Video capture, recording and scoring in firearms and surveillance

Abstract

A video camera and recording device integrated with a real or toy weapon to provide video recording of the assault and aiming process of the weapon holder in operational training, actual combat, hunting, sports and gaming scenarios. A video camera is boresighted with the weapon, and a video memory stores the recorded dynamic scenario, and a trigger sensor which continually senses and records the triggering actions imposed by the weapon holder. The trigger sensor is attached to the actual trigger of the weapon thus enabling normal operation of the weapon. The video camera, may be mounted internally within the bore of the weapon, such that the external form of the weapon is not altered, thus achieving closer operation to real life situations. The recorded trigger data is utilized upon playback of the recorded video, enabling quick review and scoring of the recorded aiming process for training and gaming.

1 . system for use in monitoring the accuracy of a user's aimpoint at a target, said system comprising:
 a weapon comprising: a trigger, a trigger sensor unit, and a boresighted video camera system, wherein
 said boresighted video camera system for imaging a field of view and generating output data comprising data depicting aimpoints of the weapon; 
   said trigger sensor unit comprises at least one sensor configured and operable for detecting when the trigger is actuated and generating a signal indicative thereof, such that corresponding output data of the boresighted video camera system is indicative of an intended target aimpoint;
 the system therefore enabling determination of an error between the intended target aimpoint and an actual aimpoint of the weapon at a later time of intended firing or actual firing of the weapon. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , comprising an image processing unit for receiving and processing output of the video camera. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the image processing unit is configured and operable for carrying out at least one of the following: (1) generating data for displaying an image depicting the aimpoint of the weapon; (2) generating data for recording an image depicting the aimpoint of the weapon; (3) applying video processing algorithms to the received data and generating data for automatically tracking a target chart or the intended aim point on a threat depicted in the image, in assessing aiming and shooting. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , comprising a designating system for designating the intended target aimpoint on a video frame depicting the target. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , comprising an image matching algorithm for transforming the intended target aimpoint to at least one frame depicting the actual aimpoint of the weapon upon such target at a later time. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one frame depicting the target at a later time has one of the following configurations: (i) is a frame taken when the trigger is actuated; (ii) comprises a series of frames taken up to and beyond a point when the trigger is actuated. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said trigger sensing unit is configured and operable so as to not affect a user's tactile sensation of said trigger. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , comprising a blank firing attachment for attachment to a front end of a barrel of said weapon, said blank firing attachment including the boresighted video camera system thereby providing aimpoint accuracy determination while utilizing the weapon for training with live ammunition. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said blank firing attachment comprises a light source for illuminating at least the field of view of said camera. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the trigger sensing unit comprises an attachment element for attaching said trigger sensing unit to said weapon; and is disposed such that a user's tactile sensation of said trigger is unaffected by use of said trigger sensing unit. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said attachment element comprises a pair of side elements which attach to each other, thereby clamping said trigger sensing unit to at least one of a finger guard of said weapon, and a body of said weapon proximate said trigger. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor has one of the following configurations: (a) is disposed laterally behind said trigger, such that pressure on said trigger actuates said trigger sensing unit; (b) is disposed laterally forward of said trigger, such that intended pressure on said trigger first actuates pressure on said sensor; (c) comprises at least one of a strain gauge element, and a motion detection element. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , comprising: an illumination source defining a direction of illumination, said camera being generally aligned with the direction of illumination of said illumination source; and a transmitter for sending image data indicative of the output of the camera to a remote location. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said illumination is in at least one of visible and infra red spectral ranges. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said illumination is encoded by modulation. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , configured and operable for generating data indicative of actual operational events and carrying out at least one of recording said data about actual operational events and transmitting said data to one or more remote locations. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , being configured and operable for training use of the weapon being configured as a small-arms weapon having a barrel, and further comprising an insert comprising said camera and having dimensions enabling it to be inserted into said barrel, said insert being such that said training use of said weapon is not affected by use of said system. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , comprising an electronic processing unit, modules of the electronic processing unit being located outside said insert or being at least partially located in said insert. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein said electronic processing unit is configured for transmitting data indicative of the output of said camera to a remote location. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , configured and operable for aiming of the weapon against trainees or target boards comprising a retro reflector fiducial of a certain configuration being observable in an image enabling its use in offline scoring to assess aiming stability and accuracy, and range to the fiducial. 
     
     
         21 - 27 . (canceled)