Processor aided firing of small arms

Abstract

A digital processor aiming and firing system generates a trigger signal with electronic timing exactness, resulting in shooting accuracy unobtainable by humans. To achieve this, a view down the barrel sight is captured by a digital video camera and analyzed on a frame-by-frame basis by an electronic processor equipped with image identification software. Motion detectors attached to the weapon are used to interpolate the barrel position between frames. A motion history of the barrel position relative to the target is calculated and an extrapolation of the future position is made. When the anticipated barrel direction impinges on the target, corrected for motion and ballistic effects, the processor signals the launch of the projectile.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 502,693 filed Sep. 12, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of DMB07-03-D-B009 awarded by the Department of Defense.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of Invention [0004] This invention applies to firearms, aiming and triggering, and fire control thereof. [0005] 2. Description of Related Art [0006] The ability to aim a firearm and hit a desired target is a challenge that has existed since the advent of modern warfare. With the aiming of conventional firearms, the shooter must align the barrel with the target, or lead the target, while simultaneously pulling the trigger. This act takes consi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] This invention combines the traditional aspects of firearm design with the capabilities of modern microelectronics. Instead of relying on the shooter to pull the trigger at the exactly correct instant to hit a target, a high-speed processor in conjunction with a video system, and motion detectors accomplishes this function. The implications, especially in warfare, are quite profound: with a modest amount of training, any soldier could be converted into a sharpshooter resulting in several benefits: increased lethality, increased survivability, battlefield dominance and more efficient use of ammunition.

[0013] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved system and method that increases the probability of hitting a desired target by reducing reliance on a human to correctly time pulling a trigger.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for facilitating reducing reliance on a shooter's ability to hold a gun steady while simultaneously pulling the trigger by providing an electronic processor and triggering system to launch a projectile, such as a bullet at the proper time.

Problems solved by technology

The ability to aim a firearm and hit a desired target is a challenge that has existed since the advent of modern warfare.

This act takes considerable practice to master and separates sharpshooters from neophytes.

In both of these approaches, there is a limitation in that the target must emit specific and distinctive wavelengths, which must be distinguishable from the target background.

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