Electronic firearm and process for controlling an electronic firearm

Electronic firearm for firing electrically activated ammunition comprising a system control means for controlling and regulating firing, diagnostic functions, power consumption, and a process for operating the firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to firearms and more particularly to electronic 
firearms for firing electrically activated ammunition. Specifically, the 
present invention relates to an electronic firearm for firing electrically 
activated ammunition and a process for controlling an electronic firearm. 
While there are many prior references to electronic firearms in general, 
and more specifically to electronic firearms for firing electrically 
activated ammunition, these prior references have failed to provide a 
control system for coordinating and controlling the firearm's electronic 
components and the functions they execute and regulate. Much like there is 
a need for a brain to control the many components in a human body and 
communicate with and monitor those components through an electronic 
network of nerves, there is a need for a system control or brain in an 
electronic firearm to regulate the flow of electricity, control the many 
electronic components, and monitor the functions of each component and the 
whole to assure a more reliable and accurate firearm. 
Accordingly, a need remains for a more reliable and accurate electronic 
firearm for firing electrically activated ammunition. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides an electronic firearm and a system for 
controlling the firearm which exhibits a reliability and level of control 
that has heretofore been unavailable. 
Specifically, the present invention provides, in an electronic firearm for 
firing electrically activated ammunition comprising a barrel attached to a 
receiver, a chamber formed in the barrel adjacent to the receiver, the 
receiver being adapted to receive at least one round of electrically fired 
ammunition, the barrel and receiver encased in a stock, a moveable bolt 
assembly positioned within the receiver, the bolt assembly being adapted 
to convey a round of ammunition from the receiver into the chamber of the 
barrel, the bolt assembly comprising a bolt body, a bolt handle capable of 
moving the bolt assembly among open, closed, and closed and locked 
positions, and an electrically conductive firing pin, a trigger assembly 
operatively connected to the bolt assembly, a voltage supply means, and a 
safety mechanism having at least a "safe" and "fire" position, the 
improvement comprising: 
A. A system control means receiving power from the voltage supply means, 
programmed to control firing, safety, power conservation, and diagnostic 
functions, the system control means comprising: 
i. Voltage increasing means connected to transmit increased voltage to the 
firing pin; 
ii. Switching means for isolating the firing pin from the voltage 
increasing means, and the voltage increasing means from the voltage supply 
means, the switching means being activated upon the occurrence of at least 
one condition selected from: 
a. the absence of a round of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel; 
b. the safety being in the safe position; 
c. the bolt being in the unlocked position; 
d. the bolt being in the open position; 
e. the passing of a predetermined period of inactivity of the firearm; and 
f. the failure or malfunction of the system control means or any component 
connected thereto; 
iii. Means for electronically detecting the presence of a round of 
ammunition within the chamber of the barrel; 
iv. Means for monitoring the capacity of the voltage supply means; and 
v. Electronic safety operatively connected to the safety mechanism for 
preventing voltage from reaching the firing pin when the safety is in the 
safe position and for preventing the system control means from detecting a 
trigger pull when the safety is in the safe position; 
B. Electronic trigger switch operatively connected to the trigger and the 
system control means, the electronic trigger switch adapted to send a 
signal to the system control means when the trigger is pulled; 
C. Electrical isolation means insulating the body of the firing pin, the 
firing pin having a forward conductive end and a rearward conductive area, 
the forward conductive end positioned to transmit voltage to a round of 
ammunition within the chamber of the barrel only when the bolt assembly is 
in a closed and locked position, the rearward conductive area positioned 
to receive voltage only when the bolt assembly is in the closed and locked 
position; and 
D. At least one indicator operatively connected to the system control 
means. 
The instant invention further provides a process for firing electrically 
activated ammunition from the electronic firearm described above, 
comprising: 
A. Controlling and coordinating all firing, safety, power conservation, and 
diagnostic functions, and regulating the distribution of power to the 
firing pin by; 
i. Increasing the voltage from the voltage supply means, and regulating the 
transmission of the increased voltage to the firing pin; 
ii. Conserving power by isolating the firing pin from the voltage 
increasing means, and the voltage increasing means from the voltage supply 
means, upon the occurrence of at least one condition selected from: 
a. the absence of a round of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel; 
b. the safety being in the safe position; 
c. the bolt being in the unlocked position; 
d. the bolt being in the open position; 
e. the passing of a predetermined period of inactivity of the firearm; 
f. the failure or malfunction of the system control means or any component 
connected thereto; 
iii. Electronically detecting the presence of ammunition within the chamber 
of the barrel; 
iv. Monitoring the capacity of the voltage supply means; and 
v. Preventing voltage from reaching the firing pin when the safety is in 
the safe position and preventing the system control from accepting the 
signal from the trigger switch generated by a trigger pull when the safety 
is in the safe position; 
B. Sending a signal to the system control means when the trigger is pulled; 
and 
C. Indicating the status of the firearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the 
figures. 
The description below pertains to one embodiment of an operational sequence 
that can be utilized by a system control means of a firearm of the present 
invention. Variations and modifications of this operational sequence can 
be substituted without departing from the principles of the invention, as 
will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
The system control means can vary widely, and can be selected from 
software, firmware, microcode, microprocessor, microcontroller, discrete 
digital logic, discrete analog logic, and custom integrated logic, and the 
like. The specific system control means selected can be programmed or 
otherwise directed to utilize an operational sequence of the present 
invention by various methods known in the computer arts. The system 
control means is preferably embodied on a circuit board, and the circuit 
board can be of a modular type commonly used in personal computers. To 
decrease the possibility of malfunction from environmental or other 
external conditions, the circuit board preferably comprises a protective 
surface modification. The system control means can be within the firearm 
or external to it. However, it is preferably within the firearm, and 
positioning within the stock of the firearm is especially preferred. 
The operational sequence is based upon an embodiment of a firearm of the 
present invention in which the system control means is activated by the 
insertion of a voltage supply means, such as a battery. Once activated, 
there are two conditions from which the system control means will proceed 
to analyze information and control the components of the system, depending 
on the circumstances, these being a cold start and a warm start. 
A cold start is defined as the initial activity of the system control means 
upon being activated. The system control means is activated by the 
installation of a voltage supply means, preferably a commercially 
available 9 volt battery. A system authorization switch is provided which 
communicates with the system control to activate the firearm. In a 
preferred embodiment, the system authorization switch is key activated to 
prevent unauthorized activation of the firearm. 
According to the operational sequence discussed above, if the voltage 
supply means, in this embodiment a battery, has been inserted into the 
firearm, the system control will receive power and check to assure the 
battery is viable. A viable battery is one that the system control 
determines exceeds a predetermined voltage level. In the embodiment shown, 
an indicator such as an LED is operatively connected to the system control 
means to convey information from the system control means regarding the 
status of the firearm to the operator. Specifically, the system control 
means can cause the LED to be illuminated in one color to signify that the 
system control means is operational and it can cause the LED to be 
illuminated in a different color to convey other information. Alternately, 
the system control can be connected to several LEDs or other visual 
indicators, or the indicator can consist of audio signals. In the 
embodiment shown, if the system control detects a weak battery, it causes 
the LED to intermittently flash an error code to signal an error and alert 
the operator to the problem. 
According to the present operational sequence, if the system control has 
been activated and has determined that the battery is viable, it will then 
check to determine whether the firearm's electronic safety switch is in 
the safe position. If the safety is not in the safe position, the system 
control will flash an error code and recheck to determine whether the 
battery is viable. While the system control is communicating an error to 
the operator via the LED, it will not permit the firearm to be fired. If 
the condition causing the system control to communicate the error is not 
corrected within a predetermined period of time, the system control will 
place the firearm in a sleep mode. The sleep mode is discussed in detail 
below. If the system control determines that the battery is viable and the 
safety is not in the safe position, it will continue to flash the error 
code on the LED until the safety is moved to the safe position. After the 
safety has been placed in the safe position, the system control will place 
the firearm in the sleep mode until the operator causes the system control 
to awaken the firearm. The process of awakening the firearm from the sleep 
mode, called a warm start, is accomplished by switching the safety from 
the safe position to the fire position. 
After determining that the battery is viable, the system control means will 
place the firearm in a sleep mode to conserve power. The firearm will 
remain in the sleep mode until the actions of the firearm's operator cause 
the system control to awaken the firearm from the sleep mode. The system 
control means can notify the operator that it has placed the firearm in 
the sleep mode by extinguishing the LED. When the firearm is in the sleep 
mode, the system control isolates the firing pin from the voltage 
increasing means. In the sleep mode, power consumption is significantly 
decreased, and the potential of the firearm being accidentally discharged 
or activated is significantly reduced because the firing pin is 
electrically isolated and cannot receive power, and thus cannot discharge 
any power to ammunition that may be present in the chamber of the barrel. 
In addition to isolating the firing pin from the voltage increasing means 
when the firearm is placed in the sleep mode, the system control will also 
isolate the voltage increasing means from the battery and cause it to 
safely discharge any energy stored therein. 
For example, if the firearm were loaded and dropped while in the sleep 
mode, the force of the drop would not cause the ammunition to be activated 
because the firing pin would have been electrically isolated by the system 
control means. Even if the force of the drop was sufficient to cause the 
trigger to close and activate the electronic trigger switch, the logic 
signal sent by the trigger switch to the system control would not cause 
the system control to direct power to flow from the voltage increasing 
means to the firing pin, and energy stored in the voltage increasing means 
will have been eliminated and thus would be insufficient to activate the 
ammunition. Accordingly, the sleep mode function of the system control can 
help prevent accidental activation of ammunition that may be in the 
chamber of the firearm under the above circumstances, and it provides a 
means of conserving the energy of the battery effectively extending the 
battery life. Consequently the firearm is more likely to be capable of 
firing over a longer period of time. 
When the firearm is in the sleep mode, the system control will initiate a 
warm start when the safety is switched from the safe to the fire position. 
After the safety has been placed in the fire position, the system control 
determines whether the trigger has been pulled and held while the safety 
was switched from the safe to the fire position. This feature further 
limits the possibility of accidental firing and is not found in many 
previous electronic firearms. If the trigger has been pulled and held as 
the safety is being switched to the fire position, the system control will 
activate the error code, and will continue to flash the error code until 
the safety is switched back to the safe position. After the safety has 
been switched to the safe position, the system control will return the 
firearm to the sleep mode until a warm start is again initiated. The 
system control will not awaken the firearm until the safety is switched 
from the safe to the fire position and the system control does not detect 
the trigger being pulled during the transition from safe to fire position. 
According to this operational sequence, if the safety has been switched 
from the safe to the fire position and the system control does not detect 
trigger pull by sensing the condition and position of the switch in the 
trigger assembly, the system control will check to determine the voltage 
level of the battery. If the system determines that the battery voltage 
level is below a first predetermined minimum level, an error code will be 
flashed to notify the operator that the battery should be replaced. The 
system control will then compare the voltage level of the battery to a 
second predetermined minimum, and if the voltage level is below the second 
predetermined minimum, the system control will shut down the firearm. When 
the firearm is shut down, a new battery must be inserted before the system 
control can be reactivated. Once the battery has been installed, the 
firearm restarts in the cold start state as previously discussed. 
If the system control determines that the voltage level is below the first 
predetermined minimum but exceeds the second predetermined minimum, it 
will flash an error code while checking to determine whether the bolt 
assembly is in the closed and locked position. If the system control 
determines that the bolt assembly is not in the closed and locked 
position, it will continue to check the voltage level of the battery to 
determine if it exceeds the second minimum until the bolt assembly is 
closed and locked. However, if the bolt assembly is not closed and locked 
within a predetermined period of time, the system control will place the 
firearm in the sleep mode. 
After the system control determines that the level of voltage from the 
battery exceeds either predetermined minimum level and that the bolt 
assembly is in the closed and locked position, it will proceed to check 
for the presence of a round of ammunition within the chamber of the 
barrel. If no round of ammunition is detected within the chamber of the 
barrel, the system control will recheck the safety to determine whether it 
is in the fire position. If the safety is not in the fire position, the 
firearm will be placed in the sleep mode. If, however, the safety is in 
the fire position and no round is detected, the system will recheck the 
battery voltage level to assure that the battery is viable. At this stage 
of the sequence, if the system control determines that the battery's 
voltage level is above the second minimum limit, the battery, bolt, and 
round present check process will continue for a predetermined time period, 
after which the firearm will be placed in sleep mode. 
The system control, by communicating with the means for detecting a round 
of ammunition within the chamber, can detect the presence of a round in 
the chamber. In alternate embodiments, the system control can also be 
adapted to test the detected round to determine if it is viable, as is 
more fully described below. 
As the system control continues to follow this operational sequence, it 
will supply the voltage increasing means with power from the battery if it 
determines a round is present, or in alternate embodiments, if the round 
in the chamber is viable. When the system control means determines that 
the voltage increasing means is charged, it can notify the operator that 
the firearm is ready to be fired by illuminating the LED. At this point in 
the process, the power in the voltage increasing means will be released to 
the firing pin when the system control receives a logic signal from the 
trigger switch when the trigger is pulled, thus firing the electrically 
activated round of ammunition. If the trigger is not pulled within a 
predetermined period of time, the system will place the firearm in the 
sleep mode and cause the voltage increasing means to safely discharge the 
energy stored therein. The system control will notify the operator of the 
change in the firearm's status through the LED. When the firearm is placed 
in the sleep mode with the safety in the fire position, the operator may 
reawaken the firearm from the sleep mode by cycling the safety switch from 
fire back to the safe position, and back again to the fire position. 
According to this sequence, after the firearm has been fired, the voltage 
increasing means and the LED will be shut down by the system control, 
which will then check to determine whether the safety is in the fire 
position. Subsequently, the system control will check the voltage level of 
the battery, whether the bolt assembly is closed and locked, and whether a 
round is present in the chamber. If the safety is in the fire position, 
the battery is viable, the bolt is closed and locked, and a viable round 
of ammunition is present in the chamber, the system control will return to 
the firing sequence detailed above. 
By directly controlling the voltage increasing means and the means for 
detecting the presence and viability of a round of ammunition within the 
chamber, the system control provides a means of increasing the reliability 
of an electronic firearm for firing electronically activated ammunition. 
The system control receives a logic signal when the trigger is pulled, but 
this signal is not transformed into a command to fire the weapon until the 
system control has communicated with the electronic safety switch, the 
bolt assembly, and the means for detecting the presence and viability of a 
round within the chamber. Only after the system control has determined 
that all conditions for which it has been programmed to check have been 
satisfied will it allow the firearm to be fired. If the preprogrammed 
conditions have all been met, upon the pulling of the trigger the system 
control will cause the voltage increasing means to discharge its power to 
the electronic contact on the trigger assembly, through the firing pin 
contact and the firing pin and to the ammunition. 
FIGS. 1 through 11 show various aspects of possible embodiments of a 
firearm of the present invention that can be adapted to utilize the 
operational sequence described above. Variations and modifications of 
these embodiments can be substituted without departing from the principles 
of the invention, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
In FIGS. 1 through 11 the firearm has a barrel 10 which is attached to 
receiver 11, and a stock 12. The stock consists of a forearm 12A at a 
forward portion thereof, a pistol grip 12B at a middle portion, and a butt 
12C at a rearward portion thereof. Both the barrel and receiver are 
encased in the forearm 12A of the stock 12. The barrel has a chamber 
formed in its rear end where it is attached to the receiver. The chamber 
is connected and adapted to receive ammunition from the receiver. A bolt 
assembly, generally indicated as 20, is movably positioned within the 
receiver, behind and substantially aligned with the barrel, and has a 
handle 21. The barrel 10, receiver 11, bolt assembly 20, and trigger 
assembly 40 comprise the barrel assembly of the firearm. A safety switch 
14, is shown behind the bolt assembly, which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in 
a closed and locked position. 
The firearm has a system control means 1, which in the embodiment shown is 
in the butt of the stock. The firearm further comprises a voltage supply 
means 2, shown in the butt of the stock. The voltage supply means, which 
in the embodiment shown is a battery, provides power to and is operatively 
connected to the system control means. In the Figures, the firearm has an 
electronic safety 14, an LED indicator 3, and a system authorization 
switch 4 for controlling access to the firearm. The selection and 
positioning of the LED indicator can vary widely, according to the design 
parameters of the particular firearm. In the embodiment discussed above, 
at least one visual LED indicator is positioned on the stock of the 
firearm directly behind the receiver. Similarly, the selection and 
positioning of the system authorization switch can vary widely, but in the 
embodiment of the firearm shown, the system authorization switch is key 
activated and located on the bottom portion of the pistol grip of the 
stock. 
FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram showing the voltage supply means 2, system 
control 1, system authorization switch 4, LED indicator 3, and electronic 
safety switch 14 as they are wired together. In addition, FIG. 3 shows a 
blind mate circuitry connection having one connector 50A mounted to the 
trigger assembly 40 and a reciprocal mating connector 50B mounted into the 
forearm of the stock and attached to wires from the system control means. 
The reciprocal connector mounted in the stock is positioned to mate with 
the other connector when the barrel assembly is installed in the firearm. 
When the reciprocal connector is mated with the other connector, a 
connection is provided whereby the electronic safety switch and the 
trigger assembly are connected to the system control means. 
The system control means shown comprises voltage increasing means 5 and 
means for detecting the presence of a round of ammunition 6 within the 
chamber. The embodiment of the voltage increasing means shown comprises a 
boost converter to increase the voltage from the battery to the level 
necessary to initiate the ammunition, for example, from 9 volts, if a 
battery of that voltage is used as the power source, to a voltage 
sufficient to initiate the electrically primed ammunition. The voltage 
increasing means typically comprises inductors, diodes, capacitors and 
switches, the arrangement of which is dependent on the specific boost 
converter used. Other embodiments may use converters other than the boost 
topology. Variations and modifications of these embodiments can be 
substituted without departing from the principles of the invention, as 
will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
The embodiment of the means for detecting the presence of a round within 
the chamber shown comprises a comparator circuit. Through the comparator 
circuit, the system control analyzes the impedance detected when it 
transmits a small level of current through the firing pin. If a round is 
present within the chamber, the current will be transmitted from the 
firing pin through the round of ammunition and into the barrel of the 
firearm, which acts as a ground and completes the circuit. By comparing 
the level of impedance detected with an established level of impedance the 
system control can determine whether a round is present, and in alternate 
embodiments, can also determine whether the detected round is viable. 
FIG. 11 is a fragmental exploded view of the firearm showing the barrel 
assembly removed from the stock 12, and FIG. 10 is a fragmental top plan 
view of the firearm with the barrel assembly removed. By removing the 
barrel assembly, a blind mate connection comprising two blind mate 
connectors, 50A, and 50B, is broken, and is easily made when the barrel 
assembly is replaced in the stock. 
In the Figures, the bolt assembly 20 has front 20A and rear 20B ends and a 
bolt head 22 comprising a bolt face 22A at the front end. The bolt 
assembly can move longitudinally and rotationally within the receiver. 
More specifically, the bolt assembly can be moved among opened, closed, 
and closed and locked positions. When the bolt assembly is closed the bolt 
face is positioned within the rear of the chamber of the barrel. At the 
rear end 20B of the bolt assembly there is a handle 21 for moving the bolt 
to its alternate open, closed, and closed and locked positions. A trigger 
assembly 40 located below the receiver and within the forearm of the stock 
has a trigger guard 41 which extends below and beyond the forearm, and 
within the trigger guard is a trigger 42. The trigger assembly, shown in 
FIGS. 4 and 11, is discussed in detail below. 
The bolt assembly is positioned within the receiver behind and 
substantially aligned with the barrel. As shown in the Figures, the bolt 
assembly includes a hollow bolt body 23 operatively connected at its rear 
end to a hollow bolt plug 24 which is sealed at its rear end, and a handle 
21 on the rear of the bolt assembly which acts as a lever for moving the 
bolt assembly within the receiver. A movable firing pin assembly 25 is 
positioned within the bolt assembly and consists of a firing pin plunger 
26, a firing pin plunger insulator 27, a firing pin plug 28, and the 
firing pin itself 29. The firing pin plunger is operatively connected at 
its forward end to the firing pin plug, and the firing pin plug is 
operatively connected at its forward end to the firing pin within the bolt 
body. The firing pin plunger insulator is positioned between the firing 
pin plunger and the firing pin plug. The firing pin plunger insulator can 
be a separate component attached to the forward end of the firing pin 
plunger, or it can comprise an insulating treatment to the forward end of 
the firing pin plunger. 
A firing pin spring 30, positioned between the sealed rear end of the bolt 
plug and the firing pin plunger, biases the firing pin forward by acting 
on the firing pin plunger. A firing pin shoulder 31 within the front end 
of the bolt body is positioned to restrict the forward movement of the 
firing pin, and the rearward movement of the firing pin is limited by the 
plunger contacting the rear of the bolt plug. FIG. 5 shows the firing pin 
assembly in its rearwardmost position, while FIG. 9 shows the firing pin 
assembly biased forward to contact a round of ammunition within the 
chamber of the barrel. 
The firing pin plunger, firing pin plunger insulator, firing pin plug, and 
the firing pin are operatively connected to form the firing pin assembly. 
In alternate embodiments, the firing pin shoulder can be connected to the 
firing pin and a part of the firing pin assembly, or it can be positioned 
within the bolt body. The firing pin assembly is moveable within the bolt 
assembly, but its movement is restricted. Specifically, the firing pin 
shoulder within the front end of the bolt body is positioned to restrict 
the forward movement of the firing pin assembly by limiting the forward 
movement of the firing pin, and the rearward movement of the firing pin 
assembly is limited by the rear of the firing pin plunger contacting the 
rear of the bolt plug. 
The movable firing pin assembly, biased forward by firing pin spring 30, 
ensures contact between the forward conductive tip of the firing pin and 
the primer cap at the rear of a round of ammunition within the chamber 
when the bolt assembly is closed and locked by permitting the firing pin 
assembly to position itself to compensate for manufacturing variations in 
ammunition. Rearward travel of the firing pin is limited to provide 
support for the electric primer during firing. 
In addition, the firing pin plug and the firing pin are adapted to be 
adjustably connected, permitting individual adjustment of the firing pin 
in relation to the firing pin plug so that the forward tip of the firing 
pin is adjustable with respect to the bolt face when the firing pin is 
biased into its rearwardmost position, thus supporting the primer cap in 
the ammunition during firing and preventing the firing pin from becoming 
lodged within the bolt body when it is forced rearward by the ignition of 
a round of ammunition within the chamber, as shown in FIG. 4. 
In an alternate embodiment of the firing pin assembly not here shown, the 
firing pin plug is a threaded adjustment screw, and the bolt plug has a 
threaded aperture formed in its rear end adapted to receive the adjustment 
screw. The firing pin spring in the bolt plug biases the firing pin 
assembly forward by acting on the bolt plug and the firing pin plunger. 
The adjustment screw contacts the rear of the firing pin plunger to 
restrict the rearward motion of the firing pin assembly, and can be set so 
that the forward tip of the firing pin is adjustable with respect to the 
bolt face when the firing pin is in its rearwardmost position. As in the 
embodiment of the firing pin assembly shown in FIGS. 4 through 8, the 
firing pin is biased forward to compensate for dimensional variations in 
ammunition to assure that the firing pin will be positioned to contact a 
round of ammunition within the chamber. 
Like the firing pin assembly, the bolt assembly is movably mounted within 
the receiver of the firearm, and its movement is also limited. On the 
forward end of the bolt assembly, the bolt head 22 is operatively 
connected to the front end of the bolt body and has lugs (not shown) 
positioned to engage slots (also not shown) formed in the front of the 
receiver. The slots extend from the rear to the front of the receiver. The 
engagement between the lugs and the slots guides the bolt assembly, and 
defines its positions as opened, closed or closed and locked. In addition, 
when the bolt assembly is closed and locked, the engagement between the 
lugs and the slots prevents rearward motion of the locked bolt assembly. 
The forward motion of the bolt assembly is also restricted when it is in 
the closed and locked position by a bolt plug detent 60 on the bottom of 
the bolt plug. The bolt plug detent is biased forward by a bolt plug 
detent spring 61. The bolt plug detent further restricts the forward 
movement of the bolt assembly by contacting the trigger housing when the 
bolt assembly is closed, and restricts forward motion when the bolt is 
locked. The contact between the bolt plug detent and the trigger housing 
secures the bolt assembly by restricting forward motion of the bolt 
assembly when it is in the locked position, and the engagement between the 
lugs and the slots further secures the bolt assembly by preventing 
rearward motion of the bolt assembly when it is locked. 
In the embodiment of the bolt assembly shown in FIGS. 4 through 8, a firing 
pin contact assembly 37 consists of an electrical contact 38 and an 
insulating housing 39 fixed within the rear of the bolt assembly to rotate 
and move with the bolt assembly. The firing pin contact is positioned to 
connect the conductive area at the rear of the firing pin, or, in the 
alternate embodiment discussed above but not shown, to connect the 
conductive area at the rear of the firing pin assembly, with an electrical 
contact on the trigger assembly. The circuit between the firing pin 
contact and the electrical contact on the trigger assembly can only be 
completed when the bolt assembly is closed and locked. The firing pin 
contact and the conductive area at the rear of the firing pin remain 
connected when the bolt is locked, even as the firing pin is biased 
forward by the firing pin spring and rearward by a round of ammunition 
within the chamber of the barrel, thus allowing for dimensional variations 
in individual rounds of ammunition and ensuring electrical contact between 
the firing pin and the firing pin contact despite those variations. In 
addition, the movably mounted bolt assembly ensures that an electrical 
connection cannot be made between the firing pin and the trigger assembly 
electrical contact unless the bolt is in the closed and locked position, 
thus augmenting the system control. In an alternate embodiment of the 
invention, the contact point can be the firing pin plug, which them 
transmits the current to the ammunition in the chamber. 
In FIGS. 4 through 8, the firing pin assembly is provided with electrical 
isolation means to insulate the body of the firing pin, and in the 
alternate embodiment discussed above, to insulate the body of the firing 
pin and the firing pin plug. FIG. 9 shows on embodiment of the firing pin 
provided with the electrical isolation means. The electrical isolation 
means does not insulate the firing pin at a forward conductive end 29A and 
rearward conductive area 29B. The forward conductive end is positioned to 
transmit voltage to a round of ammunition within the chamber of the barrel 
only when the bolt assembly is in a closed and locked position, and the 
rearward conductive area is positioned to receive voltage only when the 
bolt assembly is in the closed and locked position. Within these 
parameters, the electrical isolation means can vary widely, and can 
comprise an electrically insulating sleeve around appropriate portions of 
the firing pin, a surface coating on the firing pin, or a surface 
modification of the firing pin. Coating materials which can be used for 
the firing pin include, for example, polymers applied preformed or in 
situ. Amorphous diamond or ceramics can also be used for an insulating 
coating on the firing pin. Of the many known ceramics that can be used, 
those found to be particularly satisfactory include alumina and magnesia 
stabilized zirconia. Surface modification of the firing pin can also 
include, for example, ion implantation. Still other coatings or treatments 
for the firing pin will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
The trigger assembly comprises a trigger housing 43 which houses a trigger 
42 operatively connected to a microswitch 44, and a trigger assembly 
contact 45. The trigger assembly contact is positioned to contact the 
firing pin contact at the rear end of the bolt assembly, only when the 
bolt assembly is in the closed and locked position. When the bolt assembly 
is in the closed and locked position, the trigger assembly contact and the 
firing pin contact are aligned to form a closed circuit, however, the 
system control will only permit power to be transmitted from the voltage 
increasing means through the trigger assembly contact, the firing pin 
contact, the firing pin, and to a round of ammunition as described in 
detail above. 
The firearm of the present invention provides a desirable combination of 
advantages. Specifically, the firearm of the present invention is made 
more reliable and accurate by the incorporation of a "brain," or system 
control means, to process information received from the various electronic 
components of the firearm, and regulate and control those components 
accordingly, thereby controlling the operation of the firearm. By 
providing a system control means or "brain" to monitor and control all 
electronic communications and functions, the firearm of the present 
invention is able to incorporate an increased number of electronic 
components to provide a more reliable and accurate means of firing 
electrically activated ammunition. 
The process of the present invention provides one possible framework 
whereby the system control means can be programmed to function. Depending 
on the particular firearm, the framework or program can be modified 
accordingly, and thus the system control means can be adapted for use in 
any electronic firearm, and can be further programmed to perform specific 
additional functions, as well as to perform those functions according to 
different parameters. For example, the process can include various time 
parameters whereby the system control means will place the firearm in the 
sleep mode if the firearm has been inactive over a period of time. 
In addition, the system control means can be programmed to communicate with 
the sensing means to determine not only the presence of a round of 
ammunition within the chamber, but also whether that round is viable or 
not. This can be accomplished, for example, by programming the system 
control to measure the impedance of the round within the chamber through a 
comparator circuit of the type known in the art. The system control checks 
for a specific range of acceptable impedance levels, dependent on the 
ammunition suitable for use with that particular firearm. Specifically, an 
extremely low impedance would indicate a short, while an open circuit 
would indicate the absence of a round. If the ammunition falls within the 
predetermined range of acceptable impedance levels, the system control 
will charge the voltage increasing means in anticipation of firing the 
round. The means for determining whether the detected round is viable can 
comprise means for measurement of the DC resistance of the round or 
measurement of the AC impedance of the round. If the round is not viable, 
the LED will not illuminate, and after a predetermined period of time, the 
system control will place the firearm in the sleep mode. By determining 
the viability of the round of ammunition present within the chamber, the 
system control conserves energy, thereby increasing reliability, as well 
as providing a mechanism to screen out defective rounds of ammunition. 
In addition to checking the battery to determine the amount of power 
available, the system control means can be programmed to calculate the 
approximate number of rounds that can be fired, given the voltage level of 
the battery. This information can be communicated to the operator of the 
firearm, and the operator can act accordingly, deciding when to change the 
battery based on the circumstances at that time. 
The electronically controlled and operated component parts of the firearm 
of the present invention, including the bolt assembly, trigger assembly, 
voltage increasing means, electronic safety, status indicator, blind mate 
circuitry connections, system authorization switch, and electronic 
switching means for isolating the firing pin also provide desirable 
advantages. 
The movable configuration of the bolt assembly provides an additional 
safety feature because the firing pin can only receive power, if the 
trigger is pulled and the system control permits, if the bolt assembly is 
in the closed and locked position. If the bolt assembly is not in the 
closed and locked position, it will not be aligned with the contact on the 
trigger assembly, and thus the firing pin will be isolated from the 
voltage increasing means and battery. 
The firing pin is movable within the bolt assembly to ensure contact 
between the firing pin and a round of ammunition within the chamber, given 
the reasonable tolerances and minute variations in the ammunition. 
Rearward movement of the firing pin is restricted so as to lend support to 
the primer cap of a round of ammunition within the chamber. 
The electronic switching means allows the system control to isolate the 
firing pin and safely discharge the voltage increasing means through a 
secondary path upon detection of a malfunction. The electronic switching 
means also permits the system control to isolate the firing pin if the 
firearm has been inactive for a period of time, or the other conditions 
specified, including, the absence of a round of ammunition within the 
chamber of the barrel; the firearm's safety being in the safe position; 
the bolt being in the unlocked position; the bolt being in the open 
position; the turning off of the system authorization switch; the 
detection of a level of voltage from the voltage supply means falling 
below a predetermined level; the passing of a predetermined period of 
inactivity of the firearm; and the failure or malfunction of the system 
control means or any component connected thereto. 
The blind mate circuitry connections allow the firearm to be disassembled 
for cleaning or other purposes, without requiring the operator to manually 
disconnect or reconnect any wires. The contacts are positioned within each 
part of the firearm to be connected when the firearm is assembled, and 
disconnected when the firearm is disassembled. For example, the barrel 
assembly can be removed from the firearm, cleaned, and reinserted. The 
electronic connections will be automatically remade when the barrel 
assembly is reinserted. The blind mate circuitry, in addition to 
simplifying the cleaning process, also provides increased reliability as a 
result of the fact that the electronic connections between components will 
be automatically made, preventing faulty or incomplete communication 
between the components and the system control means, and reducing the 
likelihood of short circuits or other electronic malfunctions due to 
defective or incomplete connections. 
In addition to the above advantages, the present invention provides a means 
of increasing the inherent accuracy of a firearm by reducing its lock time 
and eliminating the physical movement typically associated with a 
mechanical or percussion firing pin. The only physical movement during 
firing of the present invention is associated with the pulling of the 
trigger. Accordingly, the firearm of the present invention provides 
significantly reduced lock times coupled with the above described 
features.