Gun Control Unit with Computerized Multi-Function Display

Abstract

An improved gun control unit for a minigun system includes a logic control module in communication with the minigun system, and a multi-function display for providing a visible display of information about the operation and status of the minigun system. The logic control module includes a processor coupled to the multi-function display, which processor is programmed to output a display signal to the display in response to status information received from the minigun system. The status information received from the minigun system can include: information for determining a count of rounds fired by the minigun system; information for determining a remaining level of ammunition: and/or information for trouble shooting the minigun system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An improved gun control unit for a minigun system, the gun control unit comprising:
 a logic control module in communication with the minigun system; and   a multi-function display configured to provide a visible display to a user of the minigun system;   wherein the logic control module includes a processor coupled to the multi-function display and programmed to provide a display signal to the multi-function display in response to status information received from the minigun system.   
     
     
         2 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein the multi-function display comprises an LED display. 
     
     
         3 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein the multi-function display comprises a bar graph display. 
     
     
         4 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein the status information includes information for determining a count of rounds fired by the minigun system. 
     
     
         5 . The gun control unit of  claim 4  wherein the information for determining a count of rounds fired by the minigun system includes information for determining a cumulative count of rounds. 
     
     
         6 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein the status information includes information for determining a remaining level of ammunition. 
     
     
         7 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein the logic control module is configured to calculate a remaining ammunition level using information associated with an ammunition maximum capacity and a count of rounds fired by the minigun system. 
     
     
         8 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein the status information includes information for trouble shooting the minigun system. 
     
     
         9 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein, in response to a user input switch selection, the logic control module is configured to operate with a specific minigun model or configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The gun control unit of  claim 9  wherein the user input switch selection selects a maximum ammunition capacity. 
     
     
         11 . The gun control unit of  claim 9  wherein the user input switch selection selects a firing rate. 
     
     
         12 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  further comprising an interface configured to allow uploading of software to the logic control module. 
     
     
         13 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein the logic control module is programmed to monitor the status information to detect an error or malfunction in the operation of the minigun system. 
     
     
         14 . The gun control unit of  claim 1  wherein the logic control module is programmed to perform a diagnostic test on the minigun system in response to a user input switch selection for diagnostic testing.