Precision Guided Firearm Hybrid Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small arms firearms face accuracy issues due to user movements and minute changes in angle, leading to potential misses at long ranges, as existing precision guided firearms struggle to effectively track and stabilize the aim point.
Innovation Solution
A precision guided firearm system that combines an optical sensor and motion sensors to process video frames and motion data, determining the distance and trajectory of the aim point, and controlling the discharge timing to ensure accuracy by preventing firing until the aim point is within a threshold distance and beginning to move away from the target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shooter attempts to control the aim point manually, then the shooter can direct the firearm toward the target, but user jitter and small movements cause the aim point to move relative to the target, reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical aiming with an automated optical guidance system. The optical sensor captures video frames to track the aim point, and the controller automatically adjusts the aim point based on processed video data, eliminating the mechanical instability caused by manual holding and user jitter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical guidance system between the shooter and the target. This system includes an optical sensor that captures video frames, a processor that analyzes the video data to determine aim point position and movement, and a controller that automatically adjusts the aim point, serving as a mediator that stabilizes the aiming process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the aim point moves due to minute changes in angle, then the shooter may attempt to adjust aim, but small changes in MOA cause significant miss distance at long range, reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the optical sensor continuously captures video frames, the processor analyzes the aim point position and movement in each frame, and the controller automatically adjusts the aim point based on this feedback. This closed-loop system compensates for minute angle changes and maintains precise target acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the aim point dynamic and automatically adjustable through the optical guidance system. The controller processes video frames in real-time and automatically repositions the aim point to compensate for movement, transforming the static manual aiming process into a dynamic adaptive system that maintains accuracy despite angle changes.
3Speed
If the shooter moves the firearm to track the target, then the shooter can maintain aim on a moving target, but abrupt direction changes make it difficult for the controller to enhance accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by predicting the aim point trajectory based on processed video frames before the shooter completes abrupt movements. The controller pre-calculates the necessary aim point adjustments and begins repositioning the aim point in advance, allowing the system to maintain accuracy even during rapid direction changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic trajectory tracking where the optical guidance system continuously adapts to the shooter's movements. The processor analyzes video frames to determine aim point velocity and direction, and the controller dynamically adjusts the aim point trajectory to follow the target, maintaining precision during abrupt repositioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A precision guided firearm (PGF) (100) includes a trigger assembly (108) and an optical device (102) coupled to the trigger assembly (108). The optical device (102) includes an optical sensor configured to capture video of a view area and includes at least one motion sensor (516). The optical device (102) is configured to process video frames of the video to determine a distance between an aim point of the PGF (100) and a selected location on a target and to determine a trajectory of the aim point based on the video frames and motion data from the at least one motion sensor (516).