Aperture Collimator for Vision Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with impaired vision, such as near-sightedness or far-sightedness, face challenges in aiming firearms equipped with open sights due to the difficulty in simultaneously focusing on the rear sight, front sight, and target, and existing solutions like telescopic sights are costly and restrictive, while those with limited resources lack access to affordable vision correction.
Innovation Solution
A vision enhancement apparatus comprising a plurality of small apertures in an opaque material attached to glasses, which collimates light from the rear sight, front sight, and target, enhancing the field of view and brightness by illuminating only small areas of the retina, allowing users to see all elements in focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single small aperture is used in the collimator, then all light is rendered in focus on the retina, but the field of view is severely limited and the image brightness is critically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single aperture is divided into multiple apertures (e.g., 3-9 apertures) arranged in a pattern on the collimator. Each aperture contributes to the focused image, and collectively they expand the field of view and increase light intake while maintaining focus precision through the collimating effect
2Measurement precision
If a single small aperture is used in the collimator, then all light is rendered in focus on the retina, but the image brightness is critically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single aperture is divided into multiple apertures (e.g., 3-9 apertures) arranged in a pattern on the collimator. Each aperture contributes to the focused image, and collectively they expand the field of view and increase light intake while maintaining focus precision through the collimating effect
3Ease of operation
If telescopic sights are used, then the user can simultaneously visualize the cross hair and the target, but the device becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive telescopic sights with a simple collimator made from inexpensive materials such as opaque cardstock or plastic with punched holes. This disposable-like approach provides the same functional benefit of simultaneous visualization without the complexity and cost of optical scopes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential collimating function from the complex telescopic sight system, isolating the aperture-based light control mechanism from the unnecessary optical components, housing, and adjustment mechanisms of scopes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables users to accurately aim firearms and improve visual acuity in activities requiring depth of field with a large and bright field of view, particularly beneficial for those with limited resources and access to optical professionals.
Implementation Method 1
The small apertures collimate the light reflected from the rear sight, the front sight, and the target so that the light from each passes through only a small area of the lens of the user's eye on its way to the user's retina
Data Source
AI summary
A vision apparatus implemented as an optical device is disclosed. The optical device comprises a plurality of small apertures in an opaque material that is attached to a pair of eyeglasses or is a contact lens. The number and arrangement of small apertures defines the field of view and brightness of the image projected onto the user's retina. The opaque material is a collimator, and only small areas of the user's retina are illuminated by cones of light passing through the small apertures. Therefore, all of the light is rendered in focus. The optical device resolves the refractive errors of the eye of the user, improving the visual acuity of the user in any activity that requires depth of field with a large and bright field of view. Two optical devices, one for each eye, provide binocular vision with a variety of aperture arrangements to suit the user's needs.