A device that causes a weapon to fire upon a target when the weapon is enabled by an operator, and when the weapon point of impact passes through a target or in a proximity thereto and when the target satisfies certain criteria as determined by one or more sensors/designations.

This invention represents a significant paradigm shift. Some prior art (large scale) weapons automatically acquire/track/prioritize/target/fire upon targets without operator intervention (i.e. Phalanx). Most prior art weapons, especially but not limited to small arms, are manually aimed, and fire immediately upon an input (trigger pull, or equivalent) from the operator. The current invention is a novel approach which triggers the release of a round, multi-round burst, rocket, missile, or other projectile(s) when enabled by the operator, and when the target passes through the point of impact (or desired/computed proximity thereto), relieving the operator of the split second judgment in timing the release and/or cessation of such fire. The results intended include a reduction in off-target rounds fired, increased hit rate, conservation of ammunition, more effective targeting for non-motion-stabilized weapons (in particular small/medium arms), and the introduction of a backup mode for nominally motion-stabilized weapons which may allow effective operations when primary stabilization systems fail or are overwhelmed by dynamics.

This invention is applicable (in embodiments of varying complexity) to weapons ranging from handheld pistols to the main (artillery) gun of a tank, a ship, or the cannon aboard an aircraft.

A firearm that automatically controls the release of bullets, including one or more sensors that provide real-time sensor data of the view in front of the firearm, a computer that identities legitimate targets in the real-time sensor data, without user intervention, a trigger sensor that determines directly or indirectly if the trigger is engaged, wherein as long as the trigger is engaged, the firearm is configured to continuously acquire real-time sensor data, identify legitimate targets and automatically release bullets when the firearm is directed toward the identified targets.

A firearm that automatically controls the release of bullets, including one or more sensors that provide real-time sensor data of the view in front of the firearm, a computer that identities legitimate targets in the real-time sensor data, without user intervention, a trigger sensor that determines directly or indirectly if the trigger is engaged, wherein as long as the trigger is engaged, the firearm is configured to continuously acquire real-time sensor data, identify legitimate targets and automatically release bullets when the firearm is directed toward the identified targets.

An electronic firing rifle assembly includes a salvo rifle operable through electrical means to efficiently discharge a salvo of projectiles. The assembly includes a firearm receiver body that provides housing for internal action components. The firearm receiver body has an inner surface defined by cam slots. The assembly also includes a barrel subassembly having a barrel and a plurality of barrel guide cams extending radially within the cam slots formed in the firearm receiver body. The assembly also includes a reciprocating bolt defined by has an ammunition placement zone for retaining ammunition, such as a tround. A leaf spring ejects the ammunition after discharge of projectiles. The bolt is defined by a cam track that allows the bolt to rotatably and longitudinally reciprocate along a bolt translation path in a helical path. Data pertaining to the location and direction of projectile discharge is transmitted for identifying discharge locations and tracking.

An electronic firing rifle assembly includes a salvo rifle operable through electrical means to efficiently discharge a salvo of projectiles. The assembly includes a firearm receiver body that provides housing for internal action components. The firearm receiver body has an inner surface defined by cam slots. The assembly also includes a barrel subassembly having a barrel and a plurality of barrel guide cams extending radially within the cam slots formed in the firearm receiver body. The assembly also includes a reciprocating bolt defined by has an ammunition placement zone for retaining ammunition, such as a tround. A leaf spring ejects the ammunition after discharge of projectiles. The bolt is defined by a cam track that allows the bolt to rotatably and longitudinally reciprocate along a bolt translation path in a helical path. Data pertaining to the location and direction of projectile discharge is transmitted for identifying discharge locations and tracking.

A method of controlling the release of bullets from a firearm by user behavior, including monitoring the spatial orientation of a virtual vector representing the orientation of a barrel of the firearm by receiving measurements from sensors installed in or on the firearm, engaging a trigger of the firearm to release a first bullet to a first direction, while the trigger is engaged continuously analyzing the measurements to identify preconfigured motion patterns, releasing bullets automatically responsive to identifying the preconfigured motion patterns, wherein the preconfigured motion patterns include identifying that the user is stabilizing the firearm toward a target that is in a direction that is distinct from the first direction.

A method of controlling the release of bullets from a firearm by user behavior, including monitoring the spatial orientation of a virtual vector representing the orientation of a barrel of the firearm by receiving measurements from sensors installed in or on the firearm, engaging a trigger of the firearm to release a first bullet to a first direction, while the trigger is engaged continuously analyzing the measurements to identify preconfigured motion patterns, releasing bullets automatically responsive to identifying the preconfigured motion patterns, wherein the preconfigured motion patterns include identifying that the user is stabilizing the firearm toward a target that is in a direction that is distinct from the first direction.

A device that causes a weapon to fire upon a target when the weapon is enabled by an operator, and when the weapon point of impact passes through a target or in a proximity thereto and when the target satisfies certain criteria as determined by one or more sensors/designations. The invention triggers the release of a round, multi-round burst, rocket, missile, or other projectile(s) when enabled by the operator, and when the target passes through the point of impact (or desired/computed proximity thereto), relieving the operator of the split second judgment in timing the release and/or cessation of such fire. The results include reduction in off-target rounds fired, increased hit rate, conservation of ammunition, more effective targeting for non-motion-stabilized weapons, and the introduction of a backup mode for nominally motion-stabilized weapons which may allow effective operations when primary stabilization systems fail or are overwhelmed by dynamics.

A device that causes a weapon to fire upon a target when the weapon is enabled by an operator, and when the weapon point of impact passes through a target or in a proximity thereto and when the target satisfies certain criteria as determined by one or more sensors/designations. The invention triggers the release of a round, multi-round burst, rocket, missile, or other projectile(s) when enabled by the operator, and when the target passes through the point of impact (or desired/computed proximity thereto), relieving the operator of the split second judgment in timing the release and/or cessation of such fire. The results include reduction in off-target rounds fired, increased hit rate, conservation of ammunition, more effective targeting for non-motion-stabilized weapons, and the introduction of a backup mode for nominally motion-stabilized weapons which may allow effective operations when primary stabilization systems fail or are overwhelmed by dynamics.

There is disclosed herein systems, methods and apparatus relating to a firearm with an electronically operable firing system to fire projectiles from the firearm. A firing mechanism is provided for mechanically and electronically firing a firearm, and a selector mechanism allows for selection of a safe mode, an electronic firing mode or a mechanical firing mode for the firearm. There also includes an electronic controller and shooter interface for controlling firing of a firearm in an electronic mode of firing.