EP-4735928-A2 - PRISM FOR AN OPTICAL SYSTEM

Abstract

The disclosure relates to viewing optics, and more particularly to a viewing optic having an optical system with a prism and a microdisplay. The optical system can comprise a primary prism and a corrective prism.

Inventors

• HAVENS, Calen
• BOLLIG, Garrison
• LOWRY, WILLIAM
• LEWIS, ALEXANDER

Assignees

• Sheltered Wings, Inc. D/b/a/ Vortex Optics

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240627

Claims (20)

1. 1. A viewing optic comprising: an optical prism system comprising: a primary prism having a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, a fourth surface, and a fifth surface; and a corrective prism, wherein the primary prism and the corrective prism are attached at the fifth surface, the fifth surface having a transmission-controlling coating and a micro display configured to generate an image, wherein light from the image from the microdisplay is split at the fifth surface of the primary prism into a first optical path and a second optical path, wherein light of the first optical path is reflected off the fifth surface of the primary prism to a user’s eye, and light of the second optical path travels through the fifth surface of the primary prism.
2. 2. The viewing optic of Claim 1 , wherein the optical prism system is a free form optical prism system.
3. 3. The viewing optic of Claim 1, wherein the second surface of the primary prism has a mirror coating.
4. 4. The viewing optic of Claim 3, wherein the third surface of the primary prism is uncoated.
5. 5. The viewing optic of Claim 4, wherein the fourth surface of the primary prism has a mirror coating.
6. 6. The viewing optic of Claim 1, wherein the image from the microdisplay enters the primary prism and is corrected at the first surface of the primary prism.
7. 7. The viewing optic of Claim 6, wherein the image from the microdisplay travels from the first surface of the primary prism to the second surface of the primary prism, the second surface having a mirror coating.
8. 8. The viewing optic of Claim 7, wherein the image from the microdisplay travels from the second surface of the primary prism to the third surface of the primary prism, the third surface being uncoated.
9. 9. The viewing optic of Claim 8, wherein the image from the microdisplay travels from the third surface of the primary prism to the fourth surface of the primary prism, the fourth surface having a mirror coating.
10. 10. The viewing optic of Claim 9, wherein the image from the microdisplay travels from the fourth surface of the primary prism to the fifth surface of the primary prism.
11. 11. The viewing optic of Claim 1, wherein light from an outward image scene enters through a first surface of the corrective prism.
12. 12. The viewing optic of Claim 11, wherein light from the outward image scene passes from the first surface of the corrective prism to the fifth surface of the primary prism.
13. 13. The viewing optic of Claim 12, wherein light from the outward image scene is split at the fifth surface of the primary prism into a first outward image scene optical path and a second outward image scene optical path, wherein light of the first outward image scene optical path passes through the fifth surface of the primary prism to a user’s eye, and light of the second outward image scene optical path is reflected off the fifth surface of the primary prism.
14. 14. The viewing optic of Claim 11, wherein the first surface of the corrective prism is piano and has an anti-reflective coating.
15. 15. A viewing optic comprising: an optical prism system comprising: a primary prism; and a corrective prism, wherein the primary prism and the corrective prism are attached at a surface of the primary prism that contains a transmission-controlling coating; and a micro display configured to generate an image, wherein light from the image from the microdisplay is split at the surface of the primary prism into a first optical path and a second optical path, wherein light of the first optical path is reflected off the surface of the primary prism to a user’s eye, and light of the second optical path travels through the surface of the primary prism.
16. 16. The viewing optic of Claim 15, wherein the optical prism system is a free form optical prism system.
17. 17. The viewing optic of Claim 15, wherein the primary prism comprises at least one surface coated with a mirror coating.
18. 18. The viewing optic of Claim 15, wherein the primary prism comprises at least one uncoated surface where the image undergoes total internal reflection.
19. 19. A system comprising the viewing optic of Claim 1 and an enabler coupled to the viewing optic.
20. 20. The system of Claim 19, wherein the enabler is selected from the group consisting of: a laser range finder (LRFs), an imaging enabler a ballistic calculator, a thermal camera, a day camera, a night vision camera, a wind reader, a stabilizer, a compass, an aiming laser module, a battery pack, and an illuminator.

Description

PRISM FOR AN OPTICAL SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to and is a non-provisional patent application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/510,743 filed June 28, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD [0001] The disclosure relates to viewing optics, and more particularly to a viewing optic having an optical system with a prism and a microdisplay. BACKGROUND [0002] A large amount of information is needed on a shot-by-shot basis for a shooter to effectively hit a long-range target and the shooter must be able to process this information and make the correct judgments and calculations in real time. In addition to a viewing optic, other tools are needed by the shooter to ensure accurate shot placement. For instance, a bubble level mounted externally to the riflescope is needed to ensure that the optic is level before executing a shot. This requires the shooter to remove his head from the pupil of the optic to check his or her level. [0003] A laser rangefinder and ballistic computer are also needed to measure target range and calculate a bullet trajectory. This once again requires the shooter to attend to an external device and then remember the data when making the necessary adjustments. If a weapon mounted laser rangefinder is used, then the shooter needs to take special care to ensure that the aiming point of the optic is corresponding exactly with the aiming point of the LRF. [0004] Additionally, and not trivial to the use of riflescopes, is that they are most useful during daylight hours. Once night begins to descend, thermal and/or night vision devices typically are attached to the weapon in front of the riflescope. These devices capture other forms of radiation that are not visible to the human eye due to their wavelength or low intensity. These devices then either recreate the image of the scene or intensify it and reimage the scene into the objective of the riflescope. While effective and necessary for low light conditions, these devices are also heavy and large. [0005] In the particular case of thermal imaging devices, a thermal scene is imaged via infrared optics onto a special thermal sensor. The image is then recreated on a microdisplay, and the microdisplay is, in turn, reimaged into the objective of the riflescope with a visible optics system. The two separate optical systems required to accomplish this feat result in a rather large, heavy, and expensive system. [0006] As technology advances, there is a need for some level of system integration to reduce the heavy processing requirements placed on the shooter. This integration is also required to decrease the “time to engagement” that is traditionally quite long when multiple devices are referenced, and calculations and adjustments have to be made. And finally, the size and weight of additional devices needed for effective use of the riflescope in low light conditions can be reduced with a more integrated solution. [0007] Fixed lx sights, such as red dots and holographic sighting systems, are lighter, less expensive, and allow passive aiming through goggles. However, due to their lx functionality, they can be limited in their utility. In addition, with a lx sight, it can be difficult to see targets at a distance and if multiple drops are displayed at the same time, the sight picture can appear very cluttered. [0008] Accordingly, the need exists for a lx sight with the capabilities and versality offered by a low power viewing optic with a microdisplay. SUMMARY [0009] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a free form prism. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to viewing optic having a free form prism. [0010] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an optical system having a free form optical prism and a microdisplay, wherein the digital image from the microdisplay is overlayed on an image scene and presented to a user with an extremely forgiving and comfortable eyebox. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a viewing optic having a free form prism and a microdisplay. In one embodiment, the viewing optic is a red dot sight or a lx sight. [0011] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an optical system prism that is a doublet made of two prisms. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an optical system beam splitter prism that is a doublet made of two prisms. [0012] In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to an optical system prism having a primary prism and a corrective prism. In one embodiment, the optical system also comprises a microdisplay. In one embodiment, the primary prism corrects and directs the light of the image generated from the microdisplay. In another embodiment, the corrective prism corrects, and removes distortion from, and directs the light of, the image from an outward scene. In another embodiment, the corrective prism corrects, and removes distortion from, and directs the image scene light. [0013] I