WO2020183454A1

WO2020183454A1 - Firearm monitoring system

Info

Publication number: WO2020183454A1
Application number: PCT/IL2020/050269
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oz OSTFELD; David ROTENBERG; David HORESH
Original assignee: Ostfeld Oz; Rotenberg David; Horesh David
Priority date: 2019-03-12
Filing date: 2020-03-09
Publication date: 2020-09-17
Also published as: IL265322A

Abstract

A firearm monitoring system comprises a vibration-responsive sensor unit that is mounted on a firearm which is configured to detect vibrations in two different amplitude ranges; and a processor configured to process and combine signals generated by the sensor unit, so that a characterized firearm-specific event-derived classification reflective of the two different amplitude ranges will be output.

Description

FIREARM MONITORING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of firearm monitoring devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a monitoring system for identifying a firearm response to an attempted shooting event.

Background of the Invention

Reliable operation of a firearm is contingent upon ensuring that it is free from malfunctions, such as a cartridge jam or a misfire. Even if properly cleaned, the firearm is nevertheless subject to unforeseen malfunctions, and any delay in performing a shooting operation due a malfunction is life endangering.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for identifying a malfunction in the operation of a firearm, or the onset of a malfunction, and for defining which preventive maintenance operations are needed to improve the functionality of the firearm.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide means for identifying a firearm response to an attempted shooting event.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide monitoring apparatus that is mounted on the firearm.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a firearm monitoring system comprising a vibration-responsive sensor unit that is mounted on a firearm which is configured to detect vibrations in two different amplitude ranges; and a processor configured to process and combine signals generated by said sensor unit, so that a characterized firearm-specific event-derived classification reflective of said two different amplitude ranges will be output. In one aspect, the monitoring system further comprises an alerting device for issuing a user noticeable alert, wherein the processor is operable to activate said alerting device if the output characterized classification is indicative of malfunction-incipient operation or of malfunction- manifested operation.

In one aspect, the sensor unit comprises first and second vibration-responsive sensors which are configured to detect vibrations in two different amplitude ranges, respectively, and the processor is in data communication with each of the first and second firearm-mounted sensors.

In one aspect, the sensors and processor are housed in a common casing which is mounted onto the firearm.

In one aspect, the monitoring system further comprises a server in data communication with the processor for additionally processing a data output of the processor, and a wireless transceiver which is also housed in the casing for transmitting a signal that is provided with the data output to the server.

In one aspect, the first and second sensors include accelerometers, gyroscopes, or an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

In one aspect, the sensor unit comprises one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, or two or more of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:

- Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a firearm monitoring system;

- Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a firearm monitoring system;

- Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a firearm monitoring system;

- Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a firearm monitoring system;

- Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a firearm monitoring system;

- Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a firearm monitoring system;

- Fig. 7 is an illustration of a composite data signal which is representative of an event-specific vibration response derived from a firearm monitoring system; and - Fig. 8 is a flow chart of a characterization operation that is performable with a firearm monitoring system.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In a firearm-mounted monitoring system, a sensor unit is adapted to detect the vibration response of one or more firearm components to an attempted shooting event (hereinafter referred to as an "event" for brevity), whether resulting for example in a bullet being actually fired, a cartridge jam or a misfire. The signals generated by the sensor unit collectively, or by each sensor individually, are processed to classify the event and to thereby output a categorical indication of firearm operation and of the last-performed event (hereinafter referred to as a "classification" for brevity), which is indicative of either malfunction-free operation or malfunction-incipient operation, or of any other predefined firearm response. The output classification may also be used to help identify a type of the incipient malfunction.

By being able to sample and analyze the firearm-derived performance data, the monitoring system has much utility to a supervisor, such as a shooting trainer or a commander, or even to the user, in order to be made aware of an incipient malfunction or of a user's shooting performance. The incipient malfunction is able to be corrected in advance, prior to suffering from a malfunction during combat or training.

Broadly speaking, Fig. 1 schematically illustrates firearm-mounted monitoring system 10, according to an embodiment of the invention, for monitoring behavior of firearm 2 in real time. Monitoring system 10 comprises a set of vibration-responsive sensors 5, processor 7 in data communication with each of the sensors 5, which is configured to suitably process the signals generated by the sensors so that a classification will be output, and one or more mounting elements 9 for mounting onto firearm 2. Monitoring system 10 is suitable for characterizing an event according to a unique classification that is specific for any type of firearm that causes a projectile to be propelled through a barrel by a high-pressure gas, including, but not limited to, pistols, rifles, machine guns, and howitzers.

Processor 7 is configured with a dedicated algorithm 12, which is responsive to the signals generated by the sensors 5, and is suitable to process the generated signals according to predetermined instructions and to thereby output a single classification that is representative of the event. Processor 7 is thus capable of characterizing the event, so that an administrator or even the user may be made aware of the output classification for the purpose of post-event treatments, including, but not limited to, maintenance operations such as preventive maintenance operations, component replacement, calibration, and fine tuning.

Algorithm 12 may be a module of processor 7. Following an attempted shooting event using firearm 2 made in a training stage, the vibration response is acquired. After the firearm is physically inspected with respect to various parameters of importance, the vibration response is able to be associated with a physical response. The accuracy of such an association in a training stage is able to be continuously improved until eventually the association accuracy is maximized. After a predetermined association accuracy is achieved, boundary conditions of a classification are able to be defined and integrated with algorithm 12. Accordingly, when monitoring system 10 is subsequently employed in a characterization stage, processor 7 is able to associate an event with a unique classification.

The sensors 5 and processor 7 may be positioned in a common casing 6, as illustrated, to facilitate convenient mounting by the mounting elements 9 onto firearm 2. Casing 6 may be positioned at a selected firearm region at which is detectable the vibration response of all, or at least most, firearm components that are worthy of being monitored in terms of their importance of being influential in defining a class. The monitoring system, by being retained in the compact casing 6, serves as an external add-on device for retrofitting existing firearms and providing them with malfunction identification capabilities.

Alternatively, each of the sensors 5 may be distributed throughout firearm 2, such that a different mounting element 9 is used to mount a corresponding sensor 5, or pair of sensors, or processor 7, such that the vibration response of one firearm component is detected primarily by one sensor or one pair of sensors. The monitoring system may therefore acquire more than one vibration response, each of which derived from a different firearm component or sensed at a different firearm region.

If so desired, the set of sensors 5 and processor 7, and any other monitoring apparatus that may be provided, may be integrated with the firearm during factory installation.

Fig. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a characterization operation that is performable with an embodiment of the monitoring system, particularly in conjunction with the dedicated algorithm. After an attempted shooting event is performed in step 82, each sensor detects a different event-associated vibration response and generates a corresponding signal in step 84. Value sets of predefined parameters including, but not limited to, maximum and minimum DC levels, total signal energy, signal length, amplitude and frequency, are extracted from each corresponding signal in step 86, and are combined in step 88 according to stored instructions. The combined event-associated data vector, which may also be referred to as a "signature" is input to a classifier module, which may be executed by the processor, in step 90, whereupon the classifier module outputs the unique event- associated characterized classification in step 92.

The characterized classification can be used for various applications, such as a shot counter, malfunction detector, maintenance alerting, combat training, combat analysis and logistic operations. Exemplary types of malfunctions that are able to be detected include case head separation, dud, hang fire, squib load, failure to feed, hammer follow, slam fire, failure to extract, failure to eject, stovepipe, double feed, out-of-battery.

Fig. 2 illustrates a monitoring system 20 in which the set of sensors comprises two accelerometers 5a-b, generally three-axis accelerometers, each of which is in data communication with processor 7. Accelerometer 5a is configured to detect vibrations in a first amplitude range, and accelerometer 5b is configured to detect vibrations in a second amplitude range which is different than the first amplitude range. Thus monitoring system 20 is effective in detecting vibrations in two different amplitude ranges, such that one amplitude range would have been undetectable if only one type of accelerometer were used. Processor 7 processes the signals generated by accelerometers 5a-b according to stored instructions, such as with respect to a predetermined amplitude range, and generates a composite signal that is derived from the signals of the two accelerometers.

Fig. 3 illustrates a monitoring system 30 in which the set of sensors comprises two gyroscopes 5c-d, each of which is in data communication with processor 7, for providing rates of angular rotation along different axes.

Fig. 4 illustrates a monitoring system 40 in which the set of sensors comprises two accelerometers 5a-b and two gyroscopes 5c-d, each of which is in data communication with processor 7, for improved resolution of generating the composite signal. Fig. 5 illustrates a self-contained, firearm-mounted monitoring system 50 that generates both an output characterized classification and feedback. Housed within casing 6 are sensors 5a-d, processor 57, e.g. a digital signal processing (DSP) unit, and alerting device 59, such as a LED lamp. Following an event in a characterization stage, sensors 5a-d detect the vibration response of monitoring-worthy components of the firearm in two amplitude ranges. The signals generated by the sensors are suitably processed by processor 57 to output a unique classification. If the characterized classification is indicative of malfunction-incipient operation, or even of malfunction-manifested operation, processor 57 activates alerting device 59, whereupon the user is made aware that the firearm needs to undergo a maintenance operation.

In another embodiment, a sensor unit is configured with a single sensor that is responsive to both of the two amplitude ranges, whereupon the corresponding signals are suitably processed to output a unique classification.

In monitoring system 60 of Fig. 6, sensor-derived signals are processed by both processor 63 housed in casing 6 which is in data communication with sensors 5a-d and by remote server 69. Following the first processing stage, processor 63 transmits a signal F, which may be filtered, by means of wireless transceiver 64 also housed in casing 6 to server 69. In a second processing stage, server 69 processes all signals F that have been received in accordance with a dedicated algorithm 68 running on its processor, and is therefore capable of suitably characterizing the data included in the received signals F so as to associate it with one of the classifications defined by algorithm 68. A real-time firearm response such as a misfire may be determined in the first processing stage, and a higher accuracy classification based on a time dependent and ongoing data comparison such as one that is indicative of malfunction-incipient operation may be determined in the second processing stage.

After server 69 successfully characterizes the sensor-derived data, a characterization signal G is transmitted from server 69 to terminal device 71 that is accessed by an administrator, such as a mobile device, e.g. a smartphone, or a personal computer, so that the administrator may alerted when the firearm is indicative of malfunction-incipient or of malfunction-manifested operation. Server 69 may be a centralized computer associated with a cloud which is suitable for processing the associated big data. Fig. 7 illustrates a composite data signal 76 that has been derived from the signals 73 and 74 of two sensors, respectively, of the monitoring system according to any embodiment described herein, after being combined by the processor. While signal 73 has a relatively high amplitude and is consequently sampled with relatively low resolution, signal 74 has a relatively low amplitude and is sampled with relatively high resolution. In this fashion, the level of information that is able to be obtained from the two signals 73 and 74 may be maximized, so that the output data signal may be more accurately generated. Composite data signal 76 may be reflective of a vibration response.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A firearm monitoring system, comprising:

a) a vibration-responsive sensor unit that is mounted on a firearm which is configured to detect vibrations in two different amplitude ranges; and

b) a processor configured to process and combine signals generated by said sensor unit, so that a characterized firearm-specific event-derived classification reflective of said two different amplitude ranges will be output.

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising an alerting device for issuing a user noticeable alert, wherein the processor is operable to activate said alerting device if the output characterized classification is indicative of malfunction-incipient operation or of malfunction- manifested operation.

3. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises first and second vibration-responsive sensors which are configured to detect vibrations in two different amplitude ranges, respectively, and the processor is in data communication with each of the first and second firearm-mounted sensors.

4. The monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the sensors and processor are housed in a common casing which is mounted onto the firearm.

5. The monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the casing is mounted at a selected firearm region at which is detectable a vibration response of at least most monitoring-worthy firearm components.

6. The monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein each of the sensors is distributed throughout firearm, such that a different mounting element is used to mount a corresponding sensor or pair of sensors.

7. The monitoring system according to claim 4, further comprising a server in data communication with the processor for additionally processing a data output of the processor, and a wireless transceiver which is also housed in the casing for transmitting a signal that is provided with the data output to the server.

8. The monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the first and second sensors include accelerometers, gyroscopes, or an accelerometer and a gyroscope.

9. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, or two or more of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.