GB2628361A

GB2628361A - Means and Apparatus for Data Upload in an Outdoors Optical Instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2628361A
Application number: GB2304082.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alsheuski Aliaksandr
Original assignee: Jsc Yukon Advanced Optics Worldwide
Current assignee: Jsc Yukon Advanced Optics Worldwide
Priority date: 2023-03-21
Filing date: 2023-03-21
Publication date: 2024-09-25
Also published as: WO2024194324A1

Abstract

An outdoors optical instrument, intended for extended outdoors use by a person, has a number of optical components, a processing unit, a memory unit, and a transceiver unit. The optical outdoors instrument obtains image data by way of the one or more optical components and stores the image data in the memory unit. The presence of a local wireless communications device is determined, the local wireless communications devices being a trusted device. A connection is established with the local wireless communications device, the wireless communications device being connected to a communications network. A connection is established with a remote device, the remote device being connected to the communications network. Image data is transferred to the remote device and the image data are removed from the memory unit of the outdoors optical instrument.

Description

Means and Apparatus for Data Upload in an Outdoors Optical Instrument

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present disclosure relates to the field of uploading data, and in particular media data, from a mobile device to a remote storage device. Such a system can be used for example in an outdoors optical instrument.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Optical devices, such as binoculars, monoculars or sighting devices, are in commonplace use in outdoor environments. Examples include monoculars and binoculars, which are in widespread use for outdoors activities. Additionally, users of firearms or other projectile weapons (such as used for hunting or target shooting) may fit optical sighting devices thereto. Further, a large number of other types of optical devices are variously used for measurements or other types of observations.

[0003] Some optical instruments allow the user to record images and/or video 20 of objects or scenes that the user has observed using the optical instrument. The image and video data is stored in a memory unit in the optical instrument so that it can be retrieved and reviewed by the user at a later time.

[0004] However, memory is typically limited in optical instruments, and in particular optical instruments designed and intended for outdoors use. Such instruments need to be portable and convenient to carry and operate for lengthy periods of time. Further, they need to be able to resists and withstand a wide range of environmental conditions, such as wind, cold, rain, heat or being dirty or wet (e.g., if dropped on the ground). This puts limitations on their size, weight and form factor. In particular, this may limit the size of batteries as well as other electronic components (e.g., the storage or memory components). This means that a user may have to frequently offload and -2 -remove image data from the optical instrument, which can be inconvenient to the user.

[0005] Further, due to the above-mentioned requirements, outdoors optical instruments may only have a limited user interface or controls. For example, touch screens are in many cases too resource-intensive and/or fragile to be suitable for outdoors equipment. Additionally, an extensive set of controls or user interface requires space on the surface of the instrument, which may result in the dimensions of the instrument having to be increased to the detriment of normal operation thereof. Due to such limitations, removing image data from the memory of outdoors optical instruments can be either difficult or be a lengthy and involved process, which increases the time required to remove the image data as well as the inconvenience to the user. [0006] Therefore, there is a need for devices and/or methods that address at least some of the above.

SUMMARY

[0007]The present disclosure concerns a method for an outdoors optical instrument, the outdoors optical instrument having one or more optical 20 components, a processing unit, a memory unit, and a transceiver unit, wherein the method comprises: obtaining image data by way of the one or more optical components; storing the image data in the memory unit; determining the presence of a local wireless communications device, 25 wherein the local wireless communications devices is a trusted device; establishing a connection with the local wireless communications device, the wireless communications device being connected to a communications network; establishing a connection with a remote device, the remote device 30 being connected to the communications network; transferring the image data to the remote device; and -3 -removing the image data from the memory unit of the optical sighting device.

[0008]The step of determining the presence of a local wireless communications device may comprise: receiving an identifier from a local wireless communications device comparing the received identifier with one or more stored identifiers respectively representing one or more trusted devices; and determining whether the received identifier matched the one or more stored identifiers.

[0009] The step of receiving an identifier may comprise: maintaining the outdoors optical instrument in a low power usage mode; periodically activating the transceiver to determine whether an identifier is received from a local wireless communications device; and on determining that an identifier is being broadcast by a local wireless communications device, receiving the identifier.

[0010]The step of establishing a connection with the local wireless communications device may comprise: initiating a communication protocol between the transceiver unit and 20 the local wireless communications device; and completing the initialization of the communication protocol between the transceiver unit and the local wireless communications device.

[0011]The communication protocol may comprise one of: Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, or Z-Wave. The outdoors optical instrument may comprise one of: an optical sighting device; a monocular; binoculars; a camera device; a video device; an optical measurement device; or an optical observation device. The outdoors optical instrument may use one or more of: visible radiation; infrared radiation; or ultraviolet radiation.

[0012]The present disclosure further concerns a method for establishing a 30 communications device as a trusted device in an outdoors optical instrument, the method comprising: -4 -establishing a connection between the outdoors optical instrument and a user device; establishing a connection between the user device and a local wireless communications device; and storing in the outdoors optical instrument an identifier associated with the local wireless communications device.

[0013]The present disclosure further concerns a non-transitory computer readable medium including program instructions for causing a processing unit in an optical sighting device to carry out the method as set out above.

[0014]The present disclosure further concerns an outdoors optical instrument, the optical sighting device comprising: a processing unit; a memory unit; and a transceiver unit, wherein one or more of the processing unit, memory 15 unit or transceiver unit are operable to perform at least some of the steps of any of the methods set out above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 shows an exemplary outdoors optical instrument in which the invention of present disclosure may be implemented.

[0016] Figure 2 illustrated a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates schematically the method of Figure 2.

[0018] Figure 4 illustrates a receiving step that may be implemented in the method of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 5 illustrates a further method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become more explicit by means of reading the detailed statement of the nonrestrictive embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings. -5 -

[0021] Figure 1 shows a distributed system for displaying application contents on different display devices, according to an exemplar embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1 shows an exemplary outdoors optical instrument in which the present invention can be implemented. In the present example, the outdoors optical instrument is an optical sighting device for a firearm, although it will be appreciated that this is purely for exemplary purposes and so as to illustrate a possible area in which the present invention may be implemented. In the following, the general term of outdoors optical instrument will be referred to, although it will be appreciated that, in principle, any of the following optical devices (without limitation) could equally well be referred to: an optical sighting device; a monocular; binoculars; a camera device; a video device; an optical measurement device; or an optical observation device. The outdoors optical instrument 100 is attached to a firearm 101 or other object by way of one or more suitable attachment elements using a relevant attachment methodology. A number of attachment elements and methodologies may be envisaged and implemented within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] The outdoors optical instrument 100 has a number of optical components 102. The optical components are arranged in the outdoors optical instrument so as to gather radiation from an input end 104 and transmit the radiation to an output end 106, from where a user may observe an image of the input radiation in a conventional manner. The optical components comprise an imaging element 108 which is used to record the images shown to the user. The imaging element may be arranged in a suitable location or configuration in the optical sighting device. It will be appreciated that a number of specific configurations of the optical components and the imaging element may be envisaged by the skilled person within the scope of the present disclosure. -6 -

[0024]The outdoors optical instrument, in use, is employed to provide the user with a view of a target area. Typically, the view presented to the user is magnified and uses visible radiation. In some cases, non-visible radiation (e.g., ultraviolet or infrared) may be used by the optical sighting device. In some cases, several types of radiation are used simultaneously or selectively.

[0025] In use, the imaging element is used to record images or video of the scenes observed by the optical sighting device. For example, the user may which to record images of objects sighted by the user through the outdoors 10 optical instrument.

[0026] In addition to the optical components, the outdoors optical instrument comprises a processing unit 110, a memory unit 112, and a transceiver unit 114. The processing unit, memory unit and transceiver unit may be implemented in a suitable fashion and by way of using suitable components.

[0027] It should be noted that the above-described units, components and elements of the outdoors optical instrument are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting. In some examples, the optical sighting device comprises alternative or additional units, components or elements.

[0028]An exemplary method in accordance with the present disclosure that may be implemented in an optical outdoors instrument, such as exemplified above, will now be described with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3. For ease of comparison with Figure 1, elements of Figure 3 similar to corresponding elements of Figure 1 are labelled with reference signs similar to those used in Figure 1, but with prefix "3".

[0029] The optical outdoors instrument may be of any suitable type and may have any suitable form factor or physical properties. As discussed above, examples of optical outdoors instruments include, but are not limited to: monoculars; binoculars; optical sighting devices (e.g., for firearms); camera devices; video devices; or other optical observation or measurement devices.

[0030] In a first step 201, image data 316 is obtained by way of one or more optical components 302 of an outdoors optical instrument 300. This may be -7 -done in any suitable way. In the present example, the image data is obtained by the imaging element 308. The image data is based on radiation that has been gathered by and propagated through the optical sighting device 300. For example, the user may record image or video data of targets or objects of interest during operation of the outdoors optical instrument (e.g., if the outdoors optical instrument is an optical sighting device, a user may record images or video during target shooting sessions, hunting trips or other activities wherein an optical sighting device is operated in a conventional manner).

[0031] In a second step 202, the image data is stored in the memory unit 112. The image data is stored in any suitable manner and having a suitable format, encoding or encryption.

[0032] In some examples, the image data 316 is stored as raw image files. In some examples, the image data is processed as part of the storing step. For example, the image data is, in some examples, formatted or compressed so as to reduce the space required to store it. It will be appreciated that the storage step is dependent on the specific implementation of the imaging element, processing unit or memory unit as well as being dependent on the software and/or firmware operating in one or more of these components. For purposes of the present application, the specific methodology employed in the storage step is not material, and the present method and device may use any suitable or advantageous storage methodology.

[0033] In a third step 203, the presence of a local wireless communications device 318 is detected, wherein the local wireless communications devices is a trusted device. The step of presence detection may be carried out in a suitable manner. Purely for illustrative purposes, a number of non-limiting exemplary implementations of the detection step will now be presented. It will of course be appreciated that the detection step may, in some examples, be dependent on the specific type, characteristics or properties of the transceiver element in the optical sighting device or local wireless communications device. -8 -

[0034] In the present example, the local wireless communications device 318 broadcasts an identifier 320 at regular intervals within a broadcasting range of the device. The local wireless communications device may, for example, be a Wi-Fi device periodically broadcasting a network name of a Wi-Fi network. Once the outdoors optical instrument 300 enters the broadcasting range of the local wireless communications device, the transceiver unit 314 receives the identifier. Once received, the transceiver unit and/or the processing unit 310 identifies the local wireless communications device based on the identifier. In the above-mentioned example of a Wi-Fi device, the transceiver unit identifies the Wi-Fi network identified by the identifier. If the local wireless communications device is classified as known and/or trusted, the next method step is carried out.

[0035] It will be appreciated that the specific implementation of the detection step as described above is exemplary only, and that alternative 15 implementations may be envisaged.

[0036] One such alternative implementation is a situation where a local wireless communications device 318, such as a Wi-Fi device, does not broadcast an identifier 320. This is, for example, the case for so-called hidden networks' where Wi-Fi network devices do not broadcast the network name. In such cases, the optical sighting device 300 needs to be provided with the network name in addition to any authentication and/or access credentials (e.g., passwords, pass phrases or other login details). The outdoors optical instrument may have been provided with such credentials prior to initialization of the claimed method (e.g., as part of an earlier setup process carried out by the user). This obviates the need for user interaction during performance of the present method, thereby effectively rendering the process automatic. As will be discussed more in the following, this has a number of benefits.

[0037] In another example, the transceiver is operable to periodically 30 broadcast a query. If received by a wireless communications device, the communications device broadcasts an identifier or other message to the -9 -transceiver unit, thereby to identify the identity of the local wireless communications device and/or the identity of a local network operated by the local wireless communications device.

[0038] In a fourth step 204, a connection is established with the local wireless 5 communications device 318. The wireless communications device to which the connection is established is connected to a communications network 322 (e.g., a wide access network, the internet, or another relevant network).

[0039]The connection with the local wireless communications device 318 may be established in any suitable fashion and using a suitable communication protocol or mechanism. It will be appreciated that, in some examples, the connection is established in accordance with the relevant communications protocol (or protocols) used by either or both of the local wireless communications device or the optical sighting device.

[0040] In the example described above, wherein the local wireless 15 communications device 318 is a Wi-Fi-enabled device, the connection step is performed in accordance with the Wi-Fi communications protocol standards so as to guarantee a secure and suitable connection.

[0041] It will be appreciated that, whilst described as two discrete method steps, it is possible that in some implementations and examples that methods steps 203 and 204 are effectively combined into a single step. In some examples, these steps may be performed as more than two discrete steps. In some examples, one or more additional or supporting steps or sub-steps are performed as part of these steps.

[0042] As described above, the third and fourth steps, enable the outdoors optical instrument 300 to establish a connection with the local wireless communications device 318 without active intervention or involvement by the user. Given that outdoors optical instrument typically contain minimal or no UI elements, performing such tasks can be tedious, time consuming and/or difficult. In turn, this increases the time necessary, as well as the effort required on part of the user, to transfer data stored in the outdoors optical instrument to another device. Therefore, by ensuring that the outdoors optical instrument connects to a trusted local wireless communications device on detection that the said trusted local wireless communications device is within communication range, data transfer from the outdoors optical instrument to another device is facilitated.

[0043] In a fifth step 205, a connection is established with a remote device 324, the remote device being connected to the communications network. The connection may be established in a suitable fashion. It will be appreciated that the establishing step is dependent on the type and properties of one or more of the communication protocol, the type or properties of the transceiver unit, or the type or properties of the local wireless communications device.

[0044]The remote device 324 may be any suitable device. In the present example, the remote device is a server device located remotely from the wireless communications device (such as a cloud storage device). In other examples, the remote device is a computing device (such as a personal computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, or other mobile device). It may be the user's personal computing device that is located remotely from the user (such as at the user's home).

[0045] In a sixth step 206, the image data 316 is transferred to the remote device 324. The image data may be transferred in any suitable fashion by way of a suitable transfer methodology and mechanism. The transfer methodology is, in some examples, dependent on the type, properties, or characteristics of one or more of the various devices, the connection between these devices or the networks. It will be appreciated that a number of specific implementations and methodologies of the transfer step may therefore be envisaged within the scope of the present disclosure, and that the skilled person would be able to implement such specific methodologies.

[0046] In a seventh step 207, the image data is removed from the memory unit of the outdoors optical instrument. This frees up storage space in the memory unit and allows for more image data to be recorded. The removal step may comprise one or more verification, processing, security or safety sub-steps. Such steps may be used for a variety of specific purposes. For example, a verification sub-step may be used to verify that the file transfer has been successfully carried out and completed before the relevant image data is removed from the memory unit of the optical sighting device.

[0047] The outdoors optical instrument is intended to be used for extended periods without the user being able to charge the device. In some examples, it is therefore important to ensure that the power usage of the outdoors optical instrument is limited so as to conserve battery power. It will be appreciated that conservation of battery power may be implemented in a number of ways.

[0048] One particular power-intensive component of the outdoors optical instrument is the transceiver unit, which has to continually operate in order to ensure that the detection of and interaction with an wireless communication components is performed correctly. Given that the outdoors optical instrument is intended to operate for extended periods, continuous operation of the transceiver unit would be disadvantageous. An exemplary step of receiving an identifier, such as may be implemented in the methods described above, and which is intended to reduce the impact of the transceiver unit on power usage, will now be described with reference to Figure 4.

[0049]In a first receiving step 401, the outdoors optical instrument is maintained in a low power usage mode. In this power mode, operation of the various components of the outdoors optical instrument is limited so as to ensure that the impact on battery power level is minimized. In particular, this includes usage of the transceiver unit, which may use a considerable amount of battery power during operation. By maintaining a low power usage mode, the effective usage period of the instrument can be extended which allows the user to use the instrument for longer periods of time between recharges. This is particularly important since a user may use the instrument in circumstances and environments wherein it cannot be easily recharged.

[0050] In a second receiving step 402, the transceiver unit is periodically activated to determine whether an identifier is being broadcast by a local -12 -wireless communications device. Rather than operate continuously, the transceiver is inactive for a period of time, after which it is activated to determine whether any identifiers or other identifying communications are being broadcast by any nearby wireless communications devices.

[0051] Any suitable activation periodicity may be used. It will be appreciated that the periodicity may be selected based on any number of factors. For example, the periodicity may be set to be similar to a periodicity of identifier broadcast of wireless communication devices, thereby to increase the likelihood of detecting an identifier being broadcast. The transceiver unit may remain activated for a suitable period of time. It will be appreciated [0052] In a third receiving step 403, on determining that an identifier is being broadcast by a local wireless communications device, receiving the identifier in the transceiver unit. This detection step may be performed in any suitable fashion, and in an example is performed substantially as described in the

examples above.

[0053] In the above-described methods, a connection is established between the optical sighting device and a local wireless communications device. In order to ensure that the connection between the outdoors optical instrument and any other devices is secure, in some examples, such connections are only established between the outdoors optical instrument and other devices that are known or trusted. A method for establishing a communications device as a trusted device in an outdoors optical instrument will now briefly be described with reference to Figure 5.

[0054]In a first step 501, a connection between the outdoors optical instrument and a user device is established. The connection may be established in any suitable manner and by way of a suitable connection mechanism or protocol. The connection may be established in a suitable manner using a suitable connection mechanism or protocol. Examples include, without limitation: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee or Z-Wave. As described above, the connection may be established in accordance with the relevant protocol(s) or methodologies in order to establish a secure and trusted connection between the outdoors optical instrument and the user device. In a particular example, the connection is established by way of a Bluetooth connection.

[0055] In a second step 502, a connection between the user device and a 5 local wireless communications device is established. The connection may be established in a suitable manner using a suitable connection mechanism or protocol. Examples include, without limitation: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee or Z-Wave. As described above, the connection may be established in accordance with the relevant protocol(s) or methodologies in order to establish a secure 10 and trusted connection between the user device and the local wireless communications device. In a particular example, the user device establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the local wireless communications device.

[0056] In a third step 503, an identifier associated with the local wireless communications device is stored in the outdoors optical instrument. The identifier may have any suitable form and properties, and may be obtained in any suitable manner. In one example, the identifier is a network name of a Wi-Fi network that is operated by the local wireless communications device. The identifier is obtained by the user device after completion of the second step of the method.

[0057] It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to the person skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for an optical outdoors instrument, the optical outdoors instrument having one or more optical components, a processing unit, a 5 memory unit, and a transceiver unit, wherein the method comprises: obtaining image data by way of the one or more optical components; storing the image data in the memory unit; determining the presence of a local wireless communications device, wherein the local wireless communications devices is a trusted device; establishing a connection with the local wireless communications device, the wireless communications device being connected to a communications network; establishing a connection with a remote device, the remote device being connected to the communications network; transferring the image data to the remote device; and removing the image data from the memory unit of the outdoors optical instrument.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining the 20 presence of a local wireless communications device comprises: receiving an identifier from a local wireless communications device; comparing the received identifier with one or more stored identifiers respectively representing one or more trusted devices; and determining whether the received identifier matched the one or more 25 stored identifiers.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of receiving an identifier further comprises: maintaining the optical outdoors instrument in a low power usage mode; periodically activating the transceiver to determine whether an identifier is received from a local wireless communications device; and on determining that an identifier is being broadcast by a local wireless communications device, receiving the identifier
4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of establishing a connection with the local wireless communications device comprises: initiating a communication protocol between the transceiver unit and 10 the local wireless communications device; and completing the initialization of the communication protocol between the transceiver unit and the local wireless communications device.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the communication protocol comprises one of: Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, or Z-Wave.
6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the outdoors optical instrument comprises one of: an optical sighting device; a monocular; binoculars; a camera device; a video device; an optical measurement device; 20 or an optical observation device.
7. A method for establishing a communications device as a trusted device in an outdoors optical instrument, the method comprising: establishing a connection between the outdoors optical instrument and 25 a user device; establishing a connection between the user device and a local wireless communications device; and storing in the outdoors optical instrument an identifier associated with the local wireless communications device.
8. A non-transitory computer readable medium including program instructions for causing a processing unit in an outdoors optical instrument to carry out the method of any of claims 1 to 7.
9. An optical outdoors instrument, the optical outdoors instrument corn prising: one or more optical components; a processing unit; a memory unit; and a transceiver unit, wherein one or more of the processing unit, memory unit or transceiver unit are operable to perform at least some of the steps of any of the methods of claims 1 to 7.