Viewing Optic with an Integrated Display System

• US 20180224652A1
• Filed: 02/06/2018
• Published: 08/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sheltered Wings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sheltered Wings Incorporated
• Inventors: Havens, Calen, Lowry, Will, Klemm, Ian, Hamilton, Samuel, Bollig, Garrison, Schultz, Craig, Carlson, Andrew, Lyle, Jason, Hamilton, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,606,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/30 Reflecting-sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance reflecting-sights in general G02B
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/38 Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance telescopic sights in general G02B; Supports or mountings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/383 Protection means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/065 Structural association of sighting-devices with laser telemeters
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/08 with means for compensating for speed, direction, temperature, pressure, or humidity of the atmosphere measuring G01
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/142 based on observation of a first shoot; using a simulated shoot training F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/165 using a TV-monitor
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2605 using a view recording device cosighted with the gun F41G3/2616 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/04 for the purpose of beam splitting or combining, e.g. fitted with eyepieces for more than one observer G02B23/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/105 Sighting devices with light source and collimating reflector reflecting sights for small arms having light source F41G1/34
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/14 Viewfinders for photographic apparatus G03B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/16 Housings; Caps; Mountings; Supports, e.g. with counterweight
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/10 Beam splitting or combining systems polarising systems G02B27/28; mixing and splitting light signals using optical waveguides G02B6/28; beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectional area, by dividing or superposing multiple light beams G02B27/0905
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/283 used for beam splitting or combining
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/04 with mechanism for focusing or varying magnification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/10 by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 9/60 having five components only
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/00 Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a viewing optic. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having an integrated display system. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having an integrated display system for generating images that are projected into the first focal plane of an optical system.

Claims

1. A viewing optic comprising:

a body having (i) a first optical system having an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an outward scene to a first focal plane, an erector lens system that inverts the target image, a second focal plane, an ocular lens system for viewing the target image, (ii) a beam combiner;

(iii) a second optical system with an active display for generating an image, and a reflective material that directs the generated image from the active display to the beam combiner, wherein the image from the active display and the target image from the objective lens system are combined into the first focal plane and viewed simultaneously; and

(iv) one or more adjustment mechanisms for performing one or more of the following;

(a) moving the active display in relation to the reflective material, (b) moving the reflective material in relation to the active display, (c) moving the reflective material in relation to the beam combiner, (d) moving the beam combiner in relation to the reflective material, and (e) moving the erector lens system in relation to the beam combiner.

2. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the beam combiner is located between the first focal plane and the objective lens system.

3. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism for moving the active display in relation to the reflective material is a set screw or a wedge.

4. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism for moving the reflective material in relation to the active display is a set screw or a wedge.

5. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the second optical system is located in a base that couples to a bottom portion of the body.

6. The viewing optic of claim 5, wherein one end of the base attaches near a magnification adjustment ring of the main body and the other end of the base attaches near the objective assembly of the main body.

7. The viewing optic of claim 5, wherein the base is from 40% to 65% the length of the main body.

8. The viewing optic of claim 2, wherein a focusing cell is located between the beam combiner and the objective lens system.

9. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the active display is selected from the group consisting of:

a transmissive active matrix LCD display (AMLCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display, a fe-ink display, a plasma display, a segment display, an electroluminescent display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display, and a quantum dot display.

10. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the image generated by the active display is selected from the group consisting of:

text, alpha-numerics, graphics, symbols, video imagery, icons, active target reticles, range measurements, wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm inclination information, target finding, recognition and identification (ID) information, external sensor information, temperature, pressure, humidity, real time ballistic solutions, and next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer round detection and tracking.

11. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the second optical system further comprises a lens system for collecting light from the active display.

12. The viewing optic of claim 1, wherein the lens system comprises an inner lens cell, an outer lens cell, and a spring located between the inner and outer lens cells.

13. A viewing optic comprising:

(a) a main tube;

(b) an objective system coupled to a first end of the main tube that focuses a target image from an outward scene;

(c) an ocular system coupled to the second end of the main tube, the main tube, objective system and ocular system being configured to define at least a first focal plane; and

(d) a beam combiner positioned between the objective assembly and the first focal plane, (e) an active display for generating an image and a reflective material that directs the image from the active display to the beam combiner, wherein the image from the active display and the target image from the objective lens system are combined into the first focal plane and viewed simultaneously and (f) an adjustment mechanism for performing one or more of the following;

(i) moving the active display in relation to the reflective material, or (ii) moving the reflective material in relation to the active display.

14. The viewing optic of claim 13, wherein the adjustment mechanism for moving the active display in relation to the reflective material is a set screw or a wedge.

15. The viewing optic of claim 13, wherein the adjustment mechanism for moving the reflective material in relation to the active display is a set screw or a wedge.

16. The viewing optic of claim 13, wherein a focusing cell is located between the beam combiner and the objective lens system.

17. A viewing optic comprising:

an optical system configured to define a first focal plane;

an active display for generating an image, and a reflective material for directing the image to the first focal plane; and

one or more adjustment mechanisms for performing one or more of the following;

(a) moving the active display in relation to the reflective material, and (b) moving the reflective material in relation to the active display.

18. The viewing optic of claim 17, wherein the adjustment mechanism for moving the active display in relation to the reflective material is a set screw or a wedge.

19. The viewing optic of claim 17, wherein the adjustment mechanism for moving the reflective material in relation to the active display is a set screw or a wedge.

20. The viewing optic of claim 17, further comprising a lens system to collect light from the active display having an inner lens cell with 2 lenses and an outer lens cell with 3 lenses.