Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
A NETWORKED BATTLE SYSTEM OR FIREARM
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/976,157, filed April 7, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application
No. 62/003,006, filed May 26, 2014.
[0002] Reference is made to PCT Patent Application No.
PCT/CA2014/050837, filed September 3, 2014. Reference is also made to PCT
Patent
Application No. PCT/CA2014/050854, filed September 9, 2014.
[0003] Reference is also made to U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
13/968,882 filed August 16, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent
Application Serial No. 61/684,062, filed August 16, 2012.
[0004] Reference is also made to U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
13/956,582 filed August 1, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent
Application Serial No. 61/684,062, filed August 16, 2012.
[0005] Reference is also made to the following applications, U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 12/688,256 filed January 15, 2010; U.S. Patent
Application Serial
No. 13/372,825 filed February 14, 2012; U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No.
61/443,085 filed February 15, 2011; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No.
61/528,728 filed August 29, 2011.
BACKGROUND
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-03-19
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[0006] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems and
method of providing information between one or more different battlefield
participants.
[0007] Communication of information between different battlefield
participants (e.g., soldiers) may improve battle results. Further, the more
information
communicated, the more the improvement.
[0008] During battle several different components may be used. These
include, for example, rifles, scopes, grenade launchers and communication
devices.
Some of these components may provide for different views and angles of attack
in a
battlefield situation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, a weapon is disclosed that provides
information regarding its position and orientation to a central location that
can interpret
and display this information.
[0010] In one embodiment, a networked battle system is disclosed. The
system includes: a communication network; a first rifle that includes at least
one
accessory coupled thereto that determines a bearing of the first rifle; a
communication
element coupled to the rifle allowing the at least one accessory to provide
bearing
information to the communication network; and a battle management system in
communication with the first rifle through the communication network that
receives the
bearing information from the accessory and updates a battle plan based on the
bearing
information to form an updated battle plan.
[0011] In another embodiment, a rifle is disclosed. The rifle includes: a
rail system carried by an upper receiver of the rifle; at least one accessory
coupled to the
rail system that determines a bearing of the rifle; a communication element
coupled to
the rail system; at least one sensor coupled to the rail; and a microprocessor
carried in
either the rail system or a portion of the rifle. In this embodiment,
information is
provided from the sensor to the microprocessor through the rail system and
then provided
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to the communication element through the rail system for transmission to a
communication network.
[0012] In another embodiment, a battlefield system that includes a bearing
sensor that determines a bearing of a battlefield device is disclosed The
system also
includes a microprocessor in communication with the bearing sensor and carried
either on
or in the battlefield device and a communication element carried by the
battlefield device.
In this system information is provided from the sensor to the microprocessor
and then
provided to the communication element for transmission to a communication
network.
[0013] Other aspects and features of embodiments of the invention will
become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the
following
description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the
accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by
way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of firearm embodied as a rifle
according to one embodiment,
[0016] FIG. 2 shows an example of a rail configuration according to one
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 3 is high-level system diagram illustrating a network formed
between a firearm and another device;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an example of display screen of an accessory that may be
coupled to a firearm;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating different possible communication
paths in a firearm;
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[0020] FIG. 6 is a dataflow diagram illustrating data transfer from rifle
accessories to a central location and back;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative example of a scope; and
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates multiple battlefield devices networked together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The term "firearm" as used herein, refers at least to a rifle,
machine gun, weapon, and pistol and may be automatic, semi-automatic or
otherwise
Another example of a firearm includes a grenade launcher, mortar launcher or
the like. A
power or non-powered rail on a firearm may have certain accessories attached
to it The
accessories include, for example, telescopic sights, tactical sights, laser
sighting modules,
Global Positioning Systems (GPS), bearing sensors, inclination sensors, laser
distance
measuring devices, accelerometers, microphones, video cameras, cameras and
night
vision scopes. This list is not meant to be exclusive, merely an example of
accessories
that may utilize a rail. Any of the devices (e.g., rifles, firearms, spotter
scopes, etc.)
disclosed herein may be referred to from time to time as a battlefield device.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a rifle, weapon,
firearm, (automatic, semi-automatic or otherwise) 10 is illustrated. Rifle,
weapon,
firearm, etc. 10 has a plurality of rails 12. In one embodiment, rails 12 may
be anyone of
a MIL-STD-1913 rail, Weaver rail, NATO STANAG 4694 accessory rail or
equivalents
thereof. Rails 12 are configured to allow a plurality of accessories 14 to the
rifle 10.
Rails 12 are mounted at the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock
positions with
respect to a longitudinal or firing axis of the rifle and/or a barrel 16 of
the rifle 10.
[0025] Accessories 14 may be any one of telescopic sights, tactical sights,
laser sighting modules, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and night vision
scopes or any
type of sensor. The aforementioned accessories are merely an example of
contemplated
accessories for use with rifle or firearm 10. A specific example of an
attached accessory
is shown as personal data assistant (PDA) 140 or cellular telephone in FIG. 1.
This PDA
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may have a screen to display infol ___________________________ Illation (e.g.,
maps, target locations, video or other
visual infol _________________________________________________ triati on) and
receive information from a user (e.g., a touch screen or other
input devices). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, accessories 14 are
items
that require a source of power and/or require data communication with another
component of the rifle or firearm 10 or a system in which rifle or firearm 10
is employed.
Of course, one or more the accessories may have its own power supply and may
be able
to communicate data independent of the firearm.
[0026] A portion of a powering rail configured as a MIL-STD- 1913 rail is
shown generally as 12. Rail 12 is a MIL-STD-1913 rail, such as a Weaver rail,
NATO
STANAG 4694 accessory rail or the like. Sliding over rail 12 is a powered or
powering
rail 18.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, rail 12 has a plurality of rail slots 20 and
rail ribs 22, which are utilized in receiving an accessory of another rail
such as powering
rail 18. Powering rail 18 comprises a plurality of rail slots 24 and rail ribs
26 in a
configuration that allows for the mating of accessories with powering rail 18.
[0028] In one embodiment, powering rail 18 is mounted to rail 12 via a
cross pin 28 or other device received within a pin hole 30 of powering rail
18. The pin
hole 30 accepts the cross pin 28 so that the pin 28 locks and secures the
rails 12 and 18
together. Although FIG. 1 illustrates rail 18 secured to a top rail 12 of an
upper receiver
31 of rifle or firearm 10 rail 18 can also be secured in additional locations
such as the 3, 6
and 9 o'clock rail 12 locations. Still further, rail 18 may be secured to
anyone or any
combination of the 3, 6 and 9 o'clock rail 12 locations. In addition and in
one alternative
embodiment, powering rail 18 may be formed into anyone of rails 12 such that a
separate
rail 18 is not necessary. In other words and in this embodiment, the rail 12
is now the
networked power and/or data transmitting rail.
[0029] As discussed further below, the rail 18 may also provide a path for
transferring data from any or all of the accessories 14 to one or more
processors carried in
the firearm 10. Such processors may be located, for example, in the rail 18 or
the pistol
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grip 212 or both Also, the accessories themselves may have the ability to
receive
infot !nation back from the processors and transmit to a location remove
from the firearm
For instance, information from sensors on the firearm 10 may be routed to the
processors and then provided to the PDA 140 for transmission to an external
location.
This communication may be through a rail or direct in which case a rail may be
omitted
entirely.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic illustration of a system 130,
using various embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. As
illustrated, a
firearm 10 includes a barrel 1 and has a plurality of powering rails 18 (e.g.,
3 o'clock, 6
o'clock, 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock locations with respect to a longitudinal
axis of the
firearm 10 are provided, of course, any other locations are also
contemplated). The
powering rails 18 are attached, in one embodiment, to rail 12.
[0031] Each of the powering rails 18 are configured to transmit power to
an associated accessory 14 via conductive couplings. The same or different
couplings
may also allow for the transmission of data though the rails 18 to/from the
accessories.
The couplings can be any type of coupling including, for example, inductive
couplings
and/or galvanic couplings including direct contact between two conductive
materials. In
one embodiment, one of data or power is transmitted via inductive couplings
and the
other of data or power is transmitted via galvanic couplings. More detailed
description of
the powering rails 18 and the manner in which power/data may be transferred is
described in one or more the patents/patent applications mentioned above.
[0032] Each of the rails 18 are also configured to communicate with a rail
master control unit or processor 42 via a data bus, which in turn allows all
of the
accessories 14 to communicate inforniation to other processors in the firearm.
For
example, the firearm 10 may further include a processor 51 disposed in the
grip 212
(FIG. 1) of the firearm. As discussed more fully below, the processor 51 may
serve as
the master control unit. In one embodiment, the processor 42 may be omitted.
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[0033] To the extent that the processor 42 is included, it may be referred
to as a bus processor herein and it controls access to the data bus formed by
the powering
rails to allow for the processor 51 to communicate information to and from the
accessories 14 The bus processor 42 may be located in either the upper or
lower receiver
of the firearm 10 or may be disposed in/on rails 12 or power rails 18
[0034] As illustrated, processor 51 is coupled via communication link 133
to a communication device 132 that may be worn, for example, in backpack or
vest. This
allows for the processor 51 to communicate with other devices 136/200 in the
system as
more fully described below. The communication link 133 may be wired or
wireless or a
combination thereof. The communication device 132 may communicate in any known
manner including, but not limited to, rf communications, cellular
communications,
Bluetooth, and ZigBee and the communication path is generally shown as passing
through a communication network 131. The communication network 131 can be any
type of now known or later created network and may include one or more
additional
processors for routing or storing the information.
[0035] In one embodiment, the PDA 140 may also be able to provide
infolination to and receive information from the communication network 131.
For
instance, accessories 14 in the form of sensors may provide information to the
processor
(42 or 51 or both) and receive information back from the processor and
transmit it off the
rifle 10 to the communication network 131. In one embodiment, the
communication
from the PDA 140 is direct to the communication network 131 via path 141 and
in
another embodiment, the PDA 140 communicates with the communication device 132
(path 142) which in turn provides communication to the communication network
131. It
shall be further understood that any of the processors 51/42 or the PDA may
operate as a
server in communication with each other or external server. For instance, the
PDA 140
may operate as a server that connects the processors 42/51 to a battle
management
system. As a server, the PDA may also be able to process map or coordinate
date
received from an external source such as a battle management system. The same
may be
true of the tablet 200 discussed below. In addition, while the
sensors/accessories 14 are
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shown as connected to rails, it shall be understood these elements can be
integral or
embedded in the upper receiver (or any other portion) of a firearm.
[0036] In one non-limiting embodiment the observer system is a spotter
scope 136 that may be able to determine the location of a potential target.
This may
include determining the location of the scope 136 and the distance/direction
to the target
for instance, by combining a GPS location of the scope 136 with distance from
a laser
range finder and means for determining pointing direction as discussed below
this
infolination may then be transferred from the scope 136 to the firearm 10 and
then routed
through the rails and a location of the target displayed on a map shown on an
accessory
14 such as a PDA. In this embodiment, firearm 10 of the system 130 is a sniper
rifle,
which is networked or communicates with observer system 136 through the
communication network 131. In one embodiment, the communication between the
firearm and the scope 136 (or the tablet 200 discussed below) may be direct
point-to-
point contact. It shall be understood that one or more of the accessories 14
may also
communicate directly to the communication network 131 in any known manner
including, but not limited to, if communications, cellular communications,
Bluetooth, and
ZigBee and these communication devices may be any one of accessories 14 or
peripheral
device 132 which may be worn by an operator of one of the components. In one
embodiment, the communication network is a wireless LAN network. The
communication devices also being networked or in communication with other
devices
coupled to the powered rail(s) 18. Although only two items (e.g., firearm 10
and
observer system 136) are illustrated it is understood that numerous items
(e.g., more than
two) may be networked to communicate with each other. For example, multiple
firearms
10, observer systems 136 and numerous other devices or items may be networked
through system 130 and data can be exchanged between any of the items through
the
communication network 131 Each item may target, identify, or exchange data
(either
unique to that item or common between items) with respect to multiple targets,
locations,
persons, or other items.
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[0037] Another example of a spotter system 136 is illustrated as scope in
FIG 7. In this embodiment, the spotter system 136 may have a device 138 that
communicates with an associated accessory 14 or device 140 illustrated in at
least FIG.
1. For example, devices 138 and 140 may be GPS, laser range finder, PDA or
targeting
devices capable of communicating (e.g., wireless or otherwise) with each other
and thus
exchanging data and information.
[0038] The system illustrated in FIG. 3 shows a version of the system 130
capable of communication with and/or part of a battlefield management system
(BMS)
illustrated as tablet computer 200. Of course, the BMS could be implanted on
other types
of devices. Further, it shall be understood that the PDA 140 could be part of
the system.
In general, a battlefield management system is a system that integrates
information
acquired from multiple inputs and can be used coordinate movement/actions of
multiple
actors (e.g., soldiers).
[0039] As illustrated, one of the accessories 14 is coupled to an adapter
205 that allows it to communicate with the rail. The adapter 205 could
condition power
into a form desired by the accessory. For example, the adapter could be
utilized to
convert power into a form or particular pin layout used by a PDA or scope.
Further, the
adapter could include formatting logic to convert PDA or scope data into a
form
conductive for transmission through the rail 18. For example, parallel data
could be
converted into serial format.
[0040] In one embodiment, the system 130 includes a sensor 220 capable
of determining a bearing of firearm 10. Such a sensor may be a compass or part
of a GPS
device or other device. In one embodiment, the angular (bearing, pitch and
roll)
information may be determined from sensors contained in PDA 140. In other
embodiments, the angular sensors may be formed by one or more rotationally
sensitive
sensors such as inclinometers, rate gyros, accelerometers and magnometer
mounted on
the firearm 10. In one embodiment the firearm 10 includes at least one set of
angular
sensors 222 to determine the inclination, roll and bearing with respect to the
horizontal
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__________ axis of the fireal tn. The processor 51 may combine the data
from the sensors (e.g., 220,
222) as well as information from another other accessory 14 on the firearm and
then
cause it to be transmitted via communication device 132 to the battle
management system
200 or any other observer system 136. It shall be understood that any of the
capabilities
disclosed herein with respect to the rifle 10 may be applicable to the scope
136 or any
other device included in system 130.
[0041] In one embodiment, the processor 51 collects data from the
accessories 14 (herein, accessories will also include any sensor on the
firearm) in either a
polled or interrupt method via the data bus. The data bus can be either wired
or wireless
interfaces. The processor 51 may utilize a real time clock to routinely
interrogate
accessories 14 at a predetermined schedule. During these predetermined
intervals the
processor 51 reads the data and stores it into memory. In one embodiment, the
data is
tagged with a real time clock stamp to facilitate data processing. In one
embodiment, one
or more of the accessories 14 are interrupt driven. In such a case, an event
causes the
accessory 14 to send an interrupt to the processor 51 which, in turn, causes
the processor
51 to collect data from the accessory 14.
[0042] Regardless of how collected, the data is transmitted from
communication device 132 to the tablet 200, the observer system 136 or both.
Further,
either of observer 136 or the tablet 200 can send information back to the
firearm 10.
[0043] In operation, processor 51 draws power from the power supply 84
and may discover connected accessories 14. In one embodiment, the discovery
may
include verifying that the accessory 14 is operable. In the case that the
accessory 14 is a
sensor, the processor 51 may configure the sensor based on its location on the
firearm and
function. The sensors can be navigation, acoustic or optical devices. The
sensors all
communicate to the processor via the data bus and report sensor data and
status. The
navigation sensors could be individual or integrated into a single package,
and are GPS
(military or commercial), accelerometer, rate gyro, magnometer (compass) or
gyro scope
and may sense and report in all three axial planes (x, y & z). The acoustic
sensor may
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provide an acoustic signature of the environment around the fireal m as
well as of the
firearm itself. The optical sensor may capture the optical spectrum in front
of the
weapon. The optical spectrum could be the visual, infrared, thermal, Short
Wave Length,
Medium Wave Length and Long Wave Length, etc.
[0044] It shall be understood that the format of the data stored/transmitted
by the processor 51 can be varied and adapted to meet any preferred receiving
perfoimance. Further, while there are several different accessories 14
disclosed above, it
shall be understood that the processor 51 may include the ability to
synthesize the data
from these accessories before transmitting the data. For example, if a camera
is used to
form a digital image of a target, the time and the position and orientation of
the rifle 10
can be attached to that image before it is transmitted. Further, in some
cases, the rifle 10
may include a video camera attached as an accessory. In such a case, the data
(e.g.,
images or video) could be streamed in real-time with time/position data
appended thereto
or sent in periodic or interrupt driven intervals.
[0045] In some cases, the processor 51 may include the ability to process
the data collected from the accessories 14. For example, the processor 51 may
include
instructions that allow it perfoim ballistics calculations, target range and
angular offset
calculation, and target tracking. Further, based on collected data, the number
of shots
taken, remaining ammunition, firearm performance and maintenance
determinations and
other firearm related calculations may be made. In one embodiment, the
accessories
14/processor 51 monitor the internal ballistic life cycle and internal
mechanisms of the
firearm. As a firearm's mechanisms wear or become fouled, previously recorded
events
can be compared to determine the percentage of difference. Dependent on the
parameter
be monitored, such comparisons may determine the usefulness of the firearm.
[0046] Either in real time or at a prior time, map information related to an
area in which the firearm 10 is, or in the future may be, located is provided
to one or
more of: microprocessor 42/51, PDA 140, and tablet 200. The map information
may be
in the fot _______________________________________________________ m of an
overhead aerial view in one embodiment and may be received from any
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source including, but not limited to reconnaissance information taken by
satellite or other
overhead device such as a drone Of course, publicly available maps could be
used in
one embodiment. Based on a GPS location of the firearm 10, a portion of the
map may
be selected. Given the bearing of the firearm 10, a view of the map in the
region in front
of the firearm 10 may be selected and displayed on the PDA 140. Further, with
the
information the location of "friendlies" can be displayed on the maps as the
table 200
includes information from all of the weapons in the system 130 and can place
indicators
on the map at those locations. Further, as an example, the location of a
hostile party may
be added to the map based, for example, the location of a friendly and a
distance
measured to the hostile by a laser range finder.
[0047] In one embodiment, the firearm 10 includes an inclinometer as one
of the accessories 14. Assuming that ballistic information is known about a
projectile
(e.g., a bullet or grenade) that the firearm 10 (or an attachment thereto)
fires, a projected
impact point on the map be displayed.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 4, an example of a display 201 of PDA 140
is illustrated. The bearing information (shown by compass 203) described above
can be
used to position a possible impact location 202 of the projectile in along
they axis.
Similarly, information from an angular sensors and the ballistic information
can be used
to determine how far the projectile will travel and the, thus, determines the
location of the
impact location 202. As the firearm as raised upward, the impact location 202
translates
up on the map 201.
[0049] FIG.5 schematically illustrates communication between various
components on a firearm as disclosed herein. The firearm includes at least one
rail 18
onto which several accessories 14 are coupled. The system includes three
different
communication channels shown as a low speed channel 502, a medium speed
channel
504 and a high speed channel 506. The low speed channel 502 extends from and
allows
communication between the master processor 76 and any of the accessories 14.
The low
speed channel 502 can be driven by a low speed transmitter/receiver 510 in
processor 51
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that includes selection logic 512 for selecting which of the accessories 14 to
route the
communication to.
[0050] Each accessory 14 includes low speed decoding/encoding logic
514 to receive and decode information received over the low speed channel 502.
Of
course, the low speed decoding/encoding logic 514 can also include the ability
to transmit
information from the accessories 14 as described above.
[0051] In one embodiment, the low speed channel 502 carries data at or
about 100 kB/s. Of course, other speeds could be used. The low speed channel
502
passes through a coupling 520. The coupling 520 could be galvanic or via
inductive coil
pairs. In one embodiment, the inductive coil pair could be replaced include a
two or
more core portions about which the coil pair is wound. In another embodiment,
the cores
can be omitted and the inductive coil pair can be implemented as an air core
transformer.
As illustrated, the couplings 520 are contained within the powering rail 18.
Of course,
one or more of the portions of the coupling can be displaced from the rail 18.
[0052] The medium speed channel 504 is connected to couplings 520 and
shares them with low speed channel 502. For clarity, branches of the medium
speed
channel 504 as illustrated in dashed lines. As one of ordinary skill will
realize, data can
be transferred on both the low speed channel 502 and the medium speed channel
at the
same time. The medium speed channel 504 is used to transmit data between the
accessories 14.
[0053] Both the low and medium speed channels 502, 504 can also be
used to transmit data to or receive data from an accessory (e.g. a tether) not
physically
attached to the rail 18 as illustrated by element 540. The connection between
the
processor 51 can be either direct or through an optional inductive coil pair
520'. In one
embodiment, the optional inductive coil pair 520' couples power or data or
both to
processor 51 which may be located in or near a handle portion (e.g., pistol
grip) of a
firearm.
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[0054] To allow for communication between accessories 14 over the
medium speed channel 504, the processor 51 can include routing logic 522 that
couples
signals from one accessory to another based on information either received on
the
medium speed channel 504. Of course, in the case where two accessories coupled
to the
rail 18 are communicating via the medium speed channel 502, the signal can be
boosted
or otherwise powered to ensure is can drive couplings 520 between the
accessories.
[0055] In another example, the accessory that is transmitting the data first
utilizes the low speed channel 502 to cause the processor 51 sets the routing
logic 522 to
couple the medium speed channel 504 to the desired receiving accessory. Of
course, the
processor 51 itself (or an element coupled to it) can be used to separate low
and medium
speed communications from one another and provide them to either the low speed
transmitter/receiver 510 or the routing logic 522, respectively. In one
embodiment, the
medium speed channel 504 carries data at 10 MB/s.
[0056] FIG. 5 also illustrates a high speed channel 506. In one
embodiment, the high speed channel 506 is formed by an optical data line and
runs along
at least a portion of the length of the rail 18. For clarity, however, the
high speed channel
506 is illustrated separated from the rail 18. Accessories 14 can include
optical
transmitter/receivers 542 for providing signals to and receiving signals from
the high
speed channel 506. In one embodiment, a high speed signal controller 532 is
provided to
control data flow along the high speed channel 506. It shall be understood
that the high
speed signal controller 532 can be located in any location and may be
provided, for
example, as part of the processor 51. In one embodiment, the high speed signal
controller
532 is an optical signal controller such as, for example, an optical router.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a dataflow of information as it may be transferred
according to one embodiment. Accessory data 1200a, 1200b and 1200c is
representative
of data that may be transferred to or from accessories coupled to a rail
system 1202
coupled to a firearm. The rail system 1202 may be formed as herein described.
Of
course other rail systems capable of supporting one or more accessories on a
firearm may
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be utilized. The rail system 1202 may provide power to the accessories in one
embodiment but that is not required. The rail system 18 may also provide a
physical
conduit for transmitting data to and from the accessories. As mentioned above
and as
more fully discussed below, the data 1200a-1200c passes through a coupling 520
that
provides for inductive or galvanic transfer of the data from the accessory to
the
communication pathway (e.g., bus) 1204 provided by the rail system 1202. Of
course,
other energy transfer methods such as capacitive coupling may be utlilized.
Processor 42
controls communication over the bus 1204 and as such may be referred to as a
bus
processor in one embodiment. The bus processor 42 may be located in the rail
system
1202 itself or in the upper or lower receiver of a firearm. The bus processor
may be able
to determine, in one embodiment, when an accessory is coupled to the rail
system 1202.
It should be noted that another processor (e.g. processor 51) may perform the
bus control
functions in one embodiment and, in such and embodiment, the bus processor 42
may be
omitted.
[0058] The bus processor can allow, for example, for first accessory data
1200a to be transferred to the processor 51 first, followed by data 1200b and
then 1200c
in one embodiment. Of course, any ordering a data can be provided for. The
data
reaches processor 51 and then transformed into an output data set 1200d. In
one
embodiment, the output data set is a compilation of portions of the data 1200a-
c. Output
data set 1200d could also include additional information such as a time stamp.
For
example, assume data 1200a is GPS data from a GPS device coupled to the rail
system
1200, data 1200b is bearing information and data 1200c is a target distance
value. This
data could be combined and time stamped to provide an accurate time sensitive
location
of a potential target. Data 1200d may also include manipulated data as well.
Regardless,
data 1200d is provided to computing device 200 (e.g., a battle management
system)
Data 1200d may be transmitted off of the rifle 10 in any manner including
through one of
the accessories (e.g., PDA 140).
[0059] Computing device 200 may also receive data from other battlefield
devices (e.g., other rail systems) as generally indicated by data 1200n. The
computing
CA 02945191 2016-10-07
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PCT/CA2014/051006
16
device takes some or all of the data that it has received and may, in one
embodiment
create mission data 1200e. This data is then transferred to processor 51 and
subsequently
provided to one or more of the accessories. An example (following from above)
includes
mission data 1200e that includes a map showing all of the targets identified
by any of the
rifles and data 1200e could be sent to any or all of the rifles that are
connected to a
particular network. The format and content of the each of the different data
elements
shown in FIG. 6 may be platform agnostic in one embodiment so that the system
1202
may integrated into any preexisting or later developed battle management
system.
[0060] The skilled artisan will realize that any number of rifles 10, spotter
scopes 136, tablets 200 and the like may communicate with one another as shown
in FIG.
8, other battlefield devices may also be included an indicated by reference
numeral 201.
For instance, grenade launchers, mortar launchers or any other element used to
determine information or launch a projectile could communicate through network
131.
[0061] As referred to above, the rails 18 can be used to deliver power
and/or data to the accessories 14. The power and/or data can be transferred
bidirectionally to and from the rail to the accessory inductively or via a
direct electrical
(galvanic) connection.
[0062] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various
changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof
without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may
be made
to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention
without
departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not
be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode
contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling
within the scope of the present application.
