Importance

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Abstract

A microcomputer-controlled optical instrument comprises an objective lens, an ocular lens, and an erector lens assembly mounted to pivot between the objective lens and the ocular lens. A first image plane is defined by the objective lens, and a second plane of focus is located between the ocular lens and the erector lens assembly. A microcontroller is carried on the instrument, and a spanning reference is in focus on the first image plane. The erector lens assembly pivots by appropriate adjustments so the image of the spanning reference can be viewed on the first image plane in relation to a reference indicator focused on the second image plane, to thereby adjust the apparent spacing between the spanning reference and the reference indicator in response to the user's viewing the target through the instrument spanning the size of the target. A first control signal is produced and sent to the microcontroller to represent the pre-set size of the target. A second control signal is produced and sent to the microcontroller to represent the set spacing between the spanning reference and the reference indicator. A range-measuring system is responsive to the first and second control signals for automatically producing a third control signal representative of the range from the instrument to the target as determined from the set spacing and the pre-selected size of the target. Once the actual range measurement has been determined by the microcontroller, this value is used to compute a holdover value for use in aiming a firearm to compensate for the normal trajectory of a projectile fired at the target over the measured range.

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First Claim