答辯 Patent Number: us-4644845 的影響
United States Patent
[11]
Patent Number:
4,644,845
|
[54 ]
SURVEILLANCE AND WEAPON SYSTEM |
[76] Inventor: Jacob W. Garehime, Jr. 1700 Griffith
Ave., Las Vegas, Nev. 89104 |
|
[ 21]
Appl. No.: 124,746 |
[ 22]
Filed: Feb.
26, 1980 |
|
Related US. Application Data |
[60] Continuation of Ser. No. 940,652, Sep.
8, 1978, aban- doned,
which is a division of Set. No. 490,053, Jul. 19, 1984, Pat. No. 4,112,818, which is a continuation of Set. No. 254,541, May 18, 1972,
abandoned. |
|
[51] Int. CI.4 ..................……........... F41G 1/40 |
[52] US. CI. ............................... 89/41.05; 358/108; 89/1.41 |
|
[58] Field of Search .................... 42/1 S, 1 ST, 59;
89/I L, 9, 12, 41 TV; 358/87, 108, 109 |
|
|
[56]
References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS |
|
|
1,311,860 7/1919 Holzwarth
.....................
89/1 L |
1,394,083
10/1921 Griffiths ............................. 89/1 L |
|
2,359,032 9/1944 Gott .........…............. 89/41 TV |
2,912,494
11/1959 Flint ...........………........ 89/41 TV |
|
3,974,740 8/1976
Billottet et al ...............
89/I L |
|
|
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS |
616703
7/1935 Fed. Rep. of Germany ... 89/37 BA |
|
Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley |
Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Albert.
Gabriel |
Surveillance
and weapon system
ABSTRACT
A remote controlled surveillance and
weapon system comprising a tubular, generally annularly symmetrical multiple fire
weapon having an optical scope coaxially arranged in the throat thereof. 一個遠端控制監視和武器系統包括一管狀、環形地對稱的多重射擊武器，並與視力同軸裝置在重要通道上。
An electronic image sensor is optically coupled with the scope and provides an
image to a video surveillance screen at a remote station. 一台電子的影像感測器所監視範圍被連線至一個遠端車站的影像監視螢幕提供影像。Movement
and firing of the weapon are performed from the remote station according to a
view along the axis of symmetry of the weapon as viewed on the video
surveillance screen. 根據觀點當對影像監視螢幕的所想法，武器的運動和發射的焦點同軸對應影像監視螢幕，由遠端的車站執行武器的射擊。In
a preferred form diametrically opposed pairs of firing bores are fired
simultaneously so as to balance recoil forces about the axis of symmetry and
thereby maintain alignment of the weapon and scope with a target being fired
upon. 被射擊之後又同時平衡回位保持對稱性， 被射擊之後又同時平衡回位保持對稱性進而保持武器的調準在射擊目標的範圍。
Reply By Zhen-man Lin
Garehime
(US Pat. No. 4,644,854) discloses a bullet-firing weapon having an electronic
image sensor incorporated therewith, while the present invention discloses a
narcotic gun that is actually an ejector.
A bullet-firing weapon is not legally allowed for installing on a
passenger plane. The American
government has not yet legislated to permit installation of security means,
such as bullet-firing weapons, on passenger planes, at least at the time the
patent application for the invention of Zhen-Man Lin is filed. In view that the “monitoring device” is
not a patented invention made by Garehime, it is not appropriate to reject the
patentability of Zhen-Man Lin’s invention based on the Garehime’s invention and
teaches of Zekich and Feher.
這是將一台“An electronic image sensor”安裝在管狀中心 “射擊裝置”
復合一起的保安裝置，是一個帶“眼睛”有遙控描準置的武器系統。
Us-4644845, Garehime 的“射擊裝置” 與Zhen-Man Lin的專利申請無關。
Us-4644845, Garehime 的權力要求圍繞著“射擊裝置” 復合“An electronic image sensor” 的結構裝置，而這種裝置並不包括“An electronic image sensor”即是閉路電視系統的獨立使用，當Zhen-Man Lin專利的應用者購買了這一閉路電視系統，便有使用權，又從Garehime 的權力要求並沒有阻止Feher在us-4,816,828專利中使用“An electronic image sensor”，同樣的Us-4644845, Garehime 的權力要求不能阻止Zhen-Man Lin的專利申請的系統中應用。
閉路電視系統早在Us-4644845, Garehime 認可的1987之前已經廣泛使用，
因此，Us-4644845,
Garehime 肯定要排除影響Lin
zhen-man 的專利申請應用之外。
8 Claims, 35 Drawing Figures
SURVEILLANCE
AND WEAPON SYATEM
This
is a continuation of application Set. No.940,652, flied Sept. 8, 1978, now
abandoned; which is a division of Set. No.490,053, flied July 19, 1974, now U.S.
Pat. No.4,112,818; which is a continuation of Set. No. 254,541, filed May 18,
I972, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND
OF THE INVENTION
Prior
art remote controlled, video monitored weapon systems have generally involved a
combination of a whole television camera and a conventional weapon. Such
combinations are inherently so bulky and space-consuming, both in the axial and
vertical depth directions that they have not been usable for anti-hijacking
purposes in commercial airplanes. There is simply not enough space available in
the ceiling area of the conventional airplane to accommodate such TV
camera/weapon combination therein. It was inconceivable that such a bulky
combination could be adapted to linear travel, pan and tilt movements so as to
cover the entire passenger compartment area of an aircraft, or that it could be
obscured from view of the passengers behind a one-way vision screen. Similarly,
the amount of space occupied by such prior art television camera and
conventional weapon combinations generally precluded the adaptation thereof for
protective systems to be used in banks, prisons, stores, office buildings, or
the like.
All
prior art remote control, video monitored weapon systems of which the applicant
is aware could be seen by a potential hijacker or criminal or the like, and
hence could be defended against by retaliatory action, or could be avoided, so
as to minimize the effectiveness thereof. A further problem in connection with
these prior art weapon systems utilizing a TV camera and conventional type
weapon, relates generally to the optics thereof. Such prior art systems
embodied vertically or laterally spaced optical and weapon axes, thereby having
a parallax inaccuracy inherent in the aiming thereof. This becomes a critical
problem in a remote controlled weapon system for aircraft protection, because
of the necessity for pinpoint accuracy to avoid damaging critical aircraft
parts, and to be assured of a completely incapacitating offensive action
against a hijacker or the like without danger to other occupants. This parallax
problem becomes more acute as the weapon is moved closer to the subject in an
attempt at increased accuracy.
The
optics problem associated with a conventional television camera-weapon
combination also involves an orientation problem between the subject as viewed
by the television camera and the subject as displayed on a remote video
monitor. Tilting movements of the television camera, and particularly tilting
movements beyond the vertical axis, and also panning movement beyond 90°,
with the conventional television camera optics employed in such prior art
camera-weapon combinations, tended to provide a badly disoriented image at the
remote monitoring station, making it difficult to track a subject in movement,
and often dangerous to employ the weapon.
Prior
art automatically operable weapons in general are not of unobstructed tubular
configuration, and hence are incapable of having coaxially arranged optics
directly mounted therein. Thus optical aiming systems for automatic weapons are
conventionally laterally or vertically offset from the firing axis of the
weapon, requiring that the reticle in any optical scope aiming system
associated therewith also be spaced from the firing axis. Such spacing not only
involves a parallax problem between reticle and weapon axis, but also involves
a sometimes even more serious axial alignment problem. This can raise doubts as
to the accuracy of alignment and aiming, where such doubts cannot be tolerated
in the close confines and with the critical surrounding areas in an aircraft
protective system. The requirement of axially offset optics with conventional
automatic weapons also detracts from the compactness thereof, making them
further unsuitable for use in a protective system for aircraft or the like.
Referring
particularly to the commercial aircraft protection problem, the protective
measures currently in use are (1) attempting to identify and observe persons
who are considered by mannerism or appearance to be of a high risk
"type" likely to be involved in hijacking; (2) inspecting the persons
and/or baggage of airplane passengers; (3) the use of sky marshals riding the aircraft;
and (4) the use of snipers to shoot hijackers if they can be lured out of the
airplanes.
All
of these currently used measures have serious drawbacks. In order to be
effective, baggage and personal inspections are much too time-consuming to be
used on any substantial scale and yet be compatible with heavy airline
schedules as presently followed. Attempting to identify and watch high risk
type persons is a very chancy thing, as often a highjacker wll look like a very
ordinary person. FBI agents have sniped or shot at hijackers with high powered
rifles from stategic airport locations whenever possible, but this requires
that the hijacker be lured out of the airplane, which only occasionally occurs.
The
sky marshal approach has been used extensively, and it has the advantage of
providing offensive action against a hijacker when the hijacker has been
positively identified during flight. However, sky marshals have a tendency to
place everyone in the airplane under great risk, and their effectiveness has proven
to be quite limited in scope for a number of reasons. Thus, the sky marshal
cannot take offensive action without danger of retaliatory action from the
hijacker either against the sky marshal or perhaps indiscriminately against one
or more passengers, or against a hostage. Another problem is that a weapon in
the hand of a sky marshal tends to be unstable, being adversely affected by
turbulence, the urgency of the situation, the danger to other persons or
aircraft systems, and the like. The sky marshal cannot always choose the time
or place to act, and he can be seen and acted against by the hijacker. Also,
once the sky marshal precipitates action against a hijacker, he has no choice
but to proceed, despite dangers that may arise to passengers. Because the sky
marshal call be seen by the hijacker, it is difficult for him to cope with or
to avoid the hostage problem. Finally, the deterrent effect of a sky marshal is
minimal, because a potential hijacker is aware of the sky marshal's
limitations, and can retaliate and defend against him.
SUMMARY
OF THE INVENTION
In
view of these and other problems in the art, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a generally annularly symmetrical multiple fire weapon
having an open and generally unobstructed throat extending through the axial
center thereof.
Another object of the invention is to
provide a surveillance and weapon system comprising such a generally annularly
symmetrical multiple fire weapon which has optical scope means coaxially
arranged in the otherwise generally unobstructed axial throat thereof.
Another
object of the invention is to provide a generally annularly symmetrical
multiple fire weapon of the character described which comprises a series of
annularly arranged barrels with respective cartridge chambers, a series of
respective precocked firing pin units arranged behind the respective chambers,
rotatably shiftable firing pin release means, and indexing drive means adapted
to shift the firing pin release means so as to release successive firing pins
and thereby energize a succession of cartridges. In presently preferred forms
of this weapon diametrically opposed pairs of the cartridges are simultaneously
energized to produce a double helix fire pattern that is dynamically balanced
about the axis of the weapon.
Another
object of the invention is to provide a tubular, generally annularly
symmetrical multiple fire weapon of the character described which includes a
nonrotating firing pin unit having a pair of diametrically opposed firing pins,
and wherein a tubular barrel body having a series of regularly spaced barrels
about its annulus is indexed between successive firing events to shift
successive adjacent pairs of diametrically opposed barrels into axial alignment
with the diametrically opposed firing pins, so as to provide a planar or 180°,
nonrotatlng firing pattern that is dynamically balanced about the axis of the
tubular weapon.
Another
object of the invention as related to the generally annularly symmetrical,
tubular multiple fire weapon per se is to provide both external and internal
stepper motor drive means for actuating a tubular weapon of this character.
Another object of the invention is to
provide a surveillance and weapon system which comprises a tubular, generally
annularly symmetrical multiple fire weapon which has an optical scope mounted
in the axial throat thereof, and which also includes a video image sensor
optically coupled to the scope so as to provide a remote video image that is
directly related to the central axis of the weapon. In one such weapon-optical
scope-image sensor arrangement the optical scope and image sensor are both
coaxially arranged, in tandem in the axial throat of the tubular weapon, and
this combination is movable for surveillance and weapon aiming. In another such
weapon-optical scope-image sensor form the optical scope that is mounted in the
tubular weapon is only the forward portion of the system optics, the optics
including a tiltable portion to provide an optical image to the electronic
image sensor which is nontiltably positioned, thereby substantially reducing
the axial length of the tiltable part of the weapon-optics-image sensor
combination for use thereof in confined spaces, as for example in the ceiling
are of an airplane as a part of an anti-hijacking system. Such tiltable optics
include one form having a 45' optical deflection wherein the optics-weapon
combination on the one hand and the image sensor on the other hand are
rotatable or tiltable in opposite directions about the image sensor axis for
variable tilting or panning movements, while nevertheless producing a properly
oriented, generally untilted remote image. Another optics form involves a
single right angle optical deflection, with the forward optical scope and weapon
directed at right angles to the image sensor axis and tiltable about the image
sensor axis; while a third optics form is of periscopic configuration involving
two right angle optical deflections, and wherein the forward optical scope and
weapon combination is tiltable about a horizontal axis that is normal to the
image sensor axis. In such second and third optics forms, the forward optics
and weapon on the one hand and image sensor on the other hand are rotated in
opposite directions during part of a tilting sweep and in the same direction in
other parts of a tilting sweep, and the polarity of the magnetic yoke coil for
the image sensor is reversed during portions of the sweep, whereby to provide a
generally correctly oriented, untilted remote image from the system.
A
still further object of the invention is to provide a remotely controlled
surveillance and weapon system for the protection of aircraft and other
confined regions, as for example other vehicles such as ships, trains, or the
like. and various enclosures that are frequently subject to criminal attacks
such as banks, prisons, courtrooms, stores, offices, and the like, which
includes a weapon-optical scope-electronic image sensor combination wherein the
weapon and optical scope are in fixed alignment and mm movable in at least pan
and flit movements for tracking a criminal subject throughout at least a
substantial portion of the protected enclosure; the weapon-optics combination
being completely hidden from the protected region behind a one-way vision
screen, thereby enabling the same to be remotely driven so as to track a
criminal subject without the subject being aware of either the presence or the
positioning of the weapon-optics combination. In the preferred form of the
invention, the weapon-optics-electronic image sensor combination is mounted on
n mobile unit for linear travel as well as for pan and tilt movements of at
least the weapon-optics part of the combination, and this entire mobile unit is
completely hidden from the protected region behind the one-way vision screen,
whereby the mobile unit may be driven to a strategic placement relative to the
criminal subject so that the subject can be made a close target without intervention
of other persons such as bystanders, hostages or the like.
Another
object of the invention is to provide a remote surveillance and weapon system
wherein remote control is effected from a remote station that includes a video
surveillance screen, a manual control unit that is
drivingly coupled to the remote unit and
to the weapon-scope combination thereon to produce linear travel, pan and tilt
movements of the weapon-optics combination which correspond directly to similar
movements of the manual control unit. In the preferred form of the invention
the image on the video surveillance screen at the control station is directly
aligned with the weapon axis and is tilt-compensated to provide an accurate,
properly coordinated, generally untilted image, and reticle lines are also
preferably provided by reticle means that is directly in the centered optical
path in the throat of the weapon for accuracy of aiming, It is also preferred
to have the manual control unit physically positioned at the control station
directly in the front of the video surveillance screen so that the controller
will have a direct coordination between his manual movements of the control
unit and the resulting visual movements observed on the video surveillance screen.
In
the application of the present invention as an anti-hijacking system for
aircraft, it is also preferred to have a seat exhibit board as a part of' the
control station, the board being responsive to pressure switch means in the
individual passenger seats to indicate both seat occupancy for a particular
flight and the temporary vacating of an occupied seat.
In
the adaptation of the present invention as an anti-hijacking system for
aircraft, it is also preferred to include a weapon fire control panel as a part
of the control station, such panel having electrical circuit means associated
therewith, and including switching means and light indicator means for both
controlling the operation of the weapon and exhibiting to the operator the
state or operative condition of the weapon at all times.
In
the application of the present invention as an anti-hijacking system for
aircraft, another important part of the system is the inhibit system which
provides a no-go signal to the weapon control circuit to prevent firing of the
weapon when it is aimed at a certain part of the aircraft which might damage
some critical aircraft part, or which may endanger crew members of the
aircraft. This inhabit system preferably includes an encoder unit for each type
of movement of the weapon, so that in the usual anti-hijacking form of the
invention, there will be separate encoder units for the linear, tilt, and pan
movements of the weapon. Each of these encoder units preferably comprises
either a single analog encoder wheel, or a plurality of coupled analog encoder
wheels, having segments thereon which correspond to go/no-go areas in the
aircraft; i.e., having such segments arranged in a binary go/no-go form. The
individual encoder wheel outputs are fed to a decoder which is programmed for
the particular type of aircraft, and for the particular accessory and seating
arrangement therein. When the outputs of all of the encoder wheels are
"no-go", then the decoder will provide a no-go signal to the weapon
fire control circuit, thereby preventing the weapon from firing. However, it is
preferred to have a deliberate manual override of such no-go condition of the
weapon in the weapon electronic control circuit, so that the operator of the
system; in a situation of dire emergency, can override the no-go signal. One
example of a situation where such an override is practical is when the aircraft
is on the ground, and there is no danger of loss of flight control and
consequent crashing of the aircraft in the event some critical aircraft
structural member is damaged.
The one-way vision screen forming a part
of the invention in applications of the invention to protect an enclosed region
can be in the form of a bubble or curved panel for weapon-optics installations
which involve only pan and tilt type movements. However, in forms of the
invention which also include linear travel movements, it is preferred to embody
the one-way vision screen as a ceiling panel, wherein the one-way screen can be
arranged so as to be unobtrusive and a part of the decorative motif of the
enclosure. In most current commercial aircraft the passenger compartment can be
substantially completely covered by having ceiling panels of the one-way vision
screen extend substantially the entire length of the passenger compartment,
being generally centrally arranged over the length of the aisle. Since most
hijackers will at some time attempt to reach the cockpit area, if desired a
special weapon-optics installation that may only involve pan and tilt movements
may be installed in the forward part of the passenger compartment near the
cockpit entrance, either in the ceiling or in a forward bulkhead or in a side
compartment. In this case, a curved or flat panel, or a bubble of the one-way
vision screen may be employed. An example of such an installation is in the
Boeing 747 aircraft wherein a spiral staircase leading from the main passenger
compartment upwardly to the cockpit area can be commanded from a central
ceiling directly above the staircase, so that a weapon-optics combination
having just pan and flit mobility will provide good protection for the cockpit
against entry from the passenger compartment.
Most
modern building construction utilizes "drop ceilings" to provide
space for air conditioning ducts, lighting fixtures and the like. Also, in the
modernization of old buildings to add air conditioning, such drop ceilings are
conventional. The present surveillance and weapon system will normally be
applied in drop ceiling enclosures, for the protection of banks, prisons,
stores, offices, courtrooms, and the like, by embodying the one-way screen
panels as a part of the drop ceiling paneling, and there is normally ample free
space between the drop ceiling and the floor above to accommodate the mobile
unit of the present invention, which can be lineally movable along suitable
track means, either in a straight line or in appropriate curved paths, and also
movable in pan and tilt movements.
While
the unique compactness of the coaxial weapon-optics combination of the present
invention is important in the aircraft anti-hijacking form of the invention
because of the limited vertical space available., such compactness is also
important in other forms of the invention so that the weapon-optical scope
combination can be disposed in spaced relationship substantially above the
one-way screen. This permits a relatively wide sweep in the tilt movement
direction, while still maintaining a substantial angle of incidence of the axis
of the optical scope to the plane of the one-way screen, to minimize reflective
light loss from the one-way screen.
In
addition to the video monitoring at the control station, it is also preferable
as a part of the invention to include audio monitoring so that the controller
can hear what the observed subject is saying, and thereby know better what he
is doing or is about to do. It is also desirable to have the audio communication
two-way so that the controller can talk to the hijacker or other criminal, if
this is appropriate. Additionally, it is preferable to include a video and
audio recorder so as to keep a video and audio history of the hijacking or
other criminal event for insurance and court purposes.
While
the weapon forms are shown in detail in the present application as being
adapted for conventional type firearm cartridges, it is to be understood that
other types of missiles may be fired from the weapon. For example, the weapon
may be adapted to shoot tranquillizer darts or pellets; it may be adapted to
simply temporarily disable or distract the subject by a volley of nonlethal
impact pellets; or it may be adapted to shoot chemically disabling shells.
Thus, it is to be understood that the weapon can be of either lethal or
nonlethal character. If desired, part of the weapon barrels may be loaded with
lethal cartridges, and another part thereof may be loaded with non-lethal
cartridges; and the weapon actuating circuit can be arranged for selection of
either part by the operator.
In
most uses of the present invention manual control by the operator of the
position of the remote control unit is preferred. However, if desired,
automatic positioning control may be embodied in the system, which can be
programmed in connection with a seat exhibit board or the like so that the
mobile unit can be automatically moved to a position proximate a particular
seat or other designated area, and then manually controlled at that point.
It will be apparent from the foregoing summary,
and from the following description that the present surveillance and weapon
system has a number of important advantages over currently used protective
measures, particularly those employed in the protection of enclosed regions
such as aircraft, bnaks, prisons, and the like. Thus, a hijacker or other
criminal suspect cannot retaliate against the system, because he cannot see the
weapon, and does not know where it may be at any given time. This helps to
avoid the precipitation of critical confrontation, which is likely with present
sky marshal or guard protection. The present system, by its complete mobility,
also lessens the seriousness of the hostage problem, because the hijacker or
other criminal does not know where the weapon is, and the weapon can be moved
to a position in command of the suspect without intervention from the hostage.
The
accuracy of the coaxial weapon-optics of the present system is important in
confined areas, generally enabling the system to be used offensively against
the subject without danger to nearby persons. The accuracy is not only directly
accomplished through the coaxial weapon-optics arrangement, but is aided by the
capability of the weapon to fire diametric, ally opposed barrels
simultaneously, thereby balancing torque about the weapon axis; and the
accuracy is also aided by the optical scope-electronic image sensor correlation
to provide a properly oriented, generally untilted video image to the operator.
Accuracy is also much better for the present system than for a sky marshal, in
that the weapon of the present system is supported fixedly at the time of
firing relative to the airframe, whereas the weapon in the band of a sky
marshal is subject to the movability of his arm, and hence likely to be
adversely affected by turbulence, or simply by the urgency of a critical
situation.
A
particularly important aspect of the present invention is that because it is
difficult to defend against, and cannot be seen by a suspect, it has an excellent
deterrent effect. Even if a complete system according to the invention were
only installed in occasional aircraft, if ceiling paneling resembling that used
with the present system were employed in all commercial aircraft, the deterrent
effect would operate, since potential hijackers would not know whether or not a
particular airplane had a complete system therein.
BRIEF
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG.
I is an isometric view, with portions broken away, illustrating one form of the
present surveillance and weapon system operatively deployed in a typical
commercial aircraft of conventional construction.
FIG.
2 is an enlarged isometric view of the control console and base in the
operative position of FIG. 1.
FIG.
3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with the console folded and locked in the
base to give the appearance of a conventional worktable.
FIG.
4 is a further enlarged isometric view illustrating the control console and the
various functional portions thereof.
FIG.
5 is an isometric view illustrating a presently preferred control unit
associated with the console for remotely controlling movement of the remote
mobile unit and actuation of the weapon portion thereof.
FIG.
6 is a side elevation, with portions broken away, illustrating one form of
mobile unit according to the invention wherein the optical scope and electronic
image sensor are linearly, coaxially arranged.
FIG.
7 is a front end elevation, partly in transverse section, further illustrating
the form of the mobile unit shown in FIG. 6.
FIG.
8 is a diagrammatic side elevational view illustrating a first form of optics
employed in the present system for compacting the weapon-image sensor
combination, this form utilizing acute angle light deflection.
FIG.
9 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view illustrating the tilting
movements of the weapon and forward optics in the first optics form of FIG. 8.
FIG.
10 is a diagrammatic side elevational view similar to FIG. 8, but illustrating
a second form of optics utilizing a 90' angle light deflection.
FIG.
11 is a diagrammatic front end elevational view illustrating the manner in
which tilting movements of the weapon-forward optics combination occur in the
second optics form of FIG. 10.
FIG.
12 is a diagrammatic top plan view illustrating a third, periscopic optics form
utilizing a succession of two right-angle fight deflections to provide maximum
flexibility of the optics without sacrificing compactness.
FIG.
13 is a diagrammatic side elevational view illustrating tilting movements of
the weapon-forward optics combination in the third optics form of FIG. 12.
FIG.
14 is an angle and wiring diagram illustrating the manner in which the image sensor
is rotated on its axis in FIGS. 12 and 13 according to tilting movements of the
weapon-forward optics combination through successive tilting quadrants.
FIG.
15 is a diagrammatic illustration of a lineal image sensor and scope optics
combination which may be employed in the present system, wherein the reticle
patterns are provided in a reticle lens disposed intermediate objective and
field lenses.
FIG.
16 is an isometric view illustrating the provision of the reticle patterns
directly on the electronic image sensor tube.
FIG.
17 is a schematic isometric view illustrating a second form of remote mobile
unit with operative connections to the manual control unit of the console, the
mobile unit of FIG. 17 employing the periscopic optics form illustrated in
FIGS. 12, 13 and 14.
FIG.
18 is a side elevational view of the mobile unit shown in FIG. 17.
FIG.
19 is a rear end elevational view of the mobile unit shown in FIGS. 17 and 18,
with portions illustrated in transverse, vertical section.
FIG.
20 is a front end elevational view of the mobile unit shown in FIGS. 17 to 19,
with portions illustrated in transverse, vertical section.
FIG.
21 is a block diagram of a complete surveillance and weapon system in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG.
22 is an isometric view, with portions broken away, and partly in axial
section, illustrating a first weapon form according to the invention, wherein
the optics and electronic image sensor are linearly arranged concentric of the
weapon.
FIG.
23 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 23-23 in FIG. 22, with portions
removed, illustrating the manner in which diametrically opposed pairs of fire
pins are releasable through opposed cutouts in the fire pin release ring.
FIGS.
24 and 25 are diagrammatic illustrations illustrating the inclined cam ramp
configuration of one of the fife pin release ring cutouts, and the manner in which
this cooperates with a fire pin for rapid fire operation.
FIG.
26 is a fragmentary side elevationai view, partly in axial section,
illustrating the lineal relationship of the optics and image sensor in the
weapon form of FIGS. 22 to 25.
FIG.
27 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 22, with portions broken away and
partly in axial section, but illustrating a second weapon form which also has a
lineal optics4mage sensor combination, but which differs from the first weapon
form in having a self-contained stepper motor; the weapon form of FIO. 27 being
similar to that employed in the mobile unit shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
FIG.
28 is an exploded isometric view, with portions broken away and partly in axial
section, showing further details of the second weapon form shown in FIG. 27.
FIG.
29 is an isometric view, with portions broken away and partly in axial section,
similar to FIGS. 22 and 27, but illustrating a third weapon form which is
particularly compact in the axial direction and is adapted to be employed in
non-lineal relationship with the electronic image sensor, utilizing optics
arrangements similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11; this third, compact
weapon form being the form illustrated in connection with the mobile unit shown
in FIGS. 17 to 20.
FIG.
30 is an exploded isometric view, with portions broken away and partly in axial
section, illustrating further details of construction of the third weapon form
shown in PIG. 29.
FIG.
31 is a fragmentary cross-section taken on the line 31-31 in FIG. 30, illustrating
in detail the manner in which the firing pins are tripped in the weapon form of
FIGS. 29 and 30.
FIG.
32 is a diagrammatic isometric view illustrating the weapon form of FIGS. 29 to
31 in combination with the optics form illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.
FIG.
33 is a plan view of the fire control panel which constitutes a portion of the
control and surveillance console.
FIG.
34 is a wiring diagram of a weapon fire control system that may be employed in
the present invention.
FIG.
35 is a wiring diagram of a seat monitoring circuit.
DETAILED
DESCRIPTION
Referring
to the drawings, and at first particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 thereof, the
present invention is illustrated as a total surveillance and weapon system in
connection with a commercial airplane 10 of generally conventional, current
design, having a forward cockpit area generally designated 12, and elongated,
rearward passenger area generally designated 14, with a bulkhead 16 and doorway
18 shown in phantom separating the cockpit and passenger areas. A plurality of
rows of seats 20 is disposed on opposite sides of an aisle 22 extending the
length of the passenger area 14. The present surveillance and weapon system as
it is employed within a commercial airplane constitutes an effective
anti-hijacking system, and accordingly the system is illustrated in an
operatively deployed condition in FIG. I relative to a hijacker or extortionist
24 shown in a typical position standing in the aisle 22 in the passenger area
14.
For
most commercial aircraft applications of the present invention as an
anti-hijacking system, the system includes four principal portions, namely, (1)
a control or surveillance console 26, sometimes hereinafter simply referred to
as the control console, which is disposed in the cockpit area; (2) a remote
mobile unit 28 which includes drive means, weapon means, optical scope and
video sensing means for surveillance and weapon aiming, audio means and inhibit
encoder means defining weapon go and no-go areas; (3) an overhead track 30
extending over substantially the entire length of the aisle 22; and (4) a
one-way screen 32 preferably arranged as a decorative ceiling dement extending
substantially the entire length of the aisle, the one-way screen obscuring the
mobile unit 28 and track 210 and theft associated parts from the view of the
passengers, while nevertheless permitting surveillance and weapon aiming
therethrough from the mobile unit 28.
The
one-way screen may be made of conventional glass or plastic sheet material
having one-way visibility, and this one-way screen 32 is uniquely employed in
the present system for both its capacity to transmit light therethrough in only
one direction, and also its penetrability, by either breakage or performation,
upon actuation of the weapon. Thus, although such one-way screens have
heretofore been employed for a variety of surveillance purposes, in the present
surveillance and weapon system the one-way screen functions as a replaceable
entity that allows surveillance and weapon aiming through it while at the same
time hiding the weapon and surveillance equipment from passengers and hijacker
or potential hijacker alike;, and upon the necessity for firing the screen
permits passage of fired missiles therethrough and is thereby damaged and must
be replaced as a physic, al working part of the system.
The
reference numeral 34 designates a sky marchal, flight engineer or other crew
member in operative position before the control and surveillance console 26.
Such crew member 34 may continuously attend the console 26 during flight, or
may attend the console 26 only when alerted by an alarm from a stewardess or
upon noting a seat absence signal as hereinafter described.
Also
seen in FIG. 1 is a cable 38, which contains video coax and audio lines
extending from the mobile unit 28 to a retracting and tensioning reel 40 that
is overhead proximate the cockpit area 12, a cable section 41 then extending
from the reel 40 to the console 26.
Visible
in FIG.1 as portions of the mobile unit 28 are the weapon and coaxial forward
scope optics combination generally, designated 42, periscope-type weapon and
scope mounting means generally designated 44 which contains part of the optics;
an eletronic image sensor 46 which may be a diode face tube, vidicon, or other
electronic image sensor, an electronics support package generally designated 48
which includes the chassis for the electronic image sensor 46; linear travel
gear 50 which is a spur gear forming part of the drive system; and linear
encoder gear 52, which forms part of the inhibit system.
The
space that is available between ceiling and hull is so confined and restricted
in commercial airplanes of present conventional construction that a present
requirement of the system is that the image sensor 46 and its electronics
support package 48 be spaced apart on the mobile unit 28. Factors that
contribute to this requirement for separation of the electronic image sensor 46
and its support package 48 are the bulk of both the image sensor and its
support package according to the present state of the electronics art, and also
the requirement in the present system that the electronic image sensor 46 be
rotated on on its axis or be otherwise pivoted synchronously with tilting
movements of the weapon and optics combination 42 in order to provide the crew
member 34 with an untilted video image at the control and surveillance console
26. Such rotational or tilting movements of the electronic image sensor 46 will
be described hereinafter in more detail, particularly with relation to FIGS. 8
to 14 of the drawings.
FIG.1
illustrates the control console 26 disposed in a convenient position that is
available in most large commercial aircraft of conventional construction,
namely, against the port side wall in the cockpit area behind the pilot's seat.
In this position, the console is substantially completely shielded by the
bulkhead 16 from view from the passenger area 14, even if the doorway 18 should
be open. The console 26 is preferably completely hidden when not in use, even from
persona who may enter the cockpit area 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,
which show the console 26 as being foldable from the operative position
illustrated in FIG. 2 to a closed and locked position within its base 36 so as
to form a desk-like structure having the appearance of a simple utility table.
FIG.4
illustrates the principal operative portions of the control and surveillance
console 26 in its presently preferred form. The console includes an upper panel
portion 54 primarily employed for surveillance purposes, and a lower panel 56
primarily employed for control purposes. The upper panel portion SI includes a
video screen 58 that is normally employed for surveillance purposes, but which
is also used by the operator in aiming the weapon. A reticle image 60,
preferably including both cross hairs and centering rings, is visible on the
screen 58.This reticle image 60 is preferably provided directly from reticle
patterns disposed in coaxially centered relationship with the weapon itself on
the mobile unit 28, either in the optics or on the image sensor, so as to
preclude any possibility of misalignment or parallax in the aiming of the
weapon. Alternatively, the reticle image 60 may be derived from reticle
patterns provided directly in the console 26, as for example provided directly
on the screen 58; however, this approach requires assurance of proper alignment
between the optics-image sensor-weapon combination in the mobile unit 28 on the
one hand, and in the video portion of the control console 26 on the other hand.
Highly refined accuracy in the ability to aim the weapon from the remote
control console 26 is critical in the commercial aircraft environment because
of such factors as the presence of large numbers of persons in relatively
closely confined quarters, the danger of damage to perhaps critical aircraft
structures in the event of a miss, and the danger of retaliatory action by the
hijacker in the event of a miss or of an inaccurate shot which is not
immediately totally incapacitating. The provision of the reticle pattern in
directly coaxial relationship with the weapon is therefore much the preferred
arrangement in the present system.
Similar
factors also make the remote aiming critical in other environments for which
the invention is particularly well adapted, as for example in a bank installation
of the present surveillance and weapon system. A bank presents a protection
problem that is very similar to that of a commercial airplane, in that it is a
frequent target for the armed bandit; the problem occurs in an enclosure, in
this case generally a large room rather thon the passenger compartment of an
aircraft, wherein there are likely to be many persons in closely spaced
relationship, and there is ceiling structure above which the mobile portion of
the present invention may be disposed behind a one way screen. In the aircraft
environment it is important to have the control and surveillance portion of the
system isolated in a separate compartment from the compartment in which the
problem is likely to arise, and which can be locked so as to be completely
inaccessible to the hijacker. Similarly, in the bank environment it is also
important that the control and surveillance portion of the system be located
elsewhere than in the main bank room where the robbery is likely to occur, so
as to be inaccessible to the robber and not subject to retaliatory action.
Thus, in the bank installation, the control console may simply be located in
another room in the bank, and may either be continually operative and monitored
or may be turned on in response to an alert from a teller or other person in
the main banking room. Alternatively, a plurality of banks may be monitored and
controlled from a single central station, as for example from a police station,
and this may be accomplished through either a closed circuit video system or an
open circuit video system. The open circuit-type video system can involve an
emergency takeover by the central controller of a local television channel, as
for example an educational channel, to provide the necessary video connection
from any one of a number of banks in the locale to the central station.
Such
monitoring and control of a plurality of banks from a single central control
station may involve the use of only a single control console which can be
switched into communication with any of the banks being serviced; or
alternatively a separate control console may be connected with the remote unit
in each bank.
In
aircraft installations of the present invention it is preferred to have each system
individually controlled from the cockpit of the aircraft, because the aircraft
is in the nature of a "ship" and final authority and decision is in
the captain of the individual aircraft. Thus, although a central ground control
can be provided for a plurality of airplanes, it is not contemplated to be the
normal arrangement.
Another
"indoor" type environment for which the present surveillance and
weapon system is particularly well suited is prisons, as a deterrent and
preventive measure to control riots and attempted escapes.
Various
other environments for which the present surveillance and weapon system may be
adapted, as well as the advantages of the present system in its various
environments, will become more apparent during the course of the following
detailed description of several presently preferred embodiments.
Referring
again to FIG. 4, the upper panel portion 54 of the console 26 also includes a
video and audio recorder generally designated 62 for preserving a record of
events in which the system is utilized. The reference numeral 62 also generally
indicates audio components of the system, which includes a speaker for audio
observation of the region proximate the mobile unit, and also preferably
includes a microphone enabling the operator of the console to communicate with
a subject being observed.
The
lower panel portion 56 of control console 23 includes a weaon fire control
panel 64, a seat signal board 66, and a manual control unit 70. The firm
control panel 64 is shown and described in detail in connection with FIGS.33
and 34 of the drawings. The seat signal board 66 is electrically connected to
each seat or to each row of seats so that in its energized condition light
signals on the seat signal board 66 will, through electrical switching means in
the individual seats, indicate the vacating of either an individual seat or one
of a particular row or group of seats. By this means the seat signal board 66
facilitates observation of suspicious passengers in the aircraft by instantly
alorting the controller when such person arises from his seat. A presently
preferred seat monitoring circuit and operation thereof will be described
hereinafter in connection with FIG. 35.
It
is to be noted in FIG. 4 that the manual control unit 70, which is in the
general form of a control column or stick, is positioned directly below and in
front of the video surveillance screen 58. This is a particularly useful
arrangement to facilitate coordination of manual control movements of the
control unit 70 in response to movements of the subject as observed on the
video surveillance screen 58.
Referring
now particularly to FIG.5 of the drawings, the control unit 70 is illustrated
in detail in this figure, and to facilitate an understanding of the control
functions of the control unit 70, three control potentiometers for the
respective lineal, pan and tilt control movements are schematically illustrated
on the respective movement axes and are electrically connected to the
corresponding lineal, pan and tilt motors in the mobile unit 28 shown in
structural detail in FIGS. 6 and 7. Similarly, video and audio electrical
connections are schematically illustrated between the control console shown in
FIG. 4 and the mobile unit as shown in FIGS.6 and 7.
The
control unit 70 includes a generally cylindrical pivoted base 74 that is
mounted in the. lower panel portion 56 of console 26 for pivoting movement
about a horizontal, transverse axis 76. Generally upright control shaft 77
extends upwardly from the pivoted base 74 and terminates at its upper end in a
control yoke 78. A control handle 70 is rotatably or pivotally supported
between the bifurcations of the yoke 75 on a pivot axis 80 that is at right
angles to the axis of the shaft 77. A trigger switch 81 and a triggr safety
switch 82 arc disposed on the left-hand side of the control yoke 78 for
convenient access to the thumb of a controller who has his fight hand on the
control handle 79. The control yoke 78 is rotatable or pivotal about pivot axis
83, which is the axis of the shaft 77.
Linear
or track controller 84, which may be a potentiometer as illustrated, is operatively
connected to the pivoted base 74 so as to provide an output signal
corresponding to forward and rearward movements of the control handle 79, which
movements cause forward and rearward tilting movements of the shaft 77 and
consequent pivoting movements of the base 74 about its axis 76.
Pan
controller 86, which may be a potentiometer as illustrated, is operatively
connected to the yoke 78 through shaft 77 so as to provide an output signal
corresponding to pivoting movements of the control handle 79 and yoke 78 about
the pivot axis 83 of the shaft 77.
Tilt
controller 88, which may also be a potentiometer as illustrated, is operatively
connected between the control handle 79 and the yoke 79 so as to provide an
output signal corresponding to forward and rearward pivoting or tilting
movements of the control handle 79 in the control yoke 78 about the pivot axis
80.
Coordinating
the manual control unit 70 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and its respective linear,
pan and tilt controllers 84, 86 and 88, with the mobile unit 28 as illustrated
in FIGS. 6 and 7, linear or track conductor 90 connects the linear or track
controller 84 of FIG. 5 with the linear or track motor 92 as shown in FIG. 6 so
as to drive the mobile unit 28 forwardly or rearwardly along the track axis 94
pursuant to respective forward or rearward movements of the manual control unit
70.
Similarly,
pan conductor 96 connects pan controller 86 of FIG. 5 with pan motor 98 as
shown in each of FIGS. 6 and 7 to provide clockwise or anticlockwise panning
movements of the weapon-optics combination 42 about the vertical pan axis 100
in response to respective clockwise or anticlockwise pivoting movements of the
control handle 79 and yoke 78 about the axis 83.
A
tilt conductor 102 connects the tilt controller 88 of FIG. 5 with tilt motor
104 as shown in FIG. 6 so as to tilt the weapon-optics combination 42 about its
tilt axis 106 in either direction pursuant to respective tilting movements of
the control handle 79 about its axis 80 in the yoke 78.
While
the controllers 84, 86 and 88 illustrated in FIG.5, the respective conductors
90, 96 and 102, and the respective motors 92, 98 and 104 shown in FIGS. 6 and
7, are illustrated as being electrically operable, it will be understood that
they may alternatively be hydraulically or pneumatically operable within the
scope of the invention.
As
is schematically illustrated with respect to the controllers 84, 86 and 88, the
control deflections of the manual control unit 70 from the neutral positions
(which are the positions in which the controllers 84, 86 and 88 are
illustrated) cause corresponding movements of the weapon-optics combination 42
at rates that are generally proportional to the amounts of deflection,
movements of the weapon-optics combination 42 stop-ping when the three movable
portions of the control unit 70 are returned to their neutral positions. In
this manner, the control functions operate in a manner similar to aircraft
controls, so as to be comfortable and familiar to an operator who is
experienced in aircraft operation. Also, the control motions of the manual
control unit 70 are closely related to the movements that are observed on the
video surveillance screen 58. This relationship is a direct one, in that
forward movement of the control unit 70 causes forward lineal movement of the
mobile unit 28 along the track 30 in the direction as viewed on the screen 58;
pivoting movement of the control handle 79 and yoke 78 clockwise about axis 83
will cause panning movement of the weapon-optics combination 42 to the right as
viewed on screen 58, and vice versa; and forward or overhand tilting movement
of the control handle 79 about its axis 80 on yoke 78 will cause a
corresponding downward tilting movement of the weapon-optics combination 42,
and vice versa.
If
desired, the control unit 70 and its movable portions may be spring-loaded
toward their neutral positions, so that upon release thereof they will
automatically return to the neutral positions, in which positions the mobile
unit 28 and the weapon-optics combination 42 are stationary on all three axes,
the lineal or track axis 94, the pan axis 100, and the tilt axis 106.
As
schematically illustrated in relation to FIGS. 4 and 6, the cable 38 from
electronics support package 48 includes a video coax 108 and audio line 110,
these being connected through reel 40 to respective video coax 111 and audio
line 112 in cable 41 leading to the console 26. The reel 40 includes tensioning
and return spring 114, and also includes a coaxial slip ring 115 to provide
connection between coaxes 108 and 111 and an audio ship ring 116 to provide
connection between the audio lines 110 and 112.
Referring
now particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, these figures illustrate details of one
transport system or mobile unit 28. This and other transport systems employed
in the passenger compartment area of a conventional commercial airliner will
have generally the same track, ceiling and one-way screen arrangement. The
track 30 is supported on fuselage structure generally designated 118 spaced
above the one-way screen 32 and ceiling 120. Ceiling 120 is provided with a
series of slots 122 adjacent to the one-way screen 32 along the length thereof
as audio sound passages. While the one-way screen 32 may be supported in any
desired manner, one manner of support is connection thereof along its side
edges with adjoining edges of the ceiling 120 by means of longitudinally
arranged, slotted connector strips 124. For convenience in fabrication and
mounting, the one-way screen 32 will normally be composed of a series of
generally flat screen panels as best illustrated in FIG.1. The weapon-optics
combination 42 will, in its centered position as best illustrated in FIG. 7,
normally be generally laterally centered above the one-way screen 32, and the
one-way screen 32 will extend a substantial distance on either side of the
weapon-optics combination 42, so that seating areas along the sides of the
passenger compartment are accessible to the weapon-optics combination 42.
The
weapon which is a part of the weapon-optics combination 42 illustrated in FIGS.
6 and 7 is generally designated 126, and is the second weapon form that is
illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28 of the drawings and described in detail in
connection with those figures. This weapon form 126 embodies a lineal
arrangement 128 of the optics and the image sensor 46, the weapon 126 and
optics-image sensor arrangement 128 being supported in housing structure 130.
A
cable section 132 is shown connected between the image sensor 46 and the
electronics support package 48 to provide video connection therebetween, while
nevertheless allowing the various pivoting and tilting movements of the image
sensor 46 On the mobile unit 28 relative to the fixed positioning of the
electronics support package 48 on the mobile unit 28. If desired, wiring for
weapon actuation may also be included in cable section 132. Audio unit 136 is
mounted on the support package is, and includes a microphone for audio
monitoring, and preferably also includes a speaker for twoway communication
between the controller and a hijacker or the like. The entire mobile unit 28 is
supported on a car or traveling base that is generally designated 138 and is
longitudinally movable in the track 30.
The
track 30 is preferably in the form of a wide, shallow, inverted 0, with the car
138 having side flanges engaged in slots in the depending sides of the U, and
with a series of parallel, spaced, electrical contact strips or bus bars 140
mounted on an insulated carrier board 142 extending across the inside of the
base of the track 30. Track wipers 144 ride on the respective contact strips
140, and are supported on the car 138 by means of an insulated carrier board
146. A downwardly exposed rack 148 extends along the length of one of the sides
of track 30 and is engaged by linear travel spur gear 50. The track motor 92
drives a worm 149, which in turn drives a worm gear 150 that is connected to
the lineal travel gear 50 to drive the latter along the rack 148.
A supporting yoke body 151 for the
weapon-optics-image sensor combination pivots about the vertical pan axis 100,
being pivotally mounted on vertical shaft 152 that is fixedly connected to the
car 138, depending therefrom. Vertical shaft 152 has a fixed worm gear 153 on
its lower, free end, and a worm 154 rotatable on yoke body 151 is engaged with
the fixed worm gear 153. Pan motor 98, which is fixed to the yoke body 151,
drives the worm 154 which climbs around the fixed worm gear 153 so as to pivot
the yoke body 151 in panning movement about the pan axis 100.
Electrical
connections are made from the car 138 to the pivotal yoke 151 to energize the
drives associated with the yoke 151, and also if desired to actuate the weapon
126, by means of a slip ring disc 156 mounted in the car 138 and having a
plurality of spaced annular contact strips 158 thereon which are coaxial with the
pan axis 100. A plurality of corresponding contact wipers 160 are supported on
an insulated gear body 162 fixed to the yoke body 151, the leads for contact
wipers 160 extending through the insulated gear body 162 and being wired to a
junction strip 164 on yoke body 151 which provides the required electrical
connections for the pan and tilt motors 911 and 104, respectively, for tilt
encoder 166, and if desired also for energizing the weapon 126.
A
ring gear 168 forming the periphery of the insulated gear body 162 drives pan
encoder gear 170 which is connected to the pan encoder 172.
A
flit worm 174 is rotatably supported on the yoke body 151 and driven by tilt
motor 104. The tilt worm 174 is operatively engaged with tilt worm gear 176,
which in turn is fixed on weapon tilt shaft 178 that provides trunion-like
mounting of the weapon-optics-image sensor body 130 in the yoke body 131.
Accordingly, the tilt motor 104 drives the housing structure 130 for tilting
movement on shaft 178 through worm 174 and gear 176. The tilt encoder 166 is
supported on yoke body 151 and is also operatively connected to the tilt shaft
178.
A
linear or track encoder 180 is driven off of the rack 148. The linear encoder
180 may comprise a single encoder wheel driven through reduction gears to have
only one revolution for the entire length of the track; or alternatively, it
may comprise a plurality of related encoder wheels, such as units and tens
encoder wheels for better resolution.
It
will be noted that the linear, pan and tilt movements of the housing structure
130 supporting the weapon 126, optics 128 and image sensor 46, are all actuated
through worm drives for self-locking actuation as to all axes against slippage
from weapon recoil or otherwise. It is to be further noted that the weapon and
scope axis is centered relative to the pan axis 100 and also relative to the
tilt ~ 10~, such centering coupled with a firing mode of the weapon 126 wherein
simultaneous firing occurs on opposite sides of the weapon-optics axis, results
in substantially no recoil torque being applied relative to either the pan axis
or the tilt axis.
Refereace will now be made to sheet 3 of
the drawings on which three different optics arrangements are illustrated with
relation to the weapon and image sensor, these optics arrangements permitting
minimization of the space depth occupied by the weapon, optics and image sensor.
Such space depth minimization is important in the commercial aircraft
environment of the present invention because of the very limited amount of
vertical space that is available above the ceiling structure having the one-way
screen therein. The three different optics arrangements illustrated on sheet 3
of the drawings all avoid the requirement that the electronic image sensor tube
46 (which necessarily has substantial length) be tilted along with the weapon
and forward optics. With these three optical systems, only the weapon and a
forward portion of the optics coaxial with the weapon are tilted, an the image
sensor tube remains in fixed position relative to the tilt axis, with its only
movements being a pivoting about the pan axis and a pivoting thereof about its
own longitudinal axis to compensate for tilting of the forward optics portion
so as to result in an untilted image at the control console to avoid operator
confusion.
The
first optics form is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, and is generally designated
by the reference numeral 190. The optics form 190 involves acute angle mirror
or prism deflection of the light from the axis of the weapon and forward optics
combination to the axis of the image sensor. Optics form 190 includes a tubular
body 192 in the form of an obtuse elbow. Tubular body 192 includes a rearward
axial section 194 that is coaxial with the image sensor 46, but which has a
rotational connection therewith permitting relative rotation between the image
sensor and body 192. Tubular body 192 also includes a forward angle section 196
upon which the weapon-forward optics combination 42 is fixedly mounted.
A
field lens 198 is mounted in the axial body section 194 so as to be coaxial
with the image sensor 46; an objective lens 202 and a reticle lens 204 are coaxially
mounted in the weapon so as to be a part of the weapon-optics combination 42;
and acute angle deflector 200 is arranged to deflect light from the axis of the
weapon-forward optics combination 42 to the axis of image sensor, the deflection
angle illustrated being about 45'.
The
acute angle deflection form 190 of optics provides two alternative modes of
operation. In one mode of operation, the image sensor 46 can be locked in
parallel to the track 30 so as to not pivot about the vertical pan axis 100,
and than a combination panning and tilting action can be provided by simply
tilting tubular body 192, and hence also the weapon and forward optics
combination 42, about the image sensor axis from side to side as indicated in
FIG. 9, wherein the solid line illustration shows the weapon-optics combination
aimed forwardly and downwardly, while the phantom line illustrations show the
weapon-optics combination 42 aimed toward the sides.
The
other mode of operation that can be employed with the optics form 190 shown in
FIG. 8 is to lock the tubular body 192, and hence the weapon-forward optics
combination 42, against tilting from the position illustrated in FIG. 8 and the
solid line position of FIG. 9 and then pivoting the entire combination of image
sensor 46, tubular body 192 and weapon-optics combination 42 about the vertical
pan axis 100 so as to swing the weapon-forward optics combination from side to
side.
The
second optics form 210 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 involves a right angle mirror
or prism deflection of the light path. Optics form 210 utilizes a tubular body
212 in the form of a 90' angle elbow having an axial section 214 rotatably
coupled relative to the image sensor tube 46 and having a 90' angle section 216
to which the weapon-forward optics combination 42 is secured. In order from the
image sensor end of the light path are a field lens 218 in the body 212 and
axially aligned with the image sensor 46; the 90' angle deflector 220 in body
212; and reticle lens 222 and objective lens 224 in the weapon-forward optics
combination 42.
The normal mode of operation for the
second optics form 210 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is to travel along the track
30 with the image sensor tube 46 disposed crosswise to the direcion of travel
along the track. Thus, as viewed in FIG. 10, the second form 210 is arranged to
travel along the track in a direction normal to the plane of the drawing sheet.
As viewed in FIG.11, in this mode of operation the optics form 210 will travel
along the track either to the right or to the left parallel to the plane of the
page. It will be assumed that the direction to the right in FIG.11 is the
forward travel direction, and that the direction to the left is the rearward
travel direction. Referring to FIG.11, as the weapon-forward optics unit 42
tilts downwardly from the fight-hand phantom line horizontal position toward
the 90' solid line position, the image sensor 46 rotates in the opposite
direction but at a synchronous rate so as to compensate for the tilting and
thereby prevent the image presented at the console 26 from being tilted. Then,
as the weapon-optics combination 42 swings rearwardly or to the left in FIG. 11
beyond the solid line 90' or vertical position toward the left-hand phantom
line horizontal position, the image sensor tube 46 is rotated in the same
direction as the tilting of the weapon-optics combination 42 to continue to
prevent tilting of the image at the console 26. Also, as the weapon-optics
combination 42 passes rearwardly through the vertical position, the polarity of
the magnetic yoke coil of the image sensor tube 46 is reversed to prevent image
inversion and consequent disorientation at console 26. Then, as the
weapon-optics combination 42 swings back down from the rearward position to the
left in FIG.11, toward the vertical or 90' position, the image sensor tube 46
is synchronously rotated in the same direction until the weapon-optics
combination 42 reaches the 90' position shown in solid lines, at which time the
polarity of the image sensor coil is again reversed and the image sensor tube
is again oppositely rotated until the forward or right-band phantom line
position of the weapon-optics combination 42 is achieved.
Panning
of the second optics form shown in FIGS.10 and 11 is achieved by simply
rotating or pivoting the entire device 210 about the vertical pan axis 100,
normally with the weapon-optics unit 42 somewhere between the vertical or 90'
solid line position shown in FIG.11 and one of the forward or rearward horizontal
positions shown in phantom lines in FIG. 11.
By
synchronizing the tilting of the weapon-forward optics combination 42 with the
rotation of image sensor tube 46 so that the direction of rotation of the image
sensor tube 46 and the polarity of its magnetic yoke coil are reversed as the weapon-optics
combination 42 passes through the vertical or 90' position, it is unnecessary
at any time to pan around all of the way through roughly 180'. This is a big
advantage if the subject being surveyed walks directly under the mobile unit in
the forward-rearward direction (generally parallel with the track 30), or if
the mobile unit should be shifted in the lineal direction along the track so as
to cover the subject from his other side (as for example to avoid firing into a
hostage), ff it were necessary to pan all of the way around, the subject would
be out of view for a substantial part of the panning movement, whereas being
able to tilt through a full 180' as illustrated in FIG. 11 enables the subject
to be kept constantly in view as he walks under the mobile unit, or as the
mobile unit passes over him; and this is accomplished without the image at the
control console 26 being either tilted or inverted.