FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical user interface 105 for providing information to a user in accordance with at least one embodiment. A computing device such as computing device 404 in FIG. 4, glasses with a processor, or other computing device can generate graphical user interface 105. A device can display graphical user interface 105 on a screen, on lens of glasses, or another visible user interface. Graphical user interface 105 can be integrated into shooting environment 100 in FIG. 1 to help a marksman adjust aiming using a gun barrel such as gun barrel 107 in FIGS. 2A and 2B. A device performing or using process 505 (FIG. 5) and/or process 600 (FIG. 6) can display or generate graphical user interface 105. Graphical user interface may acquire a distance (e.g., yardage) of a target by user input, GPS, Bluetooth, and/or a laser (e.g., range finder). Graphical user interface 105 can display one message at a time (e.g., “MOA is 3 inches for 300 yards,” “aim lower by ½ inch,” or “aim lower 1 minute of angle”).

In the upper left 302 of graphical user interface 105, a graph illustrates how changes in temperature can change a trajectory of a projectile, such as a flatter trajectory as temperatures increase. For example, if a gun is fired several times, its gun barrel will heat up and may increase muzzle velocity of a projectile, such as through increased pressure with the temperature and/or charge lighting at a faster rate. However, as the barrel cools, this trajectory may then start to have a steeper curve in trajectory. Temperature readings across a barrel can help predict the trajectory of a projectile over time. Note, that temperature can affect a gun barrel in different ways and gun barrels have different shapes, sizes, and materials of construction such that the graphical user interface 105 may change based on gun barrel properties.

In the upper right 301 of graphical user interface 105, a table illustrates how many times a gun is fired, and the measured temperature of the gun barrel at different locations (e.g., front of barrel is T1, middle points of barrel is T2-T4, and opposite end of front of barrel has temperature T5). For example:

Number

Adjustment

of
Temperature:
Sensor
Sensor
Average
in

Shots
Sensor 1
2
3
Temperature
Inches

0
70
70
70
70
(Zero)

1
72
73
74
73
−.1

2
80
82
84
82
−.3

. . .

60
180
190
200
190
(Stop)

wait until

return to

150 F.,

t =

1 min.)

The information displayed in the upper right of graphical user interface 105 can be used by a marksman to adjust their aim. For example, a marksman may observe that for shots 1-5, the temperature of the front gun barrel (e.g., closed to the chamber) is increased, but the temperature of the rest of the barrel is only gradually increasing (e.g., by a few degrees). As another example, a marksman may observe that for shots 1-3 that the temperature of the gun barrel is rapidly increasing (e.g., 20, 40, or even 100 degrees per shot), and a marksman may use this information to adjust their aim. A marksman (e.g., shooter) may also receive temperature readings with a warning to not fire additional rounds for a period of time, such as to not damage their barrel and allow the barrel to cool.

In the bottom left 303 of FIG. 3, graphical user interface 105 displays a predicted trajectory of a bullet based, at least in part, on distance and temperature measurements of the barrel. For example, if a barrel is warm (e.g., 100 degrees Fahrenheit higher than earlier), the graphical user interface may indicate that the bullet will travel a straighter trajectory over a distance. As another example, if a gun barrel is cold or cooling (e.g., no shots have been fired and the ambient temperature is low), the trajectory may indicate that the trajectory will have a greater drop (e.g., steeper trajectory) than a previous shot.

In bottom right of FIG. 3, graphical user interface 105 includes instructions for a marksman. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, includes instructions (e.g. instructions used by graphical user interface 105) which when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to: identify a number of times a barrel has been used to fire a projectile; identify an amount of time that has elapsed between each shot; and modify the adjustment to modify the aim based on the identified number of times the barrel has been used to fire a projectile and the amount of time that has elapsed between each shot and/or otherwise perform operations described herein.

Specifically, a device such as computer device 404 generates a graphical user interface 105 which may indicate a marksman should stop shooting, such as when trajectory cannot be computed from temperature readings, barrel is of a temperature where it could be damaged, and/or allow to cool for a period of time for a desired trajectory (e.g., to prevent additional sight adjustments or approximating aim to account for windage). For example, graphical user interface 105 may display information and/or instructions based, at least in part, on equipment information (e.g., cartridge to include projectile size and/or amount of charge, rifle design, trigger mechanics, sight), environmental conditions (e.g., wind, moisture, correct distance calculations attributing for altitude, and/or temperature) and/or biometrics (e.g., muscle fatigue, heart rate, shot approach, and/or breathing), such as to predict a desired aim for a target (e.g., MOA needed to adjust sights to aim directly through sight).

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram including a system for adjusting a marksman's aim when firing a projectile round in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG. 4 includes temperatures sensors 201 (such as those illustrated in FIG. 2) and computing device 404, which can generate an output 405 (e.g., instructions for a marksman, warnings for a marksman, temperature profiles). Computing device 404 can include a correlation table 401, an adjustment module 402, and a processor 403. Processor 403 can receive measurements from temperature sensors 201 and use correlation table 401 and/or adjustment module 402 to generate instructions for a marksman. As shown by dashed line 406, the correlation table 401 and adjustment module 402 can be combined into a single software module, logic, or combination thereof.

Correlation table 401 is software which when performed by a processor can correlate temperature and aim values. For example, a correlation table 401 can include information about a gun barrel (e.g., length, metal of composition, identity of manufacturer, width of gun barrel, rifling of gun barrel) and temperature information (e.g., temperature measurements and location of measurements). Correlation table may also include their equipment information (e.g., cartridge to include projectile size and/or amount of charge, rifle design, trigger mechanics, sight), environmental conditions (e.g., wind, moisture, correct distance calculations attributing for altitude, and/or temperature) and/or biometrics (e.g., muscle fatigue prediction, desired time while aiming, position to fire from, heart rate, shot approach, and/or breathing).

Adjustment module 402 is software, which when performed by a processor can generate instructions such as for making an adjustment to a gun based on temperature measurements. Adjustment module 402 can include a neural network that receives temperature readings, gun type, barrel properties, projectile information, and/or other conditions (e.g., environmental, biometric, and/or equipment information) for aiming and firing a gun, then outputs a suggested aim adjustment (e.g., a predicted MOA). Adjustment module 402 can determine where a marksman is currently aiming (e.g., based on location of gun, video of person shooting the gun, crosshairs of gun, motion detectors on gun, laser sensors at target and laser on gun) and generate instructions for adjusting aim. For example, adjustment module 402 may be used in connection with an IR laser or camera-based shooting training system (e.g., SCATT).

Processor 403 can execute computer-executable instructions, non-transitory computer-readable instructions, or machine-readable instructions. Processor 403 can constitute any physical device or group of devices having electric circuitry that performs a logic operation on an input or inputs. For example, processor 403 can include one or more integrated circuits (IC), including application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microchips, microcontrollers, microprocessors, all or part of a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), digital signal processor (DSP), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), server, virtual server, or other circuits suitable for executing instructions or performing logic operations. The instructions executed by processor 403, for example, may be pre-loaded into a memory integrated with or embedded into the controller or may be stored in a separate memory. Processor 403 can be separate circuits or integrated in a single circuit. Processor 403 can be configured to operate independently or collaboratively. Processor 403 can be coupled electrically, magnetically, optically, acoustically, mechanically, or by other means that permit it to interact with computer device 404 or other processing units. In at least one embodiment, processor 403 can use application programming interfaces (APIs) to perform operations or receive information related to ballistics (e.g., gun barrel information, temperature barrel information, correlation information).

Processor 403 can access, use, or otherwise communicate with volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory), or some combination of the two. Memory can store software (e.g., correlation table 401, adjustment module 402) for implementing one or more of the described embodiments. For example, memory may store correlation table 401, adjustment module 402 for implementing any of the disclosed techniques described herein and their accompanying user interfaces. Memory can include any mechanism for storing electronic data or instructions, including Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetic medium, a flash memory, other permanent, fixed, volatile, or non-volatile memory. Memory can include one or more separate storage devices collocated or disbursed, capable of storing data structures, instructions, or any other data. Memory can further include a memory portion containing instructions for the processor to execute. Memory can may also be used as a working memory device for the processors or as a temporary storage.

In some embodiments, memory can be a non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed by at least one processing unit (e.g., processor 403) cause a computing environment to perform a method or set of operations. Non-transitory computer readable mediums may be any medium capable of storing data in any memory in a way that may be read by any computing device with a processor to carry out methods or any other instructions stored in the memory. The non-transitory computer readable medium may be implemented to include any combination of software, firmware, and hardware. Software may preferably be implemented as an application program tangibly embodied on a program storage unit or computer readable medium consisting of parts, or of certain devices or a combination of devices. The application program may be uploaded to and executed by a machine comprising any suitable architecture. In at least one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium includes a software program that includes instructions to perform operations that cause a computer or process to generate control signals or perform operations.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process flow diagram of process 500 for a marksman adjusting aim of a projectile based, at least in part, on temperature properties in accordance with at least one embodiment. Computer, system, processor, or combination thereof can perform process 500 to generate instructions for a marksman that indicate how to modify the aim of the gun based on the temperature measurement. A computer, person, marksman, or operation can start process 500 at start step 510 (e.g., by turning on a computer, opening up a mobile application that assists users in aiming their gun). For example, instructions may be generated by calculating a predicted muzzle velocity and/or bullet trajectory based, at least in part, on temperature and a ballistic coefficient (e.g., a projectile's resistance to drag).

At operation 511, a computing device receives temperature readings. For example, a gun includes several (e.g., 4, 5) temperature sensors within its barrel that measure the temperature profile of a gun barrel after it is fired (e.g., each time it is shot or after several shots); and these sensors provide their measurements to a processor (e.g., CPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA). For example, a mobile phone performing a mobile application (also referred to as an “app”) can receive temperature readings from several sensors on a gun barrel when it is being shot. As another example, a manufacturer fires a gun at a manufacturing site, in a laboratory, and/or other controlled location such that variables (e.g., wind, gun type, gun properties, distance to target, size of target) are calculated (e.g., to construct a rifle temperature profile).

At operation 512, a computing device and the processor use these temperature measurements to generate a temperature profile and instructions for adjusting aim of a gun when shooting based on a temperature profile.

At operation 513, a computing device determines aim adjustment or that the temperature exceeds a certain threshold. For example, a computing device receives the temperature measurements from gun barrel and determines if these temperature measurements exceed a minimum temperature such that a bullet's trajectory will be impacted by increases in temperature (e.g., 300° F.). As another example, a temperature threshold may indicate barrel will undergo cooling at a fast rate and firing of a projectile should delay until temperature stabilizes.

At decision operation 514, a computing device determines whether to generate recommended instructions for adjusting aim of the gun. For example, a computing device can determine that a gun has not been fired yet (e.g., first shot) and temperature effects on the gun barrel will be minimal (e.g., operating at a constant temperature prior to first shot) or have no effect (e.g., when a user turns on a mobile application and indicates that it is his first shot). However, a computing device may also have a set temperature at which sighting of a rifle occurred, such that any deviations to that temperature (e.g., even if prior to a first shot) will indicate to generate instructions to account for the temperature differing from when rifle last was sighted. If a computing device determines that it is a first shot and/or no instructions are recommended (e.g., barrel is at a preferred temperature), a computing device can continue to provide information (e.g., or generate additional instructions) using environmental conditions (e.g., wind, moisture, correct distance calculations attributing for altitude, and/or temperature) and/or biometrics (e.g., muscle fatigue, heart rate, shot approach, and/or breathing) as shown by 516. If a computing device determines that instructions are recommended (e.g., gun has been fired several times, temperature of gun barrel is above a threshold temperature), a computing device can generate instructions to provide to shooter as shown by 515.

At send instructions operation 517, a computing device and/or other device can send instructions to a visual display or audio device. For example, a mobile phone can send instructions to user's headphones that indicate how a user should adjust their aim based on the temperature of the gun barrel. As another example, a mobile phone displays instructions on its user interface that indicate how a marksman should adjust their aim. As another example, as shown in FIG. 1, glasses can display information for a marksman to indicate how a user should adjust their aim and/or wait a certain period of time before shooting (to allow a gun barrel to cool down). In at least one embodiment, glasses serve as eye protection.

After operation 517, process 500 can end at operation 518. In at least one embodiment, process 500 can be repeated, partially repeated, or modified. For example, process 500 can be repeated for a different gun, a different shot (e.g., shot 10 after shooting 9 times), a different time of day, after a marksman has waited a certain period of time (e.g., 1 hour) for a barrel to cool down, or at a different manufacturing location by a manufacturer to generate a new temperature profile for a gun barrel.

FIG. 6 illustrates another process flow diagram for a marksman adjusting aim of a projectile based, at least in part, on temperature properties of a barrel in accordance with at least one embodiment. Computer, system, processor, or combination thereof can perform process 600 to generate instructions for a marksman that indicate how to modify the aim of the gun based, at least in part, on the temperature measurement. In at least one embodiment, a neural network uses generated instructions for a marksman to output an audio recording of the instructions to said marksman. For example, instructions are that given “1 MOA is 3 inches at 300 yards and a click is ¼ MOA,” a marksman should “click sights upwards 12 clicks to adjust sights 6 inches upwards for 300 yards,” and this could be provided as audio to ear protection. A computer, person, marksman, or operation can start process 600 at start step 610 (e.g., by turning on a computer, opening up a mobile application that assists users in aiming their gun).

At operation 611, a computing device can receive gun barrel information or shooting inputs. A computing device (e.g., computing device 404 from FIG. 4) can receive a model number, gun barrel material, gun manufacturer information, a temperature reading from another device (e.g., laser temperature sensor), equipment information (e.g., cartridge to include projectile size and/or amount of charge, rifle design, trigger mechanics, sight), environmental conditions (e.g., wind, moisture, correct distance calculations attributing for altitude, and/or temperature) and/or biometrics (e.g., muscle fatigue, heart rate, shot approach, and/or breathing).

At operation 612, a computing device can determine temperature profile of a barrel. For example at operation 612, a computing device retrieves from memory a manufacturer generated profile and/or uses a neural network to generate a barrel profile. In at least one embodiment, a marksman may use self-loaded ammunition or that which a manufacturer did not create a profile on, indicating to a computing device to progressively update a barrel profile specific to the ammunition.

At operation 613, a computing device generates instructions for shooter barrel on temperature profile. As an example, the generated instructions are based, at least in part, on a temperature profile of a barrel and/or additional information. Additional information may include previous fired projectile outcomes, equipment information (e.g., cartridge to include projectile size and/or amount of charge, rifle design, trigger mechanics, sight), environmental conditions (e.g., wind, moisture, correct distance calculations attributing for altitude, and/or temperature) and/or biometrics (e.g., muscle fatigue, heart rate, shot approach, and/or breathing).

At decision operation 614, a decision is “NO,” if a computing device, marksman, and/or software determines an adjustment (e.g., to sights) does not sufficiently align with a desired target, such as the barrel needs additional time to cool, sights were adjusted incorrectly, and/or environmental conditions changed. A processor determines using a sensor and/or a camera to visually determine (e.g., looking through sight and/or a number of adjustments made to sight by MOA) whether sights were aligned. A processor may use a sensor and send information to a computing device. If a decision is “YES,” a computing device proceeds to operation 617.

At operation 617, a computing device provides instructions to a shooter. For example, instructions may be based, at least in part, on a predicted trajectory using temperature readings of one or more sensors. For example, a temperature reading is used to predict pressure on a projectile and thus calculate a muzzle velocity as it exits the barrel. From there a predicted trajectory may be based, at least in part, on prior projectile outcomes (e.g., results on a target), equipment information (e.g., cartridge to include projectile size and/or amount of charge, rifle design, trigger mechanics, sight), environmental conditions (e.g., wind, moisture, correct distance calculations attributing for altitude, and/or temperature) and/or biometrics (e.g., muscle fatigue, heart rate, shot approach, and/or breathing). Using a prediction, a computing device may then provide instructions, such as how to aim a projectile, an adjustment for sights, and/or time to wait until barrel is of a preferred temperature (e.g., temperature barrel was sighted in at).