WO2009011846A2

WO2009011846A2 - Transparent lcd displays for military optics applications

Info

Publication number: WO2009011846A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/008639
Authority: WO
Inventors: Misha Kuperman
Original assignee: Night Vision Mall, Llc
Priority date: 2007-07-13
Filing date: 2008-07-14
Publication date: 2009-01-22
Also published as: WO2009011846A3

Abstract

A device for viewing a distant object has a transparent display included so that additional data from included sensors about environmental and distant object conditions may be displayed. A user need not take her eye off of the distant object while being provided with the data that she needs.

Description

TRANSPARENT LCD DISPLAYS FOR MILITARY OPTICS APPLICATIONS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No.

60/949,589, by Misha Kuperman entitled "TRANSPARENT LCD DISPLAYS FOR MILITARY OPTICS APPLICATIONS" filed on 13 July 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Military personnel, hunters, explorers, recreational campers, and many others have the need to view objects a distance. In many cases, these individuals use binoculars, hunting rifles with telescopic sights (scopes), and telescopes to accomplish their tasks.

[0003] Sophisticated and unsophisticated individuals have the need for sensors which can provide them with additional information regarding their travel, weather conditions, their targets, and other detailed information that can assist them in their tasks.

[0004] Often times, these individuals have a need to view sensor data while actively viewing something from a distance. In some cases breaking concentration could lead to failure. In the military arena it could lead to death at the hands of an enemy. Thus, there is a need to provide users with information about their environment and their targets without interrupting the focus that such an individual has on an object in the distance.

[0005] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

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64369-8001.US01/LEGAL14471509.1 SUMMARY

[0006] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods that are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above- described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.

[0007] In viewing an object at a distance a user may look through a lens which provides magnification of the target for better viewing. A transparent display is placed in the line of site such that the viewing of the target is not disturbed, but additional information about environmental conditions and additional information about the object in the distance may be displayed on the transparent display. Sensors may provide data for the transparent display.

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64369-8001.US01/LEGAL14471509.1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Embodiments of the inventions are illustrated in the figures. However, the embodiments and figures are illustrative rather than limiting; they provide examples of the inventions.

[0009] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a system for viewing an object using an optical device having a transparent display.

[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of an example of a method for viewing an object using an optical device having a transparent display.

[0011] FIG. 3 depicts an example of an optical device for viewing an object having a transparent display for use with two eyes.

[0012] FIG. 4 depicts an example of an optical device for viewing an object having a transparent display for use with one eye.

[0013] FIG. 5 depicts an example of an optical device for viewing an object having a transparent display and displaying a reticle.

[0014] FIG. 6 depicts examples of reticles.

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64369-8001. US01/LEGAL14471509.1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In the following description, several specific details are presented to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or in combination with other components, etc. In other instances, well-known implementations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of various embodiments of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a system 100 for viewing an object using an optical device having a transparent display. System 100 includes object 102, housing 104, sensor 105, transparent display 106, lens 108, and user 110. In the example of FIG.1 , housing 104 contains transparent display 106 and lens 108. User 110 views remote object 102 through transparent display 106 and through lens 108 while holding housing 104. Sensor 105 collects data and transparent display 102 provides a medium through which the data may be displayed to user 110 without user 110 having to remove her eye from the view of object 102 through lens 108.

[0017] The data collected could be a variety of sensor information including but not limited to an infra-red sensor, a thermal sensor, a compass, a wind sensor, a temperature sensor, a light meter, and a distance sensor. In the case that an infra-red sensor is used, the light collected by the sensor is not visible to the human eye. In this case, false color may be used to provide information to the user through the transparent display by formatting data collected as a shade of a color for display to the user. In the case that thermal data is collected, the data may similarly not be visible, and false color may be used to provide this data to the user.

[0018] In the case that wind, temperature, light, or distance are used, the data may be displayed to the user in the form of a number superimposed on the object by display using the transparent display. E.g. the data could be formatted to appear in a selected location in the transparent display, such as the top left, or the bottom right. A user could select the location of the data display. The data display could be turned on and off.

[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart 200 of an example of a method for viewing an object using an optical device having a transparent display. Although this figure depicts functional steps in a particular order for purposes of illustration, the process is not limited to any particular order or arrangement of steps. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the various steps portrayed in this figure could be omitted, combined and/or adapted in various ways.

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64369-8001.US01/LEGAL14471509.1 [0020] In the example of FIG. 2, the flowchart starts at module 202 with receiving a user input instructing a transparent display to display information from a sensor. The user input could come in a variety of manners. A user may press a button, turn a dial, speak a command, or otherwise instruct the transparent display to display data from a sensor. Various functionalities of a sensor may be used. In the case that text is displayed, a user may change the size and position of the text. Color selection may be accomplished. Further, a user may select from a plurality of sensors.

[0021] In the example of FIG. 2, the flowchart continues to module 204 with collecting data from the sensor. The sensor may provide information as to infra-red data, thermal data, directional data, wind direction, wind velocity, temperature, lumens of light, and distance information. Other data may be gathered as well. The data may be digital or analog.

[0022] In the example of FIG. 2, the flowchart continues to module 206 with formatting the data for viewing by the user on a transparent display. In the case that the data is of the type that is not visible to the human eye some manner of causing the data to be visible may be used including, but not limited to adding false color, outlining, distorting an image of the object viewed, removing color, and highlighting the object.

[0023] Further, the data may need to be directed to certain portions of the transparent display. In the case that text is used, a particular location may be selected, such as the bottom left, top right, or center. Any convenient location may be used.

[0024] Further, the data may be formatted to be partially transparent or opaque. It may be desirable to cover portions of the viewed object, such as when providing a reticle. In other situations it may be desirable to display the data as transparent so that the object is viewed through the data, as in providing false color identifying invisible thermal conditions.

[0025] In the example of FIG. 2, the flowchart continues to module 208 with displaying the data on the transparent display while the user views the distant object. At this module, the formatted data is made visible to the user. This is advantageous because the user need not remove his eye from the view of the object, but may still have access to the data that he desires.

[0026] FIG. 3 depicts an example of an optical device 300 for viewing an object having a transparent display for use with two eyes. FIG. 3 includes left lens 302, optional left transparent display 304, right lens 308, right transparent display 310, user input 314, and user input 316. In the example of FIG. 3, either of optional left transparent display 304, and optional right transparent display 310 may be omitted. It is not necessary that the

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64369-8001. US01/LEGAL14471509.1 transparent display be found in either the right or left eye. Further, more than one transparent display may be used.

[0027] In the example of FIG.3, user input 314, and user input 316 may be used to control the display of data on optional transparent display 304 and optional transparent display 310. In the case that the user wishes to view specific data from one or more sensors, the user may interact with the user input 314 and or the user input 316, and the desired data may be displayed on either or both of optional transparent display 304 and optional transparent display 310.

[0028] FIG. 4 depicts an example of an optical device 400 for viewing an object having a transparent display for use with one eye. Optical device 400 includes housing 402, transparent display 404, lens 406, sensor 408, and user input 410. In the example of FIG. 4, sensor 408 provides data to transparent display 404 for display. User input 410 may be used to change and adjust the data provided by optical device 400.

[0029] FIG. 5 depicts an example of a diagram 500 of an optical device on a firearm for viewing an object having a transparent display and displaying a reticle. FIG. 5 includes firearm 502, lens 504, transparent display 506, and housing 508. In the example of FIG. 5 firearm 502 is connected to housing 508. Transparent display 506 can be used to display a reticle. A reticle is any object identifying display through which a user may aim firearm to hit the object. Further, additional data from sensors may be displayed. Such data is discussed in detail in regard to FIG. 1 , and/or FIG 3.

[0030] FIG. 6 depicts diagram 600 of examples of reticles. FIG. 6 includes reticle

601 , reticle 602, reticle 603, and reticle 604. In the example of FIG. 6, reticle 601 , reticle

602, reticle 603, and reticle 604 may be displayed in an optical device, such as the device as depicted in FIG. 5. Other reticles are contemplated. These reticles are merely exemplary, and any reticle which could be used to aim a firearm could be displayed on a transparent display for use with a firearm.

[0031] It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the preceding examples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope of the present invention. It is intended that all permutations, enhancements, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims include all such modifications, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true scope of the invention.

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64369-8001.US01/LEGAL14471509.1

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A device for viewing an object at a distance comprising: a housing having a first viewing path and a second viewing path; wherein the first viewing path and the second viewing path are each spaced apart such that a user may view the object through the first viewing path through a left eye, and view the object through the second viewing path through a right eye; and a transparent display in the housing providing a display through which the object is viewed.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the transparent display is a liquid crystal display.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the transparent display is located in the first viewing path.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the transparent display is located in the second viewing path.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a sensor coupled to the housing wherein the sensor is selected from one of an infra-red sensor, a thermal sensor, a compass, a wind sensor, a temperature sensor, a light meter, a distance sensor; and a user input for instructing the transparent display to display information from the sensor.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the transparent display is changed in composition to display less than the full spectrum of wavelengths of light passing through the device for viewing an object.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the transparent display displays infrared light in as colors in a the visible spectrum.

The device of claim 1 wherein the transparent display displays invisible thermal radiation information as color in the spectrum of light visible to humans.

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64369-8001. US01/LEGAL14471509 1

8. A device for viewing objects comprising: a housing having a single optical path such that a user may view a distant object using an eye; a transparent display in the housing providing a reticle; and a user input for causing the transparent display to change the reticle.

9. The device of claim 6 further comprising: a sensor coupled to the housing wherein the sensor is selected from one of an infra-red sensor, a thermal sensor, a compass, a wind sensor, a temperature sensor, a light meter, and a distance sensor; wherein the user may also interact with the user input to cause the transparent display to display information from the sensor.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the transparent display is changed in composition to display less than a full spectrum of wavelengths of light passing through the device for viewing an object.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the transparent display displays infra-red light in as colors in a visible spectrum.

12. The device of claim 8 wherein the transparent display displays thermal radiation information as color in a spectrum of light visible to humans.

13. A method of controlling the display of a device for viewing a distant object comprising: receiving a user input instructing a transparent display to display information from a sensor; collecting data from the sensor; formatting the data for viewing by the user on a transparent display; and displaying the data on the transparent display while the user views distant object.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the data is selected from infra-red data, thermal data, directional data, wind direction, wind velocity, temperature, lumens of light, and distance information.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein data as presented in the transparent display is semi-transparent allowing the object to be viewed through the data.

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64369-8001.US01/LEGAL14471509.1

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the data as presented is opaque, at least partially blocking the object as viewed.

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64369-8001. US01/LEGAL14471509.1