Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/1 1 91 59 PCT/EP2005/004880
Weapons System with Module Identifiers
The present invention relates to a weapons system with several modules, in
which individual
modules are provided with an identifier, and assists weapons logistics in such
cases when
individual weapons made up of several modules or individual weapons modules
are issued to
individual users or user groups and each instance of issuance and return is
registered and
documented not only with respect to each weapon but also with respect to each
module. This is the
case, for example, in military or police applications.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a weapons module suitable for the
weapons system according
to the invention as well as a corresponding weapon configuration.
The term "module" thereby describes individual functional components forming
the weapon itself,
such as handle piece with trigger device, weapon barrel, shoulder rest,
breechblock carrier, hand
piece, etc. and attachment parts, mounting parts and accessory parts, such as
cartridge magazines,
carrying handle, shoulder strap, sight devices, target optics, target
assistance devices, etc.
Current weapons systems are primarily made up of standardized functional
modules or components,
which can be configured for different weapons depending on the type of use. As
a general rule, the
individual weapons are stored, maintained and managed centrally and are handed
out to individual
weapon users or user groups for each specific use. In order to ensure the fast
and safe supply with
weapons for each specific purpose, a large number of different, serviceable
complete weapons,
which partially contain identical modules, must be available. For example, in
the military field,
different weapons configurations are required for normal field uses than for
practice or commando
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/119159 PCT/EP2005/004880
2
uses. Thus, several complete weapons must be available simultaneously for each
user, so that
weapons that are configured differently can be maintained and available for
use. Accordingly, this
required many individual modules. At the same time, the use and application
for all of these
weapons and weapons modules must be documented in a reliable and reproducible
manner. This
primarily occurs via inventory, issuance, return and use lists, which must be
compared with each
other. At the same time, different issuance and return locations may need to
be taken into
consideration. The associated logistical effort is correspondingly high and
time-consuming.
In conventional systems, as disclosed in DE 100 62 239 Al, complete weapons
have an identifier
(serial number, barcode, transponder). Individual modules cannot be identified
due to this type of
identifier.
The object of the present invention is to reduce this logistics effort,
improve the quality of the
available logistics information and to reduce the total number of modules.
This object is solved by a weapons system, which has several modules and in
which each module
is provided with an identifier, and the modules can be combined into different
weapons
configurations, each of which correspond to an identifier record made up of
the individual identifiers,
wherein identifiers and identifier records can be recorded with a recording
device, which compares
recorded identifiers and/or identifier records with identifiers and/or
identifier records registered in the
recording device and creates corresponding output information. This type of
recording device allows
the logistical management of weapons modules and complete weapons based on the
individual
identifiers and the formed identifier records. The comparison with registered
identifiers or identifier
records allows the practical implementation of a logistical concept, in which
the weapons no longer
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/1 1 91 59 PCT/EP2005/004880
3
need to be maintained in a completely configured state, but can also be
maintained in a partially
complete state or even disassembled. At the same time, the error rate drops
during recording in
contrast to manual recording.
Further advantages are that the number of required weapons modules can be
decreased for the
sufficient supply to weapons-bearing units with weapons configured for
specific uses. Additionally,
errors in the configuration of weapons can be detected and thus avoided early
and before use and
a cross-storage-location inventory reconciliation is possible for an area-wide
weapons system,
wherein several perhaps changing locations (military, police) can be taken
into consideration.
Claim 2 specifies registerable identifier information, with which the
comparison operations can be
implemented. Thus, all possible identifiers of all modules associated with the
weapons system can
be entered. Thus, it is for example possible in a storage area to assign
modules to be recorded to
certain weapons systems. In this manner, different weapons systems can also be
jointly managed
in one storage area.
The saving of available identifiers allows constant inventory control and can
always be updated via
the recording of the identifiers of removed modules. With certain saved or
savable identifier
combinations, it can e.g. be determined whether the recorded identifier
combination of a certain
weapon configuration corresponds with an authorized identifier combination.
That is, it can be
checked whether modules were combined or attached in a permissible manner. It
can thus be
determined whether a certain sight device, which is configured for a certain
barrel length, also fits a
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/119159 PCT/EP2005/004880
4
barrel contained in a certain configuration. Errors in the configuration of
weapons can be detected
early and safely and can be corrected before the weapon is used.
The available identifier combinations can provide direct information about
whether and, if applicable,
in what quantity a certain weapon configuration can be combined out of the
available modules
(identifiers). Thus, it can be detected before the configuration of a certain
weapon whether and, if
applicable, in which quantity a requested identifier combination (or module
combination) can be
implemented from the available inventory. The saving of the module
combinations identified during
issuance or return (complete weapons) also shows which weapons or modules were
issued or
handed back and documents the frequency of use and thus the actual demand for
certain modules
and module combinations. This data ensures need-based availability without
having to procure too
many modules.
The information stated in claim 3, which can be output as the result of
certain performed
comparison operations, shows e.g. whether a recorded or requested module is
even known for a
certain weapons system or whether a certain module is available or whether or
not, as already
explained above, a recorded module combination (e.g. during issuance) is
permitted, whether or not
a recorded module combination is released for a certain user and, finally,
whether or not a recorded
module combination corresponds with the requested module combination for a
certain user.
Claim 4 concerns the networking of recording devices, so that data recorded
and registered at
several locations can be compared with each other. In accordance with claim 5,
the recording
devices can also comprise input devices, via which registered identifiers
and/or identifier
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/1 1 91 59 PCT/EP2005/004880
combinations can be entered or changed. This enables easy maintenance of the
database. This
also includes the output device specified in claim 6, which outputs the
corresponding information to
a user in a suitable manner.
The embodiments in accordance with claims 7, 8 and 9 concern identifier
designs, in which the
identifier has a classifying and an identifying part, wherein the classifying
part denotes the module
type and the identifying part, e.g. in the form of a serial number,
individualizes each individual
module. Thus, it is also possible to find specific individual modules and
combine them together,
which may fit together particularly well (e.g. a certain sight and a weapon
barrel).
If the identifier then also has a modifiable identifier component (claim 8),
then the use of a module
can be coded in the identifier itself in a modifiable manner (e.g. the number
of uses, duration of use)
and thus maintenance cycles can be determined based one the intensity of use.
At the same time,
as specified in claim 9, other information on the withdrawal storage location,
configuration time,
history of configuration and/or use or duration and frequency of use and/or
maintenance and
revision information are included in the identifier in all or certain weapons
modules.
The embodiment in accordance with claim 9 concerns the equipping of a
recording device with a
read/write device, which can both record and change identifiers.
The embodiments in accordance with claims 10 through 12 correspond with
embodiments in which
the identifier itself is provided with and the recording of the identifiers
are realized with transponder
technology or RFID technology. The identifiers can thereby be recorded and
changed without
contact and over considerable distances, so that the system almost works in
passing (import, export
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/1 1 91 59 PCT/EP2005/004880
6
of identifier), without requiring additional recording steps. The embodiments
of the transponders in
accordance with claims 11 and 12 thereby concern special weapon-specific
embodiments, wherein,
in accordance with claim 11, such transponders can also be installed in
metallic and in particular in
steel components and/or a create a non-detachable connection (claim 12) with
the respective
module, so that the transponders or the RFID tag cannot be removed without
considerable damage
to the transponder itself and/or the weapons module.
The weapons modules in accordance with the invention and in accordance with
claims 13 and 14
can e.g. be weapon barrels, handle pieces, trigger/lock units, housing,
magazines, shafts (hand
pieces or shoulder rests), target/sight devices and module carriers, but also
other components or
accessory parts, which are used in weapons.
Claim 15 only concerns a weapons configuration, which is configured from
modules provided with
identifiers. Weapons systems, in particular for light individual weapons
(assault rifles), are often
made up of modules that can be configured differently for each specific use.
One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described based on the
attached drawings,
in which:
Fig. 1 shows two exemplary weapons configurations I and II.
Fig. 2 provides and example for the structure of a weapon identifier.
Fig. 3 illustrates the tabular assignment of different weapons
identifiers/modules to identifier
records/weapons configurations.
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/1 1 91 59 PCT/EP2005/004880
7
Fig. 4 shows the schematic representation of a logistics system for managing a
weapons system
in accordance with the invention.
Fig. I shows two weapons configurations I, II, which are made up of different
modules, wherein the
modules are labeled as follows:
Al: Short weapon barrel
A2: Long weapon barrel
B: Lock unit
Cl: Fixed shoulder rest
C2: Fold-away shoulder rest
Dl: Handle piece with trigger device (single fire)
D2: Handle piece with trigger device (single fire and constant fire)
El: Short magazine
E2: Long magazine
Fl: Hand piece
F2: Hand piece with handle
G1: Grain
G2: Notch
G3: Optical sight device
Each of the modules is thereby provided with identifiers, which can be read by
a machine. These
identifiers can be designed as barcodes or RFID tags (transponders), each of
which has identifier
information corresponding to the weapons module. This identifier information
can be provided in a
fixed manner or in a modifiable manner. The identifiers are designed such that
all identifiers
(weapons configurations/weapons modules) associated with an identifier record
can be recorded
together in a collision-free manner by a corresponding recording device. In
order to simultaneously
record (read) or modify (write) the identifiers associated with an identifier
recorded on transponders,
the recording device much be set up such that it uses a suitable anti-
collision process together with
a corresponding read/write device.
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/119159 PCT/EP2005/004880
8
Such procedures can e.g. be an ALOHA procedure (slotted ALOHA procedure,
dynamic S-ALOHA
procedure, etc.), a binary search algorithm or a dynamic binary search
procedure.
Fig. 2 shows the general structure of an identifier, which is made up of four
modules here, namely
the module type (A), the module variant (1), a serial number (001) and a
variable component (V).
Through this structure, it is possible to record the module type and variant
when recording the
identifier as well as a sequential serial number, which identifies each
individual part. In the case of
transponder identifier models that are modifiable (writeable), the variable
portion can be changed
via a corresponding read/write device, i.e. it can record changing
information. Such information can,
for example, be maintenance data, usage data, etc. (see above).
Alternatively, module type, variant and serial number can also be replaced by
a single serial
number, which is assigned to one specific weapons module, from which the
module type and
variant can then be identified via a saved identifier key.
Fig. 3 shows an allocation table, which allocated the identifier records of
the weapons
configurations (I, II) shown in Fig. 1 to the available modules Al through G3.
In this type of identifier
record table, potential or permissible identifier records can be represented,
which can be registered
in the recording device. The comparison of recorded identifier information
from module
configurations or requested identifier records with these specified identifier
records then provides
e.g. information on the availability of modules or helps detect configuration
errors.
Fig. 4 shows an example of a system for managing a weapons system in
accordance with the
invention. The exemplary embodiment assumes that the modules are equipped with
transponders.
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/1 1 91 59 PCT/EP2005/004880
9
Suitable transponders for the system in accordance with the invention are e.g.
RFID data carriers
with a save feature. Their designs can range from simple read-only
transponders to transponders
with cryptographic functions. Transponders with a save feature generally
contain a memory (e.g. a
RAM, ROM, EEPROM or FERAM) and an HF interface for power supply and
communication with
the read/write device. The HF interface thereby forms the interface between
the transfer channel
from the read device to the transponder and the digital circuit elements of
the transponder itself. In
general, it corresponds with the classic modem (modulator/demodulator), as it
is also used for
analog data transfer via telephone lines. The HF interface of the transponder
has a load or
backscatter modulator (or another procedure, e.g. frequency divider), which is
activated by the
digital transmission data in order to send data back to the read device.
Passive transponders, i.e.
transponders without their own power supply, are supplied with power via the
HF field of the
read/write device. The HF interface of the transponder antenna thereby takes
power and
simultaneously provides it rectified to the chip as a regulated supply
voltage. The transponders can
be provided with their own microprocessors, which execute data transfer from
and to the
transponder, sequence control of commands, file management and cryptographical
algorithms.
It is also possible to equip transponders with sensor functions, so that e.g.
temperature, humidity,
shock, acceleration or other physical variables can be recorded in the
transponder and can be
output by a read/write device. Thus, for example, critical operating variables
can be captured for
weapons. Examples are the maximum attained temperature of a weapon barrel or
the number of
shots fired. The recording of such variables allows the detection or
prevention of overstraining and
damage to certain parts (barrel overheating) in that these parts are e.g.
replaced after a certain
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/119159 PCT/EP2005/004880
number of shots has been fired.
Glass transponders, the inductors of which are coiled around a highly
permeable ferrite rod (ferrite
antenna), are suitable for the installation of transponders in a metallic
environment. In the case of
an installation in an obiong depression of the metal surface, the transponder
can be read out
without incident. Even the covering of such an arrangement with a metal cover
is possible if it is
fastened between the two metal surfaces with a narrow gap of dielectric
material (paint, plastic).
The field lines running parallel to the metallic surface can thus enter the
hollow area via the
dielectric gap so that the transponder can be read. So-called disk tags (disk-
shaped transponders)
can also be embedded between metal plates. The top and bottom sides of the
tags are covered
with metallic foil made of a highly permeable amorphous metal, each of which
cover only one half of
the tag so that a magnetic flow through the inductor of the transponder is
created on the gap
between the two foil parts so that it can be read.
For installation in non-metallic bodies, there are a number of flat, rod-
shaped or other transponder
designs that can be glued on/in, poured in, screwed in or that are so flat
that they can even be
applied along the surfaces.
The logistics environment illustrated in Fig. 4 serves to manage a weapons
system in accordance
with the invention. The central unit forms a recording device 1, which is
connected with an
input/output device 2, a storage area 3 and an issuance/return area 4 for data
exchange (thin lines).
The data exchange can thereby take place wired or wirelessly (for example, via
a radio network).
The recording unit 1 is linked with other recording units 1' through 1"' and
can also exchange data
with them. The recording units 1' through 1"' can be provided at different
locations and are
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/1 1 91 59 PCT/EP2005/004880
11
integrated in an environment similar to that of recording unit 1. The
recording devices 1' through 1"'
are e.g. provided at different locations where the same weapons system is also
available. The
recording unit 1 is formed by a computer that has a memory area 5, in which
identifiers or identifier
combinations are saved. Individual modules 6 belonging to the weapons system
are located in the
storage area 3. The module inventory in the storage area 3 is shown in the
memory area 5 of the
recording device. The modules 6 are transfer to the issuarlce/return area 4
for packaging and
thereby pass by a read/write device 7, which records the indicators of module
6 and transfer them
to the recording unit 1, so that they data existing in the memory area 5 is
appropriately compared,
i.e. the withdrawal is registered and the data is modified accordingly via the
data existing in the
storage area 3.
The modules 6 are then combined into complete weapons 8, 9 (weapons
configurations I, II) in the
issuance/return area 4 and are issued to users 10, 11. During issuance, the
identifier records of the
weapons 8, 9 are again recorded by a read/write device 7 and transferred to
the recording unit 1, in
which comparison operations are performed, and which provides to an output
device 12 output
information corresponding with the result of the comparison operation. It can
thereby be shown e.g.
whether the issued weapons configuration complies with a permitted weapons
configuration, i.e.
whether the weapons are correctly configured in the issuance/return area 4
and/or whether the
issued weapons configuration meets the requested weapons configuration.
Requested weapons
configurations can e.g. be entered in the recording device 1, which then
determines whether the
requested configurations can be formed from the modules 6 available in the
storage area 3, via the
input/output unit 2 and the associated input unit 13. The corresponding
weapons modules 6 are
then
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/119159 PCT/EP2005/004880
12
displayed in the storage area 3 so that the modules 6 can be commissioned
there and transferred
to the issuance/return area 4, where they are then appropriately packaged. The
corresponding data
can be displayed via another output unit (not shown) in the storage area 3 or
can be made available
via a list created in a printer 15.
In this manner, the module inventory of the storage area 3 is also depicted in
the memory unit 5 of
the recording device 1; the identifier records of the issued weapons 8, 9 are
also registered so that
issued weapons can also be easily and reliably recorded.
Upon return, the users 10, 11 return their weapons 8, 9 to the issuance/return
area 4. The identifier
records are thereby recorded in the read/write device 7 and are reported to
the recording device 1,
which can thereby update the data on the issued weapons. In the
issuance/return area 4, the
weapons are disassembled into their modules 6 and are returned to the storage
area via the
read/write device 7. The identifier records of the modules are thereby
recorded again and are
reconciled with the corresponding data from the storage area.
The total inventory and the use of the weapons system can be monitored at any
time and at any
location through networking with other recording units 1' through 1"', which
are e.g. located at other
locations, where the same weapons system is stocked and managed. It is also
possible that the
weapons are issued at one location and returned to another location without
needing to perform
complicated inventory reconciliation. By evaluating of the inventory and usage
data, the distribution
of the modules can be performed at different locations in a usage-optimizing
manner and the total
number of modules is minimized, since procurement is based on actual demand.
CA 02565484 2006-11-02
WO 2005/1 1 91 59 PCT/EP2005/004880
13
In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the storage area 3 and
issuance/return area 4 are
shown separately; however, it is possible to connect these two areas and only
record the issuance
of complete weapons 8, 9 via a read/write device 7. The available module
inventory is then
reconciled using the recorded identifier records.
