Optical Aiming Device Dual-Sensor Reticle Brightness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reflex sights struggle to modulate LED intensity effectively in lighting conditions with disparities between user and target locations, leading to washed-out or difficult-to-see reticles due to inconsistent ambient lighting scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An optical aiming device with a dual-sensor system comprising a directional and omnidirectional light sensor arrangement, coupled with a processor, adjusts reticle intensity based on combined sensor signals to maintain optimal visibility under varying lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single omnidirectional photodetector is used to detect ambient lighting conditions, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the reticle visibility deteriorates in lighting conditions with disparity between user and target locations
Solution Approach 1:
The single omnidirectional photodetector is segmented into two separate sensors: a first photodetector positioned to detect light from the user's location and a second photodetector positioned to detect light from the target location. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each sensor's orientation and sensitivity, enabling the system to accurately detect lighting disparities between different spatial locations, thereby maintaining reticle visibility while managing device complexity through modular sensor design.
Solution Approach 2:
Each photodetector is assigned a specific local function: the first photodetector is optimized for detecting light conditions at the user's position, while the second photodetector is optimized for detecting light conditions at the target position. This local quality assignment allows each sensor to be positioned and oriented specifically for its designated detection zone, improving the overall system's ability to handle lighting disparities without requiring complex processing of a single sensor's data.
2Illumination intensity
If the LED intensity is increased to compensate for dim ambient lighting, then the reticle visibility improves in dark environments, but the reticle becomes washed out when the target is brightly illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the light conditions at both the user's location (via the first photodetector) and the target location (via the second photodetector), creating a feedback loop that compares the two measurements. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts the LED intensity to maintain optimal reticle visibility. When the target is brightly illuminated, the system detects this through the second photodetector and reduces LED intensity to prevent washout, while still maintaining sufficient brightness for the user in dimmer environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the LED illumination device based on real-time lighting condition measurements. The controller modifies the LED intensity parameter dynamically, increasing it when ambient lighting is dim and decreasing it when the target is brightly illuminated. This parameter adjustment allows the reticle to maintain optimal visibility across varying lighting conditions without being permanently set to a fixed brightness level that would cause washout in bright environments.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the LED intensity is decreased to prevent reticle washout in bright conditions, then the reticle visibility improves in bright environments, but the reticle becomes difficult to see in dimly lit environments
Solution Approach 1:
The LED intensity is made dynamic rather than static, continuously adapting to the detected lighting conditions. The system transitions from a fixed brightness setting to a dynamically adjusted intensity that responds in real-time to the relative brightness between the user's environment and the target environment. This dynamic adjustment ensures the reticle maintains optimal visibility across the full range of lighting conditions without requiring manual intervention or fixed brightness settings.
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 dual-sensor system ensures consistent reticle visibility by dynamically adjusting LED intensity, accommodating diverse lighting conditions, allowing users to maintain focus without manual adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
Some reflex sights utilize a photodetector to turn on and/or modulate the LED intensity that projects onto the lens... commonly utilized types for this application are photoresistor/photocell, phototransistor, or a photodiode
Data Source
AI summary
An optical aiming device for mounting on a firearm is provided, having a housing defining a barrel axis; an optical element received in the housing; an illumination device being arranged to project light onto the optical element to display a reticle, the reticle having a first light intensity; a light sensor arrangement comprising a first sensor defining a first effective detector angle of view and providing a first sensor signal and a second sensor defining a second effective detector angle of view and providing a second sensor signal, the light sensor arrangement being arranged to cooperate with the illumination device to enable adjustment of the light intensity of the reticle to a second light intensity as a function of the first and second sensor signals; and a processor configured to communicate with the light sensor arrangement to adjust the light intensity of the reticle as a function of the first and second sensor signals.