JP5728264B2 - Sighting device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to an aiming device that is mounted on a firearm such as a rifle, a handgun, a machine gun, and a heavy machine gun, and aims at a target.

  The conventional laser aiming device is adapted to aim at the target by irradiating the target with laser. When the target is irradiated with a laser, the irradiated portion appears to shine. As a result, the third party recognizes that the target is aimed. The aiming device is used for aiming before shooting, but if a third party recognizes that the aim was aimed before shooting, the avoidance action was taken and there was no point in aiming at aiming. .

JP 2010-25469 A

  As described above, in the conventional laser aiming device, the irradiated part of the laser appears to shine, and there is a problem that a third party recognizes that the aiming is being performed.

  Therefore, an object is to provide an aiming device that can be aimed without being recognized by a third party.

  According to the embodiment, the aiming device includes a laser transmitter, a shutter, and an opening / closing control unit. The laser transmitter transmits a pulsed laser set so that the average luminance is lower than a visible level to the target. The shutter is interposed so as to be openable and closable in the optical path of the reflected light that is reflected from the target by the pulse laser. The open / close control unit controls the opening / closing of the shutter so that the shutter is opened when the reflected light arrives and the shutter is closed when the reflected light does not arrive.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the aiming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure at the time of aiming at a target object with the aiming apparatus of FIG. In the aiming apparatus of FIG. 1, it is a figure which shows the reflected light which injects into an operator's eyes when the timing when reflected light arrives, and the timing which a shutter opens. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the aiming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure at the time of aiming at a target object with the aiming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing reflected light of a pulse laser and reflected light of a detection pulse laser in the aiming device of FIG. 4. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the aiming apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the aiming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the aiming device according to the first embodiment. The aiming device shown in FIG. 1 includes a laser transmitter 10, a shutter 20, and an opening / closing control unit 30. The laser transmitter 10, the shutter 20, and the opening / closing control unit 30 are mounted on a firearm such as a rifle, a handgun, a machine gun, and a heavy machine gun. At this time, the shutter 20 and the opening / closing control unit 30 may be integrated with a visual sighting device such as an iron sight that is mounted in advance on a firearm, or may be mounted separately. Further, the shutter 20 and the opening / closing control unit 30 may not be mounted on a firearm, and may be mounted on goggles worn by an operator of the firearm, for example.

  The laser transmitter 10 includes a laser generator 11 and a transmitter 12.

  The laser generation unit 11 generates a pulsed laser and outputs the generated pulse laser to the transmission unit 12. At this time, the intensity, generation period, and generation cycle of the pulse laser are set so that the average luminance is lower than a visible level. Here, the average luminance is obtained by taking a time average with respect to the intensity of the laser. Generally, even if the intensity of a pulsed laser is large, the human eye cannot visually recognize if the generation period is short and the average intensity is small.

  The transmission unit 12 includes a lens, for example. The transmission unit 12 shapes the laser pattern of the pulse laser from the laser generation unit 11 using this lens, and irradiates the target.

  The shutter 20 is interposed so as to be openable and closable in the optical path of the reflected light that is reflected from the target by the pulse laser. The shutter 20 opens and closes according to a control signal from the opening / closing control unit 30. When the shutter 20 is open, the reflected light passes through the shutter 20 and enters the eyes of the operator. On the other hand, when the shutter 20 is closed, the reflected light is blocked by the shutter 20.

  The opening / closing control unit 30 generates a control signal so as to open / close the shutter 20 in accordance with the timing when the reflected light arrives. That is, the open / close control unit 30 generates a control signal so that the shutter 20 is opened when the reflected light arrives, and is closed when the reflected light does not arrive. At this time, the operator manually adjusts the timing at which the opening / closing control unit 30 generates the control signal. For example, the generation period of the pulse laser generated by the laser generation unit 11 and the generation cycle are set in advance. In the opening / closing control unit 30, a pattern in which a control signal is generated is set in advance based on a generation period and a generation cycle in the laser generation unit 11. The operator gradually shifts the timing at which the control signal is generated while visually recognizing the reflected light passing through the shutter 20 so that all of the reflected light passes through the shutter 20.

  Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram when aiming at a target by the aiming device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the target is irradiated with a spot-like pulse laser. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating reflected light that enters the eyes of the operator when the timing at which the reflected light arrives coincides with the timing at which the shutter 20 opens. As shown in FIG. 3, since the field of view is blocked by the shutter 20, the operator always has a luminance difference equivalent to that irradiated with laser. Therefore, it becomes easy for the operator to visually recognize the irradiation site. On the other hand, when the timing at which the reflected light arrives and the timing at which the shutter 20 is opened do not match the brightness difference, there is a possibility that the operator cannot visually recognize the irradiated part.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, by transmitting a pulse laser from the laser transmitter 10 and reducing the average luminance, the luminance difference is reduced and the visibility is reduced. The timing at which the reflected light arrives matches the timing at which the shutter 20 opens. Thereby, since the reflected light is always incident on the operator's eyes observing through the shutter 20 together with the surrounding image, the reflected light can be easily discriminated based on the luminance difference between the reflected light and the surrounding image. On the other hand, since the average brightness of the reflected light is low, a third party has a small brightness difference between the reflected light and the surrounding image, making it difficult to visually recognize the reflected light.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the laser transmitter 10 and the open / close control unit 30 are connected by wire to transmit no signal. This is because, when connected by wire, there is a risk of disconnection or the wire may be caught, and the operability of the firearm is deteriorated. Further, since the distance to the target is indeterminate and the reflected light is delayed according to the distance, it is desirable not to match the timing at which the pulse laser is generated with the timing at which the shutter 20 is opened.

  Therefore, according to the aiming device according to the first embodiment, aiming can be performed without being recognized by a third party.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the aiming device according to the second embodiment. The aiming device shown in FIG. 4 includes a laser transmitter 40, a shutter 20, an opening / closing control unit 50, and a light receiving element 60. The laser transmitter 40, the shutter 20, the opening / closing control unit 50, and the light receiving element 60 are mounted on a firearm such as a rifle, a handgun, a machine gun, and a heavy machine gun. At this time, the shutter 20, the opening / closing control unit 50, and the light receiving element 60 may be integrated with a visual sighting device that is mounted in advance on the firearm, or may be mounted separately. Further, the shutter 20, the opening / closing control unit 50, and the light receiving element 60 may not be mounted on a firearm, and may be mounted on, for example, goggles worn by an operator of the firearm.

  The laser transmitter 40 includes a laser generator 41 and a transmitter 42.

  The laser generation unit 41 generates a pulsed laser and outputs the generated pulse laser to the transmission unit 42. At this time, the intensity, generation period, and generation cycle of the pulse laser are set so that the average luminance is lower than a visible level.

  The laser generation unit 41 generates a pulsed detection laser, and outputs the generated detection pulse laser to the transmission unit 42. At this time, the intensity, generation period, and generation cycle of the detection pulse laser are set so that the average luminance is below a visually recognizable level. However, the intensity of the detection pulse laser is larger than that of the pulse laser. At this time, the intensity of the detection pulse laser is set so that the intensity of the reflected light reflected from the target by the detection pulse laser exceeds a threshold set by the light receiving element 60 described later. Further, the generation period of the detection pulse laser is shorter than the generation period of the pulse laser. The generation period of the detection pulse laser is the same as the generation period of the pulse laser. Note that, although the cycle in which the pulse laser and the detection pulse laser are generated is the same, the generation timing is not necessarily the same. Even if the generated timings are different, the difference in the generated timings may be always constant.

  The transmission unit 42 includes a lens, for example. The transmitter 42 shapes the laser pattern of the pulse laser from the laser generator 41 and irradiates the target. Further, the transmitter 42 shapes the laser pattern of the detection pulse laser from the laser generator 41 and irradiates the target. At this time, the laser pattern of the pulse laser for detection is wider than the laser pattern of the pulse laser, and the entire target is set as the irradiation range.

  The shutter 20 is interposed so as to be openable and closable in the optical path of the reflected light that is reflected from the target by the pulse laser. The shutter 20 opens and closes according to a control signal from the opening / closing control unit 50. When the shutter 20 is open, the reflected light passes through the shutter 20 and enters the eyes of the operator. On the other hand, when the shutter 20 is closed, the reflected light is blocked by the shutter 20.

  The light receiving element 60 receives the reflected light of the pulse laser and the detection pulse laser, and determines whether or not the intensity of each reflected light exceeds a preset threshold value. Here, this threshold value is set to be larger than the intensity of the reflected light of the pulse laser and equal to or less than the intensity of the reflected light of the pulse laser for detection. When the intensity of the received reflected light exceeds a threshold value, the light receiving element 60 outputs a light reception signal to the open / close control unit 50.

  The open / close control unit 50 generates a control signal so as to open / close the shutter 20 in accordance with the timing when the reflected light arrives. When receiving the light reception signal from the light receiving element 60, the opening / closing control unit 50 predicts the timing at which the reflected light of the pulse laser arrives based on the period of receiving the light reception signal. The opening / closing control unit 50 generates a control signal in accordance with the predicted timing, and controls the opening / closing of the shutter 20.

  Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram when aiming at a target with the aiming device according to the second embodiment. The pulse laser is irradiated in a spot shape, and the detection pulse laser is irradiated in a broad shape. Thus, the pulse laser has a narrower irradiation range, and the detection pulse laser has a wider irradiation range. FIG. 5 shows a case where the pulse laser and the detection pulse laser are coaxial, but they may not be coaxial.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the reflected light of the pulse laser and the reflected light of the detection pulse laser according to the second embodiment. Since the intensity of the pulse laser is smaller than the intensity of the detection pulse laser, the light receiving element 60 detects only the reflected light of the detection pulse laser. In addition, although the generation periods of both lasers are the same, the generation timing is shifted by d for each pulse. The opening / closing control unit 50 predicts the timing at which the reflected light of the pulse laser arrives from the timing at which the light receiving signal is output from the light receiving element 60 and the magnitude of d. The opening / closing control unit 50 generates a control signal at the predicted timing and opens / closes the shutter 20 to match the timing when the reflected light arrives and the timing when the shutter 20 opens. As shown in FIG. 6, since the field of view is blocked by the shutter 20, the operator always has a luminance difference equivalent to that irradiated with the laser. Therefore, it becomes easy for the operator to visually recognize the irradiation site.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, a pulse laser is transmitted from the laser transmitter 40 to reduce the average luminance, thereby reducing the luminance difference and reducing the visibility. The timing at which the reflected light of the pulse laser arrives matches the timing at which the shutter 20 opens. Thereby, since the reflected light is always incident on the operator's eyes observing through the shutter 20 together with the surrounding image, the reflected light can be easily discriminated based on the luminance difference between the reflected light and the surrounding image. On the other hand, since the average brightness of the reflected light is low, a third party has a small brightness difference between the reflected light and the surrounding image, making it difficult to visually recognize the reflected light.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, the light receiving element 60 which detects having received reflected light is provided. Even if the reflected light of the pulse laser is detected by the light receiving element 60, it is difficult to detect the reflected light because the irradiation range of the pulse laser is narrow. Therefore, in addition to the pulse laser, a detection pulse laser having a wider irradiation range than the pulse laser irradiation range is further transmitted. As a result, the reflected light of the detection pulse laser can be detected. The timing at which the reflected light of the detection pulse laser arrives is grasped by the light reception signal from the light receiving element 60, and the timing at which the reflected light from the pulse laser arrives is predicted based on this timing. This makes it possible to automatically and immediately acquire the timing for opening the shutter 20. For this reason, even when the distance between the delivery port of the laser transmitter 10 and the target changes dynamically, the timing at which the reflected light arrives can be automatically matched with the timing at which the shutter 20 opens. It becomes possible.

  In the second embodiment, the intensity of the detection pulse laser is made larger than the intensity of the pulse laser so that only the reflected light of the detection pulse laser exceeds the threshold of the light receiving element 60. Thereby, the light receiving element 60 does not mistake the reflected light of the detection pulse laser and the reflected light of the pulse laser.

  Therefore, according to the aiming device according to the second embodiment, aiming can be performed without being recognized by a third party.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the aiming device according to the third embodiment. The aiming device shown in FIG. 7 includes a laser transmitter 10, an imaging unit 70, an image processing unit 80, and a display unit 90. The laser transmitter 10, the imaging unit 70, the image processing unit 80, and the display unit 90 are mounted on a firearm such as a rifle, a handgun, a machine gun, and a heavy machine gun. The photographing unit 70, the image processing unit 80, and the display unit 90 may not be mounted on a firearm, but may be mounted on goggles worn by an operator of the firearm.

  The laser transmitter 10 includes a laser generator 11 and a transmitter 12.

  The laser generation unit 11 generates a pulsed laser and outputs the generated pulse laser to the transmission unit 12. At this time, the intensity, generation period, and generation cycle of the pulse laser are set so that the average luminance is lower than a visible level.

  The transmission unit 12 includes a lens, for example. The transmission unit 12 shapes the laser pattern of the pulse laser from the laser generation unit 11 using this lens, and irradiates the target.

  The photographing unit 70 photographs a target. The imaging unit 70 outputs the captured video signal to the image processing unit 80.

  The image processing unit 80 receives the video signal from the photographing unit 70 and checks the still images constituting the video one by one. The image processing unit 80 extracts still images in which the irradiated part of the pulse laser is captured by comparing the front and rear still images. The image processing unit 80 outputs the extracted still image to the display unit 90 as a video signal.

  The display unit 90 displays the video signal from the image processing unit 80.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, by transmitting a pulse laser from the laser transmitter 10 and reducing the average luminance, the luminance difference is reduced and the visibility is reduced. Then, the image processing unit 80 extracts a still image in which the irradiated part of the pulse laser is imaged, and displays the extracted still image on the display unit 90 as a moving image. Thereby, since the irradiation site is always displayed together with the surrounding image for the operator observing the display unit 90, it becomes easy to determine the irradiation site based on the luminance difference between the irradiation site and the surrounding image. On the other hand, since the average brightness of the reflected light is low, a third party has a small brightness difference between the reflected light and the surrounding image, making it difficult to visually recognize the reflected light.

  Therefore, according to the aiming device according to the third embodiment, aiming can be performed without being recognized by a third party.

  In the third embodiment, a case has been described in which the image processing unit 80 extracts a still image in which a pulse laser irradiation site is imaged, and the display unit 90 displays the extracted still image. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the image processing unit 80 may analyze the position of the irradiated part from the extracted still image and add the irradiated part to the still image in which the irradiated part is not photographed. Then, the image processing unit 80 outputs the extracted still image and the still image to which the irradiation site is added to the display unit 90 as a video signal. The display unit 90 displays the video signal from the image processing unit 80. Thereby, the display on the display unit 90 becomes smoother.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the aiming device according to the fourth embodiment. The aiming device shown in FIG. 8 includes a laser transmitter 40, an imaging unit 70, an image processing unit 100, a display unit 90, an extraction control unit 110, and a light receiving element 60. The laser transmitter 40, the imaging unit 70, the image processing unit 100, the display unit 90, the extraction control unit 110, and the light receiving element 60 are mounted on a firearm such as a rifle, a handgun, a machine gun, and a heavy machine gun. In addition, the photographing unit 70, the image processing unit 100, the display unit 90, the extraction control unit 110, and the light receiving element 60 may not be mounted on a firearm, for example, mounted on goggles worn by an operator of the firearm. It doesn't matter.

  The laser transmitter 40 includes a laser generator 41 and a transmitter 42.

  The laser generation unit 41 generates a pulsed laser and outputs the generated pulse laser to the transmission unit 42. At this time, the intensity, generation period, and generation cycle of the pulse laser are set so that the average luminance is lower than a visible level.

  The laser generation unit 41 generates a pulsed detection laser, and outputs the generated detection pulse laser to the transmission unit 42. At this time, the intensity, generation period, and generation cycle of the detection pulse laser are set so that the average luminance is below a visually recognizable level. However, the intensity of the detection pulse laser is larger than that of the pulse laser. At this time, the intensity of the detection pulse laser is set so that the intensity of the reflected light reflected from the target by the detection pulse laser exceeds a threshold set by the light receiving element 60 described later. Further, the generation period of the detection pulse laser is shorter than the generation period of the pulse laser. The generation period of the detection pulse laser is the same as the generation period of the pulse laser. Note that, although the cycle in which the pulse laser and the detection pulse laser are generated is the same, the generation timing is not necessarily the same. Even if the generated timings are different, the difference in the generated timings may be always constant.

  The transmission unit 42 includes a lens, for example. The transmitter 42 shapes the laser pattern of the pulse laser from the laser generator 41 and irradiates the target. Further, the transmitter 42 shapes the laser pattern of the detection pulse laser from the laser generator 41 and irradiates the target. At this time, the laser pattern of the pulse laser for detection is wider than the laser pattern of the pulse laser, and the entire target is set as the irradiation range.

  The light receiving element 60 receives the reflected light of the pulse laser and the detection pulse laser, and determines whether or not the intensity of each reflected light exceeds a preset threshold value. Here, this threshold value is set to be larger than the intensity of the reflected light of the pulse laser and equal to or less than the intensity of the reflected light of the pulse laser for detection. The light receiving element 60 outputs a light reception signal to the open / close control unit 110 when the intensity of the received reflected light exceeds a threshold value.

  The extraction control unit 110 outputs a control signal to the image processing unit 100 so as to extract a still image at the timing when the reflected light arrives. That is, when receiving the light reception signal from the light receiving element 60, the extraction control unit 110 predicts the timing at which the reflected light of the pulse laser arrives based on the period of receiving the light reception signal. The extraction control unit 110 outputs a control signal to the image processing unit 100 so as to extract a still image at the predicted timing.

  The photographing unit 70 photographs a target. The imaging unit 70 outputs the captured video signal to the image processing unit 100.

  The image processing unit 100 receives a video signal from the imaging unit 70. The image processing unit 100 extracts a still image at a predetermined timing from a plurality of still images constituting a video. At this time, the image processing unit 100 extracts a still image at a timing instructed by a control signal from the extraction control unit 110. The image processing unit 100 outputs the extracted still image to the display unit 90 as a video signal.

  The display unit 90 displays the video signal from the image processing unit 100.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, a pulse laser is transmitted from the laser transmitter 40 to reduce the average luminance, thereby reducing the luminance difference and reducing the visibility. Then, the image processing unit 100 extracts a still image in which the irradiated part of the pulse laser is imaged, and displays the extracted still image on the display unit 90 as a moving image. Thereby, since the irradiation site is always displayed together with the surrounding image for the operator observing the display unit 90, it becomes easy to determine the irradiation site based on the luminance difference between the irradiation site and the surrounding image. On the other hand, since the average brightness of the reflected light is low, a third party has a small brightness difference between the reflected light and the surrounding image, making it difficult to visually recognize the reflected light.

  Moreover, in 4th Embodiment, the light receiving element 60 which detects having received reflected light is provided. In addition to the pulse laser, a detection pulse radar having a wider irradiation range than the pulse laser is transmitted. Then, the extraction control unit 110 grasps the timing at which the reflected light of the detection pulse laser arrives from the light reception signal from the light receiving element 60, and based on this timing, the timing at which the image processing unit 100 extracts the still image. I'm trying to tell you. As a result, the image processing unit 100 can extract a still image in which an irradiation site is photographed without comparing images as shown in the third embodiment. For this reason, it is possible to suppress processing in the image processing unit 100.

  Therefore, according to the aiming device according to the fourth embodiment, aiming can be performed without being recognized by a third party.

  In the fourth embodiment, an example has been described in which the image processing unit 100 extracts a still image in which a pulse laser irradiation site is imaged, and the display unit 90 displays the extracted still image. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the image processing unit 100 may analyze the position of the irradiation site from the extracted still image and add the irradiation site to the still image in which the irradiation site is not captured. Then, the image processing unit 100 outputs the extracted still image and the still image to which the irradiation site is added to the display unit 90 as a video signal. The display unit 90 displays the video signal from the image processing unit 80. Thereby, the display on the display unit 90 becomes smoother.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 40 ... Laser transmitter 11, 41 ... Laser production | generation part 12, 42 ... Transmission part 20 ... Shutter 30, 50 ... Opening / closing control part 60 ... Light receiving element 70 ... Imaging | photography part 80,100 ... Image processing part 90 ... Display part extraction Control unit 110

Claims (9)

A laser transmitter that transmits a pulsed laser set to an average brightness below a visible level to a target;
A shutter interposed between the pulsed laser so as to be opened and closed in an optical path of reflected light reflected by the target;
An opening / closing control unit that controls opening / closing of the shutter so as to open the shutter when the reflected light arrives and close the shutter when the reflected light does not arrive ;
A light receiving element that outputs a light reception signal to the open / close control unit when receiving reflected light having an intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold;
Further comprising
The laser transmitter includes a pulse laser for detection that has a wider irradiation range than the pulse laser, the intensity of reflected light exceeds the threshold, and the average luminance is set to be lower than a visible level. Transmit further in the same cycle as the laser,
The opening / closing control unit predicts a timing at which the reflected light of the pulse laser arrives based on a timing at which the light reception signal is generated, and controls opening / closing of the shutter according to the predicted timing. . The shutter and the closing control unit, according to claim 1 Symbol placement of the aiming device, characterized in that the laser transmitter is mounted on the firearm to be mounted. The shutter and the closing control unit, according to claim 1 Symbol placement of the aiming device, characterized in that the laser transmitter is mounted in conjunction with the previously provided is sight firearms to be mounted. The shutter and the closing control unit, operator claim 1 Symbol placement of the aiming device, characterized in that it is mounted on goggles fitted. A laser transmitter that transmits a pulse laser set to an average brightness below a visible level to a target;
An imaging unit for imaging the target;
An image processing unit that extracts a still image in which an irradiation site of the pulse laser in the target is imaged from a still image constituting a video acquired by the imaging unit;
A sighting device comprising: a display unit for displaying the extracted still image. When receiving reflected light of a predetermined threshold intensity above, a light receiving element for output the received light signal,
A control unit that predicts the timing at which the reflected light of the pulse laser arrives based on the timing at which the received light signal is generated, and further outputs a control signal to the image processing unit according to the predicted timing;
The laser transmitter includes a pulse laser for detection that has a wider irradiation range than the pulse laser, the intensity of reflected light exceeds the threshold, and the average luminance is set to be lower than a visible level. Transmit further in the same cycle as the laser,
The image processing unit extracts a still image in which the irradiation site is imaged from a still image constituting a video acquired by the imaging unit in accordance with the control signal from the control unit. Item 6. The aiming device according to item 5 . The aiming device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the photographing unit, the image processing unit, and the display unit are mounted on a firearm on which the laser transmitter is mounted. The aiming device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the photographing unit, the image processing unit, and the display unit are mounted together with an aiming device provided in advance in a firearm on which the laser transmitter is mounted. . The aiming device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the photographing unit, the image processing unit, and the display unit are mounted on goggles worn by an operator.

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