Method and apparatus for safe operation of an electronic firearm sight depending upon the detection of a selected color

• US 7,121,036 B1
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Towery, Clay E., Florence, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Klein, Gabriel J.
• Application Number:
  US11/021,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20060225335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 42111-148, 382/103, 89/410.6, 396/429.X, 396/287.X
• US Class Current: 42/123
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/08 for inhibiting firing in a specified direction, e.g. at a friendly person or at a protected area F41A27/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/12 with line or mark other than notch
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/165 using a TV-monitor

Abstract

A weapon sight can be mounted on a weapon. According to still another aspect of the invention, the sight takes a selected action if it detects the presence of a selected color within radiation originating externally of the sight.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a weapon sight that includes:

structure configured to support said sight on a weapon;

a detector portion that can detect radiation originating externally of said sight; and

a control portion coupled to said detector portion, and responsive to the presence of a selected color within the visible spectrum in radiation detected by said detector portion for taking a selected action.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selected color is a fluorescent orange.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said weapon sight includes a warning indicator coupled to said control portion, said selected action including actuating said warning indicator.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein said sight has a field of view that relates to aiming a weapon;

and

wherein said warning indicator is a visible indicator that is disposed within said field of view.

3. An apparatus comprising a weapon sight that includes:

structure configured to support said sight on a weapon;

a detector portion that can detect radiation originating externally of said sight; and

a control portion coupled to said detector portion, and responsive to the presence of a selected color in radiation detected by said detector portion for taking a selected action;

wherein said sight includes a display coupled to said control portion for displaying information that relates to aiming a weapon, said selected action including preventing the presentation on said display of the information that relates to aiming a weapon.

6. An apparatus comprising a weapon sight that includes:

structure configured to support said sight on a weapon;

a detector portion that can detect radiation originating externally of said sight;

a control portion coupled to said detector portion, and responsive to the presence of a selected color in radiation detected by said detector portion for taking a selected action;

a warning indicator coupled to said control portion, said selected action including actuating said warning indicator;

an image detector coupled to said control portion and responsive to radiation originating externally of said sight, said image detector serving as said detector portion; and

a display coupled to said control portion for displaying information that relates to aiming a weapon, including images detected by said image detector, said warning indicator being a visible indicator in the form of information presented on said display by said control portion.

7. An apparatus comprising a weapon sight that includes:

means for supporting said sight on a weapon;

detector means for detecting radiation originating externally of said sight; and

control means for taking a selected action in response to the presence of a selected color within the visible spectrum in radiation detected by said detector portion.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said selected color is a fluorescent orange.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein said weapon sight includes warning means coupled to said control portion for selectively presenting a warning;

and

wherein said control means carries out said taking of said selected action in a manner that includes actuating said warning means.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10,

wherein said sight has a field of view that relates to aiming a weapon;

and

wherein said warning means includes a visible indicator disposed within said field of view.

9. An apparatus comprising a weapon sight that includes:

means for supporting said sight on a weapon;

detector means for detecting radiation originating externally of said sight;

control means for taking a selected action in response to the presence of a selected color in radiation detected by said detector portion; and

display means coupled to said control means for displaying information that relates to aiming a weapon;

wherein said control means carries out said taking of said selected action in a manner that includes preventing the presentation on said display means of the information that relates to aiming a weapon.

12. An apparatus comprising a weapon sight that includes:

means for supporting said sight on a weapon;

detector means for detecting radiation originating externally of said sight;

control means for taking a selected action in response to the presence of a selected color in radiation detected by said detector portion;

warning means coupled to said control portion for selectively presenting a warning;

image detecting means coupled to said control means and responsive to radiation originating external to said sight, said image detecting means serving as said detector means; and

display means coupled to said control means for displaying information that relates to aiming a weapon, including images detected by said image detecting means, said warning means including a visible indicator in the form of information presented on said display by said control means;

wherein said control means carries out said taking of said selected action in a manner that includes actuating said warning means.