Patent Publication Number: US-2022236552-A1

Title: Optical device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The application relates in general to an optical device, and in particular, to an optical device provided with a display module. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Thanks to the ongoing development of technology, electronic products such as optical binoculars and monoculars are becoming increasingly versatile. With continuous improvements in performance, the application of these devices will improve. For example, optical binoculars and monoculars used in hunting are often equipped with night-vision functionality, and they include an infrared light-emitting unit that emits infrared light, which allows the users to see more clearly at night. However, users demand high quality and versatility from their binoculars and monoculars. Therefore, it is an important issue to provide a device that is more user-friendly and that can be more widely used. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In view of the aforementioned problems, the object of the invention is to provide an optical device configured to observe a target. The optical device includes a main body, a display module, an object lens module, and an eyepiece module. The main body has an upper portion, a lower portion and a hollow portion connected to each other. The display module is accommodated in the hollow portion of the main body and configured to display an image of the target. The object lens module is disposed on a front side of the main body and configured to generate the image of the target. The shape of the hollow portion corresponds to the display module and forms a first crescent-shaped structure and a second crescent-shaped structure. The first crescent-shaped structure protrudes from the upper left side of the object lens module. The second crescent-shaped structure protrudes from the upper right side of the object lens module. The eyepiece module is disposed on a rear side of the main body. The user can see an image of the target displayed on the display module via the eyepiece module. The invention is particularly useful when embodied as an add-on device to a telescopic gun sight, such as a night-vision or day-vision gun sight. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second crescent-shaped structures have a substantially triangular flat surface facing the target. 
     In some embodiments, the hollow portion is higher than the upper portion. 
     In some embodiments, the eyepiece module has a viewing window and an eye guard surrounding the viewing window. 
     In some embodiments, the viewing window has a convex lens. 
     In some embodiments, the eye guard includes plastic or rubber material. 
     In some embodiments, the optical device further includes an infrared light module disposed on the front of the main body and configured to emit infrared light to the target. 
     In some embodiments, the optical device further includes a plurality of buttons disposed on the upper portion of the main body. 
     The optical device as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the main body further has a slip resistant texture formed on a lateral side of the lower portion. 
     In some embodiments, the main body further has a flange formed on the rear side of the main body, and the flange is higher than the upper portion. 
     In some embodiments, the optical device further includes a rangefinder module disposed in the upper portion of the main body and configured to measure the distance between the rangefinder module and the target. 
     In some embodiments, the hollow portion is located below the rangefinder module. 
     In some embodiments, the rangefinder module is a Lidar that includes a light emitter and a light receiver. 
     In some embodiments, the optical device further includes a screen disposed on the upper portion and electrically connected to the rangefinder module. 
     In some embodiments, the optical device further includes a rib and two columns of buttons disposed on the upper portion of the main body, wherein the rib is located between the two columns of buttons. 
     In some embodiments, the screen is angled relative to the buttons. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an optical device  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the optical device  100  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an optical device  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the optical device  200  in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a left view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the optical device  200  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the optical device  200  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a rearview of the optical device  200  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The making and using of the embodiments of the optical device are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodiments provide many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the embodiments, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that each term, which is defined in a commonly used dictionary, should be interpreted as having a meaning conforming to the relative skills and the background or the context of the present disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner unless defined otherwise. 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, and in which specific embodiments of which the invention may be practiced are shown by way of illustration. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the figures being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for the purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an optical device  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the optical device  100  in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a left view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  FIG. 5  is a front view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and  FIG. 6  is a rear view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the optical device  100  in this embodiment is a night-vision monocular (NVM), especially suitable for use outdoors in the dark. Here, the optical device  100  is particularly useful when embodied as an add-on device to a telescopic gun sight, such as a night-vision or day-vision gun sight, and it can be used to observe, aim, and zoom in on a scene or target, for example, used for hunting games. The optical device  100  primarily comprises a main body  11 , an object lens module  12 , an infrared light module  13 , a rubber eye guard  14 , and a viewing window  15 . The object lens module  12  and the infrared light module  13  are disposed on a front side FS of the main body  11  ( FIG. 1 ). The eye guard  14  and the viewing window  15  are disposed on a rear side RS of the main body  11  ( FIG. 2 ). It should be noted that the infrared light module  13  can emit infrared light to a target in the dark, and the object lens module  12  can receive infrared light reflected by the target. Moreover, an image sensor (e.g. CCD or CIS image sensor) inside the main body  11  can generate a digital image of the target accordingly. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the main body  11  has an upper portion  111 , a lower portion  112 , a flange F, and a hollow portion P connected to each other. The hollow portion P is located on the front side FS of the main body  11  and higher than the upper portion  111 . The flange F is located on the rear side RS of the main body  11  and higher than the upper portion  111 . In some embodiments, the hollow portion P and the upper portion  111  may form a continuous and smooth surface, and the hollow portion P may not protrude from or higher than the upper portion  1111  of the main body  11 , but the invention is not limited thereto. 
     Several buttons B are disposed on the top A of the upper portion  111 , so as to make operation of the optical device  100  convenient. Moreover, a slip-resistant texture with several round recesses  113  is formed on the lateral side of the lower portion  112 . Therefore, the user can easily grip the main body  11  for handheld use. 
     In this embodiment, a display module (e.g. LCD or OLED panel module) is accommodated in the hollow portion P of the main body  11  and electrically connected to the image sensor. The display module is configured to show a digital image of the target that is generated by the image sensor. Since the display module has a rectangular structure, the shape of the hollow portion P corresponds to the profile of the display module, so as to form an appropriate space for accommodating and to restrict the display module in the main body  11 . 
     Additionally, the eye guard  14  and the viewing window  15  in  FIGS. 2 and 6  have a rectangular shape that corresponds to the display module. The eye guard  14  surrounds and protects the viewing window  15 , so as to constitute a comfortable eyepiece module of the optical device  100 . In this embodiment, the eye guard  14  may comprise plastic or rubber material, and the viewing window  15  may comprise a convex lens that can magnify the image shown on the display module. Hence, a large, clear image of the target can be seen by a user via the viewing window  15 . 
     In  FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6 , the hollow portion P forms a first crescent-shaped structure P 1  and a second crescent-shaped structure P 2  protruding from the object lens module  12  and the upper portion  111  of the main body  11 . When viewed in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the object lens module  12  ( FIG. 5 ), the first crescent-shaped structure P 1  protrudes from the upper left side of the object lens module  12 , and the second crescent-shaped structure P 2  protrudes from the upper right side of the object lens module  12 . 
     It should be noted that the shape of the first and second crescent-shaped structures P 1  and P 2  correspond to the two corners of the rectangular display module that fit in the hollow portion P, and the first and second crescent-shaped structures P 1  and P 2  each have a substantially triangular flat surface facing the target ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ). 
     With the special profile of the hollow portion P, a large display module can be provided inside the main body  11 , whereby a large, clear image of the target can be seen by a user via the viewing window  15 . 
       FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an optical device  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the optical device  200  in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9  is a left view of the optical device  100  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ,  FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the optical device  200  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ,  FIG. 11  is a front view of the optical device  200  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , and  FIG. 12  is a rear view of the optical device  200  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     The optical device  200  in this embodiment is a night-vision monocular (NVM) provided with a rangefinder module, especially suitable for use outdoors in the dark. Here, the optical device  200  is particularly useful when embodied as an add-on device to a telescopic gun sight, such as a night-vision or day-vision gun sight, and it can be used to observe, aim, and zoom in on a scene or target, for example, used for hunting games. This embodiment is different from the optical device  100  of  FIGS. 1-6  in that the optical device  200  further comprises a rangefinder module RF configured to measure a distance from the rangefinder module RF to a target. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7-12 , the optical device  200  primarily comprises a main body  21 , an object lens module  22 , an infrared light module  23 , a rubber eye guard  24 , a viewing window  25 , and a rangefinder module RF. The object lens module  22  and the infrared light module  23  are disposed on a front side FS of the main body  21  ( FIG. 7 ). The eye guard  24  and the viewing window  25  are disposed on a rear side RS of the main body  21  ( FIG. 8 ). Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , the infrared light module  23  can emit infrared light to a target in the dark, and the object lens module  22  can receive infrared light reflected by the target. An image sensor (e.g. CCD or CIS image sensor) inside the main body  11  can generate a digital image of the target accordingly. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 7-12 , the main body  21  has an upper portion  211 , a lower portion  212 , and a hollow portion P (including a first crescent-shaped structure P 1  and a second crescent-shaped structure P 2 ) connected to each other, wherein the hollow portion P is formed on the front side FS of the main body  21 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the hollow portion P forms a first crescent-shaped structure P 1  and a second crescent-shaped structure P 2  protruding from the object lens module  22  in different directions. Specifically, when viewed in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the object lens module  22  ( FIG. 11 ), the first crescent-shaped structure P 1  protrudes from the upper left side of the object lens module  22 , and the second crescent-shaped structure P 2  protrudes from the upper right side of the object lens module  22 . 
     In this embodiment, a display module (e.g. LCD or OLED panel module) is accommodated in the hollow portion P of the main body  21  and electrically connected to the image sensor. The display module is configured to show a digital image of the target that is generated by the image sensor. Since the display module has a rectangular structure, the hollow portion P has a shape that corresponds to the profile of the display module, so as to form an appropriate space for accommodating and positioning the display module in the main body  21 . 
     The eye guard  24  and the viewing window  25  in  FIGS. 8 and 12  have a rectangular shape that corresponds to the display module, wherein the eye guard  24  surrounds and protects the viewing window  25 , so as to constitute a comfortable eyepiece module of the optical device  200 . In this embodiment, the eye guard  24  may comprise plastic or rubber material, and the viewing window  25  may comprise a convex lens that can magnify the image shown on the display module. Hence, a large, clear image of the target can be seen by a user via the viewing window  25 . 
     The rangefinder module RF may comprise a Lidar that includes a light emitter RF 1  and a light receiver RF 2 , wherein the light emitter RF 1  can emit laser light to the target, and the light receiver RF 2  can receive laser light that is reflected by the target, so as to measure a distance from the rangefinder module RF to the target. It should be noted that the light emitter RF 1  and the light receiver RF 2  are located above the first and second crescent-shaped structures P 1  and P 2  of the hollow portion P. Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the first and second crescent-shaped structures P 1  and P 2  each have a substantially triangular flat surface facing the target. 
     Two columns of buttons B are disposed on the top of the upper portion  211 , and a rib R is formed between the two columns of buttons B, so as to achieve convenient operation of the optical device  200 . In this embodiment, the optical device  200  further comprises a screen D disposed on the upper portion  211  ( FIGS. 8-10 and 12 ), wherein the screen D is angled relative to the buttons B and the rib R. Moreover, a slip-resistant texture with several longitudinal protrusions  213  is formed on a lateral side of the lower portion  212 , whereby the user can easily grip the main body  21  by hands during usage. 
     In summary, the invention provides an optical device that comprises a main body, a display module disposed in the main body, and an object lens module disposed on a front side of the main body. The main body forms a hollow portion including a first crescent-shaped structure and a second crescent-shaped structure corresponding to the shape of the display module, therefore the display module can be accommodated in the main body to show a large, clear image of the target. 
     Although some embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that many of the features, functions, processes, and materials described herein may be varied while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. Moreover, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 
     While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.