Apparatus and method for powering an electronic weapon sight

Abstract

A sight for a handheld weapon includes an electronic component that is powered by a power source. The sight includes an electronic controller and a motion detector. When the sight is moved, the motion detector generates signals and the electronic controller receives the signals. The electronic controller determines whether power should be supplied to the electronic component based on the received signals.

1 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon comprising:
 a body;   a motion detector attached to the body, wherein the motion detector is configured to generate motion signals in response to movement of the sighting device;   an electronic component;   a power source for supplying electric current to the electronic component; and   an electronic controller operatively coupled to (a) the motion detector and (b) the electronic component, wherein the electronic controller is configured to receive motion signals generated by the motion detector and is further configured to provide electric current to flow from the power source to the electronic component in response to receiving motion signals from the motion detector.   
     
     
         2 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component includes a light source. 
     
     
         3 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a timer operatively coupled to the electronic controller;   wherein the electronic controller is further configured to determine when a predetermined time period elapses after receiving a motion signal from the motion detector;   wherein the electronic controller is further configured to provide electric current to flow from the power source to the electronic component during the predetermined time period; and   wherein the electronic controller is further configured to prevent electric current from flowing to the electronic component in response to not receiving a second motion signal from the motion detector during the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         4 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the electronic controller is further configured to restart determining when the predetermined time period elapses in response to receiving a second motion signal from the motion detector during the predetermined time period; and   the electronic controller is further configured to prevent electric current from flowing to the electronic component in response to not receiving a third motion signal from the motion detector during the restarted predetermined time period.   
     
     
         5 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic controller is further configured to determine signal information from a motion signal received from the motion detector;   the electronic controller is further configured to compare the signal information to a signal threshold; and   the electronic controller is further configured to control the flow of electric current to the electronic component in response to comparing the signal information to the signal threshold.   
     
     
         6 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the electronic controller is configured to determine signal information including a magnitude of acceleration; and   the signal threshold includes a threshold magnitude of acceleration.   
     
     
         7 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a timer operatively connected to the electronic controller;   wherein the signal threshold includes a threshold signal density;   wherein the electronic controller is further configured to determine (a) an elapsed time and (b) the signal information including a signal density based on the elapsed time and a total number of the motion signals received during the elapsed time;   wherein the electronic controller is further configured to provide electric current to flow to the electronic component in response to comparing the signal density to the threshold signal density and determining the signal density is at or above the threshold signal density; and   wherein the electronic controller is further configured to prevent electric current from flowing to the electronic component in response to comparing the signal density to the threshold signal density and determining the signal density is below the threshold signal density.   
     
     
         8 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic controller is further configured to recognize a pattern in the motion signals; and   the electronic controller is further configured to control the flow of electric current from the power source to the electronic component in response to recognizing the pattern in the motion signals.   
     
     
         9 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the electronic controller is further configured to prevent electric current from flowing to the electronic component in response to recognizing the pattern in the motion signals; and   the electronic controller is further configured to provide electric current to flow to the electronic component in response to not recognizing the pattern in the motion signals.   
     
     
         10 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the electronic controller is configured to learn the pattern by recording motion signals received from the motion detector during a first time period and correlating the recorded motion signals to a power on condition or to a power off condition for the electronic component.   
     
     
         11 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 9 , wherein the pattern corresponds to carrying the sighting device attached to a handgun in a handgun holster. 
     
     
         12 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , further comprising a charging device operatively connected to the power source for recharging the power source. 
     
     
         13 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion detector includes a piezoelectric device and the motion detector also functions as a charging device for recharging the power source. 
     
     
         14 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic controller includes a low power mode and a full power mode;   in the low power mode, the electronic controller is further configured to monitor for motion signals generated by the motion detector; and   the electronic controller is further configured to switch from the low power mode to the full power mode in response to receiving a motion signal generated by the motion detector.   
     
     
         15 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 14 , further comprising a light detector operatively coupled to the electronic controller for generating light level signals corresponding to ambient light levels; and
 wherein the electronic component includes a light source; and   wherein the electronic controller is further configured to receive the light level signals and adjust a brightness of the light source in response to the light level signals.   
     
     
         16 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion detector includes a ball-tube sensor. 
     
     
         17 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon according to  claim 1 , wherein the motion detector includes a MEMS accelerometer. 
     
     
         18 . A sighting device for a handheld weapon comprising:
 motion detecting means for generating signals in response to movement of the sighting device;   electronic means for performing a sighting device function;   power source means for supplying electric current to the electronic means; and   controller means operatively coupled to (a) the motion detecting means and (b) the electronic means for controlling electric current to the electronic means.   
     
     
         19 . A method for supplying power to an electronic component in a handheld weapon sight, comprising:
 detecting motion of the handheld weapon sight; and   controlling the flow of electric current from a power source to the electronic component based on the detected motion of the handheld weapon sight.   
     
     
         20 . A method for supplying power to an electronic component in a handheld weapon sight according to  claim 19 , wherein controlling the flow of electric current from a power source to the electronic component includes providing electric current to the electronic component in response to the detected motion of the handheld weapon sight. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)