and the second active display 8509. As Figure 85 shown, the first active display 8507 is located to the left of the beam combiner 8511, and the second active display 8509 is located above the beam combiner 8511.

[0252] The system also includes a condenser lens system 8513 located to the right of the beam combiner 8511. The system also has a reflective material 8515 located to the right of the condenser lens system 8513.

[0253] In one embodiment, the first active display 8507 and the second active display 8509 respectively generate a first image and a second image, and the first image and the second image are directed to the beam combiner 8511. The beam combiner 8511 is configured to combine the first image and the second image into a combined generated image. The combined generated image is directed to the condenser lens system 8513 and optionally directed to the reflective material 8515.

[0254] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a display system with one or more active displays. In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror has a display system having a first active display configured to generate an image and a second active display configured to generate a second image. In one embodiment, the first active display and the second active display are parallel to each other. In yet another embodiment, the first active display is perpendicular to the second active display.

[0255] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having multiple displays, which is combined with a passive aiming picture to provide the user with clear resolution and bright images regardless of time or lighting conditions. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a combination of thermal and night vision technologies, which will use thermal and night vision technologies successively to optimize the aiming picture in all environments and scenarios.

[0256] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system with appropriate brightness and clarity levels for thermal technology within the ambient brightness level range.

[0257] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system that uses multiple displays to enhance the passive image provided by a day vision optical mirror.

[0258] Instead of projecting or displaying the entire image, the observation optical mirror having an integrated display system can use a thermal imaging camera to enhance the passive image rather than display a completely new image. The ability to have two different displays can also achieve optimal battery life while still providing sufficient brightness and image quality.

[0259] In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror having an integrated display system combines multiple displays into one observation optical mirror: a first display with high brightness quality and a second display with higher bit depth and higher resolution. In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror has two beam combiners. In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror has a first beam combiner in the body and a second beam combiner in the base.

[0260] By using two displays, one display can have a format with low color depth and resolution but higher brightness for daytime use, and the other display can have a type with higher color depth and resolution but lower brightness for low light use. In one embodiment, the color depth, resolution, and brightness can be compared between the first display and the second display. In another embodiment, the terms high color depth, low color depth, high resolution, low resolution, high brightness, and low brightness can be used according to industrial standards.

[0261] When used in conjunction with a thermal imaging camera and a night vision camera, the advantages of using these two display types become apparent. In one embodiment, the thermal imaging camera can be attached to the observation optics and transmit the thermal image to an active display, which transmits the image into the field of view such that the thermal image is overlaid on the passive image.

[0262] During the day, the passive image is bright, so the thermal image from the active display must be bright enough for the user to see it. Currently, suitable displays with high enough brightness to be used under these conditions have low color bit depth and lower resolution ( Figure 86 and Figure 87 ). This means that the display can project fewer color shades between the brighter and darker areas, and the quality of the projected image is lower.

[0263] However, if this display is only used during the day, only the passive image needs to be enhanced, so color depth and resolution are less important. For example, the sight can be programmed to only outline the thermal signals without obscuring them, because the passive image will provide the necessary details for a good image, and the display will only help the user draw their eyes to the heat source.

[0264] Under low light conditions, the passive image begins to darken to the point where it is difficult for the user to see details. In this case, a high brightness display is not required, and another display with lower brightness but higher bit depth and resolution is allowed to be used.

[0265] In one embodiment, the observation optics can have a light sensor that can detect when the light level is below a set threshold, and the observation optics use an auxiliary display that can have sufficient bit depth and resolution to precisely mask the heat source and enhance or replace the passive image so that the user obtains a clear image.

[0266] In another embodiment, an observation optic with two or more active displays can project thermal images and night vision images into the field of view of the observation optic. By using a thermal imaging camera and a low light camera (such as a low light CMOS) simultaneously, two active displays can send the images from each camera into the field of view of the sight.

[0267] For example, the thermal imaging camera can send the outline of the heat source to a low bit depth, low resolution display, while the low light CMOS camera can send the night vision image to a high bit depth, high resolution display so that both are imaged into the field of view simultaneously.

[0268] Another advantage of an observation optical mirror with multiple active displays is that the high-brightness displays are small displays, which means they have a limited field of view. For daylight, this is not a major problem because the user can still see a wider field of view through the passive optics. However, at night, when the passive images are less available, the smaller displays can be a disadvantage for detecting approaching threats. Fortunately, the lower-brightness displays are larger, so they allow for a larger field of view under low-light conditions. This again achieves the best of both worlds.

[0269] Finally, high-bit-depth, high-resolution displays consume more power than low-bit-depth, low-resolution displays. This means that during the day, only low-bit-depth, low-resolution displays need to be used, and the overall power consumption can be significantly reduced compared to using high-resolution displays all the time.

[0270] In one embodiment, the first active display and the second active display are configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the observation optical mirror. In yet another embodiment, the first active display and the second active display are configured to emit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the observation optical mirror.

[0271] In one embodiment, the first active display is configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the observation optical mirror, and the second active display is configured to emit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the observation optical mirror.

[0272] In yet another embodiment, the display system has a beam combiner that is configured to combine the generated images from the first active display and the generated images from the second active display.

[0273] In one embodiment, the first and second active displays are located on the right side of the beam combiner. In another embodiment, the first and second active displays are located on the left side of the beam combiner.

[0274] In one embodiment, the first active display is located on the left side of the beam combiner, while the second active display is located on the right side of the beam combiner.

[0275] In one embodiment, the first active display and the second active display are located above the beam combiner. In yet another embodiment, the first active display and the second active display are located below the beam combiner.

[0276] In one embodiment, the first active display is located above the beam combiner, while the second active display is located below the beam combiner.

[0277] In one embodiment, the first active display is located on the left side of the beam combiner, while the second active display is located below the beam combiner.

[0278] In one embodiment, the first active display is located on the right side of the beam combiner, while the second active display is located below the beam combiner.

[0279] In one embodiment, the first active display is located on the left side of the beam combiner, while the second active display is located above the beam combiner.

[0280] In one embodiment, the first active display is located on the right side of the beam combiner, while the second active display is located above the beam combiner.

[0281] In one embodiment, one or more active displays are located on the right side of the beam combiner. In another embodiment, one or more active displays are located on the left side of the beam combiner.

[0282] In one embodiment, one or more active displays are located on the left side of the beam combiner and one or more active displays are located on the right side of the beam combiner.

[0283] In one embodiment, one or more active displays are located above the beam combiner. In yet another embodiment, one or more active displays are located below the beam combiner.

[0284] In one embodiment, one or more active displays are located above the beam combiner while one or more active displays are located below the beam combiner.

[0285] In one embodiment, one or more active displays are located on the left side of the beam combiner while one or more active displays are located below the beam combiner.

[0286] In one embodiment, one or more active displays are located on the right side of the beam combiner while one or more active displays are located below the beam combiner.

[0287] In one embodiment, one or more active displays are located on the left side of the beam combiner while one or more active displays are located above the beam combiner.

[0288] In one embodiment, one or more active displays are located on the right side of the beam combiner while one or more active displays are located above the beam combiner.

[0289] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a body with an optical system having a first focal plane and configured to observe an image of an external scene; a beam combiner placed in line with the optical system; and a display system having a first active display configured to generate an image, an additional, separate, and different beam combiner, and a second active display perpendicular to the first active display and configured to generate a second image, wherein an image generated from the first active display or the second active display is projected into the first focal plane of the optical system to provide simultaneous viewing of the generated image and the image of the external scene when viewed through an eyepiece of the mirror body. In one embodiment, the images generated from the first active display and the second active display are combined in the second beam combiner and directed to the first beam combiner system to provide simultaneous viewing of the combined image and the image of the external scene in the first focal plane of the optical mirror when viewed through the eyepiece of the mirror body.

[0290] In one embodiment, the second beam combiner is located to the right of the first active display. In yet another embodiment, the second active display can be placed perpendicular to the main active display into the system. This allows for the use of the two displays either separately or simultaneously and projection onto the focal plane of the observation optical mirror.

[0291] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror including: an optical system for generating an image of an external scene along an observation optical axis, and a beam combiner; and a display system having a first active display configured to generate an image and a second active display perpendicular to the first active display and configured to generate a second image, wherein an image generated from the first active display or the second active display is directed to the beam combiner to provide simultaneous viewing of the generated image and the image of the external scene in the first focal plane of the optical system when viewed through an eyepiece of the mirror body.

[0292] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror including: an optical system for generating an image of an external scene along an observation optical axis, and a first beam combiner; and a display system having a first active display configured to generate an image, a second active display configured to generate a second image, and an additional, separate, and different beam combiner for combining the first image and the second image, wherein the combined image is directed to the first beam combiner to observe the generated image and the image of the external scene in the first focal plane of the optical system when viewed through an eyepiece of the mirror body.

[0293] IV. Observation Optical Mirror with a Base

[0294] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror, including but not limited to a sighting scope, which has a first housing coupled to a second housing. In one embodiment, the first housing is a body. In yet another embodiment, the second housing is a base.

[0295] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a sighting scope, which has a body and a base coupled to the body. In one embodiment, the base is separable from the body. In one embodiment, the base is attached to the bottom of the body. In one embodiment, a gasket is used to seal the body and the base.

[0296] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a sighting scope having: a body having an optical system for generating an image of an external scene; and a base coupled to the body and having an integrated display system for generating a digital image and guiding the digital image to a first focal plane of the optical system, thereby providing simultaneous viewing of the digital image and the image of the external scene.

[0297] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a sighting scope having: a body having an optical system for generating an image of an external scene; and a base coupled to the body and having an integrated display system with an active display for generating an image and guiding the generated image to a first focal plane of the optical system, providing simultaneous viewing of the generated image and the image of the external scene when viewed through an eyepiece of the sighting body.

[0298] In a representative embodiment, Figure 2 A side view of a sighting scope 200 having a body 210 and a base 220 is shown. In one embodiment, the base 220 is separable from the body 210. The base 220 is attached at one end of the sighting body near the magnification ring 212 and at the other end of the sighting body near the objective lens assembly 214. In one embodiment, the body 210 and the base 220 are made of the same material. In another embodiment, the sighting body and the base are made of different materials.

[0299] In one embodiment, the base 220 is approximately the length of the erecting tube of the body.

[0300] In one embodiment, the base has an integrated display system that can generate and display scene, geographic, and ballistic information in the first focal plane of the observation optical sight, including but not limited to: real-time ballistic solutions; next-round ballistic corrections through in-flight tracer detection and tracking; weapon pointing angle tracking using integrated high-performance inertial sensors; precise pointing angle comparison for advanced ballistic aiming and corrections; target position and name; pressure, humidity, and temperature; the device can process anti-self-destruction and situation awareness data and observe during aiming; reticle aiming corrections outside the sight field of view to facilitate ballistic drop corrections at long ranges; weapon, projectile, and environmental characteristic data.

[0301] In one embodiment, the observation optical sight has one or more of the following capabilities and / or components: more than one microprocessor, more than one computer, a fully integrated ballistic computer; an integrated near-infrared laser rangefinder; GPS and digital compass integrated with the observation optical sight, capable of fully coordinating target position and name; sensors for pressure, humidity, and temperature integrated with the observation optical sight, capable of automatically incorporating this data into ballistic calculations; traditional observation optical sight capabilities under all conditions, including zero-power-off mode; wired and wireless interfaces for communication of sensor data, environmental data, and situation awareness data; the ability to support digital interfaces such as Personal Network Node (PNN) and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW); integrated tilt sensitivity relative to vertical for ballistic corrections for uphill and downhill shooting azimuths; an integrated imaging sensor; acquiring and processing target scene image frames; the ability to record the firing time history for automatic application of cold-bore / hot-bore firing corrections; and built-in backup optical range estimation capabilities with automatic angle-to-linear dimension conversion.

[0302] In one embodiment, the observation optical sight can communicate wirelessly with more than one device. In another embodiment, the observation optical sight can communicate with more than one device through physical cables.

[0303] A. Body

[0304] In one embodiment, the body is in the shape of an elongated tube that tapers from a larger opening at its front to a smaller opening at its rear, with an eyepiece attached to the rear of the elongated tube and an objective lens attached to the front of the elongated tube. In one embodiment, the first housing is the body of the sight.

[0305] In one embodiment, the body has an observation input end and an observation output end, which can be along the observation optical axis 44( Figure 1B)Aligned and can be within the tube. The user's eyes can directly observe an object or target by looking through the input end, along the observation direct vision optical device, and out of the observation output end. The body can include an objective lens or lens assembly at the observation input end. The first focal plane reticle can be positioned along the observation optical axis A and spaced apart from the objective lens assembly.

[0306] In one embodiment, the photo or image inversion lens assembly can be positioned and spaced apart rearward from the first focal plane reticle along the observation optical axis A. The erect image tube with an erect image system is located within the body between the objective lens and the eyepiece to invert the image. This provides the correct land observation orientation for the image. The erect image system is typically contained within the erect image tube.

[0307] The inversion lens assembly or the erect image system can include more than one lens spaced apart from each other. The erect image system can include more than one movable optical element, such as: a focusing lens that can be moved along its optical axis to adjust the focus of the image; and a magnifying lens that can be moved along its optical axis to optically magnify the image at the rear focal plane, making the target appear closer than its actual distance. Typically, the erect image assembly includes a mechanical, electromechanical, or electro - optical system for driving the coordinated movement of more than one power - varying lens element of the focusing lens and the magnifying lens, thereby providing a continuously variable magnification range through which the erect image assembly generates a focused, erect image of a distant target at the rear focal plane.

[0308] Variable magnification can be achieved by providing a mechanism for adjusting the positions of the erect image lenses relative to each other within the erect image tube. This is typically done by using a cam tube that fits closely around the erect image tube. Each erect image lens (or lens group) is mounted in an erect image lens mount that slides within the erect image tube. The erect image sleeve attached to the erect image lens mount slides in a straight groove within the body of the erect image tube to maintain the orientation of the erect image lens. The erect image sleeve also engages with an angled or curved groove in the cam tube. Rotating the cam tube causes the erect image lens mount to move longitudinally within the guide tube, thereby changing the magnification. Each erect image lens has its own groove in the cam tube, and the configuration of these grooves determines the amount and rate of change of magnification when the cam tube is rotated.

[0309] The aperture in the second focal plane can be positioned and spaced apart rearward from the photo inversion assembly along the observation optical axis A. The eyepiece assembly can be positioned and spaced apart rearward from the aperture in the second focal plane at the eyepiece along the observation optical axis A. The eyepiece assembly can include more than one lens spaced apart from each other. In some embodiments, the observation optical axis A and the direct vision optical device can be folded.

[0310] In one embodiment, the body has a beam combiner. In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be positioned on the observation optical axis 44 and optically coupled to the observation optical axis 44, as Figure 1BAs shown. In one embodiment, the beam combiner may be positioned near the observation optical reticle. In another embodiment, the beam combiner may be positioned near the observation optical reticle at the first focal plane.

[0311] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is located between the objective lens assembly and the first focal plane.

[0312] In yet another embodiment, the body has a beam combiner, where the beam combiner is not located near the eyepiece assembly. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is not located below the eyepiece assembly.

[0313] In one embodiment, compared to the eyepiece assembly in the main tube of the observation optical mirror, the body has a beam combiner positioned closer to the objective lens assembly.

[0314] Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of a sighting scope 300 having a body 210 and a base 220 is shown. As shown, the sighting scope 300 has an objective lens assembly 310, a beam combiner 320, a first focal plane 330, a second focal plane 350, and an eyepiece assembly 360. The beam combiner 320 is located between the objective lens assembly 310 and the first focal plane 330.

[0315] In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror 400 may have a body 210 that is longitudinally dissected to allow the relevant lenses and circuits to be assembled in the base 220. Figure 4 Is a representative example of the longitudinally dissected main tube 210 of the sighting scope 400. Figure 4 Depicts the parting line 410 of the longitudinally dissected main tube. A crack 420 in the bottom side of the body 210 allows the coupling of the base 220 having an integrated display system.

[0316] In one embodiment, the bottom side of the body has a longitudinal crack. In one embodiment, the longitudinal crack is approximately the length of the base coupled to the body.

[0317] In one embodiment, the body does not have an active display.

[0318] 1. Beam combiner

[0319] In one embodiment, the body of the observation optical scope has a beam combiner. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is more than one prism (the prisms constitute the beam combiner). In another embodiment, the body of the sight has a beam combiner that combines an image generated from an integrated display system with an image generated from the observation optical scope along the observation optical axis of the sight. In one embodiment, the integrated display system is located in a housing, separate and distinct from the body. In one embodiment, the integrated display system is located in a base coupled to the first housing or body. In one embodiment, the integrated display system is located in a cavity of the base that is connected to the first housing or body.

[0320] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is used to combine a generated image from an integrated display system with an image from an optical system for observing an external image, where the optical system is located in the body of the sight, in front of the first focal plane in the body, and then the combined image is focused onto the first focal plane such that the generated image and the observed image do not move relative to each other. In the case where the combined image is focused onto the first focal plane, the calibration reference generated by the integrated display system is accurate regardless of the adjustment of the movable erecting system.

[0321] In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be aligned with the integrated display system along the display optical axis and is positioned along the observation optical axis of the observation optical scope of the sight body, thereby allowing the image from the integrated display to be directed onto the observation optical axis and combined with the field of view of the observation optical scope in an overlapping manner.

[0322] In another embodiment, the beam combiner and the integrated display system are located in the same housing. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is approximately 25 mm from the objective lens assembly.

[0323] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is approximately 5 mm from the objective lens assembly. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the objective lens assembly, including but not limited to 1 mm to 5 mm, or 5 mm to 10 mm, or 5 mm to 15 mm, or 5 mm to 20 mm, or 5 mm to 30 mm, or 5 mm to 40 mm, or 5 mm to 50 mm.

[0324] In yet another embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the objective lens assembly, including but not limited to 1 mm to 4 mm, or 1 mm to 3 mm, or 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0325] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the objective lens assembly, including but not limited to at least 3 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, and at least 20 mm. In yet another embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the objective lens assembly from 3 mm to 10 mm.

[0326] In another embodiment, the beam combiner is about 150 mm from the eyepiece assembly. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to 100 mm to 200 mm, or 125 mm to 200 mm, or 150 mm to 200 mm, or 175 mm to 200 mm.

[0327] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to 100 mm to 175 mm, or 100 mm to 150 mm, or 100 mm to 125 mm.

[0328] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to 135 mm to 165 mm, or 135 mm to 160 mm, or 135 mm to 155 mm, or 135 mm to 150 mm, or 135 mm to 145 mm, or 135 mm to 140 mm.

[0329] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to 140 mm to 165 mm, or 145 mm to 165 mm, or 150 mm to 165 mm, or 155 mm to 165 mm, or 160 mm to 165 mm.

[0330] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to at least 140 mm or at least 145 mm or at least 150 mm or at least 155 mm.

[0331] In yet another embodiment, the body has a beam combiner, where the beam combiner is located below the elevation adjustment knob on the outer center portion of the mirror body.

[0332] In one embodiment, the beam combiner may have a partially reflective coating or surface that reflects and redirects at least a portion of the output from the integrated display system or the active display output onto the viewing axis of the observer's eye at the eyepiece, while still providing good transmission and perspective quality for the direct viewing optical path.

[0333] In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be a cube made of an optical material, such as optical glass or a plastic material with a partially reflective coating. The coating can be a uniform, neutral color reflective coating, or it can be customized with a polarization, spectral selectivity, or patterned coating to optimize the transmission and reflection characteristics in the eyepiece. The polarization and / or color of the coating can be matched to the active display. This can optimize the reflectivity and efficiency of the display optical path with a minimal impact on the direct viewing optical transmission path.

[0334] Although the beam combiner is shown as a cube, in some embodiments, the beam combiner can provide different optical path lengths for an integrated display system and a direct-view optical device along the viewing optical axis A. In some embodiments, the beam combiner can be in the form of a plate, where a thin reflective / transmissive plate can be inserted across the direct-view optical path of the optical axis A.

[0335] In one embodiment, the position of the beam combiner can be adjusted relative to the reflective material to eliminate any errors, including but not limited to parallax errors. A screw system, a wedge system, or any other suitable mechanism can be used to adjust the position of the beam combiner.

[0336] In one embodiment, the position of the beam combiner can be adjusted relative to the erect image tube to eliminate any errors, including but not limited to parallax errors.

[0337] 2. Parallax System

[0338] In one embodiment, the body has a parallax adjustment system. In one embodiment, the parallax adjustment system uses a device that connects a focusing unit to a parallax adjustment element.

[0339] In one embodiment, compared with a conventional focusing unit and a beam combiner located in the space conventionally occupied by the focusing unit, the observation optical mirror disclosed herein has a body that has a focusing unit closer to the objective lens end. In one embodiment, a connecting element connects the focusing unit to the parallax adjustment element.

[0340] In a typical sight, as Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown, the parallax knob 510 is connected to the focusing unit via a simple cross pin 520 that moves on a cam slot 530 in the parallax knob, converting the rotational movement of the knob into a linear movement within the focusing unit. However, in some embodiments disclosed herein, the focusing unit is shifted toward the objective lens side, and thus, a connecting device for connecting the focusing unit to the parallax adjustment element is required.

[0341] The parallax adjustment system can eliminate or reduce the parallax error between the image of the active display and the reticle in the body of the observation optical mirror. The parallax adjustment system disclosed herein allows the observation optical mirror to integrate the digital display image and the image of the external scene into the first focal plane (FFP) of the optical system without parallax error.

[0342] In another embodiment, the focusing unit is closer to the objective lens side of the main body compared to the focusing unit of a conventional sight. In one embodiment, the focusing unit is displaced and closer to the objective lens by about 5 mm to about 50 mm compared to the focusing unit of a conventional sight. In one embodiment, the focusing unit is displaced and closer to the objective lens by at least 20 mm compared to the focusing unit of a conventional sight. In one embodiment, the focusing unit is displaced and closer to the objective lens by at least 10 mm compared to the focusing unit of a conventional sight. In yet another embodiment, the focusing unit is displaced and closer to the objective lens side by no more than 50 mm compared to the focusing unit of a conventional sight. In one embodiment, compared to the position of the focusing unit in a Vortex Diamondback sight, a Vortex Viper sight, a Vortex Crossfire sight, or a Vortex Razor sight, the focusing unit is displaced and closer to the objective lens assembly by 30 mm.

[0343] In one embodiment, compared to the focusing unit of a conventional sight, the focusing unit is displaced and closer to the objective lens, including but not limited to being closer to the objective lens side of the observation optical lens by 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 23 mm, 24 mm, 25 mm, 26 mm, 27 mm, 28 mm, 29 mm, 30 mm, 31 mm, 32 mm, 33 mm, 34 mm, 35 mm, 36 mm, 37 mm, 38 mm, 39 mm, and 40 mm.

[0344] In one embodiment, a device connects the displaced focusing unit to the adjustment knob. In one embodiment, the device allows for the remote positioning of the parallax adjustment lens located in the focusing unit. In one embodiment, the mechanical device is a push rod, a rod, or a shaft.

[0345] In one embodiment, the length of the rod is about 5 mm to about 50 mm. In one embodiment, the length of the rod is at least 20 mm. In one embodiment, the length of the rod is at least 10 mm. In yet another embodiment, the length of the rod does not exceed 50 mm.

[0346] In one embodiment, the length of the rod is 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 23 mm, 24 mm, 25 mm, 26 mm, 27 mm, 28 mm, 29 mm, 30 mm, 31 mm, 32 mm, 33 mm, 34 mm, 35 mm, 36 mm, 37 mm, 38 mm, 39 mm, and 40 mm.

[0347] Figures 5C - 5Fis a representative schematic view of a parallax adjustment system in the main tube 210 of an observation optical scope according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 5C shown, a device 530 such as a rod or shaft connects a focusing unit (parallax lens) 535 that has moved closer to the objective end of the observation optical scope to a parallax cam track pin 540 within a parallax adjustment knob assembly. The shifted position of the parallax lens provides the necessary space for the prism in front of the first focal plane. One end of the connecting rod is coupled to the focusing unit and the other end of the connecting rod is coupled to the cam pin.

[0348] Figure 5D Shows a device 530 that connects a focusing unit 535 having a parallax lens to a parallax cam track pin 540, where the parallax cam track pin 540 moves within a cam track 545 of a parallax adjustment assembly 550. In one embodiment, the parallax adjustment assembly 550 has a rotatable element for moving the cam pin and adjusting the parallax lens.

[0349] As Figure 5E shown, to provide space for a beam combiner (prism) within the main body of the observation optical scope, the focusing unit is shifted closer to the objective assembly. Thus, a mechanism is needed to connect the focusing unit to the parallax knob assembly. The connecting device 530 connects the focusing unit to a cam pin 540 that moves within a cam groove of the parallax knob assembly 560.

[0350] As Figure 5F shown, the cam pin 540 moves within a cam groove 545 of the parallax knob assembly 560, allowing adjustment of the focusing unit via the parallax knob assembly.

[0351] In one embodiment, the shifted focusing unit having a parallax lens provides space within the main body for integrating the beam combiner before the first focal plane of the objective system.

[0352] In one embodiment, the beam combiner within the main body of the sight disclosed herein is located in the space where a focusing unit is typically mounted in a conventional sight.

[0353] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical scope, comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective system coupled to a first end of the main tube; (c) an eyepiece system coupled to a second end of the main tube; (d) a focusing unit located between the objective system and the beam combiner, where the beam combiner is located between the focusing unit and a first focal plane reticle; and (e) a rod connecting the focusing unit to a parallax adjustment element. In one embodiment, the rod connects the focusing unit to a cam pin of the parallax adjustment element. In some embodiments, the parallax adjustment element has a knob.

[0354] 3. Magnification Tracking System

[0355] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an observation optical mirror and a method for tracking the magnification setting of the observation optical mirror, wherein the components of the tracking mechanism are reliable, completely transparent to the operator, and environmentally protected.

[0356] When the reticle is located in the first focal plane, the reticle is located in front of the erecting system, so the reticle changes proportionally with the change of the lens position, thereby generating a magnified image. The erecting system changes its position by using a magnification ring, which is located on the outer part of the sighting scope near the eyepiece housing. Generally, the magnification ring is screwed to the outer erecting sleeve, and when rotated, it forces the outer erecting sleeve to rotate together with the magnification ring, thereby causing the cam groove to change the position of the zoom lens located in the erecting system. When projecting a digital image onto the first focal plane, it is necessary to scale the image by means of the reticle scaling so that the digital image is available.

[0357] The magnification adjustment mechanism is coupled to a varifocal lens or a zoom lens element, which provides the ability to adjust the optical magnification of the image of a distant object.

[0358] In one embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, the potentiometer cursor 610 is located on the outer diameter of the outer erecting sleeve 620. The potentiometer cursor contacts the film potentiometer 710 located on the inner diameter of the main body 210 of the sighting scope (see Figure 7 ).

[0359] As Figure 8 shown, in one embodiment, the potentiometer cursor 610 is a leaf spring having two contact points to ensure its contact with the film potentiometer 710. The leaf spring is located between the outer erecting sleeve 620 and the inner erecting tube. The potentiometer cursor 610 is located on the inner diameter of the sighting scope on the opposite inner walls of the magnification ring groove screw 820. The potentiometer cursor 610 is fixed to the inner side of the barrel of the sighting scope using an adhesive.

[0360] In one embodiment, the potentiometer cursor has the ability to lie completely flat on the outer diameter of the outer erecting sleeve. In one embodiment, the potentiometer cursor is built into the outer erecting sleeve.

[0361] In one embodiment, the potentiometer cursor is not placed on Figure 8 the magnification ring 810.

[0362] The magnification tracking system disclosed herein is located internally and no part is exposed to the environment, which provides some advantages. First, since the system is internal, no sealing is required to protect the cursor / erecting system from the environment. Second, when the erecting system is installed in the sighting scope, the magnification tracking system is completed. This eliminates the possibility of debris entering the system through the screw holes on the outside of the magnification ring.

[0363] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system for tracking the magnification setting of an observation optical mirror, wherein the system uses a sensor and materials with different degrees of light reflectivity / absorbance. In one embodiment, the sensor is located in the base of the observation optical mirror, wherein the base is coupled to the body of the observation optical mirror, and the materials are located in the body of the observation optical mirror.

[0364] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a body that includes an erecting tube with an erecting lens system, a cam tube or sleeve surrounding or encapsulating the erecting tube, materials with different light reflectivities / absorbances coupled to the cam tube, and a base coupled to the body, wherein the base has an integrated display system and a photoelectric sensor for detecting the light reflectivity / absorbance from the materials. In one embodiment, the base has a printed circuit board or a microprocessor for communicating with the photoelectric sensor and one or more microcontrollers or electronic controllers.

[0365] In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror has: a body having a magnification adjustment ring for adjusting the optical magnification of an image; and a base coupled to the body, having an integrated display system, a microprocessor, and a system for transmitting the magnification setting of the optical mirror to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor communicates with the active display of the integrated display system.

[0366] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system for tracking the magnification setting of an observation optical mirror without a mechanical link between the moving parts of an opto-mechanical system and a sensing device. The magnification tracking system disclosed herein is embedded in a base coupled to the body of the observation optical mirror, and there is no mechanical link between the fixed and moving parts of the system.

[0367] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a body that has an erecting tube housing an erecting lens assembly and a cam sleeve surrounding the erecting tube, and materials with different light absorbances / reflectivities and a base coupled to the body, wherein the base has a photoelectric sensor. In one embodiment, the materials with different light absorbances / reflectivities surround the cam sleeve at an end of the cam sleeve near the magnification adjustment ring of the body. In one embodiment, the photoelectric sensor is located below the materials with different light absorbances / reflectivities on the cam sleeve.

[0368] When the operator / user rotates the magnification adjustment ring 212 of the observation optical mirror, the external cam sleeve rotates, which moves two lens units, thereby changing the effective optical magnification of the sight.

[0369] In one embodiment, the cam sleeve has materials with different light reflectivity / absorptivity. In one embodiment, the materials are fixed on the outer diameter of the cam sleeve.

[0370] In one embodiment, the material is a strip of material. In one embodiment, the material is approximately 10 mm wide and 40 mm long. In one embodiment, the first side of the material has an adhesive for attaching it to the outer cam sleeve. In another embodiment, the other side of the strip has a printed gray scale gradient such that when an LED is pointed at it, different amounts of light are reflected depending on the portion of the gradient exposed to the LED.

[0371] In one embodiment, the PCB has an LED and a photoelectric sensor. In one embodiment, the LED and the photoelectric sensor are located directly below the gradient strip attached to the outer diameter of the outer cam sleeve. The LED illuminates the gradient strip, and the photoelectric sensor receives a portion of the light reflected from the gradient strip and can then send a signal to the microcontroller, where the intensity of the signal varies with the amount of light detected.

[0372] When the operator rotates the magnification adjustment ring, another portion of the gradient strip is exposed to the LED and the photoelectric sensor, thereby changing the intensity of the signal sent to the microcontroller. Therefore, it is possible to track the optical magnification setting of the system by correlating the optical magnification setting of the system with the amount of light detected by the photoelectric sensor.

[0373] Figure 65 A side view of a 1-8x telescopic sight 6500 having a body 6502 and a base 6505 coupled to the body 6502 is shown. The magnification adjustment ring 6510 can be seen on the right side of the image.

[0374] Figure 66 A side view of the telescopic sight 6500 is shown, where the body of the telescopic sight is hidden and the outer cam sleeve 6610 is exposed. The outer cam sleeve 6610 rotates with the magnification adjustment ring 6510, thereby changing the magnification setting.

[0375] Figure 67 A view of the base 6505 of the observation optical mirror 6500 having a printed circuit board 6710 is depicted. The printed circuit board 6710 includes a photoelectric sensor and an LED 6720 for measuring the position of the reflective gradient material of the outer cam sleeve attached to the body. The outer cam sleeve and the associated optical system are hidden in this image.

[0376] Figure 68 Is an exploded view of the printed circuit board 6710, the photoelectric sensor, and the LED 6720, where an analog visual cone is drawn to show the light reception angle of the photoelectric sensor.

[0377] Figure 69 and Figure 70 is an image of a photoelectric sensor and an LED 6720 that cooperate with a reflective gradient strip 6910 attached to an external cam sleeve 6610 to measure the magnification setting of an optical mirror. The figure shows the gradient strip 6910, which has four specific parts with different reflectivities, but it should be noted that the reflectivity of the strip can vary infinitely. The gradient strip 6910 is coupled to the cam sleeve at a portion of the cam sleeve near the magnification adjustment ring. The printed circuit board 6710 is located in the base 6505, which is coupled to the body of the observation optical mirror. The LED and the photoelectric sensor 6720 on the PCB 6710 are located below the gradient strip 6910.

[0378] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror that includes: a body having a first end and a second end and having a central axis; an objective lens system disposed within the body; an eyepiece disposed within the body; an erecting tube disposed within the body and having an erecting lens system; the objective lens system, the eyepiece, and the erecting lens system form an optical system having a first focal plane and a second focal plane, the first focal plane being close to the objective lens system, and the second focal plane being close to the eyepiece; a cam sleeve surrounding the erecting tube, the cam sleeve moving together with a magnification adjustment ring to adjust the optical magnification of the image, a material having different degrees of light absorption / reflectivity coupled to the cam sleeve; and a base coupled to the body and having a photoelectric sensor for detecting light from the material, a microprocessor in communication with the photoelectric sensor, and an active display in communication with the microprocessor, the active display generating an image based on the magnification setting and projecting the generated image onto the first focal plane of the observation optical mirror. In one embodiment, the image generated by the active display is based on a signal obtained from the photoelectric sensor.

[0379] Transmitting the magnification setting to the microprocessor has many benefits, including but not limited to changing the reticle pattern based on the magnification setting and automatically changing the font size of alphanumeric information as the magnification changes. Additionally, if multiple "display" pages are stored in a storage system, the microcontroller can automatically switch between "display" pages according to the magnification setting to provide the most relevant data to the operator.

[0380] 4. Additional Components

[0381] In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror can be controlled by a button integrated with the sight or an externally attached button.

[0382] In one embodiment, the body of the observation optical mirror can have a camera system.

[0383] In one embodiment, the body of the observation optical mirror may have more than one computing system. The integrated display system described below may communicate with or otherwise be associated with the computing system. In some embodiments, the computing system may be enclosed within a first housing or body of the observation optical mirror. In some embodiments, the computing system may be coupled to an external portion of the observation optical mirror.

[0384] Figure 9 is a block diagram of various electronic components of an observation optical mirror according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A battery 902 may supply power to a computing system or a control module 904 and an active display 906. In one embodiment, the computing system 904 may include, but is not limited to, a user interface 908, a data input device 914, a processor 910, a memory 916, and more than one sensor 912.

[0385] In one embodiment, the user interface 908 may include a plurality of input and / or output devices, such as buttons, keys, knobs, touchscreens, displays, speakers, microphones, etc. Some components of the user interface (such as buttons) may be used for manual data input, such as wind data, display intensity data, reticle intensity data, ballistic profile data, ballistic coefficient data, muzzle velocity data, primary zero data, static conditions of the sighting system, GPS coordinate data, compass coordinate data, sight-above-bore data of the firearm, etc. This data may be received by the processor and stored in the memory. The data may also be used by the processor in an algorithm or for executing an algorithm.

[0386] The data input device 914 may include a wired or wireless communication device, and / or may include any type of data transmission technology, such as a USB port, a mini-USB port, a memory card slot (e.g., a microSD slot), an NFC transceiver, a transceiver, Firewire, a transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, an 802.6 device, a cellular communication device, etc. Note that although it is called a data input device, it may also be used for two-way communication and also provide data output.

[0387] In one embodiment, the processor 910 can be any type of processor known in the art that can receive input, execute algorithms, and / or process, and can include, but is not limited to, more than one general-purpose processor and / or more than one special-purpose processor (such as a digital signal processing chip, a graphics acceleration chip, and / or the like). The processor can be used to control various processes, algorithms, and / or methods in the operation of the sight. The processor can control the operation of the display system and / or the reticle. The processor can also receive input from a user interface, data input, memory, sensors, a position encoder associated with the position of an adjustable component (such as a vertical adjustment knob, a windage adjustment knob, or a parallax dial), and / or from other sources.

[0388] In one embodiment, the memory 916 can include any type of digital data storage, such as random access memory (“RAM”) and / or read-only memory (“ROM”), which can be programmable, flash-updatable, etc. In other embodiments, the memory can include memory from externally connected devices, including, for example, disk drives, drive arrays, optical storage devices, or solid-state storage devices. In some embodiments, the memory can be configured to store ballistic information, which includes data that can be used to correct, for example, the amount by which a bullet can drop within a given distance and / or the horizontal deflection of the bullet.

[0389] Data can be input from another device (e.g., the processor can receive data via a data input device that can input from another device such as a computer, laptop, GPS device, rangefinder, tablet, or smartphone) and stored in the memory. Such data can include, for example, calibration data, a ballistic profile lookup table that cross-references rotational data and / or linear data with a shooting distance value, rifle data, projectile data, user data, etc.

[0390] The sensor 912 can be used to sense any one of various environmental conditions or characteristics related to the use of the sight. For example, the sensor can sense atmospheric conditions (such as humidity, temperature, pressure, etc.), inclination, the rifle cant, and / or the aiming direction (compass direction) of the rifle. Any number of sensors can be included. The sensor data can be recorded by the processor and saved in the memory and / or used for the processing of instructions for observing the operation of the optical sight.

[0391] The control module 904 can also include software elements that can be located within the working memory 916. The software elements can include an operating system and / or other code, such as more than one application program.

[0392] In one embodiment, a camera can communicate with the control module.

[0393] B. Second Housing

[0394] In one embodiment, the second housing is coupled to the first housing and includes an integrated display system. In one embodiment, the second housing is a base that is part of the body to which the observation optical mirror is attached. In one embodiment, the base is separable from the body of the observation optical mirror.

[0395] In one embodiment, the second housing is not an image stabilization device. In one embodiment, the length of the base having the integrated display system is 35% to 70% of the length of the body of the sight to which the base is coupled. In yet another embodiment, the length of the base having the integrated display system is 40% to 65% of the length of the body of the sight to which the base is coupled. In yet another embodiment, the length of the base having the integrated display system does not exceed 65% of the length of the body of the sight to which the base is coupled.

[0396] In one embodiment, the body of the sight is approximately 2.5 times the length of the base having the integrated display system. In yet another embodiment, the body is 1.5 to 2.5 times the length of the base having the integrated display system. In yet another embodiment, the body is at least 1.5 times the length of the base having the integrated display system.

[0397] As Figure 2 shown, the base 220 can be bolted to the sight body 210 to form a fully enclosed and integrated system. The base 220 can then be directly attached to the firearm without the need for traditional sight rings.

[0398] Figure 10 A top view of a sight 200 having a body 210 and a base 220 is shown. Figure 10 It is shown that the base 220 does not cause the sight to protrude or be disproportionate to a traditional sight in any position. The sight having a body and a base disclosed herein maintains the traditional, smooth design of the sight.

[0399] Figure 11 A base 220 attached to the body 210 of a sight is shown. The base 220 is aligned and flush with the outer edge of the body 210.

[0400] In one embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the base having the integrated display system is coupled to the bottom side of the body 210 of the sight. One end of the base is generally coupled to the power selection ring or magnification ring 212 of the body 210, and the other end of the base is coupled near the starting point of the objective lens assembly 214 of the body. In one embodiment, the base 220 is coupled to the body 210 by threaded fasteners, non-threaded integral and non-integral positioning and recoil transfer features, and elastic seals.

[0401] In one embodiment, the base can be expanded with components required for generating a digital display, and then the base can be bolted to the body of the sight to form a fully enclosed and integrated system.

[0402] In one embodiment, the base and body of the sight are a closed integrated system. In one embodiment, the base is coupled to the body without using a clamp designed to be easily removable.

[0403] In one embodiment, an observation optical sight having a body and a base coupled to the body can be coupled to a firearm without the need for traditional sight rings. In one embodiment, the observation optical sight has a body and a base coupled to the body, wherein the bottom side of the base has a mounting rail.

[0404] In one embodiment, the base of the observation optical sight can include a mounting rail for mounting to a desired firearm, instrument, or device, and can have an adjustment mechanism that includes an elevation adjustment drum for adjusting the elevation position of the sight. A lateral adjustment mechanism is typically also provided for lateral adjustment. The adjustment mechanism can be covered with a protective cap.

[0405] In one embodiment, the top side of the base is coupled to the bottom side of the body of the observation optical sight, and the bottom side of the base has a mounting rail. In one embodiment, the top side of the base is coupled to a lateral crack in the bottom side of the body of the observation optical sight.

[0406] In one embodiment, the base includes an integrated display system for generating an image using an active display and guiding the image along a display optical axis so as to simultaneously overlap the generated image and an image of the external scene, wherein the generated image is injected onto a first focal plane of the body of the observation optical sight.

[0407] In one embodiment, the base is separate and distinct from the laser rangefinder device. In one embodiment, the base is a device independent of the laser rangefinder device.

[0408] In one embodiment, the second housing or base is not an accessory. In another embodiment, the second housing or base is not coupled as an accessory near the eyepiece of the observation optical sight with an adapter.

[0409] In one embodiment, the end user cannot separate the second housing or base from the body. In one embodiment, the second housing or base cannot be interchanged with multiple or other observation optical sights.

[0410] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system that includes an observation optical sight and a laser rangefinder device, the observation optical sight having a body and a base, the body having a first optical system, the base being coupled to the body and having a second optical system, the second optical system being, for example, an integrated display system.

[0411] 1. Integrated display system

[0412] In one embodiment, the second housing includes an integrated display system. In another embodiment, the base includes an integrated display system. In yet another embodiment, a base having an integrated display system is coupled to the body of the sight. In yet another embodiment, the base is coupled to the bottom of the body of the sight.

[0413] In one embodiment, the base has an integrated display system that includes an active display, a condenser optic, and a reflective material including but not limited to a mirror. In one embodiment, the integrated display system has the following architecture: an active display, followed by a condenser optic, followed by a reflective material such as a mirror.

[0414] Figure 12 A top cross-sectional view of a base 220 coupled to the body of an observation optic is depicted. The base 220 includes an integrated display system having a microdisplay 1210, a condenser optic 1220, and a mirror 1230. In one embodiment, the mirror 1230 can be positioned at any suitable angle.

[0415] Figure 13 A side cross-sectional view of a base 220 having an integrated display system is depicted, the integrated display system having a microdisplay 1210, a condenser optic 1220, and a mirror 1230. The body 210 has a beam combiner 320 located above the mirror 1230.

[0416] Figure 14 A side cross-sectional view of a sight having a body 210 and a separable base 220 is depicted. The base 220 includes a microdisplay 1210, a condenser optic 1220, and a mirror 1230. The mirror 1230 is positioned at approximately 45 degrees. The body 210 of the sight has a beam combiner 320 located generally above the angled mirror 1230. The beam combiner 320 is generally located below the elevation adjustment knob 1410 of the body 210 of the sight. When the base 220 is coupled to the body 210 of the observation optic, the active display 1210 is located in the base on the eyepiece assembly side 1420.

[0417] As Figure 15As shown, the image generated from the microdisplay 1210 can be redirected from the display optical axis A to the viewing optical axis A, through the mirror 1230, to the beam combiner 320 in the body 210, to simultaneously superimpose or overlap the digital image onto the image of the scene observed by the observer through the optical sight in the first focal plane 1510. Since the beam combiner 320 is located in front of the first focal plane 1510 and the combined image is focused on the first focal plane, the displayed image and the observed image do not move relative to each other. This is a significant improvement compared to devices that inject the image into the second focal plane.

[0418] In one embodiment, as Figure 16 shown, when the base is coupled to the body of the sight, the active display 1210 is located in the portion of the base closest to the objective lens assembly 214 compared to the eyepiece assembly of the body of the sight. The body of the sight has an analog reticle 1610.

[0419] Figure 17 The sight 200 is depicted, which has: a body 210 having a beam combiner 320; and a base 220 coupled to the body and having an integrated display system. As Figure 17 shown, when the base is coupled to the body of the sight, the active display 1210 is located in the portion of the base closest to the eyepiece assembly compared to the objective lens assembly of the body of the sight. By superimposing the image from the integrated display system onto the first focal plane, the user can still use the conventional glass-etched reticle 1610 for calibration purposes.

[0420] In one embodiment, the integrated display system can direct the image generated from the active display along the display optical axis A. The generated image can be directed from the display optical axis A to a mirror in the base, to the beam combiner in the body of the sight, thereby simultaneously superimposing or overlapping the generated image onto the image of the scene observed by the observer through the optical system of the body, where the combined image is injected or focused onto the first focal plane of the optical system of the body.

[0421] In one embodiment, the image generated from the active display in the base is focused on the first focal plane of the body of the sight, which allows the image generated by the display to remain aligned with an externally mounted accessory.

[0422] In one embodiment, the image generated from the active display in the base is focused on the first focal plane of the body of the sight. Therefore, the generated image does not depend on the movement of the erecting tube. The generated image is independent of the movement of the erecting tube.

[0423] In one embodiment, light from the active microdisplay is collected by a set of optical lenses. The light from the display is reflected to a beam combiner in the riflescope main body assembly, and an image of the display is formed that coincides with the first focal plane of the riflescope. This image of the display is combined with the image from the scene (target) and is perceived as being "below" the traditional wire or glass etched reticle. In one embodiment, the still used "traditional" reticle obscures the image of the scene and the image of the display. If the brightness of the display is increased to a sufficient level, the image of the OLED display will saturate the image of the scene and will also appear to obscure the scene.

[0424] In yet another embodiment, the integrated display system in the base can direct the generated image along the display optical axis "B" onto the observation optical axis A in the body of the riflescope. A mirror or similar reflective material in the base can be utilized to redirect the image from the display optical axis B to the beam combiner in the body onto the observation optical axis A in the body, which allows the generated image to be superimposed or overlapped simultaneously onto the image of the scene that the observer observes through the optical scope of the body. The image generated from the active display in the base is directed towards the mirror, which reflects the image to the beam combiner.

[0425] In one embodiment, the display optical axis "B" and the observation optical axis "A" are substantially parallel, but other embodiments can be oriented differently as needed.

[0426] A. Active display

[0427] In one embodiment, the integrated display system has an active display. In one embodiment, the active display is controlled by a microcontroller or a computer. In one embodiment, the active display is controlled by a microcontroller with an integrated graphics controller to output a video signal to the display. In one embodiment, information can be sent wirelessly or through a cable port via a physical connection into the observation optical scope. In yet another embodiment, many input sources can be input into the microcontroller and displayed on the active display.

[0428] In one embodiment, the active display and the beam combiner are not in the same housing. In one embodiment, the active display and the beam combiner are located in separate housings.

[0429] In one embodiment, the active display can be a reflective, transmissive, or emissive microdisplay, including but not limited to microdisplays, transmissive active matrix LCD displays (AMLCDs), organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, light emitting diode (LED) displays, electronic ink displays, plasma displays, segmented displays, electroluminescent displays, surface conduction electron emitter displays, quantum dot displays, etc.

[0430] In one embodiment, the LED array is a micropixelated LED array, and the LED elements are micropixelated LEDs (also referred to in the specification as microLEDs or μLEDs) having a small pixel size typically less than 75 μm. In some embodiments, the LED elements may each have a pixel size ranging from about 8 μm to about 25 μm and a pixel pitch ranging from about 10 μm to about 30 μm (in both the vertical and horizontal directions on the microLED array). In one embodiment, the microLED elements have a uniform pixel size of about 14 μm (e.g., all microLED elements have the same size within a small tolerance range) and are arranged as a microLED array with a uniform pixel pitch of about 25 μm. In some embodiments, the LED elements may each have a pixel size of 25 μm or less and a pixel pitch of about 30 μm or less.

[0431] In some embodiments, the microLEDs can be inorganic and based on gallium nitride light-emitting diodes (GaN LEDs). A microLED array (including multiple μLEDs arranged in a grid or other array) can provide a high-density, emissive microdisplay not based on an external switching or filtering system. In some embodiments, a GaN-based microLED array can be grown on, bonded to, or otherwise formed on a transparent sapphire substrate.

[0432] In one embodiment, the sapphire substrate is textured, etched, or otherwise patterned to increase the internal quantum efficiency and light extraction efficiency of the microLEDs (i.e., extract more light from the surface of the microLEDs). In other embodiments, silver nanoparticles can be deposited / dispersed on the patterned sapphire substrate before bonding the microLEDs to coat the substrate, thereby further improving the light efficiency and output power of the GaN-based microLEDs and microLED arrays.

[0433] In one embodiment, the active display can be monochromatic or can provide full color, and in some embodiments, can provide multiple colors. In other embodiments, other suitable designs or types of displays can be employed. The active display can be driven by electronic devices. In one embodiment, the electronic devices can provide the display function or can receive these functions from another device in communication therewith.

[0434] In one embodiment, an active display can be part of a backlight / display assembly, module, or device, having a backlight assembly including a backlighting or light source, device, equipment, or component, such as an LED backlight for illuminating the active display with light. In some embodiments, the backlight source can be a large area LED and can include a first or integrated lens for collecting and directing the generated light to a second illumination or condenser lens, which is used to collect, gather, and direct light along the display optical axis B onto the active display with good spatial and angular uniformity. The backlight assembly and the active display can provide an image with a luminance high enough at low power so that it can be observed as a very high luminance real-world view through an optical device.

[0435] The backlight color can be selected as any single color, or can be white to support a full-color microdisplay. Other backlight design elements can be included, such as other light sources, waveguides, diffusers, micro-optics, polarizers, birefringent components, optical coatings, and reflectors, for optimizing the performance of the backlight and being compatible with the overall size requirements of the active display as well as the luminance, power, and contrast requirements.

[0436] Figure 16 and 17 A representative example of an integrated display system in a base coupled to a body is depicted, showing a display, an optical system, and a mirror. The integrated system works together with an optical system housed in the body of an observation optical mirror, which is depicted above the integrated display system.

[0437] Representative examples of microdisplays that can be used include, but are not limited to: Microoled, including MDP01 (series) DPYM, MDP02, and MDP05; Emagin such as SVGA, with microdisplays having pixel pitches of 9.9×9.9 microns and 7.8×7.8 microns; and Lightning Oled microdisplays, such as those produced by Kopin Corporation. Micro-LED displays can also be used, including but not limited to those produced by VueReal and Lumiode.

[0438] In one embodiment, the electronics working with the active display can include the capabilities of generating display symbols, formatting the output of the display, and including battery information, a power regulation circuit, a video interface, a serial interface, and control features. Other features for additional or different functions of a display overlay unit can be included. The electronics can provide the display function or can receive these functions from another device communicating with it.

[0439] In one embodiment, an active display can generate images, including but not limited to text, alphanumeric, graphics, symbols, and / or video images, icons, etc., including an active reticle, range measurement and wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm tilt information, target detection, identification and recognition (ID) information, and / or external sensor information (sensor video and / or graphics), or images for situational awareness, to be viewed through an eyepiece together with the image of the view seen through an optical sight. The direct vision optics can include or hold an etched reticle and bore sighting and maintain high resolution.

[0440] In one embodiment, the use of an active display allows programmable electronic aiming points to be displayed at any position in the field of view. This position can be determined by the user (such as in the case of a rifle that fires supersonic and subsonic ammunition and thus has two different trajectories and "zeros"), or it can be calculated based on information received from a ballistic calculator. This will provide "drop compensation" aiming points for long-range shooting and can be updated at shot intervals.

[0441] In one embodiment, the active display can be oriented to achieve maximum vertical compensation. In one embodiment, the active display is positioned with a height greater than its width.

[0442] In one embodiment, the orientation of the active display is as Figure 18 shown, which allows the maximum range of vertical adjustment 1810 of the active reticle within the sight. Maximized vertical adjustment is beneficial because it allows for ballistic compensation of the scene over longer ranges.

[0443] In one embodiment, the integrated display system further includes a processor in electronic communication with the active display.

[0444] In another embodiment, the integrated display system can include a memory, at least one sensor, and / or an electronic communication device in electronic communication with the processor.

[0445] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical sight having: a body having an optical system for generating an image of an external scene; a body beam combiner placed in line with the optical system; and a base coupled to the body having an integrated display system having a first active display for generating an image and a second active display perpendicular to the first active display, wherein the image generated from the first active display or the second active display is projected into a first focal plane of the display to provide simultaneous viewing of the generated image and the image of the external scene when viewed through the eyepiece of the sight body.

[0446] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having: a body having an optical system for generating an image of an external scene; a body beam combiner placed in line with the optical system; and a base coupled to the body, having an integrated display system having a first active display for generating an image, a second active display for generating an image, a base beam combiner configured to merge the first image and the second image, and a reflective material for guiding the combined image to the body beam combiner for superimposing the observed combined image and the image of the external scene on a first focal plane while observing through the eyepiece of the mirror body.

[0447] In one embodiment, the base beam combiner is located to the right of the first display. In another embodiment, the second active display can be placed perpendicular to the main active display into the system. This allows the two displays to be used separately or even simultaneously and projected onto the focal plane of the observation optical mirror.

[0448] Method of using rangefinding

[0449] In one embodiment, the active display can display distance measurement results obtained from a laser rangefinder. In one embodiment, the LRF can be coupled to the observation optical mirror. In one embodiment, the LRF is directly coupled to the outer mirror body of the sight. In another embodiment, a part of the LRF is directly coupled to the outside of the mirror body of the sight.

[0450] In one embodiment, the LRF is indirectly coupled to the outer mirror body of the sight. In another embodiment, a part of the LRF is indirectly coupled to the outside of the mirror body of the sight.

[0451] In another embodiment, the LRF is not coupled to the sight but communicates with the sight via hardwiring or wirelessly.

[0452] In general operation, the LRF provides a laser pulse projected into the scene via a projection optical mirror. The laser illuminates an object, and a part of the laser is reflected back to the LRF. The part of the reflected laser returning to the device is captured by a receiving optical system and guided to a detector. The device includes a timer that starts when the laser pulse is emitted and stops when the returned laser is detected. The calculator section of the device uses the elapsed time from the emission of the laser pulse to the detection of the returned reflected laser to calculate the distance to the object.

[0453] In one embodiment, the distance calculation result is sent to the active display, and the generated image (distance measurement result or calculation result) is redirected from the display optical axis "B" to the viewing optical axis A using a mirror and a beam combiner to simultaneously superimpose or overlap the image (distance measurement result or calculation result) onto the image of the scene observed by the observer through the viewing optics.

[0454] Drag range bar

[0455] In another embodiment, the active display can generate a wind resistance range. In one embodiment, the user can provide a series of wind values, and the software can generate wind resistance data, such as wind resistance range variance bars. In one embodiment, the wind resistance data is sent to the active display, and the generated image (e.g., wind resistance range variance bars) is redirected from the display optical axis "B" to the viewing optical axis "A" using a mirror and a beam combiner to simultaneously superimpose or overlap the image (wind resistance range variance bars) onto the image of the scene observed by the observer through the viewing optics.

[0456] In one embodiment, the wind resistance data includes a minimum wind hold point to a maximum wind hold point.

[0457] In one embodiment, the wind resistance data is sent to the active display, and the active display can generate a stadia reticle into the field of view when the wind is held appropriately.

[0458] Display color for psychological cues

[0459] In one embodiment, the active display can generate a color display to convey an additional level of information to the user in a quickly understandable format. In one embodiment, the active display can generate a series of color-coded symbols to indicate readiness to fire.

[0460] In one embodiment, the active display can generate a series of color-coded symbols to color-code objects in the target scene. In one embodiment, the active display can color-code friendly and enemy forces. In another embodiment, the active display can color-code targets of interest.

[0461] In one embodiment, the active display can generate a series of color-coded symbols to indicate the status of wind resistance adjustment. In one embodiment, a red dot can indicate that the wind resistance adjustment is not yet complete, while a green symbol can indicate that the wind resistance adjustment is complete.

[0462] In another embodiment, the active display can generate calibration points having colors. In one embodiment, if appropriate adjustments have not been made, including but not limited to wind resistance, distance, and elevation, the calibration point will be red. In another embodiment, if some but not all of the firing adjustments have been completed, the calibration point will be yellow. In yet another embodiment, if all of the required firing adjustments have been completed, the calibration point will be green and the calibration point is fully compensated.

[0463] In yet another embodiment, the blinking and steady states of the symbol can be utilized to convey similar status information regarding the adjustment of the calibration point.

[0464] In yet another embodiment, the active display can generate text displayed in colors to indicate status. In one embodiment, red text can indicate that input parameters have not been input or calculated, and green text indicates parameters that have been input or calculated.

[0465] Markings for impact zone in rangefinding

[0466] In one embodiment, the active display can generate circles, squares, or other shapes to allow the user to quickly enclose or circle the impact area of the projectile.

[0467] Suspended estimation and compensation

[0468] In another embodiment, the active display can generate calibration points that compensate for a moving target based on user input for the direction and rate of movement. For example, the user can input a movement rate of 5 miles per hour to the left. If the wind and the direction of movement are the same, this is added to the wind resistance value, and if the wind and the direction of movement are opposite, it is subtracted from the wind resistance value. Then, when the calibration point and / or the wind resistance value bar are drawn on the display, the calibration point will include an appropriate lead amount to allow the user to place the calibration point dot on the desired impact area and shoot, rather than having to place the calibration point in front of the moving target to compensate for the movement.

[0469] Team operation through camera and remote display manipulation

[0470] In one embodiment, the active display combined with a network interface allows an additional level of enhanced operation and use. In one embodiment, the reticle images of multiple shooters on the network can be observed. The reticle camera images of each shooter are displayed on more than one console, and network processing and interfaces enable group-level coordination, training, and cooperation, rather than what was previously used in individual scopes.

[0471] Training and guidance. In a training or instructional scenario, the coach can see how each shooter aligns his or her reticle with his or her respective target. By being able to actually see the reticle alignment, the coach or trainer can then provide instructions regarding adjustments and repositioning, such as by verbal instructions (e.g., via radio or in person).

[0472] In another embodiment, the coach's console can be provided with a pointing device, such as a mouse or joystick, and control data is transmitted from the console to the integrated display system of the rifle via a network. The coach's mouse or joystick then controls an additional point or pointer in the display of the sight of each shooter, which allows the coach to visually show the shooter which target to use, which range marker to use, and where to position the reticle relative to the target. In one embodiment, each shooter can be provided with his or her own coach's point, enabling the coach to provide personalized instruction to each shooter.

[0473] Shooting coordination . In another embodiment, an active display can be used for the coordination and implementation of a multi-shooter firing team. In one embodiment, the commander of the team operates the coach's console and uses the coach's point to help assign targets to each shooter, convey changes in reticle placement, etc.

[0474] Snapshot for remote review and approval . In another embodiment, an active display and network processing can allow a shooter equipped with a control device to take a "snapshot" of his or her reticle view. This snapshot of the user's reticle view can include an image of the target in question. When the commander or coach receives this image, the commander or coach reviews the image and approves or disapproves the shot. For example, in a coaching scenario, the user can take a snapshot of an animal that he or she believes is a legal animal (age, species, gender, etc.). If the coach agrees, the coach can indicate this by positioning or moving the coach's point in the shooter's reticle.

[0475] Biometric classification of targets . In another embodiment, a snapshot of the reticle image is received by biometric and / or classification processing (e.g., a facial recognition system). The biometric and / or classification processing can be on the gun, such as integrated into the display control logic, or can be remote from the gun interconnected via a network. By sending the results via the network to the control logic and appropriately updating the display, the results of the recognition and / or classification processing can be provided in the reticle.

[0476] Side - by - side image display. In another embodiment, an image is downloaded via a network to an integrated display system and is displayed coincidently in a reticle together with the observed target image. The downloaded image can be used by a user currently observing a target for a side-by-side comparison with an image or photograph of a previously shot target, which is similar to the target the shooter is instructed or wishes to shoot. For example, during deer season, an image of a deer can be provided in the reticle for reference for a new shooter, which can be compared in real time with the actual animal observed through the scope. In military or law enforcement applications, an image of a sought enemy or fugitive can be displayed in the reticle, so that a sniper can compare it in real time with the face of a person observed through the scope.

[0477] Representative example of an active display

[0478] a. 530 - 570 nm

[0479] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an integrated display system using a 530 - 570 nm microdisplay.

[0480] Figure 19 An integrated display system having a 530 nm - 570 nm digital display 1910 is depicted.

[0481] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image 2020 that can be displayed with a 530 nm - 570 nm digital display 1910. As Figure 20 shown, a glass-etched reticle 2010 can be used with the devices and systems disclosed herein. These images are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the amount or type of information that can be displayed with an active display.

[0482] In another embodiment, due to the sensitivity of the human eye, the integration of a 530 nm - 570 nm digital display 1910 allows for relatively higher efficacy than any other color display. It allows for a smaller amount of power consumption as compared to powering a red or blue display to the same photometric luminance.

[0483] In another embodiment, the integration of a 530 nm - 570 nm digital display 1910 provides the end user with a stronger ability to discern digital overlays from the background generated by ambient light in daylight sightlines.

[0484] b. AMOLED

[0485] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an integrated display system including an AMOLED microdisplay.

[0486] Figure 21 An integrated display system having an AMOLED digital display 2110 is depicted.

[0487] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image 2210 that can be displayed on an AMOLED digital display. As Figure 22 shown, the glass-etched reticle 2010 can be used with the devices and systems disclosed herein. These images are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the amount or type of information that can be displayed on an active display.

[0488] In one embodiment, the image generated by the AMOLED 2110 is integrated / imaged / focused in a first focal plane. In one embodiment, the use of the AMOLED display 2110 allows for increased contrast and greater complexity within the data displayed in the sight.

[0489] In one embodiment, the integration of the AMOLED display 2110 allows for the selection of individual pixels to be illuminated, enabling the easy display of complex data configurations in the sight.

[0490] In another embodiment, the integration of the AMOLED display 2110 allows for a small and lightweight package size within the sight, due to the reduced need for backlighting in the system.

[0491] In another embodiment, the integrated display system does not require a backlight display component.

[0492] In yet another embodiment, the integration of the AMOLED display 2110 allows for reduced power consumption, as the ability to optimize the power usage of individual pixels is now available.

[0493] In one embodiment, the integration of the AMOLED display 2110 provides contrast, which allows for a clear "heads-up" type display within the sight. The contrast allows each floating feature to be individually positioned and represented without low glow around the pixels.

[0494] B. Condensing lens system

[0495] In one embodiment, an integrated display system has an optical system based on the use of an optical lens as part of more than one lens unit, where the lens unit includes the lens itself and a lens unit body that mounts the lens. In one embodiment, the lens unit includes a precisely formed body that is generally cylindrical or disk-shaped. The body has a central hole for aligning the lens with the optical axis of a larger optical system. It can also be said that the unit body has its own alignment axis, which will ultimately align with the optical axis of the larger system when the lens unit is mounted in the larger system. Additionally, the lens unit serves as a "holder" for the lens and as a mechanism by which the lens can be mounted into and within a larger optical system, and the lens unit ultimately serves as a tool through which the lens can be manipulated and used for the purposes of the system.

[0496] In one embodiment, the integrated display system includes a condenser lens system, also referred to as a lens system. In one embodiment, the condenser lens system includes an inner lens unit and an outer lens unit.

[0497] Figure 23 is a representative example of a condenser lens system 2310 having an inner lens unit 2315 and an outer lens unit 2320. In one embodiment, the outer lens unit 2320 includes at least one lens, and the inner lens unit 2315 includes at least one lens. In one embodiment, the inner lens unit 2315 rotates on the inner surface of the outer lens unit 2320. As Figure 23 shown, an active display 1210 is coupled to a flat machined surface on the back of the inner lens unit 2315. In one embodiment, the active display 1210 can be directly coupled to the inner lens unit 2315. In yet another embodiment, the active display 1210 can be indirectly coupled to the inner lens unit 2315.

[0498] One advantage of the condenser optical system disclosed herein is that the combination of the inner lens unit and the microdisplay mount provides a stable rotational mechanical axis for positioning the vertical axis of the microdisplay.

[0499] Figure 24 is a representative depiction of a base 220 coupled to the body of an observation optical mirror, where the base has a condenser optical system 2310 as part of the integrated display system. In Figure 24 it, the body is depicted by a beam combiner 320 and an observation optical reticle 2420.

[0500] The outer lens unit 2320 is fixed in place relative to the viewing optical system in the main body while allowing the inner lens unit 2315 to float rotatably inside the outer lens unit 2320. By applying pressure to the surface 2410 of the inner lens unit 2315 that is located below the rotation axis of the lens unit, the vertical axis of the active display 1210 can be aligned with the vertical axis of the reticle 1610 of the viewing optical system.

[0501] Figure 25 is a representative depiction of an embodiment for aligning the tilt of the vertical axis of the active display with the vertical axis of the reticle. As Figure 25 shown, opposing fixing screws 2505 can be against the surface of the inner lens unit 2315 that is located below the rotation axis of the lens unit. The fixing screws 2505 can be used to align the vertical axis of the microdisplay 1210 with the vertical axis of the reticle in the optical system in the main body of the viewing optical mirror. By firmly fastening the fixing screws 2505 to the lower surface of the inner lens unit 2315, the rotation of the inner lens unit 2315 can be maintained, thereby rotationally locking the vertical axis of the microdisplay 1210 in place.

[0502] Figure 26 is a representative depiction of a rear cross-sectional view of the condenser lens system 2300 having a tilt adjustment mechanism for the microdisplay 1210 or the active display. When injecting the microdisplay into the optical system of the viewing optical mirror by using a beam combiner or a waveguide, an additional compensation method is required to eliminate the tilt error between the vertical axis of the reticle and the injected image of the vertical axis of the microdisplay. The fixing screws 2505 can be against the surface of the inner lens unit 2315 that is located below the rotation axis of the lens unit, thereby aligning the vertical axis of the microdisplay 1210 with the vertical axis of the reticle in the optical system in the main body of the viewing optical mirror.

[0503] Figure 27 is a representative depiction of a method and apparatus for eliminating parallax between the microdisplay and the reticle in the optical system in the main body of the viewing optical mirror. The outer lens unit 2320 contains at least one lens on the Figure 27 right - hand side, and the inner lens unit 2315 contains at least one lens on the Figure 27 left - hand side. The inner lens unit 2315 slides along the optical axis on the inner surface of the outer lens unit 2320. The microdisplay 1210 is coupled to the inner lens unit 2315. A spring 2710 is installed between the outer lens unit 2320 and the inner lens unit 2315 to separate the two units without being under a compressive force.

[0504] Figure 28A is a representative depiction of a base having a condenser optical system 2300 coupled to the main body of the viewing optical mirror. In Figure 28AIn it, the main body is depicted by a beam combiner 320 and an observation optical reticle 2810.

[0505] The outer lens unit 2320 is fixed in place relative to the observation optical mirror and allows the inner lens unit 2315 to float inside the outer lens unit 2320. By using screws or wedges 2820 that apply force to the back of the inner lens unit / active display mount, the inner lens unit 2315 is forced forward, changing the axial position of the image such that the focal plane of the microdisplay image lies in the same plane as the observation optical reticle in the main body of the observation optical mirror. Thus, the parallax between the microdisplay and the reticle is eliminated.

[0506] The position of the inner lens unit is held in place by the action of a spring pressing outward on the screws or wedges. The parallax between the active display and the reticle can be eliminated without changing the amount of light collected from the active display or degrading the image quality of the system.

[0507] By using a spring between the inner lens unit and the outer lens unit and the force applied to the back of the inner lens unit / microdisplay, the maximum amount of light can be collected from the microdisplay, and a fast, simple, and accurate adjustment method is provided.

[0508] In one embodiment, the inner lens unit 2315 and the outer lens unit 2320 may include more than two lenses. In yet another embodiment, the lens system may include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more than 10 lenses. The lenses can be obtained from various commercial manufacturers, including but not limited to LaCroix Optics (www.lacroixoptics.com) and DiverseOptics (www.diverseoptics.com). In one embodiment, the inner lens unit and the outer lens unit include a condenser lens system.

[0509] In one embodiment, the five-lens system is composed of a five (5)-lens system. In another embodiment, the five-lens system includes 5 single lenses. In another embodiment, the five-lens system includes two doublets and one single lens. In yet another embodiment, the five-lens system includes 3 single lenses and 1 doublet. In one embodiment, at least one plastic aspheric surface is used as the first element.

[0510] In one embodiment, the lens system is a five-lens system having the following order: an aspheric single lens closest to the active display, followed by a single lens, then a doublet, and then the final single lens.

[0511] In one embodiment, the lens system is a five-lens system having the following order: an aspherical singlet lens closest to the active display, followed by a singlet lens, followed by a singlet lens, and then a doublet lens.

[0512] In one embodiment, the lens system is a five-lens system having the following configuration: lens 1 closest to the active display, with a diameter of 11 mm and a thickness of 9.3 mm; lens 2, with a diameter of 9 mm and a thickness of 1.9 mm; a doublet lens having one lens (lens 3) with a diameter of 13.5 mm and a thickness of 2.1 mm, and another lens (lens 4) with a diameter of 13.5 mm and a thickness of 4.1 mm; lens 5, with a diameter of 13.5 mm and a thickness of 3.3 mm.

[0513] In one embodiment, the gap between one lens and the next lens is in the range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm. In one embodiment, the gap between one lens and the subsequent lens is in the range of about 5 mm to about 20 mm. In one embodiment, the gap between one lens and the subsequent lens is in the range of about 10 mm to about 20 mm.

[0514] In one embodiment, the distance between the active display and the first lens is minimized so as to collect the maximum amount of light from the display. In one embodiment, the distance between the active display and the first lens is less than 2 mm. In another embodiment, the distance between the active display and the first lens is selected from the group consisting of less than 1.8 mm, less than 1.5 mm, less than 1.3 mm, less than 1.1 mm, less than 0.9 mm, less than 0.7 mm, less than 0.5 mm, and less than 0.3 mm.

[0515] In one embodiment, the five-lens system is housed in an inner lens unit and an outer lens unit. In one embodiment, the inner lens unit is constructed as follows: the aspherical lens is mounted into the inner lens unit from the opposite end where the display seat is located; then a spacer; next is lens 2, which can be a 9 mm singlet lens; and then a retaining ring that holds the two lenses in place.

[0516] In one embodiment, the outer lens unit is constructed as follows: lens 5 (which can be a 13.5 mm singlet lens) is inserted into the outer lens unit from the display end of the unit; then a spacer; then the doublet lens that can be lenses 3 and 4, and then a retaining ring.

[0517] Figure 28BIt is a representative depiction of a base with a condenser optical system or a condenser lens system. The inner lens unit 2315 is constructed by mounting the aspherical surface 2840 from the opposite end where the display base is located into the inner lens unit; followed by a spacer; and then the glass meniscus lens 2850. In one embodiment, the glass meniscus lens can be lens 2 as described above. The outer lens unit 2320 can be constructed by inserting the glass doublet lens 2860 and the glass singlet lens 2870.

[0518] In one embodiment, the condenser lens system includes a five-lens system, including 2840, 2850, 2860, and 2870, where 2840 is closest to the active display, and 2870 is the farthest from the active display. In one embodiment, the inner lens unit 2315 includes 2840 and 2850. In one embodiment, the outer lens unit 2320 includes 2860 and 2870.

[0519] In one embodiment, when the inner lens unit axially moves along the inner diameter of the outer lens unit, the spacing between lens 2 in the inner unit and lens 3 in the outer unit changes. This causes the focal plane of the image of the display to shift and is used to eliminate the parallax between the projected display image and the passive reticle in the body of the observation optical mirror.

[0520] In one embodiment, focusing the display image onto the first focal plane of the optical system in the body is achieved by changing the gap between lens 2 and lens 3 in the 5-lens system, which is accomplished by changing the position of the inner lens unit relative to the outer lens unit.

[0521] In one embodiment, the lens assembly can also be assembled together within a lens barrel, which is an integral mechanical structure housing a series of lenses. It is used to axially and radially position the lenses relative to each other and provides a means for interfacing the lens assembly with its associated system. The lens elements are radially positioned by the inner diameter or ID of the barrel wall. The outer diameter or OD of the ground lens elements is adapted to the ID of the barrel wall. The axial position of the lens elements is achieved by cutting the lens mounts during assembly. The lens elements can then be constrained to the mounts by epoxy resin, retaining rings, etc.

[0522] C. Reflective material

[0523] In one embodiment, the integrated display system includes a reflective material 1230. In one embodiment, the reflective material 1230 is a mirror. In one embodiment, the integrated display system includes more than one mirror. In one embodiment, the integrated display system includes two, three, four, or more mirrors.

[0524] In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle of 30° to 60°, or 30° to 55°, 30° to 50°, or 30° to 45°, or 30° to 40°, or 30° to 35° relative to the emitted light of the display.

[0525] In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle of 30° to 60°, or 35° to 60°, 40° to 60°, or 45° to 60°, or 50° to 60°, or 55° to 60° relative to the emitted light of the display.

[0526] In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle of at least 40°. In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle of 45° relative to the emitted light of the display.

[0527] In one embodiment, as Figure 29 shown, the tilt of the mirror 2910 along the vertical axis can be adjusted by using screws or similar mechanisms. By screwing the screw against the base or the back of the mirror 2910, the angle at which the image of the microdisplay is reflected into the beam combiner can be changed. This correspondingly changes the tilt of the focal plane at the reticle 2930 of the observation optical mirror in the optical system of the observation optical mirror body. Using this adjustment, the parallax error along the vertical axis between the microdisplay and the reticle can be eliminated.

[0528] In one embodiment, the mirror is fixed to the base with more than one screw. In one embodiment, the mirror is fixed to the base using a compound (such as epoxy resin, resin, glue, or a combination thereof).

[0529] In one embodiment, the position of the mirror relative to the beam combiner can be adjusted to eliminate any errors, including but not limited to parallax errors.

[0530] In one embodiment, the position of the mirror relative to the active display can be adjusted to eliminate any errors, including but not limited to parallax errors.

[0531] 2. Power system

[0532] In one embodiment, the base coupled to the body of the observation optical mirror has a power system. In another embodiment, the base of the observation optical mirror has a cavity. The battery cavity can be integrated into the base coupled to the body of the observation optical mirror.

[0533] Figure 30 is a representative schematic diagram of the base 220 having a battery compartment 3005, where the base 220 is coupled to the body 210 of the sight 3000. As Figure 30 and 31As shown, the battery cavity 3005 extends from each side of the base to enclose the battery, which includes but is not limited to a CR123 battery. Compared with smaller batteries or coin-type batteries, the CR123 battery has a higher power capacity and discharge.

[0534] In one embodiment, the battery cavity 3005 is integral with the base 220, so only a battery cover is needed to protect the battery from the environment. No additional sealing is required.

[0535] In one embodiment, compared with the eyepiece assembly, the battery cavity 3005 in the base 220 is closer to the objective lens assembly 3010 of the main body 210 of the observation optical mirror.

[0536] In one embodiment, the battery cavity 3005 in the base 220 is positioned closer to the eyepiece assembly of the main body 210 of the observation optical mirror than the objective lens assembly.

[0537] Figure 32 is a representative depiction of the battery compartment 3005 integrated into the base 220. In one embodiment, the cavity 3005 is designed to first insert the positive side of the battery and has a mechanical stop at the bottom of the battery cavity to prevent incorrect installation and operation of the battery.

[0538] In one embodiment, the integrated battery cavity 3005 can use the same gasket as the gasket of the base 220 for the main body 210 of the telescopic sight. This provides a more reliable seal and eliminates mechanical devices because a separate battery cavity is not required. Second, there is no mechanical device for fixing the battery cavity because it is integrated into the base. This reduces the need for any mechanical interface for fixing the battery compartment. Since no mechanical locking of the battery cavity is required, the integrated battery compartment reduces the failure points of traditional battery compartments.

[0539] The integrated battery compartment eliminates any obstacles that impede the user. The integrated battery compartment is located below the observation optical mirror and is not affected by any adjustments and knobs on the traditional observation optical mirror. The integrated battery cavity is a significant advancement because it allows the necessary space to accommodate larger batteries.

[0540] In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror can be set in a way that minimizes battery consumption and maximizes battery life. For example, when the operator presses a button or switch, the observation optical mirror with a laser rangefinder is activated. A rangefinder indicator is displayed on the screen. When the observation optical mirror is zeroed, the output laser of the external rangefinder will coincide with the indicator through an initial calibration step. When the operator activates the external rangefinder, the information is sent wirelessly or via a communication port to the observation optical mirror, signaling the device that the information has been received and needs to be displayed.

[0541] If the viewing optic is turned on and no data is received from an external device, the viewing optic will power off after a user-set time. After information received from the external device is displayed, a power-off timer starts, and if no further button presses are recorded, the device will power off.

[0542] If more information is received from the external device, the screen will clear the previous information, display the updated information, and start the power-off timer. This cycle can continue for the number of times selected by the operator.

[0543] During the time the information is displayed on the screen, a bevel indicator will be shown on the screen. At each time interval, it is refreshed by an accelerometer that communicates with the microcontroller. When the microcontroller is in sleep mode, the overall button on the viewing optic will control the brightness of the LEDs that illuminate the glass-etched reticle. When the viewing optic is operating, the control of these LEDs will pause and during the corresponding button press, the brightness of the screen will change.

[0544] 3. Picatinny Mount

[0545] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a body and a base, the base having a battery compartment and a Picatinny mount that can be coupled to the battery compartment. In one embodiment, a detachable Picatinny mount is attached to a protruding battery compartment, where the battery compartment is incorporated into a base that is coupled to the body of the sight.

[0546] Figures 33 to 35 is a representative schematic view of a sight having a body 210 and a base 220 coupled to the body 210, where the base has a battery compartment 3005 that can be attached to a Picatinny mount 3305. In one embodiment, the Picatinny mount 3305 is aligned with the battery compartment 3005 and fixed with fasteners.

[0547] By attaching the mount 3305 to the battery compartment 3005 of the base 220, it utilizes the material required to fabricate the cavity 3005 for the battery. This eliminates the need for any additional material for the base, thereby making the viewing optic lighter and less invasive.

[0548] In one embodiment, the mount is positioned towards the objective lens and parallax knob of the adjustment knob, such that it does not interfere with the user's ability to adjust the sight. Additionally, the top ring is removable, allowing for easy attachment of accessory devices (such as a laser rangefinder). By utilizing the Picatinny mount disclosed herein, since the integrated base secures the sight, no additional structural support is required from the top of the ring.

[0549] In one embodiment, the mount incorporates a cantilever Picatinny rail that extends forwardly towards the objective lens of the sight. This enables a weapon-mounted laser rangefinder to be placed directly on the bell of the sight. This type of mount allows for a reduction in impact displacement and an improvement in the accuracy of the ranging device. It reduces the likelihood of impact displacement because there are fewer variables that can affect the ranging device's acquisition of the desired target.

[0550] 4. Data port

[0551] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a body and a base, the base having an active microdisplay for generating an image and combining the generated image into a scene image in a first focal plane of the body of the observation optical mirror, wherein the base has an axially oriented data port for interfacing with an auxiliary device, the auxiliary device including but not limited to a remote control switch and a laser rangefinder.

[0552] Figure 36 is a representative schematic diagram of a sight 3600 having a body 210 and a base 220, wherein the base 220 has an axially oriented data port 3605. In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror may have one axially oriented data port. In another embodiment, the observation optical mirror may have more than two axially oriented data ports.

[0553] By utilizing the axially oriented data port 3605, the overall top-down profile of the observation optical mirror is minimized, thereby improving the robustness of the mounting system and its connections.

[0554] 5. External video source

[0555] In one embodiment, the active display in the base can be used as an optical assembly or optical system for a clip-on device on the apparatus, including but not limited to a thermal imaging system and a night vision system.

[0556] A thermal imaging system allows various waves of the electromagnetic spectrum to be imaged and transmitted to a user, which are typically not capturable by the human eye. Traditional thermal weapon sights consist of two systems paired together: an infrared optical system that observes the scene; and a visible wavelength optical system that includes a microdisplay and a lens to recreate an image in front of the sight. There are also instances of catalytic photon enhancement, creating what we call a "night vision" system. However, clip-on devices are typically attached to a rifle rail in front of the body of the sight. This setup blocks all ambient light that is typically imaged by the sight and only allows the use of digital images. To switch back to a traditional image, the user must remove the system from the rail. Since alignment settings are made each time the sight is changed, it can cause impact displacement. These clip-on units also tend to be large due to the need for an eyepiece / imaging system behind the digital display in the unit. In a traditional system, any real-time video feed would be a completely digital image, including the visible spectrum output.

[0557] Figure 37 FIG. 3700 is a representative schematic diagram of a sight 3700 having a body 210 and a base 220, the base 220 having an active display 1210 and a condenser optic 1220, the condenser optic 1220 being usable as an optical system of a thermal imaging unit 3705. The active display 1210 uses a beam combiner to generate an image focused on a first focal plane of the body of the sight to integrate the image into a traditional day optic. The integration of the digital display allows the user to superimpose a digital image onto the ambient day optic. With the digital display disclosed herein, it is not necessary to remove a clip-on unit from in front of the observation optic in order to view the ambient day optic. Instead, the digital display can be turned on and off as needed.

[0558] The integration of the digital display allows for zero image shift when switching between daytime visible and digital optics. Since the system is fully integrated, there is no need to zero each time the digital optics are turned on. The system is synchronous due to the alignment of the combined optical system.

[0559] In one embodiment, the integration of the digital display constitutes an optical assembly that is typically the rear half of a clip-on unit. Since there is already a microdisplay in the base of the observation optic, the thermal sight only requires an infrared optic; the image generated by the thermal sensor can be transmitted to the active display that has been incorporated into the base of the observation optic. By integrating the thermal or NV sight in this way, the thermal / NV device will be shorter and lighter than existing weapon sights on the market. This allows for the design of a smaller and lighter system because half of the optical assembly is now directly integrated into the base that is coupled to the body of the observation optic. The rear optical system or display does not need to be integrated into a clip-on unit that contains the sensing device.

[0560] In addition, if a thermal weapon sight is mounted on the side of the sighting scope such that the thermal optic does not block the sighting scope objective, it will be possible to overlay the thermal image on top of the visible image that the user will observe. This will be beneficial for being able to highlight humans, animals, or anything with heat signatures that stand out in a neutral daylight scenario.

[0561] In one embodiment, the integration of the digital display disclosed herein results in the advantage of feeding real-time video into the focal plane of the observation optic without interrupting the daytime visible line of sight.

[0562] In one embodiment, the integration of the digital display allows for seamless integration of imaging overlays, such as real-time thermal imaging views and hyperspectral overlay systems. The visible image is now analog rather than another digital display.

[0563] In one embodiment, the integration of the digital display disclosed herein also results in the advantage of continuing the image feed even in the event of a sudden power drain on the digital system. The true analog image remains available, unlike traditional digital output systems.

[0564] In one embodiment, the integration of the digital display allows multiple types of imaging systems to be mounted separately from the front portion of the observation optic. The thermal imaging system can be aligned with the bottom or side of the observation optic and still feed the image directly onto the focal plane within the body of the observation optic.

[0565] 6. EMI Vent Window

[0566] In one embodiment, the body, base, or both the body and base of the observation optic can have a window sealed with a material transparent to electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication. The transparent material includes, but is not limited to, plastics, resins, or epoxy resins.

[0567] In one embodiment, the window allows EM waves to propagate from the communication device with reduced interaction with the metal body of the observation optic. This increases the rate at which data can be transmitted. It also allows the wireless communication device to operate at a lower power level due to reduced signal loss.

[0568] III. Additional Sensors / Devices

[0569] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optic having a body and a base, the base having an integrated display system and more than one sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include, but are not limited to, a global positioning system, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a MEMS rate sensor, an inclinometer, a laser rangefinder.

[0570] A. Pointing Angle, Target Location, and Communication

[0571] In one embodiment, the viewing optic may have an inertial MEMS rate sensor to determine the pointing angle of the weapon in inertial space. Example products are the LCG-50 from Systron Donner and the SiRRS01 from Silicon Sensing. In another embodiment, an accelerometer may be incorporated into the embedded electronics to determine the absolute tilt angle of the viewing optic and track weapon accelerations due to general movement or firing events.

[0572] To support aiming, in various embodiments, the viewing optic may have a GPS and / or a digital compass. In one embodiment, the GPS and / or digital compass may be integrated into the viewing optic, e.g., as a board-level module. In another embodiment, the GPS and / or digital compass may be associated with a separate device that communicates with the viewing optic.

[0573] Some manufacturers offer customization of rack-mounted modules for GPS and digital compass functionality that have a small form factor and low power consumption characteristics. These devices are designed to be integrated into embedded components. For example, Ocean Server Technology manufactures the OS4000-T compass with 0.5-degree accuracy, consuming less than 30 mA and less than 3 / 4″ square. An example of a GPS device is the DeLorme GPS2058-10 module, which is 16 mm × 16 mm, in a surface mount package, and provides 2-meter accuracy.

[0574] In one embodiment, the viewing optic may have a data interface that provides one or both of wired and wireless capabilities, which are designed to interface with systems such as the BAE Personal Area Network Node and the emerging SRW radio. These interfaces provide various communication capabilities, such as range\sensor and other tactical data (e.g., anti-self-destruct detectors, environmental sensors, etc.). This unique functionality is used in various embodiments to obtain environmental information, target information, and situational awareness information and communicate it to interested parties. Generally, the various embodiments are intended to enable a fighter aircraft to quickly acquire, reacquire, process data from various passive and active sources and otherwise integrate it into a ballistic firing solution, thereby improving the shooter's efficiency.

[0575] In another embodiment, the sensor provides information to an active display, enabling the generation of real-time position data of different targets onto a first focal plane of the body of the viewing optic. In another embodiment, the sensor is part of an external device that communicates with an integrated display system.

[0576] By using these sensors in the observation optical sight, or on an external device rigidly connected to the observation optical sight, or on a weapon on which the observation optical sight is mounted, the exact position of the observation optical sight and the exact direction in which the observation optical sight is pointing can be obtained, and external targets can be calculated based on the position of the observation optical sight and the calibrated direction.

[0577] When the user moves the observation optical sight or when the target moves relative to the observation optical sight, the position of the target will be continuously and real-time updated by sensors communicating with the integrated display system, so that, by observing through the observation optical sight, the user will be able to see the position of the target relative to the location they are looking for.

[0578] This method has strong practicality in military applications, in which there may be personnel in different positions trying to communicate specific target positions to each other. For example, for close air support (CAS), the pilot may be flying an aircraft, while units on the ground may be relying on the aircraft to drop bombs on the target. Usually, it is difficult for units on the ground to transmit the exact position of the target to the aircraft. The process of transmitting target information between the ground unit and the aircraft is usually referred to as "talking to the target", and involves communicating what the unit or the aircraft sees in its field of view, such as landmarks that may be seen near the target, etc.

[0579] This process usually takes a rather long time and may cause confusion because objects look different from the air than they do from the ground. It is crucial that each unit ensures that they are all looking at the same target, because if the aircraft misidentifies the target, they may drop bombs on friendly units or non-combatants.

[0580] By allowing the location and position sensors to communicate with the active reticle display of the integrated display system, these problems are solved. The user of the observation optical sight can designate a target within its sighting scope, and the sighting scope knows the GPS position of the sighting scope, the exact direction in which it is pointing, and the distance to the target, and can calculate the precise GPS coordinates of the target. This information can be fed into a common system to which all friendly units are connected, such as Link 16. Now, the aircraft can simply look at the display on their aircraft, and once another unit has designated a new target, the new target will be displayed on their map.

[0581] This enables faster target discovery and makes it easier to confirm that two units are looking at the same target. Accuracy is crucial for determining the target location. Therefore, the image generated by the active display needs to be shown in the first focal plane of the observation optical sight body. If the generated image from the active display is placed in the second focal plane of the observation optical sight, the target location is accurate only when the reticle of the observation optical sight is in its "zeroed" position. If the users of the observation optical sight turn anything on their adjustment knobs, for example, to engage a remote target, all target information in the display will be shifted by the amount turned in the adjustment knob and thus inaccurate.

[0582] By using it in conjunction with the active display image injected into the first focal plane, the displayed data is agnostic to any adjustments made to the reticle position and compensates automatically. This means that the target data in the field of view is always accurate.

[0583] B. Environmental Sensors

[0584] In one embodiment, the observation optical sight can have more than one pressure, humidity, and / or temperature sensor, which is designed to collect and use environmental data for ballistic correction purposes. The sensors are in a miniature configuration and are suitable for integration into the observation optical sight. Intersema's MS5540 is an example of a miniature, low-power, waterproof, barometric pressure sensor. The component measures 6.2 × 6.4 mm in size.

[0585] In one embodiment, the sensor can be coupled to the main body of the observation optical sight or the base of the observation optical sight.

[0586] C. Uphill and Downhill

[0587] In one embodiment, the observation optical sight can have a z-axis accelerometer, which can be used to measure the tilt angle of the sight relative to the vertical. At the time of target selection, this tilt angle can be integrated into the ballistic solution. Once the target is selected, the system is able to automatically integrate the actual uphill or downhill into the ballistic solution and display the solution on the first focal plane of the observation optical sight, thus enabling the correct display of the digital reticle or correction calibration points. This can provide a very fast and effective aiming means in long-range uphill or downhill strikes.

[0588] IV. Observation Optical Sight with Display System and Laser Rangefinder

[0589] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical sight and a laser rangefinder. The observation optical sight has a main body and a base with an integrated display system. In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder is coupled to the observation optical sight. In another embodiment, the laser rangefinder is independent of the observation optical sight and communicates with the observation optical sight wirelessly or via a cable.

[0590] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder is coupled to the observation optical mirror via a mounting rail, and the mounting rail is attached to the base through a battery cavity.

[0591] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder can be used to determine the distance to a target. In various embodiments, the laser is transmitted in the near IR for concealment. A typical wavelength for a laser rangefinder device operating in the near infrared (NIR) is 905 nm.

[0592] In one embodiment, specific laser power and spectral characteristics are selected to meet the distance and eye safety requirements of the observation optical mirror. The rangefinder has sufficient power to produce accurate measurement results, such as 1500 meters, 2500 meters, or any effective distance relevant to a firearm or weapon intended to be used with the observation optical mirror. For rangefinder operation, in some embodiments, a single-button control is dedicated to making or performing rangefinder measurements.

[0593] In one embodiment, the distance to a target can be transmitted to an active display, which generates an image of the distance to the target and superimposes the distance to the target onto the first focal plane of the observation optical mirror when observing the target scene.

[0594] In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror has a computing device with ballistic calculator capabilities. In one embodiment, the body of the observation optical mirror has a computing device with ballistic calculator capabilities.

[0595] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder can be used to measure the target distance, calculate the projectile trajectory, and communicate the corrected aiming point to an active display in an integrated display system. Then, the active display superimposes an image of the corrected aiming point onto the first focal plane of the observation optical mirror, which has a reticle attached to a movable erecting lens system.

[0596] Importantly, since the image generated by the active display is combined with the image from the target in front of the first focal plane and then focused onto the first focal plane, the target image and the display image will never move relative to each other. Therefore, any calibration reference created by the digital display will always be accurate regardless of how the movable erecting system is adjusted.

[0597] When an external laser rangefinder feeds distance information to the sight, it is necessary to create a calibration reference or a laser indicator through a digital display so that the user knows which position in the LRF aiming field of view, enabling the correct target to be accurately hit with the laser. The digital display image and the target image of the objective lens system in the body of the sight do not move relative to each other. Therefore, no matter how the adjustment knob is adjusted to move the movable erecting lens system, the digital laser indicator will accurately show the user the correct position of the LRF laser calibration point.

[0598] On the other hand, if the digital display image is integrated into the optical system anywhere behind the first focal plane, then when the adjustment knob is adjusted and the erecting lens system moves / tilts, the image of the digital display will move relative to the target image, and the digital LRF indicator will move relative to the actual laser calibration point. If the user turns any elevation or windage adjustment to the adjustment knob and forgets to turn it back to the original position set by the adjustment knob when aligning the digital reticle with the actual laser calibration point, it may result in incorrect distance measurement.

[0599] In addition, when a traditional sight zeros a rifle, the user usually selects a "zero" distance, typically 100 yards, for aligning the sight reticle with the impact point of the rifle projectile. This is usually achieved by adjusting the adjustment knob of the sight and thus adjusting the tilt angle of the erecting lens system to align the reticle with the impact point of the projectile. After setting the initial "zero" of the sight, the adjustment knob allows the user to further adjust the position of the sight reticle to compensate for targets at different distances or to compensate for varying wind drift variables that affect the position where the impact point of the projectile may vary from the initial "zero" position.

[0600] If the digital display is to be integrated into the sighting system behind the first focal plane, then if the user makes any adjustment to the adjustment knob from the initial "zero", the correction factor for the calibration point in the ballistic calculation may be incorrect. For example, if the ballistic calculator determines that a correction of 10 milliradians of elevation adjustment is required to hit the target, the digital display places the calibration point 10 milliradians below the center of the crosshair. However, if the user has turned the elevation adjustment knob 5 milliradians from the initial "zero" position, the digital calibration point will actually aim 15 milliradians below the initial "zero".

[0601] By injecting a digital display into the first focal plane of the optical system of the sight's body, it allows the digital display to be completely unaffected by any changes in the adjustment knob settings or the position of the erecting system. This means that in the above example, the digital calibration points will actually only appear 5 milliradians below the center of the reticle for a total of exactly 10 milliradians of bullet drop (the user had previously dialed 5 milliradians into the elevation adjustment knob from the initial "zero" position). In short, injecting the digital display image into the first focal plane of the body's optical system makes the digital display image completely unaware of any changes in the adjustment knob position and thus completely unaware of the movement / tilt of the erecting lens system, which provides the required accuracy.

[0602] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder capabilities provide a dynamically defined ballistic solution based on the acquired data. When processing the tracer round trajectory to determine the optimal point along the measured trajectory path for determining the ballistic correction for the next shot, the on-board computer can use the distance to the target.

[0603] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder is integrated into the sight and has a dedicated output laser beam port. In one embodiment, the optical path of this dedicated laser axis is located in the corner of the housing, so it is not obstructed by the main objective lens. The detection path of the incident reflected laser signal passes through the main objective lens of the sight, where a near-IR beam splitter directs the light to a light detector. This arrangement takes advantage of the relatively large aperture of the main objective lens to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement results.

[0604] Figures 38 to 44 A photograph of an observation optical sight 3800 is provided, which has a body 3810 with an optical system and a base 3820 coupled to the body 3810. The base 3820 has an integrated display system, and a laser rangefinder 3830 is coupled to the top of the body 3810. The observation optical sight 3800 may have two auxiliary ports 3805 for communicating with external sources. The observation optical sight 3800 may have a Picatinny mount 3305, which is coupled to the outside of the battery cover for the battery cavity 3005 in the base 3820.

[0605] Figures 45 to 46 A depiction of an observation optical sight 4500 is provided, which has a body 4510 with an optical system and a base 4520 coupled to the body 4510. The base 4520 has an integrated display system, and a laser rangefinder 4530 is coupled to the top of the body 4510. The observation optical sight 4500 may have a single auxiliary port 4535 for communicating with the laser rangefinder 4530.

[0606] Figure 47 and Figure 48A depiction of an observation optical mirror 4700 is provided, which has a body 4710 with an optical system and a base 4720. The base 4720 is coupled to the body 4710 and has an integrated display system. In some embodiments, the observation optical mirror 4700 may have a Picatinny mount 4730. In some embodiments, the observation optical mirror may have an auxiliary port 4735.

[0607] V. Other Embodiments

[0608] 1. Digital Zeroing

[0609] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for alignment and zeroing purposes using a digital reticle. In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror has a physical reticle and a digital reticle, where the physical reticle is connected to the erecting system. The user moves the reticle and the erecting system using adjustment knobs to "zero" the physical reticle such that the center of the reticle coincides with the impact point of the bullet.

[0610] After the physical reticle is zeroed, the digital reticle must also be zeroed. Since the digital reticle is formed by an active or digital display fixed in place, the only way to zero or align the digital reticle is using digital methods. The user can move the position of the digital reticle such that the center of the digital reticle coincides with the center of the physical reticle.

[0611] In another embodiment, digital zeroing can also be used with a laser indicator. When used in combination with an external laser rangefinder, the observation optical mirror laser indicator must be aligned with the direction pointed by the laser rangefinder. Most external laser rangefinders have a visible laser and an infrared laser. The infrared laser is the laser that actually measures the distance. The visible laser can be turned on and off and aligned with the aiming of the infrared laser. The visible laser allows the user to see where the laser is aimed. Once the visible laser is turned on, the user can digitally adjust the laser indicator to coincide with the marked point of the visible laser. Then the visible laser can be turned off, and the user can use the laser indicator in the observation optical mirror display to ensure the accurate calibration of the laser rangefinder.

[0612] 2. Holographic Waveguide

[0613] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having: a body having a first optical system; and a base having an active display and a holographic waveguide. In one embodiment, the integration of the holographic waveguide reduces the package size and weight of traditional beam combining systems. The integration of the holographic waveguide can increase the overall transmission brightness ratio such that a greater percentage of the light from each optical system reaches the end user.

[0614] Figure 49is a representative depiction of an observation optical mirror 4900 having: an optical system in a body 4910; a base 49 with an active display 1210; and a holographic waveguide system 4925. The holographic waveguide system 4925 spans the body 4910 and the base 4920. The digital or active display 1210 generates an image to a collimating optical mirror 4930 which sends the image into an incoming holographic waveguide 4926. The image exits the waveguide via an output hologram 4927 and the image is injected into a first focal plane 4930 of an optical system 4940.

[0615] In one embodiment, the integration of the holographic waveguide reduces the need for a dedicated coating fabricated for a beam combiner. Additionally, the integration of the holographic waveguide interrupts the need for a mirror system and reduces the need for a complex mechanical alignment system.

[0616] The integration of the holographic waveguide allows for the creation of a replica of the complex optical system required to image a display, eliminating the need to place the complex system in each system.

[0617] The integration of the holographic waveguide allows for the use of LCOS, LCD, and OLED systems to display information within the optical system. The nature of the system allows for the combination of various types of illumination systems with different types of displays used within the system.

[0618] The use of the holographic waveguide allows for the implementation of a reticle with non-static illumination. The reticle can be changed when the image on the screen changes. The holographic waveguide allows for a daylight bright reticle system without the need for traditional illumination methods.

[0619] The integration of the holographic waveguide creates the ability to create a non-static holographic sight. The output coupling hologram can send light defined by the main optical system, allowing for a change in the aiming picture of the holographic sight.

[0620] The integration of the holographic waveguide can be used with any monochromatic or polychromatic light source. The use of a complex multiplexed Bragg grating allows for the integration of a polychromatic illumination system.

[0621] 3. Tracking Bullet Trajectory

[0622] One difficulty associated with long-range strikes is the ability to determine the accuracy of an initial shot such that timely corrections can be made to improve the accuracy of the next shot. Traditional techniques for determining the point of impact of a projectile are to attempt to detect the bullet trace and / or the actual splash point of the bullet. In many long-range strikes, this can be difficult. In the case of a sniper team, subsequent shots also require feedback from an observer to feed relevant data back to the shooter. Using only verbal communication can take several seconds.

[0623] In one embodiment, an observation optical mirror may have an imaging sensor adapted to detect image frames related to a bullet flight path and transmit the image frames to a computing device, which may then calculate a bullet trajectory based on the image frames.

[0624] In one embodiment, an observation optical mirror having a body and a base with an integrated display system may allow for the detection of tracer bullets through on-board image processing capabilities, enabling the determination of a bullet's trajectory before the bullet impacts a target area. In one embodiment, this data may be relayed back to a ballistic computer, thereby quickly and efficiently providing a follow-up shot solution for a second round, which may be transmitted to an active display and the corrected aiming points superimposed on a first focal plane of the body of the observation optical mirror.

[0625] Automating the feedback loop with trajectory and splash point detection by a computer and combining it with an active display and superimposing electronic aiming points corrected on the first focal plane advantageously reduces the total time required for an accurate second shot. This time reduction can be a critical point during the engagement. After the first shot, the opportunity window for a second shot may rapidly close, especially if the delay exceeds the time point when the sonic boom of the initial shot reaches a predetermined target.

[0626] Environmental conditions and wind drift can have a significant impact on the ballistic trajectory of a bullet at long range. For example, an M193 bullet can drift approximately 4 feet at 500 yards in a moderate 10 mph crosswind. Since the velocity of the bullet decreases as the flight distance and total flight time increase, the effect of wind resistance becomes more exaggerated at greater distances.

[0627] Various tracer bullet options are provided. Traditionally, shooters have used standard tracer bullets to observe the trajectory of a bullet's flight path. Tracer bullets can emit light in the visible or IR spectrum depending on the composition of the tracer bullet material. The latter is effective when the shooter is using night vision equipment. Additionally, some tracer bullets can first glow dimly and then brighten as the projectile travels downrange. A fuse element can control when the tracer bullet ignites after the projectile is fired, enabling the delayed ignition of the tracer bullet material until the bullet is fully downrange. The fuse delay mitigates the risk of the tracer bullet exposing the shooter's firing position.

[0628] In one embodiment, an observation optical mirror with an integrated display system can use tracer bullets to detect, determine, and / or display the trajectory of a bullet before it impacts the target area. In one embodiment, a covert tracer bullet with a long-delay fuse and emitting in the near-IR region (700 nm to 1000 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum can be used. Light emitted in the near-IR region is invisible to the human eye but can be detected by an imaging sensor using conventional glass optics. This type of tracer bullet can be particularly effective in maintaining the shooter's concealment during sniper operations while providing important automatic bullet tracking capabilities to accurately determine the next shot correction requirements. Accordingly, various embodiments are adapted to work with more than one type of tracer bullet to achieve the functions described herein.

[0629] Since the imaging sensor in the daylight embodiment is also sensitive to visible light, standard daylight tracer bullets can also be used for bullet tracking. In the case of visible light and near-IR, the tracer bullet can utilize a long-delay fuse to increase concealment because the system only needs to detect the flight of the bullet at the last moment before impact.

[0630] In one embodiment, a camera associated with the observation optical mirror can record the trajectory of the bullet and use a sensor suite embedded in the observation optical mirror, which can calculate the exact geographical location trajectory of the bullet and the bullet's point of impact.

[0631] In another embodiment, the observation optical mirror can also use a stabilized camera to compensate for recoil from the firearm. The observation optical mirror will precisely track the movement of the stabilized camera and compensate for that movement to accurately calculate the geographical location trajectory of the bullet. This embodiment will allow the shooter to track their own trajectory and more accurately compensate for any misses.

[0632] In both embodiments, the geographical location trajectory of the bullet can then be shared with other users to display the trajectory in their field of view, which is also actively displayed in the devices they are using (such as another telescopic sight, projectile observation scope, or goggles using microdisplay or holographic technology).

[0633] In one embodiment, tracking of the bullet trajectory incorporates capturing video frame images of a glowing tracer bullet in flight. The spatial position of the bullet in the selected image frame is extracted by image processing techniques and then correlated with data from other video frames to establish the bullet's trajectory.

[0634] Select image frames for processing based on their correlation with a firing event. When a projectile is launched from a weapon, the muzzle exit time is immediately determined by processing accelerometer data obtained from an on-board weapon axis accelerometer included in various embodiments. A correlation window is then initiated starting from the muzzle exit time, where various embodiments begin processing video images frame by frame to identify a small cluster of pixels associated with a tracer at a specific X-Y position in space. The frame images can be taken with an exposure time optimized to capture the bullet as it traverses a small number of individual pixels in the X-Y frame. Since the camera frame rate and muzzle exit time are known, the distance of the bullet from the weapon in each frame can be established using the known flight characteristics of the bullet. This data is contained in an on-board table associated with each weapon and its associated projectile, or alternatively received from a tactical network communicating with the weapon sight.

[0635] If the absolute distance to the target is known from laser rangefinder measurements, the position of the projectile at the target distance can be calculated by determining the point in the trajectory corresponding to the target distance. The elegance of this technique is that the measurement is done using in-flight data and does not rely on bullet impact with a physical surface. The calculated position will correspond to the angle of elevation and azimuth relative to the weapon position and can be used to determine the ballistic aiming corrections required to improve accuracy. As part of the calculation of the next shot ballistic correction, various embodiments use inertial pointing angle data to calculate a relative reference point between the inertial pointing angle of the gun at muzzle exit and the pointing angle at splash. This allows the calculation to account for any angular movement of the gun that occurs during the flight time of the bullet to the target distance.

[0636] 4. Other Configurations

[0637] Figure 50 An alternative embodiment of a sight 5000 is depicted, which has a sight body 5005 and a compartment or notch 5010 on top of the sight body 5005. The compartment 5010 has an integrated display system, which includes an active display 5015 and a condenser optic 5020. The integrated display system is oriented such that the display 5015 and the condenser optic 5020 are parallel to the beam combiner 5025. In this embodiment, a reflective surface such as a mirror is not required.

[0638] Figure 51 An alternative embodiment of an observation optic 5000 is depicted, which has a sight body 5005 and a compartment or notch 5010 on top of the sight body 5005. The compartment 5010 has an integrated display system, which includes an active display 5105, a condenser optic 5110, and a mirror 5115. The integrated display system is oriented such that the display 5115 and the condenser optic 5110 are perpendicular to the beam combiner 5025. In Figure 51In [the situation], compared with the objective lens system of the observation optical mirror, the active display 5105 is closer to the eyepiece system.

[0639] Figure 52 An alternative embodiment of the observation optical mirror 5000 is depicted, which has a mirror body 5005 and a compartment or notch 5010 on top of the mirror body 5005. The compartment 5010 has an integrated display system, which includes an active display 5105, a condenser optical mirror 5110, and a mirror 5115. The integrated display system is oriented such that the display 5105 and the condenser optical mirror 5110 are perpendicular to the beam combiner 5025. In Figure 52 In [the situation], compared with the eyepiece system of the observation optical mirror, the active display 5105 is closer to the objective lens system.

[0640] The image generated from the active display 5105 can be directed to the mirror 5115, and combined with the image of the scene observed by the observer through the observation optical mirror by using the beam combiner 5025 in the mirror body 5005, so as to superimpose or overlap the generated image and the observed image simultaneously, wherein the combined image is injected into the first focal plane. Since the beam combiner 5025 is located before the first focal plane, and the combined image is focused on the first focal plane, the displayed image and the observed image do not move relative to each other. This is a significant improvement compared with the device that injects the image into the second focal plane.

[0641] In yet another alternative embodiment, the observation optical mirror has a mirror body and a separable base, the base has an active display and a condenser optical mirror, and the active display and the condenser optical mirror are parallel to the beam combiner. In this embodiment, a reflective surface such as a mirror is not required. The base is coupled to the bottom of the main body of the observation optical mirror.

[0642] The image generated from the microdisplay can be combined with the scene image observed by the observer through the observation optical mirror by means of the beam combiner in the mirror body, so as to superimpose or overlap the generated image and the observed image simultaneously, wherein the combined image is injected into the first focal plane. Since the beam combiner is located before the first focal plane, and the combined image is focused on the first focal plane, the displayed image and the observed image do not move relative to each other. This is a significant improvement compared with the device that injects the image into the second focal plane.

[0643] The optical sights and methods disclosed herein can be displays or observation devices, apparatuses, sights or aiming scopes, which can be used on, or be a part of, or be an additional accessory to weapons, guns, rifles, laser target locators, rangefinders. Embodiments can be mounted on weapons or devices, or can be handheld or helmet-mounted.

[0644] V. Observation Optical Mirror with Advanced Reticle Function

[0645] A. Active display mode based on magnification setting

[0646] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a body and a base with an integrated display system, wherein an active display of the integrated display system generates a plurality of reticle patterns that are projected into a first focal plane of the field of view.

[0647] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a body and a base with an integrated display system, wherein the active display of the integrated display system generates a reticle pattern based on a magnification level.

[0648] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having a body and a base with an integrated display system, the body having one or more sensors that can track or monitor the magnification level of the optical mirror, wherein the active display of the integrated display system generates a reticle pattern based on the magnification level. Depending on the magnification level, the active display system can generate different reticle patterns optimized for different optical magnification levels. In one embodiment, the active display of the integrated display system can automatically switch between reticle patterns based on the magnification level.

[0649] In one embodiment, an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system can project digital features or aiming points optimized for a particular magnification setting being used.

[0650] In one embodiment, the body of the observation optical mirror has a sensor associated with a magnification adjustment mechanism of the aiming device to produce a signal indicative of an adjustment of the optical magnification of the observation optical mirror. The observation optical mirror further includes an electronic controller in communication with the sensor and the active display of the integrated display system. The electronic controller, in response to the signal generated by the sensor, communicates with the active display to produce a reticle pattern that can be observed through an eyepiece superimposed on an image of a distant object in its field of view.

[0651] In some embodiments, the electronic controller and the active display are configured to produce a first reticle pattern, such as a close-range reticle pattern, in response to a signal indicative of a first magnification setting; and, in response to a signal indicative of a second magnification setting greater than the first magnification setting, the electronic controller and the active display can produce a second reticle pattern different from the first reticle pattern. For example, the second reticle pattern can be a long-range reticle pattern such as a sniper reticle.

[0652] In some embodiments, the sensor may include a combination of an electromechanical or optical digital encoder (which may be rotary or linear), a potentiometer, one or more magnets and one or more Hall effect sensors, or other suitable devices operable to sense the position or movement of an amplification adjustment mechanism and generate a corresponding electrical signal. In one embodiment, the sensor is described in Figure 69 and Figure 70 .

[0653] In one embodiment, the active display is not in the body of the viewing optic.

[0654] In one embodiment, one or more reticle patterns may be selected from including but not limited to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and greater than 20. In one embodiment, a viewing optic with an integrated display system may select between at least 10, or at least 20, or at least 30, or at least 40, or at least 50 reticle patterns.

[0655] In one embodiment, the active display of the integrated display system projects a reticle pattern into the first focal plane of the field of view based on a particular magnification setting. When the magnification setting is changed, the reticle pattern generated from the active display is switched such that the aiming point is immediately useful to the operator. The switching of the reticle may be based on the magnification setting.

[0656] By way of example and not limitation, at a 1X magnification setting, the active display may generate a small center point projected into the first focal plane. When the magnification is changed to 8X, the active display generates a crosshair pattern with a long-range hold on the point projected into the first focal plane. The sensor determines the change in magnification, which is communicated to the controller, which changes the reticle pattern of the active display.

[0657] In one embodiment, a viewing optic with an integrated display system projects information and aiming points that are intended to assist the operator in engaging targets at short and long ranges. In one embodiment, multiple “pages” of information or reticle patterns may be designed and loaded into the system, and different pages may be displayed based on the magnification setting.

[0658] In one embodiment, the reticle pattern from the active display is projected onto an etched reticle in the first focal plane. Projecting a digital reticle onto an etched or fixed reticle provides a necessary safeguard in the event of a system failure.

[0659] Figure 53It is a representative depiction of the close - combat reticle 5300 with a 1X magnification. The thick arcuate line 5305, the main horizontal line 5307, the main vertical line 5309, the numbers and arrows are components of the etched reticle. The center point 5310 is generated from the active display of the integrated display system. This reticle is used for close - combat. The center point represents a quick - target - acquisition aiming point.

[0660] Figure 54 is Figure 53 a schematic diagram of the reticle, but the magnification of the observation optical lens is set to 8X. It can be seen that the center point 5310 projected from the active display becomes significantly large at 8X magnification.

[0661] Figure 55 is a representative description of the reticle pattern 5500, which provides useful information when the observation optical lens is set to a magnification setting of 8X. The thick arcuate line 5502, the main horizontal line 5504, the main vertical line 5506, the numbers and arrows represent the etched reticle. The center aiming point 5510, six ballistic - compensated windage points 5520, and the square 5530 in the upper - left corner (representing a rangefinder indicator showing the assumed distance to the target) are components generated by the active display.

[0662] Figure 56 is a representative depiction of the reticle pattern 5500 at a low - magnification setting.

[0663] Reference Figures 53 to 56 , when the optical magnification is set to 1X, the reticle pattern 5300 includes the etched reticle features 5305, 5307, and 5309, and a first set of multiple markers 5310 (e.g., circles and / or aiming points) generated by the active display and projected onto the first - focal - plane reticle. Preferably, as Figure 53 shown, the reticle pattern 5300 formed at least in part by the first set of markers 5310 is a close - quarters reticle (CQB reticle) with minimal markers to provide a less cluttered visible area.

[0664] When increasing the optical magnification setting, the electronic controller and the active display (responsive to signals received from sensors, including but not limited to Figure 69 and Figure 70 the sensors described therein) utilize a second set of multiple markers to replace / change / alter the first reticle pattern, which forms (at least in part) a second reticle pattern 5500 that is different from the first reticle pattern 5300 and generally includes at least some different functions.

[0665] For example, the second reticle pattern may include different aiming features and additional markings, such as those related to estimating distance, calculating windage and elevation adjustments, or other suitable markings commonly used in ranging reticles, such as Figure 55 as shown.

[0666] Thus, it can be seen that it would be very useful to create multiple "page" features and reticle patterns for an active display, store them in a memory system, and automatically switch between reticle patterns as the operator changes the magnification setting on the observation optic.

[0667] B. Active BDC reticle

[0668] A ballistic drop compensation (BDC) reticle is designed to have hash marks on a portion of the vertical reticle that is located below the horizontal crosshair. These hash marks are designed to attempt to closely match a specific or specific set of ballistic profiles at specific distances.

[0669] However, current BDC reticle designs are fixed designs. This is because reticles are made using wires, metal, or etched on glass. Once a reticle is made and installed in a scope, it must be removed and a new reticle installed in order to make a change, which can practically only be achieved by returning the scope to the manufacturer.

[0670] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optic having a body and a base, the body having an optical system, and the base having an integrated display system having an active display that can generate a BDC reticle that can be manually changed by a user at any time or even automatically changed in real time by software and sensors of the observation optic.

[0671] To generate a BDC reticle for the observation optic disclosed herein, the scope can be programmed for the specific ballistic profile of the rifle and cartridge to be fired. Second, the observation optic has sensors (such as temperature, pressure, humidity, tilt angle, inclination angle) as described above, which can assist in real-time updating of the BDC reticle so that it is as accurate as possible under all conditions. This enables the BDC reticle to be customized specifically for each rifle and specific shooting conditions.

[0672] The BDC reticle generated in real time by the active display enables a shooter to have an accurate system that can shoot accurately and quickly at various distances.

[0673] As Figure 57As shown, the reticle 5700 has standard etched and filled portions, which include a main horizontal line 5702, a main vertical line 5704, and numerical and hash marks along the main vertical crosshair. The reticle 5700 also has patterns and marks generated by an active display and projected onto the first focal plane reticle. The active display marks in the form of a BDC reticle include numerical marks 5710 (100 - 900 on the vertical axis in quadrants 3 and 4). Since this part is projected from a digital display, it can be updated in real time.

[0674] In addition to the active BDC reticle, sometimes the user / shooter may find themselves in a position to provide cover for other individuals in an area where targets may appear quickly and at different distances on their own. An example might be a sniper on top of a building overlooking an alley or a road crossing a street or doorway. The active display can be used in conjunction with various sensors (such as a compass, tilt angle, inclination, GPS, etc.) embedded in the sight to be able to accurately determine the pointing direction of the sight.

[0675] Using an observation optical sight with environmental sensors, an integrated display system having an active display for generating a BDC reticle and projecting it into the first focal plane, and a rangefinder, the user will be able to range known landmarks such as doors, windows, cars, etc., and place a distance marker on these landmarks using a controller and the active display. These distance markers are projected into the first focal plane and are visible through the observation optical sight. The environmental sensors allow the user to move the observation optical sight to view other targets, but the distance markers will remain on the target.

[0676] Figure 58 is a representative image of a BDC reticle generated by an active display and projected onto the first focal plane reticle, with the distances to potential targets marked. An observation optical sight having a body and a base, the body having environmental sensors and the base having an integrated display system having an active display for generating a BDC reticle, the observation optical sight will allow the user to mark multiple targets in one or more areas with distance indication marks on the target markers. Then, if a target presents itself near the target marker, the user will be able to quickly identify the distance to the target without having to range the target. Then, the user can use the active BDC reticle to quickly fix in the correct position to engage the target.

[0677] C. Reticle for compensating firearm tilt

[0678] In a traditional rifle scope, when shooting at long distances, the firearm and the scope must be horizontal during shooting. When a bullet travels a long distance, the bullet is affected by gravity to a certain extent, and the shooter must take this into account. Gravity pulls the bullet towards the ground in a consistent direction, creating "bullet drop". The shooter compensates for this bullet drop by aiming the bullet higher than the target so that when the bullet reaches the target, it has dropped to the appropriate height and thus hits the target.

[0679] Figure 59 is a representative depiction of the angle of inclination. It can be clearly seen that the triangle is a right triangle with a top angle of 10° and a right angle at the bottom. The 10 milliradian leg has become the side of the triangle, i.e., the hypotenuse, and represents the inclined vertical section of the reticle. However, the force of gravity acts on the vertical leg of the triangle.

[0680] Using trigonometry, the length of the vertical leg can be solved using the following formula: Cos10° = x / 10 milliradians. Solving for x gives a value of 9.85 milliradians. Thus, in this example, although the user / shooter may have held or dialed in 10 milliradians, they are only compensating for 9.85 milliradians of shooting. At long distances, this can easily miss the target.

[0681] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system that uses an active display to generate a reticle capable of compensating for firearm tilt. The user can shoot at long distances seamlessly without having to worry about the angle of inclination.

[0682] In a traditional rifle scope, the reticle is a physical crosshair, which can be metal, wire, or a pattern permanently etched on glass. This means that the tilt of the reticle is always fixed. However, with active display technology for generating a real-time reticle, the digital reticle can be changed at any time by overlaying the digital reticle onto the passive image. In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror has an internal tilt sensor that can immediately orient the reticle generated by the active display to compensate for the angle of inclination.

[0683] Figure 60This is a representative depiction of the reticle 6000, which has markings and patterns for a tilted orientation and is generated by the active display of an integrated display system. The main horizontal line 6002 and the main vertical line 6004 are provided by a passive or etched or fixed reticle. The aiming point generated by the active reticle 6020 compensates for the tilt and is projected or overlaid on the passive reticle. The pivot point 6010 is located at the center of the reticle. In this case, the electronic controller / microcontroller will use the information collected from the tilt angle sensor and the inclination sensor, apply software logic, and communicate with the active display to adjust the generated image aiming point 6020 to reflect the new zero position, the relevant geometry, and the holding point corresponding to the firearm orientation at that point in time. The user will fire a digital reticle generated by the active display rather than a passive or fixed reticle.

[0684] In another embodiment, the active display of the integrated display system can generate a digital reticle by adjusting the aiming point on the digital reticle up or down, which compensates for the tilt and compensates for shooting at an inclination or descent angle. This will eliminate the need for a cosine indicator, which is typically used to compensate for shooting in such cases.

[0685] D. Digital reticle with windage indicator

[0686] In a traditional rifle scope, the reticle with a wind indicator is typically a glass-etched reticle. Generally, these reticles will have a grid pattern or rows of dots to allow the user to have a reference point for aiming and compensating for wind speed. The problem with these reticles is that their shape and size are fixed because they are physically and permanently etched on a piece of glass.

[0687] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical scope having a body and a base, the base having an integrated display system having an active display for generating a digital reticle that uses a windage indicator to compensate for the distance to a target. In one embodiment, the digital reticle is overlaid on a passive reticle. By using a digital reticle overlaid on a passive reticle, the observation optical scope can have a reticle that can adapt the real-time wind hold range to the ballistics, distance, and environment of a particular situation.

[0688] Generally, the longer the distance, the greater the effect of the crosswind on the bullet. By using a digital reticle, as the distance increases, the wind hold range can be expanded to compensate for the wind value at a specific distance for the target.

[0689] Figure 61This is a representative depiction of reticle 6100. The passive reticle provides multiple components or markings, including a main horizontal crosshair 6102 and a main vertical crosshair 6104. The active display of the integrated display system generates and projects a target under specific conditions, with the target ranging at 500 yards 6105 and a wind hold range 6110. The ends of the auxiliary horizontal lines (across the main vertical line) are equal to a wind drift of 5 mph, the next point is 10 mph, and the outermost point is 15 mph. The images generated from the active display 6105 and 6110 are overlaid on the passive reticle.

[0690] Figure 62 This is a representative depiction of reticle 6200. The passive reticle provides multiple components or markings, including a main horizontal crosshair 6202 and a main vertical crosshair 6204. The active display of the integrated display system generates and projects a target under specific conditions, with the target ranging at 1000 yards 6210 and a wind hold range 6220. The ends of the horizontal lines (across the main vertical line) are equal to a wind drift of 5 mph, the next point is 10 mph, and the outermost point is 15 mph. The images generated from the active display 6210 and 6220 are overlaid onto the passive reticle. It can be seen that compared to the solution for 500 yards ( Figure 61 ), the auxiliary horizontal line 6220 extends wider and the wind points are further spread out to the sides to compensate for the additional wind drift caused when the bullet travels a longer distance.

[0691] E. Reticle with center grid for second - shot correction

[0692] In the past, the design of passive reticles allowed shooters to have many reference points for shooting under various conditions and various ballistics. However, due to the wide variety of conditions and ballistics, these reticles tended to have many features on them, such as a grid of lines or points, which made the reticle appear cluttered or distracted the user.

[0693] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a reticle system that includes a digital reticle generated using an active display, with the digital reticle overlapping the passive reticle. The use of the digital reticle allows information to be displayed as needed under appropriate circumstances, which eliminates the need to display certain information on the passive reticle, thus providing a cleaner or more easily distinguishable passive reticle.

[0694] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optic having a passive or analog reticle designed to work most effectively with an active reticle. Active reticle technology enables the observation optic to perform complex calculations and display ballistic solutions for the user. Typically, the ballistic solution will not be centered in the field of view or at the center of the passive reticle crosshairs. This enables the user to either keep the ballistic solution centered or turn a adjustment knob until the ballistic solution is centered in the field of view and at the center of the passive crosshairs for a shot.

[0695] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optic having an analog and digital reticle that will enable a shooter to perform second shot corrections most effectively and efficiently while obscuring their field of view in a minimal way like previous passive reticles, which uses a wide grid of lines and dots.

[0696] Figure 63 Is a representative depiction of a wide-angle view of reticle 6300 at low magnification. A less obtrusive row of dots is used below the horizontal crosshair. This passive reticle can be used as a backup in the event that the active display cannot be generated due to battery power or failure of the observation optic's electronics.

[0697] Figure 64 Is a representative depiction of a close-up view of the center portion of reticle 6400. Figure 64 Provides a view at higher magnification. The image shows a small grid 6410 generated by the active display of an integrated display system, which is centered on the reticle. This will allow the user to make an accurate measurement of the first shot impact location for an accurate second shot correction.

[0698] In one embodiment, the grid 6410 produced by the active display is wider than it is tall. This is specifically designed because calculating the elevation angle of impact is more accurate than estimating the windage of the first shot. In this embodiment, the small plus features of the small grid are not illuminated but are very fine features, which allows for very precise measurements.

[0699] The active or digital reticle should get the first shot very close, so the center grid can be much smaller than a typical passive reticle, which requires a wide grid that must cover most of the field of view below the horizontal crosshair.

[0700] VI. Automatic brightness adjustment

[0701] As discussed throughout the application, an integrated display system allows a digital image generated by an active display to be overlaid on top of an image of an external scene. The active display is injected into the image of the external scene using the illumination portion of the display. To make the display most useful, it is desirable to have a high contrast between the brightness of the passive scene and the illuminated display so that both can be easily seen. If the display is too dim, the user will not be able to see it. If the display is too bright, the display will overpower the passive scene.

[0702] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an observation optical mirror having a body with an integrated display system and a light sensor that can detect and compensate for a specific target brightness.

[0703] Figure 71 A representative schematic diagram of an observation optical mirror 7000 having a body 7005 and a base 7010 coupled to the body 7010 is provided. The body 7005 has an optical system for viewing an image of an external scene and a beam combiner 7020 having a photoelectric sensor 7025 and a filter 7030 located above the beam combiner 7020. This allows the photoelectric sensor to directly view the target scene without creating an obstruction in the field of view. The base 7010 has an integrated display system 7015 having an active display for generating an image projected into the first focal plane of the observation optical mirror.

[0704] The photoelectric sensor 7025 and the filter 7030 create a high contrast between the brightness of the image of the external scene and the image generated from the active display.

[0705] In one embodiment, the transmission band of the filter in front of the photoelectric sensor can be adjusted to be narrow enough to measure only the brightness of the target without measuring additional light from the display system, which would cause measurement distortion.

[0706] VII. Observation optical mirror with automatic ranging function

[0707] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system that incorporates the use of a camera to assist in automatic ranging. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system that includes an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system, a camera for assisting in automatic ranging, and a laser rangefinder.

[0708] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical scope having an integrated display system and a camera incorporating image recognition technology. The systems and methods disclosed herein greatly increase the speed of obtaining a target solution and eliminate the need for button presses that can affect the aiming point. Additionally, the systems and methods disclosed herein integrate artificial intelligence into the system to determine the quality of the target solution for range finding.

[0709] In one embodiment, the observation optical scope has a camera incorporating image recognition technology. In one embodiment, the camera can be attached to an observation optical system or a firearm having an integrated display system and will point to the aiming point of the sight.

[0710] In one embodiment, the camera has artificial intelligence to detect a target and communicate with an active display of the integrated display system to highlight the target. In another embodiment, the artificial intelligence system can be incorporated into the observation optical scope. In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence system can be located in a base coupled to the body of the observation optical scope.

[0711] In another embodiment, a thermal imaging camera lacking image recognition technology can be used. This will allow the thermal image to be transmitted to the active display and overlaid on the image of the external scene in the observation optical scope. The observation optical scope can be programmed to display only the "hot spots" of interest. For example, hot spots indicating the heat of a person or a vehicle. Eliminating the artificial intelligence will greatly reduce the power consumed by the system. Additionally, all appropriate hot spots will appear in the field of view of the observation optical scope, enabling the user to evaluate each hot spot to determine if the target is valid.

[0712] After identifying a valid target, the user simply moves the observation optical scope so that the LRF indicator in the FOV is above the desired hot spot. Once the LRF indicator is aligned with the hot spot, the system will automatically trigger the LRF to range find at that hot spot. After ranging, the observation optical scope can display a hold point for the target distance or simply display the distance, and the user can use the active BDC mode and hold the appropriate measured distance to the target on the active BDC reticle.

[0713] Another additional feature of the system is that it can automatically detect if a hot spot has remained within the LRF indicator long enough to achieve an effective distance. If not, it will wait to display the distance until the hot spot has remained within the LRF indicator for an appropriate duration to enable effective target acquisition before displaying the solution. This will eliminate the second problem of button presses.

[0714] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a technique and method that uses overlapping camera images projected into the first focal plane of the observation optical scope and combines the image with the LRF indicator to automatically range find a target.

[0715] VIII. Observation optical mirror with energy-saving optoelectronic sensor

[0716] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system and an energy saving system. In one embodiment, the energy saving system is located in a base coupled to the body of the observation optical mirror. In one embodiment, the energy saving system includes a proximity sensor. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor communicates with a microcontroller.

[0717] In one embodiment, when the user / operator is not observing through the observation optical mirror, the energy saving system can be used to place the observation optical mirror in a sleep or standby mode. In one embodiment, when a user / operator is detected behind the eyepiece of the optical mirror, the system and mechanism can wake up or activate the observation optical mirror.

[0718] Current methods of putting electronic devices into sleep or standby states use a "timeout" function, which is disadvantageous if the optical mirror is used for close combat work because the optical mirror must remain on for an indefinite period as long as an operator is observing through it. An accelerometer can also be used to detect movement to turn on the system. The disadvantage of this method is that if the operator is observing, even if the operator is still observing through the optical mirror, there may be little movement of the firearm for a long period of time, and thus it enters the sleep state.

[0719] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system for saving battery power by turning on the observation optical mirror when an operator is detected behind the eyepiece of the optical mirror.

[0720] In one embodiment, the energy saving system can be used in any electro-optical mirror compatible with implementing a proximity sensor that is within a few inches of the operator's face when using the optical mirror.

[0721] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an observation optical mirror having a body and a base connected to the body, wherein the base has a window facing the eyepiece on the back of the base.

[0722] In one embodiment, the base has a proximity sensor mounted in a bracket, and the bracket is mounted in a window at the end of the base facing the eyepiece. When the proximity sensor detects a reflection within a few inches of the window, the proximity sensor can send a signal to a microcontroller in the base or the body. The distance at which an object activates the sensor can be adjusted at the factory, or a software option can be built into the user interface so that the operator can adjust the sensitivity of the sensor or disable / enable the auto sleep / standby function.

[0723] Figure 72Is a representative depiction of an observation optical scope 7200 having a base 7205. The base 7205 has a window 7210 positioned towards the eyepiece of the body of the observation optical scope. A proximity sensor and bracket 7215 are located in the window 7210, which is below the eyepiece.

[0724] Figure 73 and Figure 74 Is a representative depiction of an observation optical scope 7200 having a base with an energy-saving system, and the observation optical scope 7200 is mounted on a rifle. It can be seen that the operator's face will be within a few inches of the back of the optical scope. The sensor 7215 in the base 7205 of the observation optical scope 7200 will detect the reflection of the operator's face, thereby waking up the optical scope from the sleep mode. When the operator moves his / her head away from the observation position, the sensor will no longer see the reflection and will place the observation optical scope in the sleep or standby mode.

[0725] IX. Observation optical mirror with power rail

[0726] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical scope having a body and a base with an integrated display system, wherein the observation optical scope can be powered by an external power source housed in a main firearm. In one embodiment, the observation optical scope has a body and a base coupled to the body, wherein electrical pins are built into the base to supply power to the observation optical scope from the firearm. In another embodiment, the observation optical scope can be powered by electrical pins built into a remote keyboard assembly via the firearm.

[0727] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method and system for supplying additional power to an observation optical scope over an extended period of time.

[0728] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical scope having a body and a base coupled to the body, wherein the base has a PCB for controlling the display, sensor, and user interface of the observation optical scope. In one embodiment, the base has a power input pin that protrudes through the base and contacts a power pad. In one embodiment, the power pad is built into a Picatinny rail.

[0729] In one embodiment, the PCB is located in a position that allows interaction with the input pins. In one embodiment, the pins are sealed on the base of the sight to keep the interior of the sight protected from the environment.

[0730] Figure 75 and Figure 76 Is a representative depiction of an observation optical scope 7500 having a body and a base 7510, wherein power pins 7520 protrude through the base 7510 of the observation optical scope 7500.

[0731] Figure 77 is a representative side profile of the observation optical mirror 7500, which shows the power supply pins 7520 protruding through the base 7510 of the observation optical mirror 7500.

[0732] Figure 78 is a representative view of the side profile of the observation optical mirror 7500, in which the base of the observation optical mirror is made transparent to show the power supply pins 7520 attached to the built-in PCB 7530.

[0733] In another embodiment, the power provided by the Picatinny rail on the firearm can be transmitted to the observation optical mirror through a remote keyboard for controlling the observation optical mirror. In this case, the power supply pins are connected to the PCB in the remote keyboard and protrude through the built-in recoil lugs in the remote keyboard housing. Then, the power is sent to the base of the sight through two dedicated lines in the cable.

[0734] Figure 79 is a representative image of the top of the remote keyboard 7900.

[0735] Figure 80 is a representative side profile of the remote keyboard 7900, which shows the power supply pins 8010 protruding through the built-in recoil lugs.

[0736] Figure 81 is a representative bottom view of the remote keyboard 7900, which shows two power supply pins 8010 protruding from the remote recoil lugs.

[0737] Figure 82 is a representative bottom view of the remote keyboard 7900, in which the cover is made transparent to show the PCB 8205 inside the remote body.

[0738] X. Observation optical mirror using a single keyboard with multiple functions

[0739] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system that includes an observation optical mirror with an integrated display system and a remote keyboard system in which each keyboard button has more than one function. In one embodiment, the remote keyboard can control more than one aspect of the observation optical mirror functions, i.e., each button has more than one function. In one embodiment, the function of the button depends on the state of the control signal or software bit.

[0740] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a remote keyboard that extends the control of the user / operator over the observation optical mirror and / or auxiliary devices used with the observation optical mirror.

[0741] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a keyboard for observing an optical mirror and / or one or more auxiliary devices used with the observing optical mirror. In one embodiment, more than one function is assigned to a single button of the keyboard, where the desired function can be determined by software bits or separate mechanical switches. This can significantly increase the functionality of the observing optical mirror.

[0742] In a representative embodiment, in a first mode, the button can change the brightness of the display, while in a second mode, the same button can activate an infrared indicator on the system. Performing more than one function using the same button allows the remote keyboard to be small and simple, with the minimum number of buttons required.

[0743] Figure 83 FIG. 7 is a representative depiction of a keyboard having three buttons. The remote keyboard associated with the observing optical mirror has 3 buttons. The top button 8305 is used to increase the brightness of the display, the middle button 8310 is used to fire a laser rangefinder to range a target, and the bottom button 8315 is used to decrease the brightness of the display. The function of each button depends on the operating mode.

[0744] In one embodiment, the keyboard can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more than 10 operating modes. In one embodiment, the communication of the keyboard with the processor can set 10 to 50 operating modes for the keyboard. For example, a keyboard communicating with a processor having 10 operating modes for the keyboard will provide 10 functions for each button, the functions being determined by the operating mode.

[0745] Several methods can be used to change the function of the buttons. In one embodiment, when the user / operator presses and holds a button on the remote control for a period of time, the microcontroller changes the function of one or more buttons. In one embodiment, the operator can hold down one of the 3 buttons for a long time, for example, hold for 1 second, which will signal the microcontroller inside the observing optical mirror to change the bits that assign new functions to the buttons. In one embodiment, holding down the top button 8305 for a period of time can set mode A, holding down the middle button 8310 for a period of time can set mode B, and holding down the bottom button 8315 for a period of time can set mode C. Changing the engagement time of each button can activate other operating modes. For example, holding down button 8305 for 5 seconds can activate mode A, and quickly clicking button 8305 5 times can activate mode F.

[0746] In another embodiment, the function of the remote keyboard buttons can be changed by a separate mechanical switch on the observing optical mirror. In one embodiment, the mechanical switch can have 3 different positions that communicate with 3 separate bits or programs in the microcontroller. These bits or programs can be used to assign various functions to the remote keyboard buttons.

[0747] In Figure 84 a representative example is shown. The observation optical mirror has a switch 8400 that communicates with a remote keyboard 8300. A first setting 8405 can assign to the top button 8305 of the remote keyboard 8300 the function of increasing the display brightness, the middle button 8310 can fire a laser rangefinder, and the bottom button 8315 can decrease the display brightness. When the mechanical switch 8400 is set to a second setting 8410, the functions of the top button 8305 and the bottom button 8315 can be programmed to turn on and off an auxiliary aiming laser on the observation optical mirror, while the middle button 8310 can still be programmed to fire the laser rangefinder. When the mechanical switch 8400 is set to a third setting 8415, the functions of these three buttons can be changed again. For example, if the observation optical mirror is equipped with a digital magnetic compass and position and landmark data have been saved in the memory of the microcontroller, information about the position of an object (augmented reality data) can be displayed within the field of view of the observation optical mirror.

[0748] In one embodiment, the keyboard communicates with a processor of the observation optical mirror, and the processor allows different operation modes to be assigned to each button or switch of the keyboard. For example, in one operation mode, the buttons of the keyboard have specific functions for marking a target of interest. The operator can use the laser rangefinder to range the target and "mark" the target of interest within the field of view using the heading data from the digital magnetic compass. Functions specifically suited to this task can be assigned to the buttons on the keyboard.

[0749] The center button on the keyboard can be used to fire the laser rangefinder to range the target. After determining the range to the target, the top button and the bottom button can be used to select from a predefined list of descriptors to mark the target, such as "landmark", "friendly", "hostile", "unknown", etc. Once the operator has completed this action, the mechanical switch can be changed to quickly assign the functions back to the remote keyboard buttons, enabling the operator to change the brightness settings, activate the infrared laser, or obtain a ballistic solution for the lower limit of the target.

[0750] XII. Observation optical mirror using a relative coordinate mapping system

[0751] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to techniques and methods for using an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system to accurately mark and track targets using a relative coordinate mapping system and / or drone technology.

[0752] Soldiers need to be able to accurately identify the location of enemy targets and share that location with other soldiers, for close air support, etc., and be able to easily see these targets by overlaying the targets within the field of view of their main optical sight. The most obvious way to achieve this is to use a combination of GPS, compass heading, altitude, tilt, and range sensors. However, relying on GPS has some drawbacks, such as the GPS signal requires a direct line of sight to the GPS satellite, which is not always possible. Using relative coordinate technology and / or using unmanned aerial vehicles can reduce the need for GPS. When combined with an observation optical sight with an integrated display system, relative coordinate technology becomes feasible.

[0753] In one embodiment, the user will be able to point an observation optical sight with an integrated display system at a landmark or target and "mark" it. If the user "marks" multiple targets, a relative position map can be created from the marked targets. These marked targets can be transmitted to the observation optical sights of other users, and the other users will see those marked targets displayed in their field of view. Then, all of this target data will be locally stored in one or more memory devices in the observation optical sight.

[0754] In one embodiment, the user can also use unmanned aerial vehicles as an alternative to marking targets, or as a supplement to marking targets. This can be achieved by launching a "cloud" consisting of many small or micro unmanned aerial vehicles to fly over the battlefield and start annotating and marking landmarks. These unmanned aerial vehicles will contain cameras and appropriate sensors. The unmanned aerial vehicles can share this information with each other and return it to the user, enabling the user to display this information in the active display of their own observation optical sight.

[0755] By using relative coordinate technology and / or a cloud of unmanned aerial vehicles, the drawbacks of GPS can be overcome:

[0756] · Using multiple users and multiple observation optical sights, the stored target data will have inherent redundancy. When using a cloud of unmanned aerial vehicles, the redundancy can be further increased. With redundancy, the likelihood of signal or data loss is greatly reduced.

[0757] · GPS needs to send and receive data with satellites in orbit over long distances. By using other users located in the same combat space, or using a cloud of unmanned aerial vehicles located in the same combat space, the network can be closer to the users and the targets, thereby improving the accuracy of the users' and targets' coordinates.

[0758] · Since the number of GPS satellites is limited, GPS is prone to jamming. By utilizing users and / or a cloud of unmanned aerial vehicles, it becomes more difficult to jam all signals and more redundancy is created.

[0759] · The need for a GPS module is eliminated, thus reducing the volume of the observation optical sight.

[0760] XIII. Observation optical mirror using an ammunition status indicator

[0761] When firing under high stress situations, a shooter can easily forget how many rounds are left in the firearm. Currently, there is no simple or convenient way to determine the number of rounds remaining in a firearm magazine while keeping the firearm in the firing position. A mechanical counter can be added or integrated into the magazine, but checking the mechanical counter requires the shooter to take their eyes off and / or divert their line of sight from the target to check the number of rounds. Other current methods and systems for determining the number of rounds in a magazine require the shooter to lose the sight picture, physically inspect the magazine, or otherwise disrupt their stance or position.

[0762] Some magazines are transparent or have transparent windows to show the remaining rounds, but the shooter needs to disrupt their firing position to observe the level. Additionally, the remaining rounds may be blocked by the grip or receiver. In a military environment, some shooters have loaded tracer rounds as the last round in the magazine to indicate that the magazine they are using is nearly empty, but this exposes the shooter's position and requires the use of specific rounds.

[0763] Other methods and systems have attempted to solve this problem by placing digital readouts on the grip, but these readouts both project light onto the shooter and are often placed in an area where the shooter must interrupt their focus on the sight picture to view the remaining rounds. Sometimes, the readouts are an attachment to existing firearm components, while other times the shooter needs to replace parts (such as the grip) to mount the readout on the weapon. Some readouts are even mounted on the bottom of the magazine, which in some military applications, the magazine may be considered a disposable or semi-disposable item, which is a relatively expensive item.

[0764] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optic having an integrated display system that allows a user / shooter to monitor ammunition status. The ammunition status can be projected into the first focal plane and combined with an image of the external scene. Proactively changing magazines or being better prepared for a magazine change allows the shooter to reload when they choose, rather than at a sub-optimal time dictated by an empty weapon and magazine.

[0765] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a bullet counter system. In one embodiment, the bullet counter system includes one or more magnets in a magazine or another ammunition supply device and a sensor on or in a weapon for counting the bullets in the magazine. In one embodiment, the sensor can be in a remote control mounted to the weapon magazine well to count the last bullet in the magazine. The information is then displayed via an active display and projected into the first focal plane of an optical system, providing simultaneous viewing of the generated image (bullet indicator / bullet status) and an image of the external scene when viewed through the eyepiece of an observation optic.

[0766] In one embodiment, an observation optic having an integrated display system and a bullet counter system can be used by military, law enforcement, competition, or civilian shooters to indicate that they have a specific number of bullets remaining, without the user having to disrupt their aiming picture through the optic. Additionally, the shooter knows the last bullet in the magazine without disrupting their attention to the aiming picture within the optic and maintains more continuous contact with the target. It also better provides the shooter with the opportunity to proactively prepare or perform a magazine change. Proactively performing or preparing to change the magazine provides the shooter with the opportunity to reload at a time of their choosing rather than at a potentially suboptimal time. As used herein, the terms bullet counter system and ammunition status indicator may be used interchangeably.

[0767] In one embodiment, the bullet counter system can include a chamber status indicator, thereby serving as a safety notification by telling the user that there is a bullet in the chamber. This can be particularly useful on a bullpup weapon because it is difficult to visually inspect the chamber on certain weapon designs.

[0768] Further, the system adds minimal weight as it can use existing substantial hardware and does not require substantial or costly modifications to the weapon or weapon magazine.

[0769] In one embodiment, the bullet counter system can be fully integrated into the weapon system or it can be a minor and inexpensive modification to an existing weapon system.

[0770] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optic having an integrated display system having an active display and a bullet counter system, the active display projecting the ammunition status or bullet count into the first focal plane of the observation optic.

[0771] The bullet counter system disclosed herein is different from previously disclosed devices that use recoil pulses to determine the number of bullets leaving a magazine. Previously disclosed devices typically required the user to click a button or perform another action to tell the system that they had loaded a new magazine. Additionally, previously disclosed systems only counted down from a set number. So, if a user loaded a magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds and only had 7 rounds, the previously disclosed device might read that the user had 30 rounds available. This could lead to very dangerous results. In contrast, the bullet counter system disclosed herein will read the number of bullets remaining in the magazine and does not rely on counting down bullets. As a result, the user can insert a partially loaded magazine and see exactly how many bullets they have.

[0772] In one embodiment, the bullet counter disclosed herein is independent of a countdown mechanism.

[0773] In one embodiment, the bullet counter system includes one or more magnets in the ammunition feed device and a magnetic sensor on or in the firearm. When a bullet is fired, the magnet moves and interacts with the magnetic sensor. A signal is sent from the sensor to a processing unit that is configured to communicate with an integrated display system inside the sighting optic. The number of bullets remaining in the ammunition feed device is determined based on the position of the magnet relative to the sensor. The bullet counter system disclosed herein is configured to communicate with the integrated display system, which will then display the number of remaining bullets to the user without the user having to be distracted from their aiming image.

[0774] Figure 91 A representative magazine follower 9110 and magazine 9130 that can be used in the bullet counter system disclosed herein are depicted. As Figure 91 shown, more than one directional magnet 9120 is placed at the rear of the magazine follower 9110. The magnetic field projects outside of the magazine 9130 perpendicular to the bullets in the magazine 9130 such that the magnetic field does not interfere with feeding or loading steel-cased or armor-piercing steel or other tips that are affected by magnetism.

[0775] Figure 92 A representative sensor that can be used with the bullet counter system disclosed herein is depicted. When a bullet is fed through the magazine 9130, follower 9110, one or more magnets 9120 included are raised by a spring each time a bullet disengages from the magazine 9130. A sensor (e.g., Hall effect sensor 9210) on a circuit board 9220 is located on the receiver 9230 of the firearm to detect the magnetic field, detect changes in field strength, and detect the changing position of the magnetic field.

[0776] In one embodiment, the sensor then sends a signal to a processing unit that is configured to correlate the height of the follower within the magazine with the number of remaining bullets. The processing unit is configured to send the information to an active display in the observation optic, which projects the information into the first focal plane of the optical system within the observation optic body. The number of remaining bullets is displayed via the active reticle display within the optical system in the shooter's field of view.

[0777] In one embodiment, each magnetic sensor generates an electrical signal based on the detected magnetic field and sends it to a processor 9260 that receives multiple electrical signals from different receivers and, based on the received signals, correlates the number of bullets or cartridges corresponding to the position of the magazine follower.

[0778] The processor runs a program according to a set of instructions stored in a storage unit. In one embodiment, the storage unit may be on the circuit board that houses the magnetic sensors. For different types of magazines, the instructions may be differently defined, either as a consequence of the different technical possibilities of different types of magazines, such as the number of cartridges it can hold, its storage method (in-line, staggered, etc.); or as a result of a choice made by the firearm holder.

[0779] Thus, the processor calculates the supply based on different types of signals that can be associated with different values, and thereby calculates the number of cartridges remaining in the magazine based on the received values.

[0780] Figure 93A 、 93B And 93C depicts a cross-sectional view of a magazine follower 9110 having one or more magnets 9120, a magazine 9130, and Hall effect sensors (9310, 9330, and 9340) on a circuit board 9320 that is mounted to the lower receiver 9325 of an M4. The follower 9110 rises within the magazine 9130 and the position of the magnetic field changes. Different sensors (9310, 9320, and 9340) are placed to detect the changing position of the magnetic field.

[0781] Figure 93A It shows that there are approximately 8 bullets remaining detected by the Hall effect sensor 9310. Figure 93B It shows that there are approximately 4 bullets remaining detected by the Hall effect sensor 9330. Figure 93CShows the detection of zero remaining rounds in the magazine by the Hall effect sensor 9340. For each position, different combinations of the magnet 9120 interact with the Hall effect sensors 9310, 9330, or 9340. Any number of Hall effect sensors can be used, including but not limited to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and greater than 15.

[0782] In one embodiment, the combination of sensors interacting with the magnet allows determination of the magazine height and calculation of the remaining number of rounds. In one embodiment, the sensors can be perpendicular to each other and evenly spaced. The spacing of the sensors can be related to the vertical distance traveled by the follower each time one round is removed.

[0783] In one embodiment, the information can be physically or wirelessly transmitted via a cable to an observation optical sight with an active display. Then the remaining number of rounds can be displayed within the shooter's field of view in the observation optical sight via the active reticle display. In one embodiment, the number of rounds can be displayed alphanumerically, graphically, or pictorially. In one embodiment, the ammunition status can be displayed via a color code. In one embodiment, the ammunition status can be indicated in green, indicating sufficient remaining rounds. In another embodiment, the ammunition status can be indicated in red to indicate the need to replace the ammunition. In one embodiment, the ammunition status can be indicated in yellow to indicate that the ammunition will soon need to be replaced.

[0784] In one embodiment, the bullet counter system tracks or monitors the ammunition status. In one embodiment, the bullet counter system determines the remaining number of rounds. In another embodiment, the bullet counter system counts the rounds in the magazine.

[0785] Figure 94A and 94B Depicts additional embodiments of the bullet counter system. As Figure 94A and 94B shown, the magazine follower 9110 has more than one magnet 9120, which interacts with more than one iron wire 9420 in or on the wall of the magazine 9130. When the magnet contacts or approaches more than one wire 9420, the wire 9420 receives the magnetic flux emitted from the magnet 9120, thereby magnetizing the wire 9420. More than one wire 9420 is fed to more than one node 9430 located at or near the top of the magazine 9130, where sensors (including but not limited to Hall effect sensors) interact with the magnetic field of the node 9430. Based on the position of the follower 9110, different nodes 9430 will be magnetized, thereby allowing determination of the number of remaining rounds in the magazine. In this scenario, the remaining rounds in the entire magazine 9130 can be determined, not just the remaining rounds at the end of the magazine. Figure 94AShows an internal cutaway view of the system. Figure 94B Shows an external view of node 9430 as viewed through the side of magazine 9130.

[0786] In another embodiment, the bullet counter system displays the ammunition status or the status of the chamber. This can be achieved by magnetizing the bullets or other chamber status indicating systems. The information can be transmitted to the observation optic via wireless, direct wired connection, or other interfaces that can transmit data, such as a smart rail. The ammunition status or chamber status can be displayed together with the status of the bullets in the magazine, or indicate to the user that there is a bullet in the chamber or indicate to the user that there are bullets in the magazine but the chamber is empty. The bullet counter system disclosed herein can be used as a safety mechanism to help users understand the status of their chambers. While this feature is useful for any weapon, it is particularly useful for bullpup weapons because their design makes it difficult to confirm the chamber status.

[0787] In another embodiment, the bullet or cartridge case can have a magnet, or magnetism that interacts with a Hall effect sensor. This would eliminate the need for a special follower that interacts with the Hall effect sensor.

[0788] In one embodiment, different types of bullets can also have unique signatures. This can provide the user with information about what type of bullet is loaded in the magazine or chamber. Different symbols or colors can be used to distinguish the load types. Some examples can include, but are not limited to, ball, armor-piercing, match, tracer, subsonic, higher or lower power, incendiary, explosive, breaching, lead, slug, flechette, and less-lethal. The type of bullet loaded can be very useful in military and police environments, especially when dealing with non-lethal versus lethal rounds.

[0789] In another embodiment, the type of bullet loaded in the chamber and / or magazine can also be fed into a ballistic calculator in an observation optic with an integrated display system. The system can identify the bullet in the chambered round and update the ballistic solution to match that cartridge. This will prevent the shooter from having to select a different type of ammunition in their menu.

[0790] In yet another embodiment, the loaded bullet information can also interact with the weapon information. An observation optic with an integrated display system can detect the weapon settings and display a signal to alert the user to change the weapon recoil or operating settings, such as gas settings or buffer weight, based on the loaded bullet. This will help ensure that the weapon cycles more reliably with that bullet and help reduce wear on the weapon system. If the weapon is capable, the system can even direct the weapon to adjust these settings itself.

[0791] In another embodiment, in addition to the user observing the optical sight, the ammunition status can also be transmitted to a third party. The status can be transmitted through the optical sight of the integrated display system with a wireless chipset, or through a communication hub on the circuit board and a Hall effect sensor or additional points of the entire system. The ammunition status can be sent externally to other team members. The ammunition status can be sent to a sniper observer team or a heads-up display worn by the user or other team members. The ammunition status of a machine gun or an automatic rifle can be sent to the team leader and / or the assistant gunner to better coordinate reloading, shooting, and maneuvering.

[0792] If the Hall effect sensor and the communication hub are integrated into the user's magazine pouch, the status of the entire load can be displayed to the user or the team leader. In a shooting range or training environment, the magazine and chamber status can be sent to the range officer and the instructor. This will better allow for control within a certain range and create a safer live-fire shooting environment, especially when training personnel who are not familiar with the weapon.

[0793] In one embodiment, the bullet counter system can display the entire bullet count in the magazine, or it can only be used as an indicator that the shooter is approaching their last bullet in the magazine.

[0794] In one embodiment, the bullet counter system disclosed herein can be used with a weapon having a conventional layout as Figure 95 shown or in a bullpup design as Figure 96 shown.

[0795] As Figure 95 shown, the system 9500 disclosed herein includes a firearm having a conventional layout, an optical sight 9510, a bullet counter system 9520, and a cable 9530 that supports communication between the optical sight 9510 and the bullet counter system. The optical sight 9510 can include any of the embodiments and configurations disclosed in this application.

[0796] Figure 96 Another embodiment of the system 9600 disclosed herein is depicted, which includes a firearm having a bullpup design, an optical sight having an active display 9610, a bullet counter system 9620, and a cable that supports communication between the optical sight 9610 and the bullet counter 9620. The optical sight 9610 can include any of the embodiments and configurations disclosed throughout this application.

[0797] In addition, the bullet counter system can be used with firearms having a magazine in the grip or any other magazine-fed weapon. The bullet counter system disclosed herein can also be used with belt-fed weapons that use special metal links or non-disassembling belts with progressive magnets to trigger the sensors of the present invention. In one embodiment, one or more magnets can be located within the magazine follower to trigger one or more sensors on the weapon receiver. In one embodiment, a magnetic sensor can be located in a remote control that has been connected to the sighting optic. The remote control is connected to the magazine well of the weapon. When a bullet is stripped or released from the magazine, the magazine follower rises, and the magnetic sensor sends information to the active display of the sighting optic.

[0798] This design will provide the shooter with feedback on the number of bullets remaining in their magazine without having to break their concentration on the aiming picture. Additionally, since the integrated display system already exists in the sighting optic, this design for ammunition tracking has limited cost and does not add weight to the weapon system. Further, the sensor can be placed in a remote control that has been connected to the weapon magazine well.

[0799] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a sighting optic having an integrated display system that can display the bullet count in a magazine from full to empty or can be used solely as an indicator that the shooter is approaching the last bullet in the magazine.

[0800] In one embodiment, a Hall effect sensor can be located in a remote control that controls or links to a component of the sighting optic or optical system. In one embodiment, a new magazine follower can be inserted into the magazine.

[0801] In one embodiment, the Hall effect sensor housing or package can be removable or fully integrated into the firearm receiver or device. In one embodiment, the Hall effect sensor can be in a remote control that controls or links to a part of the sighting optic or optical system. At least one magnet and a corresponding at least one sensor can be placed on either side to best facilitate a clear reading of the magnet associated with the magazine or other feed device.

[0802] XIV. Observation optical mirror capable of integrating images from Augmented Reality Goggles optical mirror

[0803] Augmented reality goggles are a technology currently under development that allows users to view information digitally projected into their field of view and overlaid on top of the information they would normally see with the naked eye. Everything from target information to thermal and night vision imaging can apply.

[0804] As discussed throughout this application, an observation optical mirror with an integrated display system enables a user to see information that is digitally projected into their field of view and overlaid on the information they would normally observe through the optical mirror. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical mirror with an integrated display system that can integrate images from augmented reality goggles.

[0805] If a user with augmented reality goggles is in night vision mode, the entire field of view will be filled with a digital image of the scene in front of the user. Similarly, the observation optical mirror can also display night vision augmented reality. In this case, if the user attempts to observe through an observation optical mirror with an active display, the digital image projected by the augmented reality goggles will impair their vision.

[0806] In one embodiment, the present disclosure solves this problem by determining when an observation optical mirror with an integrated display system is brought in front of the user's eyes, such that it can completely deactivate the digital image projected by the augmented reality goggles, or only disable a portion of the digital image in the field of view (FOV) of the augmented reality goggles where the FOV of the observation optical mirror with the integrated display system will overlap the FOV of the augmented reality goggles.

[0807] Optical mirrors mounted on weapons typically have a limited area where the user can clearly view through the optical mirror. This area is a 3D space defined and determined by the exit pupil and the eye relief. This area is also referred to as the "eye box".

[0808] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods that provide a way for a user of augmented reality goggles to determine when an observation optical mirror with an integrated display system is brought to the user's eyes using a proximity sensor related to the eye box of the optical device.

[0809] In one embodiment, the augmented reality goggles can have a proximity sensor configured to communicate with an observation optical mirror with an integrated display system. The form, function, or technology of the proximity sensor may vary. When the sensor of the augmented reality goggles receives an input from the observation optical mirror, the augmented reality goggles can completely deactivate the digital image projected by the goggles, or can also disable a portion of the digital image in the field of view (FOV) of the augmented reality goggles. The input from the sensor may deactivate the augmented reality goggles where the FOV of the observation optical mirror with the integrated display system will overlap the FOV of the augmented reality goggles. Some methods to achieve this can use RFID or other wireless transmission methods.

[0810] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to the use of an IR laser mounted on an observation optical mirror having an integrated display system and an IR camera mounted on augmented reality goggles. The IR laser will be aligned with the user's augmented reality goggles. When the user positions the firearm and the observation optical mirror with the integrated display system in front of their eyes, the IR laser will strike the IR camera on the augmented reality goggles and indicate to the augmented reality goggles that the observation optical mirror with the integrated display system is placed in front of the user's eyes. The augmented reality goggles can be programmed to turn off the augmented reality goggles image, so that the user can then observe through the observation optical mirror with the integrated display system.

[0811] Figure 97 A representative description of two possible mounting positions of an IR laser configured to communicate with the goggles is provided. In one embodiment, the IR laser 9710 is positioned at the eyepiece end of a base or housing coupled to the body. In another embodiment, the IR laser 9720 is located at the eyepiece end of the body.

[0812] In one embodiment, the observation optical mirror may have two or more IR lasers. In one embodiment, the IR laser has 2, 3, 4, 5, or more than 5 IR lasers.

[0813] In another embodiment, the IR laser can also indicate the precise position and orientation of the observation optical mirror with the integrated display system relative to the augmented reality g...

Claims

1. A system, comprising: An observation optical mirror, having: a main body with one or more enabler interfaces located at the top of the main body, the enabler interfaces being configured to receive enabler devices, and at least one control component configured to affect the operation of the observation optical mirror, and An enabler device coupled to the enabler interface, wherein the enabler device is operated by the at least one control component of the observation optical mirror.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein The one or more enabler interfaces include a first enabler interface and a second enabler interface.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The first enabler interface is located in front of the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein The second enabler interface is located behind the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The enabler device is an imaging enabler device.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The imaging enabler device is a thermal imaging device.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The control component is selected from the group consisting of buttons, keys, knobs, touchscreens, displays, speakers, and microphones.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The control component is a button.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The control component is a knob.

10. A system, comprising: An observation optical mirror having a main body with a first enabler interface and a second enabler interface located at the top of the main body, the first enabler interface being located in front of the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob and the second enabler interface being located behind the etched reticle elevation adjustment knob, and at least one control component configured to affect the operation of the observation optical mirror, and A first enabler device coupled to the first enabler interface and a second enabler device coupled to the second enabler interface, wherein at least one of the first enabler device and the second enabler device is operated by the at least one control component of the observation optical mirror.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The first enabler device is a first imaging enabler device.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein, The first imaging enabler device is a first thermal imaging device.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The second enabler device is a second imaging enabler device.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The second imaging enabler device is a second thermal imaging device.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The control component is selected from the group consisting of buttons, keys, knobs, touchscreens, displays, speakers, and microphones.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The control component is a button.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The control component is a knob.

18. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The second enabler device is a laser rangefinder.

Images