Method, device, and computer program for determining a range to a target

• US 7,239,377 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bushnell Incorporated (Vista Outdoor Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bushnell Performance Optics
• Inventors: Vermillion, Jordan, Cross, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRAINARD, TIMOTHY A
• Application Number:
  US10/964,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20060077375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 356/4.01
• US Class Current: 356/4.01
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/473 for lead-indicating or range-finding, e.g. for use with rifles or shotguns
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/02 using an independent line of sight
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/06 with rangefinder rangefinders per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 3/08 Use of electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/86 Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/497 Means for monitoring or calibrating

Abstract

A method, device, and computer program for determining range to a target is disclosed. Specifically, the invention provides a method, device and computer program for determining a second range to a target based on a first range to the target and an angle to the target such that the parabolic trajectory of a projectile is accounted for in determining the second range. The device generally includes a range sensor for determining a first range to a target, a tilt sensor for determining an angle to the target, and a computing element for determining a second range to the target based on the first range and the determined angle.

Claims

1. An electronic device for determining a range to a target, the device comprising:

a laser range sensor for determining a first range to the target;

a tilt sensor for determining an angle to the target relative to the device based on the orientation of the device;

a computing element, coupled with the distance sensor and the tilt sensor, for determining a second range by multiplying the first range by a factor corresponding to the determined angle and adding the result to the first range, the second range being a representation of a flat-ground distance the projectile must travel such that the projectile'"'"'s trajectory intersects the target; and

a display, coupled with the computing element, for indicating the first range and the second range.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display additionally indicates the determined angle.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the computing element additionally determines a desired change of a golf club length which corresponds to the difference between the second range and the first range.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the display additionally indicates the change of the golf club length.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the target is at least a portion of a golf course.

6. The device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the target is at least a portion of a golf green.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the target is at least a portion of a pin positioned on the golf green.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1, further including a portable handheld housing for housing the laser range sensor, the tilt sensor, the computing element, and the display.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tilt sensor is an inclinometer.

10. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the factor adjusts the first range to account for an estimated trajectory of a golf ball.

11. The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the second range is determined utilizing the factor such that the estimated trajectory of the golf ball intersects the target.

12. The device as set forth in claim 1, further including a memory for storing a look-up table having a plurality of angles and corresponding factors.

13. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the factor is determined by looking up the determined angle in the look-up table.

14. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the computing element determines the second range by multiplying the first range by the factor.