Laser-less, no emission range finding artificial intelligence device and methods
An artificial intelligence (AI) device and methods for recognizing objects, such string support rods, birds, mammals, such as deer or elk, or vehicles, such as trucks or tanks, each object type having a known size, and to recognize the distance to each object. For training, embodiments comprise an AI device having an image sensor and optional laser rangefinder. For field use, embodiments comprise a trained AI model is embedded in a handheld or portable hand-carried device, providing a laser-less, no emission range finding device, such as smart rifle scopes, handheld rangefinders, smart binoculars, smart phones and tablets, the device used to select a target, determine the predicted distance to the target, and display a distance adjusted aiming point.
1 . An AI device for recognizing distance to a target, the AI device comprising:
a) a computing element,
b) a memory connected to the computing element,
c) at least one image sensor, connected to the computer element,
d) at least one lens with a known magnification, and
e) a display connected to the computing element,
wherein the image sensor captures a digital image having the known magnification,
wherein the computing element recognizes one or more objects in the magnified digital image, wherein one object is determined to be the target,
wherein the computing element recognizes an object type of the target,
wherein the computing element calculates a preliminary distance to the target based on a known size of the object type and the known magnification of the digital image,
wherein the computing element determines a bounding rectangle in the digital image which includes the target,
wherein the computing element determines a plurality of fiducial points inside the bounding rectangle based on the object type, and
wherein the computing element aligns the digital image based on the fiducial points and crops the aligned digital image forming a cropped aligned digital image.
2 . The AI device of claim 1 , further comprising a deep learning model implemented in the computing element and the memory,
wherein the cropped image of the target object is provided as input to an input to the deep learning model.
3 . The AI device of claim 2 ,
wherein deep learning model comprises convolutional neural networks.
4 . The AI device of claim 2 ,
wherein during training, inputs to the deep learning model comprise:
a) cropped images of different types of objects,
b) data regarding the images.
5 . The AI device of claim 4 , where the data regarding each of the images comprises:
a) type of object,
b) distance to the object,
c) at least one of the group of:
i) size of the object between two predetermined fiducial points,
ii) gender of the object,
iii) maturity of the object, and
iv) species of the object.
6 . The AI device of claim 2 ,
wherein the AI device recognizes one or more classifications of the target object, the classifications comprising the group of:
a) species of the object,
b) gender of the object, and
c) maturity of the object,
wherein the AI device computes a more accurate final distance to the target based on the one or more classifications.
7 . The AI device of claim 2 ,
wherein the AI device recognizes one or more classifications of the target object, the classifications comprising the group of:
a) type of vehicle,
b) model of vehicle,
c) make of vehicle, and
d) year of vehicle,
wherein the AI device computes a more accurate final distance to the target based on the one or more classifications, and
wherein the final distance is displayed on the display.
8 . The AI device of claim 2 , further comprising crosshairs in the display for aiming at the target.
9 . A method of using the AI device of claim 8 to recognize distance to the target, comprising the steps of:
a) training the deep learning model,
b) aiming the AI device at the target by placing the crosshairs over the target, and
c) pressing an operating button on the AI device.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
d) displaying the preliminary distance on the display.
11 . The AI device of claim 6 ,
wherein the final distance is displayed on the display.
12 . The AI device of claim 6 ,
wherein the species is displayed on the display.
13 . The AI device of claim 7 ,
wherein the vehicle type is displayed on the display.
14 . The AI device of claim 13 ,
wherein the vehicle model is displayed on the display.
15 . The AI device of claim 1 , comprising a laser-less range finding device, comprising:
a) crosshairs for positioning the range finding device to range the target, and
b) a gyroscope and accelerometer for sensing an angle to the target,
wherein the range finding device is one of the group of:
i) handheld rangefinder,
ii) smart rifle scope,
iii) binocular, and
iv) smart phone,
wherein the display comprises a shoot-for range indicator,
whereby the display indicates a shoot-for range calculated from the recognized distance adjusted for shooting angle.
16 . The range finding device of claim 15 , wherein the display illuminates an aiming point.
17 . The AI device of claim 2 ,
wherein the type of object is one of the group of:
a) deer,
b) antelope,
c) elk,
d) turkey, and
e) ground hog.
18 . An AI device for recognizing distance to a target, the AI device comprising:
a) a computing element,
b) a memory connected to the computing element,
c) at least one image sensor, connected to the computer element,
d) at least one lens with a known magnification, and
e) a display connected to the computing element,
wherein the image sensor captures a digital image having the known magnification,
wherein the computing element recognizes one or more objects in the magnified digital image, wherein one object is determined to be the target,
wherein the computing element recognizes an object type of the target,
wherein the computing element calculates a preliminary distance to the target based on a known size of the object type and the known magnification of the digital image,
wherein a first image sensor is configured with a low magnification lens,
wherein a second image sensor is configured with a high magnification lens,
wherein a low magnification digital image is provided by the first image sensor,
wherein a high magnification digital image is provided by the second image sensor, and
wherein the display is configured to show both the low magnification digital image and the high magnification digital image.
19 . The AI device of claim 18 ,
wherein the AI device displays the preliminary distance to the target.
20 . An AI device for recognizing distance to a target, the AI device comprising
a laser-less range finding device, comprising
a) a computing element,
b) a memory connected to the computing element,
c) at least one image sensor, connected to the computer element,
d) at least one lens with a known magnification,
e) a display connected to the computing element,
wherein the image sensor captures a digital image having the known magnification,
f) crosshairs for positioning the range finding device to range the target, and
g) a means for sensing an angle to the target,
wherein the computing element recognizes one or more objects in the magnified digital image, wherein one object is determined to be the target,
wherein the computing element recognizes an object type of the target,
wherein the computing element calculates a preliminary distance to the target based on a known size of the object type and the known magnification of the digital image,
wherein the range finding device is one of the group of:
i) handheld rangefinder,
ii) smart rifle scope,
iii) binocular, and
iv) smart phone,
wherein the display comprises a shoot-for range indicator,
whereby the display indicates a shoot-for range calculated from the recognized distance adjusted for the angle.
21 . The AI device of claim 7 ,
wherein type of vehicle is a tank, and
wherein the AI device recognizes the make and model classifications of the tank,
whereby the AI device computes the more accurate final distance to the tank based on a more specific known height of the make and model classifications of the tank.