U.S. patent application number 10/376332 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for sighting telescope with internal display.
Invention is credited to Burzel, Timo, Schlierbach, Armin.
Application Number | 20040025396 10/376332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27735695 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040025396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schlierbach, Armin ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
Sighting telescope with internal display
Abstract
A sighting telescope includes an objective, a path-folding
system, an ocular and an infinity mark. The infinity mark can be
adjusted in a vertical direction with the aid of an elevation
drive. The elevation drive is provided with a sensor with which the
setting of the elevation drive is detected. This detected setting
is graphically displayed for the shooter in the sighting
telescope.
Inventors: |
Schlierbach, Armin; (Leun,
DE) ; Burzel, Timo; (Lahnau, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Walter Ottesen
Patent Attorney
P.O. Box 4026
Gaithersburgh
MD
20885-4026
US
|
Family ID: |
27735695 |
Appl. No.: |
10/376332 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/119 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/119 |
International
Class: |
F41G 001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 1, 2002 |
DE |
102 08 891.8 |
Aug 1, 2002 |
DE |
102 35 106.6 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sighting telescope for a weapon operated by a shooter, the
sighting telescope comprising: an objective defining an optical
axis; an ocular arrangement on said optical axis downstream of said
objective; a path-folding system arranged on said optical axis
between said objective and said ocular; an infinity marking; an
elevation drive adjustable in position for displaying said infinity
marking in a vertical direction relative to said optical axis; a
sensor for detecting a setting of said elevation drive
corresponding to said position; and, a display for graphically
displaying said setting in said sighting telescope for the
shooter.
2. The sighting telescope of claim 1, wherein said sensor generates
a signal indicative of said setting; and, said sighting telescope
further comprising a processor connected to said sensor for
receiving said signal and a distance corresponding to said setting
is indicated via said display.
3. The sighting telescope of claim 2, wherein several value tables
are stored in said processor.
4. The sighting telescope of claim 2, further comprising an
operator-controlled element connected to said processor for
inputting information into said processor.
5. The sighting telescope of claim 3, wherein said
operator-controlled element is a key pad.
6. The sighting telescope of claim 1, further comprising an
electronic unit with which the brightness or illuminating intensity
of said display and said infinity mark is controlled and matched to
the brightness in the target region.
7. The sighting telescope of claim 6, further comprising an
operator-controlled element operatively connected to said
electronic unit for facilitating manual adjustment of the control
of the brightness of said display and infinity mark.
8. The sighting telescope of claim 6, further comprising an
operator-controlled element for activating an illumination of said
infinity mark.
9. The sighting telescope of claim 8, wherein said
operator-controlled element is a rotational ring.
10. The sighting telescope of claim 7, further comprising an
illumination sensor assigned to said operator-controlled element
for detecting the setting and activation of said
operator-controlled element and for transmitting a signal
indicative of said setting and activation to said processor.
11. The sighting telescope of claim 10, wherein said illuminating
sensor is a photo receiver.
12. The sighting telescope of claim 10, wherein said
operator-controlled element includes means for adjusting the
duration of illumination of said display and said infinity
mark.
13. The sighting telescope of claim 12, wherein said duration of
illumination takes place after a short-time activation of said
operator-controlled element.
14. The sighting telescope of claim 12, further comprising a timer
which is activated with the activation of said operator-controlled
element.
15. The sighting telescope of claim 1, wherein said processor
includes an interface via which data including value tables can be
read in.
16. The sighting telescope of claim 15, wherein said interface is
an infrared interface.
17. The sighting telescope of claim 5, wherein said key pad is a
foil key pad.
18. The sighting telescope of claim 1, wherein said display is
reflected into an image plane of said sighting telescope.
19. The sighting telescope of claim 18, wherein said display is
reflected into the ocular plane.
20. The sighting telescope of claim 1, wherein said value tables
include value tables for different types of munitions for one or
different types of weapons.
21. The sighting telescope of claim 5, wherein the following
factors can be inputted via said key pad or detected by sensor
means: various location conditions including wind direction, wind
intensity, terrain inclination, barrel inclination relative to the
horizontal, tilting of the weapon; and, said factors are considered
in the determination of the actual ballistics and the displayed
value.
22. The sighting telescope of claim 1, wherein a tilting of a
weapon is detected by a sensor and indicated to a shooter via a
visible signal or an amount, which is to be corrected manually, is
displayed via said processor with said amount primarily defining a
lateral deviation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A sighting telescope having a laser range finder is known
from the Swarovsky Company of Austria which is available in the
marketplace under product identification ZF3-12X. The adjustment of
the ballistic compensation is undertaken via a conventional
elevation rotational ring in this sighting telescope. The sighting
telescope includes an integrated laser range finder. The measuring
result of the laser range finder is reflected into the viewing
field of the user. The in-reflection takes place utilizing a
three-position seven-segment display.
[0002] A fire control system is disclosed in European patent
publication 0,057,304 which includes a laser range finder and a
sighting telescope. Such a fire control system is utilized for
firing systems provided in armored vehicles. These systems are not
suitable for handheld firearms because of their size. Also, such
fire control systems are expensive.
[0003] A method for adjusting a sighting device is known from U.S.
Pat. No. 5,118,186 (German patent publication 4,003,932). A laser
distance measuring device or laser range finder is also provided in
this sighting device and the sighting mark is adjusted with the aid
of a motor in dependence upon the detected distance. Furthermore,
this publication shows that an optical display can be provided in
the sighting telescope with which the shooter is informed as to the
particular operating state of the sighting telescope with reference
to the operation of an automatic positioning of the infinity
mark.
[0004] An automatic all-weather illumination for a sighting
telescope is disclosed in German patent publication 201 19 281.
Here, the brightness of the sighting mark is automatically
controlled by a light-dependent resistor which is connected in
parallel to a fixed resistor.
[0005] European patent publication 0,651,225 discloses a sighting
device having an illuminated infinity mark. With sufficient ambient
light, the radiation, which is needed for illuminating the infinity
mark, is made available via a light collector containing
luminescent material. A battery for the operation of the
illuminated infinity mark is provided for inadequate ambient
light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a sighting
telescope wherein an exact adjustment of the infinity mark is
possible without interrupting the viewing of the scene.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to make possible a
precise adjustment and check of the ballistic compensation even for
poor viewing conditions. It is another object of the invention to
avoid illuminating the adjusting elements. With an illumination,
the position of the shooter would be exposed and this is
unwanted.
[0008] It is also an object of the invention to provide a sighting
telescope with which a target can be hit with greater accuracy.
[0009] An exact adjustment of the elevation is made possible with
the measure of providing a sighting telescope with an elevation
drive with the position of the drive being detected by means of a
sensor. This detected adjustment is displayed for a shooter in the
optical viewing field of the sighting telescope. With the above,
the accuracy with which a target hit is increased. Also, it is made
possible for the shooter to adjust the elevation to the desired
position even in poor viewing conditions.
[0010] It has been shown to be advantageous to illuminate this
display with the same light intensity as the infinity mark.
[0011] It has been shown to be advantageous to supply the
adjustment of the elevation drive detected by means of a sensor to
a processor. A distance, which corresponds to the detected
adjustment of the elevation drive, is displayed to the shooter.
Furthermore, it has been shown to be advantageous that several
value tables are stored in the processor. The shooter can select a
value table which forms the basis of the determination of the
displayed distance.
[0012] It has also been shown to be advantageous to assign a key
pad to the processor via which a selection of a value table and/or
desired type of display can be selected. As a type of display, the
system of units or the accuracy can be displayed with which a
distance is to be shown. Furthermore, with this key pad, additional
information can be supplied to the processor such as temperature,
inclination of a terrain, wind intensity and wind direction.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, an operator-controlled element is
provided. Here, the operator-controlled element is in the form of a
rotational ring or knob. With this operator-controlled element, it
can be set how long the infinity mark as well as the display should
be illuminated and, in this way, the above become visible for the
shooter in the optical viewing field of the sighting telescope
after the operator-controlled element or a further
operator-controlled element is actuated. Here, the rotational ring
can, for example, also be actuated with a short-time pressing. With
this adjustability, the shooter can influence the selection of the
duration of illumination and thereby the energy consumption
connected with the display.
[0014] Furthermore, it can be provided that the shooter can
influence illuminating brightness manually by actuating the
rotational knob.
[0015] It has been shown to be advantageous to provide an interface
at the sighting telescope via which additional data can be read
into the processor. The provision of an infrared interface has been
shown to be especially advantageous because, with an interface of
this kind, a compact housing of the sighting telescope can be
ensured without difficulty and, in the meantime, the PC's include
infrared interfaces in series manufacture. For this reason, an
interface of this kind allows for a comfortable reading-in via a
PC. Furthermore, reading-in of information via barcodes can be
provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will now be described with reference to the
drawings wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a sighting telescope
according to the invention; and, FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram
showing a detailed configuration for the digital internal read-out
for the sighting telescope of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The principal configuration of the sighting telescope 1 of
the invention will now be described with respect to FIG. 1.
[0019] The sighting telescope 1 includes an objective 3 and an
ocular 5. A path-folding system (not shown in FIG. 1) is arranged
between the objective 3 and the ocular 5. The objective,
path-folding system and ocular are mounted in a tube. A
path-folding system which is exemplary of the kind which can be
provided in the sighting telescope of FIG. 1 is shown, for example,
in European patent publication 0,654,650 which is incorporated
herein by reference. The path-folding system includes an infinity
mark which can be adjusted in the vertical direction by means of an
elevation drive 5. The infinity mark can be made available with a
diode mounted on a glass plate as disclosed, for example, in German
patent publication 100 46 878 which is incorporated herein by
reference. However, other infinity marks such as a cross-hairs
infinity mark can also be provided for which a center region is not
covered by the infinity mark.
[0020] For adjusting the infinity mark in the horizontal direction,
a horizontal drive (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided which is
mounted at an angle of 90.degree. to the elevation drive and to the
optical axis of the sighting telescope. A device for attaching the
target telescope to a rifle or other weapon is provided at a side
of the target telescope lying opposite to the elevation drive.
[0021] The target telescope shown in FIG. 1 is suitable for use
with handheld firearms because of its compactness and its
weight.
[0022] The function of the sighting telescope 1 and the assembly
thereof is described in detail with respect to FIG. 2.
[0023] The elevation drive 7 is provided with a sensor, preferably
in the form of a foil resistor and, with this sensor, the setting
of the elevation drive 7 is detected. For this purpose, the signal
as to the rotational angle of the elevation drive 7 is received as
an analog signal and is converted into a digital signal because a
digitally-operating processor 21 is provided as a control device in
this embodiment. If an analog-operating control device is provided,
then this conversion is not necessary.
[0024] The signal, which is supplied to the processor 21 and which
characterizes the position of the elevation drive, is compared to a
value table stored in the processor 21. From this comparison, the
ballistic curve can be obtained, that is, at which distance the
projectile will impact under normal conditions. The ballistic curve
is dependent upon the type of ammunition and the type of weapon.
For this reason, preferably several value tables are stored in the
microprocessor 21 which can be selected. Furthermore, routines can
be stored in the processor via which the following can be
considered in the determination of the impact position: the air
pressure, wind velocity and wind direction, terrain inclination and
the inclination of the path. The wind direction and wind intensity
can, for example, be determined using a laser measuring apparatus
and can be supplied to the processor 21 via one of the available
interfaces. The inclination of the barrel can be determined via an
inclination sensor provided on the weapon and supplied to the
processor 21. Also, an inclination of the weapon can be considered
in the computation of the impact point. German patent publication
2,259,913 describes the effects of a tilting of the weapon relative
to the vertical axis. The vertical axis is fixed by the action of
the gravitational force.
[0025] The distance, which is determined by the processor, is
displayed in the optical viewing field of the shooter by means of a
display 17. In the illustrated embodiment, a three-position display
17 is provided and each position 19 includes seven segments. The
display 17 is preferably disposed in the ocular image plane of the
sighting telescope 1 or is reflected into the ocular image plane of
the sighting telescope 1. The distance at which the projectile is
to impact is determined by processor 1 and is displayed by means of
the display 17. An electronic unit is provided for setting the
illumination of the display as well as for setting the illumination
of the infinity mark. This electronic unit adapts the illumination
intensity of infinity mark and display to the brightness of the
scene image located in the viewing field while, at the same time,
allowing a manual intervention of the shooter into this control
system. The manual control of the illuminating intensity can take
place via a rotational resistor, which is a configured as a
rotational ring or knob or a key pad.
[0026] If an operator-controlled element for setting illumination
(on/off, bright/dark) is actuated, then a presettable timer
controls the duration of the active display illumination.
Preferably, the illumination duration can also be set via a key
function during the active illumination.
[0027] For example, the illumination can be activated with a
short-time pressing of the rotational ring and, during this time,
additional settings can be made by rotating the rotational ring. As
long as an adjustment is undertaken, the illumination preferably
remains activated. If no adjustment takes place any more or
illumination is activated only via a short time activation, then
the illumination of the display ceases after a predetermined time
duration is elapsed. A time duration of 3 to 4 seconds has been
shown to be especially suitable.
[0028] The numbers 19 of the display 17 become visible for the
shooter approximately in the lower quarter of the optical viewing
field of the sighting telescope 1. Preferably, the display 17 is
connected to the processor via a foil conductor.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the processor 21 is connected
to a key pad 23 for the transfer of signals. With this key pad 23,
it is possible to set the data and/or the type of display wanted by
the shooter. Accordingly, a display of the distance, for example,
in meters or yards can be selected. Furthermore, with the key pad,
it is possible to precisely set the accuracy, for example, to
centimeters. Furthermore, in this way, a selection can be made
between various stored value tables which correspond to different
ballistics. The different ballistics are especially dependent on
the type of projectile used and on the type of rifle or the type of
weapon. Also, specific terrain conditions, such as an inclined
terrain or wind conditions, can be inputted which are considered in
the subsequent display of a distance. Furthermore, the user can
specify via the key pad that a dimension for the adjustment of the
elevation knob is wanted, for example, in the form of a click. With
a click, an adjustment of the elevation drive is provided by a
predetermined amount which is made clear to the user by overcoming
a resistance when rotating the elevation drive. That is, the
shooter perceives a catch when actuating the elevation knob.
[0030] Additional sensors can be provided having signals which are
supplied to the processor. In dependence upon these signals,
corrected or modified value tables can be applied for the distance
to be displayed. In lieu of the value tables, also mathematical
descriptions of the value tables can be stored in the processor and
the value to be displayed can be based thereon.
[0031] The detection of the inclination of the barrel is especially
advantageous additional information which can be included in the
determination of the distance. Furthermore, with a detected tilting
of the weapon, indication thereof can be provided in the display
whereby the number of incorrect shots can be reduced.
[0032] Additional data such as temperature, air pressure, wind
velocity and wind direction can be registered by providing sensors
and be included or inputted via the key pad and thereby be
considered in the determination of the displayed distance. In order
to be able to subsequently read in the value tables, an interface
31 is provided for the sighting telescope 1 for inputting data into
the processor 21. Accordingly, the data, which are obtained by
means of initially shooting the particular weapon, can be
conveniently read in and then be considered during subsequent
operation. Furthermore, it is possible via this interface 31 to
input individual values, such as distance of the weapon axis to the
optical axis of the sighting telescope and referencing the angular
position of the elevational rotational ring to a specific distance
during initial shooting.
[0033] This reading-in of data can, for example, be carried out by
a PC via a serial interface or via a special bar code or via a data
card which is inserted through a slot. An infrared interface can be
provided as an interface which permits a comfortable transfer of
data from, for example, a PC or a laptop, which in the present day,
all have IR interfaces. The operational readiness of the infrared
interface can be activated via the key pad 23 of the sighting
telescope 1. The key pad 23 is preferably configured as a foil key
pad 25 having two or more keys.
[0034] A 3.6 volt lithium cell can be used as an energy source.
This lithium cell can, for example, be built into the elevation
plane below the sighting telescope transversely to the direction of
firing. A rechargeable battery can also be used as an energy source
and this battery can be charged by means of a solar cell provided
on the sighting telescope.
[0035] It is understood that the foregoing description is that of
the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes
and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims.
* * * * *