Range finder devices and related methods

Abstract

A range finder for determining a distance to a target object includes a thermoelectric module and a range finding unit. The range finding unit includes a light source for emitting light onto a target object, a light receiving unit configured to receive light reflected by the target object, a distance calculation unit for calculating the distance to the target object based on the reflected light, and a display unit for displaying the calculated distance to the target object. The thermoelectric module generates electricity from a thermal gradient, produced from a user's body heat that is transferred to the module. The electricity power generated by the thermoelectric module powers the components of the range finding unit. Related methods are also provided.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a range finder device to determine a distance to a target object, the method comprising:
 providing a thermoelectric module associated with a range finder device in a location sufficient to transfer thermal energy from a user's body to the thermoelectric module, thereby creating a thermal gradient as a result of the transfer of the thermal energy from the user's body;   generating electricity with the thermoelectric module due to the thermal gradient;   powering a light source with the electricity to emit light;   illuminating the target object with the light emitted by the light source;   detecting the emitted light reflected by the target object by a light receiving unit, the light receiving unit powered by the electricity;   calculating a distance to the target object, with a calculating unit, based on the light detected by the light receiving unit; and   displaying the distance to the target object,   wherein the thermoelectric module is configured to generate electricity sufficient to power at least one of the light source and the light receiving unit, calculate the distance to the target object, and display the distance to the target object as a result of thermal energy transformed from the user's body.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  comprising:
 providing at least one of a capacitor and a battery; 
 establishing electrical communication between the thermoelectric module and the at least one of a capacitor and a battery; and 
 charging the at least one of a capacitor and a battery with the electricity generated by the thermoelectric module. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the at least one of a capacitor and a battery stores the electricity and transfers the electricity to the light source during the powering step.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 ,
 wherein the at least one of a capacitor and a battery stores the electricity and transfers the electricity to the light receiving unit during the detecting step.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the at least one of a capacitor and a battery stores the electricity and transfers the electricity to the calculating unit during the calculating step.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  comprising:
 providing a voltage booster; 
 establishing electrical communication between the thermoelectric modules and the voltage booster; and 
 increasing a voltage of the electricity generated by the thermoelectric module and supplied to the light source. 
 wherein the voltage booster is configured to provide a voltage output in the range of about 2 volts to 12 volts. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of claim  11  comprising:
 mounting the range finder device to at least one of a projectile shooting device and a support stand. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of claim  11 ,
 wherein the thermoelectric module is at least one of a thermoelectric generator, a Seebeck device, a thermoelectric cooler and a Peltier module.   
     
     
         20 . The method of claim  11  comprising:
 grasping the range finder device in a user's hand to transfer thermal energy from a user's body to the thermoelectric module. 
 
     
     
         21 . A method of operating a range finder device to determine a distance to a target object, the method comprising:
 providing a thermoelectric module associated with a range finder device in a location sufficient to transfer thermal energy from a user's body to the thermoelectric module, thereby creating a thermal gradient as a result of the transfer of the thermal energy from the user's body;   generating electricity with the thermoelectric module due to the thermal gradient;   powering a light source to emit light;   illuminating the target object with the light emitted by the light source;   detecting the emitted light reflected by the target object by a light receiving unit;   calculating a distance to the target object, with a calculating unit, based on the light detected by the light receiving unit; and   displaying the distance to the target object,   wherein the thermoelectric module is configured to generate electricity to at least one of power the light source, power the light receiving unit, calculate the distance to the target object, and display the distance to the target object as a result of thermal energy transformed from the user's body.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  comprising:
 providing at least one of a capacitor and a battery; 
 establishing electrical communication between the thermoelectric module and the at least one of a capacitor and a battery; and 
 charging the at least one of a capacitor and a battery with the electricity generated by the thermoelectric module. 
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the at least one of a capacitor and a battery stores the electricity and transfers the electricity to the light source during the powering step.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 ,
 wherein the at least one of a capacitor and a battery stores the electricity and transfers the electricity to the light receiving unit during the detecting step.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the electricity generated by the thermoelectric module is supplemented by electricity from at least one of a battery and a capacitor.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 12  comprising:
 providing a voltage booster; 
 establishing electrical communication between the thermoelectric modules and the voltage booster; and 
 increasing a voltage of the electricity generated by the thermoelectric module and supplied to the light source. 
 wherein the voltage booster is configured to provide a voltage output in the range of about 2 volts to 12 volts. 
 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  comprising:
 mounting the range finder device to at least one of a projectile shooting device and a support stand; and 
 grasping the range finder device in a user's hand to transfer thermal energy from a user's body to the thermoelectric module. 
 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the thermoelectric module is at least one of a thermoelectric generator, a Seebeck device, a thermoelectric cooler and a Peltier module.