Digital Booster Reticle Centering for Non-Magnified Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-magnified optics suffer from limitations such as lack of magnification, poor performance in adverse weather conditions, restricted eyebox, and complex mechanics, while flip-in telescopic magnifiers increase size, weight, and cost, and require complex reticle adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A digital booster system that includes a monocular housing with image acquisition, processing, and display components to center and electronically adjust reticles, offering interchangeable patterns and improved visibility in adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-magnified optic is used, then the user can view the target with both eyes open and maintain a wide field of view, but the lack of magnification hinders performance at larger distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a non-magnified optic with a digital booster that provides magnification capability. The digital booster captures an image frame from the non-magnified optic, processes it to locate and center the reticle, and displays a magnified sub-frame on a display device. This merging allows the system to maintain the ease of operation of non-magnified optics while adding measurement precision through digital magnification.
2Measurement precision
If a flip-in telescopic magnifier is used, then magnification is improved for larger distances, but the device size, weight, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical flip-in telescopic magnifier system with a digital booster that uses an image acquisition device, processor, and display. Instead of mechanically flipping in and out a separate magnifier, the system electronically processes and displays magnified images through software algorithms that locate, center, and magnify the reticle and target area. This substitution eliminates complex mechanics while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If a flip-in telescopic magnifier is used, then magnification capability is improved, but the restricted eyebox and eye relief reduce ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the optical image through the image acquisition device, allowing the reticle and target to be displayed on a screen rather than viewed through a restricted optical path. This copying approach eliminates the restricted eyebox and eye relief issues because the display can be viewed from various positions and angles, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision through digital magnification.
4Device complexity
If conventional non-magnified optics with visible spectral band capabilities are used, then the system remains simple, but performance in poor light, rain, fog, and snow deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the non-magnified optic system with a digital booster that can capture and process images across multiple spectral bands, including visible, near-infrared, and short-wave infrared. This multi-functionality allows the system to operate reliably in various environmental conditions (poor light, rain, fog, snow) by utilizing infrared wavelengths that penetrate these conditions better than visible light, while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through electronic processing.
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
Provides enhanced aiming precision, unrestricted eyebox, and ergonomic viewing with electronic reticle adjustment, eliminating the need for mechanical flipping and reducing size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
an image acquisition unit configured to capture an image frame from a non-magnified optic
Implementation Method 2
perform image inversion and rescaling of the sub-frame
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A digital booster for an optical system includes an image acquisition unit. The image acquisition unit is configured to acquire an image frame from a non-magnified optic. The image frame includes an aiming reticle imposed by the non-magnified optic. The digital booster includes a display and a processor. The processor is configured to locate the aiming reticle on the image frame, select a sub-frame of the image frame with an aspect ratio that is centered on the aiming reticle of the image frame, perform image inversion and rescaling of the sub-frame, and transmit the sub-frame to the display.