阅读说明：本技术 热瞄准器 (Thermal sighting device ) 是由 A.查维斯 于 2018-09-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于瞄准枪械的瞄准器可以包括微测热辐射计和位于该微测热辐射计前方的物镜光学器件,物镜光学器件用于将电磁波聚焦在该微测热辐射计上。物镜光学器件可以包括一个或多个物镜透镜。瞄准器还可以包括显示器和位于该显示器后方的目镜光学器件,该目镜光学器件用于允许使用者通过目镜光学器件观察该显示器。目镜光学器件可以包括一个或多个目镜透镜。瞄准器的电路操作性地耦接到微测热辐射计和显示器。电路可以包括一个或多个处理器和存储一个或多个指令集的非暂时性计算机可读介质。在一些实施例中,一个或多个指令集包括被配置为由一个或多个处理器执行以使该瞄准器用该微测热辐射计捕获图像信号并且在该显示器上显示选定图像的指令。(A sight for aiming a firearm may include a microbolometer and objective optics positioned in front of the microbolometer for focusing an electromagnetic wave on the microbolometer. The objective optics may comprise one or more objective lenses. The sight may also include a display and eyepiece optics located behind the display for allowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optics. The eyepiece optics may include one or more eyepiece lenses. Circuitry of the sight is operatively coupled to the microbolometer and the display. The circuitry may include one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more sets of instructions. In some embodiments, the one or more sets of instructions include instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause the sight to capture image signals with the microbolometer and display selected images on the display.)

1. A sight for aiming a firearm, the firearm having a barrel defining a barrel extending along a barrel axis, the barrel axis extending in a fore direction and an aft direction, the sight comprising:

a microbolometer and objective optics located in front of the microbolometer for focusing electromagnetic waves on the microbolometer, the objective optics including one or more objective lenses;

a display and eyepiece optics positioned behind the display for allowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optics, the eyepiece optics comprising one or more eyepiece lenses;

circuitry operatively coupled to the microbolometer and display, wherein the circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more sets of instructions, wherein the one or more sets of instructions comprise instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause the sight to:

capturing an image signal with the microbolometer, the image signal corresponding to a first field of view, the first field of view having a first region;

displaying an image, the image corresponding to a second field of view, the second field of view having a second area, the first area being larger than the second area;

analyzing image signals from the microbolometer and identifying one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view;

displaying an icon superimposed on the first image, the icon being displayed at an icon location, the icon location being selected based on a location of a selected one of the one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view.

2. The sight of claim 1, wherein the selected one of the one or more thermal features is closer to the first field of view than at least one other of the one or more thermal features.

3. The sight of claim 1, wherein the selected one of the one or more thermal features is closer to the first field of view than all other one or more thermal features.

4. The sight of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the icon position is in an upper right quadrant of the first image if the selected one of the one or more thermal features is located forward and to the right of a reference thermal feature.

5. The sight of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the icon position is located in an upper left quadrant of the first image if the selected one of the one or more thermal features is located forward and to the left of a reference thermal feature.

6. The sight of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the icon position is located in a lower right quadrant of the first image if the selected one of the one or more thermal features is located behind and to the right of a reference thermal feature.

7. The sight of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the icon position is located in a lower left quadrant of the first image if the selected one of the one or more thermal features is located rearward and to the left of a reference thermal feature.

8. The sight of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the icon position is located near a right edge of the first image if the selected one of the one or more thermal features is located to the right of a reference thermal feature.

9. The sight of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the icon location is located near a left edge of the first image if the selected one of the one or more thermal features is located to the left of a reference thermal feature.

10. The sight of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the icon position is located near an upper edge of the first image if the selected one of the one or more thermal features is located forward of a reference thermal feature.

11. The sight of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the icon position is located proximate a lower edge of the first image if the selected one of the one or more thermal features is located behind a reference thermal feature.

12. The sight of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the icon is a direction indicating shape.

13. The sight of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the icon is a generally V-shaped image.

14. The sight of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the icon comprises an arrow.

15. The sight of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the icon comprises a V-shaped line.

16. The sight of any one of claims 1-15, further comprising a printed wiring board supporting the circuit, the printed wiring board comprising a substrate supporting the plurality of conductive paths of the circuit.

17. The sight of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the circuitry further comprises a motion sensing module, wherein the one or more sets of instructions comprise instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to further cause the sight to:

displaying a first image to a user, the first image corresponding to a first magnification;

receiving a motion signal stream from a motion sensing module;

detecting a ballistic event based on an analysis of the motion signal stream; and

displaying a second image to a user in response to detecting the ballistic event, the second image corresponding to a second magnification;

wherein the first magnification is greater than the second magnification.

18. The sight of any one of claims 1-17, wherein the circuitry further comprises a motion sensing module, wherein the one or more sets of instructions comprise instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to further cause the sight to:

determining a current orientation of the barrel axis relative to a gravitational pull force direction based on a signal flow from the motion sensing module;

determining an orientation angle of the barrel axis relative to a gravitational pull direction based on a signal flow from the motion sensing module;

comparing the orientation angle to a predetermined threshold;

changing the operational state of the display from a first brightness to a value of a second brightness if the orientation angle is greater than a predetermined threshold;

wherein the first brightness is higher than the second brightness.

19. The sight of claim 18, wherein the display is dimmed if the barrel axis is moved to a second orientation to a 45 degree or greater angle relative to the first orientation.

20. The sight of any one of claims 1-19, wherein the circuitry further comprises a motion sensing module, wherein the one or more sets of instructions comprise instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to further cause the sight to:

displaying a first image based on an image signal from the microbolometer;

receiving a motion signal stream from the motion sensing module;

detecting a ballistic event based on an analysis of the motion signal stream; and

saving, in response to detecting the ballistic event, a video file in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the video file corresponding to a time period spanning from a first time to a second time, the first time being earlier than the ballistic event and the second time being later than the ballistic event.

21. A method, comprising:

providing a sight comprising a processor, a microbolometer, and a display;

receiving, with the processor, an image signal from the microbolometer, the image signal corresponding to a first field of view, the first field of view having a first region;

displaying an image on the display, the image corresponding to a second field of view, the second field of view having a second area, the first area being larger than the second area;

analyzing, with the processor, the image signals and identifying one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view;

displaying an icon superimposed on the first image on the display, the icon being displayed at an icon location, the icon location being selected based on a location of a selected one of the one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the selected one of the one or more thermal features is closer to the first field of view than at least one other of the one or more thermal features.

23. The method of any of claims 21-22, further comprising selecting the icon position based on a position of a selected one of the one or more thermal features relative to a reference thermal feature.

24. A computer program product for aiming a firearm, the firearm having a barrel defining a barrel extending along a barrel axis, the barrel axis extending in a fore direction and an aft direction, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therein, wherein the computer readable medium is not a transitory signal, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

capturing an image signal with a microbolometer, the image signal corresponding to a first field of view, the first field of view having a first region;

displaying an image, the image corresponding to a second field of view, the second field of view having a second area, the first area being larger than the second area;

analyzing the image signals from the microbolometer and identifying one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view;

displaying an icon superimposed on the first image, the icon being displayed at an icon location, the icon location being selected based on a location of a selected one of the one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to further cause the processor to:

selecting the icon position based on a position of a selected one of the one or more thermal features relative to a reference thermal feature.

26. A sight for aiming a firearm, the firearm having a barrel defining a barrel extending along a barrel axis, the barrel axis extending in a fore direction and an aft direction, the sight comprising:

a microbolometer and objective optics located in front of the microbolometer for focusing electromagnetic waves on the microbolometer, the objective optics including one or more objective lenses;

a display and eyepiece optics positioned behind the display for allowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optics, the eyepiece optics comprising one or more eyepiece lenses;

circuitry operatively coupled to the microbolometer, the display, and a motion sensing module of the sight, wherein the circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more sets of instructions, wherein the one or more sets of instructions comprise instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause the sight to:

displaying a first image to a user, the first image corresponding to a first magnification;

receiving a motion signal stream from the motion sensing module;

detecting a ballistic event based on an analysis of the motion signal stream; and

displaying a second image to a user in response to detecting the ballistic event, the second image corresponding to a second magnification;

wherein the first magnification is greater than the second magnification.

27. The sight of claim 26, wherein the first magnification is an 8 x magnification and the second magnification is a 1 x magnification.

28. The sight of claim 26, wherein the first magnification is a 4 x magnification and the second magnification is a 1 x magnification.

29. The sight of claim 26, wherein the first magnification is a 2 x magnification and the second magnification is a 1 x magnification.

30. The sight of claim 26, wherein the motion sensing module comprises a three-axis accelerometer.

31. The sight of claim 26, wherein the motion sensing module comprises a gyroscope.

32. A sight for aiming a firearm, the firearm having a barrel defining a barrel extending along a barrel axis, the barrel axis extending in a fore direction and an aft direction, the sight comprising:

a microbolometer and objective optics located in front of the microbolometer for focusing electromagnetic waves on the microbolometer, the objective optics including one or more objective lenses;

a display and eyepiece optics positioned behind the display for allowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optics, the eyepiece optics comprising one or more eyepiece lenses;

circuitry operatively coupled to the microbolometer, the display, and a motion sensing module of the sight, wherein the circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more sets of instructions, wherein the one or more sets of instructions comprise instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause the sight to:

displaying a first image based on signals from the microbolometer, the first image corresponding to a first field of view;

receiving a motion signal stream from the motion sensing module;

detecting a ballistic event based on an analysis of the motion signal stream; and

displaying a second image in response to detecting the ballistic event, the second image corresponding to a second field of view, the second field of view being larger than the first field of view.

33. A sight for aiming a firearm, the firearm having a barrel defining a barrel extending along a barrel axis, the barrel axis extending in a fore direction and an aft direction, the sight comprising:

a microbolometer and objective optics located in front of the microbolometer for focusing electromagnetic waves on the microbolometer, the objective optics including one or more objective lenses;

a display and eyepiece optics positioned behind the display for allowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optics, the eyepiece optics comprising one or more eyepiece lenses;

circuitry operatively coupled to the microbolometer, the display, and a motion sensing module of the sight, wherein the circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more sets of instructions, wherein the one or more sets of instructions comprise instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause the sight to:

determining a current orientation of the barrel axis relative to a gravitational pull force direction based on a signal flow from the motion sensing module;

determining an orientation angle of the barrel axis relative to a gravitational pull direction based on a signal flow from the motion sensing module;

comparing the orientation angle to a predetermined threshold;

changing the operational state of the display from a first brightness to a value of a second brightness if the orientation angle is greater than a predetermined threshold;

wherein the first brightness is higher than the second brightness.

34. The sight of claim 33, wherein the motion sensing module comprises a three-axis accelerometer.

35. The sight of claim 33, wherein the motion sensing module comprises a gyroscope.

36. The sight of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the display is dimmed if the barrel axis is moved to an angle of 45 degrees or greater relative to a horizontal line extending in a forward and a rearward direction.

37. The sight of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein display brightness is increased if the barrel axis is moved to an angle greater than 15 degrees relative to a horizontal line extending in a forward and rearward direction.

38. The sight of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein display brightness is increased if the barrel axis is moved to an angle of less than 15 degrees relative to a horizontal line extending in a forward and rearward direction.

39. A sight for aiming a firearm, the firearm having a barrel defining a barrel extending along a barrel axis, the barrel axis extending in a fore direction and an aft direction, the sight comprising:

a microbolometer and objective optics located in front of the microbolometer for focusing electromagnetic waves on the microbolometer, the objective optics including one or more objective lenses;

a display and eyepiece optics positioned behind the display for allowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optics, the eyepiece optics comprising one or more eyepiece lenses;

circuitry operatively coupled to the microbolometer, the display, and a motion sensing module of the sight, wherein the circuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more sets of instructions, wherein the one or more sets of instructions comprise instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause the sight to:

displaying a first image based on an image signal from the microbolometer;

receiving a motion signal stream from the motion sensing module;

detecting a ballistic event based on an analysis of the motion signal stream; and

saving, in response to detecting the ballistic event, a video file in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the video file corresponding to a time period spanning from a first time to a second time, the first time being earlier than the ballistic event and the second time being later than the ballistic event.

40. The sight of claim 39, wherein the video file is one of a FFMPEF file, an MPEG file, an AVI file, and a WMV file.

41. The sight of any one of claims 39 to 40, wherein the period of time has a span of 20 seconds.

42. The sight of any one of claims 39-40, wherein the time period extends from 10 seconds before the ballistic event to 10 seconds after the ballistic event.

43. The sight of any one of claims 39-40, wherein the first time occurs ten seconds before the ballistic event.

44. The sight of any one of claims 39-40, wherein the second time occurs ten seconds after the ballistic event.

45. A method, comprising:

providing a sight comprising a processor, a microbolometer, and a display;

receiving, with the processor, an image signal from the microbolometer, the image signal corresponding to a first field of view, the first field of view having a first region;

displaying an image on a display, the image corresponding to a second field of view, the second field of view having a second area, the first area being larger than the second area;

analyzing, with the processor, the image signals and identifying one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view;

displaying an icon superimposed on the first image on the display, the icon being displayed at an icon location, the icon location being selected based on a location of a selected one of the one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view.

46. A method, comprising:

providing a sight comprising a processor, a motion sensing module, and a display;

displaying a first image on the display, the first image corresponding to a first magnification;

receiving, at the processor, a motion signal stream from the motion sensing module;

analyzing, with the processor, the motion signal stream;

detecting, with the processor, a ballistic event based on an analysis of the motion signal stream; and

displaying a second image on the display in response to detecting the ballistic event, the second image corresponding to a second magnification, wherein the first magnification is greater than the second magnification.

47. A method, comprising:

providing a sight comprising a processor, a motion sensing module, and a display;

displaying a first image on the display, the first image corresponding to a first field of view;

receiving, at the processor, a motion signal stream from the motion sensing module;

analyzing, with the processor, the motion signal stream;

detecting, with the processor, a ballistic event based on an analysis of the motion signal stream; and

displaying a second image on the display in response to detecting the ballistic event, the second image corresponding to a second field of view, the second field of view being larger than the first field of view.

48. A method, comprising:

providing a sight comprising a processor, a motion sensing module, and a display;

receiving, at the processor, a motion signal stream from the motion sensing module;

analyzing, with the processor, the motion signal stream;

determining, with the processor, a current orientation of the barrel axis relative to a gravitational pull force direction based on signals from a motion sensing module;

determining, with the processor, an orientation angle of the barrel axis relative to a gravitational pull direction based on a current orientation determination;

comparing the orientation angle to a predetermined threshold;

changing the operational state of the display from a first brightness to a value of a second brightness if the orientation angle is greater than a predetermined threshold;

wherein the first brightness is higher than the second brightness.

49. A method, comprising:

providing a sight comprising a processor, a motion sensing module, and a display;

displaying a first image on the display based on image signals from the microbolometer, the first image corresponding to a first field of view;

receiving, at the processor, a motion signal stream from the motion sensing module;

analyzing, with the processor, the motion signal stream;

detecting a ballistic event based on an analysis of the motion signal stream; and

saving, with the processor, a video file in a non-transitory computer-readable medium in response to detecting the ballistic event, the video file corresponding to a time period spanning from a first time to a second time, the first time being earlier than the ballistic event and the second time being later than the ballistic event.

Background

Firearm accessories for weapon installations have become an important tool for military, police, civil and civilian firearm users. Mounting rails for supporting these accessories are incorporated into many firearm designs. A given accessory may be mounted to a variety of firearms or firearm platforms using an accessory rail interface. Likewise, if a particular firearm includes a rail interface, the various accessories can be interchangeably mounted to the firearm. Interchangeability of accessories is particularly important to military and law enforcement personnel affiliated with a particular work unit, as it allows individual firearms to be reconfigured to meet the needs of certain specific tasks.

Some weapon mounted firearm accessories may be used to facilitate aiming of the weapon. Examples of popular firearm accessories include aiming devices, such as laser aiming devices, and target illuminators, such as flash lamps. Firearm mounted flashlights are typically attached to a mounting rail and centered along the barrel (bore) axis of the firearm. Firearm mounted flashlights are useful for illuminating the surrounding environment and possible assailants with only one hand. This may free the other hand to alert or resist an attacker, or alternatively allow the user to hold both hands on the firearm for a more secure grip.

The firearm mounted laser may be attached to a fitting rail that is parallel to the barrel axis of the firearm. Weapon mounted laser targeting systems have several potential uses. First, the laser can assist with firing accuracy and speed, especially at high pressures. In addition, lasers can assist in shooting at night or indoors, in poorly lit environments. The laser can also be used to safely exercise trigger control. Finally, the laser may act as a deterrent to potential assailants. Laser sights for weapons allow users to aim weapons by projecting a beam of light onto a target. Laser sights allow users to quickly aim weapons without viewing the target through a scope or other aiming device. This also allows the user to aim and fire from any number of firing positions, such as allowing the user to fire from the hips. If the laser sight is properly aimed for the distances and wind conditions involved, a projectile from the weapon, such as a bullet, arrow or bullet, hits the desired target where the spot of light produced by the laser sight impinges on the desired target.

However, laser sights (sights) are also not without problems. For example, while laser sights work well in low light conditions, laser sights occasionally do not perform well in high light conditions because ambient light can easily completely cover the spot of light produced by the laser light source on the target, making it difficult or impossible for the user to see the spot. Laser sights also use relatively large amounts of power, so the battery life of the laser sight is typically relatively short. In addition, as with other sights, laser sights are also adjusted or aimed for specific distances and wind conditions. In some combat situations, the laser beam from the laser sight may also be used as an aiming beacon for an opponent.

Thermal sights (thermal sights), such as thermal riflescopes, have found application in military applications. The thermal sight may also be particularly suitable for use in hunting animals of invasive species known as boars or wild pigs. Wild boars have become a major economic problem in the united states, contributing alone to an estimated 15 billion dollars per year crop loss. In the absence of any real natural predator, a pair of boars can breed and develop into a population of 25 or more in less than 12 months. These animals are known to be highly intellectual and have become nocturnal animals in areas where humans are active. Boars are known to avoid lighted areas, even around potential food sources.

Disclosure of Invention

A sight for aiming a firearm may include a microbolometer and objective optics in front of the microbolometer for focusing an electromagnetic wave on the microbolometer. The objective optics may include one or more objective lenses. The sight may also include a display and eyepiece optics positioned behind the display for allowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optics. The eyepiece optics may include one or more eyepiece lenses. Circuitry of the sight is operatively coupled to the microbolometer and the display. The circuitry may include one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more sets of instructions. In some embodiments, the one or more sets of instructions include instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause the sight to capture image signals with the microbolometer, the image signals corresponding to a first field of view, the first field of view having a first region. In some embodiments, execution of the instructions by the one or more processors causes the sight to display an image, the image corresponding to a second field of view, the second field of view having a second area, the first area being larger than the second area. The processor may analyze the image signals from the microbolometer and identify one or more thermal features that are within the first field of view and outside the second field of view. The sight may display an icon superimposed on the first image, the icon being displayed at an icon location selected based on a location of a selected one of the one or more thermal features within the first field of view and outside the second field of view.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings illustrate only certain embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a firearm and a sight according to the detailed description.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the firearm and sight of fig. 1 from a different viewpoint. Also seen in fig. 2 is an image that can be viewed through the eyepiece optics of the scope.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a scope and an image that can be observed through eyepiece optics of the scope.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the boundary of the field of view sensed by the microbolometer of the sight and the boundary of the field of view of the image displayed on the display of the sight.

Fig. 5 is a schematic depiction of an image displayed on the display of the sight.

Fig. 6A-6L are schematic depictions of images displayed on the display of the sight.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the sight according to the detailed description.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sight according to the detailed description.

Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a sight according to the detailed description.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a microbolometer according to the sight described in detail.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a microbolometer showing a sight according to the detailed description.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a field of view corresponding to a display image with a magnification of 1 and another field of view corresponding to a display image with a magnification of 2. The schematic diagram of fig. 12 also shows a field of view corresponding to a display image with 4 x magnification and a further field of view corresponding to a display image with 8 x magnification.

FIG. 13 is a reproduction of the map of the mounting rail in military Standard MIL-STD-1913, month 3, 1995.

While embodiments of the disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the sight displays an icon (e.g., an arrow or a V-shaped line) that points to a thermal feature that is within the field of view of the microbolometer but not within the field of view of the currently displayed image.