Viewing optic with an integrated display system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11921279-B2
Application number	US-202016832859-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2020
Priority date	Feb 6, 2017
Publication date	Mar 5, 2024
Grant date	Mar 5, 2024

Abstract

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

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A viewing optic comprising:
an objective lens system configured to focus a target image from an outward scene to a first focal plane having a reticle, an erector lens system that inverts the target image, a second focal plane, an ocular lens system for viewing the target image, (ii) a beam combiner; (iii) an active display configured to generate an image, (iv) a collector lens system configured to collect light from the active display and having an inner lens cell, an outer lens cell, and a spring located between the inner and outer lens cells, wherein the collector lens system is located between the active display and a reflective material, the reflective material configured to direct the generated image from the active display to the beam combiner, wherein the image from the active display and the target image from the objective lens system are combined into the first focal plane.

2. The viewing optic of claim 1 further comprising a focusing cell located between the beam combiner and the objective lens system.

3. The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein the active display is selected from the group consisting of: a transmissive active matrix LCD display (AMLCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display, an e-ink display, a plasma display, a segment display, an electroluminescent display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display, and a quantum dot display.

4. The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein the image generated by the active display is selected from the group consisting of: text, alpha-numeric, graphics, symbols, video imagery, icons, active target reticles, range measurements, wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm inclination information, target finding, recognition and identification (ID) information, external sensor information, temperature, pressure, humidity, real time ballistic solutions, and next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer round detection and tracking.

5. A viewing optic comprising: (a) a body; (b) an objective system coupled to a first end of the body configured to focus a target image from an outward scene; (c) an ocular system coupled to the second end of the body, the body, objective system and ocular system being configured to define at least a first focal plane; (d) a beam combiner positioned between the objective assembly and the first focal plane, (e) an active display configured to generate an image, and (f) a collector lens system positioned between the active display and the beam combiner and configured to collect light from the active display, wherein the collector lens system has an inner lens cell, an outer lens cell, and a spring located between the inner and outer lens cells, and further wherein the image from the active display and the target image are combined into the first focal plane.

6. The viewing optic of claim 5 , further comprising a reflective material between the collector lens system and the beam combiner.

7. The viewing optic of claim 5 , wherein a focusing cell is located between the beam combiner and the objective lens system.

8. The viewing optic of claim 5 , wherein the image generated by the active display is selected from the group consisting of: active target reticles, firearm inclination information, target finding, recognition and identification (ID) information, real time ballistic solutions and next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer round detection and tracking.

9. The viewing optic of claim 5 , wherein the image generated by the active display is a real time ballistic solution.

10. The viewing optic of claim 5 , wherein the image generated by the active display is a next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer round detection and tracking.

11. A viewing optic comprising: an optical system configured to view a target image and having a first focal plane with a reticle at the first focal plane; an active display configured to generate an image, and a collector lens system configured to collect light from the active display, wherein the collector lens system has an inner lens cell, an outer lens cell, and a spring located between the inner and outer lens cells and further wherein the target image and the generated image are combined into the first focal plane.

12. The viewing optic of claim 11 , further comprising a reflective material configured to direct the image from the active display to the first focal plane.

13. The viewing optic of claim 11 , wherein the active display is selected from the group consisting of: a transmissive active matrix LCD display (AMLCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display, a e-ink display, a plasma display, a segment display, an electroluminescent display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display, and a quantum dot display.

14. The viewing optic of claim 11 , wherein the image generated by the active display is selected from the group consisting of: text, alpha-numeric, graphics, symbols, video imagery, icons, active target reticles, range measurements, wind information, GPS and compass information, firearm inclination information, target finding, recognition and identification (ID) information, external sensor information, temperature, pressure, humidity, real time ballistic solutions, and next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer round detection and tracking.

15. The viewing optic of claim 11 , wherein the image generated by the active display is selected from the group consisting of: active target reticles, firearm inclination information, target finding, recognition and identification (ID) information, real time ballistic solutions, and next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer round detection and tracking.

16. The viewing optic of claim 11 , wherein the image generated by the active display is a real time ballistic solution.

17. The viewing optic of claim 11 , wherein the image generated by the active display is a next round ballistic correction through in-flight tracer round detection and tracking.

Assignees

• Sheltered Wings Inc

Inventors

• Havens Calen
• Lowry Will
• Klemm Ian
• Hamilton Samuel
• Bollig Garrison
• Schultz Craig
• Carlson Andrew
• Lyle Jason
• Hamilton David M

Classifications

• H10K59/00

  Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic light-emitting element covered by group H10K50/00 · CPC title

• G02B23/04 Primary

  for the purpose of beam splitting or combining, e.g. fitted with eyepieces for more than one observer (G02B23/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F41G1/38

  Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance (telescopic sights in general G02B); Supports or mountings therefor · CPC title

• F41G1/383

  Protection means therefor · CPC title

• F41G3/065

  Structural association of sighting-devices with laser telemeters · CPC title