Viewing Optic with an Integrated Display System
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.
1 . A viewing optic comprising:
a main body having (i) an optical system having an objective lens system that focuses a target image from an outward scene to a first focal plane, an erector lens system that inverts the target image, a second focal plane, and (ii) a beam combiner; and
a base that couples to a bottom portion of the main body having a cavity housing an active display for generating an image, a lens system that collects the light from the active display, and a reflective material that directs the 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 into the first focal plane and viewed simultaneously, the base further having a compartment for one or more power sources.
2 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein the beam combiner is located between the objective lens system of the main body and the first focal plane.
3 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , further comprising a lens system to collect light from the active display.
4 . The viewing optic of claim 3 , wherein the lens system is a 5 lens system having 3 singlet lenses and 1 doublet lens.
5 . The viewing optic of claim 1 further comprising a controller coupled to the active display, the controller configured to selectively power one or more display elements to generate the image.
6 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein the one or more power sources is one or more batteries.
7 . The viewing optic of claim 6 , wherein the one or more batteries is a CR123 battery.
8 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein one end of the base attaches near a magnification adjustment ring of the main body and the other end of the base attaches near the objective assembly of the main body.
9 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein the base is from 40% to 65% the length of the main body.
10 . 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, a fe-ink display, a plasma display, a segment display, an electroluminescent display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display, and a quantum dot display.
11 . The viewing optic of claim 1 , wherein the image generated by the active display is selected from the group consisting of: text, alpha-numerics, 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.
12 . The viewing optic of claim 2 further comprising a focusing cell positioned between the beam combiner and the objective lens system.
13 . The viewing optic of claim 1 further comprising a laser rangefinder coupled to a top portion of the main body.
14 . A viewing optic comprising:
a main body having an objective system coupled to a first end of a main tube that focuses a target image from an outward scene and an ocular system coupled to the second end of the main tube, the main tube, objective system and ocular system being configured to define at least a first focal plane; a beam combiner positioned between the objective assembly and the first focal plane; and
a base having 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, the base further having a compartment for one or more power sources.
15 . The viewing optic of claim 14 , wherein the one or more power sources is one or more batteries.
16 . The viewing optic of claim 15 , wherein the one or more batteries is a CR123 battery.
17 . The viewing optic of claim 14 , wherein a single gasket is used to seal the compartment for the power source and the base to the main body.
18 . The viewing optic of claim 14 , wherein the beam combiner is located from 5 to 25 mm from the objective assembly.
19 . A viewing optic comprising (i) a main body with an optical system for generating images of an outward scene; and (ii) a base coupled to the main body and having an active display for generating images and directing the images into a first focal plane of the optical system and a compartment for one or more power sources.
20 . The viewing optic of claim 19 , wherein the one or more power sources is a CR123 battery.