Combat Information System

Abstract

The Combat Information System comprises; a heads up display, a set of sensors providing data to the heads up display, and a set of transmitters and receivers for communicating with other like systems and other outside systems.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application listed below is the only application related to this application. This application claims benefit of the earlier filing date under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional application No. 61/206,639 filed on Feb. 1, 2009.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No invention claimed in this application was made under Federally sponsored research or development.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to data gathering and display and communications systems used in combat and other circumstances where minimally distractive display of information communications between individuals is of great value.

2. Description of Related Art

The object of the present invention is to provide data to the user in a minimally distractive and real time manner as possible. There are many inventions known which share this objective with the present invention. The published utility patent applications by Scales et al (Nos. 20080204361, 20060121993) and The utility patent to Michel et al et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,308) using goggles or a video camera to accomplish the purpose are examples.

The utility patent to Stallman et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,539) discloses modular, wearable, weapon integrated computer systems for gathering and transmitting data, wherein the systems include components tailorable for specific conditions or missions . . . and for communicating with remote system wearers.

The utility patent to Gross et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,481) discloses a helmet based system.

A number of inventions attempt to improve the users accuracy by directly intervening in the operation of the users weapon. The International (World) patent application by Klein (Publication No. 2009111833) and US Published utility patent application by Lenner et al (Publication No. 20060005447) are typical.

The circumstances of combat place a premium on the ability to identify friendly personnel from hostile personnel. The utility patent to Milbert (U.S. Pat. No. 7,263,206) a system which utilizes a head mounted display to assist in this function.

The present invention attempts to provide the above identified information, along with other data to combat personnel in a heads up display placed on the users weapon sight and other locations relevant to the users mission during actual combat or training exercises.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Combat Information System comprises; a heads up display, a set of sensors providing data to the heads up display, and a set of transmitters and receivers for communicating with other like systems and other outside systems.

The Combat Information System is intended to provide real time information sharing among a team of combatants. The Combat Information System may consist of a data gathering unit that does not include a heads up display. This unit records sensor data and may transfer and/or relay data over a communication link.

It will be appreciated that each embodiment is optimized for use under the relevant circumstances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an overview diagram the Combat Information System

FIG. 2 is a left front view of a Heads Up Display Attached to a Firearm

FIG. 3 is a left rear view of a Heads Up Display Attached to a Firearm

FIG. 4 is a side view of a Heads Up Display Attached to a Helmet

FIG. 5 is a left front view of a Data Gathering Unit

FIG. 5A is a left rear view of a Data Gathering Unit

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example Combat Team

FIG. 7 is a top level data flow diagram of the Combat Information System

FIG. 8 is a detailed data flow diagram of the Combat Information System

FIG. 9 is a diagram of example Sensors and Data Determination

FIG. 10 is a left rear view of the Optics, with a Covering Case

FIG. 11 is a left rear view of the Internal Optics

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the Internal Optics

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the Heads Up Display is Focused at Infinity

FIG. 14 is a top view of the Internal Optics, with Variable Tint Elements

FIG. 15 is a top view of the Internal Optics, with Moveable Tint Elements

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the Internal Optics, with Environmental Protection Elements

FIG. 17 is a left rear view of the Backup Aiming Reticle Light Path

FIG. 18 is a diagram of the Menu Based Display System

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the Rotating the Optical Display

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Combat Information System 1 comprises; a heads up display 2, one or more sensors 3 providing data to said heads up display 2, one or more transmitters 5 for sending data via a communications link 6, one or more receivers 7 for receiving data via a communications link 6.

The Combat Information System 1 may be used in several different embodiments. One such embodiment is configured for attachment to a firearm 8 or other hand held weapon 13. In a second embodiment the Combat Information System 1 is configured to be attached to a helmet 9. A third embodiment of the Combat Information System 1 consists of a data gathering unit 14 that does not include a heads up display 2. This unit records sensor data and may transfer and/or relay data over a communications link 6. The Combat Information System 1 is intended to provide real time information sharing among a team 10 of combatants 11. Some of these combat team 10 members may not be actively engaged with enemy combatants 12 and may be in a position where the information provided via the Combat Information System 1 is not attached to either a helmet 9 or a firearm 8, but is instead displayed on a stand alone display 24. It will be appreciated that each embodiment is optimized for use under the relevant circumstances. Each embodiment or instance of the Combat Information System 1 is intended to gather and transmit relevant data concerning the activities of the user 15, transmit that data via a radio, or other, link 6 to other users 15, and receive similar information and data via radio or other link 6 from such other users 15 as may be a part of the network of users 15. Users 15 not in direct contact with each other may nonetheless communicate by relaying the information through users 15 with whom they are in contact.

Each system may include a heads up display 2 permitting the user 15 to aim his firearm 8, conduct his visual survey of the situation and simultaneously see relevant data received from such other users 15 as may be a part of the network and view the users 15 own relevant data.

Each system may include one or more sensors 3. Such sensors 3 include, but are not limited to: 1) location sensors 3 such as Global Positioning System modules, 2) orientation sensors 3 such as heading, pitch and roll, or level indicators for personnel or their firearms 8 or both, 3) shot fired status, including misfire status, 4) Firearm 8 status, such as operability, rounds used, rounds available and the like. Each system may include manual input capability for the user 15, and video input.

Each system includes the ability to store, transmit, or both store and transmit the above collected data 26. Transmission of such data is via a radio or other link 6 which is operating within a defined network of combat personnel.

Each system includes the ability to receive, store, and display the above data when received via a radio, or other link 6, which is operating within a defined network of combat personnel. The Combat Information System 1 provides the ability to limit such communications to those Combat Information Systems 1 assigned to personnel within a predefined combat team 10. Each Combat Information System 1 also provides for voice communications among the personnel assigned to a predefined team 10 of similarly equipped users 15.

Some Combat Information Systems 1 include non-heads-up-displays 24 for use by personnel whose participation with the combat team 10 warrants such non-heads-up displays 24.

Certain command and control information may be displayed to the user 15, including but not limited to: mission planning information 27, outside sensor 3 data, processed sensor 3 data, both that generated within the system and provided from outside sources 33, Aiming cues 28, Map data 29, alphanumeric data 30. The data to be displayed may be selected by the user 15 by discrete buttons or an on-screen menu-based system 32.

It will be appreciated that while this system's primary mission is to support the needs of individual members of a small combat team 10 in actual combat, the system's data content and operation is also suitable for training aids 31 and many other uses.

The heads up display 2 projects an electronic or photonic display into the field of view of the user 15. The focus of this projected display 4 is chosen to correspond to the distance at which the users' 15 need to refocus between real-world scenes and the information displayed is minimized for the intended use of the Combat Information System 1. For many applications this focal distance is best selected as infinity. This projection of information into the user's 15 field of view 16 is accomplished through a combination of one or more lenses 17, one or more mirrors 25, and one or more semi transparent mirrors 18. The Combat Information System 1 includes a set of variable tint 19 or movable or both variable tint 19 and movable elements 20 to adjust for ambient light conditions. The Combat Information System 1 includes a system to prevent moisture damage to the optics 21. The Combat Information System 1 provides a backup aiming reticle 22 as a backup in the case of electronics 23 failure. The heads up display 2 and the non-heads-up-display 24 systems permit mechanical or electrical rotation of the displayed information to allow for viewing from alternate orientations. The heads up display 2 includes brightness controls to accommodate different ambient light conditions. Brightness controls may also be provided for the non-heads-up-display 24.

Claims

1) A combat information system comprising:

a) a heads up display;

b) one or more sensors providing data to said display;

c) one or more transmitters for sending data via a communications link; and

d) one or more receivers for receiving data via a communications link.

2) The combat information system of claim 1 wherein the heads-up display is attached to a weapon.

3) The combat information system of claim 1 wherein the heads-up display is attached to a helmet.

4) The combat information system of claim 1 further comprising one or more non-heads-up displays.

5) The combat information system of claim 1 wherein said one or more sensors are selected from the set of sensors including: Accelerometer, magnetic compass, inertial compass, video camera, gyroscope, GPS.

6) The combat information system of claim 1 wherein said heads up display further comprises one or more of the enhancements selected from the set of enhancements including: Color, Brightness filter, lens.