U.S. patent application number 13/745499 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for ballistics systems and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to HUSKEMAW OPTICS, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Huskemaw Optics, LLC. Invention is credited to Aaron Davidson.
Application Number | 20140000146 13/745499 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39645020 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140000146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davidson; Aaron |
January 2, 2014 |
Ballistics Systems and Methods
Abstract
A scope may include an adjustment dial, which may be moved among
a plurality of positions to configure the scope to compensate for
projectile drops. The adjustment dial may be labeled with
dial-calibration data, which may include one or more distance
indicators and/or one or more windage hold-off indicators. The
scope may be attached to a gun and the dial-calibration data may be
at least partially generated using ballistics performance data
based on shots fired by the gun. The dial-calibration data may be
at least partially generated using shooting conditions. An
electronic device may include a derived distance calculation
module, which may be configured to use a distance to a target and
actual shooting conditions to calculate a derived distance. The
derived distance may be used in connection with an adjustment dial
labeled with dial-calibration data at least partially generated
using shooting conditions different from the actual shooting
conditions.
Inventors: |
Davidson; Aaron; (Otto,
WY) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huskemaw Optics, LLC; |
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US |
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Assignee: |
HUSKEMAW OPTICS, LLC
Cody
WY
|
Family ID: |
39645020 |
Appl. No.: |
13/745499 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12854136 |
Aug 10, 2010 |
8365455 |
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13745499 |
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11838183 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
8001714 |
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12854136 |
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60822289 |
Aug 14, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/122 ;
235/414 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 3/06 20130101; F41G
1/38 20130101; F41G 3/08 20130101; G01C 23/00 20130101; F41G 1/473
20130101; F41G 3/12 20130101; F41G 1/54 20130101; G05B 15/02
20130101; F41G 11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/122 ;
235/414 |
International
Class: |
F41G 3/06 20060101
F41G003/06; F41G 3/08 20060101 F41G003/08 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a scope sized and configured to be
connected to a gun, the scope including an adjustment dial sized
and configured to move among a plurality of positions to configure
the scope to compensate for projectile drops associated with a
range of distances to a target, the adjustment dial being labeled
with first dial-calibration data, the first dial-calibration data
comprising: at least one distance indicator configured to indicate
at least one of the distances; and at least one windage hold-off
indicator configured to indicate at least one hold-off for at least
one of the distances.
2. The system in claim 1, wherein the at least one windage hold-off
indicator of the first dial-calibration data is at least partially
generated using a first set of one or more shooting conditions.
3. The system in claim 1, further comprising a gun connected to the
scope, the at least one windage hold-off indicator of the first
dial-calibration data being at least partially generated using
ballistics performance data based on one or more shots fired by the
gun.
4. The system in claim 1, wherein the at least one distance
indicator of the first dial-calibration data is at least partially
generated using a first set of one or more shooting conditions.
5. The system in claim 1, further comprising a gun connected to the
scope, the at least one distance indicator of the first
dial-calibration data being at least partially generated using
ballistics performance data based on one or more shots fired by the
gun.
6. The system in claim 1, wherein the adjustment dial includes a
first component labeled with the first dial-calibration data, the
first component being sized and configured to be connected to and
disconnected from a portion of the scope.
7. The system in claim 6, further comprising a second component
labeled with second dial-calibration data, the second component
being sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected from
a portion of the scope, the first and second components being sized
and configured to be interchangeably used in the scope, the second
dial-calibration data comprising: at least one distance indicator
configured to indicate at least one of the distances; and at least
one windage hold-off indicator configured to indicate at least one
hold-off for at least one of the distances.
8. The system in claim 7, wherein the at least one windage hold-off
indicator of the first dial-calibration data is at least partially
generated using a set of one or more shooting conditions; and
wherein the at least one windage hold-off indicator of the second
dial-calibration data is at least partially generated using a
different set of one or more shooting conditions.
9. The system in claim 7, further comprising a gun connected to the
scope, the at least one windage hold-off indicator of the first
dial-calibration data being at least partially generated using
ballistics performance data based on a first set of one or more
shots fired by the gun, the at least one windage hold-off indicator
of the second dial-calibration data being at least partially
generated using ballistics performance data based on the first set
of one or more shots fired by the gun.
10. The system in claim 9, wherein the at least one windage
hold-off indicator of the first dial-calibration data is at least
partially generated using a set of one or more shooting conditions;
and wherein the at least one windage hold-off indicator of the
second dial-calibration data is at least partially generated using
a different set of one or more shooting conditions.
11. The system in claim 7, wherein the at least one distance
indicator of the first dial-calibration data is at least partially
generated using a set of one or more shooting conditions; and
wherein the at least one distance indicator of the second
dial-calibration data is at least partially generated using a
different set of one or more shooting conditions.
12. The system in claim 7, further comprising a gun connected to
the scope, the at least one distance indicator of the first
dial-calibration data being at least partially generated using
ballistics performance data based on a first set of one or more
shots fired by the gun, the at least one distance indicator of the
second dial-calibration data being at least partially generated
using ballistics performance data based on the first set of one or
more shots fired by the gun.
13. The system in claim 12, wherein the at least one distance
indicator of the first dial-calibration data is at least partially
generated using a set of one or more shooting conditions; and
wherein the at least one distance indicator of the second
dial-calibration data is at least partially generated using a
different set of one or more shooting conditions.
14. The system in claim 1, further comprising an electronic device
including a derived distance calculation module, the first
dial-calibration data being at least partially generated using a
set of one or more shooting conditions, the derived distance
calculation module being configured to use a distance to a target
and a different set of one or more shooting conditions to calculate
a derived distance that may be selected using the adjustment dial
to configure the scope to compensate for a projectile drop
associated with the different set of one or more shooting
conditions.
15-18. (canceled)
19. A method comprising: using a distance to a target and a set of
one or more actual shooting conditions to calculate a derived
distance, the derived distance being configured to be selected
using an adjustment dial of a scope to configure the scope to
compensate for a projectile drop associated with the set of one or
more actual shooting conditions, the adjustment dial being labeled
with dial-calibration data at least partially generated using a set
of one or more expected shooting conditions, the set of one or more
expected shooting conditions being different from the set of one or
more actual shooting conditions.
20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the dial-calibration data
comprises at least one distance indicator configured to indicate at
least one distance, the at least one distance indicator being at
least partially generated using the set of one or more expected
shooting conditions.
21. The method as in claim 19, wherein the dial-calibration data
comprises at least one windage hold-off indicator configured to
indicate at least one hold-off for at least one distance, the at
least one windage hold-off indicator being at least partially
generated using the set of one or more expected shooting
conditions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority and the benefit of U.S.
provisional patent application 60/822,289, which was filed Aug. 14,
2006 and entitled RAPID FIELD BALLISTIC COMPENSATOR AND METHOD OF
PROVIDING THE SAME, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present application relates generally to ballistics,
guns and scopes.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Hunting and target shooting are very popular activities.
Because accurately aiming guns may become more difficult as the
distance to a target increases, scopes are often used in connection
with guns. Generally, a scope may be connected to a gun and a
shooter may look through the scope to view and aim at a target.
But, even when using a scope, shooters may find it difficult and/or
time consuming to accurately aim at a target.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A need therefore exists for systems and/or methods that
eliminate or diminish the disadvantages and problems described
above.
[0007] One aspect is a scope that may include an adjustment dial,
which may be moved among a plurality of positions to configure the
scope to compensate for projectile drops. The adjustment dial may
be labeled with dial-calibration data, which may include one or
more distance indicators. In particular, the adjustment dial may be
sized and configured to move among a plurality of positions to
configure the scope to compensate for projectile drops associated
with a range of distances to a target, and the distance indicators
may be configured to indicate at least some of the distances within
the range. Desirably, the distance indicators may allow a shooter
to quickly select a distance to a target to configure the scope to
compensate for a projectile drop associated with the selected
distance.
[0008] Another aspect is a scope that may include an adjustment
dial that may be labeled with dial-calibration data, which may
include one or more distance indicators and/or one or more windage
hold-off indicators. The windage hold-off indicators may be
configured to indicate a hold-off to compensate for an amount of
deflection caused by a crosswind. To configure the scope to
compensate for a projectile drop associated with a particular
distance to a target, the shooter may move the adjustment dial to
select the distance to the target. After the adjustment dial has
been moved to select the distance to the target, a reference mark's
position relative to various windage hold-off indicators may
advantageously allow the shooter to quickly identify a hold-off
tailored to the selected distance. The shooter may then apply the
hold-off and fire the gun at the target.
[0009] A further aspect is a scope that may include an adjustment
dial that may be labeled with dial-calibration data, which may be
at least partially generated using one or more of the following
factors: sight-height data, muzzle velocity data, dial
specification data, ballistics coefficient data, ballistics
performance data, projectile-form-factor data, projectile caliber,
projectile weight, air-density factors (such as, pressure data,
temperature data, elevation data, humidity data and/or other
air-density factors) and wind data. Significantly, using one or
more of these factors may allow more accurate dial-calibration data
to be generated--thus facilitating more accurate shooting with the
scope. Of course, these factors are not required and other factors
may be used to generate the dial-calibration data.
[0010] Yet another aspect is a scope that may include an adjustment
dial, which may be used in connection with a plurality of
interchangeable components, such as turrets or other components.
The components may be labeled with different dial-calibration data
and may be sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected
from a portion of the adjustment dial. For example, a first
component may be labeled with first dial-calibration data that is
at least partially generated using one set of shooting conditions,
while a second component may be labeled with second
dial-calibration data that is at least partially generated using a
different set of shooting conditions. This may advantageously allow
the adjustment dial to be used with different dial-calibration data
tailored to the shooting conditions under which the scope is being
used. If desired, the first and second dial calibration data may be
at least partially generated based on one or more shots fired by a
gun attached to the scope, which may further tailor the
dial-calibration data to the gun.
[0011] Still another aspect is a system that may include an
electronic device, which may include a derived distance calculation
module. The derived distance calculation module may be configured
to use a distance to a target and actual shooting conditions to
calculate a derived distance. The derived distance may be used in
connection with a scope's adjustment dial labeled with
dial-calibration data that was at least partially generated using
shooting conditions different from the actual shooting conditions.
Desirably, this may allow a shooter to accurately aim at a target
under shooting conditions that are different from those used to
generate the dial-calibration data, which may increase the scope's
flexibility.
[0012] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more fully apparent from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments and
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The appended drawings contain figures of preferred
embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other
aspects, advantages and features of the present invention. It will
be appreciated that these drawings depict only preferred
embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its
scope. The invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary scope;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary reticle that may be used
in connection with the scope shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the
reticle aiming at an exemplary target;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the scope shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is another exploded view of the scope shown in FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of the scope shown in
FIG. 1, illustrating an exemplary adjustment dial;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a diagram of exemplary dial-calibration data that
may be used to label the adjustment dial shown in FIG. 5;
[0020] FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary
method;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
system;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary range card;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary
system;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic
device;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a top view of the electronic device shown in
FIGS. 11;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a side view of the electronic device shown in
FIGS. 11;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a rear view of the electronic device shown in
FIGS. 11;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system,
illustrating an exemplary configuration of an electronic
device;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary
system; and
[0030] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of an electronic device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The present invention is generally directed towards
ballistics systems and methods. The principles of the present
invention, however, are not limited to ballistics systems and
methods. It will be understood that, in light of the present
disclosure, the ballistics systems and methods disclosed herein can
be successfully used in connection with other types of systems and
methods. A detailed description of the ballistics systems and
methods now follows.
[0032] A scope 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be used to aim a gun, such as
a rifle, revolver or other gun. In particular, the scope 10 may be
sized and configured to be connected to the gun and a shooter may
look through the scope to view and aim at a target. The scope 10
preferably comprises a rifle scope sized and configured to be
connected to a rifle; however, the scope may be any other suitable
scope and may be sized and configured to be connected to any other
suitable gun.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the scope 10 may include a reticle 12
that may facilitate aiming at a target 14. It will be appreciated
that the reticle 12 may have any suitable shape and/or
configuration and that a target 14 may include animals (such as
deer, elk, bears, varmints and the like), inanimate objects (such
as paper targets) or any other suitable target.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the scope 10 preferably includes an
adjustment dial 16 (such as, a turret, a knob, a wheel, a disk or
plate, or other adjustment mechanism), which may be used to adjust
the scope. Desirably, the adjustment dial 16 may be rotated or
otherwise moved among a plurality of positions to configure the
scope to compensate for projectile drops associated with various
distances to a target.
[0035] In further detail, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, the adjustment
dial 16 may include dial-calibration data 18, which may include one
or more distance indicators 20 (such as distance indicators 20a-h)
configured to indicate a distance to a target. A distance indicator
20 may include, for example, a number or other symbol 22 indicating
a distance to a target. The distance indicator 20 may also include
a reference mark 24, which may be associated with the number or
symbol. The distance indicator 20, however, does not require any
number or symbol 22 and may simply include a reference mark 24, if
desired.
[0036] The dial-calibration data 18 preferably includes a plurality
of distance indicators 20 configured to indicate various distances.
For example, a first distance indicator 20 may indicate a first
distance to a target and a second distance indicator 20 may
indicate a second distance to a target. Desirably, when the first
distance indicator 20 is aligned with a reference mark 26 of the
scope 10, the scope is preferably configured to compensate for a
first projectile drop associated with the first distance, and when
the second distance indicator 20 is aligned with the scope's
reference mark 26, the scope is preferably configured to compensate
for a second projectile drop associated with the second
distance.
[0037] Consequently, the adjustment dial 16 may be rotated or
otherwise moved within a range of positions in which the reference
mark 26 is aligned with, or positioned between, various distance
indicators 20. When the reference mark 26 is aligned with a
distance indicator 20, the scope 10 is preferably configured to
compensate for a projectile drop associated with the distance
associated with the distance indicator. When the reference mark 26
is positioned between a pair of distance indicators 20, the scope
10 is preferably configured to compensate for a projectile drop
associated with a distance between the distances associated with
the pair of distance indicators. Desirably, the adjustment dial 16
may be rotated or otherwise moved within a range of discrete
positions (using, for example, "clicks") or within an at least
substantially continuous range of positions.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the dial-calibration data 18 may
include the distance indicators 20a-h configured to indicate 200
yards, 300 yards, 400 yards, 500 yards, 600 yards, 700 yards, 800
yards and 900 yards, respectively. It will be appreciated, however,
that the dial-calibration data 18 may include any other suitable
number of distance indicators configured to indicate any other
suitable distances.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the dial-calibration data 18 may also
include one or more windage hold-off indicators 28 (such as windage
hold-off indicators 28a-g) configured to indicate a hold-off to
compensate for an amount of deflection caused by a crosswind. An
exemplary hold-off may include a number of hash marks, dots or
other such features of a reticle; a minutes-of-angle ("MOA")
adjustment; and/or any other suitable hold-off.
[0040] A windage hold-off indicator 28 may include, for example, a
number or other symbol 30 indicating a hold-off for an amount of
crosswind deflection. The windage hold-off indicator 28 may also
include a reference mark 32, which may be associated with the
number or symbol. The windage hold-off indicator 28, however, does
not require any number or symbol 30 and may simply include a
reference mark 32, if desired.
[0041] The dial-calibration data 18 preferably includes a plurality
of windage hold-off indicators 28 configured to indicate various
hold-offs. For example, a first windage hold-off indicator 28 may
indicate a first hold-off for a first amount of crosswind
deflection and a second hold-off indicator 28 may indicate a second
hold-off for a second amount of crosswind deflection.
[0042] The windage hold-off indicators 28 may be configured to
indicate various hold-offs depending, for example, upon the
distance to a target. In further detail, when a windage hold-off
indicator 28 is aligned with a distance indicator 20, the windage
hold-off indicator 28 preferably indicates a hold-off for crosswind
deflection from a target that is located at the distance associated
with the distance indicator. When a windage hold-off indicator 28
is positioned between a pair of distance indicators 20, the windage
hold-off indicator 28 preferably indicates a hold-off for crosswind
deflection from a target that is located at a distance between the
distances associated with the pair of distance indicators. Thus,
the windage hold-off indicators 28 may be configured to indicate
various hold-offs depending, for example, upon the distance to
target.
[0043] Significantly, the windage hold-off indicators 28 may
advantageously allow a shooter to quickly and easily apply a
hold-off tailored to a selected distance to a target. In further
detail, to configure the scope 10 to compensate for a projectile
drop associated with a particular distance to a target, the shooter
may rotate or move the adjustment dial 16 within a range of
positions in which the reference mark 26 is aligned with, or
positioned between, various distance indicators 20, as discussed
above. After the adjustment dial 16 has been rotated or moved to
select the distance to the target, the reference mark 26 may be
aligned with, or positioned between, various windage hold-off
indicators 28, thus advantageously allowing the shooter to quickly
identify a hold-off tailored to the selected distance to the
target. In particular, if the reference mark 26 is aligned with a
windage hold-off indicator 28, the shooter may know to use the
hold-off indicated by the windage hold-off indicator 28. In
addition, if the reference mark 26 is positioned between a pair of
windage hold-off indicators 28, the shooter may know to use a
hold-off between the hold-offs associated with the pair of windage
hold-off indicators. Either way, the shooter may quickly identify a
hold-off tailored to the selected distance to the target and then
quickly apply that hold-off.
[0044] Preferably, some or all of the windage hold-off indicators
28 may be configured to indicate various hold-offs for various
amounts of deflection caused by a particular amount of crosswind,
but at different distances to a target. For example, as shown by a
notation 34 in FIG. 6, the windage hold-off indicators 28 may be
configured to indicate minute-of-angle ("MOA") adjustments that
compensate for particular amount of crosswind, such as a 5
mile-per-hour ("MPH") crosswind. In this example, the windage
hold-off indicator 28c includes a number "1" that indicates a 1 MOA
adjustment for a 5 MPH crosswind, and the windage hold-off
indicator 28g includes a number "2" that indicates a 2 MOA
adjustment for a 5 MPH crosswind. In addition, in this example, the
windage hold-off indicators 28a, 28b, 28d, 28e, 28f respectively
indicate a 1/2 MOA adjustment, a 3/4 MOA adjustment, a 11/4 MOA
adjustment, a 1/2 MOA adjustment and a 13/4 MOA adjustment for a 5
MPH crosswind. Thus, for instance, when the adjustment dial 16 has
been rotated or moved to select a distance to a target (as
discussed above) and the reference mark 26 is aligned with the
windage hold-off indicator 28c, a shooter may quickly and easily
see that a 1 MOA hold-off should be applied to adjust for a 5 MPH
crosswind. Also, for instance, when the adjustment dial 16 has been
rotated or moved to select a distance to a target (as discussed
above) and the reference mark 26 is positioned between the windage
hold-off indicators 28e, 28f, the shooter may quickly and easily
see that a hold-off between 11/2 MOA and 13/4 MOA should be applied
to adjust for a 5 MPH crosswind.
[0045] In some embodiments, where a windage hold-off indicator 28
may be configured to indicate a hold-off for a first amount of
crosswind, a shooter may quickly and easily calculate a hold-off
for a second amount of crosswind by multiplying the indicated
hold-off by (y/x), where x is the first amount of crosswind and y
is the second amount of crosswind. Thus, if the first amount of
crosswind is 5 MPH, the indicated hold-off should be doubled when
second amount of crosswind is 10 MPH (y/x=10/5=2) or tripled when
the second amount of crosswind is 15 MPH (y/x=15/5=3). Thus, when
the adjustment dial 16 has been rotated or moved to select a
distance to a target (as discussed above) and the reference mark 26
is aligned with the windage hold-off indicator 28c, a shooter may
quickly and easily see that a 1 MOA hold-off should be applied to
adjust for a 5 MPH crosswind, a 2 MOA hold-off should be applied to
adjust for a 10 MPH crosswind or a 3 MOA hold-off should be applied
to adjust for a 15 MPH crosswind.
[0046] In the examples above, the windage hold-off indicators 28
may have been illustrated to be configured to indicate hold-offs
for a 5 MPH crosswind; however, the windage hold-off indicators 28
may be configured to indicate hold-offs for a 1 MPH crosswind, a 2
MPH crosswind, a 5 MPH crosswind, a 10 MPH crosswind, a 20 MPH
crosswind or any larger or smaller crosswind, if desired. In
addition, although the windage hold-off indicators 28 may have been
illustrated to be configured to indicate MOA hold-offs, the windage
hold-off indicators 28 need not be configured to indicate MOA
hold-offs and that the windage hold-off indicators may be
configured to indicate other types of hold-offs.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the reticle 12 may include one or more
hash marks, dots or other such features sized and configured to
indicate one or more hold-offs that may be quickly and easily used
to aim at a target 14. For example, the reticle 12 may include hash
marks 36a-h, which may indicate various hold-offs from a "zero
point" 38. Thus, when the adjustment dial 16 has been rotated or
moved to select a distance to a target and the shooter determines
the hold-off that should be applied, the shooter may aim the hash
mark 36 associated with that hold-off at the target 14. For
instance, after determining that the hash mark 36c is associated
with the proper hold-off, shooters may aim the hash mark 36c at a
desired portion of the target 14, as shown in FIG. 12, and may
shoot their gun.
[0048] As discussed below with reference to the various processes
and systems, the dial-calibration data 18 may be at least partially
generated using one or more of the following factors: sight-height
data, muzzle velocity data, dial specification data, ballistics
coefficient data, ballistics performance data,
projectile-form-factor data, projectile caliber, projectile weight,
air-density factors (such as, pressure data, temperature data,
elevation data, humidity data and/or other air-density factors) and
wind data. Significantly, using one or more of these factors may
allow more accurate dial-calibration data 18 to be generated--thus
facilitating more accurate shooting with the scope 10. It will be
appreciated, however, that the dial-calibration data 18 may be at
least partially generated using these factors and/or other factors
using other processes and/or systems. Thus, the exemplary processes
and systems discussed below are not required and are merely used
for illustration.
[0049] An exemplary method 38 shown in FIGS. 7A-7B may be used to
make at least a portion of the scope 10, and an exemplary system 40
shown in FIG. 8 may include a range card generation module 42, a
ballistics calculation module 44, a dial-calibration data
generation module 46, an etching apparatus 48, a label making
apparatus 50 and a printing apparatus 52. Desirably, some or all of
the method 38 may be performed by the system 40; the range card
generation module 42; the ballistics calculation module 44; the
dial-calibration data generation module 46; the etching apparatus
48; the label making apparatus 50; the printing apparatus 52; other
systems, modules, apparatuses and the like; or any combination
thereof. Of course, the entire method 38 need not be performed; and
any part or parts of the method 38 may be performed alone, or in
combination other methods, to provide a useful result.
[0050] In further detail, the range card generation module 42 may
receive sight-height data at block 54. The sight-height data
preferably indicates a position of the scope 10 relative to a gun
to which the scope is attached. For instance, the sight-height data
may indicate the distance from the center axis of the scope 10 to
the center axis of the barrel of the gun. At block 56, the range
card generation module 42 may receive dial specification data. The
dial specification data preferably indicates a range of positions
among which the adjustment dial 16 may be rotated or moved and how
those positions configure the scope 10 to compensate for projectile
drops. For example, the dial specification data may indicate a one
or more "clicks" among which the adjustment dial 16 may be rotated
or moved and how the "clicks" alter the aim of the scope 10 to
compensate for projectile drops, such as, a MOA adjustment provided
by a "click."
[0051] At block 58, the ballistics calculation module 44 may
receive first ballistics coefficient data. The first ballistics
coefficient data may indicate a ballistics coefficient, such as a
ballistics coefficient provided by a manufacturer of a projectile
to be shot by the gun to which the scope 10 is attached. At block
60, the ballistics calculation module 44 may receive first muzzle
velocity data. The first muzzle velocity data may indicate a muzzle
velocity, such as a muzzle velocity provided by the projectile
manufacturer. At block 62, the ballistics calculation module 44 may
receive first shooting conditions data. The first shooting
conditions data may indicate one or more shooting conditions under
which a range test is expected to be performed. For example, the
first shooting conditions data may include first pressure data,
first temperature data, first elevation data and/or first humidity
data, which may respectively indicate the barometric pressure, the
temperature, the elevation and/or the humidity at which the range
test is expected to be performed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7A, block
62 may include block 64 at which the ballistics calculation module
44 may receive the first pressure data, the first temperature data,
the first elevation data and/or the first humidity data. The first
shooting conditions data, however, does not require the first
pressure data, the first temperature data, the first elevation data
or the first humidity data and may include data indicating other
shooting conditions.
[0052] At block 66, the ballistics calculation module 44 may
generate first projectile trajectory data configured to indicate a
trajectory for a projectile. The ballistics calculation module 44
may generate the first projectile trajectory data using the first
ballistics coefficient data received at block 58, the first muzzle
velocity data received at block 60, some or all of the first
shooting conditions data received at block 62 and/or other data
(for instance, a drag model associated with a projectile's form
factor).
[0053] At block 68, the range card generation module 42 may
generate a range card, such as a range card 70 shown in FIG. 9. As
shown in FIG. 6, the range card 70 may include fields (such as
fields 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) into which shooting conditions
data, ballistics performance data and/or other data may be entered.
The range card 70 may also include distance data 86 configured to
indicate one or more distances from which projectiles may be shot
as part of a range test. The range card 70 may further include dial
position data 88 configured to indicate one or more positions for
the adjustment dial 16 to be used when those projectiles are shot
by the gun to which the scope 10 is attached. For example, the dial
position data 88 may be configured to indicate one or more "clicks"
of the adjustment dial 16.
[0054] In further detail, the block 68 may include blocks 90, 92.
At block 90, the range card generation module 42 may select a
distance and, at block 92, may generate dial position data 88
associated with the distance selected at the block 90. Preferably,
at block 92, the range card generation module 42 may generate dial
position data 88 that indicates a position for the adjustment dial
16 that configures the scope 10 to compensate for an expected
projectile drop at the selected distance. In particular, at block
92, the range card generation module 42 preferably generates this
dial position data 88 using the first projectile trajectory
generated at block 66, the sight-height data received at block 54,
the dial specification data received at block 56 and/or other
data.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 7A, blocks 90, 92 may be repeated for
several different distances. For example, blocks 90, 92 may be
repeated to generate dial position data 88 for 200 yards, 300
yards, 400 yards, 500 yards, 600 yards, 700 yards, 800 yards, 900
yards and/or other distances, as illustrated by the range card 70
shown in FIG. 9.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 7B, a shooter may perform a range test at
block 94. For example, the block 94 may include blocks 96, 98, 100
at which the shooter may enter second shooting conditions in the
range card 70, take one or more shots at targets positioned at
various distances using the gun to which the scope 10 is attached,
and enter ballistics performance data associated with those shots
in the range card 70.
[0057] In further detail, the second shooting conditions may
include second elevation data, second pressure data, second
temperature data, and/second humidity data; and at block 96, the
shooter may enter the second elevation data, the second pressure
data, the second temperature data, and/the second humidity data
into the fields 74, 76, 78, 80 of the range card 70. The second
pressure data, the second temperature data, the second elevation
data and the second humidity data may respectively indicate the
barometric pressure, the temperature, the elevation and/or the
humidity at which one or more of the shots are taken at block 98.
The second shooting conditions data, however, does not require the
second pressure data, the second temperature data, the second
elevation data or the second humidity data and may include data
indicating other shooting conditions.
[0058] At block 98, a shooter may take one or more shots at some or
all of the distances indicated by the distance data 86. In
particular, after positioning the adjustment dial 16 to the
position indicated by the dial position data 88, the shooter may
take one or more shots at the distance indicated by its associated
distance data 86. For example, after positioning the adjustment
dial 16 to the position indicated by the dial position data 88c
(twelve "clicks"), the shooter may take one or more shots at the
distance indicated by its associated distance data 86c (400 yards).
The shooter preferably takes multiple shots at each distance, for
example, about five to ten shots at each distance. Of course, more
or fewer shots may be taken, if desired. The shooter preferably
takes the shots at block 98 using a particular type of projectile
(for instance, projectiles sharing the same caliber, weight, form
factor, manufacturer and/or the like) to obtain ballistics
performance data for that particular type of projectile, as fired
by the particular gun connected to the scope 10.
[0059] As part of the range test performed at block 94, the shooter
may "zero" the scope 10, for example, prior to taking some or all
of the shots taken at the block 98. For instance, as shown in the
range card 70, it may be expected that the adjustment dial 16 will
require zero "clicks" to compensate for a projectile drop at 200
yards. In this example, one or more practice shots at 200 yards may
be taken to determine a position of the adjustment dial 16 at which
the scope 10 adequately compensates for projectile drop at 200
yards, and after taking these practice shots, the adjustment dial
16 may be recalibrated to a zero point.
[0060] In further detail, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the adjustment
dial 16 may include a turret 102 that may be selectively connected
to a spindle 103 in a variety of relative positions using, for
example, a screw 104. Consequently, with the adjustment dial 16 at
which the scope 10 adequately compensates for projectile drop at
200 yards, the adjustment dial 16 may be recalibrated to a zero
point by connecting the turret 102 to the spindle 103 at that zero
point. It will be appreciated, however, that the shooter need not
"zero" the scope 10 as part of the range test performed at the
block 94.
[0061] The adjustment dial 16 may also include a stop 105, a base
106 and a dust cover 107, if desired. The adjustment dial 16 may,
as discussed above, rotate or move within a range of positions to
select various distances to a target, and the stop 105 may be
configured to limit that rotation or movement. In particular, the
stop 105 may be configured to limit the rotation of the adjustment
dial 16 to one revolution or a fraction of a revolution, which may
help avoid confusion relating to rotating the adjustment dial 16
more than one times. In addition, this may allow the adjustment
dial 16 to be quickly returned to a minimum or maximum rotational
position, if desired. The stop 105 preferably has a generally
ring-shaped configuration; however, the stop 105 may have other
suitable shapes and/or configurations. It will be appreciated that
the adjustment dial 16 does not require the stop 105 and that the
adjustment dial 16 may be configured to rotate more than one
revolution, if desired.
[0062] At block 100, the shooter may record ballistics performance
data associated with the shots taken at block 98. For example, the
ballistics performance data may include an impact variance, such as
a distance above or below an expected impact point. In particular,
the ballistics performance data may include an impact variance for
the distances at which the shots were taken, which the shooter may
enter into the fields 84. The impact variance may comprise, for
instance, an impact variance for a single shot taken at a
particular distance or an average, a mean, a median or a mode of
the impact variances for some or all of the shots taken the
particular distance. The ballistics performance data may also
include a muzzle velocity, which the shooter may enter into the
field 72. The muzzle velocity may comprise, for instance, a muzzle
velocity for a single shot taken during the range test or an
average, a mean, a median or a mode of a muzzle velocity for some
or all of the shots taken during the range test.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 7B, at block 108, the ballistics
calculation module 44 may receive the second shooting conditions
entered at block 96 and may, at block 110, receive the ballistics
performance data entered at block 100.
[0064] At block 112, the ballistics calculation module 44 may
calculate second ballistics coefficient data indicating a
ballistics coefficient of the projectiles shot at block 98. For
example, the ballistics calculation module 44 may calculate the
second ballistics coefficient data using the shooting conditions
received at block 108, the ballistics performance data received at
block 110, the first projectile trajectory generated at block 66
and/or other data. As mentioned above, the shooter preferably takes
the shots at block 98 using a particular type of projectile (for
instance, projectiles sharing the same caliber, weight, form
factor, manufacturer and/or the like) to obtain ballistics
performance data for that particular type of projectile, as fired
by the particular gun connected to the scope 10. Thus, if the
second ballistics coefficient data is calculated using the
ballistics performance data received at block 110, the second
ballistics coefficient data may more accurately reflect the
ballistics coefficient for this particular type of projectile, as
fired by the particular gun connected to the scope 10.
[0065] At block 114, the dial-calibration data generation module 46
may receive third shooting conditions data and may, at block 116,
generate dial-calibration data 18. At block 118, the adjustment
dial 16 of the scope may be labeled using the dial-calibration data
generated at block 116.
[0066] In further detail, the third shooting conditions data
received at block 114 may indicate one or more expected shooting
conditions under which the gun is expected to be used. For example,
the third shooting conditions data may include third pressure data,
third temperature data, third elevation data and/or third humidity
data, which may respectively indicate the barometric pressure, the
temperature, the elevation and/or the humidity at which the gun is
expected to be used. The third shooting conditions data, however,
does not require the third pressure data, the third temperature
data, the third elevation data or the third humidity data and may
include data indicating other shooting conditions.
[0067] At block 116, the dial-calibration data generation module 46
may generate dial-calibration data 18, for example, the distance
indicators 20, the windage hold-off indicators 28 and their
relative positions. The dial-calibration data generation module 46
may generate dial-calibration data 18 using the second ballistics
coefficient data calculated at block 112, the third shooting
conditions data received at block 114, the ballistics performance
data received at the block 110 (for instance, a muzzle velocity),
the first projectile trajectory generated at block 66 and/or other
data (such as the sight-height data received at block 54, the dial
specification data received at block 56, and/or the first muzzle
velocity received at block 60). Significantly, if the
dial-calibration data generation module 46 generates the
dial-calibration data 18 using the ballistics performance data
received at the block 110 and/or the second ballistics coefficient
data, the generated dial-calibration data 18 may be more accurately
customized to the gun and type of projectiles shot during the range
test performed at block 94. Moreover, if the dial-calibration data
generation module 46 generates the dial-calibration data 18 using
the sight-height data received at block 54 and/or the dial
specification data received at block 56, the generated
dial-calibration data 18 may be more accurately customized to the
scope 10 and its position relative to the gun. Further, if the
dial-calibration data generation module 46 generates the
dial-calibration data 18 using the third shooting conditions data,
the generated dial-calibration data 18 may be more accurately
customized to particular shooting conditions under which the scope
10 and the gun are expected to be used.
[0068] It will be appreciated, however, that the dial-calibration
data generation module 46 may generate dial-calibration data 18
without the range test performed at block 94 or its associated
ballistics performance data. For example, the dial-calibration data
generation module 46 may receive sight-height data, dial
specification data, ballistics coefficient data, muzzle velocity
data, shooting conditions data, other data or any combination
thereof and may use such data to generate dial-calibration data 18
at block 116. The ballistics coefficient data may indicate a
ballistics coefficient, such as a ballistics coefficient provided
by a manufacturer of a projectile to be shot by the gun to which
the scope 10 is attached. The muzzle velocity data may indicate a
muzzle velocity, such as a muzzle velocity provided by the
projectile manufacturer. The shooting conditions data may indicate
one or more shooting conditions under which the gun is expected to
be used.
[0069] At block 118, the adjustment dial 16 may be labeled using
the dial-calibration data 18 generated at block 116. For example,
at block 118, the etching apparatus 48 may use the generated
dial-calibration data 18 to etch the distance indicators 20 and/or
the windage hold-off indicators 28 into a portion of the adjustment
dial 16, such as the turret 102. In another example, at block 118,
the label making apparatus 50 may use the generated
dial-calibration data 18 to create a label including the distance
indicators 20 and/or the windage hold-off indicators 28, which
label may be placed on a portion of the adjustment dial 16, such as
the turret 102. In yet another example, at block 118, the printing
apparatus 52 may use the generated dial-calibration data 18 to
print the distance indicators 20 and/or the windage hold-off
indicators 28 onto a portion of the adjustment dial 16, such as the
turret 102. It will be appreciated, however, that the adjustment
dial 16 may be labeled using the generated dial-calibration data 18
using other suitable means.
[0070] If desired, a plurality of turrets 102 may be
interchangeably used with the scope 10. In particular, some or all
of the method 38 may be repeatedly performed to create a plurality
of turrets 102 that may be interchangeably connected to the scope
10. Significantly, this may allow the turrets 102 to be labeled
with different dial-calibration data 18 that is customized to
different types of projectiles, different shooting conditions,
etc.
[0071] For example, a plurality of range tests may be performed to
create different turrets 102 suitable for different types of
projectiles. In addition, blocks 114, 116, 118 may be repeated to
label multiple turrets 102 with dial-calibration data 18 generated
using different shooting conditions. Thus, the turrets 102 may be
customized to the different shooting conditions under which the
scope 10 and the gun are expected to be used. In some instances,
the different turrets 102 may include dial-calibration data 18
generated using different elevations (such as, 2,000 feet; 4,000
feet; 6,000 feet; 8,000 feet; etc.). In such instances, when at a
first elevation, a shooter may connect (to the scope 10) a first
turret 102 having first dial-calibration data 18 suitable for the
first elevation; and when the shooter goes to a second elevation,
the shooter may disconnect the first turret and replace it with a
second turret 102 having second first dial-calibration data 18
suitable for the second elevation.
[0072] As discussed above, the range card module 42, the ballistics
calculation module 44 and/or the dial-calibration data generation
module 46 may receive sight-height data, dial specification data,
ballistics coefficient data, muzzle velocity data, shooting
conditions data and/or other data. As discussed below, the modules
may send and/or receive this data in a variety of different
ways.
[0073] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, the range card
module 42, the ballistics calculation module 44 and/or the
dial-calibration data generation module 46 may be implemented as a
part of a web service 120, which may be configured to receive this
data via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network
(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), other types of networks, or the
like. For example, the range card module 42, the ballistics
calculation module 44 and/or the dial-calibration data generation
module 46 of the web service 120 may receive such data from a
browser or other software program 122, which may be operating on a
computing device 124, such as a desktop computer, a laptop
computer, a palmtop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
mobile phone, other computing devices, and the like. In particular,
the browser 122 may receive and display a web page from the web
service 120, and the web page may be configured to receive user
input including sight-height data, dial specification data,
ballistics coefficient data, muzzle velocity data, shooting
conditions data, other data or any combination thereof. For
instance, in one embodiment, the range card 70 generated at block
68 in FIG. 7A may be a web page, which a person may print out.
Using this print-out, a person may manually record the second
shooting conditions data and/or ballistics performance data.
Afterwards, the person may enter the second shooting conditions
data and/or ballistics performance data into this range-card web
page (or another web page) at blocks 96 and 100 in FIG. 7B. The
browser 122 may then send this user input to the web service 120
via the web page. The web service 120 may be hosted by, for
example, a suitable hardware device.
[0074] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the range card
module 42, the ballistics calculation module 44 and/or the
dial-calibration data generation module 46 may be implemented as a
part of an electronic device 126, such as a computing device, a
laser range finder or other suitable electronic device. The
electronic device 126 may include a display 128 and one or more
user input devices 130, such as a keyboard, pushbuttons, etc. The
display 128 may display a user interface configured to receive user
input including sight-height data, dial specification data,
ballistics coefficient data, muzzle velocity data, shooting
conditions data and/or other data. For instance, in one embodiment,
the display 128 may display the range card 70 generated at block 68
in FIG. 7A, and a person may use the user input device 130 to enter
the second shooting conditions data and/or ballistics performance
data into the displayed range card at blocks 96 and 100 in FIG. 7B.
It will be appreciated, however, that the range card module 42, the
ballistics calculation module 44 and the dial-calibration data
generation module 46 need not be implemented as a part of an
electronic device 126 or a web service 120 and may be implemented
in other suitable devices, systems, etc.
[0075] As shown in FIGS. 11-15, the system 40 may include an
electronic device 132. The electronic device 132 preferably
includes a derived-distance calculation module 134, which may be
configured to use a distance to a target to calculate a derived
distance that may be used in connection with an adjustment dial
16.
[0076] As mentioned above, the adjustment dial 16 may include
dial-calibration data 18 that may be customized to a set of
shooting conditions under which the scope 10 and the gun are
expected to be used. For example, the dial-calibration data 18 may
include one or more distance indicators 20 customized to these
expected shooting conditions.
[0077] Significantly, when the scope 10 and the gun are to be used
under actual shooting conditions that differ from these expected
shooting conditions, the derived-distance calculation module 134
may advantageously use a distance to a target to calculate a
derived distance that, when the adjustment dial 16 has been rotated
or moved to select the derived distance, the scope 10 is configured
to compensate for a projectile drop for the distance to the target
under the actual shooting conditions. To calculate the derived
distance, the derived-distance calculation module 134 may use the
distance to the target and any other suitable data, for instance,
the dial-calibration data 18, expected shooting conditions data,
sight-height data, dial specification data, ballistics coefficient
data, muzzle velocity data, actual shooting conditions data and/or
other data. The electronic device 132 may include a display 136,
which may advantageously display the derived distance to a shooter
who may quickly and easily rotate or otherwise move the adjustment
dial 16 to select the derived distance.
[0078] In further detail, the expected shooting conditions data may
include the shooting conditions data received at block 114 of the
method 38. The ballistics coefficient data may indicate a
ballistics coefficient, such as a ballistics coefficient provided
by a manufacturer of a projectile to be shot by the gun or a
ballistics coefficient calculated at block 112. The muzzle velocity
data may indicate a muzzle velocity, such as a muzzle velocity
provided by the projectile manufacturer or a muzzle velocity
measured at block 100.
[0079] The actual shooting conditions data may indicate one or more
shooting conditions under which the gun and the scope 10 are to be
used. For example, the actual shooting conditions data may include
pressure data, temperature data, elevation data and/or humidity
data, which may respectively indicate the barometric pressure, the
temperature, the elevation and/or the humidity at which the gun and
the scope 10 are to be used. The actual shooting conditions data
may also include wind data, which may indicate an amount and/or
direction of wind present when the gun and the scope are to be
used. The actual shooting conditions data may further include
compass heading data and/or tilt data, which may respectively
indicate the direction and/or the tilt (e.g., incline or decline)
at which the gun and the scope 10 are to be used.
[0080] The actual shooting conditions data may be different from
the expected shooting conditions data in a variety of ways. For
example, the actual shooting conditions data may include additional
types of data (such as wind data, compass heading data and/or
incline data) that may not have been included in the expected
shooting conditions used to generate the adjustment dial's
dial-calibration data 18. Also for example, the actual shooting
conditions data and the expected shooting conditions data may
indicate different conditions, such as different barometric
pressures, temperatures, elevations and/or humidity.
[0081] The derived-distance calculation module 134 may receive the
dial-calibration data 18, the expected shooting conditions data,
the sight-height data, the dial specification data, the ballistics
coefficient data, the muzzle velocity data, the actual shooting
conditions data and/or other data using a variety of means. In some
embodiments, for example, the electronic device 132 may include a
barometric pressure sensor 138, a temperature sensor 140, an
elevation sensor 142, a humidity sensor 144, a wind sensor 146, a
compass heading sensor 148 and/or a tilt sensor 150, which may
sense actual shooting conditions and respectively send associated
actual shooting conditions data to the derived-distance calculation
module 134. In particular, the barometric pressure sensor 138, the
temperature sensor 140, the elevation sensor 142, the humidity
sensor 144, the wind sensor 146, the compass heading sensor 148 and
the tilt sensor 150 may respectively send pressure data,
temperature data, elevation data, humidity data, wind data, compass
heading data and tilt data to the derived-distance calculation
module 134. In some embodiments, the electronic device 132 may
include a GPS module that may provide the elevation data or a
location from which the elevation data may be derived.
[0082] In addition, as best seen in FIGS. 11-15, the electronic
device 132 may be a laser range finder, which may include a laser
transmit and receive device 152. The laser transmit and receive
device 152 may be configured to transmit and receive light, for
example, to help the laser range finder determine a distance to a
target or other item, which the derived-distance calculation module
134 may use in calculating the derived distance. It will be
appreciated, however, that the electronic device 132 does not
require a laser transmit and receive device 152 and that the
electronic device 132 need not be laser range finder. For instance,
the electronic device 132 may be a laser range finder, a computing
device or any other suitable electronic device.
[0083] In some embodiments, the derived-distance calculation module
134 may receive the dial-calibration data 18, the expected shooting
conditions data, the sight-height data, the dial specification
data, the ballistics coefficient data and/or the muzzle velocity
data from the computing device 124 (FIGS. 8 and 15) or the
electronic device 126 (FIGS. 10 and 16). In particular, the
electronic device 132 may include an interface 154, such as a USB
port, FireWire.RTM. port or other interface, via which the
computing device 124 or the electronic device 126 may send such
data to the derived-distance calculation module 134 of the
electronic device 132. The interface 154, however, is not required
and some or all of the features of the electronic device 120 may be
integrated into the electronic device 132, as shown in FIG. 17. It
will be appreciated that the electronic device 132 may receive the
dial-calibration data 18, the expected shooting conditions data,
the sight-height data, the dial specification data, the ballistics
coefficient data, the muzzle velocity data, the actual shooting
conditions data and/or other data via sensors, user input (using,
for instance, one or more user input devices 156) or any other
suitable means.
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 15-17, the electronic device 132 may
include a windage hold-off calculation module 158, which may be
configured to calculate a hold-off to compensate for an amount of
deflection caused by a crosswind. An exemplary hold-off may include
a number of hash marks, dots or other such features of a reticle; a
minutes-of-angle ("MOA") adjustment; and/or any other suitable
hold-off.
[0085] To calculate the hold-off, the windage hold-off calculation
module 158 may use the distance to a target, the dial-calibration
data 18, the expected shooting conditions data, the sight-height
data, the dial specification data, the ballistics coefficient data,
the muzzle velocity data, the actual shooting conditions data
and/or other data that the derived-distance calculation module 134
may or may not use to calculate the derived distance. In some
embodiments, the windage hold-off calculation module 158 may
receive this data in a variety of ways including, but not limited
to, the ways discussed above that the derived-distance calculation
module 134 may receive this data.
[0086] The display 136 of the electronic device 132 may
advantageously display the hold-off to a shooter who may quickly
and easily apply the hold-off. If desired, the display 136 of the
electronic device 132 may advantageously be configured to display
the hold-off, the derived distance, or both.
[0087] As shown above, the methods and systems described above can
be implemented using one or more modules, which may include, for
example, software and/or hardware. The software and/or hardware may
include web services, object-oriented software components, class
components, task components, processes, functions, attributes,
procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers,
firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures,
tables, arrays, variables, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), processors,
computing devices, firmware, other software components and/or other
hardware components. If desired, the functionality provided for in
the modules discussed above may be combined into fewer modules or
further separated into additional modules, if desired.
[0088] Although this invention has been described in terms of
certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to
be defined only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *