Self calibrating weapon shot counter

Abstract

A microcontroller operated module is affixed to a fire arm. The module includes an accelerometer for measuring the G force of each round fired by the firearm, a flash memory (non-volatile memory) for storing the shot profile data that includes shot count and recoil data and transmitting it to a remote location such as a remote computer via a serial communication device pursuant to RS232 standard, Bluetooth, awave or other low power RF transmitter. The module including a wake up circuit adapted to switch upon detection of a fired shot to signal said microcontroller to initialize a low power mode to activate said MEMS accelerometer faster than said accelerometer would activate by itself.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation in part application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/380,375 filed on Feb. 26, 2009 and claims priority under 35 USC 120. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/380,375 is a non-provisional application of a provisional application Ser. No. 61/067,294 filed Feb. 27, 2008.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a self calibrating weapon shot counter with a wake up circuit. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a self calibrating weapon shot counter that has a module operated by a microcontroller for collecting, storing and transmitting data to a computer, PDA or other electronic device, preferably remotely located from the firearm. The data collected and transmitted by the self calibrating weapons shot counter of the present disclosure includes shot profile data, including recoil in both directions, rotational axis sensor data and duration of shot, identifying type of weapon, round fired, i.e caliber and weight and barrel length. The time, date and profile of the shot fired is also recorded and transmitted to the remote computer. The present disclosure provides for an active RFID tag communication port that listens for, records the data and sends it to a remote location. The weapon shot counter of the present disclosure is capable of being interchanged from one weapon to another. The weapon shot counter can also be used as an ancillary munitions recognition system .i.e. hand grenades, high explosive, fragmentary, incendiary, chemical and smoke as well as claymore mines utilized by same user as weapon counting device. In this type of use the weapon shot counter of the present disclosure acts as a repeater gathering the data from the thrown hand grenades, upon spoon release the chip in the hand grenade is charged by an onboard generator that sends out the serial number to the Weapon shot counter that in turn sends it on to the PDA, identifying the grenade or other munitions that had been used. In this way, the present disclosure provides for real time information as to munitions usage, which can be transmitted to support personnel allowing for timely resupply of munitions. This was previously unheard of as it is understood that no previous weapon shot counter discussed this feature or capability and is unique to the self-calibrating weapons shot counter of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure provides for a wake up circuit to resolve the problem of when an accelerometer does not wake up fast enough to capture the entire energy pulse, a common problem associated with off the shelf accelerometers. The wake up circuit can be a normally closed G switch (gravity switch) with a quicker response than that of the accelerometer 8 employed in the present disclosure. The G switch 80 also provides for power conservation due as it is a mechanically triggered switch.

2. The Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,486 to Brinkley discloses a firearm monitor device for counting a number of rounds discharged.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a microcontroller operated module affixed to a fire arm. The module includes a MEMS accelerometer for measuring the G force of each round fired by the firearm. The G force is measured simultaneously in two axes, in line with the recoil and in cross-rotational axis in both directions. The weapons shot counter of the present disclosure includes a flash memory (non-volatile memory) for storing the shot profile data that includes shot count and recoil data. The flash memory transmits the shot profile data to a remote location such as a remote computer via a serial communication device such as but not limited to an RFID device pursuant to RS232 standard, Bluetooth, awave or other low power RF transmitter.

The present disclosure provides for a wake up circuit adapted to switch upon detection of a fired shot to signal said microcontroller to initialize a low power mode to activate said MEMS accelerometer faster than said accelerometer would activate by itself. The wake up circuit can be configured as but is not limited to a normally closed G switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1. is a block diagram of the circuitry of the module of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are operational software diagram of the microcontroller operation of the module of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 2A the operational flow chart for the detection of a shot being fired and

FIG. 2 B shows the operational flow chart of data being transmitted about the fired shot that was detected;

FIG. 3A is a illustration of the MEMS Sensor deflection under given G Load vs. time of the shot;

FIG. 3B is a graph illustrating G force due to a shot fired versus time;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of one embodiment of a handgun grip attachment of the module of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of another embodiment of an attachment of the module of the present disclosure to a barrel of a fire arm;

FIG. 6 illustrates a rotational measuring direction in which a firearm will twist in the direction of the rifling as the bullet expands and engages the groves in the rifling as the bullet is fired; and

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate another embodiment of the present disclosure in which a wake up circuit is utilized in with the microcontroller and the accelerometer in which:

FIG. 7 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 1 showing the wake up circuit as a part of the circuitry of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are operational software diagram of the microcontroller operation of the module of the present disclosure showing the wake up circuit in which:

FIG. 8A shows the operational flow chart for the detection of a shot being fired and

FIG. 8 B shows the operational flow chart of data being transmitted about the fired shot that was detected; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the operational direction for the present disclosure with the wake up circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings of FIGS. 1-9, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the circuit of the module 5 of the present disclosure.

The module 5 can be battery powered by way on non-limiting exemplary illustration, a lithium battery 3-such as a 3.6 V lithium battery. The circuitry of module 5 can be mounted on a printed circuit (PC) board 6. The circuitry of the module 5 includes a microcontroller 7 programmed to operate the module 5, a MEMS accelerometer 8, an RF 2 module or any other preferred serial communications link that can transmit by RS 232 standard, Bluetooth, or awave and a flash memory or other suitable non-volatile memory such as an EE Prom 10.

The microcontroller 7 controls the operation of the module 5. The accelerometer 8 is in the plane of firing of the firearm and provides and measures the actual G force of each round fired by the firearm. The microcontroller 7 converts the analog output of the accelerometer 8 to a digital recorder. The microcontroller 7 interrogates or periodically samples the accelerometer 8 at its output, preferably every 10 milliseconds. If the samples taken by the microcontroller 7 exceed a predetermined threshold a shot is counted by the microcontroller 7. The microcontroller then continues sampling until the accelerometer output falls below the threshold level at which point the time and profile of the shot is recorded.

The data for the shot profile is stored in the EEPROM 10 or other flash memory. It is then transmitted remotely to a remote location such as a remote computer terminal via a serial communications device such as the RFID device 2, which converts the flash memory data into a serial format conforming to RS 232 standard, Bluetooth or awave for transmission to the remote computer station. The flash memory 10 includes instructions at every command back to start to prevent the firearm unit to which the module 5 is attached from being lost

The accelerometer 8 is a two axis MEMS accelerometer and is in the plane of firing and it provides and measures the active G force of the shot fired by the firearm. The shot profile information collected will include the recoil and. rotation of the barrel due to the shot. The data will continue be collected until the acceleration level falls below the threshold programmed. At this point, the number of shots fired is tallied up and recorded for this round. In addition to recoil sensor data, duration and shots counted, the type of round fired is identified, and the time and profile of the shot fired is recorded and transmitted.

One type of MEMS accelerometer that can be used is ANALOG DEVICES AD22283-B-R2. The microcontroller can be a MSP430F12321DW(SOWB) or an MSP430F12321PW(TSSOP). The Flash memory can be ATMEL ATT25F2048N-10FU-2.7. It is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular cards and the above are listed as non-limiting illustrative examples.

The present disclosure further includes a charge pump (not shown) for raising the battery voltage to the necessary power to operate the MEMS accelerometer 8. The remote computer terminal will have computer software package that resembles the data from the module 5 and logs it into a file to be input to an EXCEL spread sheet where it can be displayed as a bar graph or raw data. By way of non-limiting illustrative example, commercially available RF transmitter chip sets can be used with firmware to permit the RF chips to communicate with a remote location such as but not limited to a wireless PDA.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates the firmware of operation of the microcontroller 7 for the module 5 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a first flow chart illustrating the detection of a shot with the present disclosure. In step 102 upon a shot being fired the microcontroller initializes the processor low power mode (step 102). A timer is set as noted in step 103 for the accelerometer. This step takes place for the accelerometer in step 104. Sleep mode for the accelerometer is entered into in step 105. Has the set up time expired as asked in step 106, if not return to sleep mode (step 105), if yes got to step 107 and charge pump on the accelerometer voltage that is converted in step 108 and if it is at the correct voltage level as checked in step 109 then the accelerometer output is converted in step 111. If it is not the right level it is checked again in step 109. If the accelerometer meets the minimum level in step 112, then the data is incremented (step 113) and stored in an eeprom (step 114).

After ½ milliseconds (step 115) the output of the accelerometer is converted (step 116) and checked against the minimum (step 117) then the data is incremented (step 118) and stored in an eeprom (step 119) and after a wait for ½ milliseconds (step 120) the counter is incremented (step 121) and returns to sleep mode step (105).

In FIG. 2B data is sent by first initializing the communication port (corn port) step in 122 and then getting the stored eeprom data step 123 and then outputting the data to the port in step 124. Step 125 is output delimiter for delimiting the data output in step 124. The data counter is decremented in step 126 and if the counter is at zero the communication port (corn port) is disabled in step 128. If the counter is not zero then the data is secured from the eeprom in step 123.

FIG. 3A shows the MEMS Sensor deflection under given G Load vs. time of the shot.

FIG. 3B illustrates the shot profile date that can be graphed from the information obtained by the module 5 of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a partially exploded view of the module 5 as part of an attachment to the pistol grip of a handgun in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a partially exploded view of the module 5 as part of an attachment to the barrel of a firearm in another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows a shot counter housing 51 for the self calibrating shot counter weapon of the present disclosure having a rail mount 52 that is used for mounting accessories. The module 5 is shown and as can be seen in FIG. 5, a lithium battery 3, a microcontroller 7 and an MEMS accelerometer 8 are mounted thereon. A rail mount 56 for the self calibrating weapon shot counter of the present disclosure is shown as by way of non-limiting illustrative example a Picatinny Rail mount 56 having a recess 2a for placing the rail mount on a barrel of a firearm.

FIG. 6 shows the rotational measuring direction, the firearm will twist in the direction of the rifling as the bullet expands and engages the groves in the rifling as the bullet is fired. It is necessary to take this measurement in account to determine the different caliber and weight of bullets fired. FIG. 6 shows the direction of travel when firearm is discharged (shown as 61); the grooves 62 in rifling twist to right as they pass down the barrel; the bullet-projectile, the front sight at 12 o'clock position zero degrees before cartridge ignition 42; the negative or return direction after firing 65; and the rotational direction when rifling is twisted to the right 66.

FIGS. 7-9 describe another embodiment of the present disclosure in which a wake up circuit is added. As seen in FIG. 7, the wake up circuit 80 (FIG. 9) serves to resolve the problem when an accelerometer does not wake up fast enough to capture the entire energy pulse, a common problem associated with off the shelf accelerometers. The wake up circuit can be a normally closed G switch (gravity switch) with a quicker response than that of the accelerometer 8 employed in the present disclosure. The G switch 80 also provides for power conservation due as it is a mechanically triggered switch. Upon detecting a shot fired the G switch or wake up circuit switches from its normally closed state to an open state and transmits a signal to the micro controller (see FIG. 9). The microcontroller sends a signal to the accelerometer to initialize the process low power mode thus turning the accelerometer on. The accelerometer sends data to the Microcontroller and which sends the information via RF transceiver to a smart phone, hand held reader or a personal computer (PC) (FIG. 9). The microcontroller determines the mode of data transfer: There are three modes of transfer: In MODE 1, the microcontroller gathers the data on board and goes back to sleep waiting for a prompt from a reader or PC to down load data. In MODE 2, the microcontroller sends data after every shot to a smart phone, PC to attach GPS location from the cell phone and text weapon use, position location to a preset number for the purpose of providing automatic shot notification. MODE 3 is the engineering mode where the microcontroller sends data which is of the entire accelerometer signature to a smart phone or PC. FIG. 8 shows the wake up circuit step which when switched to an open state from its normally closed state proceeds to intialize the processor low power mode.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrates the firmware of operation of the microcontroller 7 for the module 5 of the present disclosure. FIG. 9A is a first flow chart illustrating the detection of a shot with the present disclosure. In step 101, the wake up circuit which is normally closed, is set to open upon detection for a shot being fired (step 101). The wake up circuit causes the microcontroller to initialize the processor low power mode (step 102). A timer is set as noted in step 103 the accelerometer. This takes place for the accelerometer in step 104. Sleep mode for the accelerometer is entered into in step 105. Has the step up time expired as asked in step 106-if not return to sleep mode (step 105), if yes go to step 107 and charge pump on the accelerometer voltage is converted in step 108 and if it is at the correct voltage level as checked in step 109 then the accelerometer output is converted in step 111. If it is not at the right level, it is checked again in step 109. If the accelerometer meets the minimum level in step 112 then the data is incremented (step 113) and stored in an eeprom (step 114).

After ½ millisecond (step 115) the output of the accelerometer is converted (step 116) and checked against the minimum (step 117) then the data is incremented (step 118) and stored in an eeprom (step 119) and after a wait for ½ milliseconds (step 120) the counter is incremented (step 121) and returns to sleep mode step (105).

In FIG. 9B data is sent by first initializing the communication port (com port) step in 122 and then getting the stored eeprom data step 123 and then outputting the data to the port in step 124. Step 125 is output delimiter for delimiting the data output in step 124. The data counter is decremented in step 126 and if the counter is at zero the communication port (com port) is disabled in step 128. If the counter is not zero then the data is secured from the eeprom in step 123.

While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of the disclosure, numerous changes in the arrangement of method steps and apparatus parts can be made by those skilled in the art. Such changes are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shot device for recording and transmitting shot profile data of shots fired from a fire arm, comprising:

a microcontroller operated module affixed to a fire arm, said module comprising a MEMS accelerometer for measuring the G force of each round fired by the firearm, a non volatile memory for storing the shot profile data that includes shot count and recoil data a serial communication device for transmitting said stored shot profile data to a remote location via an RF signal.

2. A shot device for recording and transmitting shot profile data of shots fired from a fire arm, comprising:

a microcontroller operated module affixed to a fire arm; said module comprising a MEMS accelerometer for measuring the G force of each round fired by the firearm, a non volatile memory for storing the shot profile data that includes shot count and recoil data a serial communication device for transmitting said stored shot profile data to a remote location via an RF signal; and

a wake up circuit adapted to switch upon detection of a fired shot to signal said microcontroller to initialize a low power mode to activate said MEMS accelerometer faster than said accelerometer would activate by itself.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said wake up circuit is a normally closed G switch.