Firearm Scope Integrating Direct and Thermal Views via Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weapon scopes often require multiple lenses and apertures, making them heavy and limiting the view mode to a single option, which restricts user flexibility and increases size and weight.
Innovation Solution
A firearm scope with a sight system that integrates a direct view and video view mode through a single window, utilizing a waveguide display and redirection elements to superimpose images, allowing for both direct and video views, including thermal views, while maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple lenses and apertures are used in conventional weapon scopes, then the scope can provide magnified views, but the scope becomes heavy and larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple viewing modes (direct view and video view with thermal imaging) into a single scope unit, integrating what would traditionally require separate devices. The housing contains both the optical path for direct viewing and the imaging sensor system, merging their functions into one integrated system that shares structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The scope is designed to provide multiple functions through a single device: direct optical viewing, video recording, thermal imaging, and picture-in-picture display. The single housing and optical system support both traditional scope functionality and modern video/thermal capabilities, making the scope universally applicable for various surveillance and targeting scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If conventional scopes are designed with multiple lenses for high magnification, then the magnification capability is improved, but the scope size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a semi-transparent mirror as an intermediary optical element that allows the direct optical path to coexist with the video/thermal imaging path. This intermediary component enables light to be partially reflected to the imaging sensor while partially transmitted to the direct view eyepiece, eliminating the need for separate, bulky optical systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The video imaging system and thermal imaging sensor are nested within the housing that also contains the direct optical path. The imaging components are positioned to utilize the same entrance aperture and housing structure, creating a nested configuration where multiple functional systems occupy overlapping spatial volumes rather than requiring separate external mounts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single scope provides multiple view modes, then user flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scope incorporates a movable mirror or beam splitter that can dynamically switch between directing light to the direct view path or to the video/thermal imaging sensors. This dynamic optical switching mechanism allows the system to adapt between different viewing modes without requiring separate fixed optical paths for each function, managing complexity through active control rather than static multi-path design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes wavelength-selective optical elements (such as dichroic mirrors or beam splitters) that differentiate between visible light and infrared radiation. These optical elements selectively reflect or transmit different wavelengths to appropriate sensors, enabling multi-spectral imaging capabilities through wavelength-based separation rather than requiring completely independent optical systems for each spectral range.
4Measurement precision
If the viewing aperture is made small to prevent excess light, then the optical quality is improved, but the field of view and light gathering capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The scope employs an electronic shutter or gating mechanism that periodically controls the exposure of the imaging sensor to incoming light. This periodic control allows the sensor to capture images with optimal exposure levels even when the aperture is relatively large, managing light intake through temporal modulation rather than solely relying on aperture size control.
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
Enables users to switch between direct and video views, including thermal modes, within a single scope, enhancing usability and reducing size and weight, while maintaining clear and unobstructed visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide display configured to display the second image superimposed on the first image to the user
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitter configured to transmit a first portion of the admitted light and to reflect a second portion of the admitted light, wherein the first portion of the admitted light is within a visible spectrum and wherein the second portion of the admitted light is within an infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 3
an infrared image sensor configured to generate an infrared image based on the infrared light received from the beam splitter
Implementation Method 4
a reticle projector configured to project an image of a reticle onto the waveguide display
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of a firearm sight system that can include a direct view image, an infrared (IR) video image, and/or an auxiliary video image comprising auxiliary information. The firearm scope may be used as s clip-on sight system that transmits the direct view image, the infrared (IR) video image, and the auxiliary video image to a primary firearm scope. The auxiliary video image may include a bore-sighted reticle image superimposed on the direct view image or the IR video image.