Viewing optics with magnification tracking

Abstract

To provide a viewing optic to reduce the heavy handling requirements imposed on the shooter. The present disclosure relates to a viewing optics with an integrated display system. In one embodiment, the viewing optics has an active display system that generates and projects an image onto a first focal plane of the optical system. In yet another embodiment, the viewing optics has a system or device configured to track the magnification setting.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to and is the sole application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 373,760, filed August 29, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] (Technical field) The present disclosure relates to a viewing optics having an integrated display system. In one embodiment, the viewing optics has an active display system that generates and projects an image onto a first focal plane of the optical system. In yet another embodiment, the viewing optics has a system or device configured to track the magnification setting. [Background technology]

[0003] Riflescopes have been in use for well over a century, and while the quality and functionality of these devices have advanced significantly over the years, the core components (and limitations associated with these components) used in their design, manufacture, and application remain largely unchanged from 100 years ago. Riflescopes produce a magnified or non-magnified image of a scene remote from the shooter on a focal plane that coincides with an aiming feature, or reticle. The reticle consists of wire or material deposited in a pattern on the glass surface and is used as an aiming reference that corresponds to the trajectory of the rifle to which it is attached. The reticle may also include specific features to assist the shooter in judging distance and compensating for bullet deflection at different distances.

[0004] Turrets are also used to adjust the reticle position relative to the target to compensate for bullet deflection. This is a highly developed and reliable system that can be used in the hands of an experienced, skilled shooter to perform difficult long-range shots. With the aid of a laser range finder (LRF) and ballistic computer, and careful attention to detail, an experienced shooter can consistently hit the target at their firearm's maximum effective range by making the necessary mechanical adjustments to the firearm and / or executing a precise hold on the reticle pattern.

[0005] While this system works well, there is always a desire to improve the system, especially to reduce the complexity involved in hitting targets at long distances. To effectively hit targets at long distances, a large amount of information is required for each shot, and the shooter must be able to process this information and make the correct decisions and calculations in real time. In addition to the riflescope, other tools are needed by the shooter to ensure accurate shot placement. For example, a bubble level mounted on the exterior of the riflescope is needed to ensure the optic is level before executing the shot. This requires the shooter to move their head away from the pupil of the optic to check their level.

[0006] A laser rangefinder and ballistic computer are also required to measure target distance and calculate bullet trajectory. Again, this requires the shooter to pay attention to the external device and then remember that data when making any necessary adjustments. When using a weapon-mounted laser rangefinder, the shooter must take special care to ensure the optic's aim point is closely aligned with the LRF's aim point.

[0007] Furthermore, a key drawback to riflescope use is that they are only useful during daylight hours. As night sets in, thermal and / or night vision devices must be attached to the weapon in front of the riflescope. These devices capture other forms of radiation that are not visible to the human eye due to their low wavelength or intensity. These devices then recreate or intensify an image of the scene and re-image it onto the riflescope's objective lens. These devices, which are necessary to be effective in low-light conditions, are also heavy and bulky.

[0008] In the specific case of a thermal imaging device, a thermal scene is imaged via infrared optics onto a specialized thermal sensor. The image is then reproduced on a microdisplay, which is then reimaged onto the objective lens of a riflescope with visible optics. The two separate optics required to accomplish this result in a fairly large, heavy, and expensive device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] As technology advances, a level of systems integration is needed to reduce the heavy processing requirements placed on the shooter. This integration is also needed to reduce the "time to engagement," which is traditionally quite long when multiple devices must be referenced, calculated, and coordinated. Finally, the size and weight of the additional devices required to effectively use a riflescope in low-light conditions can be reduced with a more integrated solution.

[0010] The ability to accurately track and communicate the magnification setting of an optical instrument to a user of the optical instrument would be a significant advancement. Additionally, it would be useful to have information displayed to the user at a particular magnification setting.

[0011] Therefore, a need remains for viewing optics that can project magnification setting information onto the first focal plane of the optical system. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein address all of these shortcomings in an innovative manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; a device surrounding at least a portion of the erection tube, the device having a material having at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance; and an active display for generating an image.

[0013] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; and an outer sleeve shroud coupled to the erection tube, the outer sleeve shroud having a material with at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance.

[0014] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; an outer sleeve shroud coupled to at least a portion of the erection tube and having a material with a gradient grayscale and at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance; and an active display for generating an image, wherein the generated image is combined with an image of an external scene at a first focal plane located between the objective lens system and the erection lens assembly.

[0015] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; a cam sleeve coupled to the erection tube; and an outer sleeve shroud coupled to the cam sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve shroud comprises a material having at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorptivity or reflectivity.

[0016] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; a device surrounding at least a portion of the erection tube, the device having a material having at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance; a beam combiner located between the objective lens system and the erection lens assembly; and an active display for generating an image.

[0017] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; a cam sleeve coupled to the erection tube; an outer sleeve shroud coupled to the cam sleeve, the outer sleeve shroud having a material with at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance; a beam combiner located between the objective lens system and the erection lens assembly; a first reticle at a first focal plane between the beam combiner and the erection lens assembly; an active display that generates an image and a concentrator lens system that collects light from the active display; and a reflective material that directs the generated image to the beam combiner, wherein the generated image and a target image from the objective lens system are combined at the first focal plane for simultaneously viewing the generated image and an image of an external scene superimposed on each other.

[0018] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; a cam sleeve coupled to the erection tube; a shroud coupled to at least a portion of the cam sleeve, the shroud having a material with a gradient grayscale and having at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance; and an active display for generating an image, the generated image being combined into an image of an external scene at a first focal plane between the objective lens system and the erection lens assembly.

[0019] In one embodiment, the device / shroud surrounds at least a portion of the erector tube located near the magnification adjustment lever.

[0020] In one embodiment, an observation optical instrument is provided that includes a main tube, an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the main tube, and an eyepiece lens system coupled to a second end of the main tube. The main tube, objective lens system, and eyepiece lens system are cooperatively configured to define at least one focal plane. The observation optical instrument further includes a beam combiner positioned between the objective lens system and the first focal plane. The observation optical instrument further includes an integrated display system with an active display that generates and projects a digital image onto the beam combiner so that the digital image from the objective lens system and the target image can be combined at the first focal plane.

[0021] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument that includes a first optical system consisting of an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target onto a first focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "FFP target image"), followed by an erect lens system that inverts and focuses the FFP target image onto a second focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "SFP target image"), a beam combiner positioned between the objective lens system and the FFP target image, and an eyepiece lens system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be viewed by the human eye; and a second optical system. In one embodiment, the second optical system includes an active display for generating an image and a lens system that collects light from the active display. An 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 are combined at the first focal plane and can be viewed simultaneously.

[0022] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a body having a main optical system consisting of an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target onto a first focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "FFP target image"), a beam combiner positioned between the objective lens system and the FFP target image, followed by an erecting lens system that inverts and focuses the FFP target image onto a second focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "SFP target image"), and finally an eyepiece lens system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be viewed by the human eye; and a base having a cavity and coupled to the bottom of the body, with an integrated display system for generating an image and directing the generated image so that the generated image and an image of an external scene can be simultaneously viewed superimposed on each other at the first focal plane of the body.

[0023] In one embodiment, the integrated display system comprises an active display, concentrator optics, and reflective surfaces or materials, including, but not limited to, mirrors. In one embodiment, the active display can generate images including, but not limited to, text, alphanumeric characters, graphics, symbols, and / or video footage, icons, etc., including an active target reticle, corrective aimpoints, range measurements, and wind information.

[0024] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane having a first reticle; a variable magnification lens element mounted within the main body; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body for adjusting the optical magnification of the target image from the external scene; a sensor operably associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism for generating a signal indicative of the adjustment of the optical magnification; a base coupled to the bottom of the main body having an integrated display system for generating a set of marks or superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on the first reticle; and an electronic controller operable to communicate with the sensor and adjust the size of at least a portion of the first set of marks superimposed on the first reticle in response to the signal generated by the sensor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane having a first reticle; a variable magnification lens element mounted within the main body; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body for adjusting the optical magnification of the target image from the external scene; a sensor operably associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism for generating a signal indicative of the adjustment of the optical magnification; an integrated display system for generating a set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks at the first focal plane onto the first reticle; and an electronic controller operable to communicate with the sensor and adjust the size of at least a portion of the first set of marks overlaid on the first reticle in response to the signal generated by the sensor.

[0026] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having a first end and a second end and a central axis; an objective lens system disposed within the main body; an eyepiece lens disposed within the main body; an erection tube disposed within the main body and having an erection lens system, wherein the objective lens system, the eyepiece lens, and the erection lens system form an optical system having a first focal plane with a first reticle; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body for adjusting the optical magnification of a target image from an external scene; and a magnification adjustment mechanism operatively associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism and configured to adjust the optical magnification of at least two target images having different light absorption / reflectance. the cam sleeve having a material with four regions, each region associated with an optical magnification; and a base coupled to the bottom of the main body, the base having an integrated display system for generating a first set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on a first reticle, a photosensor for detecting reflected light from the material and generating a signal, and an electronic controller operable in communication with the sensor to adjust the size of at least a portion of the first set of marks superimposed on the first reticle in response to the signal.

[0027] In one embodiment, the magnification adjustment mechanism is an outer sleeve shroud surrounding at least a portion of the erection tube, the outer sleeve shroud having a material with at least two regions, each region having a different light absorption / reflectance. In one embodiment, the magnification adjustment mechanism further comprises a photosensor configured to detect light absorption / reflectance from the material.

[0028] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target to a first focal plane having a first reticle, a beam combiner positioned between the objective lens system and the first focal plane, and a laser rangefinder for determining a distance to the target; a base coupled to the bottom of the main body and having an integrated display system for generating a set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on the first reticle; and an electronic controller in communication with the laser rangefinder and operative to generate a first set of marks positioned on an active display of the integrated display system in response to a distance measured by the LRF and to correspond to holdover marks in response to the measured distance.

[0029] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical system comprising: a main body having an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target to a first focal plane having a first reticle; a beam combiner disposed between the objective lens system and the first focal plane; a laser range finder for determining a distance to the target; and a memory device for storing at least a first measured range distance and a second measured range distance; a base coupled to the bottom of the main body and having an integrated display system for generating a set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on the first reticle; and an electronic controller configured to communicate with the laser range finder and / or the memory device and to: form the first set of marks on an active display of the integrated display system in response to the first measured range distance, and to remove the first set of marks and generate a second set of marks on the active display of the integrated display system in response to the second measured range distance, where the second set of marks is different from the first set of marks.

[0030] In one embodiment, the active display is configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the viewing optics.

[0031] In one embodiment, the active display is configured to emit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the viewing optics.

[0032] In one embodiment, the mirror is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the display's emitted light.

[0033] In one embodiment, the display and mirror are positioned on a common side of the main body of the viewing optics.

[0034] In one embodiment, the display and mirror are positioned on opposite sides of the main body of the viewing optics.

[0035] In one embodiment, the display and mirror are located on a common side of a base that is coupled to the main body of the viewing optics.

[0036] In one embodiment, the display and mirror are positioned on opposite sides of a base coupled to the main body of the viewing optics.

[0037] In one embodiment, the mirror is located on the objective side of a base coupled to the main body of the viewing optics.

[0038] In one embodiment, the active display is located on the eyepiece side of a base coupled to the main body of the viewing optics.

[0039] In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus disclosed herein allow an end user to easily distinguish digital overlays from daytime optical scenes.

[0040] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having both an analog reticle and a digital reticle visible to a user when looking through the viewing optic.

[0041] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a magnification tracking device for scaling a digital image projected onto a first focal plane as magnification changes.

[0042] An advantage of the apparatus and method disclosed herein is that it provides many advanced targeting capabilities while maintaining a direct view of the target scene.

[0043] An advantage of the apparatus and method disclosed herein is that the image generated from the integrated display system is combined with an external image from the target in front of the first focal plane and then focused onto the first focal plane, so that the target image and the image generated from the integrated display system do not move relative to each other.

[0044] An advantage of the apparatus and method disclosed herein is that by introducing the image generated from the active display into the first focal plane of the optical system, the generated image can be made insensitive to any changes in turret adjustment or position of the erection system.

[0045] An advantage of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein is that by superimposing the generated image of the active display onto the first focal plane, the user can use a conventional glass-etched reticle for aiming purposes if the electronics fail or run out of power, which is an important fail-safe that the apparatus and methods disclosed herein provide.

[0046] An advantage of the apparatus and method disclosed herein is that by displaying the image generated from the integrated display system on a first focal plane, the location of the electronic aimpoint remains accurate relative to the target regardless of the current magnification setting or other adjustments of the riflescope.

[0047] Any feature, component, step or aspect of one embodiment described herein may be combined with any feature, component, step or aspect of other embodiments without limitation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1A] 1 is a schematic diagram showing parts of a riflescope. [Figure 1B] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating additional parts and components of a viewing optics according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1C] 1C is a cross-sectional view of the viewing optic of FIG. 1B showing movable optical elements within the optic body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a viewing optics showing a parallax adjustment knob according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an erection system in an optical element of an observation optical instrument according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a riflescope having a main body and a base coupled to the main body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a viewing optics comprising a main body with a beam combiner disposed between an objective lens assembly and a first focal plane according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a representative schematic diagram depicting a main body of a longitudinally split viewing optic according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a conventional parallax adjustment knob with a cam pin that rests within a cam groove in the parallax knob. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a conventional parallax adjustment knob showing the cam pins connecting aspects of the focus cell to the parallax knob. [Figure 5C] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a parallax adjustment system showing connecting rods that can be used for parallax adjustment and in which the focus cell (parallax lens) has been moved to allow the space of the beam combiner (prism lens) to be positioned in front of the first focal plane in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5D] FIG. 10 is a representative schematic diagram of a parallax adjustment system showing one end of a connecting rod having a cam pin placed in a cam groove of a parallax adjustment knob assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5E] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a parallax adjustment system having a connecting rod with one end connected to a focus cell and the other end connected to a cam pin, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5F] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a parallax adjustment system having a connecting rod connected at one end to a focus cell and at the other end to a cam pin that rests in a cam groove on a parallax adjustment knob, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a representative schematic diagram illustrating an outer upright sleeve with a potentiometer wiper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram illustrating placement of a membrane potentiometer on the main body of a riflescope according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram showing an outer erection sleeve with a potentiometer wiper and a membrane potentiometer mounted on the main body of a riflescope according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of various components of a viewing optics according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a top view of a riflescope having a main body and a base according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a riflescope having a main body and a base according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic cutaway side view of a riflescope having a main body with a glass-etched reticle and a base with an integrated viewing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram showing a cutaway side view of an integrated display system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic cutaway side view of a main body of a viewing optic and a base with an integrated display system coupled to at least a portion of the main body, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 15] 1 is a representative diagram of an integrated display system for imaging a digital display onto a first focal plane of the optical system of the main body of the viewing optics, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 16]1 is a schematic diagram of a main body of a viewing optic and a base with an integrated display system in which an active display is positioned in a portion of the base closest to the objective lens assembly compared to the eyepiece lens assembly of the main body of the viewing optic, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] 1 is a schematic diagram of a main body of a viewing optic and a base with an integrated display system in which an active display is positioned in a portion of the base closest to the eyepiece assembly compared to the objective lens assembly of the main body of the viewing optic, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram illustrating the aspect ratio of a microdisplay according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 illustrates an integrated display system with a 530 nm to 570 nm digital display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image that can be displayed on a 530 nm to 570 nm digital display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 1 illustrates an integrated display system with an AMOLED digital display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image that can be displayed on an AMOLED digital display according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] 1 is a cutaway, representative schematic side view showing an active display and an optical system having an inner lens cell and an outer lens cell, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a cutaway side view of an integrated display system having concentrator optics installed in viewing optics according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 25] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic top view of an integrated display system having an active display, a concentrator optical system with an inner cell and an outer cell, a mirror, and a screw for adjusting the tilt of the active display, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 26]FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a rear cutaway view of an integrated display system having an active display, a concentrator optical system with an inner cell and an outer cell, a mirror, and a screw for adjusting the tilt of the active display, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a representative cutaway side view showing a microdisplay, inner and outer lens cells, and a spring positioned between the inner and outer cells, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 28A] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of an integrated display system showing a surface that can be used to adjust the position of the inner lens cells and eliminate parallax error, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 28B] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of an integrated display system showing a lens system in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a representative cutaway side view of an integrated display system having a microdisplay, optics, and a mirror with tilt adjustment installed in a viewing optics according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 30] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic left side view of a battery compartment within a base coupleable to a main body of a riflescope, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a representative schematic right side view of an integrated battery compartment within a base coupleable to a main body of a riflescope, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 32] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic top view of an integrated battery compartment in a base coupleable to a main body of a riflescope, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 33] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic side view of a base with a battery compartment that can be used to couple to a Picatinny mount, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 34] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic front view of a cantilevered Picatinny mount coupled to a battery compartment of a base, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 35]FIG. 1 is a representative schematic top view of a cantilevered Picatinny mount coupled to a battery compartment of a base, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 36] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic side profile view of a riflescope with a main body and a base having axially oriented data / communication connections according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 37] 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a riflescope with a main body and a base having one or more connection interfaces for communicating with a thermal imaging unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 38] FIG. 1 is a rear left side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 39] FIG. 1 is a rear right side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 40] FIG. 1 is a rear right side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 41] FIG. 1 is a front left side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 42] FIG. 1 is a front right side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 43] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 44] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 45] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of a riflescope in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 46] FIG. 1 is a top side view of an embodiment of a riflescope in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 47] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 48]FIG. 1 is a top side view of an embodiment of a riflescope with a laser rangefinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 49] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a holographic waveguide configuration in which a digital representation is coupled into the waveguide and sent out of a second hologram that focuses the light to a predetermined focal plane, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 50] 1 is a representative schematic diagram of an alternative configuration of viewing optics, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 51] 1 is a representative schematic diagram of an alternative configuration of viewing optics, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 52] 1 is a representative schematic diagram of an alternative configuration of viewing optics, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 53] A representative diagram of a 1x reticle showing both passive (fixed or etched) reticle features and marks or features from the active display. [Figure 54] A representative diagram of an 8x reticle showing both passive (fixed or etched) reticle features and marks or features from the active display. [Figure 55] A representative diagram of an 8x reticle showing both passive (fixed or etched) reticle features and marks or features from the active display, including distance measurements and wind holdover marks. [Figure 56] A representative view of a reticle at 8x magnification showing both passive (fixed or etched) reticle features and marks or features from the active display, including distance measurements and wind holdover marks. [Figure 57] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a reticle with standard etch and fill features, along with an image generated from a digital display. [Figure 58] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a BDC reticle with distance markers. [Figure 59] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic depicting the effect of cant on shooting. [Figure 60] FIG. 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a digital or active display capable of correcting cant. [Figure 61] A representative view of a reticle with a target ranged to 500 yards, showing real-time drop position and windhold relative to 500 yards. [Figure 62] A representative view of a reticle with a target ranged to 1000 yards, showing real-time drop position and windhold relative to 1000 yards. [Figure 63] A representative wide-angle view of the reticle at low magnification with fewer rows of dots below the horizontal crosshairs. [Figure 64] A representative view of the central portion of the reticle at higher magnification with a smaller central grid. [Figure 65] A typical side view of a 1-8x active reticle riflescope (the magnification adjustment ring is visible on the right side of the image). [Figure 66] A representative side view of a 1-8x active reticle riflescope with the body of the scope hidden, revealing the outer cam sleeve (which rotates with the magnification adjustment ring, thereby changing the magnification setting). [Figure 67] FIG. 1 is a representative side view of the base of a viewing optic with a printed circuit board containing a photosensor and LEDs used to measure the position of a reflective gradient material attached to an outer cam sleeve (the outer cam sleeve and associated optics are hidden in this image). [Figure 68] FIG. 1 is a representative exploded view of a photosensor and LED, with a simulated viewing cone drawn to illustrate the light acceptance angle relative to the photosensor. [Figure 69]1 is a representative image of a photosensor and LED in conjunction with a reflective, tilted strip mounted on an outer cam sleeve to measure the magnification setting of a viewing optic. (Note that although this illustration shows the tilted strip with four specific sections of different reflectivity, each associated with an optical magnification setting, the strip can vary infinitely in reflectivity.) [Figure 70] 1 is a representative image of a photosensor and LED in conjunction with a reflective, tilted strip mounted on an outer cam sleeve to measure the magnification setting of a viewing optics (note that while this illustration shows the tilted strip with four specific sections of different reflectivity, each associated with an optical magnification setting, the strip can vary in reflectivity infinitely). [Figure 71] 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a viewing optics having a beam combiner within a main body with a photosensor and optical filter coupled to the beam combiner. [Figure 72] A representative view of the rear of the viewing optics showing the window, proximity sensor, and carrier milled into the base coupled to the main body of the viewing optics (all positioned below the eyepiece). [Figure 73] 1 is a representative view of a viewing optic with a base having a power saving system and mounted on a rifle. [Figure 74] 1 is a representative view of a viewing optic with a base having a power saving system and mounted on a rifle. [Figure 75] 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a viewing optic in which a power pin protrudes through a base coupled to the main body of the viewing optic. [Figure 76] 1 is a representative schematic diagram of a viewing optic in which a power pin protrudes through a base coupled to the main body of the viewing optic. [Figure 77] 1 is a representative side profile of a base of a viewing optic showing power pins protruding through the base. [Figure 78]A representative view of a side profile with the base of the viewing optics made transparent to show the power pins attached to the PCB. [Figure 79] FIG. 1 is a representative view of the top of a remote keypad for communicating with the viewing optics. [Figure 80] FIG. 1 is a representative side profile view of a remote keypad showing the power pin protruding through the internal recoil lug. [Figure 81] A representative bottom view showing two power pins protruding through the internal recoil lug. [Figure 82] FIG. 10 is a representative bottom view with the cover made transparent to show the PCB inside the remote keypad body. [Figure 83] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a three-button keypad for communicating with the viewing optics disclosed herein. [Figure 84] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a viewing optics with a mechanical switch to change the function of a remote keypad for communicating with the viewing optics. [Figure 85] 1 is a representative diagram of a viewing optic having an outer sleeve shroud surrounding an erection tube, the outer sleeve shroud having a reflective material. [Figure 86] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a viewing optics with magnification tracking. [Figure 87] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a viewing optics with magnification tracking. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The presently disclosed apparatus and methods will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, the presently disclosed apparatus and methods may 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.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the feature and / or functionality sets can be readily adapted in the context of stand-alone weapon sights, front-mounted or rear-mounted clip-on weapon sights, and other replacements for field-deployed optical weapon sights. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of features and functionality can be incorporated into add-on modules for retrofitting any type of existing fixed or adjustable weapon sight.

[0051] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it will be understood that the element or layer is directly on, or can be directly connected to or coupled to, the other element or layer. Alternatively, intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

[0052] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0053] Although terms such as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and / or sections, it will be understood that these elements, components, regions, and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another element, component, region, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, or section discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, or section without departing from this disclosure.

[0054] Spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "lower," "above," and "upper" may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as shown in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, elements described as being "below" or "below" the other element or feature would then be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein can be interpreted accordingly.

[0055] I. Definition Numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate and thus may include values ​​outside the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values ​​from the lower limit to the upper limit, inclusive, in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower limit and any upper limit. As an example, if a compositional, physical, or other property, such as molecular weight, viscosity, etc., ranges from 100 to 1000, all individual values ​​such as 100, 101, 102, etc., as well as subranges such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc., are expressly recited. For ranges containing values ​​less than 1 or 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. In ranges containing single digit numbers less than 10 (e.g., 1 to 5), 1 unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are merely examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values ​​between the lowest and highest values ​​listed shall be considered to be expressly set forth in this disclosure. Numerical ranges for distances from a user of a device to a target are provided, among other things, within this disclosure.

[0056] 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 include 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.

[0057] As used herein, "active display" includes image-generating 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), are characterized by having an image and light source within a single device; therefore, no external light source is required. This minimizes system size and power consumption while providing excellent contrast and color space. OLEDs are made from ultrathin organic semiconductor layers that light up when connected to a voltage (charge carriers are injected, and brightness is primarily proportional to the forward current). The main layer comprises multiple organic materials, in sequence (e.g., charge transport layers, blocking layers, and emissive layers, each a few nanometers thick), interposed between an anode and a cathode. The terms "active display," "digital display," and "microdisplay" are used interchangeably.

[0058] As used herein, an "erection sleeve" is a protrusion from an erection lens mount that engages with a slot in the erection tube and / or cam tube or serves a similar purpose. It may be integral with the mount or detachable.

[0059] As used herein, an "erection tube" is any structure or device having an opening for receiving an erection lens mount.

[0060] As used herein, a "firearm" is a handheld, often barreled weapon that fires one or more projectiles propelled by the action of explosive force. As used herein, the term "firearm" includes handguns, long guns, rifles, shotguns, carbines, automatic weapons, semi-automatic weapons, machine guns, light machine guns, automatic rifles, and assault rifles.

[0061] 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 concentrator optics. In yet another embodiment, the integrated display system includes an active display, concentrator optics, and a reflective surface.

[0062] In one embodiment, an integrated display system may be used to generate a digital image on an active display and direct the digital image into a first focal plane of an optical system for simultaneous viewing of the digital image and an image of an external scene. As used herein, "aiming system" refers to one or more optical devices and other systems that assist a person in aiming a firearm or other implement.

[0063] As used herein, the term "mark" can include any of a variety of visually perceptible lines, circles, dots, crosshairs, horseshoe patterns, geometric shapes, symbols, numbers, letters, signs, or symbols.

[0064] As used herein, the term "passive reticle" refers to a reticle with fixed markings that cannot be altered by the user. A typical example of a passive reticle is an etch-and-fill reticle. Another example is a holographic reticle, where the markings cannot be altered by the user. A passive reticle can be located in the first focal plane, the second focal plane, or both the first and second focal planes.

[0065] As used herein, the term "sight optics" refers to devices used by a shooter or observer to select, identify, or monitor a target. "Sight optics" may rely on observation of the target or radiation, including, for example, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radar, thermal, microwave, or magnetic imaging; x-rays, gamma rays, isotopic radiation, and particle radiation; night vision; ultrasound; pulsed sound; sonar; seismic vibrations; vibration receptors, including magnetic resonance; gravity receptors; broadcast frequencies, including radio waves; television and cellular receptors; or other images of the target. The image of the target presented to the shooter by the "sight optics" device may be unaltered or may be enhanced, for example, by magnification, amplification, subtraction, superposition, filtering, stabilization, template matching, or other means. A target selected, identified, or monitored by the "sighting optics" can be within the shooter's line of sight, out of the shooter's line of sight, or the shooter's line of sight can be obstructed while the target acquisition device presents a focused image of the target to the shooter. The target image acquired by the "sighting optics" can be, for example, analog or digital, and can be shared, saved, stored, or transmitted within a network of one or more shooters or observers, for example, by video, physical cable or wire, IR, radio waves, cellular connection, laser pulse, optical, 802.11b, or other wireless transmission using protocols such as html, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, Bluetooth™, serial, USB, or other suitable image distribution method. The term "sighting optics" is used interchangeably with "optical sight."

[0066] As used herein, the term "external scene" refers to a real-world scene that includes, but is not limited to, a target.

[0067] As used herein, the term "shooter" refers to either the operator firing the shot or an individual observing the shot in conjunction with the operator firing the shot.

[0068] II. Optical observation equipment FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional design for a riflescope, a representative example of a viewing optic. FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary viewing optic 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 1B illustrates a riflescope. More specifically, the riflescope 10 has a body 38 that encloses a movable optical element 15. The body 38 is an elongated tube that tapers from a larger opening at its front 40 to a smaller opening at its rear 42. An eyepiece 56 is mounted to the rear of the scope body, and an objective lens 54 is mounted to the front of the scope body. The central axis of the movable optical element defines the optical axis 44 of the riflescope.

[0069] The elevation turret 12 and windage turret 48 are two dials often found on the exterior center of the body 38. They are incrementally marked by indicia 20 on their perimeter 11 and are used to adjust the elevation and windage of the movable optical element for point of impact changes. These dials protrude from a turret housing 50. The turrets are oriented so that the elevation turret's axis of rotation 46 is perpendicular to the windage turret's axis of rotation 52.

[0070] FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of the aiming device of FIG. 1B, including the basic components of optical system 14 and movable optical element 15. As shown in FIG. 1C, optical system 14 includes objective lens system 16, erector system 25, and eyepiece lens system 18. While FIG. 1C shows a riflescope having a body 38, optical system 14 can be used in other types of aiming devices as well. Erection system 25 can be included within movable optical element 15. Erection system 25 can include a variable magnification lens element or zoom element 25A. In FIG. 1C, movable optical element 15 also includes first focal plane reticle 55 and second focal plane reticle 57, along with condenser 22. In use, adjustment of turret assembly 28 and turret screw 29 effects adjustment of movable optical element 15.

[0071] The movable optical element 15 is adjusted by rotating the turret assembly 28 one or more clicks. As the turret rotates, the turret screw 29 moves in or out of the scope, which pushes the erector tube. The erector tube is spring-loaded so that as the turret screw is adjusted, it positions the erector tube against its bottom surface. The erector tube provides a smaller optical view of the overall image. As the erector tube is adjusted, the position of the reticle is changed relative to the image.

[0072] The reticle is a circular, planar, or flat, transparent panel or disk mounted within the scope body in perpendicular relationship to the optical axis or line of sight through the scope, positioned between the objective lens element 54 and the erecting lens element, at a location that is typically considered the front focal plane of the optical system within the housing. In one embodiment, the reticle includes fine etched lines or hairline markings with central vertical and horizontal hairlines that intersect orthogonally or perpendicularly at a center point.

[0073] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1D , the viewing optics can have a parallax adjustment knob 70 or focus knob. Parallax occurs when the optical plane of the target image is not coplanar with the optical plane of the reticle image. As a result of the offset between the two optical planes, the reticle may appear to move relative to the target as the shooter moves their eyes around the reticle center. This parallax error can result in a shift in the point of impact upon firing. Parallax adjustment in the viewing optics allows the shooter to eliminate optical errors at different distances by allowing the optical system to adjust so that the target image and the reticle image appear in the same optical plane. Parallax correction does not change the focus of the reticle or the image; it simply moves the plane at which these two objects are in focus so that they share the same plane (coincide).

[0074] As shown in FIG. 1D, the viewing optics can have a side wheel attached to a rotatable parallax adjustment knob 70. The larger diameter of the side wheel provides more space for applied markers, such as range markers, and is easier for the shooter to rotate and read during use. The larger diameter of the side wheel helps improve the accuracy and resolution of the range markers.

[0075] 1E shows a close-up of optical system 14 in cross section, illustrating how light rays travel through optical system 14. It is well known in the art that optical system 14 can have additional optical components, such as condenser 22, and that certain components, such as objective system 16, erector system 25, and eyepiece system 18, can themselves have multiple components or lenses.

[0076] In one embodiment, the viewing optics can have a focus cell with one or more adjustable lenses to provide parallax adjustment, in one embodiment, the one or more adjustable lenses are one or more parallax lenses.

[0077] In one embodiment, a focusing lens is positioned between the eyepiece and the objective lens, the relative distance between the focusing lens and the objective lens being adjustable to provide parallax adjustment. Additionally, an erecting lens is positioned between the eyepiece and the focusing lens, the relative distance between the erecting lens and the objective lens being adjustable to provide magnification adjustment.

[0078] III. Observation optics with active displays In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having an active display that generates a digital image and projects the digital image onto a first focal plane of the viewing optic. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having an analog reticle and a digital image, including but not limited to a digital reticle, that is visible to a user when looking through the viewing optic. In one embodiment, the viewing optic can be used with an external laser rangefinder with ballistic calculation capabilities.

[0079] In one embodiment, the viewing optics includes a movable erection tube with an analog or glass-etched reticle attached to the erection tube so that the analog or glass-etched reticle moves in conjunction with the erection tube. In one embodiment, the digitally implemented reticle does not move in conjunction with the erection tube. Thus, the digital reticle is accurate regardless of the position of the turret or erection tube.

[0080] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic with a digital display that can be introduced into a first focal plane of the viewing optic such that the image of the digital display on the first focal plane is not tied to movement of the erector tube. In one embodiment, the display can provide a user with an accurate ballistic aim hold point regardless of the position of the riflescope erector tube / turret.

[0081] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic with an aim point that is independent of the position of the erector tube and / or the position of the turret of the viewing optic. In one embodiment, if the ballistically determined aim point is outside the field of view of the erector unit, the turret can be rotated to bring the ballistically determined aim point into the field of view.

[0082] In one embodiment, the observation optical instrument comprises a main optical system consisting of an objective lens system that focuses an image from the target onto a first focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "FFP target image"), followed by 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 positioned between the objective lens system and the FFP target image, and an eyepiece lens system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be observed by the human eye, and a second optical system.

[0083] In one embodiment, the second optical system includes an active display and a lens system that collects light from the active display. The image from the digital display is directed to a beam combiner so that the digital image and the target image from the objective lens system can be combined at a first focal plane and viewed simultaneously. In one embodiment, the second optical system can include reflective materials, including but not limited to mirrors.

[0084] Referring to the above description, the digital display is introduced 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, both 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 a movable erecting lens system, whereas the image from the digital display is not. Therefore, when the erecting lens system is moved, the analog reticle moves, but the digital image remains stationary.

[0085] In one embodiment, the sighting optics may be rigidly mounted to the firearm. In another embodiment, a laser range finder may be mounted to either the firearm or the sighting optics. The laser range finder measures the distance to a target, calculates the ballistic trajectory to hit the target, and provides this information to an active display to display the precise aim point along with the rifle bullet's point of impact.

[0086] Because the laser rangefinder is rigidly mounted to the viewing optics and the aim point does not move, it is important that the digital image remain stationary. This allows the digital laser designator to initially correspond to the laser, and then the digital display to be digitally adjusted so that the two always remain aligned, no matter how the erector lens system is moved.

[0087] Additionally, because the firearm barrel is rigidly mounted to the viewing optics, the aim point of the barrel does not change relative to the digital display, allowing the digital aim point to initially correspond to the firearm barrel at the initial "sight-in" distance, and then the digital display to be digitally adjusted so that the two always remain aligned.

[0088] If it becomes necessary to shoot at a distance different from the initial sight-in distance, the laser rangefinder can measure the distance and then perform ballistic calculations to determine a new location for the aim point. Since this new aim point location will always be relative to the initial sight-in distance, the riflescope simply adjusts the aim point on the digital display to correspond to the new aim point.

[0089] A side benefit of this system is that because the digital aim point is stationary, the accuracy of the turret, which adjusts the position of the erector tube using a reticle with regularly spaced marks, can be easily tested on the viewing optics. As the erector tube moves, the reticle can be measured against the stationary digital aim point to verify that the dial adjustments on the turret match the movement measured between the digital aim point and the reticle mounted on the erector lens system.

[0090] IV. Observation optics with base In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic, including but not limited to a riflescope, having a first housing coupled to a second housing. In one embodiment, the first housing is a main body. In yet another embodiment, the second housing is a base.

[0091] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a riflescope having a main body and a base coupled to the main body. In one embodiment, the base is separable from the main body. In one embodiment, the base is attached to the bottom of the main body. In one embodiment, a gasket is used to seal the main body and the base.

[0092] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a riflescope having a main body with an optical system for generating an image of an external scene, and a base coupled to the main body with an integrated display system for generating a digital image and directing 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.

[0093] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a riflescope having a main body with an optical system for generating an image of an external scene, and a base coupled to the main body with an integrated display system having an active display for generating an image and directing the generated image to a first focal plane of the optical system, and providing simultaneous viewing of the generated image and the image of the external scene when looking through an eyepiece of the scope body.

[0094] 2 displays a side view of a riflescope 200 having a main body 210 and a base 220. In one embodiment, the base 220 is separable from the main body 210. The base 220 is attached to one end of the scope body near the magnification ring 212 and to the other end of the scope body near the objective lens assembly 214. In one embodiment, the main body 210 and the base 220 are made of the same material. In another embodiment, the scope body and the base are made of different materials.

[0095] In one embodiment, the base 220 is approximately the length of the upright tube of the main body.

[0096] In one embodiment, the base has an integrated display system capable of generating and displaying situational, geographic, and ballistic information in the first focal plane of the observation optics, including, but not limited to, real-time ballistic solutions; in-flight tracer detection and tracking to correct the ballistic trajectory of the next round; weapon pointing angle tracking using integrated high-performance inertial sensors; precise pointing angle comparison for advanced ballistic targeting and correction; target location and designation; barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature; anti-friendly fire and situational awareness data processed by the device and observable while aiming; reticle targeting correction beyond the scope field of view for advantageous ballistic drop correction at long ranges; and weapon, round, and environmental characterization data.

[0097] In one embodiment, the sighting optic has one or more of the following features and / or components: one or more microprocessors, one or more computers, a fully integrated ballistic computer; an integrated near-infrared laser rangefinder; a GPS and digital compass integrated with the sighting optic capable of full coordinate target location and designation; pressure, humidity, and temperature sensors integrated with the sighting optic that can automatically incorporate this data into ballistic calculations; conventional sighting optic functionality in all conditions, including zero power off mode; wired and wireless interfaces for communicating sensor, environmental, and situational awareness data; capability to support digital interfaces such as Personal Network Node (PNN) and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW); integrated vertical cant sensitivity for ballistic corrections that can be made for up-tilt and down-tilt fire directions; an integrated image sensor; capability to acquire and process image frames of the target scene; capability to record time-of-fire history for the purpose of applying automatic cold bore / hot bore fire corrections; and a built-in backup optical range estimator with automatic angular to linear size conversion.

[0098] In one embodiment, the observation optics may communicate with one or more devices wirelessly, while in another embodiment, the observation optics may communicate with one or more devices via a physical cable.

[0099] A. Main body In one embodiment, the main body is in the form of an elongated tube tapering from a large opening at the front to a smaller opening at the rear, with the eyepiece mounted at the rear of the elongated tube and the objective lens mounted at the front of the elongated tube. In one embodiment, the first housing is the main body of a riflescope.

[0100] In one embodiment, the main body has a viewing input end and a viewing output end, which can be aligned and collinear along the viewing optical axis 44 (FIG. 1B). An object or target passes through the viewing input end, along the viewing direct viewing optics, and out the viewing output end for direct viewing by the user's eye. The main body can include an objective lens or lens assembly at the viewing input end. A first focal plane reticle can be positioned along the viewing optical axis A and spaced from the objective lens assembly.

[0101] In one embodiment, the image or image inversion lens assembly can be positioned and spaced rearward from the first focal plane reticle along the viewing optical axis A. To invert the image, an erection tube with an erecting image system is installed within the main body between the objective lens and the eyepiece. This gives the image the correct orientation for land viewing. The erecting image system is typically housed within the erection tube.

[0102] An inverting lens assembly, or erecting imaging system, can comprise one or more lenses spaced apart from one another. The erecting imaging system can include one or more movable optical elements, such as a focusing lens movable along its optical axis to adjust the focus of the image, and a magnifying lens movable along its optical axis to optically magnify the image at a back focal plane so that the target appears closer than it actually is. Typically, the erecting assembly includes a mechanical, electromechanical, or electro-optical system for driving the coordinated movement of one or more variable lens elements, among the focusing lens and the magnifying lens, to provide a continuously variable magnification range over which the erecting assembly produces a focused, erect image of a distant target at the back focal plane.

[0103] Variable magnification can be achieved by providing a mechanism for adjusting the position of the erecting lenses relative to each other within the erecting tube. This is typically done using a cam tube that fits snugly around the erecting tube. Each erecting lens (or group of lenses) is attached to an erecting lens mount that slides within the erecting tube. An erecting sleeve attached to the erecting lens mount slides in a linear slot within the body of the erecting tube to maintain the orientation of the erecting lens. This sleeve also engages an angled or curved slot in the cam tube. As the cam tube rotates, the erecting lens mount moves lengthwise within the guide tube, changing the magnification. Each erecting lens has a unique slot in the cam tube, and the configuration of these slots determines the amount and rate of magnification change when the cam tube is rotated.

[0104] The second focal plane aperture can be positioned and spaced rearward from the image inversion assembly along the observation optical axis A. The eyepiece assembly can be positioned and spaced rearward from the second focal plane aperture at the eyepiece along the observation optical axis A. The eyepiece assembly can include one or more lenses spaced apart from one another. In some embodiments, the observation optical axis A and the direct viewing optics can be folded.

[0105] In one embodiment, the main body includes a beam combiner. In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be positioned on and optically coupled to the observation optical axis 44, as shown in FIG. 1B. In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be positioned near the observation optical reticle. In another embodiment, the beam combiner can be positioned near the observation optical reticle in the first focal plane.

[0106] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned between the objective lens assembly and the first focal plane.

[0107] In yet another embodiment, the main body includes a beam combiner, and the beam combiner is not located near the eyepiece assembly. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is not located below the eyepiece assembly.

[0108] In one embodiment, the main body includes a beam combiner that is positioned closer to the objective lens assembly than to the eyepiece lens assembly within the main tube of the viewing optics.

[0109] 3 displays a cutaway side view of riflescope 300 with main body 210 and base 220. As shown, riflescope 300 has an objective lens assembly 310, a beam combiner 320, a first focal plane 330, a second focal plane 350, and an eyepiece lens assembly 360. Beam combiner 320 is positioned between objective lens assembly 310 and first focal plane 330.

[0110] In one embodiment, the viewing optics 400 can have a main body 210 that is split longitudinally to allow for assembly of associated lenses and circuitry into the base 220. Figure 4 is a representative example of a longitudinally split main tube 210 for a riflescope 400. Figure 4 shows the split line 410 of the longitudinally split main tube. A split 420 on the bottom side of the main body 210 allows for the coupling of the base 220 with an integrated viewing system.

[0111] In one embodiment, the bottom side of the main body has a longitudinal division, hi one embodiment, the longitudinal division is approximately the length of the base where it joins the main body.

[0112] In one embodiment, the main body does not have an active display.

[0113] 1. Beam Combiner In one embodiment, the main body of the viewing optics includes a beam combiner. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is one or more prism lenses (the prism lenses constitute the beam combiner). In another embodiment, the main body of the riflescope includes a beam combiner that combines an image generated from the integrated viewing system with an image generated from the viewing optics along the viewing optical axis of the riflescope. In one embodiment, the integrated viewing system is located in a separate housing that is separate from the main body. In one embodiment, the integrated viewing system is located in a first housing or base that couples with the main body. In one embodiment, the integrated viewing system is located in a cavity in a base that couples with the first housing or main body.

[0114] In one embodiment, a beam combiner is used to combine an image generated from the integrated viewing system with an image from an optical system for observing an external image, where the optical system is located within the main body of the riflescope and in front of a first focal plane on the main body, and the combined image is then focused on the first focal plane so that the generated image and the observed image do not move relative to each other. With the combined image focused on the first focal plane, the aiming reference generated by the integrated viewing system is accurate regardless of adjustments to the movable erector.

[0115] In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be aligned with the integrated display system along the display optical axis and positioned along the observation optical axis of the observation optics in the main body of the riflescope, thereby allowing the image from the integrated display system to be directed onto the observation optical axis and superimposed on the field of view of the observation optics.

[0116] In another embodiment, the beam combiner and the integrated display system are in the same housing. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is about 25 mm from the objective lens assembly.

[0117] In one embodiment, the beam combiner is about 5 mm from the objective lens assembly, hi 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.

[0118] In yet other embodiments, 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.

[0119] 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 between 3 mm and 10 mm from the objective lens assembly.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] In yet another embodiment, the main body has a beam combiner located on the outer central portion of the scope body below the elevation turret.

[0126] In one embodiment, the beam combiner can have a partially reflective coating or surface that reflects the active display output from the integrated display system, or at least a portion thereof, onto the viewing axis and redirects it toward the eye of the observer in the eyepiece, while still providing good transmissive transparency quality to the direct viewing optics path.

[0127] In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be a cube made of optical material, such as optical glass or plastic material, with a partially reflective coating. The coating can be a uniform, neutral reflective coating, or can be matched with a polarizing, spectrally selective, or patterned coating to optimize both transmission and reflection characteristics within the eyepiece. The polarization and / or color of the coating can be matched to the active display. This optimizes the reflectivity and efficiency of the display optical path while minimizing the impact on the transmission path of the direct viewing optics.

[0128] Although the beam combiner is shown as a cube, in some embodiments the beam combiner can have different optical path lengths for the integrated display system and direct viewing optics 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 in the path of the direct viewing optics transverse to the optical axis A.

[0129] In one embodiment, the position of the beam combiner can be adjusted relative to the reflective material to eliminate errors, including but not limited to, errors due to parallax. The position of the beam combiner can be adjusted using a screw system, a wedge system, or any other suitable mechanism.

[0130] In one embodiment, the position of the beam combiner can be adjusted relative to the erection tube to remove errors, including but not limited to errors due to parallax.

[0131] 2. Parallax System In one embodiment, the main body has a parallax adjustment system, which in one embodiment uses a device to connect the focus cell to the parallax adjustment element.

[0132] In one embodiment, the viewing optics disclosed herein has a main body with a focus cell positioned closer to an end of the objective lens than a conventional focus cell, and a beam combiner positioned in the space conventionally occupied by the focus cell, hi one embodiment, a connecting element connects the focus cell to the parallax adjustment element.

[0133] In a typical riflescope, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the parallax knob 510 is connected to the focus cell via a simple cross pin 520 that rides on a cam groove 530 in the parallax knob, translating rotational movement of the parallax knob into linear movement in the focus cell. However, in some embodiments disclosed herein, the focus cell is shifted toward the objective lens, and therefore a connection device is required to connect the focus cell to the parallax adjustment element.

[0134] The parallax adjustment system can eliminate or reduce parallax error between the image of the active display and a reticle within the main body of the viewing optics. The parallax adjustment system disclosed herein enables the viewing optics to merge the image of the digital display and the image of the external scene into the first focal plane (FFP) of the optical system without parallax error.

[0135] In another embodiment, the focus cell is positioned closer to the objective lens side of the main body than the focus cell of a conventional riflescope. In one embodiment, the focus cell is shifted closer to the objective lens by about 5 mm to about 50 mm than the focus cell of a conventional riflescope. In one embodiment, the focus cell is shifted closer to the objective lens by at least 20 mm than the focus cell of a conventional riflescope. In one embodiment, the focus cell is shifted closer to the objective lens by at least 10 mm than the focus cell of a conventional riflescope. In yet another embodiment, the focus cell is shifted closer to the objective lens by 50 mm or less than the focus cell of a conventional riflescope. In one embodiment, the focus cell is shifted closer to the objective lens assembly by 30 mm than the position of the focus cell in a Vortex Diamondback riflescope, Vortex Viper riflescope, Vortex Crossfire riflescope, or Vortex Razor riflescope.

[0136] In one embodiment, the focus cells are shifted closer to the objective lens side of the viewing optics by a distance including, but not limited to, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 mm compared to the focus cells of a conventional riflescope.

[0137] In one embodiment, a device connects the shifted focus cell to an adjustment knob. In one embodiment, the device allows for remote positioning of a parallax adjustment lens positioned within the focus cell. In one embodiment, the mechanical device is a push rod, rod, or shaft.

[0138] In one embodiment, the rods are about 5 mm to about 50 mm in length. In one embodiment, the rods are at least 20 mm in length. In one embodiment, the rods are at least 10 mm in length. In yet another embodiment, the rods are 50 mm or less in length.

[0139] In one embodiment, the rods are 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 mm in length.

[0140] 5C-5F are representative schematic diagrams of a parallax adjustment system in the main tube 210 of the observation optics according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5C, a device 530, such as a rod or shaft, connects a focus cell (parallax lens) 535, which is moved proximate to the objective lens end of the observation optics, to a parallax cam track pin 540 in the parallax adjustment knob assembly. The shifted position of the parallax lens provides the necessary space for the prism lens in front of the first focal plane. One end of the connecting rod is connected to the focus cell, and the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the cam pin.

[0141] 5D shows that device 530 connects focus cell 535 with a parallax lens to parallax cam track pins 540 that ride on cam tracks 545 of parallax adjustment assembly 550. In one embodiment, parallax adjustment assembly 550 has rotatable elements to move the cam pins to adjust the parallax lens.

[0142] As shown in Figure 5E, the focus cell is shifted closer to the objective lens assembly to provide space within the main body of the viewing optics for the beam combiner (prism lens). Therefore, a mechanism is required to connect the focus cell to the parallax knob assembly. Connection device 530 connects the focus cell to cam pins 540 that ride in cam grooves on parallax knob assembly 560.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 5F, cam pin 540 rides in cam groove 545 of parallax knob assembly 560, allowing adjustment of the focus cell via the parallax knob assembly.

[0144] In one embodiment, a shifted focus cell in the main body with a parallax lens provides space for integrating a beam combiner in front of the first focal plane of the objective lens system.

[0145] In one embodiment, the beam combiner within the main body of the riflescope disclosed herein is positioned in the space where a focus cell would normally be mounted in a conventional riflescope.

[0146] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the main tube; (c) an eyepiece lens system coupled to a second end of the main tube; (d) a focus cell positioned between the objective lens system and a beam combiner, the beam combiner being positioned between the focus cell and a first focal plane reticle; and (e) a rod connecting the focus cell to a parallax adjustment element. In one embodiment, the rod connects the focus cell to a cam pin of the parallax adjustment element. In some embodiments, the parallax adjustment element has a knob.

[0147] 3. Magnification tracking system In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic and a method for tracking the magnification setting of a viewing optic, wherein the components of the tracking mechanism are reliable, completely transparent to the operator, and protected from the environment.

[0148] When the reticle is in the first focal plane, it is in front of the erector and therefore changes proportionately with changes in lens position, producing a magnified image. The erector is repositioned using a magnification ring located on the exterior of the riflescope near the eyepiece housing. Typically, the magnification ring is threadedly connected to the outer erector sleeve; turning the magnification ring rotates the outer erector sleeve with it, and a cam groove changes the position of the zoom lens mounted on the erector. When projecting a digital image into the first focal plane, it is necessary to scale this image by the scale of the reticle to make the digital image usable.

[0149] A magnification adjustment mechanism is coupled to the variable magnification or zoom lens element and provides the ability to adjust the optical magnification of the image of a distant object.

[0150] In one embodiment, and as shown in Figure 6, the potentiometer wiper 610 is positioned on the outer diameter of the outer erecting sleeve 620. The potentiometer wiper contacts a membrane potentiometer 710 that is positioned on the inner diameter of the riflescope main body 210 (see Figure 7).

[0151] As shown in Figure 8, in one embodiment, the potentiometer wiper 610 is a flat spring with two contact points to ensure contact with the membrane potentiometer 710. The flat spring is positioned between the outer erection sleeve 620 and the inner erection tube. The potentiometer wiper 610 is positioned on the inner diameter of the riflescope, opposite the inner wall of the magnification ring slot threads 820. The potentiometer wiper 610 is secured to the inside side of the scope tube using adhesive.

[0152] In one embodiment, the potentiometer wiper has the ability to lie completely flat on the outer diameter of the outer erect sleeve. In one embodiment, the potentiometer wiper is located inside the outer erect sleeve.

[0153] In one embodiment, the potentiometer wiper is not located on the magnification ring 810 of FIG. 8. The magnification tracking system disclosed herein is installed internally and no part is exposed to the environment, which provides several advantages. First, the system is internal, and as a result, no sealing is required to protect the wiper / erector from the environment. Second, the magnification tracking system is complete when theerctor is installed on the riflescope. This eliminates the possibility of debris entering the system through threaded holes on the exterior of the magnification ring.

[0154] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system for tracking magnification settings of a viewing optic, which uses a sensor and materials with different optical reflectances / absorbances, in one embodiment, the sensor is mounted to a base of the viewing optic, the base is coupled to a main body of the viewing optic, and the materials are positioned in the main body of the viewing optic.

[0155] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical instrument having a main body with an erecting tube having an erecting lens system, a cam tube or sleeve surrounding or enclosing the erecting tube, materials with varying optical reflectance / absorption coupled to the cam tube, and a base coupled to the main body, the base having an integrated display system and a photosensor for detecting optical reflection / absorption from the material. In one embodiment, the base has a printed circuit board or microprocessor for communicating with the photosensor and one or more microcontrollers or electronic controllers.

[0156] In one embodiment, the observation optical instrument has a main body with a magnification adjustment ring for adjusting the optical magnification of the image, and a base coupled to the main body having an integrated display system, a microprocessor, and a system for communicating the magnification setting of the observation optical instrument to the microprocessor, the microprocessor communicating with the active display of the integrated display system.

[0157] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system for tracking the magnification setting of a viewing optic that has no mechanical link between the moving parts of the optomechanical system and the sensing device. The magnification tracking system disclosed herein is embedded in a base coupled to the main body of the viewing optic and has no mechanical link between the stationary and moving parts of the system.

[0158] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical instrument having a main body with an erection tube housing an erection lens assembly, a cam sleeve surrounding the erection tube and having a material with varying optical reflectance / absorbance, and a base coupled to the main body, the base having a photosensor. In one embodiment, the material with varying optical absorbance / reflectance surrounds the cam sleeve at an end of the cam sleeve near the magnification adjustment ring of the main body. In one embodiment, the photosensor is positioned on the cam sleeve below the material with varying optical absorbance / reflectance.

[0159] When the operator / user turns the magnification adjustment ring 212 of the viewing optics, the outer cam sleeve rotates, moving two lens cells, which changes the effective optical magnification of the riflescope.

[0160] In one embodiment, the cam sleeve comprises a material with varying optical absorptivity / reflectivity, which in one embodiment is applied to the outer diameter of the cam sleeve.

[0161] In one embodiment, the material is a strip of material. In one embodiment, the material is about 10 mm wide and about 40 mm long. In one embodiment, a first side of the material has an adhesive used to attach it to the outer cam sleeve. In another embodiment, the other side of the strip has a grayscale gradient printed on it so that when an LED is pointed at it, different amounts of light are reflected depending on the portion of the gradient that is exposed to the LED.

[0162] In one embodiment, the PCB includes an LED and a photosensor. In one embodiment, the LED and photosensor are positioned below a tilted strip attached to the outer diameter of the outer cam sleeve. The LED illuminates the tilted strip, and the photosensor receives a portion of the light reflected from the tilted strip and can send a signal to a microcontroller, where the signal strength varies with the amount of light detected.

[0163] As the operator turns the magnification adjustment ring, different portions of the tilt strip are exposed to the LED and photosensor, which in turn changes the signal strength it sends to the microcontroller. The system's optical magnification setting can therefore be tracked by relating it to the amount of light detected by the photosensor.

[0164] Figure 65 shows a side view of a 1-8x riflescope 6500 having a main body 6502 and a base 6505 coupled to the main body 6502. A magnification adjustment ring 6510 can be seen on the right side of the image.

[0165] FIG. 66 shows a side view of the riflescope 6500 with the body of the scope hidden to reveal the outer cam sleeve 6610, which rotates with the magnification adjustment ring 6510 to change the magnification setting.

[0166] Figure 67 shows the base 6505 of the viewing optics 6500 with a printed circuit board 6710 containing a photosensor and LED 6720 used to measure the position of a reflective gradient material attached to the outer cam sleeve of the main body. The outer cam sleeve and associated optics are hidden in this image.

[0167] FIG. 68 is a representative exploded view of the photosensors and LEDs on a printed circuit board 6710, with a simulated viewing cone drawn to illustrate the light acceptance angle for the photosensors.

[0168] 69 and 70 are images of a photosensor and LED 6720 in conjunction with a reflective, tilted strip 6910 attached to the outer cam sleeve 6610 to measure the magnification setting of the viewing optics. This shows the tilted strip 6910 with four specific sections of different reflectivity, but note that the strip can have an infinite amount of reflectivity variation. The tilted strip 6910 couples to the cam sleeve at a portion of the cam sleeve positioned near the magnification adjustment ring. A printed circuit board 6710 is positioned within the base 6505, which couples to the main body of the viewing optics. The LED and photosensor 6720 on the printed circuit board 6710 are positioned below the tilted strip 6910.

[0169] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a microscope comprising: a main body having a central axis and a first end and a second end; an objective lens system disposed within the body; an eyepiece lens disposed within the body; an erection tube disposed within the main body and having an erection lens system, wherein the objective lens system, the eyepiece lens, and the erection lens system form an optical system having a first focal plane and a second focal plane, the first focal plane being proximate to the objective lens system and the second focal plane being proximate to the eyepiece lens; a cam sleeve surrounding the erection tube that moves in cooperation with a magnification adjustment ring to adjust the optical magnification of the image, the cam sleeve having materials with various optical absorptances / reflectances bonded to the cam sleeve; The present invention relates to an observation optics comprising: a base having a photosensor coupled to a main body for detecting light from a material, a microprocessor in communication with the photosensor, and an active display in communication with the microprocessor for generating an image based on a magnification setting and projecting the generated image onto a first focal plane of the observation optics. In one embodiment, the image generated from the active display is based on a signal obtained from the photosensor.

[0170] Communicating the magnification setting to the microprocessor has many advantages, including, but not limited to, modifying 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 the memory system, the microcontroller can automatically switch between "display" pages depending on the magnification setting in order to present the most relevant data to the operator.

[0171] 4. Additional Components In one embodiment, the viewing optics can be controlled by buttons integrated into the riflescope or externally mounted buttons.

[0172] In one embodiment, the main body of the viewing optics can include a camera system.

[0173] In one embodiment, the main body of the observation optics can include one or more computing systems. An integrated display system, described below, can communicate with or otherwise relate to the computing systems. In some embodiments, the computing systems can be contained within a first housing or body of the observation optics. In some embodiments, the computing systems can be coupled to an exterior portion of the observation optics.

[0174] 9 is a block diagram of various electronic components of a viewing optics according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A battery 902 can power a computing system or control module 904 and an active display 906. In one embodiment, the computing system 904 can include, but is not limited to, a user interface 908, a data input device 914, a processor 910, a memory 916, and one or more sensors 912.

[0175] In one embodiment, the user interface 908 can include multiple input and / or output devices, such as buttons, keys, knobs, a touchscreen, a display, a speaker, a microphone, etc. Some components of the user interface, such as buttons, can be used to manually input data, such as wind data, display intensity data, reticle intensity data, ballistic profile data, ballistic coefficient data, muzzle velocity data, initial zeroing data, static status of the riflescope system, GPS coordinate data, compass coordinate data, and sight-above-bore data. This data can be received by the processor and stored in memory. This data can also be used by the processor within or to execute algorithms.

[0176] The data input device 914 can include a wired or wireless communication device and / or can include any type of data transfer technology, such as, for example, a USB port, a mini-USB port, a memory card slot (e.g., a microSD slot), an NFC transceiver, a Bluetooth® transceiver, Firewire, a ZigBeee® transceiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, an 802.6 device, a cellular communication device, etc. Although referred to as a data input device, it should be noted that such devices are used in two-way communication and can provide data output as well.

[0177] In one embodiment, the processor 910 may be any type of processor known in the art capable of receiving inputs and executing algorithms and / or processes, including, without limitation, one or more general-purpose processors and / or one or more special-purpose processors (e.g., digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration chips, etc.). The processor may be used to control various processes, algorithms, and / or methods in the operation of the riflescope. The processor may control the operation of the display system and / or reticle. The processor may also receive inputs from a user interface, data input, memory, sensor(s), position encoders associated with the position of an adjustable component (e.g., vertical adjustment knob, windage adjustment knob, or parallax dial), and / or from other sources.

[0178] In one embodiment, memory 916 may include any type of digital data storage device, such as random access memory (“RAM”) and / or read-only memory (“ROM”), which may be programmable, flash updatable, etc. In another embodiment, memory may include memory from an externally connected device, including, for example, a disk drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, or a solid-state storage device. In some embodiments, memory may be configured to store ballistic information, including data usable, for example, to correct the amount a bullet will drop over a given distance and / or the horizontal deflection of the bullet.

[0179] Data can be input from another device (e.g., the processor can receive data via a data input device, which can be input from another device such as a computer, laptop, GPS device, rangefinder, tablet, or smartphone) and stored in memory. Such data can include, for example, calibration data, ballistic profile lookup tables that cross-reference rotational and / or linear data with shoot-to-range values, rifle data, projectile data, user data, etc.

[0180] The sensor(s) 912 may be used to sense any of a variety of environmental conditions or characteristics relevant to the use of the riflescope. For example, the sensor(s) may sense atmospheric conditions (humidity, temperature, pressure, etc.), tilt, rifle cant, and / or rifle aiming direction (compass direction). Any number of sensors may be included. Sensor data may be recorded by a processor and stored in memory and / or used to process instructions for operation of the viewing optics.

[0181] The control module 904 may also include software elements, which may be located in the working memory 916. The software elements may include an operating system and / or other code, such as one or more application programs.

[0182] In one embodiment, the camera can be in communication with the control module.

[0183] B. Second Housing In one embodiment, a second housing is coupled to the first housing and houses the integrated display system. In one embodiment, the second housing is a base coupled to a portion of the main body of the viewing optics. In one embodiment, the base is separable from the main body of the viewing optics.

[0184] In one embodiment, the second housing is not an image stabilization device. In one embodiment, the length of the base with the integrated display system is 35% to 70% of the length of the main body of the riflescope to which the base is coupled. In yet another embodiment, the length of the base with the integrated display system is 40% to 65% of the length of the main body of the riflescope to which the base is coupled. In yet another embodiment, the length of the base with the integrated display system is 65% or less of the length of the main body of the riflescope to which the base is coupled.

[0185] In one embodiment, the main body of the riflescope is approximately 2.5 times the length of the base with the integrated viewing system. In yet another embodiment, the main body of the riflescope is 1.5 to 2.5 times the length of the base with the integrated viewing system. In yet another embodiment, the main body of the riflescope is at least 1.5 times the length of the base with the integrated viewing system.

[0186] As shown in Figure 2, the base 220 can be bolted to the scope body 210 of a riflescope to form a completely sealed and integrated system, in which case the base 220 can be attached directly to the firearm without the need for traditional riflescope rings.

[0187] Figure 10 shows a top view of the riflescope 200 with the main body 210 and base 220. Figure 10 clearly shows that the base 220 prevents the riflescope from protruding in any position or becoming out of proportion with a conventional riflescope. The riflescope disclosed herein with its main body and base maintains the traditional sleek design of a riflescope.

[0188] 11 shows the base 220 attached to the riflescope's main body 210. The base 220 is aligned and flush with the outer edge of the main body 210.

[0189] 2, a base with an integrated display system is coupled to the bottom side of riflescope body 210, with one end of the base coupling near the magnification selection ring or ring 212 of main body 210 and the other end of the base coupling near the beginning of objective lens assembly 214 of the main body. In one embodiment, base 220 is coupled to main body 210 by threaded fasteners, threadless integral and non-integral locating and recoil transfer features, and elastomeric seals.

[0190] In one embodiment, the base is sectioned with the components necessary to generate the digital display, and the base can then be bolted to the main body of the riflescope to form a completely sealed and integrated system.

[0191] In one embodiment, the base and the main body of the scope are a sealed, integrated system. In one embodiment, the base is coupled to the main body without the use of clamps designed for easy removal.

[0192] In one embodiment, a viewing optic having a main body and a base coupled to the main body can be coupled to a firearm without the need for traditional rifle scope rings. In one embodiment, the viewing optic has a main body and a base coupled to the main body, with a bottom side of the base having a mounting rail.

[0193] In one embodiment, the base of the observation optic can include a mounting rail for attachment to a desired firearm, instrument, or device and can have an adjustment mechanism including an elevation adjustment drum for adjusting the elevation position of the optic. Lateral adjustment mechanisms are also typically provided for lateral adjustment. These adjustment mechanisms can be covered with a protective cap.

[0194] In one embodiment, the top side of the base couples to the bottom side of the main body of the viewing optics, and the bottom side of the base has a mounting rail. In one embodiment, the top side of the base couples to the lateral sections of the bottom side of the main body of the viewing optics.

[0195] In one embodiment, the base includes an integrated display system for generating an image using an active display and directing the generated image along a display optical axis so that the generated image can be viewed simultaneously and superimposed with an image of an external scene, the generated image being introduced into a first focal plane of the main body of the observation optics.

[0196] In one embodiment, the base is separate and distinct from the laser range finder device.In one embodiment, the base is a separate device from the laser range finder device.

[0197] In one embodiment, the second housing or base is not an add-on. In another embodiment, the second housing or base is not coupled by an adapter as an add-on adjacent to the eyepiece of the viewing optics.

[0198] In one embodiment, the second housing or base cannot be separated from the main body by an end user. In an embodiment, the second housing or base cannot be replaced with multiple or other viewing optics.

[0199] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system including an observation optical instrument having a main body with a first optical system and a base coupled to the main body and having a second optical system, such as an integrated display system, and a laser range finder device.

[0200] 1. Integrated display system In one embodiment, the second housing includes the integrated display system. In another embodiment, the base includes the integrated display system. In yet another embodiment, the base with the integrated display system is coupled to the main body of the riflescope. In yet another embodiment, the base is coupled to the bottom of the main body of the riflescope.

[0201] In one embodiment, the base has an integrated display system comprising an active display, concentrator optics, and a reflective material, including but not limited to a mirror. In one embodiment, the integrated display system has the following architecture: active display, then concentrator optics, then a reflective material, such as a mirror.

[0202] 12 is a top cutaway view of a base 220 coupled to the main body of the viewing optics. The base 220 includes an integrated display system having a microdisplay 1210, concentrator optics 1220, and a mirror 1230. In one embodiment, the mirror 1230 can be positioned at any suitable angle.

[0203] 13 is a cutaway side view of base 220 with an integrated display system having microdisplay 1210, concentrator optics 1220, and mirror 1230. Main body 210 has beam combiner 320 positioned above mirror 1230.

[0204] 14 shows a cutaway side view of a riflescope having a main body 210 and a detachable base 220. The base 220 includes a microdisplay 1210, collector optics 1220, and a mirror 1230. The mirror 1230 is positioned at approximately 45 degrees. The scope body 210 has a beam combiner 320 positioned approximately above the angled mirror 1230. The beam combiner 320 is positioned approximately below the elevation adjustment knob 1410 of the scope body 210. The active display 1210 is positioned within the base on the eyepiece assembly side 1420 when the base 220 is coupled to the main body 210 of the viewing optics.

[0205] 15, the image generated from the microdisplay 1210 can be redirected from the display optical axis A to the observation optical axis A via mirror 1230 to a beam combiner 320 in the main body 210 so that the digital image is simultaneously superimposed or overlapped onto an image of the scene viewed by a viewer through the optics in a first focal plane 1510. Because the beam combiner 320 is positioned before the first focal plane 1510 and the combined image is focused at the first focal plane, the displayed and observed images do not move relative to each other. This is a significant improvement over devices that introduce an image at a second focal plane.

[0206] In one embodiment, the active display 1210 is located on a portion of the base that is closest to the objective lens assembly 214 relative to the eyepiece lens assembly of the main riflescope body when the base is coupled to the main riflescope body, as shown in Figure 16. The main riflescope body has an analog reticle 1610.

[0207] Figure 17 shows a riflescope 200 including a main body 210 with a beam combiner 320 and a base 220 coupled to the main body and having an integrated display system. As shown in Figure 17, the active display 1210 is located in a portion of the base that is closest to the eyepiece assembly relative to the objective lens assembly of the riflescope body when the base is coupled to the main body of the riflescope. By superimposing the image from the integrated display system onto the first focal plane, the user can still use a conventional glass-etched reticle 1610 for aiming purposes.

[0208] In one embodiment, the integrated display system can direct a generated image from the active display along a display optical axis A. The generated image can be directed from the display optical axis A to a mirror in the base and to a beam combiner in the main body of the riflescope so that the generated image is simultaneously superimposed or overlapped on an image of the scene viewed by an observer through the optics of the main body, where the combined image is introduced or focused into a first focal plane of the optics of the main body.

[0209] In one embodiment, the image generated from the active display in the base is focused on a first focal plane of the riflescope body, thereby allowing the image generated from the display to maintain alignment with externally mounted equipment.

[0210] In one embodiment, the image generated from the active display in the base is focused on a first focal plane of the main body of the riflescope, so that the generated image is not constrained by movement of the erection tube.

[0211] In one embodiment, light from the active microdisplay is collected by an optical lens group. The light from the display is reflected by a beam combiner within the riflescope main tube assembly to form a display image that is coincident with the first focal plane of the riflescope. This display image is combined with the scene (target) image and perceived as being "below the surface" of a traditional wire or glass-etched reticle. In one embodiment, the "traditional" reticle still utilized occludes both the scene image and the display image. When the display brightness is increased to a sufficient brightness level, the OLED display image will fill the scene image and appear to occlude the scene as well.

[0212] In yet another embodiment, an integrated display system in the base can direct the generated image along a display optical axis "B" onto a viewing optical axis A in the main body of the riflescope. The generated image can be redirected from the display optical axis B with a mirror or similar reflective material in the base towards the viewing optical axis A in the main body to a beam combiner in the main body, thereby allowing the generated image to be simultaneously superimposed or overlaid on an image of the scene viewed by an observer through the optics of the main body. The generated image from the active display in the base is directed to a mirror, which reflects the generated image to the beam combiner.

[0213] In one embodiment, the display optical axis "B" and the viewing optical axis "A" are substantially parallel, but in other embodiments they may be oriented differently as desired.

[0214] A. Active Display In one embodiment, the integrated display system has an active display. In one embodiment, the active display is controlled by a microcontroller or computer. In one embodiment, the active display is controlled by a microcontroller with an integrated graphics controller for outputting video signals to the display. In one embodiment, information can be transmitted wirelessly or by physical connection into the viewing optics via a cable port. In yet another embodiment, multiple input sources can be input into the microcontroller and displayed on the active display.

[0215] In one embodiment, the active display and the beam combiner are not located in the same housing. In one embodiment, the active display and the beam combiner are located in separate housings.

[0216] In one embodiment, the active display may be a reflective, transmissive, or emissive microdisplay, including, but not limited to, a microdisplay, a transmissive active matrix LCD display (AMLCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, an electronic ink display, a plasma display, a segmented display, an electroluminescent display, a surface conduction electron emission display, a quantum dot display, or the like.

[0217] In one embodiment, the LED array is a micro-pixelated LED array, and the LED elements are micro-pixelated LEDs (also referred to herein as micro-LEDs or μLEDs) having a small pixel size of generally 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 (in both the vertical and horizontal directions of the micro-LED array) ranging from about 10 μm to about 30 μm. In one embodiment, the micro-LED elements have a uniform pixel size of about 14 μm (e.g., all micro-LED elements are the same size within a small tolerance) and are arranged in the micro-LED array at a uniform pixel pitch of about 25 μm. In some embodiments, the LED elements may each have a pixel size of about 25 μm or less, and a pixel pitch of about 30 μm or less.

[0218] In some embodiments, microLEDs are inorganic and may be based on gallium nitride light emitting diodes (GaN LEDs). MicroLED arrays (comprising a large number of μLEDs arranged in a grid or other arrangement) can provide high-density, emissive microdisplays that are not based on external switching or filtering systems. In some embodiments, GaN-based microLED arrays can be grown, bonded, or otherwise formed on a transparent sapphire substrate.

[0219] In one embodiment, the sapphire substrate is textured, etched, or otherwise patterned to increase the internal quantum efficiency and light extraction efficiency of the micro-LEDs (i.e., extract more light from the surface of the micro-LEDs). In another embodiment, silver nanoparticles can be deposited / dispersed onto the patterned sapphire substrate to coat the substrate before bonding the micro-LEDs to further improve the optical efficiency and output power of GaN-based micro-LEDs and micro-LED arrays.

[0220] In one embodiment, the active display may be monochrome or may provide full color, and in some embodiments, multiple colors. In other embodiments, other suitable display designs or types may be employed. The active display may be driven by electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics may provide the display functionality or may receive such functionality from another device in communication with the electronics.

[0221] In one embodiment, the active display can be part of a backlight / display assembly, module, or configuration having a backlight assembly that includes a backlight illumination or light source, device, apparatus, 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 lens or integrated lens for collecting and directing the generated light to a second illumination or collection lens, concentrating the light onto the active display with good spatial and angular uniformity and directing it along the display optical axis B. The backlight assembly and active display can provide an image that is low power yet bright enough to be viewed simultaneously with a very bright real-world view through optics.

[0222] The backlight color can be chosen to be any monochrome, or can be white to support full-color microdisplays. Other backlight design elements, such as other light sources, waveguides, diffusers, micro-optical elements, polarizers, birefringent components, optical coatings, and reflectors, can be included to optimize the performance of the backlight, compatible with the overall size requirements of the active display, as well as the brightness, output, and contrast needs.

[0223] 16 and 17 depict a representative example of an integrated display system in a base that mates with the main body, showing the display, optics, and mirrors that work with the optics housed in the main body of the viewing optics depicted above.

[0224] Representative examples of microdisplays that can be used include, but are not limited to, those manufactured by Microoled, including MDP01 (series) DPYM, MDP02, and MDP05; those manufactured by Emagin, such as SVGA, microdisplays with pixel pitches of 9.9x9.9 μm and 7.8x7.8 μm; and those manufactured by Kopin Corporation, such as the Lightning Oled Microdisplay. MicroLED displays can also be used, including, but not limited to, those manufactured by VueReal and Lumiode.

[0225] In one embodiment, the electronics cooperating with the active display may include capabilities for generating display symbols, formatting output for the display, and may include battery information, power conditioning circuitry, a video interface, a serial interface, and control features. Other features may be included for additional or different functionality of the overlay display unit. The electronics may provide the display functionality or may receive such functionality from another device in communication with the electronics.

[0226] In one embodiment, the active display generates images including, but not limited to, text, alphanumeric characters, graphics, symbols, and / or video feeds, icons, etc., including an active target reticle, range measurements and wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm tilt information, target detection, recognition and identification (ID) information, and / or external sensor information (sensor video and / or graphics), or imagery for situational awareness, etc., that can be viewed through the eyepiece along with an image of the field of view seen through the optics. The direct view optics can include or maintain an etched reticle and muzzle sight and retain high resolution.

[0227] In one embodiment, an active display can be used to display a programmable electronic aim point at any location within the field of view. This location can be determined by the user (as in the case of rifles that fire both supersonic and subsonic projectiles and therefore have two different ballistic trajectories and "zero-ins") or calculated based on information received from a ballistic calculator. This provides a "drop-compensated" aim point for long-range shooting that can be updated at shot-by-shot intervals.

[0228] In one embodiment, the active display may be oriented to provide maximum vertical correction, hi one embodiment, the active display is positioned so that it is taller than it is wide.

[0229] In one embodiment, the active display is oriented as shown in Figure 18, which allows for the maximum vertical adjustment range 1810 for the active reticle within the riflescope. Maximum vertical adjustment is advantageous because it allows for ballistic correction in longer range scenarios.

[0230] In one embodiment, the integrated display system further comprises a processor in electronic communication with the active display.

[0231] In another embodiment, the integrated display system can include an electronic communication device in electronic communication with the memory, at least one sensor, and / or the processor.

[0232] Distance measurement usage In one embodiment, the active display can display distance measurements obtained from a laser rangefinder. In one embodiment, the LRF can be coupled to the viewing optics. In one embodiment, the LRF is directly coupled to the outer scope body of the riflescope. In another embodiment, a portion of the LRF is directly coupled to the outer portion of the scope body of the riflescope.

[0233] In one embodiment, the LRF is indirectly coupled to the outer scope body of the riflescope. In another embodiment, a portion of the LRF is indirectly coupled to an outer portion of the scope body of the riflescope.

[0234] In yet another embodiment, the LRF is not coupled to the riflescope, but communicates with the riflescope either via hard wiring or wirelessly.

[0235] In general operation, the LRF provides a pulse of laser light that is projected onto a scene via projection optics. This laser light illuminates an object, and a portion of the laser light is reflected back to the LRF. The portion of the reflected laser light that returns to the device is captured by receiving optics and directed to a detector. The device contains a timer that starts when the laser light pulse is sent and stops when the returning laser light is detected. The computer portion of the device uses the elapsed time between the sending of the laser light pulse and the detection of the returning reflected laser light to calculate the distance to the object.

[0236] In one embodiment, the distance calculations are sent to an active display and the generated image (distance measurement or calculation) is redirected using mirrors and beam combiners from the display optical axis "B" onto the observation optical axis A so as to simultaneously superimpose or overlay the image (distance measurement or calculation) onto the image of the scene as viewed by the observer through the observation optics.

[0237] Windage Range Bar In another embodiment, the active display can generate a windage range. In one embodiment, a user can provide a range of wind values ​​and the software can generate the windage data, e.g., a windage range variation bar. In one embodiment, the windage data is sent to the active display and the generated image, e.g., a windage range variation bar, is redirected using mirrors and beam combiners from the display optical axis "B" onto the observation optical axis "A" so that the image (windage range variation bar) is simultaneously superimposed or overlaid on the image of the scene viewed by the observer through the observation optics.

[0238] In one embodiment, the windage data includes a minimum windhold point to a maximum windhold point.

[0239] In one embodiment, the windage data is sent to an active display, which can generate a digital reticle in the field of view with the appropriate windhold.

[0240] Mental cue color display In one embodiment, the active display can generate a color display to convey an extra level of information to the user in a quickly understandable format, hi one embodiment, the active display can generate a series of color-coded symbols to indicate readiness to launch.

[0241] In one embodiment, the active display can generate a series of color-coded symbols to color-code objects within a target scene. In one embodiment, the active display can distinguish friendly forces from enemy forces by color. In another embodiment, the active display can color-code targets of interest.

[0242] In one embodiment, the active display can generate a series of color-coded symbols to indicate the windage adjustment status. In one embodiment, a red dot can indicate that the windage adjustment is not complete, while a green symbol can indicate that the windage adjustment is complete.

[0243] In another embodiment, the active display may generate a colored aim point. In one embodiment, if proper adjustments, including but not limited to windage, range, and elevation, have not been made, the aim point is red. In another embodiment, if some, but not all, fire adjustments have been made, the aim point is yellow. In yet another embodiment, if all necessary fire adjustments have been made, the aim point is green and the aim point is fully corrected.

[0244] In yet another embodiment, the flashing and lit states of the symbols may be used to convey similar status information regarding the adjustment of the aimpoint.

[0245] In yet another embodiment, the active display can generate text that is colored to indicate a status. In one embodiment, red text indicates that an input parameter has not been entered or calculated, and green text indicates that a parameter has been entered or calculated.

[0246] Marker for impact zone in range finding In one embodiment, the active display can generate a circle, square, or other shape to allow the user to quickly capture or encircle the impact zone of the projectile.

[0247] Holdover estimation and correction In another embodiment, the active display can generate a compensated aimpoint for a moving target based on user input for direction and speed of movement. For example, a user can input a speed of 5 miles per hour moving left, which would be added to the windage value if the wind and movement are in the same direction and subtracted from the windage value if the wind and movement are in the opposite direction. In this case, when the aimpoint and / or windage value bar are plotted on the display, the aimpoint will include an appropriate amount of holdover, allowing the user to place the aimpoint dot in the desired impact zone and shoot, rather than having to place the aimpoint in front of the moving target to compensate for the moving target's movement.

[0248] Team operations using cameras and remote display controls In one embodiment, an active display in conjunction with a network interface allows for an additional level of enhanced operation and use. In one embodiment, multiple shooters' reticle images can be viewed over the network. Each shooter's reticle camera image is displayed on one or more consoles, and the network processes and interfaces allow for group-level coordination, training, and collaboration not previously available with individual riflescopes.

[0249] Training and Guidance In a training or instruction scenario, the instructor can see how each shooter aligned their reticle with their target. The ability to actually see the reticle alignment allows the instructor or trainer to provide instructions regarding adjustments and repositioning, such as by verbal instructions (e.g., over the radio or in person).

[0250] In another embodiment, the instructor's console can be provided with a pointing means, such as a mouse or joystick, for which control data is transmitted from the console over a network to the rifle's integrated display system. The instructor's mouse or joystick then controls an additional dot or pointer in each shooter's scope display, allowing the instructor to visually indicate to the shooter which target to use, which range marker bar to use, and where to position the reticle relative to the target. In one embodiment, each shooter can be given their own unique instructor dot so that the instructor can provide individualized instruction to each shooter.

[0251] Firing Adjustment In another embodiment, the active display can be used in the coordination and execution of a multi-shooter firing team. In one embodiment, the team leader operates the leader console and uses the leader dots to assist in assigning targets to each shooter, communicating reticle placement changes, etc.

[0252] Snapshots for remote review and approval In another embodiment, the active display and network process allows a shooter, given control, to take a "snapshot" of their reticle view. This snapshot of the user's reticle view can include an image of the target in question. This image is received by a director or instructor, who reviews the image and approves or disapproves the shot. For example, in a teaching scenario, a user can take a snapshot of an animal that they believe is a legitimate animal (age, species, sex, etc.) to shoot. If the instructor agrees, they can indicate this by positioning or moving an instructor dot in the shooter's reticle.

[0253] Biometric classification of targets In another embodiment, the snapshot of the reticle image is received by a biometric recognition and / or classification process, such as a facial recognition system. The biometric recognition and / or classification process may be on-board the gun, such as integrated into the display control logic, or may be remote from the gun and interconnected via a network. The results of the recognition and / or classification process may be provided to the reticle by transmitting the results over the network to the control logic and updating the display accordingly.

[0254] Side-by-side image display In another embodiment, an image is downloaded over a network to the integrated display system and displayed simultaneously with the observed image of the target in the reticle. Using the downloaded image, the user (shooter) can perform a side-by-side comparison of the target they are currently observing with a previously captured image or photograph of a target similar to the one they have been instructed or wish to photograph. For example, during doe season, a novice shooter may be provided with a reference image of a doe in the reticle to compare in real time with the actual animal they are observing through the scope. In military or law enforcement applications, an image of a sought enemy or fugitive may be displayed in the reticle, allowing the shooter to compare in real time with the face of the person they are observing through the scope.

[0255] A typical example of an active display a. 530~570nm In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an integrated display system using 530-570 nm microdisplays.

[0256] FIG. 19 shows an integrated display system with a 530-570 nm digital display 1910.

[0257] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image 2020 that can be displayed on a 530-570 nm digital display 1910. As shown in Figure 20, a glass-etched reticle 2010 can be used with the devices and systems disclosed herein. These images are exemplary only and should not be construed as limiting the amount or type of information that can be displayed on the active display.

[0258] In another embodiment, the incorporation of a 530-570 nm digital display 1910 allows for relatively higher effectiveness than any other color display due to the sensitivity of the human eye, which allows for less power consumption compared to powering a red or blue display of the same photometric brightness.

[0259] In yet another embodiment, the incorporation of a 530-570 nm digital display 1910 gives the end user greater ability to distinguish the digital overlay from the background created by ambient light with daylight vision.

[0260] b. AMOLED In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an integrated display system that includes an AMOLED microdisplay.

[0261] FIG. 21 shows an integrated display system with an AMOLED digital display 2110.

[0262] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary image 2210 that can be displayed on an AMOLED digital display. As shown in Figure 22, a glass-etched reticle 2010 can be used with the devices and systems disclosed herein. These images are exemplary only and should not be construed as limiting the amount or type of information that can be displayed on an active display.

[0263] In one embodiment, the image produced by the AMOLED 2110 is integrated / imaged / focused onto a first focal plane. In one embodiment, the use of the AMOLED display 2110 allows for increased contrast and greater complexity in the data displayed on the riflescope.

[0264] In one embodiment, the incorporation of an AMOLED display 2110 allows for the selection of individual pixels that are illuminated, giving the riflescope the ability to easily display complex data structures.

[0265] In another embodiment, the incorporation of an AMOLED display 2110 allows for a smaller, lighter package size within the riflescope due to a reduced need for backlighting within the system.

[0266] In another embodiment, the integrated display system does not require a backlit display assembly.

[0267] In yet another embodiment, the incorporation of the AMOLED display 2110 allows for reduced power consumption since the ability to optimize power usage for individual pixels is now available.

[0268] In one embodiment, the incorporation of an AMOLED display 2110 provides contrast ratios that allow for a clean "heads-up" style display within the scope, allowing each floating feature to be individually targeted and rendered without low glow around the pixels.

[0269] B. Concentrator lens system In one embodiment, the integrated display system has an optical system based on the use of optical lenses as part of one or more lens cells, which include the lenses themselves and the lens cell body in which the lenses are mounted. In one embodiment, the lens cell includes a precision-formed body that is generally cylindrical or disc-shaped and has a central aperture for mounting the lens in alignment with the optical axis of a larger optical system. The cell body can also be said to have its own alignment axis, which will ultimately align with the optical axis of the larger optical system when the lens cell is mounted therein. Furthermore, the lens cell functions as a "holder" for the lens, a mechanism by which the lens can be mounted to and within the larger optical system, and (ultimately) a means by which the lens can be manipulated by and for that optical system.

[0270] In one embodiment, the integrated display system comprises a concentrator lens system, also referred to as a lens system, hi one embodiment, the concentrator lens system comprises an inner lens cell and an outer lens cell.

[0271] FIG. 23 is a representative example of a concentrator lens system 2310, having an inner lens cell 2315 and an outer lens cell 2320. In one embodiment, the outer lens cell 2320 houses at least one lens, and the inner lens cell 2315 houses at least one lens. In one embodiment, the inner lens cell 2315 rotates on the inner surface of the outer lens cell 2320. As shown in FIG. 23, the active display 1210 is bonded to a flat textured surface on the back of the inner lens cell 2315. In one embodiment, the active display 1210 can be directly bonded to the inner lens cell 2315. In yet another embodiment, the active display 1210 can be indirectly bonded to the inner lens cell 2315.

[0272] One advantage of the concentrator optics disclosed herein is that the inner lens cell coupled with the microdisplay mount provides a rigid rotating mechanical axis for positioning the vertical axis of the microdisplay.

[0273] Figure 24 is a representative illustration of a base 220 mated with a main body of a viewing optics instrument, in this case the base having a concentrator optic 2310 as part of an integrated viewing system. In Figure 24, the main body is depicted by a beam combiner 320 and a viewing optic reticle 2420.

[0274] The outer lens cell 2320 is fixed in position within its main body relative to the viewing optics, while the inner lens cell 2315 is allowed to rotatably float within the outer lens cell 2320. By applying pressure to a surface 2410 of the inner lens cell 2315, which is positioned below the axis of rotation of the inner lens cell 2315, the vertical axis of the active display 1210 can be aligned with the vertical axis of the reticle 1610 of the viewing optics.

[0275] FIG. 25 is a representative illustration of one embodiment for aligning the tilt of the vertical axis of the active display with the vertical axis of the reticle. As shown in FIG. 25, opposing set screws 2505 can be tightened against a surface of the inner lens cell 2315 that is positioned below the axis of rotation of the inner lens cell 2315. The set screws 2505 can be used to align the vertical axis of the microdisplay 1210 with the vertical axis of a reticle in the optical system within the main body of the viewing optics. The rotation of the inner lens cell 2315 can be maintained by securely tightening the set screws 2505 against the underside of the inner lens cell 2315, thereby locking the vertical axis of the microdisplay 1210 in place.

[0276] 26 is a representative diagram of a rear cutaway view of the condenser lens system 2300 with tilt adjustment for the microdisplay 1210 or active display. When the microdisplay is introduced into the viewing optics using a beam combiner or waveguide, an additional correction method is required to eliminate tilt errors between the reticle's vertical axis and the introduced image of the microdisplay's vertical axis. A set screw 2505 is tightened against a surface of the inner lens cell 2315 positioned below the rotation axis of the inner lens cell 2315, thereby aligning the microdisplay's 1210 vertical axis with the reticle's vertical axis in the optical system within the main body of the viewing optics.

[0277] FIG. 27 is an exemplary diagram of a method and apparatus for eliminating parallax between a microdisplay and a reticle in the optical system of the main body of a viewing optics instrument. An outer lens cell 2320 houses at least one lens on the right side of FIG. 27, and an inner lens cell 2315 houses at least one lens on the left side of FIG. 27. The inner lens cell 2315 slides along the optical axis on the inner surface of the outer lens cell 2320. The microdisplay 1210 is coupled to the inner lens cell 2315. A spring 2710 is disposed between the outer lens cell 2320 and the inner lens cell 2315 to separate them when not under compression.

[0278] Figure 28A is a representative illustration of a base coupled to a main body of a viewing optics instrument, having collector optics 2300. In Figure 28A, the main body is depicted with a beam combiner 320 and a viewing optic reticle 2810.

[0279] The outer lens cell 2320 is fixed in position relative to the viewing optics, and the inner lens cell 2315 is allowed to float within the outer lens cell 2320. By forcing the inner lens cell 2315 forward with a screw or wedge 2820 that applies force to the back of the inner lens cell / active display mount, the axial position of the microdisplay image is changed so that the focal plane of the image is positioned flush with the viewing optic reticle in the main body of the viewing optics, thus eliminating parallax between the microdisplay and the reticle.

[0280] The inner lens cell is held in place by the action of a spring pushing a screw or wedge outward. Parallax between the active display and the reticle can be eliminated without changing the amount of light collected from the active display and without degrading the image quality of the optical system.

[0281] The use of springs between the inner and outer lens cells and the application of force to the back of the inner lens cell / microdisplay allows for maximum light collection from the microdisplay and provides a quick, easy, and accurate method of adjustment.

[0282] In one embodiment, the inner lens cell 2315 and the outer lens cell 2320 can comprise two or more lenses. In yet another embodiment, the lens system can comprise three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or eleven or more lenses. Lenses are available from a variety of commercially available manufacturers, including, but not limited to, LaCroix Optics (www.lacroixoptics.com) and Diverse Optics (www.diverseoptics.com). In one embodiment, the inner lens cell and the outer lens cell comprise a concentrator lens system.

[0283] In one embodiment, the lens system is comprised of a five-lens system. In one embodiment, the five-lens system is comprised of five single lenses. In another embodiment, the five-lens system is comprised of two doublet lenses and one single lens. In yet another embodiment, the five-lens system is comprised of three single lenses and one doublet lens. In one embodiment, at least one plastic aspheric lens is used as the first element.

[0284] In one embodiment, the lens system is a five-lens system with the following order: the aspheric singlet closest to the active display, then a singlet, then a doublet, then the last singlet.

[0285] In one embodiment, the lens system is a five-lens system with the following order: the aspheric singlet closest to the active display, then a singlet, then a singlet, then a doublet.

[0286] In one embodiment, the lens system is a five-lens system with the following order: aspheric singlet closest to the active display, then a singlet, then a singlet, then a doublet. In one embodiment, the lens system is a five-lens system with the following configuration: Lens 1 closest to the active display is 11 mm in diameter and 9.3 mm thick, Lens 2 is 9 mm in diameter and 1.9 mm thick, the doublet has one lens (Lens 3) that is 13.5 mm in diameter and 2.1 mm thick and another lens (Lens 4) that is 13.5 mm in diameter and 4.1 mm thick, and Lens 5 is 13.5 mm in diameter and 3.3 mm thick.

[0287] In one embodiment, the air spacing from one lens to the next ranges from about 1 mm to about 20 mm. In one embodiment, the air spacing from one lens to the next ranges from about 5 mm to about 20 mm. In one embodiment, the air spacing from one lens to the next ranges from about 10 mm to about 20 mm.

[0288] In one embodiment, the distance between the active display and the first lens is minimized 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.

[0289] In one embodiment, the five-lens system is housed in an inner lens cell and an outer lens cell. In one embodiment, the inner lens cell is assembled by placing an aspheric lens, then a spacer, then lens 2 (which can be a 9mm singlet lens), and then a locking ring (which holds both lenses in place) into the inner lens cell from opposite ends of where the display pedestal is.

[0290] In one embodiment, the outer lens cell is assembled by inserting lens 5 (which may be a 13.5 mm singlet lens), then a spacer, then doublet lens 2 (which may be lenses 3 and 4), and then a locking ring into the outer lens cell from opposite ends of the cell.

[0291] 28B is an exemplary illustration of a base with a concentrator optic or lens system. The inner lens cell 2315 is assembled by placing an aspheric lens 2840, then a spacer, and then a glass concave-convex lens 2850 into the inner lens cell from the opposite end of where the display pedestal is. In one embodiment, the glass concave-convex lens can be Lens 2, as described above. The outer lens cell 2320 can be assembled by inserting a glass doublet 2860 followed by a glass singlet 2870.

[0292] In one embodiment, the concentrator lens system comprises five lenses including 2840, 2850, 2860, and 2870, with 2840 closest to the active display and 2870 furthest from the active display. In one embodiment, inner lens cell 2315 comprises 2840 and 2850. In one embodiment, outer lens cell 2320 comprises 2860 and 2870.

[0293] In one embodiment, axial movement of the inner lens cell along the inner diameter of the outer lens cell changes the spacing between lens 2 of the inner cell and lens 3 of the outer cell, which is used to move the focal plane of the display image and completely eliminate parallax between the projected display image and the passive reticle in the main body of the viewing optics.

[0294] In one embodiment, focusing the display image onto a first focal plane of the optical system within the main body is achieved by changing the air spacing between lenses 2 and 3 of the five-lens system, which is achieved by changing the position of the inner lens cell relative to the outer lens cell.

[0295] In one embodiment, the lens assembly can also be assembled together within a lens barrel, which is a monolithic mechanical structure that holds a series of lenses. The lens barrel is used to position the lenses axially and radially relative to each other and to provide a means for aligning the lens assembly with the optical system of which it is a part. The lens elements are radially positioned by the inner diameter, or ID, of the barrel wall. The outer diameter, or OD, of the lens elements is ground to match the ID of the barrel wall. The axial position of the lens elements is achieved by cutting the lens seat during assembly. The lens elements can then be constrained to the lens seat with epoxy, a retaining ring, or the like.

[0296] C. Reflective material In one embodiment, the integrated display system comprises a reflective material 1230. In one embodiment, the reflective material 1230 is a mirror. In one embodiment, the integrated display system comprises one or more mirrors. In one embodiment, the integrated display system comprises two, three, four, five, or more mirrors.

[0297] In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle of 30° to 60°, or 30° to 55°, or 30° to 50°, or 30° to 45°, or 30° to 40°, or 30° to 35° relative to the display's emitted light.

[0298] In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle of 30° to 60°, or 35° to 60°, or 40° to 60°, or 45° to 60°, or 50° to 60°, or 55° to 60° relative to the display's emitted light.

[0299] 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 display's emitted light.

[0300] In one embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 29, the tilt of mirror 2910 along the vertical axis can be adjusted using a screw or similar mechanism. By turning the screw into the base or back of mirror 2910, the angle at which the microdisplay image is reflected into the beam combiner can be changed. This correspondingly changes the tilt of the focal plane at the viewing optics reticle 2930 of the main body optics of the viewing optics. This adjustment can be used to eliminate parallax error between the microdisplay and the reticle along the vertical axis.

[0301] In one embodiment, the mirror is secured to the base with one or more screws, hi one embodiment, the mirror is secured to the base using a compound such as an epoxy, resin, or adhesive, or a combination thereof.

[0302] In one embodiment, the position of the mirror can be adjusted relative to the beam combiner to remove errors, including but not limited to parallax errors.

[0303] In one embodiment, the position of the mirror can be adjusted relative to the active display to remove errors, including but not limited to parallax errors.

[0304] 2. Power System In one embodiment, a base that mates with the main body of the observation optics includes the power system. In another embodiment, the base of the observation optics includes a cavity. A battery cavity can be incorporated into the base that mates with the main body of the observation optics.

[0305] Figure 30 is a representative schematic diagram of a base 220 with a battery compartment 3005, where the base 220 is coupled to the main body 210 of a riflescope 3000. As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the battery compartment 3005 extends from each side of the base to accommodate batteries, including CR123 batteries, which have increased power capacity and discharge capacity compared to smaller batteries or coin cells.

[0306] In one embodiment, the battery cavity 3005 is integral with the base 220 so that only a battery cap is needed to protect the battery from the environment. No additional sealing is required.

[0307] In one embodiment, the battery cavity 3005 in the base 220 is positioned closer to the objective lens assembly 3010 than to the eyepiece lens assembly of the main body 210 of the viewing optics.

[0308] 32 is a representative diagram of a battery compartment 3005 integrated into the base 220. In one embodiment, the battery compartment 3005 is designed so that the battery is inserted positive side first into the bottom of the battery cavity with a mechanical stop to prevent improper installation and operation of the battery.

[0309] In one embodiment, the integrated battery cavity 3005 can use the same gasket that is used in the base 220 for the riflescope's main body 210. This provides a more reliable seal and eliminates mechanical devices because a separate battery cavity is not needed. Second, because the battery cavity is integrated into the base, there is no mechanical device to secure the battery cavity. This reduces the need for a mechanical interface to secure the battery compartment. Because there is no need to mechanically lock the battery cavity, the integrated battery compartment reduces the points of failure associated with conventional battery compartments.

[0310] The integrated battery compartment eliminates any obstructions that may get in the way of the user. It is located below the viewing optics where it does not interfere with any of the adjustments and knobs found on conventional viewing optics. The integrated battery compartment is a significant advancement because it allows for the space needed to accommodate larger batteries.

[0311] In one embodiment, the viewing optics can be configured in a manner that minimizes battery drain and maximizes battery life. For example, a viewing optic equipped with a laser rangefinder is activated when the operator presses a button or switch. The rangefinder's designator is displayed on the screen. The output laser of the external rangefinder matches the designator through an initial calibration step when zeroing the viewing optics. When the operator activates the external rangefinder, information is transmitted wirelessly or through a communications port to the viewing optics, signaling that information has been received and needs to be displayed.

[0312] If the observation optics are powered on and no data is received from an external device, the observation optics will power off after a user-set time has elapsed. After displaying the information received from the external device, a power-off timer starts, which powers off the observation optics if no further button presses are recorded.

[0313] 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 any number of times selected by the operator.

[0314] While the information is displayed on the screen, a cant indicator is displayed on the screen. This is refreshed at intervals from an accelerometer in communication with the microcontroller. When the microcontroller is in sleep mode, an integral button on the viewing optic controls the brightness of the LEDs that illuminate the glass-etched reticle. When the viewing optic is active, control of these LEDs is suspended and the screen brightness changes with the corresponding button press.

[0315] 3. Picatinny mount In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a main body and a base with a battery compartment, and a Picatinny mount that can be coupled to the battery compartment. In one embodiment, the detachable Picatinny mount is attached to a protruding battery compartment integrated into the base that is coupled to the riflescope body.

[0316] 33-35 are representative schematic diagrams of a riflescope comprising a main body 210 and a base 220 coupled to the main body 210, the base having a battery compartment 3005 attachable to a Picatinny mount 3305. In one embodiment, the Picatinny mount 3305 is aligned with the battery compartment 3005 and secured with fasteners.

[0317] Mount 3305 attaches to battery compartment 3005 of base 220, utilizing the material needed to create cavity 3005 for the battery. This eliminates the need for additional material from the base, thereby making the viewing optics lighter and less intrusive.

[0318] In one embodiment, the mount is positioned toward the objective lens, away from the turret and parallax knob, so as not to interfere with the user's ability to adjust the riflescope. Additionally, the top ring is removable, allowing for easy attachment of auxiliary devices, such as a laser rangefinder. By utilizing the Picatinny mount disclosed herein, the integrated base secures the riflescope, eliminating the need for additional structural support from the upper portion of the ring.

[0319] In one embodiment, the mount incorporates a cantilevered Picatinny rail that extends forward toward the riflescope's objective lens. This allows the weapon-mounted laser rangefinder to be seated directly above the bell of the riflescope. This mounting style allows for reduced bullet misalignment and improved accuracy of the ranging device. It reduces the chance of bullet misalignment because there are fewer variables affecting the ranging device due to acquiring the desired target.

[0320] 4. Data Port In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument comprising a main body and a base having an active microdisplay for generating an image and combining the generated image with an image of a scene at a first focal plane of the main body of the observation optical instrument, the base having an axially oriented data port for interfacing with auxiliary devices including, but not limited to, a remote control switch and a laser rangefinder.

[0321] 36 is a representative schematic diagram of a riflescope 3600 having a main body 210 and a base 220 with an axially oriented data port 3605. In one embodiment, the viewing optics can have one axially oriented data port. In another embodiment, the viewing optics can have two or more axially oriented data ports.

[0322] By utilizing the axially oriented data port 3605, the top-down profile of the entire observation optics is minimized, thereby improving the robustness of the mounted system and its connections.

[0323] 5. External Video Source In one embodiment, the active display in the base can be used as the optical train or optics of the clip-on device, including but not limited to thermal imaging systems and night vision systems.

[0324] Thermal imaging systems allow the user to capture and transmit images of various waves in the electromagnetic spectrum that are generally inaccessible to the human eye. Traditional thermal weapon sights consist of two pairs of systems: infrared optics that view the scene, and visible-wavelength optics, consisting of a microdisplay and lenses, that reproduce this image on the front of the riflescope. There are also cases of catalytic photon amplification, creating what are known as "night vision" systems. However, clip-on devices are typically attached to a rifle rail at the front of the main body of the riflescope. This configuration typically blocks all ambient light from being imaged by the scope, allowing only a digital image. To switch back to a traditional image, the user must remove the system from the rail. This can lead to bullet misalignment due to the need to realign the sight each time the sight is repositioned. These clip-on units also tend to be bulky, requiring an eyepiece / imaging system behind the digital display within the unit. With traditional systems, any live video feed is a fully digital image, including visible spectrum output.

[0325] FIG. 37 is a representative schematic diagram of a riflescope 3700 having a main body 210 and a base 220 with an active display 1210 and concentrator optics 1220 that can be used as the optics of a thermal imaging unit 3705. The active display 1210 generates an image that is focused on a first focal plane of the main body of the scope and integrates this image with conventional daylight optics using a beam combiner. The integration of a digital display allows the user to overlay a digital image on top of the ambient daylight optics. With the digital display disclosed herein, there is no need to remove the clip-on unit from the front of the viewing optics to view the ambient daylight optics. Instead, the digital display can be turned on and off as needed.

[0326] The integration of the digital display ensures zero image shift when switching between daytime visible optics and digital optics. Because the system is fully integrated, there is no need to zero in the digital optics every time they are turned on. The system is synchronized by aligning the combiner optics.

[0327] In one embodiment, the integration of a digital display provides an optical train that typically forms the rear half of a clip-on unit. Because a microdisplay is already present within the base of the observation optic, only infrared optics are required for thermal targeting: the image generated by the thermal sensor is transmitted to an active display, which is already integrated into the base of the observation optic. By integrating the thermal or night vision targeting in this manner, the thermal / night vision device is much shorter and lighter than weapon sights currently on the market. This allows for the design of a more compact and lightweight system, since half of the optical train is integrated directly into the base that mates with the main body of the observation optic. There is no need to integrate rear optics or a display into the clip-on unit that houses the sensing device.

[0328] Furthermore, if a thermal weapon sight were mounted on the side of a riflescope so that the thermal optics did not obscure the riflescope's objective lens, it would be possible to superimpose a thermal image onto the visible image observed by the user. This would have the advantage of being able to highlight people, animals, or anything with a thermal signature that would otherwise not be noticeable in a neutral daylight scene.

[0329] In one embodiment, the integration of a digital display as disclosed herein creates the advantage of providing a live video feed into the focal plane of the viewing optics without obstructing the daytime visible sight.

[0330] In one embodiment, the integration of digital displays allows for seamless integration of imaging overlays, such as live thermal imaging, and hyperspectral overlay systems. The visible image is now analog, rather than a separate digital display.

[0331] In one embodiment, the integration of digital displays disclosed herein provides the advantage that even if power suddenly fails on the digital system, the image feed continues: a true analog image will still be available, which is not the case with traditional digital output systems.

[0332] In one embodiment, the integration of a digital display allows multiple types of imaging systems to be mounted off the front of the viewing optics: a thermal imaging system can be aligned with the bottom or side of the viewing optics and still deliver its image directly onto a focal plane within the main body of the viewing optics.

[0333] 6. EMI transparent window In one embodiment, the main body, the base, or both the main body and the base of the viewing optics can have a window sealed with a material that is transparent to the electromagnetic waves used in wireless communication, including but not limited to plastic, resin, or epoxy.

[0334] In one embodiment, the window allows electromagnetic waves to propagate from the communication device with reduced interaction from metallic objects in the observation optics, which increases the speed at which data can be transmitted and allows the wireless communication device to operate at lower power levels due to reduced signal loss.

[0335] III. Additional Sensors / Devices In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical instrument having a main body and a base with an integrated display system and one or more sensors, in one embodiment, the sensors include, but are not limited to, a global positioning system, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a MEMS rate sensor, a tilt sensor, and a laser range finder.

[0336] A. Pointing angle, target location, and communication In one embodiment, the observation optics can have an inertial MEMS rate sensor to determine the pointing angle of the weapon in inertial space. Exemplary products are Systron Donner's LCG-50 and Silicon Sensing's SiRRS01. In another embodiment, an accelerometer can be incorporated into the embedded electronics to determine the absolute tilt angle of the observation optics and track weapon acceleration due to typical movement or firing events.

[0337] To assist in targeting, various embodiments can include the observation optics, a GPS, and / or a digital compass. In one embodiment, the GPS and / or digital compass can be integrated into the observation optics, for example, as a board-level module. In another embodiment, the GPS and / or digital compass can be associated with a separate device that communicates with the observation optics.

[0338] Several manufacturers offer custom off-the-shelf modules for GPS and digital compass functions that have small form factors and low power consumption. 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, consumes less than 30 mA, and is smaller than 3 / 4 inch square. One example of a GPS device is the Delorme GPS2058-10 module, available in a surface-mount package that measures 16 mm x 16 mm and provides 2-meter accuracy.

[0339] In one embodiment, the observation optics can have data interfaces providing either or both wired and wireless capabilities designed to interface with systems such as BAE Personal Network Nodes and emerging SRW radios. These interfaces provide various communication capabilities such as range, sensor, and other tactical data (e.g., friendly fire detectors, environmental sensors, etc.). This unique capability is used in various embodiments to acquire and communicate environmental, target, and situational awareness information to a community of interest. Generally speaking, various embodiments are designed to enable a soldier to rapidly acquire, reacquire, process, and otherwise integrate data from various passive and active sources into a ballistic firing solution, thereby enhancing the shooter's effectiveness.

[0340] In another embodiment, the sensor provides information to an active display to generate real-time position data of different targets on a first focal plane of the main body of the observation optics. In another embodiment, the sensor is part of an external device that communicates with the integrated display system.

[0341] By using such a sensor within the observation optic, or on an external device tightly connected to the observation optic, or on the weapon on which the observation optic is mounted, the precise position of the observation optic can be obtained as well as the precise direction in which the observation optic is pointed, and the external target can be calculated in relation to the position and aiming direction of the observation optic.

[0342] As the user moves the viewing optics around or the target moves relative to the viewing optics, the target's position is continuously updated in real time by sensors in communication with the integrated display system, allowing the user to ascertain where the target is in relation to its visible position by looking through the viewing optics.

[0343] This technique has strong practical utility in military applications where personnel may be in different locations and attempt to communicate specific target locations to each other. For example, in close air support (CAS), a pilot may operate an aircraft, and ground forces may rely on the aircraft to drop bombs on the target. It is often difficult for ground forces to communicate the target's exact location to the aircraft. The process of communicating targeting information between ground forces and aircraft is often referred to as "talking to the target" and involves communicating what the force or aircraft sees in its field of view, such as what landmarks are visible near the target.

[0344] This process often takes a considerable amount of time and can be confusing because the target often looks different from the air than it does on the ground. It is crucial that each unit is confident that they are all looking at the same target, because if an aircraft mishits its target, it could drop bombs on friendly forces or non-combatants.

[0345] These problems are solved by allowing position and attitude sensors to communicate with the active reticle display of the integrated display system. A user of the observation optic can designate a target in the scope, and the scope, knowing the scope's GPS location, the precise direction it is pointing, and the distance to the target, can calculate the target's precise GPS coordinates. This information can be fed into a universal system, such as Link 16, to which all friendly forces are connected. Then, the aircraft simply looks at its own display, and as soon as another force designates a new target, that target appears on the map.

[0346] This makes target detection much faster and makes it much easier to verify that both forces are viewing the same target. Because precision is crucial in determining target location, the image generated by the active display must be displayed in the first focal plane of the main body of the observation optics. If the image generated from the active display is projected into the second focal plane of the main body of the observation optics, the target location will only be accurate when the observation optics reticle is in its "zeroed" position. If the user of the observation optics turns the turret any amount, for example to line up with a long-range target, all of the target information in the display will shift by the amount the turret was turned and will be inaccurate.

[0347] By using this with the active display image introduced into the first focal plane, the displayed data is independent of and automatically corrects for adjustments made to the reticle position, meaning that the target data in the field of view is always accurate.

[0348] B. Environmental Sensor In one embodiment, the observation optics can include one or more pressure, humidity, and / or temperature sensors designed to collect and use environmental data for ballistic correction. Sensors are available in compact configurations suitable for incorporation into the observation optics. An example of a compact, low-power, waterproof barometric pressure sensor is the MS5540 manufactured by Intersema. This component measures 6.2 x 6.4 mm.

[0349] In one embodiment, the sensor may be coupled to the main tube of the viewing optic or to the base of the viewing optic.

[0350] C. Uphill and downhill In one embodiment, the sighting optics can have a z-axis accelerometer that can be used to measure the tilt angle of the scope relative to vertical. This tilt angle can be incorporated into the ballistic solution at target selection. Once a target is selected, the system can automatically incorporate the actual upslope or downslope tilt into the ballistic solution and display the solution in the first focal plane of the sighting optics so that the digital reticle or modified aim point is displayed correctly. This can provide a very fast and effective means of aiming during long-range upslope or downslope engagements.

[0351] IV. Observation optics with display systems and laser range finders In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a main body and a base with an integrated display system, and a laser range finder. In one embodiment, the laser range finder is coupled to the viewing optic. In another embodiment, the laser range finder is separate from the viewing optic and communicates with the viewing optic wirelessly or via a cable.

[0352] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder is coupled to the observation optics by a mounting rail attached to the base through the battery compartment.

[0353] In one embodiment, a laser rangefinder can be used to determine the distance to a target. In various embodiments, the laser transmits in the near infrared for stealth purposes. A typical wavelength used for laser rangefinder devices operating in the near infrared (NIR) is 905 nm.

[0354] In one embodiment, the particular laser power and spectral characteristics are selected to meet the distance and eye safety requirements of the viewing optics. The rangefinder is of sufficient power to produce accurate measurements, illustratively out to 1500 meters, 2500 meters, or other effective distances associated with firearms or weapons intended for use with the viewing optics. With respect to rangefinder operation, in some embodiments, a single button control is dedicated to taking or performing rangefinder measurements.

[0355] In one embodiment, the distance to the target can be communicated to an active display that generates an image of the distance to the target and superimposes the distance to the target on a first focal plane of the viewing optics when observing the target scene.

[0356] In one embodiment, the observation optics has a computing device with ballistic calculation capabilities. In one embodiment, the main body of the observation optics has a computing device with ballistic calculation capabilities.

[0357] In one embodiment, a laser rangefinder can be used to measure target distance, calculate the projectile trajectory, and communicate a corrected aim point to an active display within the integrated display system, which then superimposes an image of the corrected aim point onto a first focal plane of an observation optics having a reticle mounted on a movable erecting lens system.

[0358] Importantly, because 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 at the first focal plane, the target image and the display image never move relative to each other, so any aiming reference generated by the digital display will always be accurate regardless of how the moving erector is adjusted.

[0359] When an external laser rangefinder provides distance information to the riflescope, a sighting reference, or laser designator, must be created on the digital display so the user knows where in the field of view the LRF is aimed to hit the correct target with the laser. The digital display image and the objective lens system's target image on the main body of the riflescope do not move relative to each other. Therefore, the digital laser designator can accurately show the user the correct location of the LRF laser aim point, regardless of how the turret is adjusted to move the movable erector lens system.

[0360] On the other hand, if the digital display image is integrated into the optical system somewhere after the first focal plane, when the erector lens system is moved / tilted by adjusting the turret, the digital display image will move relative to the target image and the digital LRF designator will move relative to the actual laser aim point. This can lead to inaccurate distance measurements if the user dials in any elevation or windage adjustments on the turret and forgets to return the turret to the original position it was set to when the user aligned the digital reticle with the actual laser aim point.

[0361] Furthermore, when zeroing a conventional riflescope on a rifle, the user typically selects a "zero" distance, often 100 yards, which is used to align the riflescope's reticle with the rifle's projectile's point of impact. This is typically accomplished by adjusting the riflescope's turret, and thus the tilt angle of the erecting lens system, to align the reticle with the riflescope's point of impact. After the riflescope's initial "zero" is set, the turret allows the user to make further adjustments to the riflescope's reticle position to compensate for targets at different distances and to compensate for changes in windage variables that affect where the projectile's point of impact will vary from the initial "zero" position.

[0362] If a digital display is integrated into the riflescope system behind the first focal plane, the correction factors for the ballistically calculated aim point may be inaccurate if the user makes any adjustments to the turret from the initial "zero." For example, if the ballistic calculator determines that a 10 milliradian elevation adjustment is required to hit the target, the digital display will place the aim point 10 milliradians below the center of the crosshairs. However, if the user dials in the elevation turret 5 milliradians from the initial "zero" position, the digital aim point will actually be aimed 15 milliradians below the initial "zero."

[0363] By introducing the digital display into the first focal plane of the riflescope's main body optics, it is possible to make the digital display completely independent of any changes in turret adjustment or erector position. That is, in the example above, for a total correct ballistic drop of 10 milliradians, the digital aim point would only appear 5 milliradians below the center of the reticle (the user had previously rotated the elevation turret 5 milliradians from the initial "zero" position). In short, by introducing the digital display image into the first focal plane of the main body optics, the digital display image becomes completely independent of any changes in turret position, and therefore any movement / tilt of the erector lens system, providing the required precision.

[0364] In one embodiment, the capabilities of the laser rangefinder provide a ballistic solution that is dynamically determined based on acquired data. The range to the target can be used by an onboard computer when processing the tracer's trajectory to determine the best point along the measured trajectory path to use to determine the ballistic correction for the next shot.

[0365] In one embodiment, the laser rangefinder is integrated into the scope and has a dedicated output laser transmission port. In one embodiment, the optical path of this dedicated laser axis is positioned in a corner of the housing so that it is not obstructed by the main objective lens. The detection path for the incoming reflected laser signal passes through the scope's main objective lens, and the light is directed to a photodetector by a near-infrared beam splitter. This arrangement takes advantage of the relatively large aperture of the main objective lens to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement.

[0366] 38-44 provide photographs of a viewing optics 3800 having a main body 3810 with optics, a base 3820 having an integrated display system and coupled to the main body 3810, and a laser range finder 3830 coupled to the top of the main body 3810. The viewing optics 3800 can have two auxiliary ports 3805 for communication with external sources. The viewing optics 3800 can have a Picatinny mount 3305 that couples to the outside of the battery cap for the battery cavity 3005 in the base 3820.

[0367] 45-46 provide an illustration of a viewing optics 4500 having a main body 4510 with an optics system, a base 4520 having an integrated display system and coupled to the main body 4510, and a laser range finder 4530 coupled to the top of the main body 4510. The viewing optics 4500 can have a single auxiliary port 4535 for communication with the laser range finder 4530.

[0368] 47 and 48 provide an illustration of a viewing optic 4700 having a main body 4710 with an optics system and a base 4720 having an integrated display system and coupled to the main body 4710. In certain embodiments, the viewing optic 4700 can have a Picatinny mount 4730. In certain embodiments, the viewing optic can have an auxiliary port 4735.

[0369] V. Additional Embodiments 1. Digital zero adjustment In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of using a digital reticle for alignment and zeroing. In one embodiment, a viewing optic has a physical reticle and a digital reticle, the physical reticle being connected to a mounting system. A user "zeroes" the physical reticle using a turret and moves the reticle and mounting system so that the center of the reticle is aligned with the point of impact of a bullet.

[0370] After the physical reticle is zeroed, the digital reticle must also be zeroed. Because the digital reticle is formed by an active or digital display with a fixed position, the only way to zero or align the digital reticle is by digital means. The position of the digital reticle can be moved by the user so that the center of the digital reticle coincides with the center of the physical reticle.

[0371] In another embodiment, digital zeroing can also be used in conjunction with a laser designator. When used in conjunction with an external laser rangefinder, the laser designator on the viewing optics must be aligned with the direction the laser rangefinder is pointing. Most external laser rangefinders have a visible laser and an infrared laser. The infrared laser is the laser that actually measures distance. The visible laser can be turned on and off and matches the aim of the infrared laser. The visible laser allows the user to see where the laser is aimed. When the visible laser is on, the user can digitally adjust the laser designator to match the aim point of the visible laser. The visible laser can then be turned off, and the user can use the laser designator in the viewing optics display to ensure accurate aim of the laser rangefinder.

[0372] 2. Holographic Waveguide In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument having a main body with a first optical system and a base with an active display and a holographic waveguide. In one embodiment, the integration of the holographic waveguide reduces the package size and weight of conventional beam combining systems. The integration of the holographic waveguide can increase the overall transmitted brightness ratio so that a greater proportion of the light from each optical system reaches the end user.

[0373] 49 is a representative diagram of observation optics 4900 with optics within main body 4910, a base with active display 1210, and a holographic waveguide system 4925. Holographic waveguide system 4925 spans main body 4910 as well as base 4920. Digital display or active display 1210 generates an image on collimation optics 4930, which sends this image to input hologram waveguide 4926. This image exits the waveguide via output hologram 4927 and is introduced into the first focal plane 4930 of optical system 4940.

[0374] In one embodiment, the integration of a holographic waveguide reduces the need for special coatings on the beam combiner. Additionally, the integration of a holographic waveguide eliminates the need for mirror systems and reduces the need for complex mechanical alignment systems.

[0375] The integration of holographic waveguides allows for the creation of a replica of the complex optics required to image the display, eliminating the need for complex systems to be present in every system.

[0376] The integration of holographic waveguides allows for the use of LCOS, LCD and OLED systems to display information within the optical system. Due to the nature of the system, different types of illumination systems can be used in conjunction with the different types of displays used within the system.

[0377] The use of holographic waveguides allows for the implementation of non-static illuminated reticles, which can change as the image on the screen changes. Holographic waveguides eliminate the need for traditional illumination methods, enabling daylight bright reticle systems.

[0378] The integration of holographic waveguides creates the ability to generate non-static holographic fields. Output-coupling holograms can direct light defined by the master optics, allowing for the aiming picture of the holographic field to change.

[0379] The integration of holographic waveguides can be used with any monochromatic or polychromatic light source. The use of complex multiplexed Bragg grids allows the integration of polychromatic illumination systems.

[0380] 3. Bullet Trajectory Tracking One of the difficulties associated with long-range engagements is the ability to determine the accuracy of the first shot so that timely corrections can be made to improve the accuracy of the next shot. Traditional techniques used to determine the round's point of impact involve attempting to detect the bullet trail and / or the actual bullet scattering point, which can be difficult in many long-range engagements. In the case of a sniper team, follow-up fire also requires feedback from the observer to transmit appropriate data back to the shooter, which can take several seconds using only verbal communication.

[0381] In one embodiment, the observation optics may have an image sensor adapted to detect image frames relating to the bullet's flight path and transmit these image frames to a computing device, where the computing device may calculate the bullet's trajectory from these image frames.

[0382] In one embodiment, a viewing optic having a main body and a base with an integrated display system can detect tracer bullets with built-in image processing to determine the trajectory of the bullet just before it impacts the target area. In one embodiment, this data can be transmitted back to a ballistic computer to quickly and efficiently generate a follow-up fire solution for a second round, which can be transmitted to an active display with a revised aim point superimposed on the first focal plane of the viewing optic's main body.

[0383] Automating a feedback loop with computerized trajectory and splash point detection, coupled with an active display, and superimposing electronic aimpoint corrections on the primary focal plane advantageously reduces the total time required to deliver an accurate second shot. This reduction in time can be crucial in the process of engagement. After the first shot is fired, the window of opportunity for a second shot can quickly narrow, especially if it is delayed beyond the time the sonic boom of the first shot reaches the intended target.

[0384] Environmental conditions and windage drift can significantly affect a round's ballistic trajectory over long distances. For example, an M193 bullet can drift by approximately 4 feet at 500 yards in a moderate 10 mph crosswind. Because bullet velocity decreases as the range and total time of flight increases, the effects of windage become even more exaggerated at greater distances.

[0385] A variety of tracer options are available. Standard tracers are traditionally used by shooters to determine the trajectory of a bullet within its flight path. Tracer bullets can emit light in the visible or IR spectrum, depending on the composition of the tracer material. The latter is useful if the shooter is using night vision equipment. Additionally, some tracers may initially emit a faint glow that brightens as the round progresses along the distance. A fuse element can control the timing of the tracer glow after the round is fired, delaying the ignition of the tracer material until the bullet has progressed far enough along the distance. The fuse delay reduces the risk that the tracer will reveal the shooter's firing position.

[0386] In one embodiment, observation optics with an integrated display system can use tracer rounds to detect, determine, and / or display the trajectory of a bullet immediately prior to impact with a target area. In one embodiment, a covert tracer having a long-delay fuse and emitting light in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum (700-1000 nm) can be used. Light emitted in the near-infrared region is invisible to the human eye but can be detected by imaging sensors using conventional glass optics. This type of tracer round can be particularly useful in maintaining the shooter's stealth for sniper operations while providing automated bullet tracking capabilities critical for accurately determining next-fire correction requirements. Thus, various embodiments are adapted to work with one or more tracer rounds to implement the functionality described herein.

[0387] Because the imaging sensor of the daylight embodiment is also sensitive to visible light, standard daylight tracers can also be used for bullet tracking. In both the visible and near-infrared cases, tracer bullets can take advantage of having long delay fuses for increased stealth, since the system only needs to detect the bullet's flight at the last moment before impact.

[0388] In one embodiment, a camera associated with the observation optics can record the trajectory of the bullet, and a set of sensors embedded in the observation optics can be used to calculate the exact geolocational trajectory of the bullet, as well as the point of impact of the bullet.

[0389] In another embodiment, the sighting optics can also use a stabilized camera to compensate for recoil from the firearm. The sighting optics will accurately track the movement of the stabilized camera and compensate for that movement to accurately calculate the geolocational trajectory of the bullet. This embodiment allows the shooter to accurately track his or her own trajectory and more accurately correct for any mistakes.

[0390] In both embodiments, the geolocational trajectory of the bullet can then be shared with other users who also activate a display on their own device, such as another riflescope, spotting scope, or goggles that uses microdisplay or holographic technology to display the trajectory in their field of view.

[0391] In one embodiment, bullet trajectory tracking incorporates capturing video frame images of a glowing, in-flight tracer bullet. The spatial location of the bullet within a selected image frame is extracted by image processing techniques and then correlated with data from other video frames to establish the bullet's trajectory.

[0392] Image frames are selected for processing based on their correlation with a firing event. When a bullet is fired from a weapon, the time of muzzle exit 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 from the muzzle exit time, at which point various embodiments begin frame-by-frame processing of the video image to identify a small cluster of pixels associated with a tracer bullet at a specific XY location in space. Because the bullet passes through a small number of individual pixels in the XY frame, frame images can be captured with an exposure time optimized to capture the bullet. Knowing the camera frame rate and muzzle exit time, the distance of the bullet from the weapon in each frame can be established using the bullet's known flight characteristics. This data is contained in on-board tables associated with each weapon and its associated round, or alternatively, is received from tactical network communications with the weapon sight.

[0393] If the absolute distance to the target is known from laser rangefinder measurements, the round's position at the target distance can be calculated by determining the point on the trajectory that corresponds to that target distance. The advantage of this technique is that the measurements are made from in-flight data and are not dependent on the bullet impacting a physical surface. The calculated position will correspond to elevation and azimuth angles relative to the weapon's position and can be used to determine the ballistic pointing corrections needed to improve accuracy. As part of this next-shot ballistic correction calculation, various embodiments use inertial pointing angle data to calculate a relative reference point between the gun's inertial pointing angle at muzzle exit and the pointing angle at flight. This allows the calculation to account for any angular motion of the gun that occurred during the bullet's flight time to the target distance.

[0394] 4. Additional Configuration 50 shows an alternative embodiment of a riflescope 5000 having a scope body 5005 and a compartment or notch 5010 on top of the scope body 5005. The compartment 5010 has an integrated display system with an active display 5015 and collector optics 5020. The integrated display system is oriented so that the display 5015 and collector optics 5020 are parallel to the beam combiner 5025. In this embodiment, no reflective surfaces such as mirrors are required.

[0395] Figure 51 shows an alternative embodiment of a riflescope 5000 having a scope body 5005 and a compartment or notch 5010 on top of the scope body 5005. The compartment 5010 has an integrated display system including an active display 5105, collector optics 5110, and a mirror 5115. The integrated display system is oriented so that the display 5115 and collector optics 5110 are perpendicular to the beam combiner 5025. In Figure 51, the active display 5105 is closer to the eyepiece system than to the objective system of the viewing optics.

[0396] Figure 52 shows an alternative embodiment of a riflescope 5000 having a scope body 5005 and a compartment or notch 5010 on top of the scope body 5005. The compartment 5010 has an integrated display system including an active display 5105, collector optics 5110, and a mirror 5115. The integrated display system is oriented so that the display 5115 and collector optics 5110 are perpendicular to the beam combiner 5025. In Figure 52, the active display 5105 is closer to the objective lens system than to the eyepiece lens system of the viewing optics.

[0397] The generated image from the active display 5105 is directed onto a mirror and combined with an image of the scene viewed by the observer through the viewing optics using a beam combiner 5025 within the scope body 5005, allowing the generated image and the observed image to be simultaneously superimposed or overlapped, and the combined image is introduced into a first focal plane. Because the beam combiner 5025 is positioned before the first focal plane 1510 and the combined image is focused onto the first focal plane, the generated image and the observed image do not move relative to each other. This is a significant improvement over devices that introduce an image into a second focal plane.

[0398] In yet another alternative embodiment, the viewing optics has a scope body and a separable base with an active display and collector optics, where the active display and collector optics are parallel to the beam combiner. In this embodiment, no reflective surfaces such as mirrors are required. The base mates with the bottom of the main body of the viewing optics.

[0399] The generated image from the microdisplay 5105 can be combined with an image of the scene viewed by the observer through the viewing optics using a beam combiner within the scope body to simultaneously superimpose or overlap the generated image and the observed image, and the combined image is introduced into a first focal plane. Because the beam combiner is positioned before the first focal plane and the combined image is focused onto the first focal plane, the generated image and the observed image do not move relative to each other. This is a significant improvement over devices that introduce an image into a second focal plane.

[0400] The optical sights and methods disclosed herein may be a display or viewing apparatus, device, sight, or scope for, on, or as part of, or as an add-on accessory to, a weapon, gun, rifle, laser target locator, rangefinder, etc. Embodiments may be mounted on a weapon or apparatus, or may be handheld or helmet mounted.

[0401] V. Observation optics with advanced reticle features A. Active display patterns based on magnification settings In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument having a main body and a base with an integrated display system, the active display of which generates a plurality of reticle patterns projected onto a first focal plane of a field of view.

[0402] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical instrument having a main body and a base with an integrated display system, an active display of which generates a reticle pattern based on a magnification level.

[0403] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a main body with one or more sensors capable of tracking or monitoring the magnification level of the viewing optic and a base with an integrated display system, wherein an 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 reticle patterns based on the magnification level.

[0404] In one embodiment, viewing optics with an integrated display system can project a digital signature or aim point that is optimized for the particular magnification setting being used.

[0405] In one embodiment, the main body of the viewing optics has a sensor associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism of the aiming device for generating a signal indicative of an adjustment of the optical magnification of the viewing optics. The viewing optics 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 generate a reticle pattern that is superimposed on an image of a distant object and is viewable through the eyepiece within the field of view.

[0406] In some embodiments, the electronic controller and active display are configured to generate a first reticle pattern, such as a close combat reticle pattern, in response to a signal indicating a first magnification setting, and to generate a second reticle pattern, different from the first reticle pattern, in response to a signal indicating a second magnification setting greater than the first magnification setting. For example, the second reticle pattern can be a long-range reticle pattern, such as a sniper reticle.

[0407] In some embodiments, the sensor may include an electromechanical or optical digital encoder (which may be rotary or linear), a potentiometer, a combination of one or more magnets and one or more Hall effect sensors, or other suitable device operable to sense the position or movement of the magnification adjustment mechanism and generate a corresponding electrical signal. In one embodiment, the sensor is depicted in FIGS. 69 and 70.

[0408] In one embodiment, the active display is not within the main body of the viewing optics.

[0409] In one embodiment, the one or more reticle patterns can be selected from a number of patterns 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 21 or more patterns. In one embodiment, a viewing optic with an integrated display system can select from among at least 10, or at least 20, or at least 30, or at least 40, or at least 50 reticle patterns.

[0410] In one embodiment, the active display of the integrated display system projects a reticle pattern based on a particular magnification setting onto a first focal plane of the field of view. When the magnification setting is changed, the reticle pattern generated from the active display switches so that the aim point is immediately useful to the operator. The reticle switching can be based on the magnification setting.

[0411] By way of example and not limitation, at a 1X magnification setting, the active display may produce a small center dot projected onto the first focal plane. When the magnification is changed to 8X, the active display produces a crosshair pattern with a long-distance holdover dot projected onto the first focal plane. A sensor determines the change in magnification and communicates this to a controller, which then changes the reticle pattern on the active display.

[0412] In one embodiment, the viewing optics with integrated display system projects information and aim points designed to assist the operator in engaging targets at short and long ranges. In one embodiment, multiple "pages" of information or reticle patterns can be designed and loaded into the system, with different pages being displayed depending on the magnification setting.

[0413] In one embodiment, the reticle pattern from the active display is projected onto an etched reticle in the first focal plane. Projecting the digital reticle onto an etched or fixed reticle provides the necessary protection in case of a system failure.

[0414] Figure 53 is a representative diagram of a close combat reticle 5300 at 1X magnification. The arcuate heavy line 5305, main horizontal line 5307, main vertical line 5309, numbers, and arrows are components of the etched reticle. The center dot 5310 is generated from the active display of the integrated display system. This type of reticle is used for close combat, and the center dot represents an aiming point for rapid target acquisition.

[0415] Figure 54 is a schematic diagram of the reticle of Figure 53, but with the viewing optics set at 8x magnification. As shown, the center dot 5310 projected from the active display is noticeably large at 8x magnification.

[0416] Figure 55 is a representative diagram of a reticle pattern 5500 that provides useful information when the viewing optics are set to an 8X magnification setting. The arcuate heavy line 5502, the main horizontal line 5504, the main vertical line 5506, the numbers and arrows represent the etched reticle. The central aim point 5510, the six ballistic compensation windage dots 5520, and the upper left square 5530 showing the rangefinder designator that displays the virtual distance to the target are components generated by the active display.

[0417] FIG. 56 is a representative view of a reticle pattern 5500 at a low magnification setting.

[0418] 53-56, at an optical magnification setting of 1X, reticle pattern 5300 includes a first set of multiple marks 5310 (such as circles and / or aiming dots) generated from an active display and projected onto a first focal plane reticle, along with etched reticle features 5305, 5307, and 5309. Preferably, reticle pattern 5300 formed at least in part by first set of marks 5310 is a type of close quarters combat reticle (CQB reticle) having minimal marks to provide a less cluttered viewing area, as shown in FIG.

[0419] As the optical magnification setting increases, the electronic controller and active display (in response to signals received from a sensor, including but not limited to the sensors described in Figures 69 and 70) replace / alter / swap the first reticle pattern with a second set of marks, which (at least in part) form a second reticle pattern 5500 that is different from the first reticle pattern 5300 and typically includes at least some different features.

[0420] For example, the second reticle pattern may include different aiming features and additional marks, such as those associated with distance estimation, windage and elevation adjustment calculations, or other suitable marks commonly used in range finding reticles such as those shown in FIG. 55.

[0421] It would therefore prove very useful to generate multiple "pages" of features and reticle patterns for the active display, store these in a memory system, and automatically switch between reticle patterns when the operator changes the magnification setting of the viewing optics.

[0422] B. Active BDC reticle Ballistic Drop Compensation (BDC) reticles are designed to place hash marks in the vertical crosshairs that are positioned below the horizontal crosshairs. These hash marks are designed to closely match a specific ballistic profile or set of profiles at a specific distance to be attempted.

[0423] However, current BDC reticle designs are fixed designs. This is because the reticle is manufactured using wire, metal, or etched glass. Once the reticle is manufactured and installed in the riflescope, it cannot be changed without removing it and installing a new one, which can only be accomplished by sending the scope back to the manufacturer.

[0424] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical instrument having a main body with an optical system and a base having an integrated display system with an active display that can generate a BDC reticle that can be manually changed at any time by a user or, further, automatically changed in real time by the viewing optical instrument's software and sensors.

[0425] To create a BDC reticle for the sighting optics disclosed herein, the riflescope can be programmed for the specific ballistic profile of the rifle and the cartridge fired. The sighting optic then has sensors for temperature, pressure, humidity, cant angle, tilt angle, etc., as described above, which can help provide real-time updates to the BDC reticle so that it is as accurate as possible for all conditions. This allows the BDC reticle to be customized for each rifle and specific shooting conditions.

[0426] With the BDC reticle generated in real time by the active display, the shooter has an accurate system for accurate and rapid firing at various distances.

[0427] As shown in Figure 57, reticle 5700 has a standard etch and fill portion, including numeric markings and hash marks along major horizontal lines 5702, major vertical lines 5704, and major vertical crosshairs. 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 this form of BDC reticle include numeric markings 5710 (100 to 900 on the vertical axis in the third and fourth quadrants). This portion is projected from a digital display, so it can be updated in real time.

[0428] In addition to the active BDC reticle, the user / shooter may find themselves in a position to provide cover for other elements in areas where targets may appear rapidly and at various distances. For example, a sniper may be on top of a building overlooking an alley or road with a cross street or entrance / exit. The active display can be used in conjunction with various sensors built into the riflescope, such as compass, cant angle, tilt angle, GPS, etc., to accurately determine the direction the riflescope is pointing.

[0429] Using observation optics with environmental sensors, an integrated display system with an active display for generating and projecting a BDC reticle onto a first focal plane, and a rangefinder, a user can aim at known landmarks such as doors, windows, cars, etc., and place distance markers on those landmarks using the controller and active display. These distance markers are projected onto the first focal plane and are visible through the observation optics. The environmental sensor allows the user to move the observation optics to observe a different target, while the distance markers remain on the target.

[0430] FIG. 58 is a representative image of a BDC reticle generated by an active display and projected onto a first focal plane reticle, displaying the distance to a potential target. A viewing optic having a main body with an environmental sensor and a base with an integrated display system with an active display for generating a BDC reticle allows a user to mark multiple targets within one or more areas with distance indication. In this case, if a target appears near the target marker, the user can quickly determine the distance to the target without having to aim down the sights on the target. The user can then quickly position and align the active BDC reticle.

[0431] C. Reticle that compensates for firearm cant With traditional riflescopes, when shooting at long distances, it is important that the firearm and scope are level when firing. As a bullet travels long distances, it is affected by gravity to an extent that the shooter must take into account. Gravity pulls the bullet consistently toward the ground, causing "bullet drop." Shooters compensate for this bullet drop by aiming higher than the target so that the bullet has dropped to the appropriate height to hit the target by the time it reaches it.

[0432] Figure 59 is a typical illustration of a cant angle. It can be seen that the triangle is a right triangle with a 10° angle at the top and a right angle at the bottom. The 10 milliradian side is the hypotenuse, which is the side of the triangle, and represents the inclined vertical cross section of the crosshair. However, gravity acts on the vertical side of the triangle.

[0433] Using trigonometry, we can solve for the length of the perpendicular side with the following formula: Cos10° = x / 10 milliradians. Solving for x results in 9.85 milliradians. So in this example, the user / shooter may have held or dialed in 10 milliradians, but only offset the shot by 9.85 milliradians. At long range, this is enough to miss the target.

[0434] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic with an integrated display system that uses an active display to generate a reticle that can compensate for the cant of a firearm, allowing a user to seamlessly perform long-range shooting without worrying about cant angles.

[0435] In a traditional riflescope, the reticle is a physical crosshair that is either metal, wire, or a pattern permanently etched onto glass. This means that the cant of the reticle is always fixed. However, with active display technology that generates a real-time reticle, the digital reticle can be changed at any time by overlaying it on top of the passive image. In one embodiment, the viewing optics has an internal cant sensor that can instantly orient the reticle generated by the active display to correct for the cant angle.

[0436] FIG. 60 is a representative diagram of a reticle 6000 in which marks and patterns are oriented for cant and generated by the active display of an integrated display system. The primary horizontal line 6002 and the primary vertical line 6004 are provided by a passive, etched, or fixed reticle. The aim point generated by the active reticle 6020 compensates for cant and is projected or superimposed on the passive reticle. The pivot point 6010 is at the center of the reticle. In this case, the electronic controller / microcontroller will use information collected from the cant and tilt angle sensors, apply software logic, and communicate with the active display to adjust the aim point 6020 of the generated image to reflect the new zero position, related geometry, and hold point corresponding to the firearm's current orientation. The user will shoot with a digital reticle generated by the active display instead of a passive or fixed reticle.

[0437] In another embodiment, the active display of the integrated display system can generate a digital reticle that corrects for cant and compensates for up-tilt or down-tilt shooting by adjusting the aim point on the digital reticle up or down, thereby eliminating the need for cosine indicators that are often used to compensate for shooting in these types of situations.

[0438] D. Digital reticle with drift indicator In conventional riflescopes, reticles with wind indicators are typically glass-etched reticles. Often, these reticles have a grid pattern or a row of dots that allow the user to have a reference point to use for aiming and compensating for wind speed. The problem with these reticles is that because they are physically and permanently etched onto a piece of glass, their shape and size are fixed.

[0439] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a main body and a base with an integrated display system having an active display for generating a digital reticle that uses a windage indicator to compensate for range 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 viewing optic can have a reticle that can adapt its windhold in real time to the trajectory, distance, and environment of a particular situation.

[0440] Generally, the longer the distance, the greater the effect crosswinds have on a bullet. With a digital reticle, the windhold can be made wider as the distance increases to compensate for the wind value at a particular distance to the target.

[0441] Figure 61 is a representative diagram of a reticle 6100. Multiple components or markers are provided by a passive reticle including a primary horizontal crosshair 6102 and a primary vertical crosshair 6104. The active display of the integrated display system generates and projects a target 6105 ranged to 500 yards and a windhold 6110 for specific conditions. The ends of the secondary horizontal lines (crossing the primary vertical lines) are equivalent to a 5 mph drift, the next dot is 10 mph, and the outermost dot is 15 mph. The images 6105 and 6110 generated from the active display are superimposed on the passive reticle.

[0442] Figure 62 is a representative diagram of a reticle 6200. Multiple components or markers are provided by a passive reticle including a primary horizontal crosshair 6202 and a primary vertical crosshair 6204. The active display of the integrated display system generates and projects a target 6210 ranged to 1000 yards and a windhold 6220 for specific conditions. The extreme horizon (across the primary vertical) is equivalent to a 5 mph drift, the next dot is 10 mph, and the outermost dot is 15 mph. The images 6210 and 6220 generated from the active display are superimposed on the passive reticle. It can be seen that the secondary horizontal line 6220 extends wider and the windholds are spread further on either side compared to the 500-yard solution (Figure 61) to compensate for the additional drift induced as the bullet travels longer distances.

[0443] E. Reticle with central grid for second-fire correction Traditionally, passive reticles have been designed to allow the shooter to have many reference points for shooting in a variety of conditions and trajectories. However, because the variety of conditions and trajectories varies so widely, these reticles have tended to have many features on the reticle, such as lines or grids of dots, that cause the reticle to appear cluttered or busy to the user.

[0444] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a reticle system that includes a digital reticle that is generated by an active display and overlaid on a passive reticle. The use of a digital reticle allows information to be displayed appropriately as needed, eliminating the need to display certain information on the passive reticle, thereby providing a cleaner or more easily distinguishable passive reticle.

[0445] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to viewing optics having a passive or analog reticle designed to function most efficiently in conjunction with an active reticle. Active reticle technology allows the viewing optic to perform complex calculations and display a ballistic solution to the user. Typically, the ballistic solution is not centered in the field of view or in the center of the passive reticle's crosshairs. This gives the user the option of either holding the center over the ballistic solution or rotating the turret and firing until the ballistic solution is centered in the field of view and centered in the passive crosshairs.

[0446] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to viewing optics with analog and digital reticles that allow the shooter to make the most effective and efficient second fire corrections while minimizing the obstruction of the field of view caused by previous passive reticles that use extensive grids of lines and dots.

[0447] Figure 63 is a representative illustration of a wide-angle view of a reticle 6300 at low magnification. A less obtrusive row of dots is used below the horizontal crosshairs. This passive reticle can be used as a backup if the viewing optics' battery power or electronics fail and the active display cannot be produced.

[0448] Figure 64 is a representative illustration of a close-up view of the central portion of the reticle 6400. Figure 64 provides a higher magnification view. This image shows a small grid 6410 generated by the active display of the integrated display system and positioned in the center of the reticle. This allows the user to make precise measurements of first shot impact locations to make precise second shot corrections.

[0449] In one embodiment, the grid 6410 generated by the active display is wider than it is tall. This is specifically designed because calculating the elevation of impact for the first shot is more accurate than estimating drift. In this embodiment, the small positive features of the small grid are very fine features that are not illuminated, allowing for extremely precise measurements.

[0450] Active or digital reticles require very close first shot acquisition, so the central grid can be much smaller than a typical passive reticle, which requires a large grid that covers a significant portion of the field of view below the horizontal crosshairs.

[0451] VI. Automatic Brightness Adjustment As discussed throughout this application, an integrated display system allows a digital image generated by an active display to be superimposed on an image of an external scene. The active display is introduced to the image of the external scene using an illuminated portion of the display. To maximize the usability of the display, it is desirable to have a high contrast ratio between the luminance of the passive scene and the luminance of the illuminated display so that both are easily visible. If the display is too dark, the user cannot see. If the display is too bright, the display will overwhelm the passive scene.

[0452] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical instrument having a main body with an integrated display system and a light sensor capable of detecting and compensating for the brightness of a particular target.

[0453] Figure 71 shows a representative schematic diagram of observation optics 7100, including a main body 7105 and a base 7110 coupled to the main body. The main body 7105 includes optics for observing an image of an external scene and a beam combiner 7120, above which a photosensor 7125 and an optical filter 7130 are positioned. This allows the photosensor to view the target scene directly without obstructions in its field of view. The base 7110 includes an integrated display system 7115 with an active display for generating an image that is projected onto a first focal plane of the observation optics.

[0454] The photosensor 7125 and optical filter 7130 create a high contrast ratio between the brightness of the image of the external scene and the brightness of the image produced from the active display.

[0455] In one embodiment, the transmission band of the filter in front of the photosensor can be adjusted to be narrow enough so that only the brightness of the target is measured, and not additional light from the display system that would distort the measurement.

[0456] VII. Optical observation equipment with automatic distance measurement capabilities In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optics with 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 a viewing optics with an integrated display system, a camera to assist in automatic ranging, and a laser rangefinder.

[0457] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optics with an integrated display system and a camera incorporating image recognition technology. The systems and methods disclosed herein significantly increase the speed at which target solutions are obtained, eliminating the need for button presses that can affect the aimpoint. Additionally, the systems and methods disclosed herein integrate artificial intelligence into the system to determine the quality of the ranged target solutions.

[0458] In one embodiment, the viewing optics includes a camera incorporating image recognition technology, which in one embodiment can be mounted on either the viewing optics with an integrated display system or on the firearm and point in the direction of the riflescope's aim point.

[0459] In one embodiment, the camera has artificial intelligence for detecting targets and communicating with the active display of the integrated display system to highlight the targets. In another embodiment, the artificial intelligence system can be incorporated into the observation optics. In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence system can be located in a base coupled to the main body of the observation optics.

[0460] In another embodiment, a thermal imaging camera lacking image recognition technology can be used. This allows a thermal image to be transmitted to an active display and superimposed on an image of the external scene within the viewing optics. The viewing optics can be programmed to display only "hot spots" of interest. For example, hot spots could indicate the heat of a person or a vehicle. By eliminating artificial intelligence, the system consumes significantly less power. Furthermore, all appropriate hot spots appear within the field of view, allowing the user to evaluate each hot spot to determine whether it is a valid target.

[0461] After identifying a valid target, the user simply moves the viewing optics so that the LRF designator in the field of view is over the desired hotspot. As soon as the LRF designator is aligned with the hotspot, the system automatically activates the LRF to acquire the hotspot distance. After acquiring the distance, the viewing optics can display a hold point for the target distance or simply indicate the distance, and the user can use the active BDC mode to hold on the active BDC reticle for the appropriate measured distance to the target.

[0462] An added feature to the system is that it can automatically detect if the hotspot remains in the LRF designator long enough to obtain a valid range. If not, it will wait to display the range until the hotspot has remained in the LRF designator long enough to achieve a valid target acquisition before displaying the solution. This eliminates the second problem with button presses.

[0463] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to techniques and methods involving the use of an overlaid camera image projected onto a first focal plane of viewing optics, and using this image in conjunction with an LRF designator to automatically range targets.

[0464] VIII. Observation optics equipped with photosensors to save power In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optics with an integrated display system and a power saving system. In one embodiment, the power saving system can be located in a base coupled to a main body of the viewing optics. In one embodiment, the power saving system includes a proximity sensor. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor is in communication with a microcontroller.

[0465] In one embodiment, the power saving system can be used to put the viewing optics into a sleep or standby mode when a user / operator is not looking through the viewing optics. In one embodiment, the system and mechanism can wake or activate the viewing optics when a user / operator is detected behind the eyepiece of the viewing optics.

[0466] The current method of putting the electronics to sleep or standby is by using a "time-out" feature, but this is disadvantageous when the sighting optic is being used in close combat missions because the sighting optic must remain on for an indeterminate amount of time as long as there is an operator looking through it. An accelerometer can also be used to detect movement and turn the system on. The drawback to this method is that if the operator is observing, the gun can go to sleep with little movement for an extended period of time, even though the operator is still looking through the sighting optic.

[0467] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system for conserving battery power by turning on viewing optics when there is a detected operator presence behind the eyepiece of the viewing optics.

[0468] In one embodiment, the power saving system can be used with any electro-optical device that is compatible with mounting a proximity sensor within a few inches of the operator's face when using the viewing optics.

[0469] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a main body and a base coupled to the main body, the base having a window on a back surface of the base facing toward the eyepiece.

[0470] In one embodiment, the base has a proximity sensor mounted on the carrier, which is mounted in a window located on the end of the base facing the eyepiece. The proximity sensor can transmit a signal to a microcontroller in the base or main body when it detects a reflection within a few inches of the window. The distance at which an object activates the sensor can be adjusted at the factory, or software options can be built into the user interface to allow an operator to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor or disable / enable the automatic sleep / standby feature.

[0471] Figure 72 is a representative diagram of a viewing optic 7200 having a base 7205. A window 7210 is located in the base 7205, facing the eyepiece of the main body of the viewing optic. A proximity sensor and carrier 7215 is located within the window 7210 and is positioned below the eyepiece.

[0472] 73 and 74 are representative diagrams of a viewing optic 7200 having a base with a power saving system, with the viewing optic mounted on a rifle. It can be seen that the operator's face is within a few inches of the back of the viewing optic. A sensor 7215 in the base 7205 of the viewing optic 7200 detects a reflection from the operator's face, thereby waking the viewing optic from sleep mode. When the operator moves their head from the viewing position, the sensor no longer sees a reflection, causing the viewing optic to go into sleep or standby mode.

[0473] IX. Observation optics with power rails In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a main body and a base with an integrated display system, the viewing optic being capable of being powered from an external power source housed in a host firearm. In one embodiment, the viewing optic has a main body and a base coupled to the main body, with an electrical pin integrated into the base for providing power to the viewing optic from the firearm. In another embodiment, the viewing optic can be powered from the firearm using an electrical pin integrated into a remote keypad assembly.

[0474] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method and system for providing additional power to viewing optics for extended periods of time.

[0475] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic that includes a main body and a base coupled to the main body, the base having a PCB used to control the display, sensors, and user interface of the viewing optic. In one embodiment, the base has a power input pin protruding therethrough and contacting a power pad. In one embodiment, the power pad is integrated into a Picatinny rail.

[0476] In one embodiment, the PCB is positioned to allow interaction with the input pin, which in one embodiment is sealed to the base of the riflescope to keep the interior of the riflescope protected from the environment.

[0477] 75 and 76 are representative views of a viewing optic 7500 having a main body and a base 7510 with a power pin 7520 protruding through the base 7510. FIG.

[0478] FIG. 77 is a representative side profile of the viewing optics 7500 showing the power pins 7520 protruding through the base 7510 of the viewing optics 7500.

[0479] FIG. 78 is a representative view of a side profile of the viewing optics 7500 with the base of the viewing optics made transparent to reveal the power pins 7520 attached to the integrated PCB 7530.

[0480] In another embodiment, power provided by the Picatinny rail on the firearm can be delivered to the sighting optic via the remote keypad used to control the sighting optic. In this scenario, the power pins are connected to a PCB within the remote keypad and protrude through the built-in recoil lug within the remote keypad housing. In this case, power is sent to the base of the riflescope through two dedicated wires within the cable.

[0481] FIG. 79 is a representative image of the top surface of a remote keypad 7900.

[0482] FIG. 80 is a representative side profile of the remote keypad 7900 showing the power pin 8010 protruding through the internal recoil lug.

[0483] FIG. 81 is a representative bottom view of the remote keypad 7900 showing two power pins 8010 protruding through the internal recoil lug.

[0484] FIG. 82 is a representative bottom view of the remote keypad 7900 with the cover transparent to reveal the PCB 8205 inside the remote body.

[0485] X. Viewing optics having a single keypad with multiple functions - Patent Application 20070122967 In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system including a viewing optics having an integrated display system and a remote keypad system with two or more functions per keypad button. In one embodiment, the remote keypad can control two or more aspects of the viewing optics' functionality, i.e., two or more functions per button. In one embodiment, the function of a button depends on the state of either a control signal or a software bit.

[0486] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a remote keypad that expands the control a user / operator has over viewing optics and / or auxiliary devices used with the viewing optics.

[0487] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a keypad for a viewing optic and / or one or more auxiliary devices used with the viewing optic. In one embodiment, two or more functions can be assigned to a single button on the keypad, with the desired function determined by a software bit or a separate mechanical switch. This can significantly increase the functionality of the viewing optic.

[0488] In one exemplary embodiment, in a first mode, the button can change the brightness of the display, and in a second mode, the same button can activate an infrared pointer on the system. By using the same button for more than one function, the number of buttons required can be minimized, keeping the remote keypad small and simple.

[0489] Figure 83 is a representative diagram of a three-button keypad. The remote keypad associated with the viewing optics has three buttons. The top button 8305 is used to increase the brightness of the display, the middle button 8310 is used to activate the laser rangefinder to measure the range of a target, and the bottom button 8315 is used to decrease the brightness of the display. The function of each button depends on the mode of operation.

[0490] In one embodiment, the keypad can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more than 10 modes of operation. In one embodiment, the keypad can be in communication with a processor that sets 10 to 50 modes of operation for the keypad. As an example, a keypad in communication with a processor that has 10 modes of operation for the keypad provides 10 functions for each button, which functions will be determined by the mode of operation.

[0491] The button functions can be changed using several methods. In one embodiment, a user / operator can press and hold a button on the remote keypad for a certain amount of time, which causes the microcontroller to change the function of one or more buttons. In one embodiment, the operator can press and hold one of three buttons for an extended period of time, such as one second, which signals the microcontroller within the viewing optics to change a bit that assigns the button a new function. In one embodiment, pressing and holding the top button 8305 for a certain amount of time can set Mode A, pressing and holding the middle button 8310 for a certain amount of time can set Mode B, and pressing and holding the bottom button 8315 for a certain amount of time can set Mode C. Varying the amount of time each button is engaged can activate additional modes of operation. For example, holding button 8305 for five seconds can activate Mode A, and engaging button 8305 with five quick taps can activate Mode F.

[0492] In another embodiment, the functionality of the remote keypad buttons can be changed via separate mechanical switches on the viewing optics. In one embodiment, the mechanical switch can have three different positions, which communicate with three different bits or programs in the microcontroller. These bits or programs can be used to assign different functions to the remote keypad buttons.

[0493] A representative example is shown in FIG. 84. The observation optics has a switch 8400 that communicates with a remote keypad 8300. At a first setting point 8405, the top button 8305 of the remote keypad 8300 can be assigned the function of increasing the brightness of the display, the middle button 8310 can activate a laser rangefinder, and the bottom button 8315 can decrease the brightness of the display. When the mechanical switch 8400 is set to a second setting point 8410, the functions of the top button 8305 and bottom button 8315 can be programmed to turn on / off the auxiliary pointing laser on the observation optics, while the middle button 8310 can still be programmed to activate the laser rangefinder. When the mechanical switch 8400 is set to a third setting point 8415, the functions of the three buttons can be changed again. For example, if the observation optics is equipped with a digital magnetic compass and position and landmark data is stored in the microcontroller's memory, information about the location of objects can be displayed in the field of view of the observation optics (augmented reality data).

[0494] In one embodiment, the keypad communicates with the processor of the sighting optics, which allows various modes of operation to be assigned to each button or switch on the keypad. For example, in one mode of operation, the buttons on the keypad have a specific function for marking targets of interest. An operator can range the target using a laser rangefinder and use orientation data from a digital magnetic compass to "mark" the target of interest within the field of view. Buttons on the keypad can be assigned functions specifically suited to this task.

[0495] The center button on the keypad can be used to activate the laser rangefinder and range the target. Once the target is ranged, the top and bottom buttons can be used to select from a list of predefined descriptive words to classify the target, such as "landmark," "friendly," "enemy," or "unknown." Once the operator has completed this action, they can quickly reassign functions to the remote keypad buttons, allowing them to change brightness settings, activate the infrared laser, or obtain ballistic solutions for the target's range.

[0496] XII. Observation optics with relative coordinate mapping system In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to techniques and methods for using observation optics with an integrated display system to precisely tag and track targets using relative coordinate mapping systems and / or drone technology.

[0497] Soldiers need to be able to pinpoint the location of enemy targets, share this location with other soldiers, close air support, etc., and easily see these targets by overlaying them within the field of view of their primary optics. The most obvious way to accomplish this is with a combination of GPS, compass heading, altitude, tilt, and range sensors. However, relying on GPS has drawbacks, as GPS signals require direct line-of-sight with GPS satellites, which is not always possible. The use of relative coordinate technology and / or drones can reduce the need for GPS. Relative coordinate technology is feasible when used in conjunction with observation optics that have an integrated display system.

[0498] In one embodiment, a user can point a viewing optic with an integrated display system at a landmark or target and "tag" it. If a user "tags" multiple targets, a relative position map can be created from the tagged targets. These tagged targets can be transmitted to other users' viewing optics, who will see the tagged targets displayed in their field of view. All of this target data will then be stored locally in one or more memory devices within the viewing optics.

[0499] In one embodiment, users can also use drones as a substitute for or supplement to tagged targets. This would work by launching a "cloud" of small drones or micro-drones containing cameras and appropriate sensors to fly over the battlefield and begin tagging and marking landmarks. The drones can share this information with each other and return it to the user, who would then display it on the active display of their observation optics.

[0500] The shortcomings of GPS can be overcome by using relative coordinate techniques and / or drone clouds. With multiple users and multiple observation optics, there is inherent redundancy in the stored targeting data. Using a drone cloud can further increase that redundancy. With redundancy, the chances of signal or data being lost are much lower. GPS requires data to be transmitted over extremely long distances to orbiting satellites. Using other users in the same battlespace, or a cloud of drones in the same battlespace, the network is closer to users and targets, improving the accuracy of user and target coordinates. GPS is much easier to block due to the limited number of GPS satellites. Clouds of users and / or drones make it much harder to block all signals, increasing redundancy. Eliminating the need for a GPS module reduces the bulk of the observation optical equipment.

[0501] XIII. Alternative Magnification Tracking Embodiments In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optics with magnification tracking capabilities. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optics with a system or apparatus configured to track magnification settings. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optics with an integrated display system with magnification tracking capabilities. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optics with a device coupled to a viewing optics erector, the device having a material with two or more sections with different optical absorbance / reflectance.

[0502] As mentioned above, in one embodiment, a material with a light-to-dark transition can be placed on the erector of the viewing optics. Rotating the magnification lever rotates the material, and a light sensor can be used to measure the change in brightness from a reflective target. Representative examples are shown in Figures 85-87.

[0503] As shown in FIGS. 85-87 , the observation optical device 8530 has an outer sleeve shroud 8570 mounted on an erecting lens system 8520. A reflective material 8510 is mounted on the outer sleeve shroud 8570. This allows an optical sensor or photosensor 8550 to measure a wide range of reflectance or absorbance from the reflective material 8510. The outer sleeve shroud 8570 is designed not to interfere with a cam pin 8580 that rides inside a cam curve 8560 of the erecting system. In one embodiment, the outer sleeve shroud 8570 is located near the magnification adjustment ring 8540.

[0504] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an erection lens system comprising an erection tube having an erection lens assembly and a device surrounding at least a portion of the erection tube, the device having a material with at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance. A photosensor such as those illustrated in Figures 67-70 can be used to measure the optical absorption or reflectance from the at least two regions.

[0505] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an erection lens system comprising an erection tube having an erection lens assembly, a cam sleeve coupled to the erection tube, and an outer sleeve shroud coupled to the cam sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve shroud comprises a material having at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance.

[0506] The apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be further described in the following paragraphs.

[0507] 1. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane having a first reticle; a variable magnification lens element mounted within the main body; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body that adjusts the optical magnification of the target image from the external scene; a sensor operably associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism and that generates a signal indicative of the adjustment of the optical magnification; a base coupled to the bottom of the main body that has an integrated display system for generating a set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on the first reticle; and an electronic controller that is in communication with the sensor and operable to adjust the size of at least a portion of the first set of marks superimposed on the first reticle in response to a signal generated by the sensor. 2. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane having a first reticle; a variable magnification lens element mounted within the main body; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body that adjusts the optical magnification of the target image from the external scene; a sensor operatively associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism and that generates a signal indicative of the adjustment of the optical magnification; an integrated display system for generating a set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on the first reticle at the first focal plane; and an electronic controller in communication with the sensor and operable to adjust the size of at least a portion of the first set of marks superimposed on the first reticle in response to the signal generated by the sensor. 3. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane having a first reticle; a variable magnification lens element mounted within the main body; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body and coupled to the variable magnification lens element, the magnification adjustment mechanism driving the variable magnification lens element to adjust the optical magnification of the target image from the external scene; a sensor operatively associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism and generating a signal indicative of the adjustment of the optical magnification; a base coupled to the bottom of the main body having an integrated display system for generating a set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on the first reticle; and an electronic controller in communication with the sensor and operable in response to the signal generated by the sensor to adjust the size of at least a portion of the first set of marks superimposed on the first reticle in inverse correlation to changes in optical magnification, so that changes in optical magnification do not affect the apparent size of the set of marks. 4. An observation optical instrument, comprising: a main body having an objective lens system for focusing a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane having a first reticle; a beam combiner between the objective lens system and the first focal plane; a variable magnification lens element mounted within the main body; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body for adjusting the optical magnification of the target image from the external scene; a sensor operatively associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism and generating a signal indicative of an adjustment of the optical magnification, the signal indicative of a plurality of optical magnification settings of the optical sight including at least a first magnification setting and a second magnification setting greater than the first magnification setting; and a sensor coupled to a bottom of the main body for generating a set of marks and superimposing or overlapping the set of marks on the first reticle. and an electronic controller operable to adjust or alter at least a portion of a first set of marks superimposed on a first reticle in response to a signal generated by the sensor, wherein the electronic controller is configured to: in response to a signal indicative of a first magnification setting, generate the first set of marks disposed on an active display of the integrated display system to form a first reticle pattern; and in response to a signal indicative of a second magnification setting, remove the first set of marks and activate a second set of marks on the active display to form a second reticle pattern different from the first reticle pattern. 5. An observation optical instrument, comprising: a main body having an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane having a first reticle; a beam combiner between the objective lens system and the first focal plane; a variable magnification lens element mounted within the main body; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body and coupled to the variable magnification lens element, the magnification adjustment mechanism driving the variable magnification lens element to adjust the optical magnification of the target image from the external scene; a sensor operatively associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism and configured to generate a signal indicative of an adjustment of the optical magnification, the signal indicative of a plurality of optical magnification settings of the optical sight including at least a first magnification setting and a second magnification setting greater than the first magnification setting; an active display coupled to a bottom of the main body and configured to generate a first set of marks; and a beam combiner configured to combine the generated first set of marks with the beam combiner. an electronic controller operable to adjust or alter at least a portion of the first set of marks superimposed on the first reticle in response to a signal generated by the sensor, wherein the electronic controller is configured to: in response to a signal indicative of a first magnification setting, generate the first set of marks disposed on an active display of the integrated display system to form a first reticle pattern; and in response to a signal indicative of a second magnification setting, remove the first set of marks and actuate a second set of marks on the active display to form a second reticle pattern different from the first reticle pattern. 6. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an erecting tube with an erecting lens assembly; a cam sleeve coupled to the erecting tube; a material having various light absorptance / reflectance coupled to the cam sleeve; and a base coupled to the main body having a photosensor for receiving reflected light from the material. 7. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an erecting tube with an erecting lens assembly; a cam sleeve coupled to the erecting tube; a material having at least two regions coupled to the cam sleeve, each region having a different optical absorption / reflectance, each region associated with a particular magnification setting; a base coupled to the main body, the base having an integrated display system; and a photosensor for receiving reflected light from the regions of the material. 8. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an erection tube with an erection lens assembly; a cam sleeve coupled to the erection tube; a material coupled to the cam sleeve having different optical absorption / reflectance regions, each region associated with an optical magnification; a base having an integrated display system for generating an image and projecting the image onto a first focal plane of the main body; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from the material; and a microprocessor in communication with the photosensor and operable to modify or adjust the image generated by an active display of the integrated display system in response to a signal generated by the photosensor. 9. An observation optical instrument, comprising: a main body having a first end and a second end and a central axis; an objective lens system disposed within the main body; an eyepiece lens disposed within the main body; an erection tube disposed within the main body and having an erection lens system, wherein the objective lens system, the eyepiece lens system, and the erection lens system form an optical system having a first focal plane with a first reticle; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the main body for adjusting the optical magnification of a target image from an external scene; and a magnification adjustment mechanism operatively associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism and having at least two regions with different light absorption / reflectance. a cam sleeve having a material that reflects light from the material, each region associated with an optical magnification; a base coupled to a bottom of a main body, the base having an integrated display system for generating a first set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on a first reticle; a photosensor for detecting reflected light from the material and generating a signal; and an electronic controller in communication with the sensor and operable in response to the signal to adjust the size of at least a portion of the first set of marks superimposed on the first reticle. 10. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having a first end and a second end and a central axis; an objective lens system disposed within the main body; an eyepiece disposed within the main body; an erection tube disposed within the main body and having an erection lens system, the objective lens system, the eyepiece, and the erection lens system forming an optical system having a first focal plane with a first reticle; a magnification adjustment mechanism mounted within the body for adjusting the optical magnification of a target image from an external scene; and a cam sleeve operatively associated with the magnification adjustment mechanism, the cam sleeve having a material with at least two light absorbing / reflecting regions, each region associated with an optical magnification, the first region representing a first magnification setting and the second region representing a second magnification setting greater than the first magnification setting. an integrated display system for generating a set of marks and superimposing or overlaying the set of marks on a first reticle; a base coupled to a main body having a photosensor for generating a signal based on detection of reflected light from an area of ​​the material; and an electronic controller in communication with the photosensor, wherein the electronic controller is configured to: in response to a signal indicative of a first magnification setting, generate a first set of marks disposed on an active display of the integrated display system to form a first reticle pattern; and in response to a signal indicative of a second magnification setting, remove the first set of marks and generate a second set of marks on the active display to form a second reticle pattern different from the first reticle pattern. 11. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having a first end and a second end and a central axis; an objective lens system disposed within the main body; an eyepiece lens disposed within the main body; an erection tube disposed within the main body and having an erection lens system, wherein the objective lens system, the eyepiece lens system and the erection lens system form an optical system having a first focal plane with a first reticle; a cam sleeve surrounding the erection tube and moving in conjunction with a magnification adjustment ring that adjusts the optical magnification of the image; a material coupled to the cam sleeve and having at least two regions with different optical absorption / reflectance, each region corresponding to an optical magnification setting; a base coupled to the main body and having a photosensor that generates a signal based on light reflected from the material; and a microprocessor in communication with the photosensor that instructs an active display to generate an image based on the signal from the photosensor, wherein the generated image is projected / overlaid or superimposed on the first focal plane of the observation optical instrument. 12. An observation optical instrument comprising: (i) a main body with an optical system for generating an image of an external scene along a visual axis and a beam combiner; (ii) a base coupled to the bottom of the main body, the base having an active display for generating the image, a reflective material for directing the generated image to the beam combiner so that the generated image and an image of the external scene are simultaneously superimposed and viewed at a first focal plane of the optical system; a sensor for detecting the presence of a user; and a processor in communication with the sensor capable of controlling the power state of the observation optical instrument. 13. The observation optical instrument according to any one of items 1 to 12, further comprising a base. 14. The observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising an integrated display system. 15. The viewing optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a base having an integrated display system. 16. The observation optics according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 15 or 17 to 41, wherein the base is coupled to the main body of the observation optics. 17. The observation optics of any one of paragraphs 1-16 or 18-416, wherein the base couples to the bottom side of the main body of the observation optics. 18. An observation optical instrument according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 17 or 18 to 41, wherein the integrated display system is housed in a housing. 19. The observation optics according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 18 or 20 to 41, wherein the housing is coupled to the top side of the main body of the observation optics. 20. An observation optical instrument according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 38, wherein the integrated display system has an active display. 21. The observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the integrated display system comprises an active display and a reflective material. 22. An observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the integrated display system comprises an active display, a reflective material, and a focusing optical system. 23. An observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein a reflective material is positioned below the beam combiner. 24. An observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein a reflective material is positioned above the beam combiner. 25. An observation optical instrument according to any one of items 1 to 24, wherein the reflective material is parallel to the beam combiner. 26. An observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the active display and the reflective material are parallel to the beam combiner. 27. An observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the reflective material is positioned on the objective lens side of the observation optical instrument. 28. An observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the reflective material is positioned on the eyepiece side of the observation optical instrument. 29. An observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the active display is positioned on the objective lens side of the observation optical instrument. 30. An observation optical instrument according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 29, wherein the active display is positioned on the eyepiece side of the observation optical instrument. 31. An observation optical instrument according to any one of items 1 to 30, wherein the second optical system is within a base coupled to the main body of the observation optical instrument. 32. An observation optical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the beam combiner is positioned between the objective lens assembly of the main body and a first focal plane positioned and spaced apart along the observation optical axis. 33. An observation optic described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 32, wherein the beam combiner is positioned approximately below the elevation knob of the observation optic. 34. An observation optical instrument according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 33, wherein the beam combiner is positioned closer to the objective lens assembly than to the eyepiece lens assembly of the observation optical instrument. 35. An observation optical instrument according to any one of items 1 to 34, wherein one end of the base is attached to the main body near the magnification adjustment ring and the other end of the base is attached to the main body near the objective lens assembly. 36. The observation optical instrument of any one of paragraphs 1 to 35, wherein the base is between 40% and 65% of the length of the main body. 37. An observation optical instrument described in any one of items 1 to 36, wherein the first set of marks includes an aiming dot at the optical center of the first reticle and a circle, arc, or horseshoe centered on the optical center, and the second set of marks includes a plurality of holdover marks spaced apart below the optical center and a plurality of windage aiming marks spaced apart to the left and right of the holdover marks. 38. An observation optical instrument described in any one of items 1 to 37, wherein the first reticle pattern is a close combat reticle. 39. An observation optical instrument according to any one of items 1 to 38, wherein the second reticle pattern is a long-distance reticle. 40. An observation optical instrument described in any one of clauses 1 to 39, wherein the set of multiple marks includes multiple marks and spaces therebetween, the marks and spaces corresponding to angles in object space observable through the eyepiece of the observation optical instrument, and the electronic controller is operable to adjust the actual size of the marks and spaces in the first focal plane so that all of the angles defined by the marks and spaces in object space remain unchanged throughout the adjustment range of the optical magnification. 41. An observation optical instrument described in any one of items 1 to 40, wherein the sensor is a material with multiple optical absorptivities / reflectivities coupled to a cam sleeve of the observation optical instrument.

[0508] Having described in detail several embodiments of viewing optics with integrated display systems, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. With regard to the above description, it should be understood that the optimum dimensional relationships for the components of the present invention, to include variations in size, material, shape, form, function and mode of operation, assembly, and use, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and that all equivalent relationships to those shown in the drawings and described herein are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The foregoing is therefore considered merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Moreover, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, but rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be utilized that fall reasonably within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0509] 8510 Reflective material 8520 erect lens system 8530 Observation optical equipment 8540 Magnification Adjustment Ring 8560 Upright cam curve 8570 Outer sleeve shroud 8680 Campin

Claims

1. 1. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; a device surrounding at least a portion of the erection tube, the device comprising a material having at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different light absorption or reflectance; and an active display for generating an image.

2. The observation optical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the device surrounds at least a portion of the erection tube located near a magnification adjustment lever.

3. 2. The viewing optics of claim 1, wherein the material having at least two regions has four regions, each of the four regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance.

4. The viewing optics of claim 1 , wherein the device surrounding at least a portion of the erection tube is an outer sleeve shroud.

5. 2. The viewing optics of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two regions corresponds to a magnification setting.

6. The viewing optics of claim 1 , further comprising a photosensor configured to measure light absorption / reflectance from the material having the at least two regions.

7. 2. The viewing optics of claim 1, wherein the device surrounding at least a portion of the erection tube is positioned so as not to interfere with cam pins within the erection system.

8. 2. The observation optical instrument of claim 1, wherein the active display is selected from the group consisting of a transmissive active matrix LCD display (AMLCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, an electronic ink display, a plasma display, a segmented display, an electroluminescent display, a surface conduction electron emission display, and a quantum dot display.

9. 2. The spectator optical component of claim 1, wherein the image produced by the active display is selected from the group consisting of text, alphanumeric characters, graphics, symbols, video imaging, icons, active target reticles, distance measurements, wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm tilt information, target detection, recognition and identification (ID) information, external sensor information, temperature, pressure, humidity, real-time ballistic solutions, and next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer detection and tracking.

10. An observation optical instrument, 1. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; and an outer sleeve shroud coupled to the erection tube, the outer sleeve shroud having a material with at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance.

11. The observation optical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the outer sleeve shroud surrounds at least a portion of the erection tube located near a magnification adjustment lever.

12. 11. The viewing optics of claim 10, wherein the material having at least two regions has four regions, each of the four regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance.

13. 11. The viewing optics of claim 10, wherein each of the at least two regions corresponds to a magnification setting.

14. The viewing optics of claim 10 further comprising a photosensor configured to measure light absorption / reflectance from the material having the at least two regions.

15. 11. The viewing optics of claim 10, wherein the outer sleeve shroud is positioned so as not to interfere with cam pins inside the erector system.

16. 11. The observation optical instrument of claim 10, wherein the active display is selected from the group consisting of a transmissive active matrix LCD display (AMLCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, an electronic ink display, a plasma display, a segmented display, an electroluminescent display, a surface conduction electron emission display, and a quantum dot display.

17. 11. The spectator optics of claim 10, wherein the image produced by the active display is selected from the group consisting of text, alphanumeric characters, graphics, symbols, video imaging, icons, active target reticles, distance measurements, wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm tilt information, target detection, recognition and identification (ID) information, external sensor information, temperature, pressure, humidity, real-time ballistic solutions, next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer detection and tracking.

18. An observation optical instrument, 1. An observation optical instrument comprising: a main body having an objective lens system and an eyepiece lens system; an erection tube having an erection lens assembly located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system; an outer sleeve shroud coupled to at least a portion of the erection tube, the outer sleeve shroud having a material with a gradient grayscale and at least two regions, each of the at least two regions having a different optical absorption or reflectance; and an active display for generating an image, the generated image being combined into an image of an external scene at a first focal plane located between the objective lens system and the erection lens assembly.

19. 19. The viewing optical instrument of claim 18, wherein the outer sleeve shroud surrounds at least a portion of the erection tube located near a magnification adjustment lever.

20. 20. The viewing optics of claim 18, wherein each of the at least two regions corresponds to a magnification setting.

Images