The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets.

Apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information

A firearm sight receives information regarding a factor, and then automatically adjusts the relative positions of a digital reticle and an image on a viewing section to compensate for the influence of the factor on a projectile trajectory. A different feature involves automatically adjusting a characteristic of the reticle based on the image. Another feature involves automatically adjusting the digital image to distinguish a portion thereof aligned with the reticle from an adjacent portion thereof. Yet another feature involves causing the firearm sight to generate an audible sound. Still another feature involves presenting information on the viewing section which represents the position of the firearm sight on the surface of the earth.

Electronic sight for firearm, and method of operating same

A microprocessor circuit that is used to monitor and control a firearm. The microprocessor circuit accomplishes this by monitoring various sensor & control inputs, and acting on these inputs to execute user defined functions. The microprocessor circuit can use the sensory input to determine firearm statistics. These statistics can include the number of times the firearm has been shot, the efficiency of the firearm automatic action, range-to-target, and etcetera. The firearm system can also use a combination of sensors to fabricate a bullet chronograph whereby the muzzle velocity of a cartridge can be determined. These statistics can be date-stamped and recorded into memory. Statistics from Law Enforcement firearms can be used for courtroom evidence and police reporting. These statistics can also be used for firearm maintenance and warranty repair. The microprocessor circuit can display the statistical data to the user via simple light emitting diodes, or sophisticated liquid crystal displays. Data can also be downloaded to a computer docking station as well. The microprocessor circuit can also display the information within the optics of a riflescope. When used in conjunction with a laser range finder sensor, the microprocessor circuit can adjust the electronic cross-hairs (reticle) to compensate for the bullet trajectory.

Firearm system for data acquisition and control

A scope assembly for use with a projectile firing device including an erect image telescope mounted upon the device. The telescope includes a housing with a series of spaced apart lenses, a reticle display field being disposed along an optical path established within the telescope and which is viewable by a user. A laser range-finding scope is housed within a component in parallel disposed fashion relative to the erect image telescope, the range-finding scope incorporating a microprocessor and timer in operative communication with a pulse generator and an infrared projector. The distance to the target is measured by the laser, pulse detector, and timer. The data is transmitted to the microprocessor which determines the vertical position required to hit the target. The compensated target aimpoint is then illuminated in the reticle display field as a horizontal line.

Infrared range-finding and compensating scope for use with a projectile firing device

A telescopic sight (10) for automatically compensating for bullet trajectory deviations is disclosed. The sight (10) includes a user input (20) and an electronic port (22) for communicating ballistic, calibration and user preference information to the sight (10). The sight (10) further includes a ranger finder (24) and an array of ambient condition sensors (26,28,30,32,34,36) for automatically generating target distance information and ambient condition information. A processor (38) uses the ballistic, calibration, user preference, distance and ambient condition information to calculate bullet trajectory deviation compensation information. The processor (38) presents the compensation to the user in the form of a compensation reticle (48) or a compensation value (50).

Telescopic sight and method for automatically compensating for bullet trajectory deviations

A device can be supported on a weapon, and has a range portion that specifies a range to a target, a sensor portion that provides sensor information representing an orientation of the device; and a sight that facilitates weapon orientation in preparation to fire the munition. The device has an electronic control portion responsive to sensor information from the sensor portion and a range from the range portion for calculating how to hit a target with a munition, and for causing the sight to present a visual indication of how to orient the weapon so that the munition will hit the target, the electronic control portion terminating the presentation of the visual indication by the sight in response to a lack of user activity for a selected time interval during the presentation of the visual indication.

Weapon sight with ballistics information persistence

A device has structure that can support the device on a weapon, and a range portion that specifies a range to a target. A sensor portion provides sensor information representing an orientation of the device, and an electronic control portion is responsive to sensor information from the sensor portion and a range from the range portion for calculating how to hit the target with a munition. The device includes a sight that facilitates weapon orientation in preparation to fire the munition, the sight having an analog indicator that is disposed within its field of view and that is responsive to the electronic control portion for indicating how to orient the weapon so that the munition will hit the target.

Weapon sight having analog on-target indicators

A device (10) includes a structure (12) that can support the device (10) on a weapon. One version of the device includes a first sight (22, 23) that facilitates weapon orientation in preparation to fire a first munition, and a second sight (66, 68) that facilitates weapon orientation in preparation to fire a second munition different from the first munition. A different version includes first and second sights (36, 38) that each facilitate weapon orientation, and an electronic control portion (216) that is operatively coupled to and simultaneously exerts control with respect to each of the first and second sights (36, 38), the first and second sights (36, 38)each displaying targeting information generated electronically by the electronic control portion.

Device with multiple sights for respective different munitions

A device has structure that can support the device on a weapon, and a range portion that specifies a range to a target. A sensor portion provides sensor information representing an orientation of the device, and an electronic control portion is responsive to sensor information from the sensor portion and a range from the range portion for calculating how to hit the target with each of first and second munitions that are different.

Weapon sight having multi-munitions ballistics computer

An apparatus has a rangefinder portion that includes: a radiation generator which emits radiation having a selected wavelength; a radiation detector which detects radiation having the selected wavelength; and an optical portion which includes a non-reciprocal optical part. The optical portion routes radiation emitted by the radiation generator at the selected wavelength through the non-reciprocal optical part and then through an aperture toward a location remote from the apparatus, and also routes radiation received via the aperture at the selected wavelength through the non-reciprocal optical part and then to the radiation detector.

John R. Staley

Papers

Weapon sight with ballistics information persistence

Weapon sight having analog on-target indicators

Device with multiple sights for respective different munitions

Weapon sight having multi-munitions ballistics computer

Method and apparatus for range finding with a single aperture