Optical system for aiming with fusion of optical paths in distinct spectral bands without parallax

Abstract

Optical aiming system with fusion of optical paths in distinct spectral bands without parallax. The present invention relates to an optical aiming system (10) comprising: a separation unit (20) adapted to spectrally separate an incident optical flow (IF) into a first optical flow (F1) and a second optical flow (F2), a first optical path (22) for conveying the first optical flow (F1), a second optical path (24) for capturing the second optical flow (F2), an image capture and processing unit (26) adapted to generate an image, called the captured image, from the second optical flow (F2) captured by the second optical path (24), and an image generation unit (28) for generating an image, called the fused image, resulting from the fusion of a reproduction of the captured image and an image from the first optical flow (F1) conveyed by the first optical path (22). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Optical vision system with fusion of optical paths in distinct spectral bands without parallax

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical aiming system. The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a firing system and such an optical aiming system.

[0002] This invention relates to the field of firearm sighting instruments, for both civilian and military applications. This invention particularly addresses the application of optical fusion sighting systems combining a direct optical path and an infrared path.

[0003] Existing optical and infrared fusion reflex viewfinders have two capture channels: an infrared channel and a visible channel. These capture channels are spatially offset from each other, resulting in parallax (the two viewing axes being offset from each other).

[0004] In concrete terms, for a target at a finite distance and close, the two infrared images and direct optical vision will be spatially shifted at the time of restitution in the case where the parallax related to the spacing of the channels is corrected at long distance.

[0005] When this parallax is corrected to have a short-distance superposition, there will then be a shift for objects located at a long distance.

[0006] There is therefore a need for an optical aiming system that allows optical paths to be fused in distinct spectral bands, in particular infrared and direct visible path, while overcoming parallax problems.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an optical aiming system comprising: - a separation unit capable of spectrally separating an incident optical flux into a first optical flux and a second optical flux, the first optical flux being in a first band of wavelengths, the second optical flux being in a second band of wavelengths, - a first optical path for transmitting the first optical stream, - a second optical path for capturing the second optical stream, - an image capture and processing unit capable of generating an image, said image captured, from the second optical flow captured by the second optical path, and - an image generation unit, called a fused image, the fused image being viewable by a user of the optical viewing system and resulting from the fusion of a reproduction of the captured image and an image from the first optical flow carried by the first optical path.

[0008] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the optical sighting system comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0009] - the separation unit comprises: - a subset for separating the incident optical flux into the first optical flux and the second optical flux, and - a reflective subset capable of reflecting one of the first optical flux and the second optical flux so that the first optical flux and the second optical flux propagate in substantially parallel directions;

[0010] - the separation subset comprises a separating blade or a cube separator;

[0011] - the separation subset includes a central zone suitable for reflecting a optical flux in one of the first and second wavelength bands and a peripheral area suitable for transmitting an optical flux in the other of the first and second wavelength bands, allowing the first optical flux and the second optical flux to be obtained;

[0012] - the central zone is formed of a mirror reflecting in the first or the second wavelength band;

[0013] - the reflective subassembly is formed from a reflective mirror in the first or the second band of wavelengths;

[0014] - the first band of wavelengths is between 380 nanometers and 780 nanometers, the second band of wavelengths being between 380 nanometers and 5 millimeters, preferably between 780 nanometers and 5 millimeters, advantageously between 3 micrometers and 5 millimeters;

[0015] - the generation unit comprises: - a display specifically designed to show the image captured by the second optical channel, - a combination optics of the optical flow from the captured image displayed on the display with the first optical flow routed through the first optical path to obtain a combined optical flow, and - an eyepiece to form the fused image from the combined optical flow; - The generation unit includes: - an additional image capture and processing unit capable of generating an image, called an additional image, based on the first optical flow transmitted through the first optical path, and - a display capable of forming the fused image based on the image captured from the second optical channel and the additional image.

[0016] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising: - a firing system, and - an optical aiming system as described above.

[0017] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of an example of an optical system of the aiming system, comprising a separation unit, a first optical channel, a second optical channel, an image capture and processing unit, and a unit for generating a fused image,

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of an example of a first embodiment of the separation unit of the optical sighting system of [Fig.1],

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of an example of a second embodiment of the separation unit of the optical sighting system of [Fig.1],

[0021] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of an example of a portion of the optical sighting system, the unit for generating a fused image being, according to a first embodiment, and

[0022] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of another example of a portion of the optical sighting system, the unit for generating a fused image being according to a second embodiment.

[0023] An example of an optical sighting system 10 is illustrated by [Fig.1].

[0024] Such an optical sighting system 10 (or sight) is intended to be mounted or integrated into A firing system. A firing system is designed to fire projectiles, such as bullets. A firing system is, for example, a weapon such as a handgun or a rifle. A firing system has a firing axis, also called the barrel axis.

[0025] The optical aiming system 10 is designed to assist a user of the firing system in aiming. For example, the optical aiming system 10 is designed to display indications relating to the anticipated point of impact of a projectile fired by the firing system or additional information relating to the scene observed by the user in direct vision (for example, displaying thermal images superimposed on the direct vision of the scene). The scene is the portion of space within the field of vision of a user of the optical aiming system 10.

[0026] As illustrated by [Fig.1], the optical sighting system 10 comprises a separation unit 20, a first optical path 22, a second optical path 24, an image capture and processing unit 26, and a unit 28 for generating a fused image.

[0027] The separation unit 20 is adapted to receive an incident optical flux FI, and to spectrally separate this incident optical flux FI into a first optical flux Fl and a second optical flux F2. The first optical flux Fl is in a first band of wavelengths. The second optical flux F2 is in a second band of wavelengths.

[0028] Due to spectral separation, the first and second wavelength bands are distinct. However, it is not excluded that the first and second wavelength bands may have wavelengths in common, or even overlap.

[0029] In one example, the first band of wavelengths is between 380 nanometers and 780 nanometers (visible range), and the second band of wavelengths is between 380 nanometers and 5 millimeters (visible and infrared range).

[0030] Preferably, the second wavelength band is between 780 nm and 5 millimeters (infrared range). Advantageously, the second wavelength band is in the mid-infrared (3 pm to 50 pm) and / or in the far-infrared (50 pm to 5 mm), which makes it possible to form a thermal image of the scene.

[0031] In one embodiment, the separation unit 20 comprises: - a subset of separation 30 of the incident optical flux FI into the first optical flux Fl and the second optical flux F2, and - a reflective subset 32 ​​suitable for reflecting one of the first optical flux Fl and the second optical flux F2 so that the first optical flux Fl and the second optical flux F2 propagate in substantially parallel directions.

[0032] In a first embodiment, as illustrated by [Fig. 2], the separation subassembly 30 comprises a separating blade 40 (e.g., a glass blade). Alternatively, the separating blade 40 is replaced by a separating cube.

[0033] In this example, the first band of wavelengths is in the visible range, and the second band of wavelengths is in the infrared (preferably mid-infrared and / or far-infrared). The beam splitter 40 is designed to transmit the first optical flux Fl in the visible range and to reflect the second optical flux F2 in the infrared. In this example, the reflecting subassembly 32 is optimized for infrared reflection.

[0034] Alternatively, the beam splitter 40 is designed to reflect the first optical flux Fl in the visible spectrum and to transmit the second optical flux F2 in the infrared spectrum. In this case, the reflecting subassembly 32 is optimized for reflection in the visible spectrum.

[0035] In a second embodiment, as illustrated by [Fig. 3], the separation subset 30 comprises a central zone 42 adapted to reflect an optical flux in one of the first and second wavelength bands and a peripheral zone 44, surrounding the central zone 42, adapted to transmit an optical flux in the other of the first and second wavelength bands, allowing us to obtain the first optical flux Fl and the second optical flux F2.

[0036] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the central zone 42 is, for example, formed by a reflective mirror 46 in the first or second wavelength band. The peripheral zone 44 is formed by the absence of a component. The reflective mirror 46 is, for example, held in the central zone 42 of the incident optical flux FI by a supporting structure 48 so that the central portion of the incident optical flux FI is reflected by the reflective mirror 46 and the peripheral portion of the incident optical flux FI is directly captured by one of the optical paths.

[0037] In this example, the first band of wavelengths is in the visible spectrum, and the second band of wavelengths is in the visible and infrared (preferably mid-infrared and / or far-infrared). The reflecting mirror 46 is designed to reflect the first optical flux Fl in the visible spectrum. The peripheral optical flux in the visible and infrared spectrum is directly captured by the second optical path 24. The first optical flux Fl reflected by the reflecting mirror 46 is then reflected again by the reflecting sub-assembly 32. In this example, the reflecting sub-assembly 32 is optimized for reflection in the visible spectrum (e.g., a mirror with a metallic coating).

[0038] Alternatively, the reflecting mirror 46 is adapted to reflect the second optical flux F2 in the infrared. The peripheral optical flux in the visible and infrared ranges is directly captured by the second optical path 24. The second optical flux F2 reflected by the reflecting mirror 46 is then reflected again by the reflecting sub-assembly 32. In this example, the reflecting sub-assembly 32 is optimized for infrared reflection.

[0039] The reflecting subset 32 ​​is suitable for reflecting one of the first optical flux Fl and the second optical flux F2 so that the first optical flux Fl and the second optical flux F2 propagate in substantially parallel directions.

[0040] The reflective subset 32 ​​is, for example, formed of a reflective mirror 42 in the considered wavelength band (first or second wavelength band).

[0041] Alternatively, the separation unit 20 only performs the separation function, and is for example formed of a separating blade or a separating cube.

[0042] The first optical path 22 is designed to carry the first optical flux FL. In the case where the first optical flux FL is carried to form an image on a sensor, the carrying is similar to a capture. In the case of optical restitution via an eyepiece, the carrying is similar to a restitution.

[0043] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, the first optical path 22 includes an objective 50 formed from an assembly of one or more optics, such as lenses.

[0044] In one embodiment, as illustrated by Figures 4 and 5, the optical axis of the first optical channel 22 forms the aiming axis of the optical aiming system 10. Other configurations are nevertheless possible with a aiming axis different from the optical axis of the first optical channel 22 and the second optical channel 24. In one embodiment, a reticle R (see [Fig.4]) is positioned on the optical path of the first optical channel 22, preferably in a focal plane, making it possible to materialize the aiming axis.

[0045] The second optical path 24 is adapted to capture the second optical flux F2. As can be seen in figures 4 and 5, the second optical path 24 comprises an objective 52 formed from an assembly of one or more optics, such as lenses.

[0046] The image capture and processing unit 26 is suitable for generating an image, called the captured image, from the second optical flow F2 captured by the second optical channel 24.

[0047] As illustrated in the examples of Figures 4 and 5, the image capture and processing unit 26 comprises an optical assembly 60 adapted to focus the second flux onto a sensor 62 equipped with processing electronics 64. The optical assembly 60 is formed from an assembly of one or more optics, such as lenses

[0048] The image generation unit 28 is designed to generate an image, called a fused image. The fused image can be viewed by a user of the optical viewing system 10 and results from the fusion of a reproduction of the captured image and an image from the first optical stream Fl conveyed by the first optical channel 22.

[0049] In one embodiment, illustrated by [Fig. 4], the merged image generation unit 28 comprises: - a display 70 suitable for displaying the image captured by the second optical channel 24. - a combining optic 72 of the optical flux from the captured image displayed on the display 70 with the first optical flux Fl conveyed (here restored) by the first optical channel 22 to obtain a combined optical flux. The combining optic 72 is, for example, a beam splitter cube (as in [Fig. 4]) or a beam splitter plate. - a 74 eyepiece to form the fused image from the combined optical flow.

[0050] In this example, the user observes the restored image of the second optical flow F2 (captured image) superimposed on the direct vision of the scene.

[0051] In one embodiment, illustrated in [Fig. 5], the generation unit 28 comprises: - an additional image capture and processing unit 76 designed to generate an image, called an additional image, based on the first optical flux Fl conveyed (here captured) by the first optical channel 22. The unit Additional component 76 includes, for example, an optical assembly 80 designed to focus the first optical flux Fl onto a sensor 82 equipped with processing electronics 84. The optical assembly 80 consists of an assembly of one or more optics, such as lenses - a display 90 suitable for forming the fused image according to the image captured from the second optical channel 24 and the additional image.

[0052] In this example, the user observes the image displayed by the display 90.

[0053] As an optional complement, the additional unit 76 includes an image intensifier tube suitable for amplifying the first optical flux Fl, so that the additional image is an amplified image of the first optical flux Fl.

[0054] In one embodiment, the different blocks are modular. For example, the second optical channel 24 and the image capture and processing unit 26 can be detached from the other blocks, allowing the optical aiming system 10 to be used only with a flux in the first wavelength band.

[0055] An example of the operation of the optical sighting system 10 will now be described.

[0056] The optical separation unit 20 receives an incident optical flux FI which it spectrally separates into a first optical flux Fl and a second optical flux F2.

[0057] The first optical flux Fl is routed (captured or restored) by the first optical channel 22.

[0058] The second optical flux F2 is captured by the second optical channel 24.

[0059] The image capture and processing unit 26 generates an image, called the captured image, from the second optical flow F2 captured by the second optical channel 24.

[0060] The image generation unit 28 generates a fused image viewable by a user of the optical viewing system 10, resulting from the fusion of a reproduction of the captured image from the second optical channel 24 and an image from the first optical stream Fl carried by the first optical channel 22. According to a first embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 4], the fused image results from the superimposition of a reproduction image from the second optical channel 24 in the direct view of the scene. According to a second embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the fused image results from the digital superimposition of an image from the first optical channel 22 and an image from the second optical channel 24.

[0061] Thus, the optical sighting system 10 uses a spectral splitter to capture a scene in distinct spectral bands, notably infrared and direct visible, along the same sighting axis. This eliminates the parallax problem.

[0062] In addition, the optical fusion between the different spectral bands allows for perfect superposition of the images regardless of the distance at which the target is observed.

[0063] A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments and variants described above can be combined to form new embodiments provided that they are technically compatible.

Claims

Demands

1. Optical aiming system (10) comprising: - a separation unit (20) for spectrally separating an incident optical flux (IF) into a first optical flux (F1) and a second optical flux (F2), the first optical flux (F1) being in a first wavelength band, the second optical flux (F2) being in a second wavelength band, - a first optical channel (22) for routing the first optical flux (F1), - a second optical channel (24) for capturing the second optical flux (F2), - an image capture and processing unit (26) for generating an image, called the captured image, from the second optical flux (F2) captured by the second optical channel (24), and - an image generation unit, called the merged image,the fused image being viewable by a user of the optical viewing system (10) and resulting from the fusion of a reproduction of the captured image and an image from the first optical flow (Fl) conveyed by the first optical path (22).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the separation unit (20) comprises: - a separation subset (30) of the incident optical flux (FI) into the first optical flux (Fl) and the second optical flux (F2), and - a reflecting subset (32) adapted to reflect one of the first optical flux (Fl) and the second optical flux (F2) so that the first optical flux (Fl) and the second optical flux (F2) propagate in substantially parallel directions.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the separation subassembly (30) comprises a separating blade (40) or a separating cube.

4. System according to claim 2, wherein the separation subassembly (30) comprises a central zone (42) adapted to reflect an optical flux in one of the first and second wavelength bands and a peripheral zone (44) adapted to transmit an optical flux in the other of the first and second wavelength bands, making it possible to obtain the first optical flux (F1) and the second optical flux (F2).

5. System according to claim 4, wherein the central area (42) is formed of a reflective mirror (46) in the first or second band of wavelengths.

6. System according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the reflective subassembly (32) is formed of a reflective mirror (42) in the first or second wavelength band.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first wavelength band is between 380 nanometers and 780 nanometers, the second wavelength band being between 380 nanometers and 5 millimeters, preferably between 780 nanometers and 5 millimeters, advantageously between 3 micrometers and 5 millimeters.

8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the generation unit (28) comprises: - a display (70) for displaying the image captured by the second optical channel (24), - a combination optic (72) of the optical flux from the captured image displayed on the display (70) with the first optical flux (Fl) routed by the first optical channel (22) to obtain a combined optical flux, and - an eyepiece (74) for forming the fused image from the combined optical flux.

9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the generation unit (28) comprises:

10. - an additional image capture and processing unit (76) capable of generating an image, called an additional image, as a function of the first optical flux (Fl) conveyed by the first optical path (22), and - a display (90) suitable for forming the fused image according to the captured image from the second optical channel (24) and the additional image. Set includes: - a firing system, and - an optical sighting system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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