Dynamic Reticle Configuration for Ballistic Drop Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ballistic drop compensation (BDC) reticles in aiming devices are not consistently accurate due to variations in humidity, elevation, temperature, and other environmental factors, requiring calibration and experience to predict bullet drop effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system for configuring a reticle display field in aiming devices, which includes a processor, memory, and display technology to project customizable BDC patterns based on ballistics data and user inputs, allowing for dynamic adjustment of holdover marks and windage adjustments to compensate for environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fixed-position BDC holdover marks are used in the reticle, then the reticle structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the accuracy of bullet drop prediction varies significantly under different environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebullet drop prediction accuracyVSAvoidreticle configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic reticle configuration system where the processor automatically adjusts reticle patterns based on real-time environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, pressure) and ballistics data. This transforms the static fixed-position holdover marks into dynamic patterns that adapt to changing conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy by automating the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including temperature, humidity, pressure, and ballistics data to recalculate and reposition holdover marks in real-time. This multi-parameter approach allows the reticle to maintain accuracy across varying environmental conditions without requiring manual calibration, addressing the contradiction by making the system adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If fixed-position BDC holdover marks are used, then the device is easy to operate, but extensive calibration and experience are required to achieve accurate shooting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshooting accuracyVSAvoidreticle usage simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically processing environmental sensor data and ballistics information to generate optimized reticle patterns without requiring user intervention. The processor autonomously adjusts holdover mark positions based on current conditions, eliminating the need for shooters to manually calibrate or rely on extensive experience, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where environmental sensors continuously monitor conditions and feed this data to the processor, which then adjusts the reticle configuration in real-time. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the reticle remains accurate under varying conditions without requiring the user to have specialized knowledge or perform manual adjustments, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If customizable BDC patterns are projected based on ballistics data and environmental factors, then shooting precision is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebullet drop prediction accuracyVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single unified system: environmental sensing, ballistics calculation, reticle pattern generation, and real-time display control all operate through one processor. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle complex customization requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the same hardware components serve multiple purposes in the ballistics compensation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces traditional mechanical reticle adjustment mechanisms with electronic processing and digital display technology. Instead of physically moving reticle components based on pre-set positions, the system uses a processor to calculate optimal holdover mark positions and projects them digitally onto the reticle display field, reducing mechanical complexity while enabling sophisticated customization based on multiple environmental parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3877721B1System for configuring a reticle display field of an aiming device and aiming device having such a system
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
  • EP3877721B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3877721B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3877721B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A system, method, and device for configuring an optical aiming device for ballistic drop compensation (BDC). The optical aiming device can include a housing with a reticle pane defining a reticle display field viewable by a user and indicating a zero point, the housing further including a plurality of axially spaced lenses and defining an optical path therethrough. In various embodiments the system includes a display device configured to project an image generated from a display, a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer readable data storage medium can include instructions executable by the processor to receive a first set of ballistics input data indicating a first type of ammunition, determine a BDC pattern including at least two holdover marks corresponding to at least two ranges for the first type of ammunition, and project the BDC pattern onto the reticle display field.