Scope Reticle Alignment for Unobstructed Digital Overlays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital camera-based tools lack the ability to seamlessly integrate digital functionality with conventional scopes to provide enhanced targeting and range information, particularly in varying weather conditions, without obstructing the view of the scope reticle.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that aligns a scope reticle with a virtual reticle on an electronic display device, allowing digital functionality to be added by aligning and locking coordinate spaces, and reducing the visibility of the virtual reticle to reveal the scope reticle, thereby integrating digital overlays like aiming indicators and range finders with the scope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a digital camera-based tool is used to overlay ballistics information and provide additional digital functionality, then targeting information and range information are enhanced, but the scope reticle visibility is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between configure mode and operate mode. In configure mode, the virtual reticle is visible to assist alignment. In operate mode, the virtual reticle visibility is reduced to reveal the scope reticle, while digital functionality remains active. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the display state based on operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the reticle display into two separate components: the physical scope reticle and the virtual reticle overlay. This segmentation allows independent control of each reticle's visibility and function, enabling the virtual reticle to be hidden during operation while the scope reticle remains visible, thus resolving the visibility obstruction problem.
2Loss of information
If a virtual reticle is overlaid on the scope output to provide digital functionality, then digital information integration is improved, but alignment precision with the scope reticle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment action in configure mode before operation. The virtual reticle is displayed and aligned with the scope reticle while the scope is directed at a blank area. Once aligned, the coordinate spaces are locked, ensuring precise alignment is maintained during operation without requiring the virtual reticle to remain visible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the scope reticle in the digital overlay. This virtual reticle serves as a reference for alignment during configure mode. By copying the reticle geometry and positioning it in the digital coordinate space, the system enables precise alignment between the physical and digital domains before operation begins.
3Illumination intensity
If the virtual reticle visibility is reduced to reveal the scope reticle, then scope reticle visibility is improved, but digital functionality integration is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the visibility of the virtual reticle based on operational mode. In operate mode, the virtual reticle visibility is reduced to improve scope reticle visibility, while digital functionality such as ballistics calculations, range finding, and targeting information continues to operate and be displayed through other interface elements, maintaining adaptability without visual obstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of adding digital functionality to a scope. A scope reticle from the scope is aligned with a virtual reticle from a digital overlay of an electronic display device coupled to the scope. The scope reticle is present in a first coordinate space of the scope image and the virtual reticle is present in a second coordinate space. The alignment of the reticles maps the first coordinate space to the second coordinate space. The coordinate spaces are then locked and the virtual reticle is made invisible, switching from a configure mode to an operate mode. Digital functionality can then be provided to the scope via the digital overlay. This may include an aiming indicator which works with the scope reticle.