Intensity adapting optical aiming reticle

Abstract

An intensity adapting optical aiming system that automatically adjusts the intensity of the reticle to adapt to the light condition of the external light. The aiming system may be mounted to a weapon and the external light may be a weapon mounted light. The aiming system may include an illuminateable reticle and a light connector for transmitting light from the external light to the reticle.

1 . An optical aiming device comprising:
 an illuminateable reticle;   a control circuit;   a power source electrically connected to the control circuit;   a forward-looking light sensor;   a light source that illuminates the reticle;   a first electrical conductor extending between the forward-looking light sensor and the control circuit, the first electrical conductor adapted to transmit an electrical signal between the forward-looking light sensor and the control circuit;   a second electrical conductor extending between the control circuit and the light source, the second electrical conductor adapted to transmit an electrical signal between the control circuit and the light source;   wherein the forward-looking light sensor detects light conditions at a target and transmits an electrical signal to the control circuit, and the control circuit transmits an electrical signal to the light source that determines at least in part the intensity of the reticle.   
     
     
         2 . The optical aiming device of  claim 1 , wherein the forward-looking light sensor is positioned on a forward-facing surface of the optical aiming device. 
     
     
         3 . The optical aiming device of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor array, wherein the forward-looking light sensor forms a portion of the sensor array. 
     
     
         4 . The optical aiming device of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor array comprises the forward-looking light sensor and a non-forward-looking light sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The optical aiming device of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit causes the light source to illuminate in response to the light conditions detected at the target object by the forward-looking light sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The optical aiming device of  claim 1 , wherein the light conditions at the target comprise ambient light conditions at the target. 
     
     
         7 . The optical aiming device of  claim 1 , wherein the light conditions at the target comprise light that has reflected off of the target. 
     
     
         8 . The optical aiming device of  claim 7  further comprising a second light source. 
     
     
         9 . The optical aiming device of  claim 8 , wherein the second light source directs light toward the target. 
     
     
         10 . The optical aiming device of  claim 9 , wherein the light that has reflected off of the target comprises light from the second light source. 
     
     
         11 . The optical aiming device of  claim 1 , wherein the light conditions at the target comprise ambient light conditions and light that has reflected off of the target. 
     
     
         12 . An optical aiming device comprising:
 an optical element;   an illuminateable reticle displayed on the optical element;   a control circuit;   a power source comprising a battery and electrically connected to the control circuit;   a light sensor disposed proximate the optical element, the light sensor transmitting an electrical signal to the control circuit;   a light source, the light source illuminating in response to an electrical signal from the control circuit and providing illumination that affects an intensity of the illuminateable reticle;   wherein the control circuit selectively causes the light source to illuminate in response to light conditions detected at a target by the light sensor.   
     
     
         13 . The optical aiming device of  claim 12 , wherein the light sensor is positioned in a forward-looking orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The optical aiming device of  claim 12 , wherein the light sensor is positioned such that it is directed toward the target. 
     
     
         15 . The optical aiming device of  claim 12 , further comprising a housing that surrounds the optical element at least in part. 
     
     
         16 . The optical aiming device of  claim 15 , wherein the housing comprises an upwardly extending portion, and wherein the light sensor is disposed on a forward facing surface of the upwardly extending portion. 
     
     
         17 . The optical aiming device of  claim 16 , wherein the upwardly extending portion comprises a first post, a second post, an opening, and a cross member over the opening between the posts. 
     
     
         18 . The optical aiming device of  claim 17 , wherein the light sensor is disposed at least partially in a forward-facing surface of the first post. 
     
     
         19 . The optical aiming device of  claim 18 , wherein the light sensor is disposed adjacent a top end of the first post. 
     
     
         20 . The optical aiming device of  claim 18 , wherein the light sensor is disposed adjacent a top end of the first post. 
     
     
         21 . A method for illuminating a reticle of an optical aiming device comprising:
 detecting light conditions at a target with a forward-looking light sensor;   transmitting an electrical signal from the forward looking light sensor to a control circuit along a first electrical conductor;   the control circuit determining an appropriate intensity of light for the reticle based at least in part on the electrical signal received from the forward-looking light sensor;   transmitting an electrical signal from the control circuit to a light source based at least in part on the determination of the appropriate intensity of light by the control circuit;   the light source to illuminate the reticle to the appropriate intensity.   
     
     
         22 . The method for illuminating a reticle of  claim 21 , wherein the light conditions at a target comprise light that has reflected off of the target.