Firearm Aiming System Using Image Processing for Target Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Firearms have low effectiveness due to user movement, target movement, relative aiming issues, dynamic firearm conditions, and environmental factors, leading to frequent misses and friendly fire incidents.
Innovation Solution
A firearm aiming system that uses an imaging and processing system to determine target movement relative to static background features, eliminating the need for barrel motion sensors, and incorporates GPS, digital compass, and inclinometer for dynamic target location extraction, along with face detection and range estimation methods for accurate targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If barrel motion sensors are used to track barrel movement for accurate aiming, then firing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the barrel motion sensor from the firearm system entirely. Instead of measuring barrel movement directly with sensors, the system uses image processing to track the target's movement relative to static background features, eliminating the need for complex sensor hardware while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/sensor-based barrel motion detection system with an optical/image processing system. By capturing sequential images and analyzing target position changes relative to background features, the system substitutes physical sensors with computational image analysis
2Ease of operation
If manual aiming is used to reduce device complexity, then ease of operation is improved, but firing precision deteriorates due to user movement and target movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures images and tracks target movement relative to background features, providing real-time feedback on target position. This allows the firearm to automatically adjust aim based on detected target movement, compensating for user movement without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary target acquisition and tracking by analyzing sequential images before firing. By pre-determining target movement patterns and position relative to background features, the system prepares the aim in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time manual tracking during the firing process
3Measurement precision
If remote targeting devices are used to acquire targets, then target acquisition capability is improved, but verification of line of sight firing becomes questionable
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system serves multiple functions: it acquires the target, tracks target movement, determines range, verifies line of sight, and provides aiming data. By using a single integrated imaging system rather than separate remote targeting devices, the system maintains reliability of line of sight verification while achieving accurate target location determination
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system acts as an intermediary between the firearm and the target, capturing visual information that serves as direct evidence of line of sight. The captured images provide tangible verification that the firearm is aimed along the actual line of sight to the target, eliminating questions about remote targeting accuracy
Data Source
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AI summary
A firearm aiming system comprising an imaging system comprising an imaging sensor and an image processor; and a user display, wherein the imaging system is adapted to detect a potential target on the user display based on target features. In some embodiments the system includes a firing processor with an epsilon logic module for calculating a target aim-point/area used by the firing processor to make a firing decision.