Patents by Inventor Rick McWilliams
Rick McWilliams has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20090195871Abstract: An automatic telescope (10) capable of determining an orientation without requiring input from a user or any external source. The telescope (10) preferably includes a database (22) to store astronomical information, a processor (24) to control a drive mechanism (18), a vision device (30) to sense bright stars, and a motion sensor (32) to generate a motion signal. When the vision device (30) is slewed from alignment with a first bright star to a second bright star, the motion signal is preferably representative of a measured angle between the first and second bright stars. This process is preferably repeated for several bright stars to generate several measured angles. The processor (24) can then use the measured angles to identify the bright stars and determine the orientation of the telescope (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Bushnell Inc.Inventor: Rick McWilliams
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Patent number: 7518792Abstract: An automatic telescope (10) capable of determining an orientation without requiring input from a user or any external source. The telescope (10) preferably includes a database (22) to store astronomical information, a processor (24) to control a drive mechanism (18), a vision device (30) to sense bright stars, and a motion sensor (32) to generate a motion signal. When the vision device (30) is slewed from alignment with a first bright star to a second bright star, the motion signal is preferably representative of a measured angle between the first and second bright stars. This process is preferably repeated for several bright stars to generate several measured angles. The processor (24) can then use the measured angles to identify the bright stars and determine the orientation of the telescope (10).Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Bushnell Inc.Inventor: Rick McWilliams
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Patent number: 7265901Abstract: A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information. The mount is preferably provided with a drive mechanism adapted to allow for automatically or manually positioning the telescope to view astronomical objects and for automatically repositioning or steering the telescope in order to track the astronomical objects during extended viewing. When moved manually, components of the drive act as a clutch mechanism that effectively disengages the drive motor to avoid damage. An instance of the drive may be provided for each axis of movement.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Bushnell CorporationInventor: Rick McWilliams
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Publication number: 20060146403Abstract: A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information. The mount is preferably provided with a drive mechanism adapted to allow for automatically or manually positioning the telescope to view astronomical objects and for automatically repositioning or steering the telescope in order to track the astronomical objects during extended viewing. When moved manually, components of the drive act as a clutch mechanism that effectively disengages the drive motor to avoid damage. An instance of the drive may be provided for each axis of movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2006Publication date: July 6, 2006Inventor: Rick McWilliams
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Patent number: 7046438Abstract: A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information. The mount is preferably provided with a drive mechanism adapted to allow for automatically or manually positioning the telescope to view astronomical objects and for automatically repositioning or steering the telescope in order to track the astronomical objects during extended viewing. When moved manually, components of the drive act as a clutch mechanism that effectively disengages the drive motor to avoid damage. An instance of the drive may be provided for each axis of movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Bushnell Performance OpticsInventor: Rick McWilliams
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Publication number: 20050225854Abstract: An automatic telescope (10) capable of determining an orientation without requiring input from a user or any external source. The telescope (10) preferably includes a database (22) to store astronomical information, a processor (24) to control a drive mechanism (18), a vision device (30) to sense bright stars, and a motion sensor (32) to generate a motion signal. When the vision device (30) is slewed from alignment with a first bright star to a second bright star, the motion signal is preferably representative of a measured angle between the first and second bright stars. This process is preferably repeated for several bright stars to generate several measured angles. The processor (24) can then use the measured angles to identify the bright stars and determine the orientation of the telescope (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventor: Rick McWilliams
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Publication number: 20050057801Abstract: A talking telescope (10) capable of conveying information to a user both audibly and visually. The telescope (10) may also find and track a specified celestial body (SCB). The telescope (10) broadly comprises an optical telescopic tube (12) for magnifying distant objects, a base (14) for supporting the telescope, a cradle (16) for securing the tube (12) to the base (14), a drive mechanism (18) for moving the tube (12) with respect to the base (14), and a controller (20) for allowing the user to interact with the telescope (10). The controller (20) includes a database to store information relating to a plurality of celestial bodies and a processor (24) to access the information in the database relating to the SCB. The controller (20) also preferably includes a speaker (28) to audibly convey the information and a display (30) to visually convey the information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventor: Rick McWilliams
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Publication number: 20040233521Abstract: An automatic telescope (10) capable of determining an orientation without requiring input from a user or any external source. The telescope (10) preferably includes a database (22) to store astronomical information, a processor (24) to control a drive mechanism (18), a vision device (30) to sense bright stars, and a motion sensor (32) to generate a motion signal. When the vision device (30) is slewed from alignment with a first bright star to a second bright star, the motion signal is preferably representative of a measured angle between the first and second bright stars. This process is preferably repeated for several bright stars to generate several measured angles. The processor (24) can then use the measured angles to identify the bright stars and determine the orientation of the telescope (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventor: Rick McWilliams
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Publication number: 20040090673Abstract: A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information. The mount is preferably provided with a drive mechanism adapted to allow for automatically or manually positioning the telescope to view astronomical objects and for automatically repositioning or steering the telescope in order to track the astronomical objects during extended viewing. When moved manually, components of the drive act as a clutch mechanism that effectively disengages the drive motor to avoid damage. An instance of the drive may be provided for each axis of movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Applicant: BUSHNELL CORPORATIONInventor: Rick McWilliams
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Patent number: 6671091Abstract: A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Bushnell CorporationInventor: Rick McWilliams
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Patent number: 6603602Abstract: A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Bushnell CorporationInventor: Rick McWilliams
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Publication number: 20030025994Abstract: A portable altitude/azimuth telescope mount having an integral locator system with a magnetic encoder mechanism for facilitating location of astronomical objects and telescope positioning for observation thereof. A microprocessor receives signals from the encoder mechanism and translates such into position data for display. The locator system also includes a database of astronomical objects, including their locations and other relevant information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventor: Rick McWilliams
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Patent number: 5303090Abstract: An apparatus is herein provided for use in the adjustment of an ocular mechanism within an optical instrument, such apparatus including a base with an aperture at least partially surrounded by perimetrically conforming upstanding member. The apparatus further includes a hollow drawtube which holds the ocular mechanism and substantially matingly conforms to both the aperture and the upstanding member to provide for controlled passage of the drawtube through the aperture. The drawtube is held by a radially adjustable control shaft and a plurality of spaced bearings. The control shaft is selectively placed in rotating frictional engagement with the drawtube by linear, radial translation of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1992Date of Patent: April 12, 1994Assignee: James D. BurrInventors: James D. Burr, Rick McWilliams
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Patent number: D352049Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1992Date of Patent: November 1, 1994Assignee: James D. BurrInventors: James D. Burr, Rick McWilliams