EP0285586A2

EP0285586A2 - An electronic marksmanship recorder

Info

Publication number: EP0285586A2
Application number: EP88850100A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Göran Högberg
Original assignee: Combinova AB
Current assignee: Combinova AB
Priority date: 1987-03-25
Filing date: 1988-03-23
Publication date: 1988-10-05
Also published as: EP0285586A3; SE8701240D0; SE462404B; SE8701240L

Abstract

An electronic marksmanship recorder to be used at shooting training.

The marksmanship recorder comprises a sensor (12) of the two-dimensional type or of the typecomprising two one-dimensional sensors disposed perpendicular to each other, and
at least two light diodes (D1,D2) disposed in a predetermined and defineable way in relation to each other and in spaced relation to a point (MC) on a target board (11),
wherein the sensor (12) is adapted to emit signals to a recording unit (13) which are significant to the aiming effort for each individual shot in order to permit use of the marksmanship recorder in connection with both simulated shooting and real shooting with sharp ammunition.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an electronic marksmanship recorder, and more particularly an electronic markmanship recorder to be used at shooting practice.

BACKGROUND ART

Electronic marksmanship monitors have been proposed already previously. These monitors may be divided up into three different categories.
The simplest type is the so called TV-game, wherein a beam from a weapon or a weapon dummy is directed towards a target and is shown on a TV screen. In this case the position of the beam on the screen is known at every moment, viz. in that the position is shown continuously by e.g. a luminous point. The position of the beam may be varied as desired by performing aiming movements with the weapon or the dummy.
Another type of shooting monitors utilizes a light diode or the like, which is arranged centrally of the target in question, and a sensor, which is arranged on the weapon. Further, this monitor comprises an electronic misfire cartridge which is loaded into the weapon. When the striking pin strikes forwardly at the firing of the weapon a circuit is interrupted within the misfiring cartridge, and a signal is passed on to the sensor, which is normally disposed in the muzzle of the weapon. From the sensor a signal is emitted to a control unit, from which the necessary signals are emitted to a TV screen, on which the aiming efforts may be followed continuously and also the position of the hit point may be determined. In one embodiment of this monitor, a series of ten shots may be displayed on the TV screen, where the first nine shots are displayed by means of points whereas the last hit is displayed as a cross in the target. Moreover, the shots may also be displayed in digital format in a table on the TV screen.
A third type of shooting monitor is described in Finnish Patent Nr. 66.987 and corresponding US Patent Nr. 4.553.943. Here, an optic method for shooting practice is described wherein the bullet is substituted by a light transmitter of either a visible or an infrared area which is attachable to the commercial guns. Characterizing for the practicing method according to the said patent is that there is used as target a spot-sensitive optic sensor which continuously gives position information with respect to the hit point of the beam during aiming and firing, and, if required, also the hit point and direction at the firing instant. In other words, it may be said that in this system a light diode (laser) having a very small beam divergence and disposed on the weapon is permitted to light on a two dimensional sensor immediately adjacent the target. Of course, in this system, the sensing surface of the sonsor must always be larger than the surface on the target that is to be sensed.
The above first described system has been mentioned essentially to make the description complete, and will not be further discussed below, as it may be characterized essentially as a game or toy.
The two systems which have then been described have been utilized in practice but they suffer from certain drawbacks. Both of these two systems which have been used in practice for training purposes etc. suffer further from the great drawback that they are not useful in connection with use of sharp ammunition, irrespective wether it is a matter of bullets or small shot, but may only be used in connection with simulated shooting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic marksmanship recorder which does not suffer from the above mentioned limitations and drawbacks.
This object is achieved by the present invention as defined below.
The electronic marksmanship recorder according to the present invention for recording of the aiming operation at shooting, comprising a sensor attachable to a weapon, a weapon dummy or the like and adapted to cooperate with signal emitters at the target, such as light diodes, to emit, to a recording unit, signals which are significant for the aiming operations for each shot in order to permit visual observation thereof and/or registration of relevant data, is characterized in that the sensor is of the two-dimensional type or has two one-dimensional sensor parts disposed in a predetermined angular relationship to each other, preferably perpendicular to each other, and in that the signal emitters comprise at leat two signal emitters, such as light diodes, which are disposed in a predetermined defineable manner with respect to each other and with respect to a point at a target board or the like and are spaced from said point, to permit use of the recording device for both simulated shooting and real shooting with sharp ammunition.
It should be mentioned that the just defined sensor/signal emitting system is contemplated to include also a quadrant sensor system, comprising a signal emitter and a sensor having at least three cooperating sensor units, which involves defocusation and measuring of the amount of light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Figure 1 is a very diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a marksmanship recorder according to the invention, used as an example;
Figure 2 shows the central portion of a target board;
Figure 3 illustrates a number of diagrams, against which individual aiming operations may be plotted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The marksmanship recorder shown as an example is contemplated to be used in connection with shooting training by means of a weapon 10 towards a target board, generally denoted 11.
According to the present invention the weapon 10 is provided with a sensor 12 which is attached to the weapon in a suitable manner, preferably adjustably, and which may be of the two-dimensional type or, alternatively, comprise two one-dimensional sensors, disposed in a predetermined angle with respect to each other, preferably perpendicular to each other. As a plurality of suitable sensors are available on the market and as the sensors in question in themselves do not form a part of the present invention it does not appear to be necessary to disclose them in more details in the present context.
At the target board 11 two light diodes D1 and D 2 or similar, correspondingly operating signal emitters, are disposed in a predetermined, defined way in relation to the target center MC of the target board, e.g. in diagonally opposed corner of a ringed target board, as is shown as an example in figure 1.
As far as it has been described hietherto the marksmanship recorder according to the present invention is generally contemplated to function in such a manner that the sensor 12 determines the direction of the weapon 10 in relation to the light diodes D1 and D2, and therewith, of course, in relation to the target center MC. The sensor 12 emits signals to a recording unit 13 the output of which controls an indicator unit 14, so that this one indicates the aiming direction of the weapon for each individual shot. Here the device is designed in such a manner that it is possible to follow the aiming direction of the weapon 10 towards the target MC with a satisfying accuracy before, during and immediately after a shot. It should be remarked here that the position of the hit within a target board is to a predominant proportion dependent on the aiming efforts.
In most cases it is important to follow, simultaneously with following the aiming of the weapon, also the pressure against the trigger, generally denoted 15, and, according to the present invention, the marksmanship recorder is preferably designed in such a manner that it is possible to follow also the just mentioned pressure.
Of course, it is within the scope of the invention to design the marksmanship recorder in such a manner that it is possible to somehow permanently record the aiming efforts in cennection with each shot, for instance to record the relevant data for a later reproduction, so that it will become possible to later study the influence of various variables, such as, for instance, liquid in-take in advance of the shooting, shooting position, the general health condition of the shot etc. The relevant data may also be recorded visually, e.g. in the shape of diagrams, as is indicated by means of the diagramatically shown data carrier 16 in the shape of a recording tape. Such a data carrier may be provided with a record in the shape of a diagram, as is shown schematically in figure 3, and/or in the shape of ordinary tables, and, of course, the corresponding data are shown on the screen 17 together with a picture af the actual target board in each case, as is shown diagramatically in figure 2.
In order to increase the sensivity of the marksmanship recorder it is suitable to arrange a narrow band transmission filter, not shown, in front of the sensor 12, which filter is adapted to the vawelength of the light diode.
Further, according to the invention, it is suitable to pulse the light diodes alternately with a suitably chosen frequency, in which case it is necessary to use some type of a frequency selective amplifier in the recording unit 13.
The two just mentioned steps serve to drastically reduce the sensivity of the marksmanship recorder to ambient light.
The various units of the marksmanship recorder according to the invention may be interconnected by means of suitable wires, as is indicated by the wire 18, but in certain cases it is preferred to interconnect the various units by means of some kind of a wireless connection, such as indicated by means of the dashed connection 19.
A plurality of modifications and alterations as to details may be performed within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An electronic marksmanship recorder for recording of aiming efforts to shooting, comprising a sensor (12) which is attachable to a weapon (10), a weapon dummy or the like and is adapted to cooperate with signal emitters, such as light diodes (D1,D2) at the target to emit to a recording unit (13) signals that are significant to the aiming effort for each individual shot to permit a visual observation thereof and/or a recording of relevant data, characterized in
that the sensor (12) is of the two-dimensional type or comprises two one-dimensional sensor portions which are disposed in a predetermined angle, preferably perpendicular, in relation to each other, and
in that the signal emitters comprise at least two signal emitters, such as light diodes (D1,D2), which are disposed in a predetermined and defineable manner i relation to each other and in relation to a point (MC) at a target board (11) or the like, and are spaced from such point (MC),
in such a manner that the marksmanship recorder is useful for both simulated shooting and real shooting with sharp ammunition.

2. A marksmanship recorder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (12) and the recording unit (13) are adapted to record the aiming of the weapon slightly in advance of, during and slightly after firing of the shot.

3. A marksmanship recorder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (12) and the recording unit (13) are adapted, simultaneously with recording the aiming of the weapon, to also record the pressure against the trigger (15) of the weapon.

4. A marksmanship recorder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a narrow band transmission filter is disposed in the light path in front of the sensor (12).

5. A marksmanship recorder as claimed in claim 1, characterized in means for alternate pulsing of the signals from the light diodes (D1,D2), and in that the recording unit (13) is provided with a frequency selective amplifier.