Abstract:
A viewing device synchronizer includes a viewing mechanism for viewing an object and a linking mechanism for linking a plurality of viewing mechanisms so that each is capable of viewing the object simultaneously. A movement mechanism moves a single viewing mechanism in any direction in order to view an object. A control mechanism moves any of the plurality of viewing mechanisms if the single viewing mechanism is moved. A directional pointing mechanism controls one or a plurality of the viewing mechanisms. A communication mechanism sends directional information for controlling the operation of the plurality of viewing mechanism from a single viewing mechanism.

Description:
The present application is a continuation-in-part of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/555,447, filed on Mar. 22, 2004, entitled “Binocular Synchronizer”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of optical viewing and, more particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for mechanically and electrically synchronizing multiple vision enhancement systems (binoculars, spotting scope, telescope, monoculars, cameras, video recorder, etc) in order to simultaneously view the same object. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Optical viewing devices, such as binoculars, monoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras, are frequently used by individuals and organizations to observe objects that are beyond a distance that would permit them to be seen adequately by the naked eye. These devices are extremely convenient and a necessity to those that rely on them daily. 
     Unfortunately, in many cases it is very difficult for multiple users of viewing devices to find and view the same object, even when they are standing side by side. This difficulty arises because of many reasons including: the skill of the user, distance to the object, altitude, visibility, atmospheric conditions, and even height of the viewer. When multiple users of viewing devices are separated even further the difficulty in simultaneously viewing the same object seems to increase proportionate to the distance of their separation. 
     There exists a need in the art for a device that can be used by one individual and that can supply position, azimuth, inclination, and range information to other such devices used by one or more other individuals through either a mechanical or electronic link, so that others may easily locate the object that is being viewed by the first individual. This technology could have significant impact for military purposes, for hunters, birdwatchers and other groups who use binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras to observe objects and who might wish to quickly and easily have others in the group locate objects spotted by a member of the group. There is a very broad and diverse potential user base. 
     The principle novel and unusual features would be a means to quickly and easily direct a person or persons using viewing devices such as binoculars or spotting scopes to the azimuth and inclination of an object sighted by an individual using a viewing device equipped with one of these devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is a viewing device synchronizer apparatus for synchronizing a plurality of viewing devices. The apparatus comprises at least one link member between each viewing device. Rotational elements operably connect between each end of the linking arm and each viewing device wherein the rotational elements allow a change in direction of one of the viewing devices that links to a second of the viewing devices to rotate the directional orientation of the second viewing devices such that each viewing device is simultaneously pointed at the same given object. 
     In addition, the present invention includes a viewing device synchronizer comprising viewing means for viewing an object, linking means for linking a plurality of viewing means so that each is capable of viewing an object simultaneously, movement means for moving a single viewing means in any direction in order to view an object, control means for moving any of the plurality of viewing means if a single viewing means is moved, directional pointing means for controlling one or a plurality of the viewing means, and communication means for sending directional information and controlling the operation of the plurality of viewing means from a single viewing means. 
     Furthermore, the present invention includes a viewing device synchronizer comprising at least one viewing device, an electronic compass for indicating direction, an electronic level for indicating an angle of direction as measured from horizontal, an electronic rangefinder for indicating a distance to an object, a global positioning unit, a microcontroller, a power supply, and a network communication link. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, the drawings demonstrate and explain the principles of the present invention. The illustrated embodiments are examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a conceptual system configuration and user views illustrating a wireless electronic synchronization system for optical viewing devices, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an electronic block diagram illustrating a wireless synchronization system for optical viewing devices, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view showing a typical binocular unit; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mechanical embodiment of the viewing device synchronizer, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the present invention is a method and linking apparatus  10  for linking multiple viewing devices  12  together such that each viewing device  12  is simultaneously capable of viewing the same object or point in space as each of the other viewing devices  12 . The viewing device  12  includes, but not limited to, binoculars, monoculars, spotting scopes, telescopes, video cameras, and electronic recording devices. The linking apparatuses  10  can be either mechanical or electronic allowing for linking multiple viewing devices  12  for autonomous viewing by means of a communications network that supplies direction, distance, altitude, and GPS location to other viewing devices  12  on the network. 
     In a first mechanical embodiment, the linking apparatus  10  is a rigid connection between the viewing devices  12 . Once the calibration for the proper lines of sight is achieved, the viewing devices  12  would move in tandem such that the object viewed by the master viewing device  12   a  would also be viewed by the slave viewing device  12   b . For example, when the master viewing device  12   a  is scanning the horizon, the slave view device  12   b  would also scan the horizon on the same sight line as the master viewing device  12   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in a second mechanical embodiment, the linking apparatus  10  of the present invention provides a lightweight frame unit  14  that rotationally connects the optical viewing units  12  so that when the master viewing device  12   a  is directed at a particular object, the slave viewing device  12   b  is also pointing at the same object. 
     The frame unit  14  of the present invention includes a “four bar linkage” wherein the corners of the frame unit  14  consist of essentially a parallelogram. Each viewing device  12 , i.e., the master viewing device  12   a  and the slave viewing device  12   b , can rotate within the plane defined by the lines of sight without significant translation. Vertical scanning rotates each viewing device  12  in a substantially up and down manner. 
     The frame unit  14  includes a first link member  16  and a second link member  18  with the first link member  16  being substantially parallel to the second link member  18 . The first link member  16  and the second link  18  member each include a first end  20  and a second end  22 . The first ends  20  of the first link member  16  and the second link member  18  each have a first aperture  24  and the second ends  22  of the first link member  16  and the second link member  18  each have a second aperture  26 . 
     In addition, the frame unit  14  includes a first pedestal  28  having a first linkage pin  30  and a second linkage pin  32  and a second pedestal  34  having a first linkage pin  36  and a second linkage pin  38 . The first linkage pin  30  of the first pedestal  28  is rotatably receivable within the first aperture  24  of the first link member  16  and the second linkage pin  32  of the first pedestal  28  is rotatably receivable within the first aperture  24  of the second link member  18 . The first linkage pin  36  of the second pedestal  34  is rotatably receivable within the second aperture  26  of the first link member  16  and the second linkage pin  38  of the second pedestal  34  is rotatably receivable within the second aperture  26  of the second link member  18 . Securing means  40 , i.e., snap rings, are positioned about the linkage pins  30 ,  32 ,  36 ,  38  to releasably maintain the connection between the first pedestal  28  and the first and second link members  16 ,  18  and the second pedestal  34  and the first and second link members  16 ,  18 . 
     Furthermore, the frame unit includes a hinge cradle  42  for securing the frame unit  14  to the viewing devices  12 . Attachment means  44 , such as screws or the like, releasably secure the viewing devices  12  to the frame unit  14 . 
     While it has been illustrated herein that the frame unit  14  can synchronize two viewing devices  12  together, it is within the scope of the present invention to construct the frame unit  14  to synchronize a plurality of viewing devices  14 . The number of viewing devices  14  synchronized together is not limited by the description or drawings herein. 
     In a second mechanical embodiment, the linking apparatus is a lightweight frame attachable to a stabilizing surface or stationary object of sufficient mass to provide stabilization with a securing apparatus  46 . Alternatively, two or more individuals can hold or otherwise secure the frame. Two or more optical viewing devices  12  can be rotatably mounted, in both azimuth and inclination, to the frame and connected by a suitable linkage, such as a parallel bar linkage, so that a slave optical viewing device  12   b  remains in the same orientation as the master viewing device  12   a  whenever the master viewing device  12   a  is moved. With suitable linkages, the master/slave relationship could be interchangeable. Alternatively, frame mounted controls could move the optical viewing devices  12 . The controls can be accessible to all users or only to the master viewing device user. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a third optical viewing device synchronization embodiment is an electronic circuit that includes an electronic compass, an electronic level/protractor (inclinometer), an electronic rangefinder, a GPS unit, a microcontroller, and a network communication link. Preferably, the network communication link is a wireless link. However, a wire or fiber optic link could also be used, particularly for ultra-secure transmission situations. Established, standard network and wireless protocols, such as IEEE 802.3 local area network protocols and Bluetooth wireless protocols can be used, or proprietary protocols can be developed for security or exclusivity reasons. 
     The electronic circuit can be built into the housing of the optical viewing device  12  and powered by battery power, photovoltaic cells, or other source of low voltage DC electric power. In response to a control action, latitude, longitude, and elevation on the surface of the earth supplied by the GPS unit from which the magnetic declination angle can be found using lookup tables or calculated from an International Geomagnetic Reference Field mathematical models, distance to the target supplied by the rangefinder, inclination to the target supplied by the electronic level, and magnetic bearing information supplied the electronic compass are used to calculate the vector to the target by means of a microprocessor. The location parameters of the master viewing device  12   a  unit and the vector parameters from the master unit to the target can then be transmitted over the network to other optical viewing devices  12  similarly equipped. 
     The slave viewing devices  12   b , when they receive such data, can calculate the azimuth and inclination to the target by means of the microprocessor and vector algebra using the positional information from the GPS and directional information from the inclinometer and compass in the slave viewing device  12   b . The microprocessor can then generate field-of-view indicators that 1) show the user in what directions, left or right and up or down and 2) relatively how far to move the optical viewing device  12  to locate the object. Any one unit in the network could operate as the master viewing device  12   a  by virtue of sending positional information. 
     Once the target object has been located by any or all of the slave viewing devices  12   b  units and in response to a control action by a particular slave viewing device user, the range to the object from that slave viewing device position could be measured with the rangefinder and the vector parameters calculated for the slave viewing device position. These vector parameters and the slave viewing device location parameters can then be transmitted to the master viewing device  12   a  and other slave viewing devices  12   b . This additional location information will allow each viewing device  12  in the network to refine the calculated coordinates of the object more precisely by spatial triangulation. Multiple positions for triangulation can correspondingly decrease the error of location of the target and also identify those users who may have focused on the incorrect target. 
     A second mode of operation is possible by a control setting whereby a viewing device  12  would continually transmit data as a master viewing device  12   a . In this case, the field-of-view indicators in the other viewing devices  12  in the network continually update in the slave mode. Range finders include, but are not limited to, optical split image, laser ranging, acoustic ranging, or eye tracking type in the case of a binocular system. Compasses can be digital compasses, level/protractors can be digital protractors such as electrolytic tilt sensors or accelerometer tilt sensors, and GPS units standard GPS units. Some or all of these sensors can be integrated into combination sensors. Wireless networking devices can be standard units, perhaps conforming to a published standard such as Bluetooth protocol or IEEE 802.3 local area network protocol. Since coordinate information requires very little bandwidth for transmission, audio information can be transmitted over the wireless connection to allow voice communications between optical viewing device users when they are widely separated. A microprocessor performs the spatial vector calculations, updates the user interface display, performs control functions, and controls the network data transmissions. A memory function allows a single user to return to the same view thereby allowing a user or multiple users to spatially and/or temporally synchronize a viewing device  12  or multiple viewing devices  12  for later observation. 
     The conceptual view for binocular users in such a system is shown in  FIG. 1  and a block diagram of the electronic modules for such a system is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     A fourth electronic/mechanical combination embodiment includes optical viewing device slave units  12   b  rotatably mounted, in both azimuth and inclination, to fixed supports and positioned with servomotors in response to signals transmitted from a master viewing device  12   a . Such slave viewing devices  12   b  operate in conjunction with electronic devices of the third embodiment 
     The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe embodiments of invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.