User-Alert Device for Less-Than-Lethal Ammunition

Abstract

A device for a firearm is disclosed, including a body structured to attach to a portion of a firearm and disposed in a sight plane with the firearm, a measurement device disposed in the sight plane and configured to determine a distance between a target and a user, a reference device disposed in the sight plane, at least one peripheral driver, a feedback array configured to provide a signal to the user based on the distance, and a processor and power source in communication with the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tactical device, the device comprising:
 a body structured to releasably attach to a portion of a firearm and disposed in a sight plane with the firearm;   a measurement device disposed in the sight plane and configured to determine a distance between a target and a user;   a reference device disposed in the sight plane;   at least one peripheral driver;   a feedback array configured to provide a signal to the user based on the distance; and   a processor and power source in communication with the device.   
     
     
         2 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to mount to a mounting structure and is configured to receive an optic mounted on the body of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The tactical device of  claim 2 , further a windage and elevation adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback array is configured to signal the user when the distance between the target and the user as determined by the measurement device falls outside a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback array is any of an audible alert device, a haptic alert device, or a display. 
     
     
         6 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , further comprising an integrated optic. 
     
     
         7 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to continuously update the feedback array based on the measured target distance. 
     
     
         8 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to operate in a continuous mode or a discontinuous mode initiated by the user. 
     
     
         9 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is incorporated into a optic. 
     
     
         10 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , further comprising an accelerometer configured for power management. 
     
     
         11 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback is responsive to a distance determination, and is configurable with any of a mobile device, a USB connection, a Bluetooth device, or one or more buttons disposed on the body. 
     
     
         12 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to provide the signal to an ancillary device. 
     
     
         13 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a laser disposed in the sight plane adapted for targeting. 
     
     
         14 . The tactical device of  claim 1 , wherein the measurement device is a laser range finder. 
     
     
         15 . A method implemented by a tactical device, the method comprising the steps of:
 sampling via a measurement device a send and return signal;   computing a distance based on the sampling;   comparing the distance to a threshold to determine an effective range; and   alerting a user responsive to the determination.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alert is any of a haptic alert, an audio alert, or a visual alert. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the alert is configured to indicate safe or unsafe use of nonlethal munitions. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the comparing is based off a user provided threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising configuring the threshold via a mobile device, wherein the configuring includes adjusting one or more parameters. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method is repeated in real time to dynamically adapt to changing distances between the user and a target.