Smart gun processor controlled method for automatic load and firing

Abstract

A microprocessor-controlled method for implementing jam-resistant “automatic cycling functioning” of an automatic rifle or gun provides faster rate and variable rate of fire, user-selectable burst rate, no gas-loss in muzzle velocity, belt-fed autoloader, and closed-loop control. The method is implemented throughout the eight cycles of functioning (feeding, chambering, locking, firing, unlocking, extracting, ejecting, and cocking) beginning after the loaded magazine has been inserted in the weapon. The microprocessor-controlled in conjunction with other electrical-mechanical subcomponents provides greater performance, reliability, and real-time diagnostics. The present invention with its unique design, results in significant reduction in components making the unit potentially lighter overall in weight.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A firearm, comprising:
 a firearm frame;   a bolt carrier group configured to regulate the firing and reloading of cartridges, the bolt carrier group including a firing pin;   a firing solenoid coupled to the bolt carrier group and configured to electro-mechanically actuate the firing pin;   a microcontroller coupled to the firearm frame and configured to regulate operation of the firing pin by communicating with the firing solenoid;   an electric motor in communication with the microcontroller and the firing solenoid; and   a rectilinear reciprocating actuator in communication with the electric motor and configured to generate a reciprocating motion for automatic cyclic functioning of the firearm.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the firing solenoid is coupled to an optical index sensor which is configured to provide feedback data to the microprocessor. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm of  claim 2 , wherein the optical index sensor provides positional reference to the microprocessor via a linear encoder. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is a closed loop system. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor automatically adjusts a sight on the firearm frame. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor can vary burst rate settings. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to regulate at least one of performance of a bolt action, firing of at least one of the cartridges, and belt feed operations. 
     
     
         8 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor interfaces with a plurality of actuators and sensors using a weapons bus 
     
     
         9 . The firearm of  claim 1 , wherein the firearm is void of a gas-operated subassembly. 
     
     
         10 . The firearm of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a biometric system to selectively permit firing of the firearm   
     
     
         11 . The firearm of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a touch screen display interface configured to permit a user to input information into the microprocessor.   
     
     
         12 . A method of regulating the automatic cycling function of a firearm, comprising:
 providing the firearm of  claim 1 ; and   generating a complete automatic cyclic functioning by regulating performance of the rectilinear reciprocating actuator via the microprocessor, the microprocessor being a closed loop system providing feedback related to the firing of the cartridges.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 adjusting operation of the firing pin to compensate for environmental conditions.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 adjusting operation of a sight in response to   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 tracking the location of the firing pin through an optical index sensor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive input data from the optical index sensor and automatically adjust operation of the firing pin. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 communicating with a biometric security device on the firearm frame.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 modifying a burst rate of the firearm through the microprocessor.