Wireless controlled devices for a weapon and wireless control thereof

• US 8,093,992 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2008
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications SPD Technologies, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications SPD Technologies, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jancic, Dale Allen, Deyeso, Paul Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam V
• Application Number:
  US12/257,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20090111454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 340/12.5, 340/12.52, 340/13.24, 340/13.25, 421/11, 421/17, 421/23, 455/88, 380/255
• US Class Current: 340/12.5
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights

Abstract

A system and method related to weapon mounted auxiliary devices that can be operated by wireless remote control, and a remote controller by which an operator can operate the auxiliary devices remotely by wireless control. This includes all means of remote control of the auxiliary devices to include but not be limited to radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR) energy, all other wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, and acoustic, pressure, or sound waves. Control of the auxiliary devices can range from simple activation to wireless control of all auxiliary device controls and adjustments. This can also include a single remote control device that can operate one or more weapon mounted auxiliary devices.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating replacement of an auxiliary device associated with a weapon:

facilitating mounting the auxiliary device to the weapon at a first fixed distance from a remote control device configured to control the auxiliary device;

facilitating keying said remote control device to the auxiliary device to establish bi-directional wireless communication between said remote control device and the auxiliary device comprising;

initiating an exchange of a unique device code and a synchronization count between said remote control device and the auxiliary device, said unique device code being different from any key codes associated with other auxiliary devices mounted to other weapons to avoid control of one or more of said other auxiliary devices by said remote control device;

enabling an update of said synchronization count in said remote control device and said auxiliary device upon each transmission between said remote control device and the auxiliary device;

facilitating mounting a replacement auxiliary device to the weapon at a second fixed distance from said remote control device in place of the auxiliary device, said remote control device being configured to control said replacement auxiliary device; and

facilitating keying said remote control device to said replacement auxiliary device to establish bi-directional wireless communication between said remote control device and said replacement auxiliary device comprising;

initiating exchange of a second unique device code different from said first unique device code and a second synchronization count between said remote control device and said replacement auxiliary device, said second unique device code being different from any key codes associated with said other auxiliary devices mounted to said other weapons to avoid control of one or more of said other auxiliary devices by said remote control device; and

enabling an update of said second synchronization count in said remote control device and said replacement auxiliary device upon each transmission between said remote control and said replacement auxiliary device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first fixed distance is different from said second fixed distance.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said unique device code is stored in the auxiliary device.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said second unique device code is stored in said replacement auxiliary device.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said enabling exchange of said unique device code comprises causing transmission of said unique device code from said remote control device to the auxiliary device.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said enabling exchange of said second unique device code comprises causing transmission of said second unique device code from said remote control device to said replacement auxiliary device.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said enabling an update of said synchronization count comprises enabling an increase of said synchronization count by a value of one.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said enabling an update of said second synchronization count comprises enabling an increase of said second synchronization count by a value of one.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said unique device code and said second unique device code are established by a key module provided in said remote control device.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said unique device code is established by a key module provided in said auxiliary device and said second unique device code is established by a second key module in said replacement auxiliary device.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said bi-directional wireless communication is established using radio frequency signals.

12. A method of facilitating replacement of an auxiliary device associated with a weapon:

facilitating mounting the auxiliary device to the weapon at a first fixed distance from a remote control device configured to control the auxiliary device;

facilitating keying said remote control device to the auxiliary device to establish bi-directional wireless communication between said remote control device and the auxiliary device comprising;

initiating an exchange of a unique device code and a synchronization count between said remote control device and the auxiliary device, said unique device code being different from any key codes associated with other auxiliary devices mounted to other weapons to avoid control of one or more of said other auxiliary devices by said remote control device, said unique device code being stored in said auxiliary device or said remote control device;

enabling an update of said synchronization count in said remote control device and said auxiliary device upon each transmission between said remote control device and the auxiliary device;

facilitating mounting a replacement auxiliary device to the weapon at a second fixed distance from said remote control device in place of the auxiliary device, said remote control device being configured to control said replacement auxiliary device; and

facilitating keying said remote control device to said replacement auxiliary device to establish bi-directional wireless communication between said remote control device and said replacement auxiliary device comprising;

initiating an exchange of a second unique device code different from said first unique device code and a second synchronization count between said remote control device and said replacement auxiliary device, said second unique device code being different from any key codes associated with said other auxiliary devices mounted to said other weapons to avoid control of one or more of said other auxiliary devices by said remote control device, said second unique device code being stored in said replacement auxiliary device or said remote control device;

enabling an update of said second synchronization count in said remote control device and said replacement auxiliary device upon each transmission between said remote control and said replacement auxiliary device.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said first fixed distance is different from said second fixed distance.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said enabling exchange of said unique device code comprises causing transmission of said unique device code from said remote control device to the auxiliary device.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein said enabling exchange of said second unique device code comprises causing transmission of said second unique device code from said remote control device to said replacement auxiliary device.

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein said enabling an update of said synchronization count comprises enabling an increase of said synchronization count by a value of one.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein said enabling an update of said second synchronization count comprises enabling an increase of said second synchronization count by a value of one.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein said unique device code and said second unique device code are established by a key module provided in said remote control device.

19. A method according to claim 12, wherein said unique device code is established by a key module provided in said auxiliary device and said second unique device code is established by a second key module in said replacement auxiliary device.

20. A method according to claim 12, wherein said bi-directional wireless communication is established using radio frequency signals.