Laser Range Finding Attachment for Mobile Computing Device

Abstract

The present disclosure describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems, for measuring range to an object (e.g., range finding) by reflection of laser radiation. One computer-implemented method includes the following operations executed on a mobile computing device (MCD): targeting an object with the MCD display operating as a viewfinder, receiving a request to trigger a laser range finding operation, initiating triggering of an emitter on a laser range finding attachment (LRFA) coupled to the MCD, receiving range finding data from the LRFA, processing the range finding data, and initiating display of data associated with the object, the data corresponding to the processed range finding data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a laser range finding attachment (LRFA) comprising:
 an emitter and a receiver situated within a housing, the emitter and receiver configured to emit and receive, respectively, laser radiation and reflected laser radiation; and 
 a data connector situated on the housing; and 
   a mobile computing device (MCD) configured to engage with the housing of the LRFA to couple the MCD and the LRFA, wherein the MCD is configured to provide at least viewfinder functionality on a graphical user interface to permit targeting of an object with the emitted laser radiation.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the viewfinder is configured to provide a reticle to target the object. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the LRFA comprises an aperture in the housing configured to a camera of the MCD to view the object. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the aperture comprises a lens. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , where the data connector of the LRFA is configured to communicably couple with a data port of the MCD. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a case for the MCD configured to couple with the LRFA. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , where the housing comprises a frame section configured to support the MCD. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a mirror, wherein the mirror directs the laser radiation from and the reflected laser radiation to the emitter and receiver, respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the mirror is adjustable. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a plane formed by the MCD. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 the following operations executed on a mobile computing device (MCD):
 targeting an object with the MCD display operating as a viewfinder; 
 receiving a request to trigger a laser range finding operation; 
 initiating triggering of an emitter on a laser range finding attachment (LRFA) coupled to the MCD; 
 receiving range finding data from the LRFA; 
 processing the range finding data; and 
 initiating display of data associated with the object, the data corresponding to the processed range finding data. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising receiving an indication from a user to initiate a laser range finding function on the MCD. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the display depicts a reticle for targeting the object. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the request is received by a graphical user interface associated with the MCD. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the data is at least one of a range measurement, global positioning system (GPS) related data, or ballistic solution. 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions executable by a computer and operable to:
 target an object with a mobile computing device (MCD) display operating as a viewfinder;   receive a request to trigger a laser range finding operation;   initiate triggering of an emitter on a laser range finding attachment (LRFA) coupled to the MCD;   receive range finding data from the LRFA;   process the range finding data; and   initiate display of data associated with the object, the data corresponding to the processed range finding data.   
     
     
         17 . The medium of  claim 16 , comprising receiving an indication from a user to initiate a laser range finding function on the MCD. 
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 16 , wherein the display depicts a reticle for targeting the object. 
     
     
         19 . The medium of  claim 16 , wherein the request is received by a graphical user interface associated with the MCD. 
     
     
         20 . The medium of  claim 16 , wherein the data is at least one of a range measurement, global positioning system (GPS) related data, or ballistic solution.