Abstract: A video camera mounted to a magazine of a semi-automatic handgun is described along with a weapon system incorporating the magazine-mounted video camera. In at least one embodiment, a small video camera is attached to a bottom plate of the ammunition magazine. The video camera is operatively coupled with a small portable video monitor that is carried or worn be the user. Accordingly, the user can use the firearm mounted camera to survey a scene while protected by a barrier or the user can use the video sighting system to survey a scene in no or low light situations.

Abstract: Roughly described, piezoelectric actuators are tested as part of an assembly using a three-stage process. In the first stage, a substantially steady state electromechanical potential is induced into a piezoelectric member of an assembly. Typically this can be accomplished by applying a DC voltage across the crystal for long enough period of time for it to achieve a substantially steady state mechanical distortion. In the second stage, the electromechanical potential of the piezoelectric actuator is discharged rapidly but incompletely. The third stage begins with the abrupt termination of the rapid-discharge stage, thereby causing the crystal, and the voltage produced across it, to oscillate and decay freely. The voltage across the crystal continues to decay slowly in the third stage, and the oscillations continue to decay in magnitude as well, providing a relatively complex signal from which features can be extracted and compared to those of known-good devices.

Abstract: A test method and apparatus for use with a plurality of magnetically sensitive elements having a fixed relative physical sequence, and with a plurality of electrical lead sets through each of which the magnetic field being experienced by a respective one of said magnetically sensitive elements can be sensed. The method includes the steps of placing the magnetically sensitive elements in a variable magnetic field and determining a respective magnetic field setting at which each given one of the lead sets indicates the presence of a magnetic null. The results of such a test can be used to determine which lead sets are connected to which magnetic elements, and/or to determine whether at least one lead set is mis-connected.