Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a firearm aim assisting device. The publications <CIT> and <CIT> relate to a firearm aim assisting device. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a device for assisting with aiming at a target that is visually obscured by an opaque medium, such as a door, located between a shooter with the firearm and the target.

In a shooting operation, a shooter ideally has an effective, direct visual contact with the target. However, situations arise in which the shooter does not have a visual of the target because of an obstructing object, such as when the target is inside a room or a building that the shooter cannot enter or cannot enter safely.

Thus, a need exists to provide a means to assist firearm aim in a scenario where the shooter's line of vision to the target is blocked by an intervening object.

The present disclosure relates to a target display device according to claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure provides a target display device adapted for assisting to aim at a target beyond a vision obstructing object, the device comprising: a forward-facing camera; a target marker projector; and an orientation marker projector, wherein: the forward-facing camera is adapted to capture an image beyond the vision obstructing object by using a support member being a thin structure having a distal end that can be inserted through a narrow space past the vision obstructing object; the target marker projector is adapted to project a target marker; the orientation marker projector is adapted to project an orientation marker; and the forward-facing camera is adapted to capture an image in alignment with the target marker and the orientation marker along a longitudinal axial plane through the target display device.

Preferably, when in use, the forward-facing camera is adapted to be placed to have the target in line of sight; the target marker projector is adapted to project the target marker on the vision obstructing object, the target marker location being indicative of a location of the target; and the orientation marker projector is adapted to project the orientation marker in alignment with the forward-facing camera and the target marker.

Preferably, the target marker indicates one or both of: a height for aiming at and a height range for aiming at.

Preferably, wherein the target marker is a reticle pattern.

Preferably, wherein the reticle pattern comprises one or more of: a line, a dot, a circle, intersecting lines and a rectangle.

Preferably, the target marker projector and/or the orientation marker projector projects the target marker and/or the orientation marker in laser in a visible spectrum or an infrared laser.

The target display device has a longitudinal axial plane extending in a forward-rearward direction of the target display device, the forward-facing camera, the target marker projector and the orientation marker projector are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axial plane, the target marker projector is adapted to project the target marker upward and forward onto the object where the longitudinal axial plane intersects the object, and the orientation marker projector is adapted to project the orientation marker rearward and downward onto a surface on which the display device is placed where the longitudinal axial plane intersects the surface.

Preferably, the target display device further comprises a communication unit adapted to transmit the image captured by the camera.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a target display system comprising the target display device described above and a display device communicably coupled to the communication unit of the target display device, the display device adapted to display the image captured by the camera together with a reference marker indicating a centre of the image.

Preferably, the display device is a wearable device adapted to be worn on a body of a system operator positioning the target display device.

Preferably, the display device is a wearable device adapted to be worn on the arm of the system operator.

Preferably, the display device is a head-mounted device.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of specific example(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

A target display device of the present disclosure can be used as a part of an opaque medium shooting system which involves assisting a shooting operation in which a target is sheltered from the shooter behind an opaque medium. In an operation, a target display device can be used to assist a shooter to aim at a target that is obscured by an object, such as an opaque, semi-opaque, or translucent medium, where the shooter cannot see the target, but the shooter's firearm is sufficiently powerful to shoot the target through the obscuring object. The opaque, semi-opaque, or translucent medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, a door, a thin wall, or a window.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a target display device <NUM> has a main body <NUM> that includes a target marker projector unit <NUM> and an orientation marker projector unit <NUM>. The target display device further has a forward-facing camera <NUM> mounted on a distal end of a support member <NUM> extending to the front of the target display device <NUM> and away from the main body <NUM>. In use, the main body <NUM> remains on the same side of a vision-obstructing object <NUM> as an operation team including the shooter, while the camera <NUM> is used to capture images of the other side of the object <NUM> where the target is located.

The support member <NUM> is a thin structure, such as a slim shaft or a board having a distal end that can be inserted through a narrow space past the vision-obstructing object <NUM>, for example by sliding under a door. This allows the camera <NUM> to capture an image of the space beyond the object <NUM> and enables the operation team to see an image of a target which is otherwise not visible to the shooter on the other side of the object <NUM>. The camera <NUM> is front-facing and may be angled up to capture an image in front of the main body <NUM>. The camera <NUM> may have further functionalities to improve operation, such as thermal imaging, infrared illuminator and a wide-angle lens, such as a fisheye lens. The camera <NUM> may also be implemented as a camera module having multiple lenses and/or image sensors with an image processor capable of selectively outputting or synthesizing, from images captured via the multiple lenses and/or image sensors, an image of the zone that is in front of the target display device <NUM> and is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the target display device <NUM>. The support member <NUM> may have a telescopic structure and/or be retractable into the main body <NUM> to allow adjustment of the position of the camera <NUM> relative to the main body <NUM> and to extend into the space beyond the object <NUM>.

The target marker projector unit <NUM> and the orientation marker projector unit <NUM> are mounted on or in the main body <NUM> of the target display device <NUM>. The target marker projector <NUM> is a light source for projecting a target marker <NUM> on the vision-obstructing object <NUM> to indicate a location for the shooter to aim the firearm at. <FIG> and <FIG> show a scenario where the target display device <NUM> is in place, that is, placed in front of the object <NUM> with the camera <NUM> slid under the object <NUM> and capturing an image of the target <NUM> located on the other side of the object <NUM>. In this position, the target marker projector <NUM> projects the target marker <NUM> onto the object <NUM>. The orientation marker projector <NUM> is a light source for projecting an orientation marker <NUM> so that when the firearm <NUM> is aligned with the target marker <NUM> and the orientation marker <NUM>, the shooter can shoot at the target <NUM> by using the target marker <NUM> to assist with the aim, for example by aiming at the target marker <NUM>.

The target marker projector <NUM> and the orientation marker projector <NUM> project markers <NUM>, <NUM> so that when the target display device <NUM> is in place as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the target marker <NUM> on the object <NUM> and the orientation marker <NUM> on the floor are substantially on the same vertical plane as the camera <NUM> pointed at the target <NUM>. The shooter can take aim at the target <NUM> by lining up the firearm <NUM> with the target marker <NUM> projected on the object <NUM> and the orientation marker <NUM> projected on the floor.

Further, preferably, the target marker projector <NUM> projects the target marker <NUM> on the object <NUM> at a height that would optimise the hit probability onto the target <NUM>. In the case where the target <NUM> is an adult human in an upright position, this may be between the height of <NUM> to <NUM>, and more specifically, at or about <NUM>. It will be appreciated that different height ranges may be used, depending on the particular target and application.

When the target marker <NUM> is displayed on the object <NUM> at the height at which to aim on the target <NUM>, the firearm <NUM> can be positioned at the same height as the target marker <NUM> and pointing at the marker <NUM> along the virtual line <NUM> so that when the shooter fires at the target marker <NUM>, a bullet fired from the firearm <NUM> will penetrate the object <NUM> and engage the target <NUM> beyond the object <NUM> along the line <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example arrangement of the target marker projector unit <NUM> and the orientation marker projector unit <NUM> in the target display device <NUM>. The target marker projector <NUM> projects the target marker <NUM> upwards and towards the front of the main body <NUM>. The orientation marker projector <NUM> projects the orientation marker <NUM>, for example onto the floor, downward and rearward of the main body <NUM>. The projectors <NUM> and <NUM> can be emitters of laser in the visible spectrum so that the shooter can see the markers <NUM>, <NUM> without a special device, and/or outside the visible spectrum, such as infrared which would be advantageous for more covert operations in which situations the shooter may wear infrared goggles and thus be able to view infrared markers <NUM>, <NUM>.

Alternatively, the orientation marker projector <NUM> may emit a directional light that appears to increase in intensity when the shooter is in alignment with the longitudinal axial plane of the target display device <NUM> through the camera <NUM> and the orientation marker projector <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the tilting of the projection of the markers <NUM>, <NUM> may be implemented by other mechanical or optical means.

The target marker projector unit <NUM> can include one or more projector devices and may be mounted in the main body <NUM> of the target display device <NUM> at a fixed or adjustable angle, as shown in dotted lines, so as to project the marker(s) <NUM> forward at an upward angle. Multiple projectors can be employed in the target marker projector unit <NUM>, such that one projector emits a visible laser and another projector emits an infrared laser or other types of laser outside the visible spectrum that can be seen through special-purpose viewers to be worn by the shooter and/or other operation team members. The projector can be switched on/off and/or the intensity/angles adjusted by the operator, for example by operating switches and/or dials of the control panel <NUM> on the target display device <NUM> or remotely by the shooter or other operation members.

Similarly, the orientation marker projector unit <NUM> can include one or more projector devices and may be mounted in the main body <NUM> at a fixed or adjustable angle, as shown in dotted lines, so as to project the marker(s) <NUM> rearward and downward. Multiple projectors can be employed to include one or more projectors that emit a visible laser and other projector(s) that emit infrared or other types of laser outside the visible spectrum, such that the projected orientation markers can only be seen with the aid of special-purpose viewers to be worn by the shooter and/or other operation members. The orientation marker projector unit <NUM> also can be operated from the control panel <NUM> on the target display device <NUM> or remotely.

The target display device <NUM> also includes a processor <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, and a storage medium <NUM>. Preferably, the target display device <NUM> is a cordless device for convenience of operation, and also includes a battery <NUM> to power the various components of the device <NUM>, including the camera, the projectors <NUM>, <NUM>, communication unit and processor.

The storage medium <NUM> may be utilised to store one or more computer programs, including an operating system, software applications to process input, for example, from the control panel <NUM> to control the camera <NUM> and/or the marker projectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and data such as image data captured by the camera <NUM>.

The communication unit <NUM> communicates, preferably via a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with security features, with a remote device, such as a display device <NUM> that shows the image captured by the camera <NUM>. The communication unit can also transmit and/receive control data such as control command for adjusting various settings of the camera <NUM> (e.g., zoom, contrast) and the projectors <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., angle, laser type). The processor <NUM> communicates with the camera <NUM>, the marker projectors <NUM>, <NUM>, the communication unit <NUM> and the storage medium <NUM> via a bus and executes the computer programs stored on the storage medium <NUM> to control the operation of the camera <NUM>, projectors <NUM>, <NUM> and the communication unit <NUM>.

The camera <NUM> may include a lens system, a sensor unit, and a recording medium to temporarily store the captured image. The sensor unit may be a sensor for the visible light spectrum such as a basic black and white or full colour CCD or CMOS censor. The camera <NUM> can be a digital still camera and output still images periodically, or on manual command, or a digital video camera and output a live video image sequence to allow the system operator <NUM> to position the target display device <NUM> according to the image feed provided through the display device <NUM>.

The display device <NUM> includes a processor and a communication unit to communicate with the communication unit <NUM> of the target display device <NUM> and can show the image captured by the camera <NUM> superposed with a reference marker <NUM>. The reference marker <NUM> can be permanently marked, e.g., painted, on the display device to coincide with the central axis, point or area of the image captured by the camera <NUM> and transmitted to and displayed on the display device <NUM>. Alternatively, the marker can be digitally added, by the processor of the target display device <NUM> or the display device <NUM>, which can be provided on the target display device <NUM> or the display device <NUM>, onto the image captured by the camera <NUM>. Whilst a permanent physical marker is simpler to implement, digitally superposing the reference marker <NUM> onto the camera image provides more flexibility. For example, if the display device <NUM> is used to display other information by switching between full-screen camera feed and another data screen, the reference marker <NUM> needs not be displayed in a mode displaying the data screen. Further, if the display is split into a zone showing the camera feed and a zone showing other information, by digitally superposing the reference marker <NUM> onto the camera image, the reference marker <NUM> can be shown to indicate the centreline within the image input from the camera <NUM>.

The display device <NUM> can be carried by a system operator <NUM> who operates the target display device <NUM> by placing the device <NUM> in alignment with the target <NUM> and may also be provided for the shooter <NUM> to obtain visual information of the target and the surrounding.

In operation, as shown in <FIG>, the system operator <NUM> may carry the display device <NUM> strapped on an arm. The display device <NUM> can also be implemented as various other types of displays, such as portable and/or wearable devices adapted to be worn on the body of the system operator <NUM> such as an arm-mounted device or a head-mounted device, including a heads-up display, augmented reality display device, integrated with night vision goggles and wearable lenses. The reference marker <NUM> is a marker to assist the system operator <NUM> to position the target display device <NUM> so that the camera <NUM>, and the target marker <NUM> and the orientation marker <NUM> to be projected are aligned with the target <NUM>. In types of display devices where the displayed field of vision shifts with the motion of the wearer, the target marker <NUM> should be displayed superposed with the incoming camera feed, and remain locked on the part of the displayed image aligned with the target display device <NUM>. The system operator <NUM> positions the target display device <NUM> by inserting the camera <NUM> through a gap under/in the object <NUM> that is opaque and can be shot through with the firearm <NUM>. The system operator <NUM> then adjusts the orientation of the target display device <NUM> by looking for the target in the image captured with the camera <NUM> and shown on the display device <NUM>, in order to place the target display device <NUM> in alignment with the target <NUM>. The system operator <NUM> may continue to adjust the placement of the target display device <NUM> as necessary, for example to track the movements of the target <NUM>, to keep the reference marker <NUM> superposed with the image of the target <NUM> on the display device <NUM> until the target <NUM> is shot or the operation is ended.

The target marker projector <NUM> and the orientation marker projector <NUM> may be switched on while the system operator <NUM> is positioning the target display device <NUM>, or can be turned on once the system operator <NUM> confirms that the alignment is achieved. Once the target display device <NUM> is in alignment and the target and orientation markers are projected onto the object <NUM> and the floor, respectively, the shooter <NUM> can move into place to aim at the target <NUM> by aligning the firearm <NUM> with the target marker <NUM> and the orientation marker <NUM>.

The shooter <NUM> may also carry a portable/wearable display device <NUM>. This will allow the shooter <NUM> to have a visual of the target <NUM> as it is captured with the camera <NUM>. Having a real-time visual of the target <NUM>, preferably with a reference marker <NUM> superposed with it, can give the shooter <NUM> information regarding the position, posture and the environment around the target <NUM> in addition to the target maker <NUM> projected onto the object <NUM>, and can assist with a better aim.

The target display device <NUM> can be used in a scenario where the target <NUM> is directly ahead of the object <NUM> that can be shot through and allows the camera <NUM> to be placed to capture the target <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The target display device <NUM> can also be used in a situation where the target <NUM> is partially/entirely behind a barrier <NUM> that cannot be shot through and/or does not allow the camera <NUM> to be positioned to capture the target <NUM>, but the target display device <NUM> can be positioned at an angle to the object <NUM> to capture the target <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In an example embodiment, the length of the target display device <NUM> from the camera <NUM> to the rear end of the main body <NUM> can be approximately <NUM>. The target marker projector <NUM> may be angled up to project the target mark <NUM> on the object <NUM> at approximately <NUM> from the base of the object <NUM>. The orientation marker projector <NUM> may project the orientation marker <NUM> up to approximately <NUM> from the rear end of the main body <NUM>. The shooter <NUM> may position himself/herself <NUM>-<NUM> from the object <NUM> with the firearm <NUM> held horizontally with the bore at about <NUM> from the floor in order to execute a flat shot through the object <NUM>. The firearm <NUM> may be equipped with a laser system to indicate the aim which allows the shooter <NUM> to aim by superposing the laser marker from the firearm-mounted laser system with the target marker <NUM>. In this case, it is further preferable if the laser system of the firearm <NUM> is different from the laser of the target marker projector <NUM> such that the marker from the firearm <NUM> and the target marker <NUM> can be distinguishable, for example, by the difference in colour, shape, flashing intervals, and the like.

<FIG> show various exemplary reticle patterns for the target marker <NUM> and orientation marker <NUM>. The examples of <FIG> are illustrative and not restrictive and other reticle patterns may be practised.

The target marker <NUM> may indicate a height range (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) for aiming (<FIG>, <FIG>) with a line/rectangle extending along the height range, horizontal lines intersecting a vertical centreline at the top and bottom of the height range and/or dots marking the top and/or bottom of the height range. The target marker <NUM> may indicate the height to aim at (e.g., <NUM>), as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> with one or more dots, horizontal line and/or a break in a vertical centreline or a horizontal line.

The orientation marker <NUM> assists the shooter <NUM> to determine where to position the firearm <NUM> to aim at the target <NUM>, and therefore should indicate a direction from which to shoot. The orientation marker <NUM> may be a line, for example as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, or a dot or dots as shown in <FIG>, or any combination thereof.

As a result, by lining up the firearm <NUM> with both the target marker <NUM> and the orientation marker <NUM>, the firearm <NUM> is also lined up with the target.

For accuracy, the target marker projector <NUM> and the orientation marker projector <NUM> are aligned along a same vertical plane (e.g., through a longitudinal axial plane of the target display device <NUM>) as the camera <NUM>, and projects the target marker <NUM> and the orientation marker <NUM> substantially along the same plane.

In an alternative arrangement, not being part of the claimed invention, the projectors <NUM>, <NUM>, main body <NUM> casing and control panel <NUM> can be provided as a module for retro-fitting to an existing camera module, such as an under door camera. In such an arrangement, the projectors are coupled to a camera, such as by means of a bracket which may be secured to the camera module by friction and/or one or more fasteners. Such fasteners may include, for example, screws, threaded bolts, clamps, and the like. The retro-fitting module can be sized and shaped so that, upon retro-fitting, the centreline of the camera view, and the projectors <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned. Alternatively or additionally, the projectors <NUM>, <NUM> can be attached to the bracket with adjustable joining means so the angles of projection can be adjusted after fitting the module onto a camera module.

Features in the accompanying drawings that have the same reference numerals are to be considered to have the same function(s) or operation(s), unless the contrary intention is expressed or implied.

The arrangements described are applicable to the defence and firearms industries.

According to an embodiment described above, a target display device can be used in an operation to increase the accuracy for shooting at a target positioned beyond an opaque medium, that is, an object that prevents the shooter from having a direct visual of the target, but which can be shot through. The target display device can be a mobile, cordless device for easy transport and placement by a system operator. As the target display device can be aligned with the target by the system operator who can adjust the orientation of the device by looking at the image captured by the camera mounted on the device, the device does not need a mechanism for controlling or fine-tuning the alignment, or sophisticated image processing capabilities. Further, no modification to the firearm is required to employ the target display device in an operation.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" and its associated grammatical constructions mean "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of". Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

Claim 1:
A target display device (<NUM>) adapted for assisting to aim at a target (<NUM>) beyond a vision obstructing object (<NUM>), the device (<NUM>) comprising:
a forward-facing camera (<NUM>);
the target display device (<NUM>) is characterized in that it comprises:a target marker projector (<NUM>); and
an orientation marker projector (<NUM>),
the forward-facing camera (<NUM>) being adapted to capture an image beyond the vision obstructing object (<NUM>) by using a support member (<NUM>) being a thin structure having a distal end that can be inserted through a narrow space past the vision-obstructing object (<NUM>);
the target marker projector (<NUM>) being adapted to project a target marker (<NUM>);
the orientation marker projector (<NUM>) being adapted to project an orientation marker (<NUM>); and
the forward-facing camera (<NUM>) being adapted to capture an image in alignment with the target marker (<NUM>) and the orientation marker (<NUM>) along a longitudinal axial plane through the target display device (<NUM>),
the target display device (<NUM>) having a longitudinal axial plane extending in a forward-rearward direction of the target display device (<NUM>), the forward-facing camera (<NUM>), the target marker projector (<NUM>) and the orientation marker projector (<NUM>) being substantially aligned along the longitudinal axial plane, the target marker projector (<NUM>) being adapted to project the target marker (<NUM>) upward and forward onto the vision-obstructing object (<NUM>) where the longitudinal axial plane intersects the vision-obstructing object (<NUM>), and the orientation marker projector (<NUM>) being adapted to project the orientation marker (<NUM>) rearward and downward onto a surface on which the target display device (<NUM>) is placed where the longitudinal axial plane intersects the surface.