US20260016266A1

US20260016266A1 - Optic for a firearm

Info

Publication number: US20260016266A1
Application number: US19/338,081
Authority: US
Inventors: Alec P. Hoffman; Chris A. Wisecarver
Original assignee: Fusion Thermal LLC
Current assignee: Fusion Thermal LLC
Priority date: 2024-07-05
Filing date: 2025-09-24
Publication date: 2026-01-15
Also published as: US20260009621A1

Abstract

An optic for a firearm has a body configured for connection to a firearm, an optical image generator operable to generate an image of a target area, a controller connected to the optical image generator, a display connected to the controller and configured to display the image, the controller operable to generate at least one image at a magnification selected from a range of magnifications ranging between a low power limit and a high power limit, an environmental sensor connected to the controller and operable to generate a discharge signal in response to discharge of the firearm, and the controller responsive to the discharge signal to change the display of the image. Changing the display of the image may include reducing the magnification of the image. The controller may be operable to generate at least two images of different magnifications.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19/251,276 filed on Jun. 26, 2025, entitled “OPTIC FOR A FIREARM,” claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/667,915 filed on Jul. 5, 2024, entitled “RECOIL ACTIVATED ZOOM REDUCTION,” which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to an optic for a firearm that detects recoil force and/or the sound of firearm discharge to automatically eliminate or reduce digital magnification from a video display.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thermal imaging devices are used to observe subjects in daylight, low light, darkness and adverse environmental conditions. These devices detect wavelength ranges of the infrared scale of the electromagnetic spectrum, which are outside the visible light scale of the spectrum seen by the human eye. These include the near infrared and far infrared. Common applications for thermal imagers include use for security, general situational awareness, navigation, hunting, military, and law enforcement where targets need to be engaged in darkness and other poor visual conditions.
Thermal imagers include a thermal detector chip which is used to detect energy with infrared wavelengths. The detected thermal video signals are electronically processed and then displayed onto a video display for the user's observation. Thermal detector chips generally have lower resolution when compared to visible light video displays. Typical resolutions of thermal detector chips are 320×284 and 640×512, and resolutions of a typical visible light display in a thermal imager are 1024×786 and 1920×1080. Thermal detector chips used in thermal imagers have lower resolution because the photons in thermal applications have lower energy, requiring larger pixels to be utilized. This larger pixel size requirement limits the total number of pixels that may be constructed on the detector substrate when working within space limitations.
Thermal imagers use upsampling to address the resolution disparity between the thermal detector chips and the video displays. The output of each pixel in the lower resolution thermal detector chip is typically replicated into the surrounding, corresponding pixels in the video display. This allows the lower resolution thermal image detected by the thermal detector chips to be expanded into the higher resolution video display so that the thermal images are displayed on the full scale of the video display. The benefit of this process is that the larger full range of the video display may be utilized by the user. However, a reduction in image quality typically results.
When incorporated in a thermal rifle scope, the reduction of image quality that occurs from upsampling gives rise to the use of digital magnification by the user to obtain a better image of an intended target or viewed scene. The drawback to this use of digital magnification is that digitally magnified images of the video display suffer a proportional reduction in the observed field-of-view. This reduction in the observed field-of-view creates a tunneled vision effect from the user's observation perspective, resulting in a loss of utility. This loss of utility is compounded when the thermal imager is used in darkness as the observed display screen is the user's only opportunity for visual observation of the scene.
To increase the utility of the thermal imager, several video display options have been employed to manipulate the user's view of the observed scene. One such option is to display image subsets within the primary image display, creating a picture-in-picture effect as shown in FIG. 1 . These smaller image subsets typically employ digital magnification to enhance the most relevant aspects of the primary image. This provides the user with both a full scale, or substantially full scale, view of the scene, and a smaller digitally magnified image of the most relevant portions of the larger view. This picture-in-picture display option is a common feature in thermal imagers designed as weapon sights that utilize an aiming reticle. The smaller digitally magnified image subset portion of the display is designed to enhance the user's ability to place the aiming reticle more accurately onto the targeted subject. Once the target is engaged and a shot has been fired, the user generally ignores the digitally magnified subset portion of the display and resumes observation with the larger primary video display area because it offers a larger field-of-view of the scene. The disadvantage of this function is that the smaller image subset remains static on the display, which obscures a portion of the larger primary video display when the smaller image subset is no longer needed, thus limiting the video display's utility. In the current art, the only way to remove the smaller image subset is by the manual push of a button or similar mechanical user interface. This requires the user to temporarily lose the ability to fire a follow up shot because both of the user's hands cannot remain in a shooting position in order to actuate a control to remove the smaller image subset. Depending on where the control is located and the difficulty in operating it, the user may even completely lose their sight picture and have to reacquire the target after actuating the control.
Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved optic for a firearm that detects recoil force and/or the sound of firearm discharge to automatically eliminate or reduce digital magnification from a video display. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the optic for a firearm according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of detecting recoil force and/or the sound of firearm discharge to automatically eliminate or reduce digital magnification from a video display.
The present invention provides an improved optic for a firearm, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved optic for a firearm that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.
To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a body configured for connection to a firearm, an optical image generator operable to generate an image of a target area, a controller connected to the optical image generator, a display connected to the controller and configured to display the image, the controller operable to generate at least one image at a magnification selected from a range of magnifications ranging between a low power limit and a high power limit, an environmental sensor connected to the controller and operable to generate a discharge signal in response to discharge of the firearm, and the controller responsive to the discharge signal to change the display of the image. Changing the display of the image may include reducing the magnification of the image. The controller may be operable to generate at least two images of different magnifications. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art scene with a digitally magnified display subset enabled viewed by a user using a thermal rifle scope. This scene can also be a starting condition for the optic for a firearm of the current invention prior to firearm discharge.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the current embodiment of an optic for a firearm constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use connected to a rifle.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the optic for a firearm of FIG. 2 detached from the rifle.

FIG. 4 is side sectional view of the optic for a firearm of FIG. 2 detached from the rifle.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a scene with the digitally magnified display subset automatically disabled following firearm discharge viewed by a user using the optic for a firearm of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a scene where the entire display has been digitally magnified viewed by a user using the optic for a firearm of FIG. 2 prior to firearm discharge.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a scene where the digital magnification of the entire display has been automatically eliminated or reduced following firearm discharge viewed by a user using the optic for a firearm of FIG. 2 .

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the optic for a firearm of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 100.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art scene 10 with a digitally magnified display subset 12 of a target 14 enabled viewed by a user using a thermal rifle scope. This scene can also be a starting condition for the optic for a firearm 100 of the current invention prior to firearm discharge. More particularly, the scene also includes a non-digitally magnified display 16 of the target. In the current embodiment, the optical magnification factor of the target enabled by the optic for a firearm is 2.5×, and the digital magnification of the target is 10×. This results in a reduction of the field of view from 450′ to 115′ at 1000 yds. Once a shot is fired, it is desirable for the user to be able to utilize the entire non-digitally magnified display to track the target in the event the target is still able to run without a portion being obscured by the digitally magnified display subset. The optic for a firearm enables this to occur automatically in a manner that will be described subsequently so the user can maintain their hands in shooting position and their sight picture to more easily reacquire the target for a follow up shot if necessary.
FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the improved optic for a firearm 100 of the present invention. More particularly, the optic for a firearm has a body 102 configured for connection to a firearm 104. The body contains an optical image generator 106 operable to generate an image of a target area, a controller 108 connected to the optical image generator, and a display 110 connected to the controller and configured to display the image. The controller is operable to generate at least one image at a magnification selected from a range of magnifications ranging between a low power limit and a high power limit. An environmental sensor 112 is connected to the controller and operable to generate a discharge signal in response to discharge of the firearm 104. The controller is responsive to the discharge signal to change the display of the image.
Changing the display of the image includes reducing the magnification of the image. The controller 108 is operable to generate at least two images of different magnifications. Changing the display of the image includes removing only one of the images. Removing only one of the images includes removing a higher magnification image. Changing the display of the image includes displaying only a remaining one of the images. Displaying only a remaining one of the images includes displaying a lower magnification image. The controller is operable to display a first image of a first greater magnification prior to the discharge signal and a second image of a second magnification less than the first magnification automatically in response to the discharge signal. The discharge signal is generated by an acoustic impulse and/or motion of the body 102 resulting from discharge of the firearm 104. The environmental sensor 112 is a microphone 120 that receives the acoustic impulse via microphone aperture 122 defined by the body, an accelerometer 124, and/or a motion detector (not shown).
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a scene 114 viewed by a user using the optic for a firearm 100 after firearm discharge. The environmental sensor 112 has generated a discharge signal in response to the discharge of the firearm 104. The controller 108 has changed the display 110 by removing the digitally magnified display subset 12 from the scene automatically without user input, leaving just the non-digitally magnified display 16 of the target 14. As a result, the user can utilize the entire display to track the target in the event a follow up shot is required without having disturbed their hand placement or sight picture.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of a scene 116 viewed by a user using the optic for a firearm 100 prior to firearm discharge. In this scene, the controller 108 has digitally magnified the entire display. This scene can be a separate mode of the optic for a firearm as a starting condition, or this scene can be used as a starting condition in place of prior art scene 10. The digital magnification of the target 14 is 10×. The narrowed field of view resulting from the digital magnification of the target is 115′ at 1000 yds. The controller can also have the capability of producing digital magnification of the target of 5×, with the amount of digital magnification being selectable by the user.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a scene 118 viewed by a user using the optic for a firearm 100 after firearm discharge. The environmental sensor 112 has generated a discharge signal in response to the discharge of the firearm 104. The controller 108 has changed the display 110 by eliminating the digital magnification from the scene automatically without user input. As a result, the user can utilize the entire display to track the target 14 in the event a follow up shot is required without having disturbed their hand placement or sight picture. The optical magnification of the target is 2.5×. The widened field of view resulting from the elimination of digital magnification of the target is 450′ at 1000 yds.
While a current embodiment of an optic for a firearm has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Although rifles have been disclosed, the optic for a firearm is also suitable for use with shotguns, light and medium machine guns, and other firearms. Furthermore, although an optical magnification of 2.5× and a digital magnification of 10× with corresponding fields of view of 450′ and 115′ at 1000 yds have been disclosed, any suitable amount of optical and digital magnification can be utilized, including multiple selectable amounts of digital magnification and multiple digitally magnified display subsets. For example, the optical magnification can also be 3× with a field of view of 360′ at 1000 yds with digital magnification options of 6× and 12×. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. An optic for a firearm comprising:

a body configured for connection to a firearm;

an optical image generator operable to generate an image of a target area;

a controller connected to the optical image generator;

a display connected to the controller and configured to display the image;

the controller operable to generate at least one image at a magnification selected from a range of magnifications ranging between a low power limit and a high power limit;

an environmental sensor connected to the controller and operable to generate a discharge signal in response to discharge of the firearm; and

the controller responsive to the discharge signal to change the display of the image.

2. The optic for a firearm of claim 1 wherein changing the display of the image includes reducing the magnification of the image.

3. The optic for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the controller is operable to generate at least two images of different magnifications.

4. The optic for a firearm of claim 3 wherein changing the display of the image includes removing only one of the images.

5. The optic for a firearm of claim 4 wherein removing only one of the images includes removing a higher magnification image.

6. The optic for a firearm of claim 3 wherein changing the display of the image includes displaying only a remaining one of the images.

7. The optic for a firearm of claim 6 displaying only a remaining one of the images includes displaying a lower magnification image.

8. The optic for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the controller is operable to display a first image of a first greater magnification prior to the discharge signal and a second image of a second magnification less than the first magnification automatically in response to the discharge signal.

9. The optic for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the discharge signal is an acoustic impulse.

10. The optic for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the discharge signal is motion of the body.

11. The optic for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the environmental sensor is a microphone.

12. The optic for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the environmental sensor is an accelerometer.

13. The optic for a firearm of claim 1 wherein the environmental sensor is a motion detector.