JP2025507681A - Reticles for observation optics - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to reticles, and in particular to reticles having semi-transparent marking features. The marking features can be made from etched patterns, gradients, coatings, paints, filaments, or combinations thereof. The reticles can also include additional features such as a center dot, crosshairs, distance estimation features, drop estimation features, wind impact point estimation features, moving target impact point estimation features, and combinations thereof. The additional features can be, but need not be, semi-transparent.Selected Figure: FIG.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17/678,639, filed February 23, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

(Technical field)
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to reticles for viewing optics, and more particularly, to reticles for viewing optics that utilize semi-transparent markings.

Riflescopes using active or disturbance reticles, as well as smart riflescopes, provide the user with a digital aim point, among other information. Typically, users will want an etched reticle included so they can have a functional field of view in low or no magnification conditions.

The reticle can be located in the first focal plane or the second focal plane, or in some cases in both the first and second focal planes. A first focal plane reticle has many advantages. In particular, because the first focal plane is in front of the magnifying lens, the reticle is magnified proportionately to the magnification, providing sufficient detail at high magnifications. Also, a first focal plane reticle is unobtrusive at low magnifications. Lower magnification first focal plane optics often have reticles with thick lines so that the user has a thicker aiming point at low magnifications (1x) for fast close quarters combat. The disadvantage of thick lines is that they block the view at high magnifications.

For viewing optics with a first focal plane reticle projecting a digital image from an active display, the reticle lines can sometimes, under certain conditions, occlude part of the projected digital image, especially when the viewing optics are set at high magnification. If smaller, thinner markings are used so that the digital image generated from the active display is not occluded, the reticle may lose effectiveness at lower magnifications.

Therefore, there is a need for a reticle that can be used in the first focal plane or the second focal plane, and when used in the first focal plane, allows for a dominant etched reticle feature that is useful for close-distance situations and does not obstruct the superimposed digital image projected onto the reticle.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a reticle. In one embodiment, the reticle comprises one or more features that are translucent. In one embodiment, the reticle comprises one or more marking features that are translucent. In one embodiment, the reticle comprises a primary marking feature that is translucent. In one embodiment, the reticle comprises two or more primary marking features that are translucent.

In one embodiment, the marking features are made from an etched pattern, a gradation, a coating, paint, a filament, or combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the marking features are etched in a pattern. In one embodiment, the pattern is a crosshatch pattern. In another embodiment, the marking features are selected from the group consisting of crosshairs, double crosshairs, a post reticle, a German reticle, a ring reticle, a triangular reticle, a dashed circle, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the reticle further includes an additional element selected from the group consisting of a center dot, a crosshair, a distance estimation feature, a drop estimation feature, a wind impact point estimation feature, a moving target impact point estimation feature, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the additional element is not translucent. In another embodiment, the additional element is translucent.

In further embodiments, the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is from less than 100% to more than 60%. In yet another embodiment, the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is from less than 96% to more than 66%. In yet another embodiment, the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is from less than 88% to more than 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 onto a first focal plane, and a viewing optic having a reticle at the first focal plane according to any embodiment or combination of embodiments described herein. According to some embodiments, the viewing optic is a sight.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a sight. In one embodiment, the sight comprises a housing, an objective lens assembly mounted within a first end of the housing, an eyepiece lens assembly mounted within a second end of the housing, one or more optical components mounted within 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 one embodiment, the reticle is located at a first focal plane. In another embodiment, the reticle is located at a second focal plane.

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

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 one embodiment, the amount of light passing through the marking feature is from less than 100% to more than 60%. In a further embodiment, the amount of light passing through the marking feature is from less than 88% to more than 74%.

In one embodiment, an observation optics is provided that includes 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 configured to cooperate to define at least one focal plane. The observation optics further includes a beam combiner disposed between the objective system and the first focal plane and having a reticle with semi-transparent marking features. The observation optics further includes a display system with an active display that generates and projects a digital image onto the beam combiner, thereby enabling the digital image and a target image from the objective system to be combined at the first focal plane.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an observation optical instrument that includes a first optical system consisting of an objective lens system that focuses an image from a target having a reticle with semi-transparent marking features (hereinafter referred to as the "FFP target image") on a first focal plane, an erecting lens system that then inverts and focuses the FFP target image on a second focal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "SFP target image"), a beam combiner disposed between the objective lens system and the FFP target image, an eyepiece lens system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be viewed by the human eye, and a second optical system. In one embodiment, the second optical system includes an active display for generating an image and a lens system that focuses light from the active display. An image from the digital display is directed to the beam combiner, which combines the digital image from the objective lens system and the target image on the first focal plane so that they can be viewed simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the viewing optics is used in conjunction with a firearm. In one embodiment, the viewing optics is a riflescope. In one embodiment, the riflescope can be used with an external laser range finder with ballistic calculation capabilities. In one embodiment, the riflescope is rigidly mounted to the firearm and the laser range finder is mounted to either the firearm or the riflescope.

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the optical components of the telescopic sight of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a partial side view of an example firearm showing a telescopic sight mounted on the barrel. A diagram showing a first embodiment of a reticle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure used as a first focal plane reticle at low magnification. FIG. 4 shows the reticle of FIG. 3 at a higher magnification. FIG. 4 shows a close-up of a portion of the reticle of FIG. 3. A diagram showing a second embodiment of a reticle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure used as a first focal plane reticle at low magnification. FIG. 7 shows the reticle of FIG. 6 at high magnification. FIG. 7 shows a close-up of a portion of the reticle of FIG. 6. A representative diagram of an observation optical instrument having an active display and a reticle having a primary marking feature that is semi-transparent at a first focal plane, where the reticle at the first focal plane can be any of the reticles disclosed in this specification and their variations. A representative diagram of an observation optical instrument having an active display and a reticle having a primary marking feature that is semi-transparent at a first focal plane, where the reticle at the first focal plane can be any of the reticles disclosed in this specification and their variations. A representative diagram of an observation optical instrument having an active display and a reticle having a primary marking feature that is semi-transparent at a first focal plane, where the reticle at the first focal plane can be any of the reticles disclosed in this specification and their variations.

The present disclosure relates to reticles and related devices for viewing optics, and more particularly to reticles and related devices for telescopic sights. Described below are certain preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to these examples.

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

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

When an element or layer is referred to as "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it will be understood that the element or layer is directly on, or can be directly connected or coupled to, the other element or layer. Alternatively, there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "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 one or more of the associated listed items.

Although terms such as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and/or sections, it will be understood that these elements, components, regions, and/or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another element, component, region, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, or section discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, or section without departing from this disclosure.

Spatially relative terms such as "below," "down," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as shown in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, an element described as being "below" or "below" the other element or feature would be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein can be interpreted accordingly.

Definitions Numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate and therefore may include values outside the range unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges include all values from the lower limit to the upper limit, inclusive, in increments of one unit, provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower limit and any upper limit. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property, such as molecular weight, viscosity, etc., is between 100 and 1000, all individual values such as 100, 101, 102, etc., as well as subranges such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc., are expressly recited. For ranges containing values less than 1 or containing decimals greater than 1 (e.g., 1.1, 1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1, as appropriate. In ranges containing single digit numbers less than ten (e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These are merely examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest and highest values listed shall be considered to be expressly set forth in this disclosure. Numerical ranges for distances from a user of the device to a target are provided, among other things, within this disclosure.

The term "and/or" as used herein in expressions such as "A and/or B" is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (single); and B (single). Similarly, the term "and/or" as used in expressions 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 (single); B (single); and C (single).

As used herein, "active display" includes image generating 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 having an image and a light source within a single device, so no external light source is required. This minimizes system size and power consumption while providing excellent contrast and color space. OLEDs are made from ultra-thin organic semiconductor layers that light up when connected to a voltage (charge carriers are injected and brightness is primarily proportional to the forward current). The main layer comprises multiple organic materials in turn (e.g., charge transport layers, blocking layers, and emissive layers, each with a thickness of a few nanometers), which are interposed between an anode and a cathode. The terms "active display", "digital display" and "microdisplay" are used interchangeably.

As used herein, "ballistics" is a method of precisely calculating the trajectory of a bullet based on a number of factors.

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

As used herein, an "erection tube" is any structure or device having an opening for receiving an erection lens mount.

As used herein, the term "firearm" refers to any device that propels an object or projectile, for example, in a controllable flat-head, line of sight, or line of fire, including handguns, pistols, rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loading rifles, single-shot rifles, semi-automatic rifles, and fully automatic rifles of any caliber through any medium. As used herein, the term "firearm" also refers to remotely operated servo-controlled firearms in which the firearm automatically senses the barrel orientation in both position and direction. The shooter can place the firearm in a first location and move it to a second location 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 cannons, mortars, cannons, tank guns, or rail guns of any caliber.

As used herein, the term "reticle" refers, in one embodiment, to an aiming pattern for a viewing optic, such as a crosshair aiming point or other aiming pattern.

As used herein, the term "transparent" refers to a material through which most of the light passes without being refracted. In a transparent material, shapes can be clearly seen through the material.

As used herein, the term "semi-transparent" refers to a material through which some light can pass and, in some cases, refract. In some embodiments, the amount of light that passes through the semi-transparent material is less than 100%, or 98% or less, or 96% or less, or 94% or less, or 92% or less, or 90% or less, or 88% or less, or 86% or less, or 84% or less, or 82% or less, or 80% or less to 60% or more, or 62% or more, or 64% or more, or 66% or more, or 68% or more, or 70% or more, or 72% or more, or 74% or more, or 76% or more, or 78% or more.

As used herein, the term "observation optics" refers to devices used by a shooter or observer to select, identify, or monitor a target. "Observation optics" may rely on visual observation of a target or on, for example, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), radar, thermal, microwave, or magnetic imaging, radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, isotopic and particle radiation, night vision, ultrasound, sound pulse, sonar, seismic vibration, vibration receptors including magnetic resonance, gravity receptors, radio waves, broadcast frequencies including television and cellular phone receptors, or other images of the target. The image of the target presented to the shooter by the "observation optics" device may be unaltered, but may be enhanced by, for example, magnification, amplification, subtraction, superposition, filtering, stabilization, template matching, or other means. The target selected, identified, or monitored by the "observation optics" may be within the shooter's line of sight, may be in contact with the shooter's line of sight, or may be blocked from the shooter's line of sight while the target acquisition device presents the shooter with a focused image of the target. The target image acquired by the "observation 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, by video, physical cable or wire, infrared, radio waves, 802.11b or other wireless transmission using protocols such as html, SML, SOAP, X.25, SNA, etc., Bluetooth, serial, USB, or other suitable image transmission methods. The term "observation optics" is used interchangeably with "optical sight."

As used herein, the term "external scene" refers to a real-world scene that includes, but is not limited to, a target.

As used herein, the term "shooter" refers to either the operator firing the shot or an individual who observes the shot in conjunction with the operator firing the shot.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the telescopic sight 10 (also referred to herein as a "scope") includes a housing 36 mountable in fixed relationship to a barrel 38. The housing 36 is preferably constructed of steel or aluminum, but may be constructed of virtually any durable, substantially rigid material useful in the construction of optical instruments. Mounted to one end of the housing 36 is an objective lens or lens assembly 12. Mounted to the opposite end of the housing 38 is an eyepiece lens or lens assembly 14.

As used herein, the term "lens" refers to an object onto which light, heat, sonar, infrared, ultraviolet, microwave, or other wavelengths of radiation are focused or projected for imaging. It is well known that lenses are made from a single piece of glass or other optical material (such as transparent plastic) that is conventionally ground and polished to focus light, or from two or more elements of such material mounted by optically clear adhesives or the like to focus light. Thus, the term "lens" as used herein is intended to cover lenses constructed from a single element of optical glass or other material, or from multiple elements of optical glass or other material (e.g., achromatic lenses), or from two or more materials mounted together to focus light, or from other materials capable of focusing light. Any lens technology now known or later developed may be used in the present invention. For example, lenses based on digital, hydrostatic, ionic, electronic, magnetic energy field, component, composite, plasma, adaptive lenses, or other related technologies may be used. Additionally, movable or adjustable lenses may be used. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the scope 10 is mounted on, 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, and the eyepiece lens (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 variable magnification optical components 16 for variable magnification scopes. Such components 16 typically include a magnifying mirror and an erecting mirror. Such variable magnification scopes allow a user to select a desired magnification within a given range of magnification. For example, in a 3-12x50 scope, a user can select a low magnification (e.g., 3x50) or a high magnification (e.g., 12x50) or any magnification along a continuous spectrum.

Finally, reticles aid the shooter in hitting the target. Reticles are typically (but not necessarily) constructed of optical materials such as optical glass or plastic, or similar transparent or translucent materials, and take the form of a disk or wafer with substantially parallel sides. The reticle may be constructed of, for example, wires, spider webs, nanowires, etchings, and may be analog or digitally printed, or may be projected (e.g., on the surface) onto one or more wafers of material, for example, by mirrors, video, holographic projection, or other suitable means. In the embodiments provided herein, the reticle is an etching or a wire. The etching may be, for example, a light powered by a battery, chemical, or photovoltaic source, or a diode may be filled with a reflective material, for example, titanium oxide, that emits light when resistively switched, compensating for an increase (+) or decrease (-) in light intensity.

The reticle is mounted somewhere between the eyepiece 14 and the objective 12 in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the viewing optics has a primary optical system consisting of an objective lens system that focuses an image from the target onto a first focal plane (hereafter referred to as the "FFP target image"), followed by an erecting lens system that inverts and focuses the FFP target image onto a second focal plane (hereafter referred to as the "SFP target image"), an eyepiece lens system that collimates the SFP target image so that it can be viewed by the human eye, and a second optical system. In some embodiments, a beam combiner is positioned between the objective lens system and the first focal plane.

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

The reticle 18 includes a primary marking feature 19 that is a post reticle. The post reticle is comprised of three solid line-appearing markings 20 that point to an approximate center location 21. The solid line appearance of the primary marking features 19 makes them useful as an aiming mechanism in close range situations without being blurred or obscured by a moving or changing background.

Figure 4 shows the same reticle 18 at a higher magnification. Whereas the primary marking feature 19 appeared as a solid line at lower magnification, Figure 4 shows that the primary marking feature 19 is translucent. That is, the primary marking feature 19 allows some, but not all, light to pass through. As a result, part of the background is visible through the primary marking feature 19.

In the particular embodiment shown, the reticle 18 is an etched reticle and the primary marking features 19 are etched with a cross-hatch pattern 23. This cross-hatch pattern 23 is more clearly shown in FIG. 5. The gaps in the cross-hatch pattern 23 allow light from the display to pass through, making the projected image less distracting to the user. In other embodiments, the translucent property of the primary marking features 19 may be provided by the use of different etch patterns, gradients, coatings, paints or filaments, or combinations of these and other methods of providing translucency to the primary marking features 19.

Additional elements 22 of the reticle 18 are also shown in FIG. 4. For example, in some embodiments, the reticle 18 includes a center dot, crosshairs, distance estimation features, drop estimation features, wind impact point estimation features, moving target impact point estimation features, and combinations of these and other features known in the art. As shown in FIG. 4, these additional elements 22 do not necessarily require the same level of translucency as the primary marking features 19, since while they are somewhat observable at low magnification, they are more clearly visible to the user at higher magnifications. However, in some embodiments, the additional elements 22 are etched in a cross-hatch pattern similar to the primary marking features 19, or are provided with the translucent elements described with respect to the primary marking features 19.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the reticle 18'. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the primary marking feature 19' is a dashed circle reticle. At low magnification (1x), the primary marking feature 19' appears as a dashed circle made up of four solid arcs 20' around a central dot 21'. However, at higher magnification, as shown in Figure 7, the primary marking feature 19' is shown to be semi-transparent. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the primary marking feature 19' is etched with a cross-hatch pattern 23' so that some light from the display is visible through the reticle 18'.

Additional elements 22' of the reticle 18' are also shown in FIG. 7. Like the additional elements 22, the additional elements 22' are somewhat observable at low magnification, and these additional elements 22' are more clearly observable at higher magnification. As such, these additional elements 22' can have the same level of translucency as the primary marking feature 19', but this is not required. It will be understood that the additional elements 22' can be the same as or different from those described with respect to the additional elements 22.

In this embodiment, the primary marking features are described as being a post reticle and a dashed circle reticle, however, the primary marking features may be any other type of primary marking feature known in the art, including, but not limited to, a crosshair, a double crosshair, a post reticle, a German reticle, a ring reticle, a triangular reticle, a dashed circle, and combinations thereof.

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

9A provides a representative view of a viewing optics having an active display 910, a condenser lens system 920, a beam combiner 930, and a reticle as disclosed herein at a first focal plane 940. The active display 910 generates and projects a digital image onto the beam combiner, which allows the digital image and a target image from the objective lens system to 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 discussed above, and as a representative, non-limiting example, the cross-hatched pattern of voids in the reticle allow light from the display to pass through, so that the user does not see a protruding digital image.

9B provides a representative view of a viewing optics having an active display 910, a condenser lens system 920, a reflective material 922, a beam combiner 930, and a reticle as disclosed herein at a first focal plane 940. The active display 910 generates an image that is directed by the reflective material 922 to the beam combiner 930, allowing the digital image from the objective lens system and the target image to 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 view, the active display 910 is positioned closer to the eyepiece assembly or eyepiece assembly and away from the objective lens assembly. As mentioned above, by way of non-limiting example, the gaps in the cross-hatch pattern of the reticle allow light from the display to pass through, so that the projected digital image is not obstructed by the user.

9C provides a representative view of a viewing optics having an active display 910, a condenser lens system 920, a reflective material 922, a beam combiner 930, and a reticle as disclosed herein at a first focal plane 940. The active display 910 generates an image that is directed by the reflective material 922 to the beam combiner 930, allowing the digital image from the objective lens system and the target image to 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 view, the active display 910 is located closer to the objective lens assembly and farther away from the eyepiece assembly or eyepiece. As mentioned above, by way of non-limiting example, the gaps in the cross-hatch pattern of the reticle allow light from the display to pass through, so that the user does not obstruct the projected digital image.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a main body having a first optical system for viewing an external image and an integrated display system for generating an image, the image of the integrated display system being combined with an image of the first optical system at a first focal plane of the optic, the first focal plane having a reticle with one or more marking features that are semi-transparent. The reticle with one or more marking features that are semi-transparent allows a user of the viewing optic to view a greater percentage of the image generated by the integrated display system compared to the amount or degree of the image viewed by a user of a viewing optic with a reticle without the semi-transparent marking features.

In one embodiment, the integrated display system comprises an active display, a concentrator lens system, and a reflective surface or material (including, but not limited to, a mirror). In one embodiment, the active display can generate imagery including text, alphanumeric characters, graphics, symbols, and/or video images, icons, etc., including, but not limited to, an active target reticle, corrective aimpoints, distance measurements, and wind information.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical instrument comprising a body having: (i) a first optical system having an objective lens system for focusing a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane, an erecting lens system for inverting the target image, a second focal plane, and an eyepiece lens system for viewing the target image; (ii) a beam combiner; and (iii) a second optical system having an active display for generating an image and a reflective material for directing the generated image from the active display to the beam combiner, wherein an image of the integrated display system is combined with an image of the first optical system at the first focal plane of the optical system, and the first focal plane has a reticle having a translucent primary marking feature.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a viewing optical instrument having a main body with a first optical system for viewing an external image and an integrated display system for generating a digital image, the digital image of the integrated display system being combined with an image of the first optical system at a first focal plane of the optical instrument, the first focal plane having a reticle with a translucent marking feature, the translucent main marking feature increasing the amount of the digital image viewed by a user of the viewing optical instrument compared to the amount of the digital image viewed by a user of a viewing optical instrument having a reticle without the translucent marking feature.

Active Display In one embodiment, the observation 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 a video signal to the display. In one embodiment, information can be sent to the observation optics wirelessly or by physical connection through a cable port. In yet another embodiment, multiple input sources can be input to the microcontroller and displayed on the active display.

In one embodiment, the active display may be a reflective, transmissive or emissive microdisplay, including, but not limited to, a microdisplay, a transmissive active matrix LCD display (AMLCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, an electronic ink display, a plasma display, a segmented display, an electroluminescent display, a surface conduction electron emission display, a quantum dot display, and the like.

In one embodiment, the LED array is a micro-pixelated LED array, and the LED elements are micro-pixelated LEDs (also referred to herein as micro-LEDs or μLEDs) having a small pixel size of generally less than 75 μm. In some embodiments, the LED elements can each have a pixel size ranging from about 8 μm to about 25 μm, and a pixel pitch (in both the vertical and horizontal directions of the micro-LED array) ranging from about 10 μm to about 30 μm. In one embodiment, the micro-LED elements have a uniform pixel size of about 14 μm (e.g., all micro-LED elements are the same size within a small tolerance) and are arranged in the micro-LED array with a uniform pixel pitch of about 25 μm. In some embodiments, the LED elements can each have a pixel size of about 25 μm or less, and a pixel pitch of about 30 μm or less.

In some embodiments, micro-LEDs are inorganic and may be based on gallium nitride light-emitting diodes (GaN LEDs). Micro-LED arrays (comprising many μLEDs arranged in a grid or other arrangement) can provide high density, emissive micro-displays that are not based on external switching or filtering systems. In some embodiments, GaN-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 increase 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 another embodiment, silver nanoparticles can be deposited/dispersed onto the patterned sapphire substrate to coat the substrate before bonding the micro-LEDs, further improving the light efficiency and output power of GaN-based micro-LEDs and micro-LED arrays.

In one embodiment, the active display may be monochrome or may provide full color, and in some embodiments may provide multiple colors. In other embodiments, other suitable designs or types of displays may be employed. The active display may be driven by electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics may provide the display functionality, or may receive such functionality from another device in communication with the electronics.

In one embodiment, the active display can be part of a backlight/display assembly, module, or configuration 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 lens or an integrated lens for collecting the generated light and directing it to a second illumination or collection lens to focus the light onto the active display with good spatial and angular uniformity and direct it along the display optical axis B. The backlight assembly and active display can provide an image that is low power yet bright enough to be viewed simultaneously with a very bright real world view through optical instruments.

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

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

In one embodiment, the electronics cooperating with the active display may include capabilities to generate display symbols, format output to the display, and may include battery information, power conditioning circuitry, a video interface, a serial interface, and control features. Other features may be included for additional or different functionality of the overlay display unit. The electronics may provide the display functionality or may receive such functionality from another device in communication with the electronics.

In one embodiment, the active display generates imagery including, but not limited to, text, alphanumeric characters, graphics, symbols, and/or video capture, icons, etc., including active target reticles, range measurements and wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm tilt information, target detection, recognition and identification (ID) information, and/or external sensor information (sensor video and/or graphics), or imagery for situational awareness, which can be viewed through the eyepiece along with an image of the field of view seen through the optics. The direct viewing optics can include or maintain an etched reticle and muzzle sight and retain high resolution.

In one embodiment, the active display can be used to display a programmable electronic aim point at any location within the field of view. This location can be determined by the user (as in the case of rifles that fire both supersonic and subsonic bullets and therefore have two different ballistics and "zeros") or can be calculated based on information received from a ballistic calculator. This provides a "drop-compensated" aim point for long-range shooting that can be updated at shot-by-shot intervals.

In one embodiment, the active display can be oriented to provide maximum vertical correction. In one embodiment, the active display is positioned to be taller than it is wide.

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

In another embodiment, the observation 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 main body of the viewing optics comprises a beam combiner. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is one or more prism lenses (the prism lenses constitute the beam combiner). In another embodiment, the main body of the riflescope comprises a beam combiner that combines the image generated from the active display and the image generated from the viewing optics along the viewing optical axis of the riflescope.

In one embodiment, a beam combiner is used to combine an image generated from the integrated display system with an image from an optical system for observing an external image, the optical system being located on the main body of the riflescope and located in front of a first focal plane of the main body, and the combined image is focused on the first focal plane such that the generated image and the observed image do not move relative to each other. When the combined image is focused on the first focal plane, the aim generated by the integrated display system is accurate regardless of adjustments to the movable erection system.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is aligned with the integrated display system along a viewing optical axis and positioned along a viewing optical axis of the viewing optics of the main body of the riflescope, such that an image from the integrated display can be directed onto the viewing optical axis and combined in a superimposed manner with the field of view of the viewing optics.

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

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is located at a distance of about 5 mm from the objective lens assembly. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is located at a distance including, but not limited to, 1 mm to 5 mm, or 5 mm to 10 mm, or 5 mm to 15 mm, or 5 mm to 20 mm, or 5 mm to 30 mm, or 5 mm to 40 mm, or 5 mm to 50 mm from the objective lens assembly.

In yet another embodiment, the beam combiner is located at a distance of 1 mm to 4 mm, or 1 mm to 3 mm, or 1 mm to 2 mm from the objective lens assembly.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is located at a distance of at least 3 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, and at least 20 mm from the objective lens assembly. In another embodiment, the beam combiner is located at a distance of between 3 mm and 10 mm from the objective lens assembly.

In another embodiment, the beam combiner is about 150 mm from the eyepiece assembly. In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance including, but not limited to, 100 mm to 200 mm from the eyepiece assembly, or 125 mm to 200 mm, or 150 mm to 200 mm, or 175 mm to 200 mm.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance of 100 mm to 175 mm, or 100 mm to 150 mm, or 100 mm to 125 mm from the eye assembly.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is at a distance of 135mm to 165mm, or 135mm to 160mm, or 135mm to 155mm, or 135mm to 150mm, or 135mm to 145mm, or 135mm to 140mm from the eye assembly.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is positioned at a distance from the eye assembly that is, but is not limited to, 140 mm to 165 mm, or 145 mm to 165 mm, or 150 mm to 165 mm, or 155 mm to 165 mm, or 160 mm to 165 mm.

In one embodiment, the beam combiner is located at a distance of, but not limited to, at least 140 mm, at least 145 mm, at least 150 mm, or at least 155 mm from the eye assembly.

In yet another embodiment, the main body has a beam combiner located below the elevation turret on the outer central portion of the scope body.

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

In one embodiment, the beam combiner can be a cube made of optical material, such as optical glass or a plastic material with a partially reflective coating. The coating can be a uniform, neutral color reflective coating, or can be tailored with polarization, spectrally selective, or patterned coatings to optimize both the transmission and reflection properties at the eyepiece. The polarization and/or color of the coating can be matched to the active display. This optimizes the reflectivity and efficiency of the display's optical path while minimizing the impact on the transmission path of the direct viewing optics.

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

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

Concentrator Lens System In one embodiment, the observation optics can have a concentrator lens system 920 that collects light from the active display. In one embodiment, the observation optics has an optical system based on the use of optical lenses as part of one or more lens cells, which include the lens itself and the lens cell body in which the lens is mounted. In one embodiment, the lens cell includes a roughly cylindrical or disk-shaped precision formed body that has a central aperture for mounting the lens in alignment with the optical axis of a larger optical system. The cell body can also be said to have its own alignment axis, which will ultimately align with the optical axis of the larger optical system when the lens cell is mounted therein. Additionally, the lens cell acts as a "holder" for the lens, a mechanism by which the lens can be mounted to and within the larger optical system, and (eventually) a means by which the lens can be manipulated by and for that optical system.

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

Reflective Material In one embodiment, the viewing optics comprises a reflective material 922. In one embodiment, the reflective material 922 is a mirror. In one embodiment, the viewing optics comprises one or more mirrors. In one embodiment, the integrated display system comprises 2, 3, 4, 5 or more mirrors.

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

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

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° to the display emission light.

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

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

In one embodiment, a display for generating a digital image is introduced in a first focal plane of the main body, such that the digital image in the first focal plane is not bound to the movement of the erection tube.

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

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

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

In one embodiment, the display and the mirror are positioned on a common side of the main body of the viewing optics.

In one embodiment, the displays and mirrors are positioned on either side of the main body of the viewing optics.

The apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be further described in the following sections.
1. A reticle comprising a semi-transparent marking feature, in some embodiments the marking feature is a primary marking feature.

2. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the primary marking features are made from an etching pattern, a gradation, a coating, a paint, a filament, or a combination thereof.

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

4. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the pattern is a crosshatch 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 post reticle, a German reticle, a ring reticle, a triangular reticle, a dashed circle, and combinations thereof.

6. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, further comprising additional elements selected from the group consisting of a central dot, a crosshair, a distance estimation feature, a falling bullet estimation feature, a wind-impacted bullet estimation feature, a moving target bullet impact estimation feature, and combinations thereof.

7. A reticle as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the additional element is not translucent.

8. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the additional element is semi-transparent.

9. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is between less than 100% and 60% or more.

10. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is between less than 96% and greater than 66%.

11. A reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is between less than 88% and 74% or more.

12. An observation optical instrument equipped with a reticle as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

13. The observation optical instrument described in paragraph 12, wherein the observation optical instrument is a sight.

14. A viewing optical instrument comprising: a housing; an objective lens assembly mounted within a first end of the housing; an eyepiece lens assembly mounted within a second end of the housing; one or more optical components mounted between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece lens assembly of the housing; and a reticle having a translucent primary marking feature.

15. An observation optical instrument as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the reticle is located on the first focal plane.

16. An observation optical instrument as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the reticle is located on the second focal plane.

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

18. An observation optical instrument as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature of the reticle is between less than 100% and 60% or more.

19. An observation optical instrument as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, in which the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature of the reticle is between 88% or less and 74% or more.

20. A first optical system having: (i) an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an external scene onto a first focal plane having a reticle according to any of the preceding paragraphs; and (ii) a beam combiner between the objective lens system and the first focal plane;
An observation optical instrument comprising a body having an active display, a lens system that collects light from the active display, and (ii) a second optical system having a mirror that directs an image from the active display to a beam combiner where the image from the active display and a target image from the objective lens system are combined at a first focal plane and observed simultaneously.

21. An observation optical instrument comprising an optical system configured to define a first focal plane having a reticle according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, an active display for generating a digital image superimposed on the first focal plane, and a controller coupled to the active display, the controller configured to selectively energize one or more display elements to generate the digital image.

22. An observation optical instrument comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the main tube; (c) an eyepiece lens system coupled to a second end of the main tube, the main tube, the objective lens system, and the eyepiece lens system being configured to define at least a first focal plane having a reticle as described in any of the preceding paragraphs; and (d) a beam combiner positioned between the objective lens assembly and the first focal plane.

23. An observation optical instrument comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the main tube for focusing a target image from an external scene; (c) an eyepiece lens system coupled to a second end of the main tube, the main tube, the objective lens system, and the eyepiece lens system being configured to define at least a first focal plane having a reticle as described in any of the preceding paragraphs; (d) a beam combiner positioned between the objective lens assembly 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 at the first focal plane.

24. An observation optical instrument comprising: a body having an objective lens system at one end for imaging a target image from an external scene, an eyepiece lens system at the other end, and a movable erection tube with an erection lens system located between the objective lens system and the eyepiece lens system, the movable erection lens system, the objective lens system, and the eyepiece lens system forming a first optical system having a first focal plane with a reticle as described in any of the preceding paragraphs, the reticle at the first focal plane moving in conjunction with the movable erection tube and a beam combiner located between the first focal plane and the objective lens assembly; an active display for generating an image, and a lens system for collecting light from the active display; and a reflective material for directing the generated image from the active display to the beam combiner where the image from the active display and the target image from the objective lens system are combined at the first focal plane and observed simultaneously.

25. An observation optical instrument comprising: (a) a main tube; (b) an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the main tube for focusing a target image from an external scene; (c) an eyepiece system coupled 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 reticle as described in any of the preceding paragraphs disposed thereon, the first reticle moving in conjunction with a turret adjustment; (d) a beam combiner disposed between the objective lens assembly and the first focal plane; and (e) an active display for generating an image and directing the image to the beam combiner, the generated image and the target image being combined at the first focal plane.

All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification are incorporated herein by reference. Various modifications and variations of the described compositions and methods will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention can be constructed from a variety of materials and in a variety of different ways. Although the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. While the preferred embodiments have been described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art of shooting, computers, or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

10 Telescopic sight 18' Reticle 20' Solid arc 22' Additional elements

Claims (19)

Reticle with translucent primary marking features. The reticle of claim 1, wherein the primary marking features are made from an etched pattern, a gradation, a coating, a paint, a filament, or a combination thereof. The reticle of claim 1, wherein the primary marking features are etched in a pattern. The reticle of claim 2, wherein the pattern is a crosshatch pattern. The reticle of claim 1, wherein the primary marking feature is selected from the group consisting of a crosshair, a double crosshair, a post reticle, a German reticle, a ring reticle, a triangular reticle, a dashed circle, and combinations thereof. The reticle of claim 1 further comprising additional elements selected from the group consisting of a central dot, a crosshair, a distance estimation feature, a drop estimation feature, a wind impact point estimation feature, a moving target impact point estimation feature, and combinations thereof. The reticle of claim 6, wherein the additional element is not translucent. The reticle of claim 6, wherein the additional element is semi-transparent. The reticle of claim 1, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is from less than 100% to more than 60%. The reticle of claim 9, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is between 96% or less and 66% or more. The reticle of claim 10, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking feature is between 88% or less and 74% or more. An observation optical instrument comprising the reticle according to claim 1. The observation optical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the observation optical instrument is a sight. 1. An observation optical instrument, comprising:
Housing and
an objective lens assembly mounted within the first end of the housing;
an eyepiece assembly mounted within the second end of the housing; and
one or more optical components mounted within the housing between the objective lens assembly and the eyepiece lens assembly;
a reticle including a translucent primary marking feature;
An observation optical instrument comprising: The observation optical instrument of claim 14, wherein the reticle is located at a first focal plane. The observation optical instrument of claim 14, wherein the reticle is located at a second focal plane. The observation optical instrument of claim 14, wherein the primary marking features of the reticle are made from an etched pattern, a gradient, a coating, a paint, a filament, or a combination thereof. The viewing optical instrument of claim 17, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking features of the reticle is from less than 100% to more than 60%. The viewing optical instrument of claim 18, wherein the amount of light passing through the primary marking features of the reticle is between 88% or less and 74% or more.

Images