Shotgun Peripheral Visual Aid for Ocular Dominance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shooters with ocular cross dominance face difficulties in accurately judging the barrel's location relative to the target due to ocular dominance issues, leading to potential confusion from double images, which affects their aim and performance, especially when using shoulder-mounted firearms.
Innovation Solution
A visual aid device with a protruding member is affixed to the shotgun, visible only in the peripheral vision of the dominant eye, while being obscured from the non-dominant eye, providing a constant reference point to stimulate the dominant eye's control during aiming, allowing both eyes to remain open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a semi-transparent blade is used to cover the line of sight of the non-dominant eye, then ocular cross dominance is counteracted, but visibility of the barrel and aiming bead is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The visual field is segmented into two distinct zones: a central field of view for both eyes to see the barrel and target, and a peripheral zone where the protruding member provides asymmetric visual input. This segmentation allows each eye to receive appropriate visual information without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual aid transitions from a two-dimensional plane (semi-transparent blade) to a three-dimensional protruding member that extends laterally from the shotgun. This dimensional change enables the aid to occupy peripheral visual space without blocking the central line of sight.
2Ease of operation
If both eyes are kept open during aiming, then natural aiming is maintained, but double image confusion occurs for cross dominant shooters
Solution Approach 1:
Different visual qualities are provided to different eyes: the dominant eye receives unobstructed visual input for accurate targeting, while the non-dominant eye receives modified input from the protruding member that suppresses its competing signal without completely blocking vision.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding member acts as an intermediary visual element that mediates between the conflicting signals from the two eyes. It provides a visual reference that helps the brain prioritize the dominant eye's input while maintaining peripheral awareness.
3Measurement precision
If a visual aid is mounted on the shotgun, then aim accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding member serves multiple functions: it provides asymmetric visual input to the dominant eye, maintains peripheral vision for the non-dominant eye, and can be designed as an integral part of the shotgun structure or as a removable accessory, making it adaptable to different shotgun configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual aid can be designed as a nested component that integrates with the existing shotgun structure, such as being mounted on the rib or barrel extensions, rather than adding a completely separate external device.
Data Source
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AI summary
A visual aid device for an elongate item of equipment (100) intended, in use, to be launched or to launch a projectile at a target region, whereby a user performs an aiming process with said item of equipment by looking along the length thereof from a proximal end to its opposing distal end and directing said distal end in respect of said target region, said visual aid device comprising a contrasting region or member (120, 120a, 120b) located on said item of equipment nearer to said distal end than the proximal end thereof, and being positioned thereon and configured such that it is only fully visible in the peripheral vision of one of the user's eyes during a said aiming process.