US6899539B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infantry wearable information and weapon system
Assignee: Exponent Inc
•
Filing: 2000-02-17
•
Granted: 2005-05-31
•
Expires: 2020-02-17
Abstract
Abstract Wearable systems for providing situational awareness in battle or combat type conditions. More specially, modular, wearable, weapon integrated computer systems for gathering and transmitting data, wherein the systems include components tailorable for specific conditions or missions. Further provided are hardware and software for controlling such wearable systems and for communicating with remote system wearers.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Stallman
- 👤 Jack Tyrrell
- 👤 Theodore Hromadka, III
- 👤 Andrew Dobson
- 👤 Neil Emiro
- 👤 Dana Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:07
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41H; F41H13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
A portable, wearable, weapon information system for collecting, coordinating, and communicating information, said system being capable of providing real-time situational awareness in armed conflict conditions, said system comprising: a power supply; a computer for controlling functions of said apparatus; a software interface for interacting with said computer; a display for displaying information processed by said computer; a weapon communicably connected to said computer, and having a trigger for firing said weapon; said weapon having a grip for handling said weapon, said grip located adjacent said trigger; and said weapon having a barrel including a bore, said bore having an axis extending longitudinally therethrough; wherein said software interface is controlled by a weapon mounted cursor control device mounted on said weapon, said weapon mounted cursor control device comprising: a control mechanism for positioning a cursor, said control mechanism being so located on a rear facing portion of said grip such that both a right and left handed user can access said control mechanism employing a thumb while maintaining contact with said trigger with a finger; and an actuating mechanism for performing control, selection, and action functions on said software interface; and wherein said weapon mounted cursor control device is communicably connected to a first software interface embodied in a computer readable medium, said first software interface providing a click-and-carry method of cursor control and including a cursor and graphical icons, said click-and-carry method comprising in sequence: orienting said cursor at a first location proximal a graphical icon displayed on said first software interface; depressing said actuating mechanism to select said graphical icon; releasing said actuating mechanism; orienting said cursor at a second location physically separate from said first location; depressing said actuating mechanism to release said graphical icon at said second location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
A portable, wearable, weapon information system for collecting, coordinating, and communicating information, said system being capable of providing real-time situational awareness in armed conflict conditions, said system comprising: a power supply; a computer for controlling functions of said apparatus; a software interface for interacting with said computer; a display for displaying information processed by said computer; a weapon communicably connected to said computer, and having a trigger for firing said weapon; said weapon having a grip for handling said weapon, said grip located adjacent said trigger; and said weapon having a barrel including a bore, said bore having an axis extending longitudinally therethrough; wherein said software interface is controlled by a weapon mounted cursor control device mounted on said weapon, said weapon mounted cursor control device comprising: a control mechanism for positioning a cursor, said control mechanism being so located on a rear facing portion of said grip such that both a right and left handed user can access said control mechanism employing a thumb while maintaining contact with said trigger with a finger; and an actuating mechanism for performing control, selection, and action functions on said software interface; and wherein said weapon mounted cursor control device is communicably connected to a first software interface embodied in a computer readable medium, said first software interface providing a click-and-carry method of cursor control and including a cursor and graphical icons, said click-and-carry method comprising in sequence: orienting said cursor at a first location proximal a graphical icon displayed on said first software interface; depressing said actuating mechanism to select said graphical icon; releasing said actuating mechanism; orienting said cursor at a second location physically separate from said first location; depressing said actuating mechanism to release said graphical icon at said second location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further including a second software interface comprising: at least one pull-down menu containing words being alternately descriptive of combat scenarios and directives; a message window for receiving and displaying words selected from said pull-down menu; means for selectively transmitting a message contained in said message window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said words which are contained in said pull-down menu may be input by a user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control mechanism comprises a joystick for access by a thumb of a user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
433 words
A portable, wearable, weapon information system for collecting, coordinating, and communicating information, said system being capable of providing real-time situational awareness in armed conflict conditions, said system comprising: an input/output device for interfacing said computer with components of said system, said components including: a display for displaying information processed by said computer; a voiceless, wireless communication means; and a user position location device; a power supply; a computer for controlling functions of said apparatus and having a software interface for interacting with said computer; wherein said apparatus further includes a weapon communicably connected to said computer, and having a trigger for firing said weapon, said weapon having a grip for handling said weapon, said grip located adjacent said trigger; and said weapon having a barrel including a bore, said bore having an axis extending longitudinally therethrough; wherein said software interface is controlled by a weapon mounted cursor control device mounted on said weapon, said weapon mounted cursor control device comprising: a control mechanism for positioning a cursor, said control mechanism being so located on a rear facing portion of said grip such that both a right and left handed user can access said control mechanism employing a thumb while maintaining contact with said trigger with a finger; and an actuating mechanism for performing control, selection, and action functions on said software interface; wherein said input/output device comprises: voltage converters for converting power provided by a power source to voltages compatible with said components of said system, said voltage converters thereafter being capable of transmitting said converted power to said components; and data relays for routing data between said computer and said components thereby permitting said components and said computer to communicate; a plurality of universal, plug-in, plug-out connectors for receiving universal connectors of said components, said universal, plug-in, plug-out connectors further providing means for quickly removing a said component and thereafter replacing said component with a new component, wherein said new component connects to said input/output device via a universal connector; and wherein said weapon mounted cursor control device is communicably connected to a first software interface embodied in a computer readable medium, said first software interface providing a click-and-carry method of cursor control and including a cursor and graphical icons, said click-and-carry method comprising in sequence: orienting said cursor at a first location proximal a graphical icon displayed on said first software interface; depressing said actuating mechanism to select said graphical icon; releasing said actuating mechanism; orienting said cursor at a second location physically separate from said first location; depressing said actuating mechanism to release said graphical icon at said second location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
433 words
A portable, wearable, weapon information system for collecting, coordinating, and communicating information, said system being capable of providing real-time situational awareness in armed conflict conditions, said system comprising: an input/output device for interfacing said computer with components of said system, said components including: a display for displaying information processed by said computer; a voiceless, wireless communication means; and a user position location device; a power supply; a computer for controlling functions of said apparatus and having a software interface for interacting with said computer; wherein said apparatus further includes a weapon communicably connected to said computer, and having a trigger for firing said weapon, said weapon having a grip for handling said weapon, said grip located adjacent said trigger; and said weapon having a barrel including a bore, said bore having an axis extending longitudinally therethrough; wherein said software interface is controlled by a weapon mounted cursor control device mounted on said weapon, said weapon mounted cursor control device comprising: a control mechanism for positioning a cursor, said control mechanism being so located on a rear facing portion of said grip such that both a right and left handed user can access said control mechanism employing a thumb while maintaining contact with said trigger with a finger; and an actuating mechanism for performing control, selection, and action functions on said software interface; wherein said input/output device comprises: voltage converters for converting power provided by a power source to voltages compatible with said components of said system, said voltage converters thereafter being capable of transmitting said converted power to said components; and data relays for routing data between said computer and said components thereby permitting said components and said computer to communicate; a plurality of universal, plug-in, plug-out connectors for receiving universal connectors of said components, said universal, plug-in, plug-out connectors further providing means for quickly removing a said component and thereafter replacing said component with a new component, wherein said new component connects to said input/output device via a universal connector; and wherein said weapon mounted cursor control device is communicably connected to a first software interface embodied in a computer readable medium, said first software interface providing a click-and-carry method of cursor control and including a cursor and graphical icons, said click-and-carry method comprising in sequence: orienting said cursor at a first location proximal a graphical icon displayed on said first software interface; depressing said actuating mechanism to select said graphical icon; releasing said actuating mechanism; orienting said cursor at a second location physically separate from said first location; depressing said actuating mechanism to release said graphical icon at said second location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 further including a second software interface comprising: at least one pull-down menu containing words being alternately descriptive of combat scenarios and directives; a message window for receiving and displaying words selected from said pull-down menu; means for selectively transmitting a message contained in said message window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said control mechanism comprises a joystick for access by a thumb of a user therefore enabling the user to maintain a finger on said trigger while operating said joystick.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said input/output device further includes digital/analog data converting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said input/output device further includes video format converting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1955300A
Cited
US2282680A
Cited
US3715953A
Cited
US3545356A
Cited
US4232313A
Cited
US3843969A
Cited
US4008478A
Cited
US4438438A
Cited
US4516202A
Cited
US4597740A
Cited
US4516157A
Cited
US4686506A
Cited
US4658375A
Cited
US4862353A
Cited
US4605959A
Cited
US5281957A
Cited
US4703879A
Cited
US4991126A
Cited
US4786966A
Cited
US4884137A
Cited
US5200827A
Cited
US5005213A
Cited
US4741245A
Cited
US4804937A
Cited
US5129716A
Cited
US5026158A
Cited
US4897642A
Cited
US4977509A
Cited
US5457629A
Cited
US5130934A
Cited
US5046130A
Cited
US4949089A
Cited
US5059781A
Cited
US4936190A
Cited
US5032083A
Cited
US5054225A
Cited
US5043736A
Cited
US5043736B1
Cited
US5153836A
Cited
US5099137A
Cited
US5155689A
Cited
US5781913A
Cited
US5450596A
Cited
US5386308A
Cited
US5272514A
Cited
US5576687A
Cited
US5334974A
Cited
US5386371A
Cited
US5223844B1
Cited
US5223844A
Cited
US5278568A
Cited
US5491651A
Cited
US5581492A
Cited
US5285398A
Cited
US5798907A
Cited
US5515070A
Cited
US5311194A
Cited
US5320538A
Cited
US5636122A
Cited
US5644324A
Cited
US5583571A
Cited
US5444444A
Cited
US5317321A
Cited
US5541592A
Cited
US5563630A
Cited
US5675524A
Cited
US5416730A
Cited
US5969698A
Cited
US5555490A
Cited
US5572401A
Cited
US5648755A
Cited
US5661632A
Cited
US5546492A
Cited
US5422816A
Cited
US5481622A
Cited
US5699244A
Cited
US5470233A
Cited
US5764873A
Cited
US5646629A
Cited
US5612708A
Cited
US5559707A
Cited
US5848373A
Cited
US5790085A
Cited
US5740049A
Cited
US5682525A
Cited
US5842147A
Cited
US5583776A
Cited
US5781762A
Cited
US5652871A
Cited
US5913727A
Cited
US5873070A
Cited
US5911773A
Cited
US5647016A
Cited
US5991692A
Cited
US5732074A
Cited
US5864481A
Cited
US5831198A
Cited
US5914661A
Cited
US5740037A
Cited
US5790974A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-05-30 | 2008-11-29 | 2009-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-05-30 | 2012-11-29 | 2013-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-05-30 | 2016-11-29 | 2017-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |