Aiming device with light sensor

Abstract

An optical aiming device for mounting on a firearm is provided, having a housing defining a barrel axis; an optical element received in the housing; an illumination device being arranged to project light onto the optical element to display a reticle, the reticle having a first light intensity; a light sensor arrangement comprising a first sensor defining a first effective detector angle of view and providing a first sensor signal and a second sensor defining a second effective detector angle of view and providing a second sensor signal, the light sensor arrangement being arranged to cooperate with the illumination device to enable adjustment of the light intensity of the reticle to a second light intensity as a function of the first and second sensor signals; and a processor configured to communicate with the light sensor arrangement to adjust the light intensity of the reticle as a function of the first and second sensor signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optical device comprising:
 an optical element disposed in an optical axis;   an illumination device arranged to project light onto the optical element to provide a display on the optical element;   a light sensor arrangement providing a first sensor signal based on light intensity in a forward-aimed direction and a second sensor signal based on ambient light intensity; and   a processor configured to communicate with the light sensor arrangement and the illumination device to adjust the light intensity of the display as a function of the first and second sensor signals; wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the first sensor signal is static, increasing, or decreasing during sequential measurements.   
     
     
         2 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 operate the light intensity of the display according to a first sensitivity when the second sensor signal is above a first light threshold; and   operate the light intensity of the display according to a second sensitivity when the second sensor signal is below a second light threshold.   
     
     
         3 . The optical device of  claim 2  wherein the processor is configured to:
 operate the light intensity of the display with no change when the first sensor signal is static; 
 when the second sensor signal is above the first light threshold, 
 increase the light intensity of the display by a first factor when the first sensor signal increases, and 
 decrease the light intensity of the display by the first factor when the first sensor signal decreases; or 
 when the second sensor signal is below the second light threshold, 
 increase the light intensity of the display by a second factor applied when the first sensor signal increases, and 
 decrease the light intensity of the display according to a third factor when the first sensor signal decreases. 
 
     
     
         4 . The optical device of  claim 2  wherein the first light threshold is the same as the second light threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The optical device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical device comprises an optical reflex sight, a riflescope or a prism sight. 
     
     
         6 . The optical device of  claim 1  wherein the first sensor signal is provided by a directional sensor aimed in a first direction substantially parallel to the optical axis and the second sensor signal is provided by an omnidirectional sensor aimed in a second direction different from the first direction. 
     
     
         7 . The optical device of  claim 6  wherein the directional sensor has a first effective detector angle of view that is narrower than a second effective detector angle of view of the omnidirectional sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The optical device of  claim 7  wherein the first effective detector angle of view is between 15 and 90 degrees and the second effective detector angle of view is between 120 and 180 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The optical device of  claim 6  wherein the omnidirectional sensor is powered by a photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         10 . The optical device of  claim 6  wherein the omnidirectional sensor is a photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
         11 . The optical device of  claim 6 , wherein the optical device is configured for mounting on a firearm and comprises
 a housing defining the optical axis, wherein the optical element is received in the housing; and   wherein the directional sensor is aimed in a first direction substantially parallel to an axis of a barrel of the firearm and the omnidirectional sensor is aimed in a second direction different from the first direction.   
     
     
         12 . The optical device of  claim 1  wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a sensor adjacent to a narrow aperture having a first angle for detecting directional light intensity to provide the first sensor signal, and adjacent to a large aperture having a second angle larger than the first angle providing a wide field of view for detecting ambient light intensity to provide the second sensor signal. 
     
     
         13 . The optical device of  claim 12 , wherein the optical device is configured for mounting on a firearm and comprises
 a housing defining the optical axis, wherein the optical element is received in the housing; and   wherein the narrow aperture is aimed in a first direction substantially parallel to an axis of a barrel of the firearm and the large aperture is aimed in a second direction different from the first direction.   
     
     
         14 . The optical device of  claim 1  wherein the display comprises a reticle, aiming mark or aiming point. 
     
     
         15 . The optical device of  claim 1  further comprising an IR sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The optical device of  claim 1  further comprising a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The optical device of  claim 1  further comprising a network adapter to transmit data to or receive data from a remote device. 
     
     
         18 . The optical device of  claim 1  further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the accelerometer is configured to detect inclination angle and movement of the optical device and wherein the processor suspends adjustment of the light intensity of the reticle as a function of the first and second sensor signals when the inclination angle exceeds a predetermined angle or non-steady movement is detected. 
     
     
         19 . An optical device comprising:
 an optical element disposed in an optical axis;   an illumination device arranged to project light onto the optical element to provide a display on the optical element;   a light sensor arrangement providing a first sensor signal based on light intensity in a forward-aimed direction and a second sensor signal based on ambient light intensity; and   one or more processors and a storage medium having computer readable instructions embodied therewith, which when operated by the one or more processors,   cause the one or more processors to   receive the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal from the light sensor arrangement;   determine whether the first sensor signal is static, increasing, or decreasing during sequential measurements;   and communicate with the illumination device to adjust the light intensity of the display as a function of the first and second sensor signals.   
     
     
         20 . A method for adjusting light intensity of a display on an optical element disposed in an optical axis of an optical device, the method comprising one or more processors
 receiving from a light sensor arrangement of the optical device a first sensor signal based on light intensity in a forward-aimed direction and a second sensor signal based on ambient light intensity;   determining whether the first sensor signal is static, increasing, or decreasing during sequential measurements; and   communicating with an illumination device of the optical device to adjust the light intensity of the display as a function of the first and second sensor signals; wherein the illumination device is arranged to project light onto the optical element, thereby providing the display.