System and method for digital focal plane alignment of imagers and weapon system sights.

Abstract

The present invention provides a weapon system including an optical sight and an optoelectronic device that is digitally aligned with the focal plane of the optical sight to display a desired, precise field of view frame to the weapon operator. [Solution] The weapon system 10 includes an optical sight 18 mounted on the weapon and a frame having a sighting window configured to superimpose a reticle visible through the sighting window 30 onto a first focal plane. The optoelectronic device 36 is mounted on the weapon and includes an imager and display device having a sensor array. The image processor is configured to receive image data captured by the sensor array and process the image data to generate a subset image received from a selected region of the sensor array, the selected region of the sensor array defining a second focal plane.

Claims

1. An optical sight comprising a main body configured to be attached to a weapon, and a frame coupled to the main body and having a sighting window, wherein the sighting window is configured to superimpose a reticle visible through the sighting window onto a first focal plane, An optoelectronic device comprising a mounting feature configured to be attached to the weapon, and an imager having a sensor array configured to receive light from the object end of the optoelectronic device, wherein the object end is configured to face the optical sight when the optoelectronic device is attached to the weapon, An image processor configured to receive image data captured by the sensor array, process the image data, and generate a subset image received from a selected region of the sensor array, wherein the selected region of the sensor array defines a second focal plane. A controller configured to receive input from an operator and, in response to the input, select the selected region of the sensor array to align the second focal plane with the first focal plane, A display device configured to display the subset image to the operator of the weapon, A weapon system equipped with [the following features].

2. The sensor array of the imager includes a plurality of photosensitive pixels arranged in a grid, The weapon system according to claim 1, wherein the selected region of the sensor array includes a grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

3. The weapon system according to claim 2, wherein the input indicates a directional adjustment configured to move the selected region to an adjacent grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

4. The weapon system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the input indicates a resizing configured to enlarge or reduce the area of ​​the selected region to a corresponding larger or smaller grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

5. The weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the boundary of the subset image is bordered by the edge of the aiming window when the second focal plane is aligned with the first focal plane.

6. The weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the photoelectronic device comprises at least one of a low-light digital camera or a thermal imager.

7. The weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the imager comprises a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor.

8. The weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optical sight comprises a holographic optical system having a light source disposed in the main body and an optical element configured to project a reticle image illuminated by the light source through the sighting window onto the first focal plane.

9. The weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display device is positioned at the eyepiece end of the optoelectronic device opposite to the object end.

10. The weapon system according to claim 9, further comprising an optical magnifier positioned at the eyepiece end of the optoelectronic device for magnifying the display subset image for the operator.

11. The weapon system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a remote device wirelessly connected to the optoelectronic device and configured to provide the controller with input for selecting the selected region of the sensor array.

12. The weapon system according to claim 11, wherein the remote device includes a display configured to display the stream of the subset images.

13. To generate a holographic reticle at the first focal plane of an optical sight attached to a weapon, The photoelectron device is attached to the weapon such that the objective end of the photoelectron device faces the optical sight, The image data is captured by the imager of the aforementioned optoelectronic device, The image data is processed by the image processor of the optoelectronic device to generate a subset image received from a selected region of the imager that defines a second focal plane, The subset image is displayed to the operator of the weapon using the eyepiece of the optoelectronic device, The process of changing the selection of the selection region of the imager in response to input from the operator, wherein the change in the selection region is configured to align the second focal plane with the first focal plane. A method that includes this.

14. The imager includes a plurality of photosensitive pixels arranged in a grid, The method according to claim 13, wherein the selected region of the imager includes a grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the input indicates a directional adjustment configured to move the selected region to an adjacent grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the input indicates a resizing configured to enlarge or reduce the area of ​​the selected region to a corresponding larger or smaller grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the boundary of the subset image is bordered by the edge of the window of the optical sight when the second focal plane is aligned with the first focal plane.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the holographic reticle is commonly found in the second sight of the weapon.

19. It is a weapon system, A sighting device having a marker optically aligned with the aiming axis of a weapon at a first focal plane, A photoelectronic device having an objective end configured to face the aiming device, Imager including sensor array, A controller configured to receive input from an operator and, in response to said input, select a selection region of the sensor array. An image processor configured to receive image data captured by the sensor array, process the image data, and generate a subset image received from the selected region of the sensor array that defines a second focal plane, and A display device configured to display the subset image for the operator of the weapon to view, wherein the input from the operator acts to align the second focal plane with the first focal plane, A photoelectronic device equipped with A weapon system equipped with [the following features].

20. The weapon system according to claim 19, wherein the optoelectronic device further comprises a human-machine interface for providing input to the controller.

21. The sensor array of the imager includes a plurality of photosensitive pixels arranged in a grid, The weapon system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the selected region of the sensor array includes a grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

22. The weapon system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the input from the operator indicates a directional adjustment configured to move the selected area to an adjacent grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

23. The weapon system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the input from the operator indicates a resizing configured to enlarge or reduce the area of ​​the selected region to a corresponding larger or smaller grouped subset of the plurality of photosensitive pixels in the grid.

24. The weapon system according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the boundary of the subset image is bordered by the edge of the sight window when the second focal plane is aligned with the first focal plane.

25. The weapon system according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the photoelectronic device comprises at least one of a low-light digital camera or a thermal imager.

26. The weapon system according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the imager comprises a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor.

27. The weapon system according to any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein the sighting device comprises a holographic optical system having a light source and an optical element configured to project a reticle image illuminated by the light source through a window of the sighting device onto the first focal plane.

28. The weapon system according to any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the display device is positioned at the eyepiece end of the optoelectronic device opposite to the object end.

29. The weapon system according to claim 28, further comprising an optical magnifier positioned at the eyepiece end of the optoelectronic device for magnifying the display subset image for the operator.

30. The weapon system according to any one of claims 19 to 29, further comprising a remote device wirelessly connected to the optoelectronic device and configured to provide the controller with input for selecting the selected region of the sensor array.

31. The weapon system according to claim 30, wherein the remote device includes a display configured to display the stream of the subset images.

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