Firearms – Indicators
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-18
2002-09-17
Eldred, J. Woodrow (Department: 3644)
Firearms
Indicators
C042S106000, C042S111000, C089S041010, C089S041170, C089S001110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06449892
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is directed to the field of computers and computer enclosures in the form of weaponry. Specifically, the invention is the incorporation of a transferable core computer into a gun.
BACKGROUND ART
Modern technology, especially computers and electronics, has advanced rapidly in the recent past. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to apply these technological advances to the art of war, law enforcement, and gun safety. More particularly, it would be advantageous to apply the technological advances to weapons and other equipment designed to help the modern soldier or law enforcement officer function better in battlefield and tactical situations and increase their chances for survival.
The conventional method of providing a soldier with modern technology, such as a computer, communications equipment and a Global Positioning System (GPS) is to have him carry individual devices. This equipment in combination with a soldier's weapon and armor can easily weigh over 70 pounds, which can create stress on the soldier and reduce his mobility. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,481, Gross et al discloses a modular soldier-centered fighting system comprising an enhanced vision, communications, weapons and control interface system. The core of the system is a modular compact computer which is wired to a ballistic helmet with a modular heads-up display which provides remote viewing via a thermal weapons site, weapon mounted video camera, helmet mounted night-vision image intensifier, laser detection system and a GPS receiver. The system includes individual radios for soldier-to-soldier communication to Command Center(s). The weapons subsystem, which is integrated with the computer/radio subsystem and helmet, includes a modular weapon, a thermal weapon sight, video camera and laser range finder/digital compass assembly. However, the computer, radios and other electrical components are mounted within a backpack worn by the soldier which creates an additional burden on the wearer.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,112, Giry et al discloses a device for the localizing and restoring of a line of fire of a weapon carried by a shooter equipped with a helmet. The device is comprised of two cameras, a first camera mounted on the helmet and the second camera being mounted on the weapon. A computer that receives digitized information from each camera, and which aids in the direction of fire of the weapon, is carried by the shooter. Again, an additional burden is placed on the shooter by carrying the computer.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,089, Ruszkowski, Jr. discloses a portable target locator system which comprises a rifle-like target locator and a transmitter/modem capable of transmitting target location coordinates to a weapons delivery system. The rifle-like target locator comprises a day and/or night magnifying optics/sighting system, GPS receiver and processor, azimuth and elevation sensor, a data entry keypad, laser rangefinder, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor calculates the coordinates of a selected target based upon the observer's coordinates, as determined by the GPS system and the laser rangefinder, and the range, azimuth and elevation data of the target relative to the position of the target locator. The target data then may be transmitted to an appropriate weapons delivery system, such as a tactical aircraft, or stored in onboard non-volatile memory for later analysis. However, this target locator system is not a functioning weapon. Therefore, the operator of this system would need to carry an additional piece of equipment; i.e., a gun, for engaging the enemy. Moreover, the microprocessor unit is not modular and therefore can not be customized for the specific task of the user.
In WO 96/01404, Michel et al discloses a weapon with a sight in which a computer controls a collimated reticle to move it onto the future point of impact between a target and a projectile fired from the weapon. The reticle consists of a lines-drawing means continuously movable by means of electrical units that receive control inputs from the computer, and the computer is provided with an electrical input control program for imperceptibly moving the reticle onto the future point of impact and locking it on. Again, the computer as disclosed is neither modular nor removable; therefore, it can not be customized for the specific task of the user.
Transferable core computers are known in the art such as the computers described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,999,952 and 6,029,183. The disclosure of these two patents is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure, for the purposes of this disclosure, and claims the term “transferable core computer”, “core”, “core computer module” or “core module” will be used interchangeably and will be taken to mean a computer system such as is disclosed in these patents. The core unit has preferably only one uniquely configured connecting means which mates with or fits against a reciprocal connector source or activating means in an enclosure. Other than this connecting means, all of the components of the core unit are sealed and not removable from the core housing. This same connecting means provides communication or transfer of information as well as power between the enclosure and the core module. In the core unit all of the computer components stay intact unlike the prior art where for example the CPU is removed and replaced with a second CPU or other components. The security offered by the core unit is provided by uniquely structured mating connection means which connect to a mate connector in the enclosure. In the event that the core unit is lost or misplaced, it's data cannot be used, read or printed out by others because it can only be activated by connection to an equally unique mating connector in the enclosure. There are many different unconventional connectors that can be used such as specially configured tongue and groove connectors, dove tail connectors, bar connectors, slot and projection connectors, etc. The more unique the communication or connectors, the better the security of the core unit. Obviously, any other security means may be incorporated into the system of this invention if desirable to further enhance the security of the system. Also for security reasons, the core unit is in a completely closed housing so that no computer component may be removed, copied or tampered with.
The transferable and removable standardized core computer unit includes a single housing comprising therein standard features of a self-contained general purpose computer. The enclosure unit has at least one electrical connector means for connection to a bus connection and to a source of power outside the enclosure. It will only work off the source of power provided by or through an enclosure and will not function as a stand-alone unit if directly attached to a power source. The enclosure comprises peripheral connector ports or devices to cooperate with said core computer unit when said core unit is placed therein, and the core computer unit has means to cooperate with a plurality of different enclosures when inserted into said enclosures in either an original placement or transferred from another enclosure. When more powerful computing is needed, the core computer can be upgraded be replacing the slower core computer with a faster one. Also, when additional features are desired such as voice recognition, a core with an integrated DSP may be used. The core computer unit has activation cooperation means for interaction with the desired activation means. The activation means are selected from the group consisting of audio activation means, communication activation means, pen activation means, brain activation means, eye-tracking activation means, mouse activation means, a keyboard activation means and mixtures thereof. The core unit has no removable components and will not function as a computer without said enclosure.
Also, disclosing core-like computers is Chu in U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,185. In '185, a personal computer syst
Eldred J. Woodrow
Ralabate James J.
Xybernaut Corporation
LandOfFree
Smart weapon does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Smart weapon, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Smart weapon will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2856234