Reflex Sight Cant Indication Reticle Focal Plane Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reflex sights require users to take their eyes off the target scene to detect cant, as cant indicators are typically displayed at a different focal plane, disrupting situational awareness and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A reflex sight with a partially reflective screen that projects the cant indication to a focal plane similar to the target distance, integrating the cant indication into the reticle pattern, allowing users to view it without refocusing, using a processor and orientation sensor to adjust reticle elements' visibility based on the weapon's cant angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If cant indicators are displayed at a different focal plane than the target scene, then cant indication is provided to the user, but the user must take eyes off the target or refocus, losing situational awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cant indication display with the reticle pattern by projecting both the aim point and cant indicators onto the same focal plane. The display device shows cant indicators (such as illuminated segments or symbols) integrated within the reticle pattern, allowing users to detect weapon cant while maintaining focus on the target scene without taking eyes off target or refocusing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional arrangement by projecting cant indicators at the same focal distance as the target scene rather than at a different plane. This is achieved through optical design that ensures both the reticle pattern and cant indicators are formed at the same focal plane, effectively eliminating the focal plane separation dimension that causes the problem.
2Measurement precision
If cant indicators are displayed at a different focal plane, then cant indication is provided, but user must refocus eyes to see cant indication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cant indication function with the existing reticle projection system. The display device projects cant indicators through the same optical path as the reticle pattern, merging both functions into a single optical train that delivers both aim point and cant information at the same focal plane, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while avoiding the need for separate focusing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If users take eyes off target to detect cant, then cant can be detected, but aiming accuracy and situational awareness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates cant indicators within the reticle pattern so that both aiming information and cant detection are available simultaneously in the user's field of view. The display device projects illuminated cant indicators (such as segmented arcs or symbolic representations) at the same focal plane as the target scene, allowing users to monitor weapon orientation while maintaining continuous visual contact with the target and preserving situational awareness.
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 maintain focus on the target while detecting cant, improving aiming accuracy by providing a visual cant indication within the same focal plane as the target, thus enhancing situational awareness and reducing errors due to weapon tilt.
Implementation Method 1
the projection optics include a partially reflective screen disposed in the viewing window, the partially reflective screen configured to reflect the image of the display while permitting visualization of the target scene therethrough
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3C
Figure 4A~5C
AI summary
A sighting device (112) for a weapon includes an orientation sensor (130) configured to detect a weapon cant, a display (116) having one or more visual indicators (123 a-d), and a processor (134). The processor (134) is configured to receive information regarding weapon cant from the orientation sensor (130) and is further configured to control the one or more visual indicators (123 b, d) of the display (116) output to provide a visual indication of excessive weapon cant. Furthermore, a method of sighting a target is provided.