Weapon aiming system
First Claim
1. A weapon comprising:
- a gun barrel having a bore axis fixed relative to a datum;
a sighting device having an optical axis fixed relative to the bore axis;
position sensing means for detecting angular movement of the gun barrel relative to the datum and providing a corresponding position signal representing angular displacement of the gun barrel;
sensor means for providing a scene signal comprising a series of frames each representing a field of view of the sighting device, and a frame synchronization signal;
input means for inputting a signal other than the position signal;
display means for displaying an image of the field of view frame by frame;
artifact memory means for storing data corresponding to a said frame;
signal processor means for repeatedly writing into said artifact memory means data words each representing one of a plurality of pixels which, when displayed by hid display means, form a graphics artifact;
video generation means for generating a graphics artifact signal from the data stored in the artifact memory means;
means for combining the scene signal and the graphics artifact signal and supplying the combined signals to the display device to superimpose the graphics artifact on the image of the scene displaced; and
the signal processor means being responsive to the position signal and to the frame synchronization signal to modify the stored data words to effect changes in the graphics artifact relative to the scene in continuous and direct dependence upon the angular displacement of the gun relative to the support, and responsive to said signal other than the position signal to modify such dependency.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A machine gun unit comprises a machine gun mounted to a support by a mounting permitting pivoting movement of the machine gun relative to the support in azimuth and/or elevation. Angle encoders provide position signals representing angular displacement of the machine gun relative to the support. An aiming system comprises a sensor, for example a CCD sensor, which provides a video signal representing a field of view for the aiming system, a display device for displaying the field of view, a manual input interface, a graphics artifact generator, and a digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP monitors the outputs of the angle encoders and controls the graphics artifact generator to combine the output of the graphics artifact generator with the output of the CCD sensor for display by the display device. Various graphics artifacts can be provided. Masks may be provided for delimiting field of fire. A cursor may be repositioned to reflect superelevation requirements. Target motion and opposing fire can be detected and highlighted. Tracers can be simulated. The weapon can also be used for surveillance, either alone or as part of a weapon system comprising a plurality of the weapons and a central command post.
271 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A weapon comprising:
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a gun barrel having a bore axis fixed relative to a datum; a sighting device having an optical axis fixed relative to the bore axis; position sensing means for detecting angular movement of the gun barrel relative to the datum and providing a corresponding position signal representing angular displacement of the gun barrel; sensor means for providing a scene signal comprising a series of frames each representing a field of view of the sighting device, and a frame synchronization signal; input means for inputting a signal other than the position signal; display means for displaying an image of the field of view frame by frame; artifact memory means for storing data corresponding to a said frame; signal processor means for repeatedly writing into said artifact memory means data words each representing one of a plurality of pixels which, when displayed by hid display means, form a graphics artifact; video generation means for generating a graphics artifact signal from the data stored in the artifact memory means; means for combining the scene signal and the graphics artifact signal and supplying the combined signals to the display device to superimpose the graphics artifact on the image of the scene displaced; and the signal processor means being responsive to the position signal and to the frame synchronization signal to modify the stored data words to effect changes in the graphics artifact relative to the scene in continuous and direct dependence upon the angular displacement of the gun relative to the support, and responsive to said signal other than the position signal to modify such dependency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A weapon unit comprising:
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a scene sensor mounted to a support and providing a scene signal representing a field of view of the scene sensor; a gun barrel mounted to the support and pivotal, by an operator, in elevation relative to both the support and a line of sight of the scene sensor;
the gun barrel having a bore axis;position sensing means for detecting angular movement of the gun barrel in elevation relative to the support and providing a position signal representing angular displacement of the gun barrel relative to the support; graphics artifact generation means for providing an artifact signal representing a cursor; display means responsive to the scene signal and the artifact signal for displaying an image of the field of view and the cursor combined; and signal processing means responsive initially to the position signal and to the artifact signal to control the display means to display the cursor at a position in the displayed scene corresponding to an aim point of the gun barrel; the weapon unit further comprising means for providing a range signal representing range to a designated target; and input means operable by the operator to provide a target designation signal; the signal processing means being further responsive to the target designation signal, the range signal and stored ballistics data to compute a required degree of superelevation for the gun barrel and apply a corresponding offset to the position signal, thereby offsetting the cursor downwards relative to its position in the displayed field of view at the instant that the target designation signal occurred, such that restoration of the cursor to said position requires angular displacement of the gun barrel relative to the scene sensor line of sight by an amount corresponding to the required superelevation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification