EP0904521B1 - Shooting practice system, gun equipment, corresponding target and method - Google Patents

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

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, including a shotgun.

Hunting is only possible during statutory opening periods. The rest of the time, i.e. a large part of the year, the shooter is obliged to to train or be entertained, to go in a clay pigeon shooting. This limitation presents many disadvantages.

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 robust rifle for the clay pigeon shooting and a lighter rifle suitable for shooting hunted game. In addition, take into account the fixed costs of clay pigeon shooting, and the cost of cartridges and clay pigeons, or trays, which are normally broken when fired.

In addition, clay pigeon shooting creates nuisances for those around you, in particular with regard to noise and dangers. Installing a clay pigeon shooting therefore requires administrative authorizations, and the number of clubs and clay pigeon shooting is therefore limited. We note, however, that demand is very high. So in some 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 her downsides. When he actually hunts, he rarely knows why he missed the target game. It is the same with clay pigeon shooting: he only knows if he has touched the pigeon or not of clay.

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

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 approached, but supposes the existence of telemetry means (which supposes 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-3,499,650 simply provides "all or nothing" information on the success of the shot, not an analysis of it. Furthermore, it applies to very large targets, such as tanks.

US Pat. No. 3,898,747 describes a system using a double beam, for soldier-to-soldier combat training. Again, this is a simple "all or nothing" detection.

Document UK-2 138 112 presents yet another system for simulating shoot. It is not very precise, due to the use of a photodiode with fixed thresholding. Through elsewhere, it only provides for "all or nothing" detection of the impact. The request of Patent FR-2,614,097 describes yet another system of this type. It is only suitable for close fire, with "all or nothing" results.

The document FR-2 560 370 relates to a system for simulating gunshot shooting on 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 allowing learn to shoot, then improve your shooting technique.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a system, which allows the hunter practicing clay pigeon shooting, or any other entertainment, with his own shotgun hunt.

The invention also aims to provide such a system, which is little expensive to set up and operate, especially compared to ball traps classics.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a system, which does not presents no nuisance (noise, danger ...) and which can be used freely, practically everywhere (and not only in ball traps).

• du signal réfléchi par ladite cible et reçu par un capteur équipant ledit fusil ;
• et d'une estimation permanente de la trajectoire de chacune desdites cibles.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved according to the invention by a shooting training 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 fitted to 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 its shot (precision, "timing", ...), and not a simple indication of success or failure to fire. It can therefore detect and understand its 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 completely new for the person skilled in the art, who has always simply sought to indicate whether the shooting 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 rifles for example over the air), or in rifles, or even distributed among different elements.

Advantageously, said processing unit comprises means for determination of the trajectory of each of said targets, as a function of measurements issued 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 allow for measurement of wind direction and / or wind speed.

Preferably, the equipment of the rifle is removable, in a simple and direct way, and it can be put in place in a conventional rifle. So the hunter can use his own shotgun. He does not need to buy a specific rifle, and learning him is directly beneficial for hunting.

In the case where said targets are set in motion by a target launcher, it it is advantageous that said analysis also takes into account 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 including an indication of the centering of the shot with respect to the target, an indication of the distance between the shooter and the target and an indication of how the shot was made relative to the position of the target.

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

This makes it possible to simulate and analyze shooting perfectly, and therefore to improve shooter performance.

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

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said means of dispersion simulation include means ensuring the divergence of said beam luminous at the exit of said rifle.

It can in particular be a holographic diffuser.

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

Indeed, the speed of pellets is lower than that of light! This late allows to further improve the simulation.

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

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

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 means of detection include a piezoelectric sensor. This detects the use of either trigger, without the need for direct mechanical contact.

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

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

dans un premier ensemble ayant le format d'une cartouche :

• un amortisseur de percussion ;
• un accéléromètre de détection de ladite percussion ;
• un contacteur établissant l'alimentation électrique à la fermeture dudit fusil ;

et dans un second ensemble placé en bout dudit fusil :

• des moyens optiques d'émission d'un signal lumineux émis ;
• des moyens optiques de réception d'un signal lumineux reçu.

Such equipment can therefore in particular include:

in a first set 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 load in lead and / or powder of said cartridge, among several possible weights, and / or the effect of "choke", "half-choke" or smooth barrel.

The invention also relates to an advantageous target for a system. training in shooting according to the invention, having a profile chosen so as to optimize the efficiency between the amount of light received and the amount of reflected light.

Preferably, such a target has a reflective coating at an angle of very weak retro-reflection (between 0 and 15 °), at least over a portion of said target likely to receive said light beam.

• la chute de ladite cible, par déséquilibrage de cette dernière ;
• l'émission d'un signal sonore ;
• l'émission d'un signal lumineux.

According to an advantageous embodiment, said target 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.

It is thus possible, for the shooter, to directly and explicitly note the success of his shot.

The target may in particular include means for receiving an order to simulation of the effect of an impact, and the means of displacement from a point mass to inside said target.

• du signal réfléchi par ladite cible et reçu par un capteur équipant ledit fusil, et
• de la trajectoire de chacune desdites cibles.

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:

• of the signal reflected by said target and received by a sensor fitted to said rifle, and
• of the trajectory of each of said targets.

• lancement d'une cible ;
• acquisition de mesures permettant de déterminer la trajectoire de ladite cible ;
• détection d'un tir effectué à l'aide d'un desdits fusils ;
• première détermination de la lumière ambiante reçue par ledit capteur ;
• émission dudit faisceau lumineux, sous la forme d'une série d'éclairs ;
• réception de la lumière réfléchie correspondante, par ledit capteur ;
• seconde détermination de la lumière ambiante reçue par ledit capteur ;
• transmission des données correspondantes vers une unité de traitement, ou traitement local dans ledit fusil ;
• échange de données bidirectionnelle entre une unité de traitement et lesdits fusils ;
• calcul de la position de ladite cible à l'instant du tir ;
• détermination d'au moins une des informations appartenant au groupe comprenant une indication de la distance entre le tireur et la cible, une indication sur le centrage du tir par rapport à la cible et une indication sur la synchronisation du tir par rapport à la position de la cible ;
• simulation de l'effet de l'impact sur ladite cible ;
• présentation de ladite analyse.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, such a method comprises, for each launch, at least some of the following steps:

• launching 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 a shot analysis fired from at least two rifles on the same target.

• la figure 1 illustre de façon schématique le système de l'invention, formé d'un lanceur, d'une cible, d'un fusil équipé et d'une unité de traitement ;
• la figure 2 présente un mode de réalisation du lanceur de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 montre une forme avantageuse pour la cible de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 illustre un premier mode de réalisation de l'équipement du fusil de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 présente la structure de l'optique de l'émetteur du fusil de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 décrit la structure de l'optique de réception du fusil de la figure 4;
• la figure 7 précise les caractéristiques optiques du récepteur de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est un schéma synoptique des éléments électroniques du fusil de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 9 est un schéma électrique d'un mode de réalisation de l'accéléromètre inclut dans la cartouche du fusil de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 10 illustre le fonctionnement du détecteur de l'optique de réception de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 11 présente le chronogramme d'une séquence de tir, géré par le séquenceur de la figure 8 ;
• la figure 12 décrit l'architecture des moyens mis en oeuvre au sol, dans le système de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 13 est un exemple de trajectoire d'une cible, illustrant les calculs effectués par l'unité de traitement de la figure 12 ;
• la figure 14 présente un autre mode de réalisation d'un fusil selon l'invention ;
• la figure 15 est un schéma synoptique simplifié des moyens mis en oeuvre dans le fusil de la figure 14 ;
• la figure 16 présente un schéma synoptique global d'un second mode de réalisation d'un équipement selon l'invention ;
• la figure 17 représente une cible équipée de moyens de déséquilibrage ;
• la figure 18 est un synoptique de l'électronique embarquée de la cible de la figure 17 ;
• la figure 19 présente un exemple d'affichage du résultat d'une analyse d'un tir selon l'invention.

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:

• Figure 1 schematically illustrates the system of the invention, formed of 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;
• FIG. 11 presents the chronogram of a firing sequence, managed by the sequencer of FIG. 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;
• FIG. 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.

• un ou plusieurs (classiquement 1 à 10) fusils 11 ;
• un lanceur 12 ;
• une pluralité (par exemple quelques dizaines) de cibles (ou pigeons) non cassables 13 ;
• une unité de traitement 14.

Such a system is illustrated, overall, in FIG. 1. It includes:

• 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 (trademark). In particular, it monitors the ballistics of targets 13, by function of launch characteristic measurements delivered (15) by the launcher 12, and possibly external parameters (such as wind characteristics), treatment information 16 transmitted over the air by each rifle 11, the realization of 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, from a laser diode, and means for receiving the reflected light beam 18 (when target 13 is reached ...).

• positionnement du lanceur 12 ;
• déclenchement du lanceur 12, provoquant le départ du pigeon 13 et l'acquisition des paramètres de balistique de ce pigeon par l'unité de traitement 14 ;
• montée à l'épaule du fusil 11 par le tireur, et visée du pigeon 13 ;
• excitation de la gâchette du fusil 11, provoquant la libération du percuteur, qui vient frapper la "cartouche" équipant le fusil ;
• émission d'une trame d'impulsions laser 17 en direction de la cible 13 ;
• réception du signal réfléchi 18 par le détecteur équipant le fusil (dans un des canons, ou sous le fusil) ;
• transmission au sol des mesures 16, par liaison HF, vers l'unité de traitement 14 ;
• calcul de la position de la cible 13 par rapport à l'axe de tir, et détermination de la direction de la vitesse de la cible à partir de la balistique ;
• affichage des résultats, et éventuellement simulation du bruit du tir ;
• réalisation, éventuellement, d'un second tir.

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 11 by the shooter, and aiming at the pigeon 13;
• excitation of the trigger of the rifle 11, 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 read the angle of latitude a and the angle of azimuth b, from 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 example of Spectrol (registered trademark) sensors with a value of 5 kΩ. These sensors are connected by cables to the processing unit.

In FIG. 2, D1 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 shooter's position and the launcher must be initialized in the processing unit.

• diamètre 110 mm,
• épaisseur 20 mm,
• angle de dépouille : 7,5 degrés (cet angle a été choisi comme valeur moyenne entre 0 et 15 degrés, angle d'entrée du faisceau).

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 dressed a layer of retro-reflective coating, on its edge for typical applications "trapeze" or on the underside for "rabbit" type applications. This coating is by example of 3M mark of type 2000X (registered trademarks). It is composed of micro high performance prisms for large entry angles.

The angle of the retro-reflected ray is very small, which allows to use the same type of equipment 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 shotgun. It includes removable equipment, which can adapt to the majority of rifles, and which can be divided into three parts: the transmitter, the receiver and the transmitter.

• mise en place d'une cartouche électronique 41, comprenant une diode laser, dans l'emplacement prévu pour les cartouches ;
• mise en place, à l'extrémité du canon correspondant, d'un module d'émission 42, relié par un câble optique 43 à la cartouche électronique, et comprenant une optique de divergence ;
• mise en place du module de détection 44 et du module de liaison HF 45, dans le second canon, ou sous les canons ;
• éventuellement, mise en place d'une cartouche blanche 46 dans le second canon ;
• éventuellement, mise en place d'un contre-poids 47, destiné à conserver l'équilibre du fusil, légèrement modifié par les éléments placés à l'extrémité des canons.

The installation of the equipment, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises the following steps:

• placing 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.

• une source lumineuse 51, de type diode laser (par exemple une diode C86104E, de marque EG & G (marques déposées), d'une puissance de 1,5 W émettant dans l'infra-rouge à 860 nm, alimentée par une alimentation 52 ;
• une lentille 53 à gradient d'indice "Selfoc", de diamètre de 1,8 mm dont le rôle est de collecter le flux émis par la diode laser et de l'injecter dans la fibre optique ;
• une fibre optique 54 de 140 microns de diamètre de coeur dont le rôle est de rendre circulaire le faisceau laser et de le guider jusqu'à la sortie du canon ;
• une lentille 55 de diamètre 10 mm faisant diverger le faisceau, et lui assurant un diamètre de 1 m à 20 m de distance.

The optics of the transmitter are illustrated in Figure 5. It includes:

• 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 "Selfoc" index gradient, 1.8 mm in diameter, the role of which 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 with a diameter of 10 mm causing the beam to diverge, and ensuring it a diameter of 1 m to 20 m away.

We thus obtain a simulation of the dispersion of lead 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 affected by the signal. In the embodiment of Figure 6, it includes a plane position detector (PSD) 61, for example a silicon sensor, type 5590 of Hamamatsu brand (registered trademarks)

An interference filter 62 centered on 860 nm filters the wavelength of the beam laser.

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. This detects in is the center of gravity of the illumination. As a result, detection is practically insensitive optical aberrations. The diameter of the input optic is 20 mm, but it is possible to reduce it by a factor of 2.

The detector is subjected to several "parasites" (sun, ambient radiation, ...), and the light from the laser diode, and reflected by the target. To ensure good dynamics of measurement, 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 at 20 m, 1 m in the plane of the target therefore corresponds to 0.75 mm in the plane of the detector.

• sensibilité du capteur : 0,5 A/W
• bande passante du détecteur : 0,2 µ
• angle solide de visée : 5 mrd

The receiver has the following characteristics:

• sensor sensitivity: 0.5 A / W
• detector bandwidth: 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 according to all 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 weak (close to 0.2).

• Dimension du pigeon : 20 mm x 100 mm ;
• Coefficient de rétro-réflexion : 0,3 ;
• Angle de réémission : < 1degré ;
• Angle d'observation : 0 ;
• Puissance de la diode laser : 1,5W ;
• Rendement de l'optique d'émission : 0,7 ;
• Distance de tir : D.

The useful signal is characterized by:

• Dimension of the pigeon: 20 mm x 100 mm;
• Coefficient of retro-reflection: 0.3;
• Re-emission angle: <1degree;
• Viewing angle: 0;
• Power of the laser diode: 1.5W;
• Emission optics efficiency: 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 0.1nA). 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 high compared to the current useful (100 times). It is reduced by placing an interference filter in front of the optics. reception.

• Bande passante 40nm autour de 860nm ;
• Coefficient de transmission dans la bande: 0,7 ;
• Coefficient de transmission hors bande 0,01.

This filter has the following characteristics:

• Bandwidth 40nm around 860nm;
• Transmission coefficient in the band: 0.7;
• Out of band transmission coefficient 0.01.

• courant d'ambiance:1000 nA ;
• courant utile: 32 nA.

The currents obtained are then the following:

• 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 measures 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 cartridge electronic, a micro-contact allows the supply of the various circuits. In particular, a voltage converter charges a 0.5 mF capacitor. About one second after, 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, advantageously an accelerometer 81 is used, which has the double advantage of not requiring a mechanical connection with the striker, and to be able to detect the use of either of the two triggers.

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

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

A control photodiode 88 delivers information relating to the power of the laser diode.

Finally, the sequencer 83 ensures the radio transmission 87 of 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 (brands filed). 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 BFT46 92 and 93 transistors processed by the sequencer 83.

If the shooter wishes to take a second shot, he will do so by activating the second trigger. In the second barrel we will place a so-called "white" cartridge, that is to say no loaded with lead. 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. This is of a bidirectional PSD. It includes four electrodes 101 to 104, and a voltage of polarization 105 is applied to the center of the detector.

x = (I1-I2)/(|I1|+|I2|)

y = (I3-I4)/(|I3|+|I4|)

The image of the target is made on the surface of the PSD causing a variation of the currents I1, I2, I3, I4, 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 = (I1-I2) / (| I1 | + | I2 |)

y = (I3-I4) / (| I3 | + | I4 |)

In static (or slowly variable) the coordinates of the center of gravity of the illumination L are x ₀ , y ₀ . The addition of a light spot, due to the retroreflection of the lighting pigeon 1 will modify the previous coordinates if the shot 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 controlling laser diode 84, closing the rifle, a capacity of 0.5 mF is charged through the voltage converter for one to a few seconds from such that at the time of 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 diode output. Given the characteristic of the transistor, this current remains constant throughout the excitation of the diode. The light power in output is evacuated by a light fraction captured by a photodiode. Information given by the photodiode is transmitted to the processing unit.

• Σ contrainte de temps : en effet, un tir ne se réduit pas simplement à une seule mesure mais à une séquence de plusieurs mesures à réaliser à une période d'échantillonnage de 50 µs.
• Σ contrainte d'espace : l'ensemble des composants constituant ce séquenceur doit impérativement tenir dans un minimum d'espace puisque toute l'électronique embarquée est implantée dans une cartouche.
• Σ contrainte de consommation : la capacité des accumulateurs alimentant l'ensemble optoélectronique étant forcément limitée, il est nécessaire de sélectionner des composants à faible consommation pour permettre une autonomie suffisante du système.
• Σ contrainte de coût : le système étant destiné au grand public, le choix de la solution doit nécessairement prendre en compte le prix de revient des différents éléments utilisés.

The sequencer 83 is the control part of the different subsets of the system. The various constraints to which he must respond are of four types:

• Σ 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.
• Σ 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.
• Σ 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.
• Σ 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.

• 1. détection du départ du plateau par l'unité de traitement ;
• 2. détection du tir 111 par l'accéléromètre et transmission au séquenceur ;
• 3. acquisition du fond 112 (lumière ambiante) par le séquenceur pendant 10 ms ;
• 4. allumage de la diode laser 113 (flashes 114 de 100 µs) et acquisition 115 de la position du plateau par le séquenceur pendant 10 ms à raison de 4 mesures par période (Tech = 50µs) sur les 4 sorties 116₁ à 116₄ du capteur PSD ; Chaque mesure 116 nécessite l'envoi au CAN d'un mot (8 bits) 117 de programmation puis de la lecture du résultat de la conversion (12 bits) 118;
• 5. acquisition 119 du fond par le séquenceur pendant 10 ms .
• 6. envoi des différentes acquisitions au micro-ordinateur distant.

A technical solution can be based on the realization of a programmable circuit (FPGA of the Altera family (registered trademarks)) or a hidden integrated circuit to benefit from a better footprint (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 for 10 ms;
• 4. switching on of the laser diode 113 (flashes 114 of 100 µs) and acquisition 115 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 ₁ to 116 ₄ the PSD sensor; Each measurement 116 requires the sending to the CAN of a programming word (8 bits) 117 and then of reading the conversion result (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. Of Heiland brand (registered trademark) for example, it works in frequency modulation with a carrier of 433.92 MHz. Its bandwidth is + or - 20 kHz and its weight 11 g.

Indeed, the part of the system located at the end of the rifle must have a weight the as low as possible so as not to shift the center of gravity of the rifle and so as not to weigh it down. A counterweight can be provided, to keep the center of gravity unchanged of the rifle, whether equipped or not.

Mechanically, the cartridge is designed to adapt to rifles of the type 12 gauge. The length of the cartridge is around 80 to 90 mm. She slips 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 cannons. It is easily removable.

According to NFC 43-801, the maximum exposure allowed for the eye in the conditions of use described mean that the system presents no danger from from a distance of 1.6 m from the end of the barrel. Furthermore, there is no danger to the skin.

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

Another option is the effect of changing the "choke" of the guns. A cannon shocked presents at its end a narrowing which makes that the distribution of lead in space is different from that described, causing a decrease in the dispersion of sinkers. This can be simulated by software.

FIG. 12 illustrates the architecture of the means used on the ground.

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

• un récepteur HF 121, par exemple de marque Heiland, fonctionnant à 433,92 MHz en modulation FM et ayant une bande passante de 280 kHz, et pouvant fonctionner à une distance avec les fusils de 100 m ;
• des moyens 122 d'acquisition, recevant les mesures des angles a et b du lanceur et, par exemple, des mesures de la vitesse et de la direction du vent. Il s'agit par exemple de 4 entrées analogiques pouvant être reliés par liaison série avec l'unité de traitement 123 ;
• une entrée interruption 124 ou équivalent dont le signal correspond à la libération du pigeon. Ce signal déclenche la procédure de suivi balistique ;
• l'unité de traitement 123, assurant notamment le calcul et la gestion des résultats en temps réel (réception des mesures ; traitement des mesures : filtrage et démodulation synchrone, calcul du centre de gravité de l'image de la cible, corrections éventuelles et affichage ; gestion de l'affichage) ;
• des moyens d'affichage 125 des résultats. Pour un tir, l'écran peut présenter les résultats comme illustré sur la figure 12, c'est-à-dire distance 1251 de tir 40 m, impact 1252 limite sur pigeon traversard 1253, tir tardif. Pour deux tirs, il peut y avoir superposition d'images et pour 4 tireurs par exemple, l'écran peut être divisé en 4 ; et
• optionnellement un organe type H.P. 126 pour simuler le bruit du tir à plombs, une lampe flash 127 pour simuler l'impact, etc...

The system includes:

• 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. These are for example 4 analog inputs which 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 device to simulate the noise of a pellet shot, a flash lamp 127 to simulate the impact, etc ...

The following table presents, in a simplified way, the chronology of a shot for the shooter (column 1), the processing unit (column 2) and the launcher (column 3). Shooter Processing unit Launcher - Closing the rifle -Initialization: acquisition of geometry parameters (location of shooters and launcher) - waiting for firing, rifle closed -Position in the direction of the launcher -shoulder - launch -acquisition of the starting time and angles a and b, determination of ballistics -firing: excitation of the striker, detection by the accelerometer, activation of the sequencer, transmission to the ground of the time of the shooting, transmission of the laser beam, ... - correction of the advance effect of the laser beam -making of measurements, transmission to the ground - measurement reception, filtering, calculation of PSD currents by synchronous detection - calculation of the position of the pigeon relative to the direction of the shot -Visual, sound display, etc ... -Opening the gun at the end of the shot

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of determining the path 131 of a pigeon, and analysis of 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 (OI, 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 shooting distance sought from the coordinates (y, z) of point I. H being the projection of I, IH will be known as well as OH. Knowledge of OH, OT, and of us allow to determine D.

Vo la vitesse initiale du pigeon, fonction du lanceur supposée connue,

k1 le coefficient de traínée,

k2 le coefficient de portance,

t la variable temps,

y et z les coordonnées du point I dans le référentiel (Oy, Oz),

(dy/dt) la vitesse du pigeon suivant oy,

et (dz/dt) la vitesse du pigeon suivant oz,

la balistique du pigeon est définie par les équations suivantes:

y=Vo.(cos b).t-k1.(dy/dt)2

z=-0.5.t2+Vo.(sin b).t+k2.(dz/dt)2

Calling:

Vo the initial speed of the pigeon, function of the supposed launcher known,

k1 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,

pigeon ballistics is defined by the following equations:

y = Vo. (cos b) .t-k1. (dy / dt) 2

z = -0.5.t2 + Vo. (sin b) .t + k2. (dz / dt) 2

Vo and b being known, k1 and k2 are determined by preliminary tests associated with a numerical resolution of the system by a method of "Runge-Kutta" 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 compared to 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
either 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 laser beam field. The most critical situation is encounter when the pigeon is transverse. So if at 40 m its speed is around V = 20m / s it can evolve by a quantity Dp = AxV = 0.1x20 = 2m.

We will therefore delay the beam emission by 0.1s and we will apply a correction 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 on 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 small correction, because if at the time of shooting the speed of the pigeon is around 20.m / s, for 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 in end of the barrel, which realizes the divergence 143 of the beam. Separating the cartridge from the other party causes modifications to 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 module for divergence and detection 143, a white cartridge 144, a second sequencer 145 and an HF 146 transmission module.

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

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

At the other end of the barrel, a divergent lens 157 simulates scattering of pellets.

In retreat, a photodiode 158 will be activated by the stray 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 HF measurements and transmission. These two functions are identical to the version of the sequencer described above.

A battery 1514 ensures the supply of the various elements.

• l'époque du tir,
• les coordonnées du centre de gravité de l'image du pigeon sur le PSD,
• le courant de photodiode qui est une information relative à la puissance lumineuse de la diode laser.

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:

• the time of shooting,
• 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.

• d'un amortisseur de percussion 1611, dé préférence démontable et remplaçable (un micro-contact établit l'alimentation à la fermeture du fusil et l'élément central ne sert que d'amortisseur à la percussion) ;
• d'un accéléromètre 1612 de détection de percussion ;
• de moyens 1613 de mise en forme, de comptage de coups ;
• une diode LED 1614 de transmission par impulsions lumineuses de la percussion à l'embout du fusil 162.

The equipment is shown in Figure 16. It includes a cartridge 161, equipped with:

• a percussion damper 1611, preferably removable and replaceable (a micro-switch establishes power when the rifle is closed and the central element only serves as a percussion damper);
• 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.

• une photodiode 1621 de détection du signal émis ;
• des moyens 1622 de mise en forme du signal reçu ;
• un module 1623 de traitement gérant les liaisons entre les différents éléments et réalisant les traitements des mesures, la déduction des paramètres de tir et la transmission du résultat au sol. Il s'agit par exemple d'un microprosseur MSP 430 de chez Texas Instrument (marque déposée) ;
• une partie optique d'émission 1624 ;
• une partie optique de réception 1625 ;
• une liaison HF bidirectionnelle 1626, par exemple de marque RFM (marque déposée), permettant de s'adapter à la législation des différents pays;
• une photodiode de contrôle de la puissance laser.

This endpiece 162 comprises:

• a photodiode 1621 for detecting the transmitted signal;
• 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), making it possible to adapt to the legislation of the various countries;
• a laser power control photodiode.

The rifle end will be in the form of a volume entering a barrel and an external part.

• une diode laser 16241 d'une puissance de 1 W environ, par exemple de type Siemens SPL CG94 (marque déposée) émettant à 950 nm,
• une lentille de collimation 16242,
• un diffuseur holographique 16243, par exemple de marque Physical Optics Corporation (marque déposée).

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 16243 holographic diffuser, for example from the Physical Optics Corporation brand (registered trademark).

• une lentille de réception ;
• un filtre qui coupe les longueurs d'ondes parasites (filtre interférentiel ou passe-haut) ;
• un détecteur de position (inchangé) ;
• des moyens de numérisation 1627.

The 1625 optical reception module contains:

• a receiving lens;
• a filter which cuts the parasitic wavelengths (interference filter or high pass);
• a position detector (unchanged);
• digitization means 1627.

• une liaison bidirectionnelle HF du même type ;
• une électronique de discrimination du fusil émettant ;
• des moyens de traitement et de gestion des résultats (affichage, sonore,...) ;
• selon l'application des moyens de correction pour simuler au mieux les caractéristiques des cartouches (charge de plomb,...) ou celles du fusil (canon choke, lisse,..).

The ground station is equipped with the following means:

• a bi-directional HF link of the same type;
• discrimination electronics for 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, ...).

• prise en compte des paramètres de tir,
• initialisation des moyens embarqués par les fusils via la liaison HF,
• attente,
• lancement,
• évaluation de la balistique par les moyens au sol (ou transmission des paramètres aux moyens embarqués dans les fusils),
• attente de tir,
• après une éventuelle percussion, calcul de la distance du pigeon, et déduction du retard de la commande du faisceau laser, ceci pour que l'instant de l'intersection éventuelle par le faisceau lumineux soit identique à celle du plomb,
• réception synchrone de l'éclairement éventuel émanant du pigeon,
• acquisitions, filtrage et calcul des coordonnées du pigeon par rapport au centre du PSD,
• transmission des résultats au sol (code du fusil, coordonnées, distance de tir, vitesse du pigeon, numéro du coup d'impact),
• réception des résultats au sol et affichage visuel ou sonore selon l'application.

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,
• launch,
• evaluation of ballistics by means on the ground (or transmission of parameters to means on board guns),
• waiting for a shot,
• after a possible percussion, calculation of the distance of the pigeon, and deduction of the delay of the control of the laser beam, this so that the instant of the possible intersection by the light beam is identical to that of lead,
• synchronous reception of possible illumination from the pigeon,
• acquisitions, filtering and calculation of the pigeon's coordinates relative to the center of the PSD,
• transmission of results to the 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 station link to the rifle ground is bidirectional, which has the effect of making it possible to synchronize the means gun calculation, transmission, take note of the moment of excitement trigger, transmit information to the ground and depending on 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 L.E.D. linked to the ground station as well as the infrared detector will be found 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 means of treatment, 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 allowing to 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 for instant ordering its fall, as illustrated in Figure 17.

For this, a one-way HF link is established between the ground station (or a rifle) and the pigeon (remote-controlled). The pigeon is made up of a mass distributed giving 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 including all on-board electronics represents half of the mass of the pigeon is about 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 falls.

Figure 18 shows schematically the corresponding on-board electronics.

The ground station (or a rifle possibly) 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 (by 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 state high. This voltage is applied to the trigger of a mosfet technology transistor, by example, and lets the current flow through the coil of the electromagnet 184.

The nucleus thereof enters the body and releases the embedded mass 171 consisting of the electromagnet, electronics and power supplies (batteries). This mass is pushed by a spring. An ILS bulb serves as a switch, opening the circuit away from the fixed permanent magnet. So the battery life is very important and the pigeon is "harvested" then "rearmed" before launching.

The system is rearmed (176) by manually repelling the charge 171.

• quantification du tir (obtention des paramètres de tir : distance de la cible, position de la cible par rapport à l'axe de tir,
• apprentissage de l'épaulé,
• pas de pollution (déchets de plombs, déchets de plateaux),
• pas de bruit possible,
• danger faible, voire inexistant,
• coût de fonctionnement réduit.

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 shooting axis,
• training of the shoulder,
• no pollution (lead waste, waste from trays),
• no noise possible,
• little or no danger
• reduced operating cost.

• ball-trap,
• parcours de chasse et skeet,
• fosse, (rabbit et cibles rapides),
• centres de loisirs,
• hôtel de chasse,
• utilisation pour l'apprentissage du permis de chasse.

It can in particular be used for the following applications:

• clay pigeon shooting,
• hunting and skeet course,
• pit, (rabbit and fast targets),
• recreation 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 anxious to improve, for example), or to several users aiming to 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 the shooter's number 193 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 notes so easily, although his shot hit the target, he shot slightly too early.

Claims (23)

1. Shooting practice system, of the type comprising at least one moving 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 comprises a processing unit (14; 123) delivering an analysis of each of the shots fired, as a function in particular:

   of the signal reflected (18) by the said target (13) and received by a sensor (44; 143) with which the said rifle (11) is equipped;

   and of a continual estimate of the trajectory of each of the said targets (13).
2. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said processing unit (14; 123) comprises means for determining the trajectory of each of the said targets, as a function of measurements (a, b) of initial conditions of launch of each of the said targets (13), delivered by the said launcher (12).
3. System according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises removable rifle equipment (41 to 47; 141, 143 to 146) designed to be easily installed and deinstalled on a standard rifle.
4. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the said targets (13) are set into motion by a target launcher (12), and in that the said analysis takes account also of an estimate of the distance between a marksman and a target.
5. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that the said analysis comprises at least one of the items of information belonging to the group comprising an indication regarding the centring of the shot with respect to the target (1252), an indication of the distance between the marksman and the target (1251) and an indication regarding the firing of the shot with respect 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 the measurement of the direction and/or speed of the wind.
7. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that it comprises means (42; 55; 143; 157) for simulating the dispersion and/or the speed of lead 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) on exit from the said rifle (11).
9. System according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said means (42; 55; 143; 157) ensuring the divergence of the said light beam (17) comprise a holographic diffuser.
10. System according to any one of Claims 7 to 9,
    characterized in that the said means for simulating the speed comprise means for applying a delay (112) to the emission of the said light beam (17).
11. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in that a bi-directional link is implemented between the said processing unit (14; 123) and each of the said rifles (11).
12. Equipment for rifle (11) in a shooting practice system comprising at least one target (13) and at least one equipped rifle and a processing unit (14; 123) delivering an analysis of each of the shots fired, as a function in particular of a continual estimate of the trajectory of each of the said targets (13),
    characterized in that it comprises means (41, 42; 141, 143) for emitting an incident light beam (17) along the firing axis, a sensor (44; 145) for receiving a light signal reflected (18) by the said target and means (16; 45; 87; 146) for transmitting the said reflected light signal to the said processing unit (14; 123),
    and means of bi-directional exchange of data with a remote ground station.
13. Equipment according to Claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least two barrels and means for tripping the said light beam comprising detection means (83) sensitive to the use of the trigger associated with any one of the said barrels, comprising a piezoelectric sensor (91).
14. Equipment according to either one of Claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the said receiving sensor (44; 145) comprises a plane position detector (Fig. 10) detecting the centre of gravity of the illumination received.
15. Equipment according to any one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the said receiving sensor (44; 145) cooperates with means for taking account of 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 the said percussion;

    a contacter establishing the electrical supply upon the closure of the said rifle (13);

    and in a second assembly placed at the muzzle of the said rifle (13):

    optical means of emission of an emitted light signal;

    optical means of reception of a received light signal.
17. 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 the said cartridge, from among several possible weights, and/or the "choke" effect, "semi-choke" effect or smooth-bore effect.
18. Target for shooting practice 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) along the firing axis and a processing unit (14) delivering an analysis of each of the shots fired, as a function in particular of a continual estimate of the trajectory of each of the said targets (13), and of the signal reflected (18) by the said target (13) and received by a sensor (44; 143) with which the said rifle (11) is equipped,
    characterized in that it exhibits a reflecting coating, on at least one portion of the said target liable to receive the said light ray.
19. Target according to Claim 18, characterized in that it comprises means for simulating the effect of an impact carrying out at least one of the operations belonging to the group comprising:

    the falling of the said target, through imbalance of the latter;

    the emission of a sound signal;

    the emission of a light signal.
20. Target according to Claim 19, characterized in that it comprises means for receiving a command for simulating the effect of an impact, and means for moving a point mass inside the said target.
21. Shooting practice method, of the type implementing 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 fired, as a function in particular of the signal reflected (18) by the said target (13) and received by a sensor (44; 143) with which the said rifle (11) is equipped, and of a continual estimate of the trajectory of each of the said targets (13).
22. Method according to Claim 21, characterized in that it comprises, for each launcher, at least some of the following steps:

    launching of a target;

    acquisition of measurements making it possible to determine the trajectory of the said target;

    detection of a shot fired with the aid of one of the said rifles;

    first determination of the ambient light received by the said sensor;

    emission of the said light beam, in the form of a series of flashes;

    receipt of the corresponding reflected light, by the said sensor;

    second determination of the ambient light received by the said sensor;

    processing of the data locally, in the said rifles;

    transmission of the corresponding data to a processing unit;

    bi-directional exchange of data between a processing unit and the said rifles;

    calculation of the position of the said target at the instant of firing;

    determination of at least one of the items of information belonging to the group comprising an indication of the distance between the marksman and the target, an indication regarding the centring of the shot with respect to the target and an indication regarding the synchroniztion of the shot with respect to the position of the target;

    simulation of the effect of the impact on the said target;

    presentation of the said analysis.
23. Method according to either one of Claims 21 and 22, characterized in that it simultaneously delivers an analysis of shots fired from at least two rifles at one and the same target (13).

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