Laser-based rangefinding instrument
AssigneesLaser Technology, Inc., Kama-Tech (HK) Limited
InventorsJordan T. Vermillion, Scott M. Peterson, Neil T. Heeke, Eric A. Miller, Jeremy G. Dunne, David W. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laser-based rangefinding instrument for, inter alia, golfing or hunting activities having an unique ergonomic design and an external multi-function switch for controlling display brightness, selectable display of differing distance units and a slope selection switch for enabling display of line of sight distance or angle of slope and “Compensated Golf Distance” slope distance to a target.
Claims25
A method for assisting a golfer utilizing a rangefinding instrument incorporating a processor, data storage, an inclinometer and a display, the method comprising:
- utilizing said rangefinding instrument to determine a line-of-sight distance to a point on a golf course;
- determining an angle of said point with respect to said golfer;
- applying said line of sight distance and said angle to said point to a continuous mathematical function which models golf ball flight data;
- computing a compensated golf shot distance with said processor based upon said mathematical function;
- and
- numerically presenting said compensated golf shot distance to said golfer on said display.
A method for displaying information to a user of a rangefinding instrument comprising:
- determining a plurality of distance measurements between said rangefinding instrument and selected points in said user's field of view;
- overlaying said selected points on an optical field of view for said user;
- displaying said user's optical field of view and said selected points in a graphical display device;
- and
- visually associating at least a portion of said determined distance measurements to corresponding portions of said selected points in said display device.
A method for assisting a golfer utilizing a rangefinding instrument on a putting surface, said rangefinding instrument incorporating a processor, an inclinometer and a display, the method comprising:
- utilizing said rangefinding instrument to determine a line-of-sight distance from a golf ball to a target point on said putting surface;
- determining an angle of inclination/declination from said golf ball to said target point with said inclinometer;
- and
- displaying said horizontal distance and said relative elevation difference to said golfer on a display coupled to said processor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.