Aiming Systems

US20220221251A1 – Digital Reticle System

Recently, Sig Sauer applied for a new digital reticle system that has a number of individually addressable light emitting diodes (LEDS) located on the reticule. During operation, the digital reticle’s indicator LEDs are lit at precise locations on the reticle to provide aiming adjustment points for the user.

It is very common for sportsmen and women to attach telescopic rifle scopes on their rifles in order to accurately hit a target or animal at a distance beyond what is normally possible with iron sites. Most scopes utilize reticles that appear in the field of view over the image of intended target. Furthermore, reticles consist of markings or other indicators such as a simple dot reticle, and crosshairs having horizontal and vertical crosshairs with a central intersection point that can be adjusted so that the point of impact of a projectile coincides with the crosshair intersection point. Various factors have to be taken into consideration when adjusting the reticle crosshairs, such as distance, wind speed and direction. Unfortunately, making mechanical reticle adjustments in the field takes time and is error prone; as a result, the targeted game may get away.

The current invention seeks to simplify the use of a rifle scope by providing ballistic solutions to the shooter by lighting LEDS on the scope reticle to indicate elevation and windage adjustments.

Additionally, in the current invention, the reticle is linked to a computing device, such as a phone or electronic tablet, by WIFI, Bluetooth, or a hardwire. Prior to use, the user programs the ballistic software to match the ballistic model of the gun and bullet load being used. The ballistic software will use the range data transmitted to it from a range finder. Other sensors located in the computing device, sensors on the scope and external sensors will provide the ballistic software: meteorological data, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and inclination data. After all data from the various sensors has been retrieved, the ballistic software computes a firing solution and sends the data to illuminate the appropriate LEDS on the reticule to indicate the appropriate adjustments for elevation and windage.

View the US2022022151 Patent Application Here.

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Mark Slovacek
Mark Slovacek is a patent attorney who has had a life long fascination with science, electronics, firearms and archery. He finds it a rewarding experience helping others protect their intellectual property, and seeing their inventions in the marketplace. Furthermore, Mark is an avid reader, following recent trends in the sporting goods industry and the patents surrounding them. Feel free to send Mark a message here.