CN119301420A - Observation microscope reticle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to reticles, and in particular reticles having translucent marking features. The marker features may be made of etched patterns, gradations, coatings, paints, filaments, or combinations thereof. The reticle may also include additional features such as center points, cross hairs, range estimation features, drop point estimation features, wind impact point estimation features, moving object impact point features, and combinations thereof. The additional feature may be, but is not required to be, translucent.

Description

Observation microscope reticle

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17/678,639, filed on February 23, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to reticles for viewing optics, and more particularly to reticles for viewing optics utilizing translucent markings.

Background Art

Rifle scopes that use active or disturbed reticles, as well as smart rifle scopes, provide the user with a digital aiming point, among other information. Typically, the user will want to include an etched reticle so that the user can have a functioning scope in a low power state or for situations where there is no power.

The reticle can be positioned at the first focal plane, the second focal plane, or in some cases both the first and second focal planes. The first focal plane reticle has many advantages. Obviously, since the first focal plane is located in front of the magnifier, the reticle changes proportionally with the magnification and has enough required detail at high magnifications. The first focal plane reticle can also be unobtrusive at low magnifications. Lower magnification first focal plane optics typically have a reticle with thick lines, so for fast, close-range combat, the user has a bold aiming dot at low magnifications (1x magnification). The disadvantage of thick lines is that they can be blurry at higher magnifications.

For viewing optics with a projected digital image from an active display at the first focal plane reticle, sometimes and under certain conditions, the reticle lines may obscure a portion of the projected digital image, especially when the viewing optics are set at higher magnifications. If smaller, thinner markings are used so that the digital image generated from the active display is not obscured, the reticle may lose effectiveness at low magnifications.

Therefore, a need exists for a reticle that can be used in either the first focal plane or the second focal plane and that, when used in the first focal plane, allows dominant etched reticle features for close range situations without obscuring a superimposed digital image projected onto the reticle.

Summary of the invention

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a graticule. In an embodiment, the graticule includes one or more translucent features. In an embodiment, the graticule includes one or more translucent marking features. In an embodiment, the graticule includes a translucent primary marking feature. In an embodiment, the graticule includes two or more translucent primary marking features.

In one embodiment, the marking feature is made of an etched pattern, a gradient, a coating, a paint, a filament, or a combination thereof. In a specific embodiment, the marking feature is etched with a pattern. In an embodiment, the pattern is a shadow pattern. In another embodiment, the marking feature is selected from the group consisting of a crosshair, a double crosshair, a post reticle, a German crosshair, a circular crosshair, a triangular crosshair, an interrupted circle, and a combination thereof. In a further embodiment, the reticle further includes an additional element, the additional element being selected from the group consisting of a center point, a crosshair, a range estimation feature, a drop point estimation feature, a wind impact point estimation feature, a moving target impact point feature, and a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the additional element is not translucent. In another embodiment, the additional element is translucent.

In a further embodiment, the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature ranges from less than 100% to greater than or equal to 60%. In yet another embodiment, the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature ranges from less than or equal to 96% to greater than or equal to 66%. In yet another embodiment, the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature ranges from less than or equal to 88% to greater than or equal to 74%.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a viewing optic. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a viewing optic having an active display configured to generate a digital image projected into a first focal plane, and a reticle according to any embodiment or combination of embodiments described herein located at the first focal plane. According to some embodiments, the viewing optic is a sight.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a sight. In an embodiment, the sight comprises: a housing; an objective lens assembly mounted in a first end of the housing; an eyepiece lens assembly mounted in a second end of the housing; one or more optical components mounted in the housing between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece lens assembly; and a reticle comprising a translucent marking feature. In one embodiment, the sight further comprises an active display for generating a digital image.

In an embodiment, the reticle is located at a first focal plane. In another embodiment, the reticle is located at a second focal plane.

In an embodiment, the reticle is located at a first focal plane and the scope further comprises an active display that projects an image on the reticle.

In an embodiment, the marking feature is made of an etched pattern, a gradient, a coating, a paint, a filament, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the amount of light passing through the marking feature is from less than 100% to greater than or equal to 60%. In a further embodiment, the amount of light passing through the marking feature is from less than or equal to 88% to greater than or equal to 74%.

In one embodiment, an observation optic is provided, comprising a main tube, an objective system coupled to a first end of the main tube, and an eyepiece system coupled to a second end of the main tube. The main tube, the objective system, and the eyepiece system are cooperatively configured to define at least one focal plane. The observation optic also includes a beam combiner located between the objective system and the first focal plane, the first focal plane having a reticle with translucent marking features. The observation optic also includes a display system, the display system including an active display, wherein the active display generates a digital image and projects the digital image to the beam combiner, so that the digital image can be combined with a target image from the objective system at the first focal plane.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical scope with a first optical system, the first optical system comprising: an objective system that focuses an image from a target to a first focal plane, the first focal plane having a reticle with translucent marking features (hereinafter referred to as "FFP target image"); followed by an erecting lens system that inverts the FFP target image and focuses it to a second focal plane (hereinafter referred to as "SFP target image"); a beam combiner placed between the objective system and the FFP target image; an eyepiece system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be observed by the human eye; and a second optical system. In one embodiment, the second optical system has an active display for generating an image, and a lens system that collects light from the active display. The image from the digital display is directed to the beam combiner so that the digital image and the target image from the objective system can be combined at the first focal plane and observed simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the viewing optics are used in conjunction with a firearm. In one embodiment, the viewing optics are rifle scopes. In one embodiment, the rifle scope can be used with an external laser rangefinder with ballistic calculation capabilities. In one embodiment, the rifle scope is securely mounted to the firearm and the laser rangefinder is mounted to either the firearm or the rifle scope.

Other embodiments will become apparent by consideration of the drawings together with the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a diagram showing optical components of a telescopic sight of the present disclosure;

FIG2 is a partial side view of an example of a firearm showing a telescopic sight mounted on a barrel;

FIG3 illustrates a first embodiment of a reticle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is used as a first focal plane reticle at low magnification;

FIG4 shows the reticle of FIG3 at a higher magnification;

FIG5 shows a portion of the reticle of FIG3 in close-up;

FIG6 illustrates a second embodiment of a reticle used as a first focal plane reticle at low magnification according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG7 shows the reticle of FIG6 at a higher magnification; and

FIG. 8 shows a portion of the reticle of FIG. 6 in close-up.

9A-9C are representative depictions of viewing optics having an active display and a reticle with semi-transparent primary marking features at a first focal plane. The reticle at the first focal plane can be any of the reticles disclosed herein and variations thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to reticle plates and related devices for observation optical scopes, and more particularly, to reticle plates and related devices for telescopic sights. Certain preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

The apparatus and methods disclosed herein will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be comprehensive and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a set of features and/or capabilities can be readily adapted within the context of stand-alone weapon sights, front or rear mounted clip-on weapon sights, and other permutations of field deployed optical weapon sights. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of features and capabilities can be incorporated into add-on modules for retrofitting any type of existing fixed or variable weapon sight.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer. Alternatively, intervening elements or layers may be present. Conversely, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of more than one of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions and/or sections, these elements, components, regions and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region or section from another element, component, region or section. Therefore, without departing from the present disclosure, the first element, component, region or section discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region or section.

Spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "below," "above," and "above" may be used herein to facilitate description of the relationship of one element or feature shown in the figures to another element or feature. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is flipped, an element described as "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" is capable of encompassing both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90° or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

definition

Numerical ranges in the present disclosure are approximate, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, may include values outside the range. Assuming that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value, the numerical range includes all values starting from and including the lower and upper limits in increments of one unit. As an example, if the composition, physical or other properties, such as molecular weight, viscosity, etc., are from 100 to 1000, it is expected that all individual values such as 100, 101, 102, etc. are clearly enumerated, as well as sub-ranges such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc. For a range containing a value less than 1 or a range containing a fraction greater than 1 (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is appropriately considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1. For a range containing a single digit less than 10 (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in the present disclosure.Among other things, ranges of values are provided within the present disclosure for distances from a user of the device to a target.

The term "and/or" as used herein in phrases such as "A and/or B" is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Similarly, the term "and/or" as used in phrases such as "A, B, and/or C" is intended to include each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).

As used herein, "active display" includes image creation pixel modulation. In one embodiment, the active display is an emissive active display. Emissive active displays, including but not limited to organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs), are characterized by image and light source in a single device, and therefore do not require an external light source. This minimizes system size and power consumption while providing excellent contrast and color space. OLEDs are made of ultra-thin organic semiconductor layers that are lit when connected to a voltage (charge carriers are injected, and brightness is primarily proportional to forward current). The main layers, in turn, include several organic materials (e.g., charge transport layers, blocking layers, and emissive layers-each having a thickness of several nanometers) inserted between the anode and the cathode. The terms "active display," "digital display," and "microdisplay" can be used interchangeably.

As used herein, "ballistics" is a way of accurately calculating the trajectory of a bullet based on many factors.

As used herein, an "erector sleeve" is a protrusion from an erector lens mount that engages a slot in an erector tube and/or cam tube, or serves a similar purpose. It may be integral with the mount, or may be removable.

As used herein, an "erecting tube" is any structure or device having an opening that receives an erecting lens base.

As used herein, the term "firearm" refers to any device that propels an object or projectile, for example, in a controllable flat shot, line of sight or line of fire, for example, a handheld firearm, a pistol, a rifle, a shotgun cartridge gun, a muzzle-loading rifle, a single-shot rifle, a semi-automatic rifle, and a fully automatic rifle in any caliber direction through any medium. As used herein, the term "firearm" also refers to a remote servo-controlled firearm, wherein the firearm has automatic sensing of position and direction cartridge orientation. The shooter can position the firearm in one position and move to a second position for target image acquisition and aiming. As used herein, the term "firearm" also refers to chain guns, belt-fed guns, machine guns, and Gatling guns. As used herein, the term "firearm" also refers to high-altitude and over-the-horizon projectile propulsion devices, such as artillery, mortars, cannons, tank cannons, or rail guns of any caliber.

As used herein, in one embodiment, a "reticle" is an aiming pattern used with a viewing optic, such as but not limited to a crosshair aiming dot or other aiming pattern.

As used herein, the term "transparent" refers to a material through which most light passes without refraction. With a transparent material, shapes are clearly seen through the material.

As used herein, the term "translucent" refers to a material through which a portion of light passes and, in some cases, the light may be refracted. In some embodiments, the amount of light passing through the translucent material is less than 100%, or less than or equal to 98%, or less than or equal to 96%, or less than or equal to 94%, or less than or equal to 92%, or less than or equal to 90%, or less than or equal to 88%, or less than or equal to 86%, or less than or equal to 84%, or less than or equal to 82%, or less than or equal to 80% to greater than or equal to 60%, or greater than or equal to 62%, or greater than or equal to 64%, greater than or equal to 66%, or greater than or equal to 68%, or greater than or equal to 70%, or greater than or equal to 72%, or greater than or equal to 74%, or greater than or equal to 76%, or greater than or equal to 78%.

As used herein, the term "viewing optics" refers to a device used by a shooter or observer to select, identify, or monitor a target. "Viewing optics" may rely on visual observation of the target, or, for example, rely on infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radar, heat, microwave or magnetic imaging, radiation (including X-rays, gamma rays, isotope particle radiation), night vision, vibration receivers (including ultrasound, acoustic pulses, sonar, seismic vibrations, magnetic resonance), gravity receivers, broadcast frequencies including radio waves, television and cellular receivers, or other images of the target. The image of the target presented to the shooter by the "viewing optics" device may be unchanged, or may be enhanced, for example, by magnification, expansion, subtraction, superposition, filtering, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified, or monitored by the "viewing optics" may be within the shooter's line of sight, or tangent to the shooter's line of sight, or the shooter's line of sight may be blocked while the target acquisition device presents a focused image of the target to the shooter. The image of the target acquired through the "viewing optics" may be, for example, analog or digital, and may be shared, stored, archived or transmitted within a network of one or more shooters and observers, for example, via video, physical cable or wire, IR, radio waves, cellular connection, laser pulses, optics, 802.11b or other wireless transmission, for example using protocols such as html, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., Bluetooth ^™ , Serial, USB or other suitable image distribution method. The term "viewing optics" may be used interchangeably with "optical sight".

As used herein, the term "scene" refers to a real-world scene, including but not limited to objects.

As used herein, the term "shooter" applies to an operator who conducts the shooting or an individual who cooperates with an operator who conducts the shooting and observes the shooting.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a telescopic gunsight 10 (also referred to herein as a “gunsight”) includes a housing 36 that can be mounted in a fixed relationship with a gun barrel 38. The housing 36 is preferably made of steel or aluminum, but can be made of virtually any durable, substantially rigid material that is useful for constructing an optical device. Mounted at one end of the housing 36 is an objective lens or lens assembly 12. Mounted at the opposite end of the housing 38 is an eyepiece or lens assembly 14.

As used herein, the term "lens" refers to an object that focuses or otherwise projects radiation of light, heat, sonar, infrared, ultraviolet, microwaves, or other wavelengths to form an image. It is well known in the art that a lens is made of a single piece of glass or other optical material (such as transparent plastic) that has been conventionally ground and polished to focus light, or two or more pieces of such material are mounted together, for example, using an optically transparent adhesive, to focus light. Therefore, the term "lens" used herein is intended to cover a lens composed of a single piece of optical glass or other material, or multiple pieces of optical glass or other materials (e.g., an achromatic lens), or more than one piece mounted together to focus light, or other materials capable of focusing light. Any lens technology now known or developed later can be used in the present invention. For example, any lens based on digital, fluid static, ion, electron, magnetic energy field, component, mixture, plasma, adaptive lens, or other related technology can be used. In addition, a movable or adjustable lens can be used. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the scope 10 is mounted to, for example, a gun, rifle, or weapon 38, the objective lens (i.e., the lens farthest from the shooter's eye) 12 faces the target, while the eyepiece (i.e., the lens closest to the shooter's eye) 14 faces the shooter's eye.

Other optical components that may be included in the housing 36 include a variable power optical component 16 for a variable power scope. Such a component 16 typically includes an amplifier and a corrector. Such a variable power scope allows a user to select a desired power within a predetermined power range. For example, with a 3-12×50 scope, the user can select a low power (e.g., 3×50) or a high power (e.g., 12×50) or any power along a continuous spectrum.

Finally, the reticle assists the shooter to hit the target. The reticle is usually (but not necessarily) made of optical materials such as optical glass or plastic or similar transparent or translucent materials, and is in the form of a disk or wafer with substantially parallel sides. The reticle can be, for example, made of wires, spider webs, nanowires, etchings, or can be simulated or digitally printed, or can be projected (for example, on the surface) on a wafer of more than one material by, for example, a mirror, video, holographic projection or other suitable means. In the embodiment provided herein, the reticle is etched or is a wire. Etching can be filled with a reflective material such as titanium oxide, which illuminates when a lamp or a diode powered by, for example, a battery, a chemical or a photovoltaic power source is turned on by a varistor to compensate for the increased (+) or reduced (-) light intensity.

The graticule is mounted anywhere between the eyepiece 14 and the objective lens 12 of FIG1 . In one embodiment, the observation optics has: a primary optical system including an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target to a first focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "FFP target image"); then an erecting lens system that inverts the FFP target image and focuses it to a second focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "SFP target image"); an eyepiece lens system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be observed by the human eye; and a secondary optical system. In some embodiments, a beam combiner is placed between the objective lens system and the first focal plane.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary reticle 18 for low (1x) magnification. In the illustrated embodiment, reticle 18 is used as a first focal plane reticle, but it will be appreciated that the reticle can be easily used in a second focal plane as well. The first focal plane is located near the objective lens, while the second focal plane is located near the eyepiece. The first focal plane is generally located between optical component 16 and objective lens 12. The second focal plane is generally located between optical component 16 and eyepiece 14.

Reticle 18 includes a primary marking feature 19 that is a cylindrical reticle. The cylindrical reticle consists of three solid markings 20 pointing to a generally central location 21. The solid appearance of primary marking feature 19 makes it useful as a sighting mechanism in close range situations without being washed out or obscured by a moving or changing background.

FIG4 shows the same reticle 18 at a higher magnification. Although the main marking feature 19 appears solid at a low magnification, FIG4 shows that the main marking feature 19 is translucent. That is, the main marking feature 19 allows some light to pass through, but not all of the light. As a result, part of the background is seen through the main marking feature 19.

In the particular embodiment shown, the reticle 18 is an etched reticle, and the primary marking feature 19 is etched with a shadow pattern 23. This shadow pattern 23 is more clearly shown in FIG. 5. The apertures in the shadow pattern 23 allow light from the display to pass through, so as not to interfere with the projected image for the user. In other embodiments, the semi-transparent properties of the primary marking feature 19 can be provided by different etching patterns, gradients, the use of coatings, paints or filaments, or combinations of these and other methods of providing semi-transparency to the primary marking feature 19.

Also shown in FIG. 4 are additional elements 22 of the reticle 18. For example, in some embodiments, the reticle 18 includes a center dot, crosshairs, a range estimation feature, a drop point estimation feature, a wind impact point estimation feature, a moving target impact point feature, and combinations of these features and other features known in the art. As shown in FIG. 4, these additional elements 22, while slightly observable at low magnifications, are more clearly visible to the user at higher magnifications, and therefore do not necessarily require the same translucency as the primary marking feature 19. However, in some embodiments, the additional elements 22 are etched with a hatched pattern like the primary marking feature 19, or are otherwise provided with a translucent element as described with respect to the primary marking feature 19.

FIG6 shows a further embodiment of the graticule 18'. In the embodiment shown in FIG6, the primary marking feature 19' is an intermittent circular graticule. At low (1x) magnification, the primary marking feature 19' appears as an intermittent circle consisting of four solid arcs 20' around a center point 21'. However, at higher magnifications, as shown in FIG7, the primary marking feature 19' is shown as translucent. More specifically, and as shown in FIG8, the primary marking feature 19' is etched with a shadow pattern 23' to allow a portion of the light from the display to be visible through the graticule 18'.

Also shown in FIG. 7 are additional elements 22′ of the reticle 18′. Like the additional elements 22, the additional elements 22′ are slightly observable at low magnifications, and these additional elements 22′ are more clearly visible at higher magnifications. Thus, these additional elements 22′ may have, but are not required to have, the same translucency as the primary marking features 19′. It will be appreciated that the additional elements 22′ may be the same as described with respect to the additional elements 22, or may be different.

Although the present embodiment describes the primary marking features as a cylindrical crosshair and an interrupted circular reticle, it will be appreciated that the primary marking features can be any other type of primary marking feature known in the art, including but not limited to crosshairs, double crosshairs, cylindrical crosshairs, German crosshairs, circular crosshairs, triangular crosshairs, interrupted circles, and combinations thereof.

In embodiments where the reticle incorporates any type of grid or scale markings (whether as a primary marking feature or an additional element), the markings may be correlated to standard measurements known in the industry, including but not limited to MOA, mRad, or other angular or linear measurements.

FIG9A provides a representative depiction of an optical viewing scope having an active display 910, a focusing lens system 920, a beam combiner 930, and a reticle disclosed herein at a first focal plane 940. The active display 910 generates a digital image and projects to the beam combiner so that the digital image and the target image from the objective lens system can be combined at the first focal plane. The active display 910 is configured to emit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the viewing optics. As described above, and as a representative, non-limiting example, the apertures in the cross pattern of the reticle allow light from the display to pass through, so as not to interfere with the projected digital image for the user.

FIG. 9B provides a representative depiction of an optical viewing scope having an active display 910, a focusing lens system 920, a reflective material 922, a beam combiner 930, and a reticle disclosed herein at a first focal plane 940. The active display 910 generates an image directed by the reflective material 922 to the beam combiner 930 so that the digital image and the target image from the objective system can be combined at the first focal plane. The active display 910 is configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the viewing optics. In this representative depiction, the active display 910 is positioned closer to the eyepiece assembly or eyepiece assembly and further away from the objective assembly. As described above, as a non-limiting example, the apertures in the shadow pattern of the reticle allow light from the display to pass through, thereby not interfering with the projected digital image for the user.

FIG. 9C provides a representative depiction of an optical viewing scope having an active display 910, a focusing lens system 920, a reflective material 922, a beam combiner 930, and a reticle disclosed herein at a first focal plane 940. The active display 910 generates an image directed by the reflective material 922 to the beam combiner 930 so that the digital image and the target image from the objective system can be combined at the first focal plane. The active display 910 is configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the viewing optics. In this representative depiction, the active display 910 is positioned closer to the objective assembly and away from the eyepiece assembly or eyepiece. As described above, as a non-limiting example, the apertures in the shadow pattern of the reticle allow light from the display to pass through, thereby not interfering with the projected digital image for the user.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an observation optical scope having: a body with a first optical system for viewing an external image; and an integrated display system for generating an image, wherein the image of the integrated display system is combined with the image of the first optical system in a first focal plane of the optical scope, wherein the first focal plane has a reticle with one or more translucent marking features. The reticle with one or more translucent marking features allows a user of the observation optical scope to observe a greater proportion of the image generated by the integrated display system than the amount or range of the image observed by the user of the observation optical scope using a reticle lacking the translucent marking features.

In one embodiment, the integrated display system includes an active display, a focusing lens system, and a reflective surface or material (including but not limited to a mirror). In one embodiment, the active display is capable of generating images including but not limited to text, alphanumeric, graphic, symbolic and/or video images, icons, etc., including an active target reticle, a calibration aiming point, a range measurement, and wind information.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical scope, which includes a main body, wherein the main body has: (i) a first optical system, the first optical system having an objective lens system for focusing a target image from an external scene to a first focal plane, an erecting lens system for inverting the target image, a second focal plane, and an eyepiece system for viewing the target image; (ii) a beam combiner; (iii) a second optical system, the second optical system having an active display for generating an image, and a reflective material for guiding the generated image from the active display to the beam combiner, wherein the image of the integrated display system is combined with the image of the first optical system in the first focal plane of the optical observation scope, wherein the first focal plane has a graticule with a semi-transparent main marking feature.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical scope having a main body with a first optical system for viewing an external image, and an integrated display system for generating a digital image, wherein the digital image of the integrated display system is combined with an image of the first optical system in a first focal plane of the optical observation scope, wherein the first focal plane has a graticule with a translucent marking feature, wherein the translucent main marking feature allows a user of the observation optical scope to observe more of the digital image than the amount of digital image observed by the user of the observation optical scope using a graticule without the translucent marking feature.

Active Display

In one embodiment, the viewing optics has an active display. In one embodiment, the active display is controlled by a microcontroller or computer. In one embodiment, the active display is controlled by a microcontroller with an integrated graphics controller to output video signals to the display. In one embodiment, information can be sent to the viewing optics wirelessly or via a physical connection through a cable port. In another embodiment, many input sources can be input to the microcontroller and displayed on the active display.

In one embodiment, the active display can be a reflective, transmissive or emissive microdisplay, including but not limited to a microdisplay, a transmissive active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, an electronic ink display, a plasma display, a segment display, an electroluminescent display, a surface conduction electron emitter display, a quantum dot display, etc.

In one embodiment, the LED array is a micro-pixelated LED array, and the LED elements are micro-pixelated LEDs (also referred to as micro-LEDs or μLEDs in the specification) having a small pixel size that is typically less than 75 μm. In some embodiments, the LED elements may have a pixel size from about 8 μm to about 25 μm, respectively, and a pixel pitch from about 10 μm to about 30 μm (in the vertical and horizontal directions on the micro-LED array). In one embodiment, the micro-LED elements have a uniform pixel size of about 14 μm (for example, all micro-LED elements are the same size within a small tolerance range) and are arranged in the micro-LED array with a uniform pixel pitch of about 25 μm. In some embodiments, the LED elements may have a pixel size of less than 25 μm, respectively, and a pixel pitch of less than about 30 μm.

In some embodiments, micro-LEDs can be inorganic and based on gallium nitride light-emitting diodes (GaN LEDs). Micro-LED arrays (including many μLEDs arranged in a grid or other array) can provide high-density, emissive micro-displays that are not based on external switching or filtering systems. In some embodiments, gallium nitride-based micro-LED arrays can be grown, bonded, or otherwise formed on a transparent sapphire substrate.

In one embodiment, the sapphire substrate is textured, etched, or otherwise patterned to improve the internal quantum efficiency and light extraction efficiency of the micro-LEDs (i.e., extract more light from the surface of the micro-LEDs). In other embodiments, silver nanoparticles may be deposited/dispersed on the patterned sapphire substrate prior to bonding the micro-LEDs to coat the substrate, thereby further improving the light efficacy and output power of GaN-based micro-LEDs and micro-LED arrays.

In one embodiment, the active display can be monochrome, or can provide full color, and in some embodiments, can provide multiple colors. In other embodiments, other suitable display designs or types can be used. The active display can be driven by an electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device can provide the display function, or can receive such function from another device communicating with it.

In one embodiment, the active display can be part of a backlight/display assembly, module or arrangement having a backlight assembly including a backlight illumination or light source, device, apparatus or component, such as an LED backlight for illuminating the active display with light. In some embodiments, the backlight source can be a large area LED and can include a first or integrated lens to collect the generated light and direct it to a second illumination or focusing lens to collect, concentrate and direct the light onto the active display along the display optical axis B with good spatial and angular uniformity. The backlight assembly and active display can provide a sufficiently high light brightness for the image to be viewed at low magnification while simultaneously viewing through an optical lens at a very high brightness real-world perspective.

The backlight color can be selected to be any single color, or can be white to support a full color microdisplay. Other backlight design elements can be included, such as other light sources, waveguides, diffusers, micro-optics, polarizers, birefringent components, optical coatings, and reflectors to optimize the performance of the backlight and be compatible with the overall size requirements of the active display as well as the brightness, power, and contrast requirements.

Representative examples of microdisplays that can be used include, but are not limited to: Microoled, including MDP01 (series) DPYM, MDP02, and MDP05; Emagin, such as SVGA, microdisplays with pixel pitches of 9.9x9.9 microns and 7.8x7.8 microns, and luminescent Oled microdisplays, such as those produced by Kopin. MicroLED displays can also be used, including but not limited to those produced by VueReal and Lumiode.

In one embodiment, an electronic device that works with an active display can include the ability to generate display symbols, format output for the display, and include battery information, power regulation circuits, video interfaces, serial interfaces, and control features. Other features for additional or different functions of the display overlay unit can be included. The electronic device can provide display functionality, or can receive such functionality from another device in communication with it.

In one embodiment, the active display can generate images, including but not limited to text, alphanumeric, graphic, symbolic and/or video images, icons, etc., including active target reticle, range and wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm tilt information, target finding, identification and identification (ID) information, and/or external sensor information (sensor video and/or graphics), or images for situational awareness, viewed through the eyepiece along with the view image seen through the optics. The direct view optics can include or maintain an etched reticle and aperture sight, and maintain high resolution.

In one embodiment, utilizing an active display allows for display of a programmable electronic aiming point anywhere in the field of view. This position can be determined by the user (as in the case of a rifle that fires supersonic and subsonic ammunition and therefore has two different ballistics and "zero points"), or it can be calculated based on information received from a ballistic computer. This will provide a "drop-compensated" aiming point for long-range shooting that can be updated for shot intervals.

In one embodiment, the active display can be oriented to achieve maximum vertical compensation. In one embodiment, the active display is positioned so that it is taller than it is wide.

In one embodiment, the viewing optics further include a processor in electronic communication with the active display.

In another embodiment, the viewing optics may include a memory, at least one sensor, and/or an electronic communication device in electronic communication with the processor.

Beam combiner

In one embodiment, the body of the viewing optics has a beam combiner. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is one or more prisms (the prisms constitute the beam combiner). In another embodiment, the body of the rifle scope has a beam combiner that combines an image generated from an active display with an image generated from the viewing optics along the viewing optical axis of the rifle scope.

In one embodiment, a beam combiner is used to combine a generated image from an integrated display system with an image from an optical system for viewing an external image, wherein the optical system is located in a body of the rifle scope in front of a first focal plane in the body, and then focuses the combined image onto the first focal plane so that the generated image and the viewed image do not move relative to each other. With the combined image focused onto the first focal plane, the aiming reference generated by the integrated display system will be accurate regardless of adjustments to the movable erecting system.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is capable of being aligned with the integrated display system along the display optical axis and positioned along the viewing optical axis of the viewing optics of the body of the rifle scope, thereby allowing an image from the integrated display to be directed onto the viewing optical axis for combination with the field of view of the viewing optics in a superimposed manner.

In another embodiment, the beam combiner and the integrated display system are in the same housing. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is approximately 25 mm from the objective lens assembly.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is about 5 mm from the objective lens assembly. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the objective lens assembly, including but not limited to, from 1 mm to 5 mm, or from 5 mm to 10 mm, or from 5 mm to 15 mm, or from 5 mm to 20 mm, or from 5 mm to 30 mm, or from 5 mm to 40 mm, or from 5 mm to 50 mm.

In yet another embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the objective lens assembly, including but not limited to, from 1 mm to 4 mm, or from 1 mm to 3 mm, or from 1 mm to 2 mm.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the objective lens assembly, including but not limited to, at least 3 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, and at least 20 mm. In yet another embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the objective lens assembly from 3 mm to 10 mm.

In another embodiment, the beam combiner is approximately 150 mm from the eyepiece assembly. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to, from 100 mm to 200 mm, or from 125 mm to 200 mm, or from 150 mm to 200 mm, or from 175 mm to 200 mm.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to, from 100 mm to 175 mm, or from 100 mm to 150 mm, or from 100 mm to 125 mm.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to, from 135mm to 165mm, or from 135mm to 160mm, or from 135mm to 155mm, or from 135mm to 150mm, or from 135mm to 145mm, or from 135mm to 140mm.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to, from 140mm to 165mm, or from 145mm to 165mm, or from 150mm to 165mm, or from 155mm to 165mm, or from 160mm to 165mm.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned spaced apart from the eyepiece assembly, including but not limited to, at least 140 mm, or at least 145 mm, or at least 150 mm, or at least 155 mm.

In yet another embodiment, the main body has a beam combiner, wherein the beam combiner is located below the elevation adjustment knob on the outside center portion of the scope body.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner can have a partially reflective coating or surface that reflects the output from the integrated display system or at least a portion of the active display output onto the viewing axis and redirects it to the observer's eye at the eyepiece while still providing good transmissive see-through quality for the direct viewing optical path.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be a cube made of an optical material such as an optical glass or plastic material with a partially reflective coating. The coating can be a uniform and neutral color reflective coating, or can be customized with polarized, spectrally selective, or patterned coatings to optimize the transmission and reflection characteristics in the eyepiece. The polarization and/or color of the coating can be matched to the active display. This can optimize the reflection and efficiency of the display optical path with minimal impact on the direct viewing optics transmission path.

Although the beam combiner is shown as a cube, in some embodiments, the beam combiner can have different optical path lengths for the integrated display system and the direct viewing optics along the viewing optical axis A. In some embodiments, the beam combiner can be plate-shaped, where a thin reflective/transmissive plate can be inserted across the optical axis A into the direct viewing optics path.

In one embodiment, the position of the beam combiner is adjusted relative to the reflective material to eliminate any errors, including but not limited to parallax errors. The position of the beam combiner can be adjusted using a screw system, a wedge system, or any other suitable mechanism.

In one embodiment, the position of the beam combiner can be adjusted relative to the erector tube to eliminate any errors, including but not limited to parallax errors.

Condenser lens system

In one embodiment, the viewing optics can have a focusing lens system 920 that collects light from the active display. In one embodiment, the viewing optics has an optical system based on the use of an optical lens as part of one or more lens units, wherein the one or more lens units include the lens itself and a lens unit body to which the lens is mounted. In one embodiment, the lens unit includes a precision-formed body that is generally cylindrical or disc-shaped. The body has a central hole for mounting the lens in alignment with the optical axis of a larger optical system. The lens unit body can also be said to have its own alignment axis, which will ultimately align with the optical axis of the larger system when the lens unit is mounted in the larger system. In addition, the lens unit serves as a "holder" for the lens, as a mechanism that can mount the lens to and to a larger optical system, and (finally) as a device that can manipulate the lens by or for the purpose of the system.

In one embodiment, an integrated display system includes a condenser lens system, also referred to as a lens system. In one embodiment, the condenser lens system includes an inner lens unit and an outer lens unit.

Reflective Materials

In one embodiment, the viewing optics include reflective material 922. In one embodiment, the reflective material 922 is a mirror. In one embodiment, the viewing optics include more than one mirror. In one embodiment, the integrated display system includes two, three, four or more mirrors.

In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle relative to the emitted light of the display: from 30° to 60°, or from 30° to 55°, 30° to 50°, or from 30° to 45°, or from 30° to 40°, or from 30° to 35°.

In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle relative to the emitted light of the display: from 30° to 60°, or from 35° to 60°, 40° to 60°, or from 45° to 60°, or from 50° to 60°, or from 55° to 60°.

In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle of at least 40°. In one embodiment, the mirror is positioned at an angle of 45° relative to the emitted light of the display.

In one embodiment, the position of the mirror can be adjusted relative to the beam combiner to eliminate any errors, including but not limited to parallax errors.

In one embodiment, the position of the mirror can be adjusted relative to the active display to eliminate any errors, including but not limited to parallax errors.

In one embodiment, a display for generating a digital image is added to the first focal plane of the subject, such that the digital image in the first focal plane is not linked to the movement of the erecting tube.

In one embodiment, the active display is configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis of the viewing mirror.

In one embodiment, the active display is configured to emit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the viewing lens.

In one embodiment, the mirror is oriented at an angle of approximately 45° relative to light emitted by the display.

In one embodiment, the display and the mirror are located on a common side of the viewing optic body.

In one embodiment, the display and the mirror are located on opposite sides of the viewing optic body.

The apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be further described in the following paragraphs:

1. A reticle comprising a translucent marking feature. In some embodiments, the marking feature is a primary marking feature.

2. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the primary marking features are made of an etched pattern, a gradient, a coating, a paint, a filament, or a combination thereof.

3. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the primary marking features are etched with a pattern.

4. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the pattern is a hatching pattern.

5. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the primary marking feature is selected from the group consisting of a crosshair, a double crosshair, a columnar crosshair, a German crosshair, a circular crosshair, a triangular crosshair, an interrupted circle, and combinations thereof.

6. The reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, further comprising an additional element selected from the group consisting of a center point, a crosshair, a range estimation feature, a landing point estimation feature, a wind impact point estimation feature, a moving target impact point feature, and a combination thereof.

7. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the additional element is not translucent.

8. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the additional element is translucent.

9. A reticle as in any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking features ranges from less than 100% to greater than or equal to 60%.

10. A reticle as in any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking features ranges from less than or equal to 96% to greater than or equal to 66%.

11. A reticle as in any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking features ranges from less than or equal to 88% to greater than or equal to 74%.

12. An observation optic comprising a graticule according to any one of the preceding paragraphs.

13. The viewing optics of paragraph 12, wherein the viewing optics is a sight.

14. An observation optical scope, comprising: a housing; an objective lens assembly mounted in a first end of the housing; an eyepiece assembly mounted in a second end of the housing; one or more optical components mounted in the housing between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece assembly; and a graticule including a translucent main marking feature.

15. An observation optical scope according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the graticule is located at a first focal plane.

16. An observation optical scope according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the graticule is located at a second focal plane.

17. An observation optical scope according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the primary marking features of the reticle are made of an etched pattern, gradient, coating, paint, filament, or a combination thereof.

18. The viewing optics of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the amount of light that passes through the primary marking features of the reticle ranges from less than 100% to greater than or equal to 60%.

19. An observation optic according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature of the reticle ranges from less than or equal to 88% to greater than or equal to 74%.

20. An observation optical scope, comprising: a body, the body having: (i) a first optical system, the first optical system having an objective system, the objective system focusing a target image from an external scene to a first focal plane having a graticule according to any one of the preceding paragraphs; and (ii) a beam combiner between the objective system and the first focal plane; and a second optical system, the second optical system having an active display and a lens system for collecting light from the active display; and (ii) a mirror, the mirror directing an image from the active display to the beam combiner, where the image from the active display and the target image from the objective system are combined into the first focal plane and observed simultaneously.

21. An observation optical scope comprising: an optical system configured to define a first focal plane having a graticule according to any one of the preceding paragraphs; an active display for generating a digital image, wherein the digital image is superimposed on the first focal plane; and a controller connected to the active display, the controller being configured to selectively drive one or more display elements to generate a digital image.

22. An observation optical scope comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective system connected to a first end of the main tube; (c) an eyepiece system connected to a second end of the main tube, wherein the main tube, the objective system and the eyepiece system are configured to define at least a first focal plane, the first focal plane having a graticule according to any one of the preceding paragraphs; and (d) a beam combiner located between the objective system and the first focal plane.

23. An observation optical scope, comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective lens system connected to a first end of the main tube to focus a target image from an external scene; (c) an eyepiece system connected to a second end of the main tube, the main tube, the objective lens system and the eyepiece system being configured to define at least a first focal plane, the first focal plane having a graticule according to any one of the preceding paragraphs; (d) a beam combiner located between the objective lens system and the first focal plane; and (e) an active display for generating an image and directing the image to the beam combiner, wherein the generated image and the target image are combined into the first focal plane.

24. An observation optical scope, comprising: a body having an objective lens system at one end for focusing a target image from an external scene, an eyepiece lens system at the other end, and a movable erecting tube with an erecting lens system located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system, the movable erecting lens system, the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system forming a first optical system with a first focal plane, the first focal plane having a graticule according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the graticule at the first focal plane moves together with the movable erecting tube and a beam combiner located between the first focal plane and the objective lens system; and a second optical system having an active display for generating an image and a lens system for collecting light from the active display, and a reflective material, the reflective material guiding the generated image from the active display to the beam combiner, at which the image from the active display and the target image from the objective lens system are combined into the first focal plane and observed simultaneously.

25. An observation optical scope, comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective lens system connected to a first end of the main tube to focus a target image from an external scene; (c) an eyepiece system connected to a second end of the main tube, the main tube, the objective lens system and the eyepiece system being configured to define at least a first focal plane, the first focal plane having a first graticule at the first focal plane according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the first graticule moves with respect to an adjustment knob; (d) a beam combiner located between the objective lens system and the first focal plane; and (e) an active display for generating an image and directing the image to the beam combiner, wherein the generated image and the target image are combined into the first focal plane.

All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification are incorporated herein by reference. Various modifications and variations to the described composition and method of the present invention are readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will immediately recognize that it is possible to construct the present invention from various materials and in various different ways. Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention should not be unduly limited to these specific embodiments. Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention set forth in the appended claims. In fact, various modifications to the described modes for implementing the present invention that are obvious to those skilled in the art of shooting, computers, or related fields are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. A reticle comprising semi-transparent main marking features.

2. The reticle of claim 1, wherein the primary marker feature is made of an etched pattern, a gradient, a coating, a paint, a thread, or a combination thereof.

3. The reticle of claim 1, wherein the main marker feature is etched with a pattern.

4. The reticle of claim 2, wherein the pattern is a shadow pattern.

5. The reticle of claim 1, wherein the primary marker feature is selected from the group consisting of a reticle, a double reticle, a column reticle, a de reticle, a ring reticle, a triangle reticle, a broken circle, and combinations thereof.

6. The reticle of claim 1, further comprising an additional element selected from the group consisting of a center point, a reticle, a range estimation feature, a drop point estimation feature, a wind impact point estimation feature, a moving target impact point feature, and combinations thereof.

7. The reticle of claim 6, wherein the additional element is not translucent.

8. The reticle of claim 6, wherein the additional element is translucent.

9. The reticle of claim 1, wherein an amount of light passing through the primary marker feature is less than 100% to greater than or equal to 60%.

10. The reticle of claim 9, wherein an amount of light passing through the primary marker feature is from less than or equal to 96% to greater than or equal to 66%.

11. The reticle of claim 10, wherein an amount of light passing through the primary marker feature is from less than or equal to 88% to greater than or equal to 74%.

12. A viewing optic comprising the reticle of claim 1.

13. The viewing optic of claim 12, wherein the viewing optic is a telescope.

14. An observation optic, comprising:

A housing;

an objective lens assembly mounted within the first end of the housing;

an eyepiece assembly mounted within the second end of the housing;

One or more optical components mounted within the housing between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece assembly, and

A reticle including semi-transparent main marker features.

15. The viewing optic of claim 14, wherein the reticle is located at a first focal plane.

16. The viewing optic of claim 14, wherein the reticle is located at a second focal plane.

17. The viewing optic of claim 14, wherein the primary marker feature of the reticle is made of an etched pattern, a taper, a coating, a paint, a filar, or a combination thereof.

18. The viewing optic of claim 17, wherein an amount of light passing through the primary marker feature of the reticle is less than 100% to greater than or equal to 60%.

19. The viewing optic of claim 18, wherein an amount of light passing through the primary marker feature of the reticle is from less than or equal to 88% to greater than or equal to 74%.