NETWORK WEAPON SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120214137A1
• Filed: 08/14/2007
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telerobotics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Telerobotics Corporation
• Inventors: Goree, John, Feldman, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,485,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/19
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/063 comprising a transponder
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/02 using an independent line of sight
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/04 for dispersing fire from a battery ; for controlling spread of shots; for coordinating fire from spaced weapons
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/14 Indirect aiming means
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 9/00 Systems for controlling missiles or projectiles, not provided for elsewhere

Abstract

Allows for the assignment of threat(s) to weapon(s) to allow operators to coordinate actions. Enables dynamic discovery and operation weapon(s), sensor(s) over a local or public network so available weapons can be selected by operators. Sensors may act as simulated weapons and may also reside in a video surveillance system (VSS). Sensors may be collocated or away from weapons which may differ in number. Sensors simulating weapons are transparently interchangeable with actual weapons. Simulated actors and events may be injected into system with operator gestures recorded for later analysis. Operator may control more than one weapon or sensor at a time. Operator user interface may be cloned onto another computer for real-time supervision or for later use. Integration of existing VSS with a network of remotely operated weapons or simulated weapons enables a passive video surveillance system upgrade to become a projector of lethal or non-lethal force.

Claims

1. A network weapon system comprising:

a network;

at least one sensor configured to produce a corresponding at least one sensor data output wherein said at least one sensor is coupled with said network and wherein a first sensor selected from said at least one sensor produces a first sensor data output;

at least one operator user interface configured to execute in a computer system having a tangible memory medium, where said computer system is coupled with said network and said at least one user interface is configured to communicate with and present said at least one sensor data output and wherein said at least one operator user interface comprises at least one weapon control interface;

at least one weapon coupled with said network wherein said at least one weapon control interface is configured to deliver a command to said at least one weapon and wherein an operator may take control of any available weapon;

a communications protocol compatible with said network that allows said operator user interface to communicate with said at least one weapon and said at least one sensor; and

,

said at least one operator user interface configured to display available weapons to a plurality of operators associated with respective operator user interfaces selected from said at least one operator user interface wherein said plurality of users utilize said respective operator user interfaces to coordinate use of said available weapons.

2. The network weapon system of claim 1 wherein state associated with said at least one weapon is known to a plurality of operating stations.

3. The network weapon system of claim 1 wherein state associated with said at least one weapon is known to a plurality of operating stations without storing said state in a single repository.

4. The network weapon system of claim 1 wherein said communications protocol comprises dynamic discovery of said at least one weapon or at least one sensor or at least one operator user interface or any combination of weapon, sensor or operator user interface.

5. The network weapon system of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is utilized as a simulated weapon.

6. The network weapon system of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is a component of a video surveillance system.

7. The network weapon system of claim 1 wherein said at least one weapon is authorized for operation by a supervisor.