Position-based on/off switch scope
View Patent ↗An optical scope with a position-based on/off switch preserves power by automatically deactivating one or more electrical components when the scope is not in use. The scope includes an orientation sensor that determines when the scope is in an inactive position by sensing when the scope is rolled left or right to a predetermined angle of inclination from an upright position. A power switch receives an indicia of orientation from the orientation sensor and deactivates the one or more electrical components when the scope is in the inactive position, thus preserving power and extending the life of a battery.
1. An apparatus for deactivating an electrical component of an optical scope, the apparatus comprising:
an orientation sensor for detecting when the scope is in an inactive position; and
a power switch in communication with the orientation sensor for deactivating the electrical component when the scope is in the inactive position,
the electrical component being chosen from the group consisting of a reticle illumination circuit, a reticle activation circuit, a rangefinder, and a night vision accessory.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a delay circuit for causing the power switch to deactivate the electrical component only after the scope has been in the inactive position for a predetermined length of time.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , further comprising a user input for enabling a user to determine the length of time.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a timer circuit for causing the power switch to deactivate the component if the component has been activated for a predetermined length of time.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 , further comprising a user input for enabling a user to determine the length of time.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a user input for enabling a user to manually activate and deactivate the electrical component.
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the scope is in the inactive position when the scope is rolled to a predetermined angle of inclination from an upright position.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 , further comprising a user input for enabling a user to determine the angle of inclination.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the scope is in the inactive position when scope is rotated to a predetermined pitch from a horizontal position.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 , further comprising a user input for enabling a user to determine the pitch.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the orientation sensor further detects when the scope is in an active position, and the power switch activates the electrical component when the scope is in the active position.
12. An apparatus for deactivating a plurality of an electrical components of an optical scope, the apparatus comprising:
an orientation sensor for detecting when the scope is in an inactive position, wherein the scope is in the inactive position when it is rolled beyond a predetermined angle of inclination from an upright position;
a delay circuit for receiving a signal from the orientation sensor indicating that the scope is in the inactive position and for determining how long the scope is in the inactive position;
a controller for deactivating the plurality of electrical components when the delay circuit indicates that the scope has been in the inactive position for a predetermined length of time, each of the plurality of electrical components being chosen from the group consisting of a reticle illumination circuit, a reticle activation circuit, a rangefinder, and a night vision accessory; and
a user input for enabling a user to selectively determine the angle of inclination and the delay period.
13. The optical scope as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the scope is in the inactive position when it is rotated to a predetermined pitch from a horizontal position.
14. The optical scope as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the user input enables a user to selectively determine the pitch.
15. The optical scope as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the delay circuit further indicates that the scope is in an active position, and the controller further activates the plurality of electrical components when the delay circuit indicates that the scope is in the active position.
16. The optical scope as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the orientation sensor further detects when the scope is in an active position, and the controller activates the plurality of electrical components when the scope is in the active position.
17. An apparatus for regulating a plurality of electrical components of an optical scope, the apparatus comprising:
an orientation sensor for detecting when the scope is in an inactive position, wherein the scope is in the inactive position when it is rolled beyond a predetermined left angle of inclination from an upright position and when it is rolled beyond a predetermined right angle of inclination from an upright position;
a delay circuit in communication with the orientation sensor for indicating when the scope has been in the inactive position for a predetermined delay period;
a timer circuit for indicating when at least one of the electrical components has been activated for a predetermined maximum activation period;
a controller for deactivating at least one of the electrical components when the delay circuit indicates that the scope has been in the inactive position for the delay period, and for deactivating an electrical component when the timer circuit indicates that the electrical component has been activated for the maximum activation period; and
a user input for enabling a user to determine a first delay period and a first maximum activation period associated with a first electrical component, and to determine a second delay period and a second maximum activation period associated with a second electrical component.
18. The optical scope as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the user input further enables the user to separately determine the left angle of inclination and the right angle of inclination.
19. The optical scope as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the scope is in the inactive position when it is rotated to a predetermined pitch from a horizontal position.
20. The optical scope as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the user input further enables a user to determine a first inactive position associated with a first electrical component and a second inactive position associated with a second electrical component.
21. The optical scope as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the first electrical component and the second electrical component is chosen from the group consisting of a reticle illumination circuit, a reticle activation circuit, a rangefinder, and a night vision accessory.
22. The optical scope as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the orientation sensor further detects when the scope is in an active position, and the controller activates at least one of the electrical components when the scope is in the active position.