Portable programming unit for the use of air burst ammunition

Abstract

A portable programming unit (110) designed for the use of air burst munitions (ABM) (10), the portable programming unit (110) comprising: a memory unit (114) for storing characteristics of a plurality of ABMs from a rifle (20), the rifle (20) being equipped with a targeting unit (104) having a sighting port (106), an angle measuring unit (107) and a wireless communication unit (108); input / selection up / down buttons 160, 161 for a user to select the type of ABM 10 to be used by the rifle 20; a ballistic processor (112) for calculating an explosion time T and a barrel angle alpha of the rifle (20), the barrel angle alpha being transmitted by the wireless communication unit (120) to the target wireless communication unit (108), and this result being displayed to the user visually seen as a target object marker (109) in the viewing aperture (106).a display unit (140) for displaying the identity of a selected ABM; the wireless communication unit (120) for two-channel wireless communication with the selected ABM and the target wireless communication unit (108) of the target unit (104); and a vibrator (130) for signaling or prompting the user to fire the rifle (20), wherein, when a crosshair in a center of the sight aperture (106) coincides with the target marker (109), the angle measuring unit (107) reports the aiming of the rifle (20) back to the portable programming unit (110);wherein, when an ABM is identified and an engagement distance D is entered, the ballistic processor (112) calculates and outputs both the explosion time T and the rifle barrel angle alpha, the output rifle barrel angle being visible as the target marker in the sighting aperture (106) of the aiming unit, so that when the user tilts and / or moves the rifle to bring a center of the aiming unit into alignment with the target marker, the portable programming unit (110) responds by activating the vibrator as a signal to the user to fire the rifle, thus propelling the ABM toward the target with the intended effects; and wherein, when the ABM (10) leaves the rifle barrel, the wireless communication unit (120) transmits data containing the explosion time T to the ABM to achieve the desired results intended by the user.

Description

Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to low speed projectiles such as air burst ammunition and a portable programming unit associated therewith. The portable programming unit enables a more rapid or intuitive use of this air burst ammunition.BackgroundWith advances in mobile computing, law enforcement and military personnel now carry advanced electronic tools. For example, Baker, et al. Published U.S. Patent Application 2016 / 0091282 describes a mobile ballistics processing and targeting display system. This system stores ballistic data of a plurality of projectiles, receives input from other connected electronic devices (such as a laser range finder, compass and GPS), receives atmospheric data (such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, pressure and relative humidity), and displays a real-time map of the environment; the system thus allows a user to identify his location on the map; calculation results are displayed as a graphical representation of projectile flight characteristics. It appears that this mobile ballistics system adds much weight and size to a rifle worn by law enforcement and military personnel.In a further approach, U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,845 B2 of Characterized Ammunition Industries describes an air burst infantry weapon with a fire control device F, which contains an image visualization unit V, an angle measurement unit Y, a laser distance measurement unit L and a data processor EDV. A three-stage aiming process is described, namely, rough aiming at which an operation distance is estimated; actual aiming at which the data processor determines a target object marker position on the image visualizing unit; and fine aiming at which the gun is moved so that the target object marker coincides with the target object image.In reality, the method described in US 7 089 845 B2 does not allow sufficiently fast targeting and firing, while the gun in US 2016 / 0 091 282 A1 may be too heavy to move during fine targeting. It can thus be seen that there is a need for a new system to improve the intuitive deployment and accuracy of air burst ammunition.SummaryA simplified summary is provided below to provide a basic understanding of the present invention. This summary is not a comprehensive overview of the invention and is not intended to identify key features of the invention. Rather, it is intended to present some of the inventive concepts of this invention in a generalized form as an integral part of the detailed description that will follow.The present invention is intended to provide a new system for the rapid and intuitive use of air burst ammunition. Aiming accuracy is also sought.In one embodiment, the present invention provides a portable programming unit adapted for use with air burst ammunition (ABM), comprising: a storage unit for storing characteristics of a plurality of ABMs from a rifle; a ballistics processor associated with the plurality of ABMs and the rifle; a display unit for displaying the identity of a selected ABM; two-channel wireless communication with the selected ABM and a target unit disposed on the rifle; and a vibrator; wherein, when identifying an ABM and inputting an deployment distance D, the ballistics processor calculates and outputs both an explosion time T and a gun running angle α, the output gun running angle being visible as a target object marker in the target unit, so that, when a user tilts and / or moves the gun to bring a center of the target unit into coincidence with the target object marker, the portable programming unit responds by activating the vibrator as a signal to the user for pushing the gun, so that the ABM is driven to the target object with the intended effects.In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for enabling intuitive targeting of a rifle and deployment of an air burst munition (ABM) from the rifle, the method comprising: wearing a programmer to a user, the programmer being within a wireless communication range with both an associated rifle and a selected ABM; loading the selected ABM into the rifle; wherein a ballistics processor provided in the programmer detects and identifies the loaded ABM, and the ballistics processor responds by outputting an explosion time and a required gun angle; wherein a target unit receives the required gun angle and displays this requirement as a target visible marker; and when the user tilts and / or moves the gun to bring a center of the target unit into coincidence with the target object marker, an angle measurement unit provided on the target unit outputs a signal to the ballistics processor, and the programming unit is activated to vibrate as a signal for the user to press the gun, so that the ABM is driven toward the target object with the intended results.Brief Description of the DrawingsThe invention will be described by way of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A illustrates a portable programming system for employing air burst ammunition according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B shows a target marker seen through a weapon sight; and FIG. 2A illustrates a portable programming unit according to another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2B illustrates a portable programming unit according to yet another embodiment.Detailed DescriptionOne or more specific and alternative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that this invention may be practiced without such specific details. Some of the details may not be described in detail in order not to obscure the invention. For ease of reference, common reference numerals or series of numerals are used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar common features of the figures.FIG. 1A shows a portable programming system 100 for use with air burst ammunition (ABMs) 10 from a gun 20. the programming system 100 includes a portable programming unit 110 in wireless communication with a target unit 104 on the gun 20. the target unit 104 includes a viewing aperture 106, an angle measurement unit 107, and a wireless communication unit 108. In FIG. 1A, the wearable programming unit 110 is worn on a wrist according to an embodiment. The portable programming unit 110 includes a ballistics processor 112, a storage unit 114, a wireless communication unit 120, a vibrator 130, a display unit 140, a mode key 150, and input / selection up / down keys 160, 161.The storage unit 114 contains characteristics of a plurality of ABMs 10 including their ballistic data. The type of ABM 10 to be used by the gun 20 is selected by the input / selection up / down keys 160, 161, for example, by scrolling up or down a list and pressing a selection key. The user then estimates a deployment distance D for the selected ABM; the deployment distance D can be estimated visually or by means of a laser range finder (not shown in the figure). The deployment distance D is input to the portable programming unit 110, for example, also by scrolling a predefined list up or down and pressing the selection key. In response, the ballistics processor 112 calculates an explosion time T and a gun barrel angle.alpha. of the gun 20. The user responds by tilting and / or moving the gun 20 so that a reticle in a center of the viewing aperture 106 becomes coincident with the target marker 109. As soon as the reticle becomes coincident with the target object marker 109, the angle measuring unit 107 reports the aiming of the gun 20 back to the portable programming unit 110. The portable programming unit 110 responds by activating the vibrator 130 for signaling or prompts the user to press the gun 20 for an ABM 10 to be propelled forward from the gun barrel. When the ABM 10 leaves the gun barrel, the portable programming unit 110 transmits data including the explosion time T to the ABM to achieve the desired results the user intends. With the present invention, the user uses both vibrational and visual senses to target and fire the ABM to the desired target object. This invention is useful during a critical moment when the user can throw an eye onto the target and thus must rely on vibration detection to depress the gun 20. This invention therefore provides the user with more institution in the use of ABMs; as a result, the time required to aim and depress the rifle is shorter than when using a conventional rifle; at the same time, the user can continuously visually monitor the movement of the target object and still hold the target on the target object, thereby allowing the accuracy of the use of ABMs to be higher than when using a conventional rifle.In the above setting of the ABM, the mode button 150 allows the user to switch the ON / OFF impact mode for each ABM. By default, the impact mode is switched to ON; this impact mode is very effective when the ABM is equipped with the applicant's electromechanical impact sensing disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,163,916. Even if an impact mode is turned ON, the ABM is still effective in a burst mode (while the ABM is still in the air). In another embodiment, the mode button 150 may be configured to switch between impact and input modes, with the up / down button for selection and changing the mode button 150 to automatically input selection; in other words, this saves many dedicated input buttons.In the above wireless communication between the portable programming unit 110 and the target unit 104, or between the portable programming unit 110 and the ABM 10, the two-channel communication is supported; in other words, there is handshaking or feedback from the receiver to the transmitter; this serves to ensure the security and integrity of the wireless transmission. In another embodiment, such wireless communication is via paired Bluetooth communication, and both frequency hopping and proximity provide additional security. Alternatively, another medium range wireless communication operable at 13.56 MHz is also possible.The above portable programming unit 110 has been described as being worn on a wrist of the user. In another embodiment, it is possible that a portable programming unit 110 ais configured as a unit attachable to a band of a smart watch, for example as shown in FIG. 2A. This portable programming unit 110a may then have an additional wireless communication channel with the smart watch to use, for example, the display and mode / input / selection keys already present on the smart watch.In another embodiment, a portable programming unit 110 bis configured as a unit attachable to a safety vest of a user. This portable programming unit 110 bmay be carried on a shoulder portion of the safety vest, as shown in FIG. 2B. Preferably, this portable programming unit 110b may include a voice input function, for example, to input a deployment distance D of an ABM 10.While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that many changes, modifications, variations and combinations thereof could be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

A portable programming unit (110) adapted for use with air burst ammunition (ABM) (10), the portable programming unit (110) comprising: a storage unit (114) for storing characteristics of a plurality of ABMs from a gun (20), the gun (20) being equipped with a target unit (104) having a view opening (106), an angle measurement unit (107), and a wireless communication unit (108); input / selection up / down buttons 160, 161 for selection by a user of the type of the ABM 10 to be used by the gun 20; a ballistics processor (112) for calculating an explosion time T and a gun barrel angle alpha of the gun (20), wherein the gun barrel angle alpha is transmitted by the wireless communication unit (120) to the target wireless communication unit (108), and this result is visually viewed by the user as a target object marker (109) in the sight opening (106); a display unit (140) for displaying the identity of a selected ABM; the wireless communication unit (120) for two-channel wireless communication with the selected ABM; and the target wireless communication unit (108) of the target unit (104); and a vibrator (130) for signaling or prompting the user to depress the gun (20), wherein when a reticle at a center of the sight opening (106) becomes coincident with the target object marker (109), the angle measurement unit (107) returns the aiming of the gun (20) to the portable programming unit (110); wherein, when identifying an ABM and inputting an deployment distance D, the ballistics processor (112) calculates and outputs both the explosion time T and the gun barrel angle alpha, the output gun barrel angle being visible as the target object marker in the target unit's view opening (106), such that when the user tilts and / or moves the gun to bring a center of the target unit into registration with the target object marker, the portable programming unit (110) responds with activation of the vibrator as a signal to the user for pushing the gun, so that the ABM is driven with the intended effect toward the target object; and wherein, when the ABM (10) leaves the gun barrel, the wireless communication unit (120) transmits data including the explosion time T to the ABM to achieve the desired results the user intends.The portable programming unit of claim 1, further including an impact mode switch button to selectively disable a default impact mode.The portable programming unit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless communication complies with a Bluetooth protocol.The portable programming unit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless communication is transmitted at 13.56 MHz.The wearable programming unit according to any one of the preceding claims is wearable on a wrist of the user.The portable programming unit of claim 5, wherein the programming unit is an accessory on a band of a bracelet smart watch.The portable programming unit of claim 6, further comprising a wireless communication channel between the programming unit and the bracelet smart watch, wherein the mode keys of claim 2 and the up / down keys are those located on the bracelet smart watch.The portable programming unit according to any of claims 1-4 is portable on a security vest of the user.The portable programming unit of any preceding claim, further comprising a voice input for entering the deployment distance D of the selected ABM.A method for enabling intuitive aiming of a rifle and deployment of an air burst munition (ABM) from the rifle, the method comprising: wearing a programmer of claims 1-9 to a user, the programmer being within the wireless communication range with both the rifle and the selected ABM; loading the selected ABM into the rifle; wherein the ballistics processor provided in the programmer detects and identifies the loaded ABM, and the ballistics processor responds by outputting the explosion time and the required rifle travel angle; wherein the aiming unit receives the required rifle travel angle and displays this requirement as the target visible marker; and when the user tilts and / or moves the gun to bring the center of the target unit into coincidence with the target object marker, the angle measurement unit provided on the target unit outputs the signal to the ballistics processor, and the programming unit is activated to vibrate, as the signal for the user, pushing the gun, so that the ABM is driven toward the target object with the intended results.

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