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EP-4735945-A1 - MAGNIFIER WITH CAMERA CAPABILITIES

EP4735945A1EP 4735945 A1EP4735945 A1EP 4735945A1EP-4735945-A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to viewing optics and devices for viewing optics, and more particularly to a magnifier with a prism and a camera sensor. The magnifier can be used with a viewing optic.

Inventors

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

Assignees

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

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240628

Claims (18)

  1. 1. A magnifier comprising: a body, an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the body, an ocular lens system coupled to a second end of the body, a first prism having a first surface configured to receive light from the objective lens system, a second prism configured to receive light from the first prism, wherein at least one surface of the second prism is at least partially coated with a silvered mirror, and a camera sensor.
  2. 2. The magnifier of Claim 1, wherein the at least one surface of the second prism splits the light into a first optical path and a second optical path, the light of the first optical path being directed to the ocular lens system and the light of the second optical path being directed to the camera sensor.
  3. 3. The magnifier of Claim 1, wherein the camera sensor is coupled to the surface of the second prism that is at least partially coated with a silvered mirror.
  4. 4. The magnifier of Claim 3, wherein the first prism has a second surface, the second surface configured to receive light from the first surface.
  5. 5. The magnifier of Claim 4, wherein the first prism has a third surface, the third surface configured to receive light from the second surface.
  6. 6. The magnifier of Claim 5, wherein the second prism has a first surface configured to receive light from the third surface of the first prism.
  7. 7. The magnifier of Claim 6, wherein the surface of the second prism that is at least partially coated with a silvered mirror receives light from the first surface of the second prism.
  8. 8. A system comprising the magnifier of Claim 1 and a viewing optic.
  9. 9. A system comprising the magnifier of Claim 1 and a viewing optic, the viewing optic having an optical system having a primary prism, a corrective prism and a microdisplay configured to generate an image.
  10. 10. A magnifier comprising: a body, an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the body, an ocular lens system coupled to the second end of the body, a first prism configured to receive light from the objective lens system, the first prism having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, and a second prism configured to receive light from the first prism, the second prism having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, wherein the second surface of the second prism is at least partially coated with a silvered mirror, and a camera sensor.
  11. 11. The magnifier of Claim 10, wherein the second surface of the second prism splits the light into a first optical path and a second optical path, the light of the first optical path being directed to the ocular lens system and the light of the second optical path being directed to the camera sensor.
  12. 12. The magnifier of Claim 10, wherein the camera sensor is coupled to the second surface of the second prism.
  13. 13. The magnifier of Claim 10, wherein the camera sensor is configured to send an image to an external device.
  14. 14. A system comprising the magnifier of Claim 10 and a viewing optic.
  15. 15. A system comprising the magnifier of Claim 10 and a viewing optic, the viewing optic having an optical system having a primary prism, a corrective prism and a microdisplay configured to generate an image.
  16. 16. A method for generating an image comprising: passing light from an objective lens system of a magnifier to a first prism within the magnifier; passing the light from the first prism to a surface of a second prism within the magnifier; the surface of the second prism being at least partially coated with a silvered mirror; splitting the light at the surface of the second prism into a first optical path and a second optical path, the light of the first optical path being directed to an ocular lens system of the magnifier and the light of the second optical path being directed to a camera sensor; and generating an image with camera sensor.
  17. 17. The method of Claim 16, wherein the image is transmitted to an external device.
  18. 18. The method of Claim 16, wherein the first prism comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface.

Description

MAGNIFIER WITH CAMERA CAPABILITIES 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, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/511,053 filed June 29, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. FIELD [0001] The disclosure relates to viewing optics and devices for viewing optics, and more particularly to a magnifier with camera capabilities. In certain embodiments, the magnifier can be used with a viewing optic. BACKGROUND [0002] Two of the more useful enablers for a viewing optic are: (1 ) a magnifier; and (2) a camera. A magnifier allows users to better see targets at distance. The magnifier mounts behind the viewing optic and often can be flipped in and out of the way of the viewing optic. [0003] A camera with a wireless chip can send an image seen through the viewing optic to a wireless headset. This is often referred to as Rapid Target Acquisition (RTA). RTA allows the user to do things like shoot around corners accurately while staying protected behind cover. The camera often mounts in front of the optic, or it can mount behind the optic. [0004] Unfortunately, these two enablers often cannot be used together easily. Cameras can have digital zoom, but the image often gets grainy, and the displays have inherent lag. Displays are also very power-hungry devices. A magnifier looking at a camera display can also create resolution issues. If a camera is in front of the optic, it needs to be specifically aligned so the user knows where the aim point is. If the camera is behind the optic, it needs a display to transmit the image to the user and it takes up the space where the magnifier would mount. [0005] Accordingly, the need exists for a magnifier with camera capabilities, such as a magnifier with a camera sensor. SUMMARY [0006] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a magnifier. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a magnifier with camera capabilities. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a magnifier with a camera sensor. [0007] In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a magnifier comprising a prism and a camera sensor. In one embodiment, the prism is a beam splitter. [0008] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a magnifier comprising a first prism, a second prism and a camera sensor. [0009] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a magnifier comprising: a body, an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the body, an ocular lens system coupled to the second end of the body, a first prism having a first surface configured to receive light from the objective assembly, a second prism configured to receive light from the first prism, wherein at least one surface of the second prism is at least partially coated with a silvered mirror, and a camera sensor. In one embodiment, the at least one surface of the second prism splits the light into a first optical path and a second optical path, the light of the first optical path being directed to the ocular lens system and the light of the second optical path being directed to the camera sensor. [0010] In one embodiment, the camera sensor is coupled to the surface of the second prism that is at least partially coated with a silvered mirror. [0011] In yet another embodiment, the first prism has a second surface, the second surface configured to receive light from the first surface. In another embodiment, the first prism has a third surface, the third surface configured to receive light from the second surface. [0012] In another embodiment, the second prism has a first surface configured to receive light from the third surface of the first prism. In another embodiment, the surface of the second prism that is at least partially coated with a silvered mirror receives light from the first surface of the second prism. [0013] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a system comprising a magnifier disclosed herein and a viewing optic. [0014] In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a system comprising a magnifier of disclosed herein and a viewing optic, the viewing optic having an optical system having a primary prism, a corrective prism and a microdisplay configured to generate an image. [0015] In yet another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a magnifier comprising: a body, an objective lens system coupled to a first end of the body, an ocular lens system coupled to the second end of the body, a first prism configured to receive light from the objective lens system, the first prism having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, and a second prism configured to receive light from the first prism, the second prism having a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, wherein the second surface of the second prism is at least partially coated with a silvered mirror, and a camera sensor. In one embodiment,