SE526742C2 - Device for automatic setting of optical sight for firearms - Google Patents

Abstract

This patent defines a device for automatic calibration of optical sights for firearms. Only one shot has to be fired to achieve this. The device can be integrated with an optical sight or fitted as a separate unit mounted on the sight. The device consists of a digital camera (e.g. CCD), a beam splitter, a microprocessor including a memory for camera images and computer software, servo motors including a gear mechanism, an electrical switch and light emitting diodes and a shot detecting sensor. In the digital sight application, the device also includes a display unit while servo motors, gear mechanism, light emitting diodes and beam splitter are excluded. The calibration procedure involves firing a round at a target consisting of a rectangular white surface on a dark background at the chosen range. The camera saves the last image immediately before the firing moment and compares the cross-hairs position with that of a following image from which the projectile point of impact can be found. After calculations that determines the error between point of aim and the projectile point of impact—which are based on image analysis only—the position of the cross-hairs is adjusted by servomotors to align with the detected projectile impact point position. In the digital sight application, the cross-hairs is simply re-drawn at the new correct location on the display. The weapon and the optical sight are now calibrated at the chosen range.

Description

526 742 2 When shots are fired, this is detected by the microprocessor by the target disappearing from the field of view (very quickly, ie from one image to the other). Alternatively, this detection takes place via a built-in sensor.

The last image before the shot is fired is saved for image analysis; the edges of the target on the white surface are identified against the dark background.

When the shooter again shoots at the target after the shot, the camera continues to take and store images in the FIFO queue. The best image after the shot is identified and can now be compared with the previously saved image before the shot. The location of the bullet hole on the target is identified by variation in contrast (black dot on the white surface).

When the shooter holds the crosshairs on the target, the number of "clicks" that the binoculars' mechanical crosshairs are to be adjusted in height and sideways to coincide with the identified bullet hole is calculated. The position of the crosshair in the image is adjusted so that it coincides with the ball hole. By determining the location of the crosshair in relation to the target and the entire viewfinder image - both before and after the shot - adjustment can be calculated without regard to the insertion distance and the magnification of the binoculars. (This requires that the target is not moved nor does the position of the shooter change during the firing process - which is the normal procedure).

The servomotors are controlled so that the adjusting screws are turned to the desired number of "clicks" vertically and sideways.

Green LED lights up indicating that successful firing has been completed. If the identification of the ball hole has failed, this is signaled that the red diode is lit - the process must then be repeated (probable cause is that the ball missed the wooden surface).

When the shooter presses the switch again, the system switches off (the power is switched on in the fi-river).

Variations: The device can have different designs depending on technology and wishes for degree of automation; l. Traditional optical sight with deflection of the image without moving parts (1).

This is realized with an electrically controlled electrochromic foil (EC foil) which is placed in the line of sight of the optical sight. When the voltage is turned on, the EC foil acts as a translucent mirror, in order to link off part of the image to the camera. Traditional optical binocular sight with image deflection with movable translucent mirror (1).

This is realized with a mechanically adjustable translucent mirror, to link off part of the image to the camera. The mirror is placed between two stable end positions, with front and / or friction locking, by means of a knob on the outside of the binocular sight. Fully digital optical sight with traditional zoom optics for the binocular sight and monitor in eyepieces where a mechanically adjustable crosshair is missing.

This is realized with a digital camera (2) in the line of sight, microprocessor with memory and software (3) and a monitor (10) (eg LCD) in the eyepiece directly behind the camera, instead of traditional optics. In this case, the need for LEDs is eliminated as the results of the adjustment can be displayed directly on the image screens. Switch (6) and power source (7) are also needed in this variant. In this variant, the camera image with "drawn" crosshairs is presented completely digitally on the screen. This completely eliminates the need for mechanical screws for adjusting the crosshairs, see principle sketch in Figure 2. The luminescent ear run takes place in the same way as described above. 4. On a traditional optical sight, separately mounted device with digital camera and microprocessor as well as servomotors for mounting on adjustable set screws.

This variant means that traditional binocular sights without intervention can be provided with the insertion device at the times when insertion of the binocular sight is made.

The variants can also be built in a semi-automatic version for adjusting the mechanical crosshair, where the system gives the shooter information on how many clicks in height and sideways the binoculars should be adjusted to ß correct wood fl image, after which the shooter can manually perform the adjustment of the crosshair screws. (The information can be presented via the translucent mirror and projected into the binoculars' viewfinder image).

Claims (1)

526 742 Patent claims Device for optical sight for firearms for automatic adjustment / calibration of mechanical crosshairs (9) for test firing against a well-defined target, both built-in and separately mounted device, characterized in that it comprises a digital camera (2) for recording the orientation of the sight relative to the target at the moment of firing and for registration of the point of impact and in the case of fully automatic adjustment also electronically controlled servomotors (4) for adjustment of mechanical crosshairs (9). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronics (3) handle image acquisition in buffer memory with an image frequency of 25 - 30 images per second (fps) according to the principle first in first out (fifo). . Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronics (3) are arranged to perform image processing operations to find the position of the target, the crosshairs and the point of impact of the projectile. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronics (3) are arranged to calculate calibration / adjustment of the mechanical (or digital, see claim 12) crosshair (9) in relation to the point of impact and the orientation of the directing means. Device according to claim 1, characterized in! in that the electronics (3) are arranged for controlling and driving servomotors (4). Device according to claim 1, characterized in! in that the electronics (3) are arranged with image analysis or a separate sensor to detect the moment of shooting and thereby select from the fi fo sex the image taken immediately before the moment of shooting. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronics (3) are arranged to be able to indicate drive status and successful / unsuccessful results. Device according to claim 2, characterized in! in that the electronics (3) are arranged to save the best image from the image sequence in shot hole detection after the calibration shot has been fired. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a semi-transparent optical component (1), for example a mirror, deflects a certain part of the light beam of the screen to the digital camera (2). Alternatively, the camera circuit can be made semi-transparent. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the translucent optical component (1) can be folded off during regular use of the weapon. ll. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the servomotors (4) are arranged with a large gear ratio (5) to provide good strength and precision, and to be self-inhibiting for 526 74-2 S to maintain the set position without control. A separate brake may be required. Optical / projectile weapon optical aiming device for automatic adjustment / calibration of crosshairs during test firing against a well-aimed target, characterized in that it comprises a digital camera (2) for recording the viewfinder image and with direct presentation thereof (without optics) on screen ( 10), and that the crosshairs are not mechanical but are presented on the screen via software, in addition the camera's viewfinder image is used to record the sight orientation relative to the target at the moment of shooting and to register the wooden point and adjust the crosshairs with the software's algorithms. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises claims 2 to 8 in addition to claim 5.