Long-range optical instrument and peripheral device and method for providing communication between the long-range optical instrument and the peripheral device

Abstract

A long-range optical instrument for transmitting information to a peripheral device and a method for enabling communication between the long-range optical instrument and the peripheral are provided. The long-range optical instrument includes a near-field radio communication module. The near-field radio communication module is configured to establish a communications link with the peripheral device and to transmit data, in particular information concerning the long-range optical instrument, to the peripheral device over the communications link.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A long-range optical instrument for transmitting information to a peripheral device, the long-range optical instrument comprising:
 a near-field communication module configured to establish a communications link with the peripheral device and to transmit said information to the peripheral device;   said information including information concerning the long-range optical instrument; and,   said long-range optical instrument being configured to be controlled by said peripheral device over said communications link.   
     
     
         2 . The long-range optical instrument of  claim 1 ; wherein:
 said long-range optical instrument is configured to be controlled by said peripheral device over said communications link through control commands; and,   said control commands include a setting command for setting a parameter on the long-range optical instrument.   
     
     
         3 . The long-range optical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said near-field communication module is a standard NFC communication module. 
     
     
         4 . The long-range optical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said near-field communication module is configured to allow control commands to be transmitted from said peripheral device to the long-range optical instrument to set parameters of the long-range optical instrument by the peripheral device. 
     
     
         5 . The long-range optical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said information concerning the long-range optical instrument includes at least one of an ammunition manufacturer, a ballistic function, current ballistic values, ballistic programs, a type of ammunition, a charging, a battery state, a battery voltage, an electrical current value, a temperature, a battery capacity, a remaining capacity, a remaining operating time, a range-finding unit, a brightness state of a display of the long-range optical instrument, a standard brightness, a maximum brightness, a minimum brightness, measured value statistics, a last measured value, a recoil, a number of shots, an assembly state, a type of long-range optical instrument, a serial number, an angle of sight, GPS data, a compass reading, air pressure and atmospheric humidity, a maximum measured distance and a version of a software update, information about ammunition with which a weapon was fired at a center, information about a range in meters or yards, information about whether the weapon was fired at a most recommended distance, information about the weapon with which the ammunition was fired, a date, information from an area for additional comments, a name, a name of a user or owner, an address, an address of the user or the owner, a telephone number, a telephone number of the user or the owner; and,   said information concerning the long-range optical instrument is transmitted to the long-range optical instrument and is utilized for at least one of carrying out a software update in the long-range optical instrument and entering an adjusting mode of the long-range optical instrument during assembly or servicing during which subassemblies of the long-range optical instrument are adjusted.   
     
     
         6 . The long-range optical instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display having a brightness; and,   said brightness being adjustable by said peripheral device.   
     
     
         7 . The long-range optical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the long-range optical instrument is a pair of binoculars, a telescopic sight, a monocular unit or a reflex sight. 
     
     
         8 . An energy storage unit for a long-range optical instrument as claimed in  claim 1 , the energy storage unit comprising:
 an energy store configured to supply the long-range optical instrument with electrical energy;   said energy storage unit including said near-field communication module; and,   said near-field communication module being configured to transmit information about said energy store.   
     
     
         9 . An energy storage system comprising:
 an energy storage unit having an energy store configured to supply a long-range optical instrument with electrical energy;   said energy storage unit including a near-field communication module;   said near-field communication module being configured to transmit information about said energy store;   a peripheral device;   said peripheral device being connected with said near-field communication module of said energy storage unit over said communications link; and,   said information about said energy storage unit being processed by said peripheral device.   
     
     
         10 . A long-range optical instrument comprising:
 an energy storage unit as claimed in  claim 8 ; and,   the long-range optical instrument being a pair of binoculars, a monocular unit, a reflex sight, or a telescopic sight.   
     
     
         11 . A peripheral device comprising:
 an NFC coil configured to transmit at least one of said information and control commands to the long-range optical instrument as claimed in  claim 1  having said near-field communication module; and,   said NFC coil being configured to establish said communications link of the peripheral device with the long-range optical instrument via said near-field communication module of the long-range optical instrument.   
     
     
         12 . The peripheral device of  claim 11 , wherein the peripheral device is a mobile terminal. 
     
     
         13 . A communication system comprising:
 a peripheral device;   a long-range optical instrument having a near-field communication module configured to establish a communications link with said peripheral device and to transmit information;   said information including information concerning the long-range optical instrument;   said long-range optical instrument being configured to be controlled by said peripheral device over said communications link;   said peripheral device having an NFC coil configured to receive said information from the long-range optical instrument and to transmit control commands to the long-range optical instrument;   said NFC coil being configured to establish said communications link of the peripheral device with the long-range optical instrument via said near-field communication module of the long-range optical instrument; and,   said information being exchanged between the long-range optical instrument and the peripheral device over said communications link.   
     
     
         14 . A method for providing communication between a long-range optical instrument having a near-field communication module configured to establish a communications link with a peripheral device having an NFC coil and a display, the method comprising:
 establishing the communications link between the long-range optical instrument and the peripheral device;   receiving at least one item of information concerning the long-range optical instrument over the communications link;   presenting the at least one item of information or a value determined based on the at least one item of information on the display of the peripheral device; and,   controlling the long-range optical instrument by the peripheral device over the communications link.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 providing information concerning a state of an energy store in the long-range optical instrument; and,   controlling a brightness of a display of the long-range optical instrument by the peripheral device over said communications link.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 determining at least one of a ballistic curve and a point of impact in the peripheral device based on an angle of inclination;   said angle of inclination being determined by an electronic angle-of-inclination sensor; and,   determining a direction of a projectile by an electronic compass module.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 determining at least one of a ballistic curve and a point of impact in the peripheral device based on meteorological data; and,   said meteorological data being air pressure, temperature and atmospheric humidity.