Apr 7, 2026

US12596265 - Aiming device with a diffractive optical element and reflective image combiner

A diffractive optic reflex sight (DORS) is provided for aiming devices in which a virtual image, such as a reticle, is produced and appears in the distance of a user's view when looking through the reflex sight. A light source illuminates a diffractive optical element (DOE) that includes a modulation pattern that generates a patterned illuminations corresponding with the virtual image. A reflective image combiner then reflects the patterned illumination so that the virtual image appears in the distance of the viewer's view. The DORS optical design system is mechanically and optically stable for precision aiming across a range of environmental conditions and in different use scenarios or applications including use in rapidly changing temperatures, varying light conditions, and a wide range of user proficiencies. The DORS optical design system is a readily manufacturable aiming and sighting device for a wide range of applications from handguns to astronomical telescopes.

Assignee: Marsupial Holdings, Inc.
Inventors: William P. Parker
Filing date: 2023-12-13

sightaimingoptics

The patent describes a diffractive optic reflex sight (DORS) that utilizes a light source and a diffractive optical element to create a virtual image for precision aiming, adaptable to various environmental conditions. The system includes a reflective image combiner that enhances the visibility of the virtual image, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from firearms to telescopes.

Claim 1

1 . A diffractive optic reflex sight comprising: a light source; a diffractive optical element (DOE) image generator configured to receive light from the light source, wherein the DOE image generator is substantially optically transmitting with respect to light received from the light source, wherein the DOE image generator includes an embedded modulation pattern, and wherein the embedded modulation pattern is derived from an intended virtual image such that, when light passes through the modulation pattern, a patterned illumination is formed that corresponds to the intended virtual image; and a reflective image combiner configured to receive the patterned illumination from the DOE image generator and to reflect the patterned illumination such that an image of the intended virtual image is viewable in the distance of a viewer’s view when the viewer is looking through the diffractive optic reflex sight, wherein the modulation pattern is a phase modulation pattern, wherein the DOE includes an array of switchable optical elements, wherein each pixel in the array has a random access addressability, and wherein the modulation pattern is established by switching each pixel on or off. a light source; a diffractive optical element (DOE) image generator configured to receive light from the light source, wherein the DOE image generator is substantially optically transmitting with respect to light received from the light source, wherein the DOE image generator includes an embedded modulation pattern, and wherein the embedded modulation pattern is derived from an intended virtual image such that, when light passes through the modulation pattern, a patterned illumination is formed that corresponds to the intended virtual image; and a reflective image combiner configured to receive the patterned illumination from the DOE image generator and to reflect the patterned illumination such that an image of the intended virtual image is viewable in the distance of a viewer’s view when the viewer is looking through the diffractive optic reflex sight, wherein the modulation pattern is a phase modulation pattern, wherein the DOE includes an array of switchable optical elements, wherein each pixel in the array has a random access addressability, and wherein the modulation pattern is established by switching each pixel on or off.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12596265

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12596265