U.S. patent application number 12/380375 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for self calibrating weapon shot counter.
Invention is credited to Kenneth V. Brinkley, Robert Ufer.
Application Number | 20090211139 12/380375 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40996929 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090211139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ufer; Robert ; et
al. |
August 27, 2009 |
Self calibrating weapon shot counter
Abstract
A microcontroller operated module is affixed to a fire arm. The
module includes an accelerometer for measuring the G force of each
round fired by the firearm, a flash memory (non-volatile memory)
for storing the shot profile data that includes shot count and
recoil data and transmitting it to a remote location such as a
remote computer via a serial communication device pursuant to RS232
standard, Bluetooth, awave or other low power RF transmitter
Inventors: |
Ufer; Robert; (Punta Gorda,
FL) ; Brinkley; Kenneth V.; (Owenton, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard B. Klar;Law Office Richard B. Klar
145 Willis Avenue
Mineola
NY
11510
US
|
Family ID: |
40996929 |
Appl. No.: |
12/380375 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61067294 |
Feb 27, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
42/1.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 19/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/1.03 |
International
Class: |
F41A 35/00 20060101
F41A035/00 |
Claims
1. A shot device for recording and transmitting shot profile data
of shots fired from a fire: arm, comprising: a microcontroller
operated module affixed to a fire arm; said module comprising a
MEMS accelerometer for measuring the G force of each round fired by
the firearm, a non volatile memory for storing the shot profile
data that includes shot count and recoil data a serial
communication device for transmitting said stored shot profile data
to a remote location via an RF signal.
Description
[0001] This is a non-provisional application of a provisional
application Ser. No. 61/067,294 filed Feb. 27, 2008.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a self calibrating weapon
shot counter. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a
self calibrating weapon shot counter that has a module operated by
a microcontroller for collecting, storing and transmitting data to
a computer, PDA or other electronic device, preferably remotely
located from the firearm. The data collected and transmitted by the
self calibrating weapons shot counter of the present disclosure
includes, shot profile data, including recoil in both directions,
rotational axis sensor data and duration of shot, identifying type
of weapon, round fired; i.e caliber and weight and barrel length.
The time, date and profile of the shot fired is also recorded and
transmitted to the remote computer. The present disclosure provides
for an active RFID tag communication port that listens for, records
the data and sends it to a remote location. The weapon shot counter
of the present disclosure is capable of being interchanged from one
weapon to another. The weapon shot counter can also be used as an
ancillary munitions recognition system i.e. hand grenades, high
explosive, fragmentary, incendiary, chemical and smoke as well as,
claymore mines utilized by same user as weapon counting device. In
this type of use the weapon shot counter of the present disclosure
acts as a repeater gathering the data from the thrown hand
grenades, upon spoon release the chip in the hand grenade is
charged by an onboard generator that sends out the serial number to
the Weapon shot counter that in turn sends it on to the PDA,
identifying the grenade or other munitions has been used. In this
way, the present disclosure provides for real time information as
to munitions usage, which can be transmitted to support personnel
allowing for timely resupply of munitions. This was previously
unheard of. As it is understood that no previous weapon shot
counter discussed this feature or capability and is unique to the
self-calibrating weapons shot counter of the present
disclosure.
[0004] 2. The Prior Art
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,486 to Brinkley discloses a firearm
monitor device for counting a number of rounds discharged.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure relates to a microcontroller operated
module affixed to a fire arm. The module includes a MEMS
accelerometer for measuring the G force of each round fired by the
firearm. The G force is measured simultaneously in two axes, in
line with the recoil and in cross-rotational axis in both
directions. The weapons shot counter of the present disclosure
includes a flash memory (non-volatile memory) for storing the shot
profile data that includes shot count and recoil data. The flash
memory transmits the shot profile data to a remote location such as
a remote computer via a serial communication device such as but not
limited to an RFID device pursuant to RS232 standard, Bluetooth,
awave or other low power RF transmitter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the module of
the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2A is an operational software diagram of the
microcontroller operation of the module of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3A is a illustration of the MEMS Sensor deflection
under given G Load vs. time of the shot
[0010] FIG. 3B is a graph illustrating G force due to a shot fired
versus time;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of one embodiment of a
handgun grip attachment of the module of the present disclosure;
and
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of another embodiment of
an attachment of the module of the present disclosure to a barrel
of a fire arm; and
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a rotational measuring direction in which
a firearm will twist in the direction of the rifling as the bullet
expands and engages the groves in the rifling as the bullet is
fired.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring now to the drawings of FIGS. 1-5, FIG. 1 is a
block diagram of the circuit of the module 5 of the present
disclosure.
[0015] The module 5 can be battery powered by way on non-limiting
exemplary illustration, a lithium battery 3--such as a 3.6 V
lithium battery. The circuitry of module 5 can be mounted on a
printed circuit (PC) board 6. The circuitry of the module 5
includes a microcontroller 7 programmed to operate the module 5, a
MEMS accelerometer 8, an RF 2 module or any other preferred serial
communications link that can transmit by RS 232 standard,
Bluetooth, or awave and a flash memory or other suitable
non-volatile memory such as an EE Prom 10.
[0016] The microcontroller 7 controls the operation of the module
5. The accelerometer 8 is in the plane of firing of the firearm and
provides and measures the actual G force of each round fired by the
firearm. The microcontroller 7 converts the analog output of the
accelerometer 8 to a digital recorder. The microcontroller 7
interrogates or periodically samples the accelerometer 8 at its
output, preferably every 10 milliseconds. If the samples taken by
the microcontroller 7 exceed a predetermined threshold a shot is
counted by the microcontroller 7. The microcontroller then
continues sampling until the accelerometer output falls below the
threshold level at which point the time and profile of the shot is
recorded.
[0017] The data for the shot profile is stored in the EEPROM 10 or
other flash memory. It is then transmitted remotely to a remote
location such as a remote computer terminal via a serial
communications device such as the RFID device 2, which converts the
flash memory data into a serial format conforming to RS 232
standard, Bluetooth or awave for transmission to the remote
computer station. The flash memory 10 includes instructions at
every command back to start to prevent the firearm unit to which
the module 5 is attached from being lost
[0018] The accelerometer 8 is a two axis MEMS accelerometer and is
in the plane of firing and it provides and measures the active G
force of the shot fired by the firearm. The shot profile
information collected will include the recoil and rotation of the
barrel due to the shot. The data will continue be collected until
the acceleration level falls below the threshold programmed. At
this point, the number of shots fired is tallied up and recorded
for this round. In addition to recoil sensor data, duration and
shots counted, the type of round fired is identified, and the time
and profile of the shot fired is recorded and transmitted.
[0019] One type of MEMS accelerometer that can be used is ANALOG
DEVICES AD22283-B-R2. The microcontroller can be a
MSP430F12321DW(SOWB) or an MSP430F12321PW(TSSOP). The Flash memory
can be ATMEL AMT25F2048N-10FU-2.7. It is understood that the
present disclosure is not limited to any particular cards and the
above are listed as non-limiting illustrative examples
[0020] The present disclosure further includes a charge pump (not
shown) for raising the battery voltage to the necessary power to
operate the MEMS accelerometer 8 The remote computer terminal will
have computer software package that resembles the data from the
module 5 and logs it into a file to be input to an EXCEL spread
sheet where it can be displayed as a bar graph or raw data. By way
of non-limiting illustrative example, commercially available RF
transmitter chip sets can be used with firmware to permit the RF
chips to communicate with a remote location such as but not limited
to a wireless PDA.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates the firmware of operation of the
microcontroller 7 for the module 5 of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 3A shows the MEMS Sensor deflection under given G Load
vs. time of the shot.
[0023] FIG. 3B illustrates the shot profile date that can be
graphed from the information obtained by the module 5 of the
present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a partially exploded view of the module 5 as
part of an attachment to the pistol grip of a handgun in one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a partially exploded view of the module 5 as
part of an attachment to the barrel of a firearm in another
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows a shot counter
housing 51 for the self calibrating shot counter weapon of the
present disclosure having a rail mount 52 that is used for mounting
accessories. The module S is shown and as can be seen in FIG. 5, a
lithium battery 3, a microcontroller 7 and an MEMS accelerometer 8
are mounted thereon. A rail mount 56 for the self calibrating
weapon shot counter of the present disclosure is shown as by way of
non-limiting illustrative example a Picatinny Rail mount 56 having
a recess 2a for placing the rail mount on a barrel of a
firearm.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows the rotational measuring direction, the firearm
will twist in the direction of the rifling as the bullet expands
and engages the groves in the rifling as the bullet is fired. It is
necessary to take this measurement in account to determine the
different caliber and weight of bullets fired. FIG. 6 shows the
direction of travel when firearm is discharged (shown as 61) ;the
grooves 62 in rifling twist to right as they pass down the barrel;
the bullet-projectile, the front sight at 12 o'clock position zero
degrees before cartridge ignition 42; the negative or return
direction after firing 65; and the rotational direction when
rifling is twisted to the right 66.
[0027] While presently preferred embodiments have been described
for purposes of the disclosure, numerous changes in the arrangement
of method steps and apparatus parts can be made by those skilled in
the art. Such changes are encompassed within the spirit of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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