Automatic Weapon Subsystem to Assist in Tracking and Eliminating Targets through Recognition and Munitions Selection

Abstract

An automated weapons system is comprised of: a sensing subsystem; a munitions subsystem; a targeting subsystem; a computational subsystem; positioning apparatus; and, a firing subsystem. The sensing subsystem provides target data for at least one acquired target, responsive to at least one sensor. The munitions subsystem, provides selection of one from up to a plurality of types of said munitions as available as a selected munition. The targeting subsystem, is responsive to the target data to provide recognition of a type of target, for each said acquired target. The computational subsystem, selects a chosen target from the acquired targets, based on the type of the selected munition. The positioning apparatus adjusts the aim of the selected munition so that it will hit the chosen target. And, the firing subsystem fires the selected munitions through a barrel at the chosen target. In one embodiment, there are a plurality of the sensors, wherein the system acquires target data from at least one of the plurality of the sensors, for at least one target as said acquired target. The targeting subsystem recognizes the type of target responsive to analyzing the target data to provide recognition of each said acquired target.

1 . An automated weapons system, comprising:
 a sensing subsystem for providing target data for at least one acquired target, responsive to at least one sensor;   a munitions subsystem, providing selection of one from up to a plurality of types of said munitions as available as a selected munition;   a targeting subsystem, responsive to the target data to provide recognition of a type of target, for each said acquired target;   a computational subsystem, for selecting a chosen target from the acquired targets, based on the type of the selected munition;   positioning apparatus for adjusting the aim of the selected munition so that it will hit the chosen target; and,   a firing subsystem for firing the selected munitions through a barrel at the chosen target.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein there are a plurality of the sensors;   wherein the system acquires target data from at least one of the plurality of the sensors, for at least one target as said acquired target;   wherein the targeting subsystem recognizes the type of target responsive to analyzing the target data to provide recognition of each said acquired target;   wherein the automated weapons system has up to a plurality of types of munitions available;   wherein the computational subsystem chooses the chosen target from the acquired targets based on current availability of the types of munitions available at the automated weapon system and chooses a selected munition for the chosen target from the types of the munitions available;   wherein the positioning means adjusts the aim of the weapon so that the selected munition will hit the selected target; and,   wherein the firing subsystem then fires the selected munition at the chosen target.   
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the computational subsystem determines where the munitions needs to be aimed to strike the chosen target, and utilizes a tracking subsystem that finds and identifies all said targets within the area of sighting, selects one said target as the chosen target and tracks the chosen target thereafter, and,   wherein the aim of the munitions is adjusted in accordance with the tracking.   
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detection logic detecting a no-shoot situation prior to the firing of the munitions;   inhibit logic preventing the firing logic from firing the munitions, responsive to the detection logic detecting a no-shoot situation.   
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the positioning means adjusts the aim responsive to at least one of:
 movement of the chosen target, 
 user movement of the barrel, 
 characteristics of the selected type of munition, 
 characteristics of wind, 
 characteristics of temperature, 
 characteristics of humidity, 
 distance, and, 
 elevation. 
   
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the positioning means adjusts movement of the barrel responsive to actuators mounted to the barrel.   
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein each said target, including the chosen target, is associated with one of a plurality of types of targets;   wherein there are a plurality of types of munitions;   wherein each said type of target has an associated said type of munitions;   wherein the targeting subsystem selects as an appropriate said type of munitions, the associated type of munitions for the type of target associated with the chosen target;   wherein the appropriate said type of munitions is loaded responsive to the targeting subsystem; and,   wherein the appropriate said type of munitions is fired at the chosen target.   
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the locking onto is responsive to the determining where the munitions needs to be aimed to strike the chosen target, and utilizes a tracking subsystem that finds and identifies targets within the area of sighting, selects one said target as the chosen target and tracks the chosen target thereafter,   wherein the aim of the munitions is adjusted in accordance with the tracking.   
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein potential said selected targets are comprised of a human target and a non-human target;   the system further comprising:
 means for identifying a target type for the selected target as one of said non-human target and said human target; and 
   means for not allowing selection of the non-human target as the selected target.   
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein there are potential said selected targets comprised of a human target and a nonhuman target;   the system further comprising:
 means for identifying the selected target as one of the non-human target and the human target; and 
   means for not allowing selection of the human target as the selected target.   
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for determining if said selected target is a human target, and if said selected target is a human target then comparing said selected target to identified human targets comprising at least a first set of said identified human targets; and,   means for enabling firing for the selected target if it is within said first set of said identified human targets.   
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 1 ,
 wherein if said selected target is a human target then said selected target is compared to identified human targets comprising at least a first set of said identified human targets,   wherein firing is disabled for the selected target being within the first set of said identified human targets.   
     
     
         13 . A method of operating an automated weapon system, the method comprising:
 providing target data for at least one acquired target from up to a plurality of said acquired targets, responsive to at least one sensor;   providing selection of a selected munition, from one up to a plurality of types of munitions as available;   providing recognition of a type of target, for each said acquired target;   selecting a selected target from the acquired targets, based at least in part on the types of said munitions available;   selecting as a selected said munition, the type of munition that is effective for said selected target;   adjusting the aim of the selected munition so that it will hit the selected target; and,   firing the selected munition at the selected target.   
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 acquiring target data from a plurality of sensors, each for at least one said target as said acquired target;   recognizing the type of target for each said acquired target responsive to analyzing the target data to provide recognition of each said acquired target;   identifying current availability of a plurality of types of said munitions available to select from;   selecting the chosen target from the acquired targets based on the current availability of the types of munitions;   choosing a selected munition for the chosen target from the types of the munitions available;   adjusting the aim of the weapon so that the selected munition will hit the selected target; and,   firing the selected munition at the chosen target.   
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 utilizing a tracking subsystem that finds and identifies targets within the area of sighting, for determining where the munitions needs to be aimed to strike the selected target;   selecting one said target as the selected target; and,   tracking the selected target thereafter,   wherein the aim of the munitions is adjusted in accordance with the tracking.   
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 detecting a no-shoot situation prior to the firing of the munitions, and   preventing the firing of the munitions responsive to detecting the no-shoot situation.   
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 adjusting the aim responsive to at least one of:
 movement of the chosen target, 
 user movement of the barrel, 
 characteristics of the selected type of munition, 
 characteristics of wind, 
 characteristics of temperature, 
 characteristics of humidity, 
 distance, and, 
 elevation. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 adjusting movement of the barrel responsive to actuators mounted to the barrel.   
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 13 ,
 wherein there are a plurality of types of munitions available;   wherein each of said targets is associated with one of a plurality of types of targets,   wherein each said type of target has an associated said type of munition;   the method further comprising:   selecting the associated type of munitions for the type of target associated with the selected target;   loading the appropriate said type of munitions responsive to the type of the selected target; and,   firing the appropriate munitions from said automated weapon system.   
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 identifying a plurality of said targets within the area of sighting;   selecting one said target as the selected target;   tracking the selected target thereafter; and,   determining where the munitions needs to be aimed to strike the selected target;   wherein the aim of the munitions is adjusted in accordance with the tracking.   
     
     
         21 . The method as in  claim 13 ,
 wherein potential said selected targets are comprised of a human target and a non-human target;   the method further comprising:
 identifying a target type for the selected target as one of said non-human target and said human target; and 
   not allowing selection of the non-human target as the selected target.   
     
     
         22 . The method as in  claim 13 ,
 wherein there are potential said selected targets comprised of a human target and a nonhuman target;   the method further comprising:
 identifying the selected target as one of the non-human target and the human target; and 
   not allowing selection of the human target as the selected target.   
     
     
         23 . The method as in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 determining if said selected target is a human target, and if said selected target is a human target then comparing said selected target to identified human targets comprising at least a first set of said identified human targets; and,   enabling firing for the selected target if it is within said first set of said identified human targets.   
     
     
         24 . The method as in  claim 13 ,
 wherein if said selected target is a human target then said selected target is compared to identified human targets comprising at least a first set of said identified human targets,   wherein firing is disabled for the selected target being within the first set of said identified human targets.   
     
     
         25 . An automated weapon system, comprising:
 a sensing subsystem providing target data for at least one acquired target, responsive to at least one sensor;   a munitions subsystem providing selection of one from up to a plurality of types of said munition as available;   a targeting subsystem providing recognition of a type of target, for each said acquired target;   a computational subsystem
 for selecting a selected target from the acquired targets, based at least in part on the types of said munitions available; and, 
 for selecting as a selected munition, the type of said munition that is available and that is determined effective for said selected target; 
   position means adjusting the aim of the selected munition so that it will hit the selected target; and,   a firing subsystem, firing the selected munitions through a barrel at the selected target.   
     
     
         26 . The system as in  claim 25 ,
 wherein the sensing subsystem provides means for acquiring target data from each of a plurality of sensors for at least one target as said acquired target;   wherein the targeting subsystem provides means for recognizing the type of target responsive to analyzing the target data to provide recognition of each said acquired target;   wherein there are a plurality of types of munitions available to select from;   wherein the computational subsystem provides means for selecting the selected target from the acquired targets based on current availability of the types of munitions available and provides means for choosing a selected munition for the selected target from the types of the munitions available;   wherein the position means adjusts the aim of the weapon so that the selected munition will hit the selected target; and,   wherein the firing subsystem then fires the selected munition at the selected target.   
     
     
         27 . The system as in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 means for determining where the selected munition needs to be aimed to strike the selected target, responsive to tracking up to a plurality of said targets within the area of sighting, and for selecting one said target as the selected target;   wherein the aim of the munitions is adjusted in accordance with the tracking.   
     
     
         28 . The system as in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 means for preventing the firing of the munitions responsive to detecting a no-shoot situation prior to the firing of the munitions   
     
     
         29 . The system as in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 wherein the position means provides for adjusting the aim responsive to at least one of:   movement of the selected target, user movement of the barrel, characteristics of the selected type of munition, characteristics of wind, characteristics of temperature, characteristics of humidity, distance, and elevation.   
     
     
         30 . The system as in  claim 25 ,
 wherein the adjusting the aim adjusts movement of the barrel responsive to actuators mounted to the barrel.   
     
     
         31 . The system as in  claim 25 ,
 wherein there are a plurality of types of munition;   wherein each of said targets is associated with one of a plurality of types of targets,   where each said type of target has an associated said type of munitions;   
       the system further comprising:
 means for selecting of the associated type of munition for the type of target associated with the selected target as an appropriate said type of munition; 
 means for loading said appropriate said type of munition responsive to the type of selected target; and, 
 wherein the appropriate said type of munition is fired from said automated weapon system. 
 
     
     
         32 . The system as in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 aiming logic, determining where the munitions needs to be aimed to strike the selected target;   a tracking subsystem that finds and identifies said targets within the area of sighting, selects one said target as the selected target, and tracks the selected target thereafter; and,   wherein the aim of the munitions is adjusted responsive to the tracking subsystem.