Systems and methods for adjusting a sighting device

Abstract

Systems and methods usable to facilitate adjustments to a sighting device, such as a scope. In one example, an adjustment calculator associated with the scope receives data relating to a distance to a target and relating to at least one environmental variable, such as for example, wind and/or humidity, which may affect the trajectory of a projectile. The adjustment calculator processes the data and calculates a recommended scope adjustment. For instance, the adjustment calculator may output a number of adjustment “clicks” for a rifle scope in order to at least partially compensate for the distance and/or the environmental variable(s). In another example, the adjustment calculator receives data relating to properties of ammunition that may affect the trajectory of the ammunition.

1 . A device for facilitating adjustments to a scope, the device comprising: 
 a range module capable of receiving distance data indicative of a distance to a target;    a windage module capable of receiving windage data indicative of at least one wind parameter; and    a processing module in communication with the range module and the windage module, the processing module capable of processing the distance data and the windage data to determine at least one adjustment to be made to a scope, the processing module further capable of outputting adjustment data indicative of the at least one scope adjustment.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a wind sensor capable of communication with the windage module and capable of determining the at least one wind parameter.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the wind sensor comprises an anemometer.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the windage module is capable of receiving ammunition data from a user.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wind parameter comprises at least one of a wind velocity and a wind direction.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an ammunition module capable of receiving ammunition data indicative of at least one type of ammunition, wherein the processing module is further capable of determining the at least one scope adjustment based at least in part on the ammunition data.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the ammunition module is capable of receiving the ammunition data from a user.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a handheld rangefinder that houses the range module, the windage module and the processing module.  
     
     
         9 . A device for facilitating scope adjustments based on effects of wind on a trajectory of a projectile, the device comprising: 
 a wind sensor capable of sensing at least one wind parameter and capable of outputting a wind signal indicative of the at least one wind parameter; and    a processor in communication with the wind sensor and capable of receiving the wind signal, the processor further capable of outputting an adjustment signal based at least in part on the wind signal and indicative of at least one adjustment to be made to a scope.    
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the wind sensor comprises an anemometer.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the wind sensor comprises an array of heated thermisters.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one wind parameter comprises at least one of a wind velocity and a wind direction.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a rangefinder capable of sensing at least one distance parameter and capable of outputting a distance signal indicative of the distance parameter.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising an input to a rangefinder.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is capable of receiving distance data from a rangefinder.  
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a system for facilitating the adjustment of a sighting device, the method comprising: 
 providing an environmental module configured to receive environmental data indicative of at least one environmental variable capable of affecting a trajectory of a projectile;    providing a range module configured to receive distance data indicative of a distance to a target; and    providing a processor capable of processing the environmental data and the distance data to calculate at least one adjustment to be made to a sighting device for aiming at the target, the processor further capable of outputting adjustment data indicative of the at least one adjustment.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a wind sensor capable of generating the wind data, wherein the wind data is indicative of at least one wind parameter.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a rangefinder capable of generating the distance data.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a humidity sensor capable of generating the environmental data, wherein the environmental data is indicative of a moisture content.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a projectile module configured to receive projectile data indicative of at least one property of the projectile.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the projectile comprises ammunition.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the environmental module, the range module and the projectile module is configured to receive information manually entered by the user.  
     
     
         23 . A system for facilitating adjustment of a scope, the system comprising: 
 means for receiving distance data indicative of a distance to a target;    means for receiving wind data indicative of at least one wind parameter; and    means for processing the distance data and the wind data to determine at least one adjustment to be made to a scope, the means for processing further capable of outputting adjustment data indicative of the at least one scope adjustment.