WO1997045692A1

WO1997045692A1 - Shooting practice system, gun equipment, corresponding target and method

Info

Publication number: WO1997045692A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/000929
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel Billon; Henri L'her; Olivier Sentieys; Michel Valette
Original assignee: Universite De Rennes 1
Priority date: 1996-05-28
Filing date: 1997-05-28
Publication date: 1997-12-04
Also published as: EP0904521A1; AU3096897A; FR2749380A1; EP0904521B1; ATE205592T1; DE69706679D1

Abstract

The invention discloses a shooting practice system, comprising at least one target (13) and at least one gun (11) equipped with means for emitting a light beam (17) along the shooting axis, system comprising a processing unit (14) delivering an analysis of each shot, based on a signal (18) reflected by the said target (13) and received by the sensor fitted to the gun (11) and a permanent evaluation of the trajectory of each of the said targets (13). The gun equipment can be movable and is designed to be easily mounted and dismounted on a standard gun. It can be designed to simulate small shot speed and/or dispersion. The invention also discloses such equipment, a target adapted to the system and a corresponding method.

Description

Rifle training system, rifle equipment, target and method thereof.

The field of the invention is that of the use of shooting weapons. More specifically, the invention relates to learning and training in the use of a weapon, and in particular a hunting rifle.

Hunting is only possible during statutory opening periods. The rest of the time, that is to say a large part of the year, the shooter is obliged, to train or have fun, to go in a clay pigeon shooting. This limitation has many drawbacks. First of all, clay pigeon shooting is an expensive hobby. The hunter practicing clay pigeon shooting

(or the hunting course or the pit) must have two rifles: a sturdy rifle for clay pigeon shooting and a lighter rifle suitable for shooting hunted game. In addition, the fixed costs of clay pigeon shooting, and the cost of cartridges and clay pigeons, or trays, which are in principle broken during shooting, should be taken into account. In addition, clay pigeon shooting generates nuisances vis-à-vis those around them, particularly with regard to noise and dangers. The installation of a clay pigeon shooting therefore requires administrative permits, and the number of clubs and clay pigeon shooting is therefore limited. Note, however, that the demand is very high. Thus, in certain countries like Italy, there are more license-holders in clay pigeon shooting than in soccer ball. In all cases, the hunter has great difficulty training, and correcting his faults. When he actually hunts, he rarely knows why he missed the game. The same is true for clay pigeon shooting: he only knows whether he has touched the clay pigeon or not.

In addition, clay pigeon shooting is only slightly useful for hunting, since it is not practiced with the same type of rifle. Each rifle has specific characteristics, which the hunter must get used to.

Various techniques have been presented to overcome some of these drawbacks. Thus, patent application WO-91 12480 presents a system for simulating bullet shooting. It mainly concerns the case of fixed targets. The case of moving targets is discussed, but assumes the existence of telemetry means (which implies an impact on the target) and does not make it possible to analyze the shot in the event that the target was missed.

Document US Pat. No. 3,499,650 simply provides "all or nothing" information on the success of the shooting, and not an analysis of the latter. In addition, it applies to very large targets, such as tanks. US Pat. No. 3,898,747 describes a system employing a double beam, for soldier-to-soldier combat training. Again, this is simple "all or nothing" detection.

Document UK-2 138 112 presents yet another firing simulation system. It is not very precise, due to the use of a photodiode with fixed thresholding. Furthermore, it only provides for "all or nothing" detection of the impact. Patent application FR-2 614 097 describes yet another system of this type. It is only suitable for close-range shots, with "all or nothing" results.

The document FR-2,560,370 relates to a system for simulating shooting at a fixed target, the result of which is also given by "all or nothing". We note that a lot of research has been done in this file.

However, none of the techniques proposed provides effective assistance for learning. The shooter does not know the reasons for his failure, when he has not reached the target.

The invention particularly aims to overcome these various drawbacks of the state of the art. More specifically, an objective of the invention is to provide a system making it possible to learn to shoot, then to improve its shooting technique.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a system, which allows the hunter to practice clay pigeon shooting, or any other entertainment, with his own hunting rifle. The invention also aims to provide such a system, which is inexpensive to implement and operate, in particular compared to conventional ball traps.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide such a system, which does not present any nuisance (noise, danger, etc.) and which can be used freely, practically everywhere (and not only in ball traps) . These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved according to the invention by a shooting learning system, of the type comprising at least one target and at least one rifle equipped with means for emitting a light beam along the firing axis, and a processing unit delivering an analysis of each of the shots, depending in particular on: the signal reflected by said target and received by a sensor equipping said rifle; and a permanent estimate of the trajectory of each of said targets.

In other words, according to the invention, the shooter obtains, for each shot, a quantification of his shot (precision, "timing", ...), and not a simple indication of success or failure of the shot. He can therefore detect and understand his faults, and therefore improve the quality of his shot.

It should be noted that the present invention resides in particular in the formulation of the problem of obtaining a quantification of the shot. This problem is entirely new to those skilled in the art, who have always simply sought to indicate whether the shot was good or bad. The approach of the invention on the other hand makes it possible to know the characteristics of this shot.

Depending on the case, the processing unit can be placed in a remote station (connected to rifles for example by radio), or in rifles, or even distributed between the different elements. Advantageously, said processing unit comprises means for determining the trajectory of each of said targets, as a function of measurements delivered by said launcher (initial conditions of launch).

It is thus possible to calculate, in particular, the distance between the target and the shooter at the time of impact. In this case, preferably, said means for determining the trajectory take account of a measurement of the direction and / or of the wind speed.

Preferably, the equipment of the rifle is removable, in a simple and direct manner, and it can be put in place in a conventional rifle. Thus, the hunter can use his own hunting rifle. He does not need to buy a specific rifle, and learning directly benefits him for hunting. In the case where said targets are set in motion by a target launcher, it is advantageous that said analysis also takes account of an estimate of the distance between a shooter and a target. Of course, in the case of a fixed target, this distance is known directly. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said analysis comprises at least one of the information belonging to the group comprising an indication on the centering of the shot with respect to the target, an indication of the distance between the shooter and the target and an indication on how the shot was made relative to the target position.

According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the system comprises means for simulating the dispersion and / or the speed of pellets in space.

This makes it possible to simulate and analyze the shot perfectly, and therefore to improve the shooter's performance.

Again, this approach is completely new to those skilled in the art. The objective is not in fact to obtain a "perfect" shooting system (based on a laser beam), but on the contrary to simulate a real shot, with its "faults" (slowness, scattering ...).

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said means for simulating the dispersion comprise means ensuring the divergence of said light beam at the output of said rifle. It can in particular be a holographic diffuser.

Furthermore, according to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, said speed simulation means include means for applying a delay in remission of said light beam.

Indeed, the speed of pellets is lower than that of light! This delay makes it possible to further improve the simulation.

The invention also relates to the rifle equipment in such a shooting training system. This equipment comprises means for transmitting along the firing axis of an incident light beam, a sensor for receiving a light signal reflected by said target and means for transmitting said reflected light signal to said processing unit, and means for bidirectional data exchange with a station at distant ground.

It should be noted that this equipment can easily be installed on any type of conventional rifle. In other words, the system of the invention does not require the use of specific rifles. In addition to the economic aspect, this allows the shooter to train with his own hunting rifle.

Advantageously, such equipment comprises at least two guns and means for triggering said light beam comprising detection means sensitive to the use of the trigger associated with any one of said guns.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said detection means comprise a piezoelectric sensor. This makes it possible to detect the use of one or the other of the triggers, without the need for direct mechanical contacts.

Preferably, said reception sensor comprises a plane position detector, detecting the center of gravity of the illumination received.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, said reception sensor cooperates with means for taking into account the ambient lighting.

Such equipment can therefore in particular comprise: in a first assembly having the format of a cartridge: a percussion damper; an accelerometer for detecting said percussion; a contactor establishing the electrical supply when said rifle closes; and in a second assembly placed at the end of said rifle: optical means for emitting a light signal emitted; optical means for receiving a received light signal. It can also include means for simulating the weight of the lead and / or powder charge of said cartridge, among several possible weights, and / or the effect of "choke", "half-choke" or gun smooth.

The invention also relates to an advantageous target for a shooting training system according to the invention, having a profile chosen so as to optimize the efficiency between the quantity of light received and the quantity of reflected light. Preferably, such a target has a reflective coating with a very low retro-reflection angle (between 0 and 15 °), at least over a portion of said target capable of receiving said light ray.

According to an advantageous embodiment, said target comprises means for simulating the effect of an impact carrying out at least one of the operations belonging to the group comprising: the fall of said target, by imbalance of the latter; the emission of an audible signal; 1 emission of a light signal. It is thus possible for the shooter to directly and explicitly note the success of his shot.

The target may in particular comprise means for receiving an order to simulate the effect of an impact, and means for moving a point mass inside said target. The invention also relates to a method of learning to shoot, of the type using at least one target and at least one rifle equipped with means for emitting a light beam along the shooting axis, method delivering an analysis of each shot, depending in particular on: the signal reflected by said target and received by a sensor fitted to said rifle, and the trajectory of each of said targets. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, such a method comprises, for each launch, at least some of the following steps: launching of a target; - acquisition of measurements making it possible to determine the trajectory of said target; detection of a shot made using one of said rifles; first determination of the ambient light received by said sensor; emission of said light beam, in the form of a series of lightnings; - reception of the corresponding reflected light, by said sensor; second determining the ambient light received by said sensor; transmission of the corresponding data to a processing unit, or local processing in said rifle; bidirectional data exchange between a processing unit and said rifles; calculating the position of said target at the time of firing; determination of at least one of the pieces of information belonging to the group comprising an indication of the distance between the shooter and the target, an indication on the centering of the shot with respect to the target and an indication on the synchronization of the shot with respect to the position of target ; simulation of the effect of the impact on said target; presentation of said analysis. Advantageously, this method can simultaneously deliver an analysis of shots fired from at least two rifles on the same target. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description of two preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of simple illustrative and nonlimiting examples, and of the appended drawings, among which: FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the system of the invention, formed by a launcher, a target, an equipped rifle and a processing unit; - Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the launcher of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an advantageous shape for the target of Figure 1; FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the equipment of the rifle of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 shows the structure of the optics of the emitter of the rifle of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 describes the structure of the optics for receiving the rifle of FIG. 4; Figure 7 specifies the optical characteristics of the receiver of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a block diagram of the electronic elements of the gun of Figure 4; Figure 9 is an electrical diagram of an embodiment of the accelerometer included in the cartridge of the gun of Figure 4; FIG. 10 illustrates the operation of the detector of the reception optics of FIG. 6; - Figure 11 shows the timing diagram of a firing sequence, managed by the sequencer of Figure 8; FIG. 12 describes the architecture of the means implemented on the ground, in the system of FIG. 1; FIG. 13 is an example of the trajectory of a target, illustrating the calculations carried out by the processing unit of FIG. 12; FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of a rifle according to the invention; Figure 15 is a simplified block diagram of the means used in the gun of Figure 14; FIG. 16 presents a global block diagram of a second embodiment of an item of equipment according to the invention; FIG. 17 represents a target equipped with means of imbalance; Figure 18 is a block diagram of the on-board electronics of the target of Figure 17; - Figure 19 shows an example of display of the result of an analysis of a shot according to the invention. As indicated above, the shooting learning system according to the invention allows the shooter to train with his own rifle, and to obtain a quantification of each of his shots, which allows him to progress. Such a system is illustrated, overall, in FIG. 1. It comprises: one or more (conventionally 1 to 10) rifles 11; a launcher 12; a plurality (for example a few tens) of non-breakable targets (or pigeons) 13; - a processing unit 14. The processing unit 14 is for example a PC-compatible microcomputer (registered trademark). It ensures in particular the tracking of the ballistics of the targets 13, as a function of measurements of characteristics of the launch delivered (15) by the launcher 12, and possibly of external parameters (such as the characteristics of the wind), the processing of the information 16 transmitted by radio channel by each rifle 11, carrying out the various calculations in real time, and the restitution of the results, for example on a screen.

The rifle 11 comprises means for emitting an incident light beam 17, coming from a laser diode, and means for receiving the reflected light beam 18 (when the target 13 is reached ...). The general chronology of events is as follows: positioning of the launcher 12; triggering of the launcher 12, causing the departure of the pigeon 13 and the acquisition of the ballistic parameters of this pigeon by the processing unit 14; - Mounted on the shoulder of the rifle 1 1 by the shooter, and aiming at the pigeon 13; excitation of the trigger of the rifle 1 1, causing the release of the striker, which strikes the "cartridge" equipping the rifle; emission of a frame of laser pulses 17 towards the target 13; reception of the reflected signal 18 by the detector equipping the rifle (in one of the barrels, or under the rifle); transmission to the ground of the measurements 16, by HF link, to the processing unit 14; calculating the position of the target 13 relative to the axis of fire, and determining the direction of the speed of the target from ballistics; display of results, and possibly simulation of shooting noise; possibly making a second shot. We will now describe each component of this system. The launcher 12 can for example be of the type illustrated in FIG. 2. It is manual or automatic. It conventionally comprises a tripod 21, carrying a guide handle 22 and a pigeon support 23.

It is instrumented to record the angle of latitude a and the angle of azimuth b, from which it will be possible to determine the ballistics of the pigeon. The angle a is between 0 and 15 °, and the angle b can vary between -45 and + 45 °. The sensors used can be rotary potentiometric sensors (for example Spectrol (registered trademark) sensors with a value of 5 kΩ. These sensors are connected by cables to the processing unit.

In FIG. 2, Dl illustrates the vertical axis, and D2 is the position reference in the horizontal plane, y'y is the projection of x'x in the horizontal plane. In all cases, the distance between the position of the shooter and the launcher must be initialized in the processing unit.

The pigeon illustrated in Figure 3 has a shape similar to known clay pigeons. However, to improve the performance characterized by the ratio between the illumination received and the retro-reflected energy, the pigeon was profiled as follows: diameter 110 mm, thickness 20 mm, clearance angle: 7.5 degrees ( this angle was chosen as an average value between 0 and 15 degrees, beam entry angle). The material used is unbreakable (aluminum or plastic) and coated with a layer of retro-reflecting coating, on its edge for "ball-trap" type applications or on the underside for "rabbit" type applications. This coating is for example 3M brand type 2000X (registered trademarks). It is composed of high performance micro prisms for large entry angles. The angle of the retro-reflected ray is very small, which allows the same type of equipment to be used for several rifles, if the shooters are separated from each other by more than 2 m.

As already indicated, the rifle of the invention is an ordinary rifle, which allows the hunter to use his own hunting rifle. It includes removable equipment, which can adapt to most rifles, and which can be divided into three parts: the transmitter, the receiver and the transmitter.

The installation of the equipment, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises the following steps: installation of an electronic cartridge 41, comprising a laser diode, in the space provided for the cartridges; installation, at the end of the corresponding barrel, of a transmission module 42, connected by an optical cable 43 to the electronic cartridge, and comprising a divergence optic; - - installation of the detection module 44 and the HF connection module 45, in the second gun, or under the guns; possibly, installation of a white cartridge 46 in the second barrel; possibly, installation of a counterweight 47, intended to maintain the balance of the rifle, slightly modified by the elements placed at the end of the barrels.

The optics of the transmitter are illustrated in FIG. 5. It comprises: a light source 51, of the laser diode type (for example a C86104E diode, of the EG & G brand (registered trademarks), with a power of 1.5 W emitting in the infrared at 860 nm, powered by a power supply 52, a lens 53 with a gradient of index "Selfoc", of diameter 1.8 mm whose role is to collect the flux emitted by the laser diode and inject it into the optical fiber; an optical fiber 54 of 140 microns in diameter of the core whose role is to make the laser beam circular and to guide it to the exit of the barrel; a lens 55 of diameter 10 mm causing the beam to diverge, and ensuring a diameter of 1 m to 20 m in distance, thus obtaining a simulation of the dispersion of the pellets in space, in the case of a live fire. The receiver makes it possible to recover the signal reflected by the target, when the latter has been hit by the transmitted signal. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, it comprises a plane position detector (PSD) 61, for example a silicon sensor, of type 5590 of the Hamamatsu brand (registered trademarks). An interference filter 62 centered on 860 nm filters the length. of the laser beam.

The illumination transmitted by a converging lens 63 passes through the spatial filter constituted by a diaphragm 64 and the image is then made on the PSD 61. The latter in fact detects the center of gravity of the illumination. Therefore, the detection is practically insensitive to optical aberrations. The diameter of the input optic is 20 mm, but it can be reduced by a factor of 2.

The detector is subjected to several "parasites" (sun, ambient radiation, ...), and to the light coming from the laser diode, and reflected by the target. To ensure good measurement dynamics, the effect of each of these sources should be studied. Regarding the effect of the atmosphere, we assume an ambient lighting of

100 W.m2.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the diameter of the optic 71 is 20 mm, and its focal length 15 mm. A 5.6 ° angle of view is obtained. For a target placed 20 m away, 1 m in the plane of the target therefore corresponds to 0.75 mm in the plane of the detector. The receiver has the following characteristics: sensitivity of the sensor: 0.5 A / W bandwidth of the detector: 0.2 μ solid viewing angle: 5 bn Hence a power falling on the detector of 25 μW. If we consider that this power is distributed equally along all the wavelengths ranging from 0.3 to 1.3 μ, the current delivered by the detector will be equal to 5 μA. in fact this is very pessimistic since the emissivity of the foliage around 0.9 μ is very low (close to 0.2).

The useful signal is characterized by: - Dimension of the pigeon: 20 mm x 100 mm; Coefficient of retro-reflection: 0.3; Re-emission angle: <1 degree; Viewing angle: 0; Power of the laser diode: 1.5W; - Efficiency of the emission optics: 0.7;

Shooting distance: D.

The illumination received by the detector varies in D- ⁴ . For a shot at 40 m the power received by the detector is 130nW. It can generate a current in the detector equal to

65 nA which is very large compared to the dark current (typically 0, lnA). The dynamic range necessary for shots between 20 m and 60 m (27) is therefore possible to obtain.

On the other hand, the current due to the atmosphere is too large compared to the useful current (100 times). It is reduced by placing an interference filter in front of the reception optics. This filter has the following characteristics:

Bandwidth 40nm around 860nm; Transmission coefficient in the band: 0.7; Out of band transmission coefficient 0.01. The currents obtained are then as follows: - ambient current: 1000 nA; useful current: 32 nA. For these values there is no saturation of the PSD by the atmosphere and a realistic amplification makes it possible to measure the currents of each electrode.

Figure 8 is a block diagram of the main electronic means of the invention.

When the rifle closes, after installing the electronic cartridge, a micro-contact allows the supply of the various circuits. In particular, a voltage converter takes charge of a 0.5 mF capacitor. About a second later, when the capacitor is charged, firing can take place. During firing, the action of the striker is detected. We can use a contact classic. However, an accelerometer 81 is advantageously used, which has the double advantage of not requiring mechanical connection with the striker, and of being able to detect the use of one and the other of the two triggers.

The accelerometer 81, placed in the cartridge, activates a fire detection module 82, which alerts a sequencer 83. This sequencer 83 authorizes the supply 84 of the laser diode, for example through a mosfet transistor of the IRFD014 type of International Rectifier (registered trademarks).

The illumination reflected by the target (as well as the ambient illumination) is received by the detector 85, then shaped. This formatting 86 notably includes a transformation into current, an amplification, an analog / digital conversion (for example using a CAN converter of the Max 186 type (12 bit resolution) from

Maxime (registered trademarks)) and serialization.

A control photodiode 88 delivers information relating to the light power of the laser diode. Finally, the sequencer 83 transmits over the air 87 the signal obtained, to the processing unit.

The particular modules of FIG. 8 will now be described in more detail.

The accelerometer 81 can be of the ADXL050JH type from Analog Device (registered trademarks). Advantageously, it can also be produced according to the diagram in FIG. 9. Knowing that the excitation is axial, a piezoelectric blade 91 is mounted radially. It is of PXE5 bimorph type Philips (registered trademarks). The mechanical vibrations are then transformed and shaped through the BFT46 transistors 92 and 93 and processed by the sequencer 83.

If the shooter wishes to take a second shot, he will do so by actuating the second trigger. In the second gun we will place a so-called "white" cartridge that is to say not loaded with pellets. The percussion vibrations on this cartridge are transmitted to the previous accelerometer which will activate the sequencer 83 again.

The operating principle of the detector 85 is illustrated in FIG. 10. It is a bidirectional PSD. It includes four electrodes 101 to 104, and a bias voltage 105 is applied to the center of the detector. The image of the target is made on the surface of the PSD causing a variation of the currents II, 12, 13, 14, flowing in load resistors. The values of these currents are a function of the position of the center of gravity of the illumination of coordinates (x, y) received. We deduce x and y by the relations: x = (Il-I2) / (IIll + II2l) y = (I3-I4) / (II3I + II4I)

In static (or slowly variable) the coordinates of the center of gravity of the illumination L are x _υ , yo- The addition of a light spot, due to the retroreflection of the illumination pigeon 1 will modify the previous coordinates if the shooting is not centered. The accuracy of the detection is a function of 1 compared to L. The detector must operate in a linear area despite the atmosphere while maintaining a dynamic range for 1 ranging from a target at 20m to 60m.

The result is determined by the processing unit and broadcast by loudspeaker or displayed on a screen. For the control of the laser diode 84, the closing of the rifle, a capacity of 0.5 mF is charged through the voltage converter for one to a few seconds so that at the time of the firing a mosfet transistor controlled by the sequencer 83 on its grid ensures the passage of a drain current of 3A, current necessary to obtain a light power of 1.5 W at the output of the diode. Given the characteristic of the transistor, this current remains constant throughout the excitation of the diode. The light output power is evacuated by a light fraction captured by a photodiode. The information given by the photodiode is transmitted to the processing unit.

The sequencer 83 is the control part of the different subsets of the system. The various constraints to which it must respond are of four orders: - ∑ time constraint: indeed, a shot is not reduced simply to a single measurement but to a sequence of several measurements to be carried out at a sampling period of 50 μs .

∑ space constraint: all the components making up this sequencer must imperatively fit in a minimum of space since all the on-board electronics are installed in a cartridge. ∑ consumption constraint: the capacity of the accumulators supplying the optoelectronic assembly being necessarily limited, it is necessary to select components with low consumption to allow sufficient autonomy of the system. ∑ cost constraint: the system being intended for the general public, the choice of solution must necessarily take into account the cost price of the various elements used. A technical solution can be based on the realization of a programmable circuit (FPGA of the Altéra family (registered trademarks)) or of a hidden integrated circuit to benefit from a better bulk (CMS box) and a better price.

For each launch, the chronology of events, illustrated in Figure 11, is as follows:

1. detection of the departure of the tray by the processing unit;

2. detection of shot 111 by the accelerometer and transmission to the sequencer; - 3. acquisition of background 112 (ambient light) by the sequencer during

10 ms;

4. switching on the laser diode 1 13 (flashes 1 14 of 100 μs) and acquisition 1 15 of the position of the stage by the sequencer for 10 ms at the rate of 4 measurements per period (Tech = 50 μs) on the 4 outputs 116] to 1 16 ₄ of the PSD sensor; Each measurement 116 requires the sending to the CAN of a programming word (8 bits) 11 and then reading the result of the conversion (12 bits) 118;

5. acquisition 119 of the background by the sequencer for 10 ms.

6. sending of the various acquisitions to the remote microcomputer. Each rifle has its own HF 87 transmitter with a range of approximately 10 m. Heiland brand (registered trademark) for example, it operates in frequency modulation with a carrier of 433.92 MHz. Its bandwidth is + or - 20 kHz and its weight of 11 g.

In fact, the part of the system at the end of the rifle must have the lowest possible weight so as not to displace the center of gravity of the rifle and not to weigh it down. A counterweight can be provided, to keep the center of gravity of the rifle unchanged, whether it is equipped or not.

Mechanically, the cartridge is designed to adapt to 12 caliber rifles. The length of the cartridge is of the order of 80 to 90 mm. It slides into the barrel like an ordinary cartridge. When the rifle closes, a micro-contact ensures the connection between the battery and the various electronic circuits. The autonomy of a cartridge, depending on the quality of the battery, can be 1 year.

The system at the end of the rifle is partly mounted in a barrel and partly under the barrels. It is easily removable. According to the NFC 43-801 standard, the maximum exposure allowed for the eye under the conditions of use described means that the system does not present any danger from a distance of 1.6 m from the end of the barrel. Besides, there is no danger to the skin.

Optionally, a barrel can contain a "white" cartridge loaded only with powder. This can, on the first try, create the recoil effect.

Another option is the effect of changing the "choke" of the guns. A shocked barrel has at its end a narrowing which makes that the distribution of the pellets in space is different from that described, causing the reduction of the dispersion of the pellets. This can be simulated by software. FIG. 12 illustrates the architecture of the means used on the ground.

The processing of information on the ground, the acquisition of ballistic parameters, the reception of calculation data and the display of results are carried out by a microcomputer.

The system comprises: an HF 121 receiver, for example of the Heiland brand, operating at

433.92 MHz in FM modulation and having a bandwidth of 280 kHz, and capable of operating at a distance with rifles of 100 m; acquisition means 122, receiving the measurements of the angles a and b of the launcher and, for example, measurements of the wind speed and direction. For example, there are 4 analog inputs that can be connected by serial link with the processing unit 123; an interrupt input 124 or equivalent, the signal of which corresponds to the release of the pigeon. This signal triggers the ballistic tracking procedure; the processing unit 123, in particular ensuring the calculation and management of the results in real time (reception of the measurements; processing of the measurements: synchronous filtering and demodulation, calculation of the center of gravity of the target image, possible corrections and display ; display management); means 125 for displaying the results. For a shot, the screen can present the results as illustrated in FIG. 12, that is to say distance 1251 of shooting 40 m, impact 1252 limit on transverse pigeon 1253, late shooting. For two shots, there can be overlapping images and for 4 shooters for example, the screen can be divided into 4; and optionally an HP 126 type body to simulate the noise of a pellet shot, a flash lamp 127 to simulate impact, etc. The following table presents, in a simplified manner, the chronology of a shot for the shooter (column 1 ), the processing unit (column 2) and the launcher (column 3).

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of determining the trajectory 131 of a pigeon, and of analyzing the shot 132, such as the processing unit can perform it.

The horizontal plane is defined by (Oy, OT). Vo is the initial speed of the pigeon belonging to the plane (01, Oy), perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The effect of the wind is neglected. Oz is the vertical axis. I is the intersection of the laser beam and the pigeon. D is the firing distance sought from the coordinates (y, z) of point I. H being the projection of I, IH will be known as well as OH. The knowledge of OH, OT, and a allows us to determine D. By calling:

Vo the initial speed of the pigeon, function of the supposed launcher known, kl the drag coefficient, k2 the lift coefficient, t the time variable, y and z the coordinates of point I in the frame of reference (Oy, Oz),

(dy / dt) the speed of the pigeon following oy, and (dz / dt) the speed of the pigeon according to oz, the ballistics of the pigeon is defined by the following equations: y = Vo. (cos b) .t-kl. (dy / dt) 2 z = -0.5.t2 + Vo. (Sin b) .t + k2. (Dz / dt) 2 Vo and b being known, kl and k2 are determined by preliminary tests associated with a digital resolution of the system by a "Runge-Kutta" method of the 4th order. From this resolution we also deduce the speed of the pigeon in I.

Advantageously, the treatment provides for a correction of the advance effect of the laser beam relative to the pellets. Let us call Vp the initial speed of the pellets. For a shooting distance D the advance A taken by a laser beam will be equal to:

A = D / Vp or for Vp = 400 m / s and D = 40 m A = 0.1s.

If the pigeon is fleeing or returning this advance only induces an error on D which is compensated by programmed correction. A correction is only possible if the pigeon is in the field of the laser beam. The most critical situation is encountered when the pigeon is transverse. So if at 40 m its speed is around V = 20m / s it will be able to evolve by a quantity Dp = AxV = 0.1 x20 = 2m.

The beam emission will therefore be delayed by 0.1 s and a correction will be applied as a function of the shooter-launcher-ballistic geometry.

A correction of the effect of the distribution of pellets in space is also possible. Indeed, in a typical cartridge of length 70 mm, the pellets occupy a space of length 50mm. Therefore with an initial speed Vp the pellets are distributed in space over a time increment equal to 0.05 / 400 = 0.125.10-3s. This value should be compared to the duration of the pulses necessary to achieve good detection, which is of the order of 1.10-3s.

It will therefore be necessary to compensate for the detection time. This is a very weak correction, because if at the time of the shooting the speed of the pigeon is of the order of 20.m / s, during 1.10-3s it will have evolved by 20mm. Figure 14 shows another possible architecture for equipping the rifle. It consists in dissociating the cartridge 141 from the end of the rifle. For this the optics of the cartridge ends with a short length of optical fiber (1 cm). The outgoing beam 142 is collected by a lens which converges this beam on the lens located at the end of the barrel, which realizes the divergence 143 of the beam. Separating the cartridge from the other part leads to modifications on the electronics without changing the general functionality of the system. Part of the sequencer function remains in the cartridge, but another part must be at the end of the barrel. Two sources of energy must be used.

The equipment therefore includes the electronic cartridge 141, a divergence and detection module 143, a white cartridge 144, a second sequencer 145 and an HF transmission module 146.

Thus, there is no wire or fiber connection between the cartridge and the nozzle of the barrel. The barrel optics are designed as illustrated in Figure 15.

A first battery 151 feeds the cartridge 141, and in particular ensures the supply 152 of the laser diode 153. As already described in relation to FIG. 5, the cartridge comprises a Selfoc lens 154, a portion of optical fiber 155 (to circularize the beam) and a converging lens 156.

At the other end of the barrel, a divergent lens 157 simulates the scattering of the pellets. In retreat, a photodiode 158 will be activated by the parasitic reflections 159 of the lens 157. The consequent information will be transmitted to a second sequencer 1510 placed at the end of the barrel. This sequencer will manage the detection 1511, the digitization 1512 of the measurements and the HF transmission. These two functions are identical to the version of the sequencer described above. A battery 1514 ensures the supply of the various elements.

To reduce the bandwidth of the transmitter, it is possible to perform calculations before transmission. These calculations are filtering, synchronous detection, differentiation and summation of the currents from which the coordinates of the center of gravity of the pigeon image are calculated. The information emitted by the rifle will then only be: 0929

22

the time of the shot, the coordinates of the center of gravity of the pigeon image on the PSD, the photodiode current which is information relating to the light power of the laser diode. We now present a second embodiment of the invention. Of course, only the essential differences are discussed.

The equipment is presented in Figure 16. It includes a cartridge 161, equipped with: a percussion damper 161 1, preferably removable and replaceable (a micro-switch establishes the power supply when the rifle is closed and the central element only serves as a shock absorber); a percussion detection accelerometer 1612; means 1613 for shaping, counting strokes; a LED diode 1614 for transmitting light pulses from the percussion to the end of the rifle 162. This end 162 comprises for its part: a photodiode 1621 for detecting the signal emitted; means 1622 for shaping the received signal; a processing module 1623 managing the connections between the different elements and carrying out the processing of the measurements, the deduction of the firing parameters and the transmission of the result to the ground. This is for example an MSP 430 microprosser from Texas Instrument (registered trademark); an optical transmission part 1624; an optical receiving part 1625; - a bidirectional HF link 1626, for example of the RFM brand

(registered trademark), allowing adaptation to the legislation of different countries; a laser power control photodiode. The rifle end will be in the form of a volume entering a barrel and an external part. The emission and divergence module 1624 contains: a laser diode 16241 with a power of approximately 1 W, for example of the Siemens SPL CG94 (registered trademark) type emitting at 950 nm, a collimation lens 16242, - a holographic diffuser 16243, for example of the Physical brand

Optics Corporation (registered trademark). The optical reception module 1625 contains: a reception lens; a filter which cuts the parasitic wavelengths (interference filter or high pass); a position detector (unchanged); digitization means 1627. The ground station is itself equipped with the following means: a bidirectional HF link of the same type; - electronic discrimination of the emitting rifle; means for processing and managing the results (display, sound, etc.); depending on the application of the correction means to best simulate the characteristics of the cartridges (lead charge, ...) or those of the rifle (choke barrel, smooth, ...).

The firing sequence therefore becomes as follows: taking into account the firing parameters, initialization of the means on board by the rifles via the HF link, waiting, - launching, evaluation of ballistics by means on the ground (or transmission of the parameters to the means loaded in rifles), waiting for a shot, after a possible percussion, calculation of the distance of the pigeon, and deduction of the delay of the laser beam control, this so that the instant of the possible intersection by the light beam is identical to that of lead, synchronous reception of the possible illumination emanating from the pigeon, acquisitions, filtering and calculation of the coordinates of the pigeon relative to the center of the PSD, transmission of the results to ground (rifle code, coordinates, shooting distance, pigeon speed, impact hit number), reception of results on the ground and visual or audible display depending on the application. It will be noted that, with respect to the first embodiment, the ground-to-gun station link is bidirectional, which has the effect of making it possible to synchronize the means of calculating the guns, the transmission, to take note of the moment of excitation. of the trigger, to transmit information to the ground and according to the ballistics of the pigeon calculated by the ground to transmit to the rifle the authorization to emit its light beam. A second possibility is to carry out dynamic detection thresholding. The cost and size are minimized. The LED linked to the ground station as well as the infrared detector will be located near the displays, in front of the guns, hence the absence of additional wiring.

Furthermore, according to this second embodiment, all the equipment, and in particular the processing means, can be placed in the barrel of the rifle (and no longer in the ground station).

In an advantageous embodiment, the pigeon (or any other target) is equipped with means making it possible to clearly visualize (or hear) the positive result of the impact. Thus, the pigeon can emit a sound and / or a light signal. It can also be equipped with means making it possible to instantly control its fall, as illustrated in FIG. 17.

For this, a one-way HF link is established between the ground station (or a rifle) and the pigeon (remote-controlled). The pigeon consists of a distributed mass giving it its shape, retroreflective material and a point mass 171 centered in flight. The pigeon will be unbalanced by causing the displacement of this mass which has translate the center of gravity of the pigeon.

This mass comprising all the on-board electronics represents half of the mass of the pigeon, ie approximately 50 g. Upon receipt of a tilting order, the electromagnet 172 releases the trigger (core) 173. The spring 174 then propels the mass 171, guided in translation (175) towards the edge of the pigeon, which then drops.

Figure 18 shows schematically the corresponding on-board electronics.

The ground station (or a gun if necessary) transmits an HF frame whose carrier frequency depends on the country concerned. This HF transmission will be received by the receiver 181 (for example of the Rx 1000 type) and decoded by an integrated circuit 182 (for example of the MC 145027 type from Motorola (registered trademark)).

If the decoding is positive, the output of an astable circuit 183 is positioned in the high state. This voltage is applied to the trigger of a mosfet technology transistor, for example, and lets current flow through the coil of T electromagnet 184.

The core thereof penetrates the body and releases the on-board mass 171 made up of the electromagnet, electronics and power supplies (batteries). This mass is pushed by a spring. An ILS bulb acts as a switch, opening the power circuit away from the fixed permanent magnet. Thus the autonomy of the batteries is very important and the pigeon is "harvested" then "rearmed" before its launch. The system is rearmed (176) by manually repelling the charge 171. Of course, the invention can be implemented in many other forms.

In general, the advantages of the invention are in particular: quantification of the shooting (obtaining the shooting parameters: distance from the target, position of the target relative to the firing axis, training of the shoulder, - no pollution (lead waste, waste from trays), no noise possible, low or even non-existent danger, reduced operating cost, it can in particular be used for the following applications: - clay pigeon shooting, hunting course and skeet, pit, (rabbit and rapid targets), leisure centers, hunting hotel, - use for learning the hunting license.

It should be noted that the invention can be used as a single user (by hunters concerned with improving their skills, for example), or with several users targeting the same target.

By way of example, FIG. 19 shows a display of the result of a shot according to the invention.

Various numerical information, such as distance 191, number of points 192 and number of the shooter can be entered.

On a screen 194, the target 195 is displayed. The center of the screen 196 represents the impact. An arrow 197 indicates the direction of movement of the target. The shooter can therefore easily see, although his shot has reached the target, he fired slightly too early.

Claims

1. Shooting learning system, of the type comprising at least one moving target (13) and at least one rifle (1 1) equipped with means (41, 42; 141, 143) for emitting a light beam (17) along the firing axis, characterized in that it comprises a processing unit (14; 123) delivering an analysis of each of the shots, in particular as a function of: the signal reflected (18) by said target (13) and received by a sensor (44; 143) fitted to said rifle (11); and a permanent estimate of the trajectory of each of said targets (13).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said processing unit (14; 123) comprises means for determining the trajectory of each of said targets, as a function of measurements (a, b) of initial conditions of the launch of each of said targets (13), delivered by said launcher (12).

3. System according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises an equipment (41 to 47; 141, 143 to 146) of a removable rifle and designed to be installed and uninstalled easily on a standard rifle.

4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said targets (13) are set in motion by a target launcher (12), and in that said analysis also takes account of an estimate of the distance between a shooter and a target.

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said analysis comprises at least one of the information belonging to the group comprising an indication on the centering of the shot with respect to the target (1252), an indication of the distance between the shooter and target (1251) and an indication of how the shot was made relative to the position of the target (1253).

6. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said means for determining the trajectory take account of a measurement of the direction and / or of the wind speed.

7. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it R 7/00929

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comprises means (42; 55; 143; 157) for simulating the dispersion and / or the speed of pellets in space.

8. System according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said means for simulating the dispersion comprise means (42; 55; 143; 157) ensuring the divergence of the said light beam (17) at the outlet from the said rifle (11).

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that said means (42; 55; 143; 157) ensuring the divergence of said light beam (17) comprise a holographic diffuser.

10. System according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said speed simulation means comprise means for applying a delay (112) to the emission of said light beam (17).

1 1. System according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that one implements a bi-directional connection between said processing unit (14; 123) and each of said rifles (11).

12. Equipment for rifle (11) in a shooting training system comprising at least one target (13) and at least one equipped rifle and a processing unit (14; 123) delivering an analysis of each shot, depending in particular a permanent estimate of the trajectory of each of said targets (13), characterized in that it comprises means (41, 42; 141, 143) of emission along the firing axis of an incident light beam (17), a sensor for receiving (44; 145) a light signal reflected (18) by said target and means (16; 45; 87; 146) of transmission to said processing unit (14; 123) of said reflected light signal, and bidirectional data exchange means with a remote ground station.

13. Equipment according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least two guns and means for triggering said light beam comprising detection means (83) sensitive to the use of the trigger associated with any one of said guns, comprising a piezoelectric sensor (91).

14. Equipment according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said reception sensor (44; 145) comprises a plane position detector (fig. 10), detecting the center of gravity of the illumination received.

15. Equipment according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said reception sensor (44; 145) cooperates with means for taking into account the ambient lighting (112, 119).

16. Equipment according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that it comprises, in a first assembly having the format of a cartridge: a percussion damper; an accelerometer for detecting said percussion; a contactor establishing the electrical supply when said rifle closes

(13); and in a second assembly placed at the end of said rifle (13): optical means for transmitting a transmitted light signal; optical means for receiving a received light signal.

1 7. Equipment according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that it comprises means for simulating the weight of the lead and / or powder charge of said cartridge, among several possible weights, and / or the effect of "choke",

"half-choke" or smooth barrel.

18. Target for a shooting training system comprising at least one target (13) and at least one rifle (11) equipped with means (41, 42; 141, 143) for emitting a light beam (17) according to the firing axis and a processing unit (14) delivering an analysis of each of the shots, as a function in particular of a permanent estimate of the trajectory of each of said targets (13), and of the signal reflected (18) by said target (13) and received by a sensor (44; 143) equipping said rifle (11), characterized in that it has a reflective coating, on at least a portion of said target capable of receiving said light beam.

19. Target according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises means for simulating the effect of an impact performing at least one of the operations belonging to the group comprising: the fall of said target, by imbalance of the latter; the emission of an audible signal; - the emission of a light signal.

20. Target according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises means for receiving a command to simulate the effect of an impact, and means for moving a point mass inside said target.

21. A method of learning to shoot, of the type using at least one target (13) and at least one rifle (11) equipped with means (41, 42; 141, 143) for emitting a light beam ( 17) along the firing axis, characterized in that it delivers an analysis of each of the shots, depending in particular on the signal reflected (18) by said target (13) and received by a sensor (44; 143) equipping said rifle (11), and a permanent estimate of the trajectory of each of said targets (13).

22. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises, for each launch, at least some of the following steps: launching of a target; acquisition of measurements making it possible to determine the trajectory of said target; - detection of a shot made using one of said rifles; first determination of the ambient light received by said sensor; emission of said light beam, in the form of a series of lightnings; reception of the corresponding reflected light by said sensor; second determining the ambient light received by said sensor; - data processing locally, in said rifles; transmission of the corresponding data to a processing unit; bidirectional data exchange between a processing unit and said rifles; calculating the position of said target at the time of firing; determination of at least one of the pieces of information belonging to the group comprising an indication of the distance between the shooter and the target, an indication of the centering of the shot with respect to the target and an indication of the synchronization of the shot with respect to the position of the target; simulation of the effect of the impact on said target; - presentation of said analysis.

23. Method according to any one of claims 21 and 22, characterized in that it simultaneously delivers an analysis of shots made from at least two rifles on the same target (13).