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Precision targeting system for firearms

Precision targeting system for firearms description/claims

The present invention relates to precision targeting, and in particular, an intelligent processor-based precision targeting system for firearms.

In military and law enforcement situations, marksmen and their firearms are expected to provide accurate and precise targeting at both short and long ranges. However, movements of the desired target and/or movements by the marksman may cause imprecise targeting and consequent missing of the target when the firearm is discharged.

Prior efforts to solve these problems all have their shortcomings. For example, some systems use gyroscopic technologies to combat these problems. In such systems, a gyroscope is implanted into the body or stock of a firearm. The marksman aims at the intended target, and locks the system onto the target by indicating to the system in some manner that the intended target is in the sight of the firearm. After that indication and locking onto the target, the gyroscope senses any movement in the firearm, either up and down, side to side, or a combination thereof, and through some mechanism corrects for that movement. There are at least two drawbacks to such gyroscopic systems however. First, they only correct movements of the firearm, and cannot adjust and correct for movements of the intended target. Second, since such systems are installed inside the stock or elsewhere in the firearm, they are not easy to either install or retrofit, and in most cases require at least some disassembly of the firearm.

The art is therefore in need of a precision targeting system for firearms that is effective, that is easy to install and retrofit without dismantling the firearm, and that will make corrections both for target movement and firearm movement.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a processor-based precision targeting module for firearms. The precision targeting module works in conjunction with an image capturing sight or scope on the firearm. The invention has an actuator system that receives signals from the processor and adjusts the aim of the firearm. A marksman first identifies an object of interest in the sight. In one embodiment, the marksman indicates to the precision targeting module that he is attempting to lock onto the target, and the module displays on the firearm sight how accurate the marksman is. After any necessary adjustments by the marksman, the marksman again indicates to the system that he would like to lock onto the target. In another embodiment, the marksman sets his firearm sight onto the object of interest, and the image processing of the system automatically locks onto the object. In either embodiment, after the system locks onto the object of interest, the sight captures the image and stores it in memory.

After the object of interest has been locked onto, the system captures further images, and compares these images to the most recent image stored in memory to determine if the object of interest has moved in the sight, indicating that either the object of interest has moved or that the firearm has moved. If movement has occurred, the system sends signals to an actuator system that moves the stock of the firearm in the proper direction to correct the aim which results in a re-positioned image of the object of interest in the sight. As the stock of the firearm moves, the firearm pivots on the non-trigger hand of the marksman, and the barrel of the firearm moves rotationally, thereby altering the aim of the firearm.

It is therefore an object of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a precision targeting system for a firearm that automatically and continuously corrects for target movement and/or movement of the firearm.

FIG. 1 illustrates a firearm on which an embodiment of a precision targeting system of the present invention may be installed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an actuator that can be used in connection with the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates in diagrammatic form the manner in which an embodiment of the present invention works in semi-automated mode.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process flow diagram for an embodiment of a precision targeting system of the present invention.

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to precision targeting systems that can be easily attached to firearms, especially long barreled firearms such as rifles, and more particularly, military long barreled firearms such as the M4 or M16.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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