WO2004070309A1

WO2004070309A1 - Device for registering the use of a firearm

Info

Publication number: WO2004070309A1
Application number: PCT/HU2003/000010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mikael Torma
Original assignee: Mikael Torma
Priority date: 2003-02-06
Filing date: 2003-02-06
Publication date: 2004-08-19
Also published as: AU2003205916A1

Abstract

Device for registering the use of a firearm comprising a mechanical coupling element directly or indirectly connectable to a firearm; an image recording element (12) provided with optics (11); an electronic image-storing means and/or a radio frequency transmitter means; an electronic control means for controlling said image recording element (12) provided with said optics (11) and for controlling said electronic image-storing means and/or said radio frequency transmitter means; an electric power source; and a sensor for detecting the use of the firearm. The sensor is calibrated to a firearm of a particular type, and when one or more physical effects which are perceivable in case of the use of said firearm are detected, said electronic control means is activated and through this storage and/or radio frequency transmission of at least one digital electronic image is also activated.

Description

DEVICE FOR REGISTERING THE USE OF A FIREARM

The present invention relates to a device for registering the use of a firearm comprising: a mechanical coupling element which is directly or indirectly connectable to a gun; an image recording element provided with optics; an electronic image-storing means and/or a radio frequency transmitter means; an electronic control means for controlling the image recording element provided with the optics and for controlling the electronic image-storing means and/or the radio frequency transmitter means; an electric power source; and a sensor for detecting the use of the firearm.

A subsequent examination of the circumstances relating to the use of a firearm is very often required. It is especially true for cases when the user of the firearm is a member of an armed unit, and in order to prove whether the use of the firearm was justified or not, a reliable, entirely objective method is needed. Generally, a firearm is used in situations which may be termed extraordinary, when the nerves of the person using the firearm are strained. A device which could supply visual information about the external circumstances observable at the moment of firing would be useful. A known solution is when a camera which is suitable for taking still pictures is attached to the firearm. The use of this kind of camera together with a firearm for other purposes has already been known. A problem is that operation of the camera should be performed exactly at that moment of firing. It is also a requirement that the camera should not start working in a situation when the firearm is not used, whereas when use of the firearm takes place it should always get active reliably.

A device or device arrangement is known where the device is coupled to the viewing telescope of a firearm and is used for monitoring for example the results of a target-practice or shooting training. U.S. Patent No. 6,000,163 describes a telescopic firearm scope/sight which is fully integrated with a compact digital camera. In other known embodiments a camera attached to the firearm is actuated mechanically, through the trigger. For example in U.S. Patent No. 6,192,614 a video camera mounting system for a firearm is described where the system includes a video mounting assembly that incorporates a shock absorbing mechanism to protect the camera against the recoil of the firearm. A common disadvantage of these embodiments is that shifting of the trigger does not necessarily imply the use of the firearm, further, as the mechanical arrangement is partially opened, the user is allowed to interfere with the sys- tern and may activate it by accident without using the firearm. As a result, subsequent selecting of the relevant picture (the one showing the actual use of the firearm) from the large number of pictures becomes impossible.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for registering the use of a firearm, which can be coupled to a firearm of a certain type, which does not have any external mechanical connection neither with the trigger of the firearm nor with a moving part of it which is externally accessible, and in spite of all this and as a result of all this it works reliably. The arrangement, the angle of view and the optical design of the device should be determined in such a way that when performing a subsequent analysis on the basis of the stored or transmitted pictures, the external circumstances which gave rise to use of the firearm could be restored in most possible cases.

The above purpose of the invention can be achieved by detecting such objective physical effects which are perceivable at the time and only then when a firearm of a given type is used. The registering device itself must be a compact unit which stores the digital picture information locally, or immediately forwards it through a radio frequency connection, and the picture transmitted in this way is stored at another location.

In order to achieve the purpose the most common embodiment of the device for registering the use of the firearm as mentioned in the oening paragraph is such that the sensor of the device which detects the use of the firearm is calibrated to a particular type of a firearm, and when one or more physical effects which are perceivable in case of the use of that firearm are detected, the electronic control means is activated and through this, storage and/or radio frequency transmission of at least one digital electronic picture is also activated.

There are several possible methods for realization of the sensor detecting the use of the firearm. One of them and perhaps the most effective and also the most reliable physical effect is the mechanical acceleration which can be detected in a certain direction when the firearm is used. It is in relation to the recoil of the barrel when the bullet leaves it. As far as the magnitude of the acceleration vector component in the direction of the barrel, that is in the direction of the recoil can be detected, or to be more precise, when this acceleration component exceeds a given threshold value, then a sensor established for this purpose generates an activating signal. Acceler- ometers of this type are well known in the art, and they can be embodied for example on the principle of detecting the displacement of an inertial mass kept in place by applying an opposed spring force, where the extent of the displacement can be detected optically or through metallic contact. A significant advantage of the accelerometer is that it can be calibrated to the magnitude of the typical acceleration vector component measured at that instant when the given firearm is fired, consequently false activation resulting not from the actual use of the firearm but rather from accidental or not accidental external impacts (e.g.: dropping the firearm) can be eliminated. If the firearm is dropped, a relatively considerable acceleration can be measured at the moment of the shock, the direction of which in all probability would not exactly coincide with the direction of the barrel or the recoil. For more reliable detection a feasible system may be in which both a lower and an upper threshold value is determined for the acceleration vector component having a corresponding direction, and the activating signal is generated only in that case when the actual signal is between these limit values.

Further, it is possible to make a decision on whether or not effective use of the firearm took place by detecting the presence not only one but more physical effects simultaneously. For example other physical effects can be sound effects whose detection may be performed by means of a microphone placed in the compact unit forming the device. Sound effects exceeding a given threshold value may activate a signal processing unit which is suitable for recording the detected sound during a certain period of time. This period may be rather short, its length of time is commensurable with the sound effects of firing the firearm, for example 1-2 seconds, and the sound detected in this time-window may be sampled and stored and the system may compare it to a previously stored sample. Sound effects detected in the given place and resulting from the firing of the given firearm is well identifiable and distinguishable from sound effects originating from other external sources, possibly from another firearm. The nearness of the burst (as a result of which the bullet shoots out) and the fact that the device for registering the use of the firearm according to the invention is in mechanical connection with the firearm may give rise to secondary vibrations, on the basis of which the use of the firearm in question is well distinguishable from sounds originating from firing of any other weapons or from noises of other sources. Recognition and detection of the use of a firearm based on identification of the sound effects may also be used in itself, separately from identifying other unrelated physical effects. However, improved and more reliable detection can be achieved when at least two effects which are based on unrelated physical principles, for example sound effects and the magnitude of the acceleration vector component in the direction of the barrel are measured simultaneously, and firing is considered to be real in the event that both measuring results refer to use of the firearm, and then mode of operation of the device according to the invention is actuated to record a picture or a series of pictures.

Making comparison between a sound pattern and a stored sound sample and also detection of their congruence are known methods which are commonly used in apparatuses for example in cellular phones where they are used for voice activated dialling.

Another physical effect may be a change occurring in the magnetic field. Detector means for detecting traversing of a body especially a body made of metal in a specific space are known and available in trade. By considering the barrel of the firearm as this specific space, an arrangement may be formed which in itself or together with other detector signals supplies information about the fact that firing took place, a bullet has left the barrel.

When the physical effect or effects are detected on the basis of the output signals of the detector or detectors which can be experienced in case of the use of the given firearm, then an electronic control system is activated as previously mentioned. This electronic control system activates the image recording element provided with optics, the electronic image-storing means or, in a particular case, the radio frequency storage means. If the recorded pictures are stored in the electronic storage means of the device according to the invention, then the possible number of successive shots must be taken into account in order to make the storage of each and every picture in relation to the use of the firearm possible. Preferably, the built-in storage means is suitable for storing at least as many pictures as many bullets can be placed in the magazine of the given firearm.

In another embodiment according to the invention the recorded picture is not stored in the device which is attached to or built in the firearm, but it is transmitted to a remote place and recording is performed there. Depending on the circumstances of the employment the remote place may be a command car being nearby, or a more distant headquarters. It is possible to use the public network of cellular phones by means of which the recorded picture may be forwarded to a remote centre where re- cording is performed. Using the network of a cellular phone and also in case of other radio frequency transmission the available limiting bandwidth may be a problem, since for transmission of a picture with correct resolution longer time is needed. To solve this problem the recorded picture is temporarily stored by means of a temporary storage placed in the device according to the invention, then radio frequency transmitted to the addressed central office. The recorded picture may be submitted to a known packing method for example JPEG, as a result of which decreased bandwidth is demanded.

Notwithstanding the additional possibility on the device for initiating manually to shoot an image might be useful as well. This could be achieved simply by a button on the device. However the stored and/or transmitted image has to contain information showing that the image was initiated manually, by the decision of a person.

Proper selection of the angle of view for the optical picture recording means which faces in the same direction as the barrel of the firearm can be a further problem. This angle of view is very narrow in case of devices such as a telescope attachable to a firearm and used for sighting the target, and it is suitable for laying of the weapon but in certain cases it may not provide proper information about the circumstances of firing for subsequent examination thereof. For example, the hand of the person standing oppositely, holding a firearm, may be out of this narrow angle of view. However, when the angle of view is too wide, then the recorded picture may not contain all the required information, that is, the particularities can not be observed. A compromise may be acvhieved by properly choosing the effective angle of view of the optical mapping system, if the system is adapted for taking a single photograph on receiving a logical signal which is generated when the use of the firearm is detected. Also, it may be possible for the system to take not only one picture but a series of pictures when this signal is received. Then pictures may be taken one after the other at fixed intervals. Of course, the time elapsing between taking the individual photographs is very short, approximately about a few tenths of a second. When taking a series of pictures, there is opportunity for changing certain parameters, for example the angle of view for the successive pictures. Consequently, there will be photographs showing particularities, and also photographs showing an overall picture. In this case the effect of the mechanical recoil of the shot, that is, the axial displacement of the optical system must be taken into account. Although the degree of this displacement is small, but when taking a series of photographs, it means a further possibility for scanning, that is, we may get a picture of a larger area.

It may occur that there is not enough light for taking the pictures. For this reason an illuminating system integrated in the device may be used which may work either in the region of visible light or in infrared region which is imperceptible to the eye. The mode of operation of the illuminating system may be continuous or it may be pulsed, similarly to the operation of a flashlight. In both cases, the light source is activated and controlled by the electronic control means, which upon detecting the one or more unrelated physical effects simultaneously, actuates the illuminating subsystem by means of an activating logical signal.

Also, it is advantageous if the exact time when the photograph was taken is inseparable from the respective photograph. For this reason the device may comprise a clock, and the time marked by this clock is attached to the picture which is stored or radio frequency transmitted, as additional information. Moreover, data relating to the scene of the incident may be recorded in a similar way. To this end the well known GPS (General Positioning System) can be used. This satellite-based system can provide approximately 15 metre accuracy. The dimension of the receiver may be decreased to a size which will not increase the dimension of the firearm significantly. Output signals of the sensor or sensors detecting the use of the firearm may activate the determination of position, and the obtained data relating to the geographical position may similarly represent additional information to the recorded or transmitted picture^).

Preferably, for the sake of the cause described previously, that is, for reliable, "unimpressionable" registration of the use of the firearm, the device according to the invention may form a single covered unit from which no other parts than the battery can be removed, can not be opened without being damaged. For example, it may be cast into synthetic resin or other advantageous methods may be used.

An advantageous embodiment of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device for registering the use of a firearm according to the invention, when the device is attached to the pistol;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device for registering the use of a firearm, before it is attached to the pistol. The outer covering of the device is removed. In Figure 1 the device for registering the use of a firearm according to the invention is shown as unit 1 which is secured underneath the barrel 4 of a customary pistol 2. This unit may also be termed a tactical unit as in the present example it is integrated with elements having other functions. Unit 1 comprises a mechanical coupling element which is directly or indirectly connectable to the firearm. In the present example the mechanical coupling element is a guide track 5 formed on the bottom part of barrel 4. Also, unit 1 comprises a collared part 5' (Figure 2) for engagement with the guide track 5. For use of unit 1 collared part 5' can be slid onto guide track 5, and they are secured to each other for example by means of a snap-lock or other known locking mechanism (not shown). For this adjustable fixing, attaching purpose the so called standard Picatinny Rails or Weaver Bases may be used on the base of the firearm. Unit 1 comprises the device according to the invention including an image recording element 12 provided with optics 11 , and further electronic elements incorporated in electronic block 10 as it can be seen in Figure 2. Electronic block 10 may comprise an electronic image-storing means which in case of operation of the image recording element 12 provided with optics 11 receives an output signal therefrom representing a still picture and stores it. The capacity of the image-storing means may be different, depending on whether it is intended to store one or more still picture representations on each use of the firearm. Advantageously, the image recording element 12 is a CCD. Preferably, it is assumed that the number of successive shots in case of a given firearm equals to the maximal number of the bullets the magazine can hold. The image-storing means should have at least a capacity which is sufficient for storing one still picture representation per shot. In another embodiment the electronic image- storing means is intended for storing the pictures temporarily, and the still picture representations stored only for a short time are transmitted for example to a commanding headquarters by means of a radio frequency transmitter for effective registering. In this case electronic block 10 may have a smaller storage capacity and the radio frequency transmitter may also be placed in block 10. An electronic control means is also included in block 10 for synchronized controlling of the image recording element and the electronic image-storing means and/or the radio frequency transmitter means. Further, an electric power source is provided for supplying these and other elements having different functions and integrated in unit 1 with energy. In the embodiment of Figure 2 batteries 9 are used as electric power source. A detailed description of the sensor detecting the use of the firearm has already been given previously. It may be embodied in several different forms. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 an exemplary sensor 13 for detecting the use of the firearm is integrated in the upper part of unit 1. In this example the sensor 13 is an accel- erometer which in case of sensing an acceleration exceeding a given threshold value in the longitudinal direction of the collared part 5' issues a signal for transmission to the electronic control means integrated in the electronic block 10, thereby starting the process of photographing and storing and/or transmitting of the picture(s). This threshold value may be different depending on the type of the weapon, and preferably it can be set experimentally with respect to the given type. A more complicated but in certain respects a more reliable detection can be achieved if besides the aforementioned threshold value an upper limit for the acceleration is determined, which is under no circumstances exceeded at the time of firing the weapon, and sensor 13 detects a shot when an acceleration component between the two values is sensed.

Optionally additional possibility can be provided on the unit 1 for initiating manually to shoot an image. This might be useful in certain situations, where the person keeping the gun decides that it necessary for some reason, for instance forwarding an image of a critical situation to headquarters. For this purpose simply an additional button can be provided on the device. It is important that the stored and/or transmitted image has to contain information showing that the capture of the image was initiated manually, by the decision of a person. The image and supplementary information strictly affixed to that are handled together. The supplementary information may include time, distance, GPS position, number of bullet, number of image, etc. The user can not change the affixed information, thus it is safe and reliable for post-event analysis.Unit 1 may be termed a tactical unit because other useful functions may be integrated in it which can be utilized in military applications. In the example shown in Figure 2 unit 1 comprises an infrared illuminating element 7. In case of infrared illumination special spectacles must be used for perception. If necessary, as it can be seen in Figure 2, a visible light, for example lamp 6 may also be used for illumination. If lamp 6 irradiating visible light and infrared illuminating element 7 are operated in the pulsed mode of operation by the aforementioned electronic control means then, upon detecting the use of the firearm these elements 6 and 7 may be used as flashlight when taking a photograph by means of the image recording element 12 provided with optics 11.

Laser sighting means 8 irradiating a visible, coherent beam of light has a further function. It is used not only for sighting as usual, but also, when registering of the use of the firearm takes place, the photograph taken just then will also show the target the weapon was sighted at that very instant by its user.

The effectiveness of a firearm can be enhanced by distance metering means. Furthermore an ..intelligent" telescope, or a computer based information displaying telescope can accumulate in one visual frame the most important information for the user. Either the distance or any other data like actual zoom rate, device and target GPS position, target velocity, etc. can not only be displayed but recorded or transmitted by the unit 1 at the same time, together with a corresponding image, as supplementary information.

The device according to the invention forms a complete unit 1. For mounting this unit 1 a mechanical coupling element is used by means of which the unit can be fixed to the bottom part of barrel 4 of weapon 2, in the vicinity of the muzzle. Preferably, optics 11 should be located on the part of unit 1 being further from the muzzle, since the jet of flame shooting out from the muzzle of weapon 2 may fall in the visual angle of optics 11. Although the jet of flame and also, the angle of view of optics 11 are relatively small, the axes of the two are practically placed as far as possible from each other.

In another embodiment unit 1 according to the invention can be attached to a receiving piece formed in a stiff frame structure connecting grip 3 and the muzzle part of barrel 4 of the pistol which frame structure also serves as an auxiliary grip. In this embodiment which is not illustrated in a separate drawing, there is an opportunity for locating different units having different functions (e.g.: lamp, infrared illuminating element, laser sighting means, etc.) separately, as independent units. Also, the source of energy may be implemented as a separate unit, preferably built in the frame structure, and the current is supplied by means of a common feeding line to the different units which all can be connected to this feeding line.

The unit 1 according to the present invention may fit standard Picatinny Rails or Weaver Bases, which elements for fixture are known from the state of art in connection with guns. These may provide strong and reliable fixture between the base gun and any attachments. The unit 1 in a preferable embodiment fits to the counter- part rail. The unit 1 is covered preferably with a casing which is ergonomically designed and provided with a part to fit into a hand while gripping. This part may be a handle.

Finally, it should be noted that the optical system is designed so that when using suitable lenses with relatively short focal distance, then beyond a certain distance e.g. 1.5-2 metres, the picture produced with the optical system and also, mapping of the digital image is substantially clear. Generally, when use of a firearm takes place, the target lies even farther. However, an auto-focus system well-known in the art may be integrated in the optical system.

The advantage of the present invention is that by means of the images which are stored or transmitted by the system, an armed unit or the person using the firearm is able to prove the righteousness of the action. Knowing this, the person using the weapon when he is exposed to real danger, will not hesitate whether he could prove this satisfactorily. In risky situations the effectiveness can be increased significantly. Also, unjustified use of a firearm can be avoided.

It is understood that this invention can be applied generally to any firearm, for example guns used for hunting or weapons used in the army, may be useful in military or police training, or other situations where subsequent analysis or acquisition of information is required.

Claims

1. Device for registering the use of a firearm comprising: a mechanical coupling element directly or indirectly connectable to a firearm; an image recording element (12) provided with optics (11); an electronic image-storing means and/or a radio frequency transmitter means; an electronic control means for controlling said image recording element (12) provided with said optics (11) and for controlling said electronic image-storing means and/or said radio frequency transmitter means; an electric power source; and a sensor for detecting the use of the firearm, characterized in that said sensor for detecting the use of said firearm is calibrated to a firearm of a particular type, and when one or more physical effects which are perceivable in case of the use of said firearm are detected, said electronic control means is activated and through this storage and/or radio frequency transmission of at least one digital electronic image is also activated.

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said physical effect is at least acceleration detected in a certain direction which exceeds a given value.

3. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said physical effect is at least a sound effect which corresponds to a stored sample of said sound.

4. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said physical effect is at least a change in the magnetic field.

5. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said electronic control means is adapted for activating storage and/or radio frequency transmission of a series of digital electronic images.

6. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the angle of view of said optics (11 ) is controllable, and said electronic control means controls said optics (11) with different angles of view when taking a series of digital electronic images.

7. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that said radio frequency transmitter means is a short-range transmitter.

8. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that said radio frequency transmitter means is a transmitter connected to a cellular phone net- work.

9. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it is provided with an internal clock which supplies additional information relating to the time of photography when storing and/or radio frequency transmitting said digital electronic image.

10. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it is provided with a GPS receiver which supplies information relating to the geographical position of photography when storing and/or radio frequency transmitting said digital electronic image.

11. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it is further provided with a lamp (6) irradiating visible light and/or an infrared illuminating element (7).

12. Device according to claim 11 characterized in that said lamp (6) and/or said infrared illuminating element (7) are controlled in pulsed mode of operation.

13. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it is integrated with a laser sighting means (8) irradiating a visible, coherent beam of light.

14. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it forms a unit (1) which is securely attachable to said firearm (2) underneath or by the side of the barrel (4) of the firearm.

15. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that it has a casing provided with a part fitting into a hand while gripping.

16. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that fits standard Picatinny Rails or Weaver Bases.

17. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that distance or other information in relation to the target is recorded or transmitted, together with the corresponding image.

18. Device according to any of the previous claims characterized in that additionally provided with means for manually initiating the capturing of an image.