WO2009101651A1

WO2009101651A1 - Weapon for simulation of shooting a target and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009101651A1
Application number: PCT/IT2009/000057
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca Scotto; Paolo Ghilardelli; Fabrizio Carloni
Original assignee: Pesaro, Luca
Priority date: 2008-02-15
Filing date: 2009-02-16
Publication date: 2009-08-20
Also published as: ITMI20080239A1

Abstract

A weapon for simulation of shooting a target comprising means for visual detection of said target and a trigger for generating a shot, characterized in that it comprises first associating means for associating said shot from said trigger with a visual frame of said visual detection means corresponding to the time said trigger has generated said shot, means for storing said visual frame, means for visual display of said stored visual frame and means for dividing said displayed visual frame into a first and at least a second area of different relevance for said shot.

Description

WEAPON FOR SIMULATION OF SHOOTING A TARGET AND USE THEREOF

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a weapon for simulation of shooting a target an use thereof.

Weapons of the prior art for simulation of shooting a target are generally in the form of arcade game device. Usually, a screen in front of the player displays the target and the user directs a unit, generally in the shape of a gun, towards the target and pulls a trigger that generates a virtual shot , the position of which is displayed on the screen. An indication of the virtual damage caused to the target by the shot is generally also displayed.

However, the simulation of hunting or combat of such prior art devices does not produce a life-like experience for the user. The target displayed on the screen is generally a computer-simulated representation. Further, the indication of the virtual damage caused to said target by the shot is based on pre-programmed data corresponding to that target. The analysis of the efficacy of the shot therefore depends on the sophistication of this pre-programmed data and

■can produce only an approximate indication of the effect of shooting a target.

The user of the devices of the prior art is generally restricted to a limited area of use as he is bound to the stationery location of the display- screen, thereby further limiting the experience. Especially in the case of simulated combat between two or more users of such weapons, the static nature of the devices of the prior art severely limits the ability of the device to simulate a real -life situation. Moreover, it limits the flexibility of use of such weapons .

By producing only a very stylized simulation of shooting a target, the devices of the prior art are in turn limited in their educational potential, as well as their potential for amusement .

The technical task proposed by the present invention is therefore that of providing a weapon for simulation of shooting a target and use thereof which overcome the noted technical drawbacks of the prior art .

Within the scope of this technical task, one objection of the invention is that of providing a weapon capable of simulating shooting a target with increased approximation to a life-like experience.

Another object of the invention is that of enabling mobility of a weapon for simulating a shooting target.

The technical task, as well as these and other objects, are achieved according to the present invention by a weapon for simulation of shooting a target comprising means for visual detection of said target and trigger for generating a shot, characterized in that it comprises first associating means for associating said shot from said trigger with a visual frame of said visual detection means corresponding to the time said trigger has generated said shot, means for storing said visual frame, means for visual display of said stored visual frame and means for dividing said displayed visual frame into a first and at least a second area of different relevance for said shot.

The visual detection means on the weapon enables the user to aim at real-life targets. Furthermore, the association of the shot with the visual frame corresponding to the time the trigger generated the shot enables reproduction of a real-life target by the display means. These features render the simulation of shooting a target by the present invention far superior to that of the weapons of the prior art .

The means for dividing the visual frame into a first at least a second area of different relevance for the shot enable the user to get an accurate visual view of the efficacy of the shot relative to the position of the target.

Other characteristics of the present invention are moreover defined in the subsequent claims.

The weapon of the present invention for simulating of shooting a target may preferably be used for simulation of hunting or for simulation of combat between two or more users. It comprises means for visual detection of the target, preferably coinciding with the optic of a digital camera. The weapon further comprises a trigger for generating a shot, said trigger preferably coinciding with the trigger of the digital camera. The weapon preferably also comprises an electric power supply, preferably in the form of a battery such that the user is not tied to the specific location of a fixed power supply outlet.

The weapon further comprises first associating means for associating the shot from the trigger with a visual frame of the visual detection means corresponding to the time the trigger has generated said shot. These first associating means preferably comprise a digital camera integrated into the chassis of the weapon. The weapon is preferably hand-held and the chassis is preferably in the shape of a gun or other weapon, such as shotgun, a rifle, a pistol, a harpoon, a bow-and-arrow, or crossbow. The optics of the camera are thus preferably orientated in the direction in which the virtual projectile from the weapon would travel once triggered.

Further comprised in the weapon are means for storing the visual frame, preferably in the form of a computer program within the control unit of the digital camera. Dedicated software for managing communication of data to or from the storing means then enables the frame to be displayed by visual display means, generally in the form of a liquid crystal display screen. This is preferably integrated into the chassis of the weapon such that it is portable as part of the armament-shaped weapon. The user is thus not tied to a specific location by a stationery screen.

The weapon also comprises means for dividing the visual frame into a first and at least a second area of different relevance for the shot. These dividing means preferably comprise data stored in the storing means for creating a grid to be overlapped with the displayed frame to define said first and at least second area of different relevance for said shot. Generally, the first area is at the center of the frame and denotes the bull's-eye of the shot Advantageously, its size can be variable in order to accurately reflect the size of the area covered by the virtual bullet, spray of virtual buckshot or virtual arrow used in the shot. Thus, this first area is one of efficacy, whereas the second area, generally the remained of the frame, is one of lack of efficacy of the shot.

The user can thus visually assess the virtual damage inflicted on the target by the shot by looking at the image displayed on the screen and comparing the position of the target relative to the first area.

In order to assess the virtual damage caused to said target in depth, the weapon optionally comprises means for thermal detection of the target. It then also comprises second associating means for associating the shot from trigger with an IR fame of the thermal detection means corresponding to the time the trigger has generated the shot . Means for comparing the IR frame with the grid then permits the display of supplemental information about the efficacy of the shot.

Such information may comprise colors corresponding to the temperature gradient of the target as detected at the time the shot was generated. Areas of high temperature generally correspond to vital organs within a live target. Thus, the position and visual indication of temperature of the target at that position relative to the first area of the frame provides the user with a visual indication of the virtual damage inflicted by the shot. Furthermore, optional software within the control unit of the weapon can assess the relevance of the temperature of the target within the area covered by the first area of the frame and can display on the screen an indication of the efficacy of the shot .

The weapon may also optionally comprise means for detecting its geographical position, preferably by use of a GPS. As indication geographical position as well as other related information, such as display on a map, information about the terrain or surroundings, or information about where each shot is generated, could be stored in the weapon and displayed on the screen.

If the weapon comprises a wireless interneto or intranet connection connected to the control unit, the screen could display information from the internet or intranet, and information about the weapon and about the shots generated could be transmittes via the internet or intranet to the users or to a central database. The wireless nature of the connection enables mobile use of the weapon. The wireless nature connection may be in the form of Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMax or infrared connection.

Preferably the weapon comprises means for its identification or identification of other weapons: This may be in the form of a unique code corresponding to each weapon, transmitted or received via the wireless internet or intranet connection. The identification means could also be linked with the geographical position detecting means for displaying information about the position of the various weapons on the screen of one of each.

The identification means enable the weapon to be used for simulation of combat between two or more people, such as war or a duel, wherein the user directs the shot towards the user of another weapon, intercommunication enables the user of a first weapon to indicate to the user of a second weapon if, and to what degree, the second user has been shot (for instance the user of the first weapon sends to the user of the second weapon the picture of the shot including the damage caused) .

The weapon may also comprise a mobile telephone device connected to the control unit for enabling communication between users of the weapons.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of preferred, but not exclusive embodiments of the weapon for simulation of shooting a target and use thereof according to the finding, illustrated in the attached non-limiting drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of the weapon of the present invention in the shape of a shotgun .

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the front of the weapon of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged section of the side view shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged section of the opposite side of the weapon shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows, in the screen of the weapon of figure 1 used to simulate hunting, the image corresponding to the visual frame produced by visual detection means and dividing means, and generated when the trigger snaps .

Figure 6 shows, in the screen of the weapon of Figure 1 used to simulate hunting, the image corresponding to the IR frame produced by thermal detection means and dividing means, and generated by the same snap of the trigger that generated the picture of FigureΞ . Figure 7 shows an image produced by visual, thermal and dividing means, displayed in the screen of the weapon of Figure 1 used to simulate a duel .

With reference to the above figures, the weapon of the present invention may comprise a chassis in the shape of a shotgun 1. the chassis comprises a trigger 2 for generating a shot , thereby activating a digital camera , the optics 3 of which are housed in the front end of the barrels of the chassis. A control unit of the digital camera associates the shot from the trigger 2 with the visual frame corresponding to the time the trigger has generated the shot . This frame is stored and displayed on a screen 4 integrated into the chassis. The screen 4 is optionally attached to the chassis by a hinge mechanism 5 such that the user can have easily visual access to the screen.

The weapon may also optionally comprise a thermograph camera integrated into the chassis for detecting the temperature distribution of the target 6. the trigger 2 may also activate this thermograph camera such that the visual detection and the thermal detection occur at the same time. The IR frame produced is converted into a series of colors so as to provide a visual indication of the temperature distribution of the target .

The image displayed on the screen may be either the visual frame from the digital camera, or the IR frame from the thermograph camera, as selected by the user. Advantageously, the two images may be overlapped, shown side by side, or combined within the control unit so as to analyze the relevance of the shot based on information provided by both frames.

The visual and thermograph frames are each overlapped by a rigid 7 for defining a first area 8 and at least a second area of different relevance of the shot. The first area 8 is at the center of the frame and corresponds to the area covered by the projectile of the shot, and hence indicates the area of efficacy of the shot. For a shotgun, this corresponds to the area covered by a virtual spray of buckshot and is hence larger than the area that would correspond to the shot from a revolver. The second area corresponds to the area not struck by the projectile, and hence an area of lack of efficacy of the shot.

Visual assessment of the impact on the target can be made by comparing the position of the target 6 relative to the position of the first area 8. The visual display of the part of the target, and the extent to which the first area covers the target, enables the user to assess whether or not the target has been struck, and the efficacy of the shot.

In order for the weapon itself to give an indication of the efficacy of the shot, the thermograph frame must also be assessed. Based on the correlation between heat and vital organs, software within the control unit of the weapon can assess the surface area of the target 6 covered by the first area 8, as well as the relevance of the temperature gradient of the part of the target covered by the first area. It can hence provide an indication as to whether or not the target has been struck, as well as the level of severity of the shot. This indication 9 is displayed in the screen 4, together with other information such as weapon battery life 10 and digital camera shooting mode 11.

Also presented on the screen is an optional geographical indication 12 provided by a GPS. Information about the time and date 13, such that shooting times can be recorded, may also be indicated.

If used to simulate combat, the weapon preferably also incorporates identification means for recognizing the target 6, this target being the user of another weapon. A unique code associated to each weapon and transmitted via wireless internet connection to each weapon allows the user to identify the target, and to send information about the shot to the weapon used by the target. Thus, the target can know the efficacy of the shot. This is especially useful when combat is not in the form of a duel , but between more than two people as the user may not necessarily know the identity of the target 6 by visual inspection alone. Combined with the GPS, this identification system can advantageously be used to provide on the screen a map showing the geographical position of each weapon and hence its associated user.

The weapon for simulation of shooting a target and use thereof thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling with the inventive concept; furthermore, all details may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

In practice, any material type or size may be used, according to the needs and the state of the art.

Claims

1. A weapon for simulation of shooting a target comprising means for visual detection of said target and a trigger for generating a shot, characterized in that it comprises first associating means for associating said shot from said trigger with a visual frame of said visual detection means corresponding to the time said trigger has generated said shot, means for storing said visual frame, means for visual display of said stored visual frame and means for dividing said displayed visual frame into a first and at least a second area of different relevance for said shot.

2. A weapon as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first associated means comprise a digital camera integrated into the chassis of said weapon, said visual detection means coinciding with the optics of said digital camera and said trigger coinciding with the trigger of said digital camera.

3. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said means for visual display of said stored frame comprise a liquid crystal display screen.

4. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said digital camera has a control unit having dedicated software for managing communication of data at least to/from said storing means and said displaying means.

5. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said diving means comprise data stored in said storing means for creating a grid to be overlapped with said displayed frame to define said first and at least second area of different relevance for said shot .

6. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said first area is at the center of said frame.

7. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that the size of said first area is variable according to the size of the virtual projectile used in said shot.

8. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said first area is one of efficacy of said shot, and said second area is the one of lack of efficacy of said shot.

9. A weapon as claimed in any previous claim, characterized in that it comprises means for thermal detection of said target, second associating means for associating said shot from said trigger with an IR frame of said thermal detection means corresponding to the time said trigger has generated said shot, and means for comparing said IR frame with said grid to display though said displaying means supplemental information about the efficacy of said shot.

10. a weapon as claimed in any preceding claim characterized in that said detecting means are of thermal type .

11. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting its geographical position, connected to said control unit .

12. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said geographical detection means comprise a GPS .

13. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a wireless internet connection connected to said control unit.

14. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises means for its identification or identification of another weapon.

15. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said identification means comprise a unique code corresponding to each weapon transmitted or received via said wireless internet connection.

16. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a mobile telephone device connected to said control unit .

17. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises an electric power supply.

18. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that it is hand-held.

19. A weapon as claimed in any preceding claim, characterized in that said chassis is in the shape of a gun.

20. Use of a weapon as claimed in any preceding claim for simulating of hunting.

21. Use of a weapon as claimed in any preceding claim for simulation of combat between two or more people .