Target-actuated weapon
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for electronically actuating a firearm, comprising:
- a target sensor unit configured to determine a target offset angle, compute a point-of-aim offset angle, and generate a target sensor signal when the target offset angle and the point-of-aim offset angle are substantially coterminous, having the same end point, wherein the target sensor unit further comprises a target sensor configured with a first detector to detect electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within 8 to 14 microns and to generate detector signals, and a target sensor processor coupled to the target sensor for analyzing the detector signals to generate the target sensor signal; and
a firing unit electrically coupled to the target sensor unit, the firing unit configured to electronically ignite one or more axially loaded ammunition loads upon receiving the target sensor signal and a trigger signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A weapon for accurately launching a projectile of a firearm toward a target and no other point of strike, comprising an electrically-actuated firearm with axially-stacked ammunition loads, a target sensor unit which generates a target sensor signal at such times as the projected bullet'"'"'s point of strike and the projected target position coincide; a fire controller which generates a firing signal when both a trigger signal and a target sensor signal are present; and a sequence controller actuated by the firing signal to ignite one or more of the axially stacked ammunition loads to cause the projectile to strike the projected location of a target.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for electronically actuating a firearm, comprising:
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a target sensor unit configured to determine a target offset angle, compute a point-of-aim offset angle, and generate a target sensor signal when the target offset angle and the point-of-aim offset angle are substantially coterminous, having the same end point, wherein the target sensor unit further comprises a target sensor configured with a first detector to detect electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within 8 to 14 microns and to generate detector signals, and a target sensor processor coupled to the target sensor for analyzing the detector signals to generate the target sensor signal; and
a firing unit electrically coupled to the target sensor unit, the firing unit configured to electronically ignite one or more axially loaded ammunition loads upon receiving the target sensor signal and a trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for electronically actuating a firearm, comprising:
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a target sensor unit configured to determine a target offset angle, compute a point-of-aim offset angle, and generate a target sensor signal when the target offset angle and the point-of-aim offset angle are substantially coterminous, having the same end point; and
a firing unit electrically coupled to the target sensor unit, the firing unit configured to electronically ignite one or more axially loaded ammunition loads upon receiving the target sensor signal and a trigger signal, the firing unit further comprising an ammunition tube configured to store the one or more axially loaded ammunition loads;
an ammunition tube receiver configured to insertably accept the ammunition tube;
a fire controller for generating a firing signal upon processing the target sensor signal and the trigger signal; and
a sequence controller for sequentially discharging the one or more axially loaded ammunition loads upon receiving the firing signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15)
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12. A method for actuating a firearm having axially loaded ammunition loads, comprising the steps of:
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identifying a target based upon target radiation patterns having wavelengths within 8 to 20 microns;
determining a point-of-aim offset angle based upon a bullet drop, a firearm delay time and the motion of the firearm;
determining a target offset angle based on motion of the target, a flight velocity of the axially loaded ammunition loads, and a target range; and
electronically igniting the axially loaded ammunition loads when end points of the point-of-aim offset angle and the target offset angle are substantially coincident.
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Specification