Fire-control system

Abstract

A fire-control system including a housing, a light channel, a light source, and a processor. Through the light channel, a user may directly observe a target and receive visually displayed information simultaneously. The light channel includes partially reflective optics and allows for visualization of a reticle to the user via the partially reflective optics. A measure of the distance to the target is also received by the system. The processor is for determining the adequate position of the reticle, based on the distance to the target, and for controlling the light source to emit light so that the reticle is visualized at the adequate position. The light source is an array capable of selectively emitting light in well defined locations on its surface.

Claims

1. A fire-control system comprising: a housing, a light channel within the housing, through which a user may directly observe a target and receive visually displayed information simultaneously, said light channel comprising partially reflective optics that are statically mounted relative to the housing, a light source for visualization of a reticle to the user via the partially reflective optics, wherein the light source is statically mounted relative to the housing, means for receiving a measure of the distance to the target a processor configured to determine an adequate position of the reticle, based on the distance to the target, and to control the light source to emit light so that the reticle is visualized at the adequate position, wherein the light source is an array capable of selectively emitting light in well defined locations on its surface, and the partially reflective optics are adapted to reflect the light and image the emitted light for generation of a virtual reticle and to create an image of the reticle which is parallax free relative to the target, wherein a display lens system displaying the reticle for the user comprises one or more lens, together with an inclined reflector, are adapted to generate an image of the array placed in the focal plane of an exit lens system arranged at an exit window of the fire-control system, and wherein the exit lens system is adapted to reflect the reflected light and the emitted light and generate a parallax free image of the array for the user and an optical axis of the exit lens system is not parallel to an optical axis of the display lens system.

2. The fire-control system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting array is a one-dimensional array capable of selectively emitting light in well defined locations on its surface.

3. The fire-control system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting array is a two-dimensional array capable of selectively emitting light in well defined locations on its surface.

4. The fire-control system of claim 3, wherein the light-emitting array is an array of resonant-cavity light emitting diodes.

5. The fire-control system of claim 1, wherein the light-emitting array has a trapezoid shape.

6. The fire-control system of claim 1, wherein the fire-control system further comprises a range finder within its housing.

7. The fire-control system of claim 1, wherein the fire-control system further comprises a sensor for measuring inclination of the fire-control system in a cross-direction, and means for compensating the position of the position of the reticle responding to said inclination.

8. The fire-control system of claim 1, wherein the fire-control system further comprises means for communication with external sources.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the fire-control system according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a side view.

(2) FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate various configuration of a light-emitting array.

(3) FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the operations performed by the fire-control system of FIG. 1.

(4) FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a fire-control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a grenade weapon having a handle adapted for control of the fire control system.

(6) FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for displaying a reticle in a fire-control system in accordance to the invention.

(7) FIG. 8 illustrates a computer program for executing the method of FIG. 7

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(8) The general structure and function of the inventive fire-control system in the embodiment of a sight 1 is described referring to FIG. 1, which is a schematic representation of the sight, as viewed from one side. In the depicted view a target would be situated to the right, and the user to the left. The user may observe the target directly through a light channel housing an entrance window 2, an angled narrow-banded reflector 4, a dual lens system 6, 8, and a protective exit window 10 having essentially the same purpose as the entrance window 2. The entrance window 2 may also consist of a lens, which may be used to correct for possible distortions. All components will be defined in the following, and one important feature of the optical components are that they do not disturb the light path from the target to the eye of the user to any significant degree, by introducing distortion. It is also to be understood that the sight 1 as such is non-magnifying. A user may therefore observe a target in a direct fashion and with both eyes open, as oppose to a system that may use a camera and a display, or a system shifting the light-path in some way. The general purpose of the sight is to display a reticle at the correct position. Starting from the left the entrance window 2 acts as a protective window, and is arranged to enable moist sealing and dust sealing of a practical system. The next component is the inclined reflector 4, which is more intimately related to the imaging system and thus will be described later. Two spherical lenses 6, 8 of the dual lens system are arranged at the other end of the light channel, opposite to the protective window 2. The two lenses 6, 8, which are spherical, together perform the function of a parabolic mirror in relation to a reticle, which also will be described in relation to the imaging system. The imaging system of the fire-control system comprises a two-dimensional array 12 of light emitting diodes, preferably resonant cavity light emitting diodes (RCLED), which may be arranged to be very energy efficient, which is described in a previous application by the same applicant in relation to a single RCLED. In the following the two-dimensional array of RCLED:s will only be referred to as the array 12. The array 12 may be fully controlled via input from a CPU (not shown), so as to emit light from selected portions of its surface. Light from the array 12 will pass through a first and a second lens, 14 and 16, respectively, which together with the inclined reflector 4 generates an image of the array 12 placed in the focal plane of the lens system 6, 8, which in turn reflect the beams and generates a parallax free image of the array 12 for a user. By activating selected areas of the array 12 the user will consequently be able to observe a reticle (or other another type of indication) overlaying the target. The array 12 has a well defined wavelength .sub.a and the first and second lens 14, 16 transmits .sub.a. The inclined reflector 4 reflects a portion of light having a wavelength .sub.a, towards the lens system 6, 8. The lens system 6, 8 is adapted to reflect as much light having the wavelength .sub.a while transmitting light of any other wavelength. In this way a user may observe the target and the reticle simultaneously.

(9) The imaging system, including the array 12, the lenses 14, 16, the inclined reflector 4 and the lens system 6, 8 are preferable integrated into a unit, such as to enable a rigid and robust construction able to maintain adequate precision while being handled roughly.

(10) In one or more embodiments the light-emitting array 12 comprises a two-dimensional diode array of close-packed diodes (RCLED:s) having low power consumption. Such a diode array may be custom-built by IRnova (SE) or PRP Optoelectronics (GB). The wavelength of the emitted light is approximately 650 nm, well within the visible range, yet far enough from wavelength range where the human eye is the most sensitive (around 555 nm). The array may be quadratic or rectangular or have other more complex shapes, as will be described below.

(11) FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate two alternative embodiments of arrays 12, which may be used in relation to the present invention. The array disclosed in FIG. 2A is of standard design in regard of its shape, and the array of FIG. 2B has been invented for use in the present fire-control system and has a trapezoid shape. The shorter of the parallel sides of the trapezoid has a width of about 30-50 pixels, e.g. 40 pixels, and the longer of the parallel sides has a width of about 100-140 pixels, e.g. 120 pixels. The distance between the parallel sides may be about 150-200 pixels, e.g. 175 pixels.

(12) Giving the array a trapezoid shape will result in several advantages, all relating to the fact that the function of the array will be maintained while its area will be reduced (both as compared to a conventional rectangular array). Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the present applicant has not revealed any significant disadvantages, which makes it easier to appreciate the advantages. One advantage is that during production the array is cut from a substrate, and the inventive design enables more arrays to be produced from the same substrate. The array of FIG. 2B is arranged in the fire-control system 1 so that the narrow end may be used to image the reticle for targets being far away. The shape of the array results in a fewer number of pixels, which increases the yield during production.

(13) The lens system 6, 8 may be coated so as to act as a bandpass filter, transmitting all visible wavelengths between 420 and 1100 nm but for a narrow wavelength interval including the wavelength emitted by the array 12, which itself is reflected. The longer wavelength are used for Night Vision Device (NVD).

(14) Since the light from the array has a wavelength of e.g. 650 nm, most light will be transmitted, and in particular light in a wavelength range where the human eye is most sensitive.

(15) The image generated is a virtual image created at an infinite distance from the user, in order to relax the eye of the user maximally. The user may observe the image through the protective window 2, the same window through which the target is observed. A second protective window 10 may, as have been mentioned above, be arranged in front of the lens system 6, 8. This protective window 10 may be inclined order to avoid reflections visible from the target area. Apart from protecting the sight from physical damage, the protective window 10 may also be coated to prevent transmission of hazardous radiation, such as infrared radiation from laser rangefinders, and in the absence of a second protective window 10 such coating may be provided on another optical surface of the system. Further, all optical surfaces may be coated with an anti-reflection (AR) coating to increase transmission. If external reflections are to be avoided the sight may be provided with a killflash filter.

(16) A third part of the sight may house the optional laser rangefinder 18 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), which may be of standard type operating at 1550 nm (not visible with standard night-vision systems) as well as the processing hardware, software and storage capabilities utilized. Other standard wavelengths used are around 900 nm, still in the infrared, and visible light. The latter having the disadvantage of exposing a visible flash of light. The laser rangefinder 18 is operated by the user, and the result of a distance measurement is used as an input to the processing section of the sight 1. The laser beam of the rangefinder will follow a rectilinear path, and thus a reticle for the rangefinder may be displayed at the same position in disregard of the distance to the target. The use of an integrated rangefinder 18 is preferred and preferable features for the rangefinder 18 for the intended application is high reliability and accuracy, low power consumption and low weight. In one or more embodiments the rangefinder may be tailor-made by Vectronix or JENOPTIK AG (DE), to fulfill the above preferences. These features are also important for the processing hardware, software and storage capabilities utilized. Existing possible processors include a main processor in the fire-control system and a processor in the handle (to be described referring to FIG. 6) both having a power consumption in an idle state of 0.1 A. For other applications the weight and power consumption may be less important, and the sight need not be optimized in regard to the above parameters.

(17) All components of the fire-control system may preferably be statically mounted, such as the array 12, and both the lens systems 14,16 and 6, 8, as well as the inclined reflector 4. As has been mentioned before, this will increase the ruggedness of the fire-control system as compared to a system where interior components are movable. There may be embodiments of the present invention too, however, that offer movable components, even if this is not the preferred construction.

(18) Apart from visualizing the reticle, the array 12 may operate as an alphanumerical display, such that it can be used to display current information regarding distance, type of ammunition, etc.

(19) FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the processing section of the inventive sight. The block-diagram is a simplified diagram with the purpose of illustrating the operations of the sight 1. In use, data relating to a distance to a target and other optional inputs are transferred to the processor, which uses them in combination with relevant data from the memory to calculate the correct reticle. A control signal for controlling the array 12 is output from the processor, and the array 12 starts emitting light from a specific location (one or several) as a result.

(20) The list in input section of FIG. 3 is extensive, and yet non-exhaustive. There are numerous of inputs that may be used for aiding in using the sight, whereof the type of ammunition and the distance to the target are two important inputs. One advantage of the present sight is that its construction allows it to be versatile, and basically any information affecting the trajectory of the ammunition used, or other parameters relevant for the user, may be used by the processor/microcontroller or displayed to the user. This information may also be communicated from the sight to other external units.

(21) The distance to the target is generally measured with the rangefinder, but could also be input by the user, or by the sight receiving information by other means. The same is true for the type of ammunition, which either is detected automatically or input by the user.

(22) The memory contains all information needed to control the sight. Such as tables and algorithms related to ammunition properties. The memory may communicate with external units such as to allow for updates, etc.

(23) Examples of input variables include, but is not limited to Ammunition data, type of ammunition, ammunition properties (trajectories coupled to distance, wind speed etc.); Target data, distance, relative altitude, velocity, geographical coordinates; Environmental data, air speed, air temperature, geographical coordinates; Weapon data, inclination, velocity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, geographical coordinates; User settings, manual inputs, corrections

(24) FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the fire-control system according to one embodiment. By comparison with corresponding reference numbers in FIG. 1 the alignment of the views of FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, are self-explanatory.

(25) Apart from what has already been described, FIG. 4 illustrates a housing 20. The housing 20 seals and protects the interior from water and impacts. The housing needs to be rigid and durable. In one embodiment it is made of extruded, high strength aluminum, which is anodized, providing a strong, rigid and durable housing with a low weight. There are other alternatives for the housing too, such as reinforced plastics or composite materials. The housing 20 has contact surfaces to other components, such as protection windows 2, 10 etc, and the choice of material is preferably such that the housing and related components have similar properties in relation to heat expansion. If not, it will be difficult to achieve a sight having adequate properties, and the choice of material may be made freely within the boundaries of that the sight preferably fulfills a harsh specification related to temperature, moisture etc. A lower portion of the housing 20, which portion may be a separate part attached to the housing, contains a power source in the form of a battery pack. This portion may also comprise a control device 22 for regulating the intensity of the light emitted by the array 12. The actual control of the RCLED intensity may be performed by varying pulse length to the RCLED in such a way that the human eye interprets it like a variation in intensity. This control method is thoroughly described in the application EP 1 210 561 A by the present applicant and will not be described in any further detail here, though the relevant details of said application are incorporated by reference. Also adjusting the current in the pulses can be used to increase the range in which the intensity can be set. This is specially important when using NVD.

(26) A key pad 24 may be used as an interface between the sight and the user. The key pad 24 has a conventional functionality and is connected to control electronics of the sight in a conventional manner.

(27) Further, mounts 30 for mounting the sight to a weapon are shown. Connections to remote control devices are preferable wireless, using e.g. suitable means for wireless communication. The use of wireless connections simplifies the task keeping the interior of the fire-control system protected from the outside environment (moist, dust, gases). If physical connectors are desired they may be arranged for at a suitable position, e.g. for a remote control and charging/communication/auxiliary devices. The remote control may be used to simplify input during shooting, such that the user can aim at a target having the correct shooting position and input data at the same time. The remote control could have a design similar to the keypad 24, or have a simplified design, comprising e.g. buttons for using the rangefinder and correcting the reticle only. FIG. 4 also illustrates the intensity knob 22, which is a rotary switch used in order to adjust the intensity of the reticle. Auxiliary devices include a keyboard, a GNSS receiver, a gyro device, an inclinometer, device for communication with the ammunition and/or any other element performing functions as demonstrated above with reference to FIG. 3. The auxiliary devices, or other types of external information, may communicate with the sight via a wire or via wireless communication, as discussed above. Wireless communication can also occur between the ammunition and the sight, such as information related to timing of the ammunition. Some or all of these devices may also be incorporated into the actual fire-control device. The connections may also be used for downloading new processing software and ammunition tables/algorithms etc.

(28) FIG. 5 shows the fire-control system in a perspective view from a direction such that the output lens 36 and the receiving lens, 38 of the rangefinder 18 are visible. Opposite to the intensity knob 22, the battery cap 40 is shown. For ease of maintenance the sight preferably uses standard AA batteries, available all over the world, as energy source. Of course rechargeable AA batteries as well as Lithium batteries can be used.

(29) FIG. 6 illustrates a recoilless grenade weapon provided onto which the inventive fire-control system may be mounted, on the mount 42. The fire-control system may then be connected to a control device, arranged on front handle 44 of the weapon. Three control buttons 46, 48, 50 are arranged within reach of a users thumb while gripping the front handle 44. The communication between the control device on the front handle 44 and the fire-control system is preferably wireless, e.g. via a Texas Instruments CC2500 low power transceiver.

(30) When using the sight the user has to switch it on and, if it is used for a new purpose, initiate it by setting some user parameters, such as the type of ammunition used, various offsets etc. When looking in the sight and pushing the LRF (Laser Range Finder) knob the user will then see a static illuminated reticle, which is used to direct the rangefinder onto a target and zeroed with the rangefinder. When the static illuminated reticle is superimposed over the target the rangefinder may be activated, e.g. by releasing the knob. This action results in that the distance to the target is measured and can be displayed by the alphanumerical display. It can also result in that a second reticle, e.g. with pulsating intensity, is displayed to the user. The user may then have the opportunity to adjust the position of the second reticle in order to compensate for target movement, wind etc, before superimposing the second reticle over the target and firing the weapon, if any of these parameters is not compensated for by the fire-control system. After firing the weapon the position of the second reticle may be adjusted yet again. The second reticle may differ visually from the first, if displayed at the same time, in order to avoid confusion. The skilled person realizes that this can be achieved in several different ways.

(31) Correction of the position of the reticle as a response to the inclination of the weapon will be described next. In order to achieve such a correction the sight, or the weapon, has to be provided with a sensor for measuring inclination, e.g. an inclinometer from Freescale Semiconductor. If the distance to the target was the only parameter to be considered the inclination in the length direction of the weapon would be accounted for in the initial target acquisition, i.e. by measuring the distance to the target. Another parameter that has to be accounted for, however, occurs when firing at a target being positioned at a lower or higher altitude than the weapon itself. Provided that the weapon receives information regarding difference in altitude this inclination too is accounted for when performing the initial acquisition of the target. This may be achieved by combining the information from the distance measurement with information from an inclinometer, detecting the inclination in the length direction of the weapon. The information may also be acquired from other sources. An inclination, or tilt, in the cross direction of the weapon may occur when the user is tilting the weapon by mistake. The tilt is less predictable than the inclination in the length direction, since it may be altered between the acquisition of the target and the actual moment of firing the weapon, and it is self explanatory how the tilt may cause a significant miss of the target. One way of eliminating the problem of tilt may be to introduce a virtual horizon, or other indication of how the weapon should be tilted in order to reach a horizontal position in the cross direction. According to another embodiment of the present invention, however, the CPU rapidly determines, by analyzing a signal from the inclination sensors, the tilt of the weapon, after which the position of the reticle is adjusted accordingly. One beneficial effect of the latter technique is that the information displayed to the user may be kept at a minimum, shortening the time between target acquisition and the first shot fired at the target. If the tilt of the weapon is too large, so that the adjusted position of the reticle is outside of the capacity of the array, the system may be adapted to provide an indication regarding how the weapon should be tilted back. One example of such an indication may be a twinkling arrow, or other shape that may not be confused with the reticle.

(32) The method according to the present invention, as illustrated in the drawings is suitable for implementation with aid of processing means, such as computers and/or processors. Therefore, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions arranged to cause the processing means, processor, or computer to perform the steps of the method according to any of the embodiments described or the method necessary to make the fire-control system according to any embodiment described operate in the desired manner. The steps are preferably performed by the processing means, processor, or computer in cooperation with physical means, such as those described with reference to any of the disclosed embodiments, with aid of e.g. an illumination control circuit powering the light source(s) of the array. The computer program preferably comprises program code, as illustrated in FIG. 8, which is stored on a computer readable medium 602, which can be loaded and executed by a processing means, processor, or computer 604 to cause it to perform the method according to the present invention, preferably as any of the exemplary embodiments described with reference to the drawings. The computer program can for example cause the processor to correct calculated trajectories to account for windage etc, or the compensated position for the reticle resulting from a tilt of the fire-control system.

(33) The computer and computer program can be arranged to execute the program code sequentially where actions of the any of the methods are performed stepwise, or be arranged to execute the program code on a real-time basis where actions of any of the methods are performed upon need and availability of data. The processing means, processor, or computer is preferably what normally is referred to as an embedded system. Thus, the depicted computer readable medium 602 and computer 604 in FIG. 8 should be construed to be for illustrative purposes only to provide understanding of the principle, and not to be construed as any direct illustration of the elements.

(34) The present invention is particularly well suited for weapons firing ammunition with a high trajectory, such as an underslung grenade launcher (UGL), automatic grenade launcher (AGL), recoilless grenade rifle (such as the Carl Gustaf), etc, and may to the full extent be used on such a weapon.