WO2015189420A1

WO2015189420A1 - Methods and systems to assist with the sighting of a target for a weapon, in particular for a non-lethal hand-held weapon

Info

Publication number: WO2015189420A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/063241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gael GUILLERM; Johann GAUTIER
Original assignee: Guillerm Gael; Gautier Johann
Priority date: 2014-06-13
Filing date: 2015-06-12
Publication date: 2015-12-17
Also published as: FR3022337A1; EP3155357A1; ES2725701T3; FR3022337B1; EP3155357B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method to assist with the sighting of a target by a weapon, in particular by a non-lethal hand-held weapon, comprising firstly a step of arranging two telemeters (10, 11) and an inertial unit (12) in a weapon, the method comprising the following steps: a1/ sighting the target; b1/ measuring the distance between the target and the weapon, by one of the two telemeters; b2/ measuring the height of the weapon above the ground, by the other one of the two telemeters; c1/ measuring parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon, by the inertial unit; d1/ identifying a predetermined area of impact (Z.I) of the target by means of predictive calculations of the height of same above the ground, the shooting angle and a minimum shooting distance; and, if the parameters measured during step c1/ indicate a stable position of the weapon and if the distances measured according to steps d1/ and d2/ are correlated with the predictive calculations according to step d1/, then e1/ acoustic and/or visual and/or haptic indication for manually activating the trigger of the weapon.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTING A TARGET FOR A WEAPON, ESPECIALLY FOR DEFENSE LAUNCHER

Technical area

The present invention relates to methods and systems for assisting the aiming of a target for a weapon, in particular for a defensive launcher.

Although particularly intended to equip a defensive launcher, a system according to the invention can equally well equip any weapon whose aim is provided by a human being, and in particular any firearm or with pneumatic propulsion or mechanical propulsion .

By "defensive launcher" within the meaning of the present invention is meant a less lethal weapon, also called sub-lethal or reduced lethal or incapacitating weapon, that is to say a weapon designed for the target to be not killed or hurt heavily

This type of weapon is mainly used for policing riot dispersal and self-defense. According to the official definition given by the United States Department of Defense, less-lethal weapons are weapons systems that are explicitly designed and primarily used to incapacitate people or equipment, while minimizing fatalities or injuries. still permanent injuries to these same people as well as undesirable damage to its integrity and its environment

The present invention aims to improve the aiming assistance of a target for a shooter, in particular to increase its probability of reaching a predefined target area of impact.

In the application for a defensive launcher, the present invention thus aims to increase the probability of reaching a part of a human being during a shot so that it is not killed or seriously injured.

State of the art

It is well known to equip a weapon with the aid of sighting means generally consisting of a rise and a handlebar. The line of sight thus defined by Γ alignment between the rise and the handlebar, itself aligned with the target allows the shooter to trigger the shot. With these usual aiming means, the probability of reaching a target is recognized as being relatively low, because it is related to several factors such as the intrinsic accuracy of the weapon, the intrinsic quality of the aiming means, the qualities specific to the shooter, the external conditions of the aim (climate, brightness, shooter's stress, etc.) and finally, the movements of the target.

Regarding the first two factors mentioned, well-known classical technical solutions have already been implemented to improve the probability of attack.

The other three factors mentioned have only rarely been taken into account and still imperfectly. However, the effects are preponderant on the probability of reaching a target.

Among the sighting assistance systems that have been taken into account have been developed, patent FR2701101B1 which describes the integration of an infrared detector in an assault rifle for an automatic firing trigger from the signature. thermal of the target. A major disadvantage of the system described is to disregard stray motions that a shooter may have during a shot. Another major disadvantage is to make no distinction on the target parts of the target, that is to say, to discriminate the impact areas of the target, which is prohibitive for an application to a defensive launcher.

The American company Trackingpoint, Inc. has developed an improved telescopic sight, integrating several sensors and a microprocessor, adapted to optically point the target with the telescope and then to calculate the trajectory of the shot. With this improved telescopic sight, the shooter must first identify his target and then aim the target with a button near the trigger. Once the target is marked, the microprocessor integrated into the telescope calculates the trajectory followed and the shooter just has to superimpose the line of sight of the weapon with the optical point of marking of the target. Such a system, described in particular in the patent application US2013 / 0286216, has several major drawbacks that can be summarized as follows:

- the proposed system does not really allow instinctive shooting, that is to say an instantaneous fire, which can be detrimental to shooting in many situations, especially in case of rapid movements of the target; - just like the patent system FR2701 101B1, the risk of reaching an unwanted impact zone of the target remains as entirely dependent on the optical pointing made by the shooter. However, this is unacceptable for an application to a defensive launcher because an imperfect score could target a vital area of a human being.

Patent applications WO2013 / 02856, US2014 / 028856 and EP2518432 disclose sight assist systems for a firearm, each of which incorporates a pattern recognition camera. These systems have the major disadvantage that the pattern recognition software induces a processing time that can be consistent, which can go as far as to fail the shot, that is to say until not impact the zone desired impact due to this latency.

There is therefore a need to improve the aiming assistance of a target for a shooter, particularly in order to take account of the parasitic movements of a shooter, to increase his probability of reaching a predetermined impact zone of the shooter. target while allowing as instantaneous shooting as possible.

The general object of the invention is to meet part of this need.

Presentation of the invention

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is, according to a first alternative, a method of assisting the aiming of a target by a weapon, in particular by a defensive launcher, comprising, beforehand, a stage of arrangement in a weapon , two rangefinders, an inertial unit, the method comprising the following steps:

al / aiming the target;

bl / measurement of the distance between the target and the weapon, by one of the two rangefinders, b2 / measurement of the height of the weapon relative to the ground, by the other of the two rangefinders,

cl / measurement of parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon, by the inertial unit,

dl / identifying a predetermined impact zone of the target by predictive calculations of its height with respect to the ground, the angle of fire and a minimum firing distance, if the parameters measured according to step c 1 / indicate a stable position of the weapon then and if the distances measured according to steps d 1 / and 2 J are correlated with the predictive calculations according to step d 1 / then

el / audible and / or visual and / or tactile indication for manual triggering of the trigger of the weapon.

According to this first alternative, the aim of the target can be done by usual means such as a rise and a handlebar. It can also be done by means of a telescope.

The main advantage of the invention lies in the fact that either the shooting parameters of the firing angle and the height of the impact zone of a target are calculated in a predictive manner, namely the recognition of shapes of a predetermined impact zone of a target are parameters stored in a memory of a processing unit, which allows a shooter to choose a specific impact zone and that this does not change or very little of his time of reaction.

Indeed, its shooting can be done almost instantaneous unlike assistance systems according to the state of the art that require for some a prior optical score from the shooter, which in addition is not even certain of target the impact area that would have chosen the shooter, and for others the implementation of a pattern recognition camera whose processing time can go so far as to fail the shot by this latency.

The possible selection of a chosen impact zone before the firing, according to the desired effect, destruction or neutralization, preferably manually by actuation of a selection button does not modify the shot itself, and in particular its almost instantaneous.

In addition, thanks to the method according to the invention, any parasitic effect related to the unwanted movements of the shooter at the time of a shot, is avoided due to the prior use of the inertial unit.

A sight assisting system according to the invention is particularly suitable for defense launchers because it allows for sure to fire on an impact zone, such as the legs, which is of lesser danger for the defense. the life of the person concerned.

This impact zone is particularly preferred for defense launchers. We can also determine another impact zone, such as the head for precision weapons, for snipers for example.

A sight assisting system according to the invention is provided to be easily deactivated and thus allow a usual shot by a shooter.

A sight assist system may be used in a firearm or other launcher with a means of propulsion other than an explosive charge. In particular, a system according to the invention can be integrated with a defensive launcher, such as a spring-loaded mechanical compression launcher or a "paint-ball" air-compressed launcher.

The predetermined impact zone may be a part of a human body selected from the trunk, legs or head, which is advantageous when using a defensive launcher for the purpose of neutralizing an individual.

Preferably, the method further comprises a firing recording step from the target aiming step a1 / / until the firing is actually fired.

The invention also relates, in another of its aspects, to a system for assisting the aiming of a target for a weapon, in particular for a defensive launcher, comprising:

- two rangefinders adapted to be arranged on the weapon, one to measure the distance between the weapon and the target and the other to measure the height of the weapon relative to the ground;

an inertial unit adapted to be arranged on the weapon, for measuring angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon,

at least one electronic signal processing unit adapted to process the signals delivered respectively by the rangefinders and the inertial unit, the electronic processing unit comprising a control unit adapted to control the trigger tail of the weapon according to the data from the signal processing unit.

According to an advantageous variant, the electronic unit comprises:

a memory for storing parameters that are at least their height relative to the ground, the angle of fire and a minimum firing distance, different predetermined impact zones of targets, an input for receiving rangefinders the measured height of the weapon relative to the ground and the distance measured between the weapon and the target, and the inertial unit the measured parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the 'armed,

a microprocessor for:

· Validate if the distances measured by the rangefinders are correlated with predictive calculations of the firing angle,

• validate a stable position of the weapon according to the parameters measured by the inertial unit, and

• in case of a stable position of the weapon, and

· In case of correlation with the calculated firing angle,

^■ trigger a fire command between the weapon and the impact zone of the target,

an output for delivering a sound and / or visual and / or tactile warning signal, comprising a camera adapted to be arranged on the weapon for filming the target, the memory being adapted to store the images filmed by the camera.

The electronic processing unit can be made in the form of a module adapted to be integrated or deported from a weapon.

Preferably, the system comprises a battery for powering the various components of the assistance system, the battery being made in the form of a module adapted to be integrated or deported from a weapon.

The invention finally relates in another of its aspects, a firearm, or a means of propulsion other than an explosive charge, in particular a defensive launcher, comprising a previously described assistance system embodied in the form of a or more modules.

According to an alternative embodiment, the year comprises a button for manually selecting a predetermined impact zone of a target.

The weapon preferably comprises a battery supply of the various components of the assistance system.

Advantageously, the weapon comprises an electromechanical and / or electromagnetic interface between the control unit of the assistance system and the trigger tail. This interface can be integrated directly into a newly manufactured weapon or be added to an already existing weapon. The weapon may include a Picatinny type rail fastening device adapted to fix a telescopic sight on a rail itself fixed on the top of the friend.

According to an advantageous variant, the weapon comprises a download interface, USB port type and / or WIFI interface, for downloading the images filmed by the camera and stored in the memory of the assistance system.

detailed description

Other advantages and features of the invention res come out better on reading the detailed description of the invention given by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the following figures among which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary system for assisting the aiming of a pattern-recognition camera target integrated into a precision firearm as soon as it is designed,

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the system according to FIG. 1 for aiming at a predetermined impact zone of a person as a target;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the example of a target aiming assistance system according to FIGS. 1 and 2, but added to an already existing precision firearm,

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an example of a target aiming assistance system according to the invention, added to an already existing defense launcher.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a precision firearm equipped as standard, that is to say incorporating, from its conception, a system for assisting the aiming of a camera target with pattern recognition originally developed by the inventors.

The assistance system according to the invention comprises firstly a first module 1 integrated below the barrel of the precision weapon. This module 1 includes a camera to film the target and a rangefinder to measure the distance between the weapon and the target.

The system also includes a telescope 2 attached to the top of the weapon, to target a target. The telescope is preferably fixed by a rail fastening device, such as that known under the name Picatinny.

The system also includes an inertial unit for measuring angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon. Finally, there is provided at least one electronic signal processing unit adapted to process the signals delivered respectively by the range finder, the inertial unit and the camera, the electronic processing unit comprising a control unit adapted to control the trigger tail. of the weapon based on data from the signal processing unit.

The processing unit comprises the following elements:

a memory for storing selected features of shapes of different predetermined impact zones of targets.

- an input to receive the filmed image data from the camera, the rangefinder measured distance between the weapon and the target, and the inertial unit the measured parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon ,

a microprocessor for:

Searching, in the filmed image data, shape characteristics, homologous to the characteristics of a predetermined impact zone of a target, and

■ validate a stable position of the weapon according to the parameters measured by the inertial unit, and

• in case of a stable position of the weapon, and

• in case of identification, in the filmed image data, characteristics of identical shapes, with a geometric tolerance, to the characteristics of the predetermined impact zone of the target:

^■ decide on a recognition of the impact zone of the target in the filmed image,

* calculate a firing angle between the weapon and the target's impact zone,

an output for delivering a control signal of which at least one parameter is a function of the calculated firing angle.

The electronic processing unit can be housed in a module directly integrated into the weapon or deported thereof, in particular by being fixed on the shooter. The advantage of deporting the treatment unit is to limit the weight embedded on the weapon. This can also make it possible to have a more efficient electronic processing unit. The power supply means of all the active components of the system according to the invention, for example a battery can be housed in the stick S of the weapon.

As a variant, it is conceivable to house these power supply means directly in a module of the system integrating the electronic processing unit or in the module 1 integrating the camera and the rangefinder. It is also possible to deport the weapon these power supply means, which limits the weight embedded on the weapon.

The operation of the aiming aid system according to Figures 1 and 2 is as follows.

The shooter determines through the riflescope 2, the shooting parameters, that is to say the impact zone (Z.I) he wants to achieve. For a human target, the impact zone may be for example the head or the trunk or the legs.

Then, the shooter validates the predetermined impact zone by operating a switch 3. This switch 3 can thus be a selector button with three predefined positions, respectively corresponding to an impact zone at the head, in the trunk or in the legs of an individual.

When the system is thus set, the shooter can then take the aim through the telescope 2.

The rangefinder then measures the distance between the weapon and the target, and the camera sends the filmed image to the electronic processing unit.

It initiates through its microprocessor, the recognition in the data of filmed images, characteristics of identical shapes, with a geometric tolerance, the characteristics of the predetermined impact zone of the target.

The microprocessor determines whether the position measured by the inertial unit is stable and whether the shooting conditions are in accordance with the programming of the characteristic shape shapes of the impact zones in the memory of the unit.

If these conditions are met, then the microprocessor calculates the allowed or desired firing angle.

Then, the trigger tail is released to allow the triggering of the shot.

An alert device may be provided to signal to the gunner that all firing conditions are met and that the release of the trigger tail is effective. The warning device may consist of LED type lights, which can be referenced as 4 visible on the top of the weapon. It is also possible to provide in addition to or instead of an audible and / or tactile warning device.

Release control of the trigger tail can be achieved by means of an electromechanical or electromagnetic interface directly integrated between the trigger and the control unit.

Provision can be made from the trigger tail, a possible operation of the interface according to two position notches, namely a first position to activate the operation of the assistance system and a second release position of the trigger tail.

In Figure 3, there is shown the same example of a sighting system whose operation is identical to that just described, but added to an already existing precision firearm.

In this FIG. 3, in addition to the components already shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but here attached to the existing weapon, there is an additional interface 6 between the trigger and the control unit, the battery for powering the system components 7 arranged near the barrel, and connection cables 8 between the various components of the system.

Whatever the series configuration or not on a precision weapon, one can advantageously consider recording all the images taken by the camera during a shot.

The inventors have found that if such a pattern recognition system worked well for some shots, it was not suitable for some other shots, especially when the target is moving and especially when the target is short and even very short distance. Indeed, the recognition step in the filmed image data, characteristics of identical shapes, with a geometric tolerance, the characteristics of the predetermined impact zone of the target, induces a certain processing time by the microprocessor. However, this processing time can be relatively important given the reaction time required for a shot. It may be consequent to the point where the target has moved between the moment of acquisition by the camera and the moment when the trigger tail is released. This is clearly a disadvantage, especially for the application to defense launchers where this intrinsic processing time of the pattern recognition can cause the shot to fail, that is to say not to touch the impact zone initially considered. by the shooter.

Therefore, the inventors have developed the target targeting assistance system according to the invention which implements two rangefinders, in order to have a system that allows the acquisition of the impact zone of the target very quickly in quasi-instantaneous time.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a target aiming assistance system according to the invention, added to an already existing defense launcher. This defensive launcher can be a bullet thrower or a shotgun in the context of neutralizing individuals or maintaining order.

The system according to this example firstly comprises a telescope, not shown in Figure 4 but which is identical to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

The other components of the system are integrated as a single module 1.

This module 1 first houses a first rangefinder 10 for measuring the distance between the weapon and the target and a second rangefinder 11 for measuring the height of the weapon relative to the ground.

It also houses an inertial unit 12, for measuring the angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon, and an electronic processing unit 13 of the signal adapted to process the signals delivered respectively by the rangefinders and the inertial unit, the unit electronic processing comprising a control unit adapted to control the trigger of the weapon according to the data from the signal processing unit.

The treatment unit comprises:

a memory 14 for storing parameters that are at least their height relative to the ground, the angle of fire and a minimum firing distance, different predetermined impact zones of targets,

an input for receiving rangefinders the measured height of the weapon relative to the ground and the distance measured between the weapon and the target, and the inertial unit the measured parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the 'armed, a microprocessor for:

• validate if the distances measured by the rangefinders are correlated with predictive calculations of the firing angle,

• in case of a stable position of the weapon, and

• if correlated with the calculated firing angle,

• trigger a fire command between the weapon and the impact zone of the target,

an output for delivering an audible and / or visual and / or tactile warning signal. The memory 14 of the processing unit can store parameters that are at least their height relative to the ground, the angle of fire and a minimum firing distance, different predetermined impact zones of targets.

The module 1 furthermore houses a camera I S and the battery 7 for powering the various components, including the camera 15.

The operation of the system according to the invention is here the following

The shooter takes a target shot through the rifle scope. The system is then activated automatically or by manual switching.

The rangefinders 10, 11 respectively measure the distance between the weapon and the target, and the height of the weapon relative to the ground.

The microprocessor of the electronic processing unit 13 determines if the position measured by the inertial unit 12 is stable and if the shooting conditions are in accordance with the programming of the calculated firing angle of the impact zone in the memory of the unit, that is to say if the distances measured by the rangefinders are correlated with the predictive calculations of the firing angle.

If these conditions are met, then the microprocessor triggers a fire command between the weapon and the impact zone of the target.

Then, an audible and / or visual warning signal by means of the indicator lights 4 and / or touch is delivered.

The shooter can then fire by pressing the trigger.

All shots can be recorded by the camera 1 S. The invention that has just been described makes it possible to considerably increase the probability of reaching a specific impact zone of a target and by freeing itself from the parasitic movements of a shooter and by allowing a shot on more instantaneous possible.

Other variants and improvements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

REVENDICATONS

1. A method of assisting the aiming of a target by a weapon, in particular by a defensive launcher, comprising beforehand a step of arranging in a weapon, two rangefinders (10, 11) and a central unit inertial (12), the method comprising the following steps:

a1 / aim of the target;

b1 / measuring the distance between the target and the weapon, by one of the two rangefinders, b2 / measuring the height of the weapon relative to the ground, by the other of the two rangefinders,

c1 / measurement of the parameters that are the angular velocities, the accelerations and angles of the weapon, by the inertial unit,

d1 / identification of a predetermined impact zone (Z.I) of the target by predictive calculations of its height relative to the ground, the angle of fire and a minimum firing distance,

if the parameters measured according to the step cl / indicate a stable position of the weapon then and if the distances measured according to the steps dl / and d2 / are correlated with the predictive calculations according to the step dl / then

e1 / audible and / or visual and / or tactile indication for manual triggering of the trigger of the weapon.

2. A method of assistance according to one of the preceding claims, the predetermined impact zone is a part of a human body selected from the trunk, the legs or the head.

3. A method of assistance according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of recording the shot from the target al / aiming step until after the effective trigger firing.

4. Attendance system for targeting a weapon target, in particular for a defensive launcher, comprising:

- two rangefinders (10,11) adapted to be arranged on the weapon, one to measure the distance between the weapon and the target and the other to measure the height of the weapon relative to the ground;

an inertial unit (12) adapted to be arranged on the weapon, for measuring angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon, at least one electronic signal processing unit (13) adapted to process the signals delivered respectively by the rangefinders and the inertial unit, the electronic processing unit comprising a control unit adapted to control the trigger tail of the weapon according to the data from the signal processing unit.

The assistance system according to claim 4, the electronic unit comprising:

a memory (14) for storing parameters that are at least their height relative to the ground, the firing angle and a minimum firing distance, different predetermined impact zones of targets,

an input for receiving rangefinders the measured height of the weapon relative to the ground and the distance measured between the weapon and the target, and the inertial unit the measured parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the 'armed,

a microprocessor for:

• in case of a stable position of the weapon, and

· In case of correlation with the calculated firing angle,

^■ trigger a firing command between Tanne and the target impact zone,

an output for delivering an audible and / or visual and / or tactile warning signal.

6. System according to claim 5, comprising a camera adapted to be arranged on the weapon for filming the target, the memory being adapted to store the images filmed by the camera.

7. Assistance system according to one of claims 4 to 6, the electronic processing unit being made in the form of a module adapted to be integrated or deported a weapon.

8. Assistance system according to one of claims 4 to 7, comprising a battery for powering the various components of the assistance system, the battery being made in the form of a module adapted to be integrated or deported a armed.

9. A firearm, or a means of propulsion other than an explosive charge, in particular a defensive launcher, comprising an assistance system according to one of claims 4 to 8 in the form of one or more modules.

10. Anne a feu according to claim 9, comprising a button for manually selecting a predetermined impact zone of a target.

11. Anne according to claim 9 or 10, comprising a battery supply of the various components of the assistance system.

12. A weapon according to one of claims 9 to 11, comprising an electromechanical and / or electromagnetic interface between the control unit of the assistance system and the trigger tail.

13. A weapon according to one of claims 9 to 12, comprising a Picatinny-type rail fastening device adapted to fix a telescopic sight on a rail itself fixed on the top of the weapon.

14. Weapon according to one of claims 9 to 13, comprising a download interface, type USB socket and / or Wifi interface, for downloading the filmed images.