Weapon system with operator identification
Inventors
Teetzel, James W. • Lemire, Gary M. • Assadi, Roula
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11808537-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A weapon system for a firearm includes a processor, the processor having an associated memory, and an optical reader, the optical reader configured to receive operator-identification information and transmit the operator-identification information to the processor.
Core Innovation
The invention is a weapon system for controlling operation of a firearm that uses a processor with associated memory. The processor is configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors, where the sensor data includes temperature data representative of a temperature of a barrel of the firearm, round count data representative of a number of rounds of ammunition fired, barrel life expectancy data representative of wear accumulated by the barrel, rate of fire data, projectile velocity data, ammunition type data, and barrel whip data representative of one or more harmonic characteristics received from one or more strain gauges. The invention allows any combination of the foregoing sensor data to be used by the processor.
The system includes an optical reader configured to receive operator-identification information and transmit the operator-identification information to the processor. The operator-identification information is used together with the sensor data so that the processor performs ballistics calculations. Based on the sensor data, the processor automatically adjusts an angle of one or more aiming lasers included in a sighting system operably coupled to the processor, with the stated purpose of improving accuracy of the sighting system.
The described embodiments further integrate operator verification and accessory-based interaction with the firearm through the operator-identification optical reader and related accessories. These embodiments include specifying operator identification using machine-readable indicia such as bar code, two-dimensional bar code, and Quick Response (QR) code, as well as facial recognition and eye tracking with ocular/retina/iris/eye vein/ocular features. Accessory eyewear is also described as having a near-eye display screen, and the system further includes communications and security elements such as wireless links and encryption/rolling code security to support accessory functions and access control.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim. The independent claim contains two core inventive elements: (i) a sensor-driven processor that performs ballistics calculations and automatically adjusts one or more aiming lasers based on specified sensor data, and (ii) an optical reader that receives operator-identification information and provides it to the processor for controlling operation of the firearm.
Sensor-driven ballistics calculations and laser angle adjustment for firearm accuracy
A processor configured to receive sensor data representative of barrel temperature, round count, barrel life expectancy (wear), rate of fire, projectile velocity, ammunition type, and barrel whip/harmonic characteristics from strain gauges, and to perform ballistics calculations and automatically adjust an angle of one or more aiming lasers of a sighting system to improve accuracy based on said sensor data
Optical reader for receiving operator-identification information and transmitting to the processor
An optical reader configured to receive operator-identification information and transmit the operator-identification information to the processor for controlling operation of the firearm
Independent claim scope combining firearm operation control, sensor inputs, operator identification, and an automatically adjustable laser sighting system
A weapon system including a processor/memory for receiving sensor data and operator-identification information via an optical reader, operably coupled to a sighting system with one or more aiming lasers that are automatically angle-adjusted based on ballistics calculations using the sensor data
Overall, the independent claim coverage centers on combining operator-identification information received by an optical reader with a processor that ingests specified firearm/barrel and ammunition-related sensor data to perform ballistics calculations and automatically adjust the aiming lasers of a sighting system to improve accuracy.
Stated Advantages
Improves accuracy of the sighting system by automatically adjusting an angle of one or more aiming lasers based on ballistics calculations using said sensor data.
Documented Applications
Weapon system operation uses operator-identification optical reading and sensor-based ballistics calculations to control firearm operation and sighting laser adjustment for accuracy.
Operator verification and interaction using machine-readable indicia (bar code, two-dimensional bar code, and Quick Response (QR) code), and facial recognition/eye tracking as described in the embodiments.
Accessory eyewear use with a near-eye display screen as described in the embodiments, integrated with operator identification and system operation.
Proximity-related safety and access control using RFID-equipped tactical glove and RFID readers as described in dependent claim coverage.
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