EP1861179B1 - Electronic hit registering system for fencing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic hit registering system for fencing. The aim of the invention is to provide a solution which enables a reliable recognition of hits for the three types of competitive sport fencing and, in addition, with regard to a greater freedom of movement of the participants, rendering unnecessary the carrying along of a trailing wire or spool wires by the fencer as well as a conductive fencing piste. The aim of the invention is fulfilled by utilizing the capacitive bridge circuit principle, in which the conductive portions of the clothing of the fencers and the weapons depict condenser plates to which an alternating voltage from a unit carried by the fencers is applied. One of the branches of the bridge circuit is provided in the form of electrically conductive trousers worn by the fencers, preferably worn under electrically non-conductive fencing trousers.

Description

The invention relates to an electronic hit reporting system for fencing. In particular, it relates to a corresponding system which enables hit detection and display without the need for entrainment of a towing or reel cable by the fencers.

In fencing, the problem is that the actions taken by the fencers take place very quickly, often in fractions of a second. This makes it on the one hand the spectators difficult to follow the competition. This is particularly true not least for television broadcasts. On the other hand, and much more importantly, it is also very difficult for judges who have to decide on the outcome of a fencing duel to detect hits at all, and also to distinguish rule-compliant hits from those that are not.

For a long time, therefore, one has used technical means for detecting and displaying hits. According to the state of the art, these are signal lamps, which are lit in the event of a hit by closing or opening comparatively simple circuits and thus signal the hit. To implement appropriate circuits, the weapons used and, depending on fencing discipline, worn by the athletes west and / or the fencing train electrically conductive trained. In addition, electrical contact elements are provided in the tips of the weapons, with the exception of the saber. The fencers are equipped with a trailing cable to supply power to each formed circuits, to which they are coupled throughout the fight. As a result, however, the fencers are restricted in their freedom of movement. In addition, it should be noted that due to the rather complicated set of rules in fencing in erroneous orders of the type shown also more false reports are recorded. Last but not least, there is also a certain risk of injury for the fencers due to the tow cable. Therefore, the effort of fencing circles has been around to find better solutions together with technicians.

However, the fact that even today's competition practice still makes use of the above-mentioned principle shows that so far no satisfactory solutions have been found. This also applies in particular to solutions proposed in the past for wireless hit detection and / or transmission to display devices. The problem here is not the wireless transmission of corresponding, caused by a hit signals as such, but the sufficiently accurate and reliable hit detection, for the sometimes significantly differing in terms of the rule fencing types saber, sword and foil. Thus, for example, for the foil and fencing fencing already known wireless detection device, but this has found little acceptance in practice so far. In addition, it is not suitable for saber fencing. In saber fencing in particular, hit detection proves to be extremely difficult. A wireless solution for foil and fencing fencing is in the document DE 298 12 961 U1 disclosed.

Furthermore, a wireless solution by the EP 1 134 066 described. Even with this solution, however, problems with regard to reliable hit detection during saber fencing should exist. In addition, it is necessary in the solution shown in this document, the entire fencing equipment, namely both the weapons and the clothing of fencers, form in a special way, so that the previous equipment is not usable for this purpose.

By the DE 34 03 788 A1 a solution is shown, in which the hit detection takes place by means of a resistance bridge circuit. Although it is possible to detect hits relatively reliably with this solution, it is not readily possible to dispense with a roller or towing cable, or to form the respectively second branch of the 3-backshield (1, branch = conductive connection via conductive Parts of the clothing and the appropriate, at least partially conductive weapon) a conductive fencing required.

Another, also without a trailing cable auskommende solution for detection of hits during fencing according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized by the DE 197 15 145 A1 described. After the solution, the contact surfaces designed as conductive surfaces are subjected to an alternating voltage of small amplitude and, in the case of a hit, this alternating voltage is supplied to a detector contained in the weapon. It is also provided according to the Scriptures to use for the impact of the target areas of both fencers AC voltages of different frequencies, to exclude that a fencer touch the own target area is recognized as a hit. To create a strictly necessary for the implementation of the proposed principle galvanically closed circuit circuit also requires the solution described in this document a conductive fencing. In addition, it can not be considered certain that the principle proposed for the device for detecting hits in view of the requirement of such a galvanically closed circuit circle is sufficiently susceptible to interference even in rough competition.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solution which enables reliable hit detection for the three types of fencing carried out in competitive sports and moreover, with regard to greater freedom of movement of the players, the entrainment of a towing or reel cable by the fencers and a conductive Fechtbahn dispensable.

The object is achieved by an electronic hit reporting system with the features of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments or further developments of the invention are given by the subclaims.

The proposed electronic detection system consists essentially of an arrangement for detecting hits, units for the acoustic or optical signaling of hits and transmission units for transmitting a signal generated by the arrangement for detecting the hit signal to the aforementioned units for optical and / or acoustic signaling of hits. The latter signaling units are a central unit on the fencing line and / or units carried by the fencers. The arrangement for detection of hits, the transmission units and possibly carried by the fencers signaling units work self-sufficient, that is by the fencers, unlike in fencing currently common practice, no tow or roll cable carried. In a manner essential to the invention, the unit for detection of hits comprises a capacitive bridge circuit for this purpose. This is formed by the fact that each of the fencers carries an AC voltage generator for generating a low voltage and the AC voltage generated by this generator is placed on the conductive parts of his clothing and the weapon. As far as doing the main claim for battery-powered devices, this of course includes devices that are supplied from other sources (batteries, possibly, future, fuel cells or the like) self-sufficient. When foil fencing and saber fencing is a branch of the bridge circuit already mentioned by the conductive, with the respective AC generator connected west of the fencer formed, which in Säbelfechten beyond the mask is electrically conductive and electrically connected to the vest. The vest (and possibly together with it the mask) of both fencers each form a plate of a plate capacitor. Due to the size of the conductive surface of the

West (and possibly masks) and the distance of the fencers to each other, the variable capacitance of this plate capacitor is determined. An essential element of the invention is that the fencers wear under their ordinary fencing trousers, which is electrically non-conductive, an additional, electrically conductive trousers. This electrically conductive pants of a fencer is also connected to the entrained by him AC voltage generator. As a result, the other branch of the bridge circuit is generated, wherein the voltage is out of phase with this branch relative to the other branch of the bridge circuit, preferably supplied in anti-phase. The bridge branch thus consists of a plate capacitor whose plates are formed by the additional, conductive pants of fencers. Although the capacitance of the plate capacitor formed by the pants of both fencers different because of different area ratios to that of the plate capacitor formed by the west, but it has been shown that this unbalance of the capacitive bridge circuit is irrelevant to the functioning of the arrangement for hit detection.

As long as no hit is achieved, as is known from a bridge circuit, in its bridge branch formed by the also connected to the respective AC voltage conductive weapons of the fencer a "bridge zero". However, if one of the fencers hits the opponent's opponent's vest with his weapon, the AC voltage applied to the vest of the hit fencer will be routed via the weapon of the fencer placing the hit to an evaluation circuit which will supply the AC generator of the fencer performing the hit assigned and preferably arranged together with him in a carried by the fencer device. The evaluation unit thus receives, due to the AC bridging of the corresponding capacitor by the hit a non-zero input voltage, which is amplified and is used as the output voltage of the amplifier for triggering the hit signal to the signaling units transmitting transmission unit. The same applies in the case of saber fencing, where, as already emphasized, in addition to the vest and the mask of the fencer is electrically conductive and connected to the vest so that they together with this forms the corresponding capacitor plate. Another difference between foil and saber is that during saber fencing the AC voltage generated by the AC voltage generator rests on the entire weapon, while this applies to the foil only for its tip. The rest of the foil blade lies on circuit ground. The tip of the foil is formed as a contact tip in the form of an opener. That is, in a hit, the contact is opened and the tip of the foil connected to the input of the evaluation circuit. If now the opening of the contact is made by a hit on the vest of the opponent fencer, so is the AC voltage from the generator of the hit fencer to the evaluation of the apt fencer. As a result, as already described, the transmission unit for triggering the hit signal is triggered or triggered on the signaling units. The transmission unit, which has already been mentioned several times, is preferably a radio transmitter, via which the hit signal is transmitted as a radio signal to the signaling units and visualized there or acoustically signaled.

Somewhat different are the conditions when fencing. Here, the vest has always been electrically non-conductive. In the blade of the weapon are two conductive wires fed, the so-called stringing. These are connected in the event of a hit by a contact tip electrically conductive together. As a result, the transmission unit is supplied with a hit signal derived from a DC voltage, wherein the DC voltage path forms the "other signal branch" in the sense of the main claim. This DC voltage signal is preferably fed via a gate circuit to the transmission unit, respectively the transmitter. If the gate is open, the corresponding signal is transmitted from the transmitter to the signaling units. The locking of the gate happens again using a capacitive bridge circuit. This is designed so that the opposite of the plate capacitor formed by the plate capacitor branch of the bridge circuit is formed by the handles of the sword, which are acted upon by the AC voltage of the respective AC voltage generator. If now the contact tip of a sword is actuated by hitting the grip of the opponent's weapon, this results in a signal voltage to be evaluated which is different from the "bridge zero" at the input of the evaluation unit of the fencer placing the hit. The evaluation unit blocks the gate or the gate circuit upstream of the transmission unit in this case. That is, the guided on the gate DC voltage signal, in the sense of the main claim other signal branch, the gate can not pass and not control the transmitter or the transmission unit to transmit a hit signal. In accordance with the rules, the shell goal is not scored. The DC voltage representing the hit signal is obtained from the operating voltage for the respective AC voltage generator. It is preferably fed to the gate circuit via an optocoupler.

The optocoupler is used for electrical isolation to galvanically isolate the DC signal conducted via the tip of the sword on the gate circuit of the alternating voltage trigging the gate.

On the entrained by the fencers devices containing the AC voltage generator, the evaluation circuit, the transmission unit (preferably short-distance radio transmitter) and the aforementioned gate circuit and the optocoupler are equipped with a mode switch for selecting the respective fencing discipline. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the benefits of the inventive solution, regardless of the type of fencing used, will be the use of the capacitive bridge circuit, since it will utilize the already existing capacitances and will not provide a DC or DC connection to the branches to realize the bridge circuit the bridge circuit is required. In contrast, it is possible for a bridge circuit realized by means of resistors, one of the branches by the electrical connection of the conductive weapon to realize with the vest of an opponent, however, to realize the other branch of the bridge circuit, a further conductive connection is required, for which the fencer in turn would have to be connected to a cable or a connection via a conductive fencing and associated with this sliding contacts their Shoes would have to be done. That is, only by the use of AC voltages and the use of the given by the clothing or weapons of the actors capacities, it is possible to use the extremely advantageous for measurement purposes of the bridge circuit and still make the fencers independent of other electrically conductive connections.

The hit reporting system according to the invention is advantageously further developed in that the evaluation circuit has a circuit unit, by means of which regardless of the form and duration of a generated by a hit input signal, an output signal of constant shape and length for driving the transmission unit or to block one of these upstream gate is generated.

According to a practice-relevant embodiment of the hit reporting system, the voltage generated by the AC voltage generators is a low voltage of 5 V or less, with a frequency of less than 100 kHz.

As already explained, the transmission of corresponding hit signals acoustically sounded or visualized by the signaling units preferably takes place by means of a short-range radio transmitter, corresponding receivers in the signaling units being tuned in frequency to the carrier frequency thereof. According to a further embodiment, the transmission signal of the transmitter is coded by means of an encoder, wherein the type of coding used in each case is adjustable for example by means of DIL switches. This makes it possible to operate in a competition several systems of the same kind next to each other, without these affecting each other. The transmitter and the associated receivers in the signaling units preferably operate at a carrier frequency in a shared, ie in an ISM band (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Band), ie, for example, with a frequency of 463 MHz.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, at least one signaling unit is provided on the masks of the fencer. It is particularly advantageous if, for orientation purposes, a signaling unit is arranged in the interior of its mask for the fencers. The signaling in the mask interior can be done for example by means arranged in the mask LEDs.

The hit reporting system according to the invention is preferably designed such that means are provided against the formation of electrostatic charges (for example via the blades) on the electronic units carried by the fencers.

Fig. 1

Die schematische Darstellung des verwendeten Brückenschaltungsprinzips am Beispiel des Säbelfechtens

Fig. 2:

Die schematische Darstellung der verwendeten Brückenschaltung und deren Ausbildung beim Florettfechten

Fig. 3:

Die spezielle Schaltungsanordnung für das Degenfechten

Fig. 4 und 4a:

Nochmals die Verhältnisse beim Säbelfechten

Fig. 5:

Das sich für die Darstellungen der Fig. 4 und 4a ergebende Ersatzschaltbild.

The invention, that is its essential part, namely the evaluation circuit and its coupling with the transmission units, will be shown again below in the form of embodiments of the individual types of fencing. In the accompanying drawings show:

Fig. 1

The schematic representation of the bridge circuit principle used on the example of saber fencing

Fig. 2:

The schematic representation of the bridge circuit used and their training in foil fencing

3:

The special circuit for the fencing

4 and 4a:

Again the conditions in sword fencing

Fig. 5:

This is for the representations of the 4 and 4a resulting equivalent circuit diagram.

The figures illustrate the basic idea of the invention waiving the representation of the signaling units, in the form of signal lamps on the masks or LEDs in the masks 5, 5 'of the fencer 1,1' and / or signaling units at the lounge or a central signaling unit in Shape of a scoreboard.

The Fig. 1 illustrates in a schematic representation of the (apart from the signaling units) essential elements of the hit reporting system according to the invention using the example of saber fencing. The selected representation makes it easy to recognize the principle of the capacitive bridge circuit used. A branch of the bridge is then formed by a plate capacitor whose plates are realized by the conductive vests 4, 4 'of the fencers 1, 1' and the electrically conductive masks 5, 5 'electrically connected thereto. The conductive vests 4, 4 'and masks 5, 5' of the fencers 1, 1 'are subjected to alternating voltages of different frequencies. In the other branch of the bridge, a plate capacitor is arranged, whose plates are formed by electrically conductive pants 7, 7 ', which are worn by the fencing athletes 1, 1' under the actual fencing pants. The plates of this capacitor are also supplied with the respective AC voltage of an AC voltage generator 2, 2 'generated in a device carried by the fencer 1.1'. The vest 4, 4 'and the mask 5, 5' of a fencer 1,1 'on the one hand and the pants 7, 7' of the fencer concerned 1,1 'on the other hand, as already shown, against each other out of phase with the AC voltage applied. For this purpose, the respective AC voltage generator 2 or 2 'can be equipped with a center tap or, as indicated in the figure, basically two series-connected, adding voltage sources of the same frequency and

Phase be formed with their connection point is connected to the ground potential of the circuit. The bridge branch is formed by the quasi "mass", that is about saber 6, 6 'of the fencer 1,1' lying at zero potential. As already stated, alternating voltages of different frequencies are generated by the alternating voltage generators 2, 2 'carried by the fencers 1,1'. This prevents a hit being counted against one of the fencers 1, 1 ', which accidentally touches its own weapon 6, 6'. In the fencer 1.1 'associated evaluation circuit 3, 3' to a blocking filter is arranged, which allows only the AC voltage of the generator 2, 2 'of the enemy fencer 1,1' happen, but the own AC voltage blocks. The evaluation circuits 3, 3 'are in the Bridge branch each coupled to a transmitter 8, 8 '. As soon as there is no bridge zero in the bridge branch due to a hit, in each case one of the transmitters 8, 8 'is activated to transmit a hit signal. In this case, the one transmitter 8, 8 'is controlled, the frequency filter can be passed by the AC voltage of a struck fencer. In the example, this means that if the fencer 1 'hits the vest 4 of the opponent fencer 1 with his weapon 6', the AC voltage of the AC voltage generator 2 passes from the device carried by the fencer 1 to the evaluation circuit 3 'of the fencer 1'. Here it can pass the frequency filter which is open for the corresponding frequency and drive the transmitter 8 'coupled to it to transmit a hit signal to the signaling devices (not shown). This emits a signal which is visualized, for example, by a signaling unit in the interior of the mask 5 'of the striking fencer 1' and on a central signaling unit. In this way, the hit achieved can be registered both by the meeting fencer 1 'himself, and the audience at the lounge or, in the case of a television broadcast, by the viewers on the television sets.

As already emphasized, form according to the rules of saber fencing of the upper body and the head of the fencer 1, 1 'hit surfaces. Consequently, the fencing vest 4, 4 'and the mask 5, 5', as in the arrangements already used for decades, formed electrically conductive. The vest 4, 4 'and the mask 5, 5' of a fencer 1, 1 'are electrically connected to a common capacitor plate in the sense of the capacitive bridge circuit according to the invention.

This differs slightly from the foil fencing, for which a comparable schematic representation in the Fig. 2 given is. When foil fencing the head of the opponent is not counted as a valid hit area. Accordingly, the capacitor in the corresponding branch of the bridge circuit is formed only by the west 4, 4 'of the fencer 1, 1', which are according to the rules designed so that the arms are also not considered as a target area. It is also in the foil, unlike the saber, not a bat or a striking weapon, but a thrust weapon. That is, as a hit are scored with the top 9, 9 'of the weapon 6 on the target area of the opponent guided bumps. The weapon 6 therefore has a contact tip 9, 9 'known and also used for many years execution. This is an opener over which in the case of the impact of the tip 9, 9 'on a surface, a connection between the tip 9, 9' and the input of the evaluation circuit 3, 3 'is produced. If now hit the vest 4, 4 'of the opponent with the top, the input of the evaluation circuit 3, 3' via the top 9, 9 'with the opposing vest 4, 4' is connected. The AC voltage generated by the AC voltage generator 2, 2 'of the opposing or struck fencer 1,1' thus passes, by AC voltage bridging the formed by the west 4, 4 'capacitor, over the top 9, 9' of the foil 6, 6 'of the apt Fechters 1, 1 'on the in a common housing with its own AC voltage generator 2, 2' entrained evaluation circuit 3, 3 '. Through the evaluation circuit 3, 3 ', a different from the "bridge zero" input voltage is detected and the associated transmitter 8, 8' driven to transmit a hit signal to corresponding signaling units. If the opener of the contact tip 9, 9 'is indeed actuated, but this actuation does not take place due to a collision on a valid as a target area according to the rules area (ie the vest), the input voltage to the evaluation circuit continues to correspond to the bridge zero, so that in this If no hit signaling occurs.

The Fig. 3 clarifies the conditions when fencing. Also when fencing fencing hits on the upper body are scored as hits. Unlike fencing, however, the fencers do not wear a conductive vest when fencing. Therefore, here the circuit ratios differ slightly from those previously shown for the sword and foil fencing. The score is evaluated by connecting two arranged in the blade of the sword 6 souls 12, 13 (clothing) by the impacting on a surface tip 9, and thereby a DC voltage on a to the transmitter 8, connected gate 10 is performed.

However, if the actuation of the contact tip 9 is caused by a shell hit, that is the meeting of the sword guard 14 'of the opponent fencer 1', but such a match, rule compliant, is not considered a hit. This is ensured by the fact that the peel shells 14, 14 'in turn with the AC voltage of the AC voltage generators 2 and 2' are acted upon. Now, if a hit on the shell 14 ', the AC voltage of the hit sword 6' is performed on the evaluation of the apt fencer 1, whose output signal in this case the gate 10 blocks. As a result, the DC voltage otherwise signaling a hit can not reach the transmitter 8 and a corresponding hit signal can not be transmitted to the signaling unit by the latter. The optocoupler 11 is provided for galvanic isolation of the DC potential of the AC voltage of the generator 2 and 2 '.

The use of a DC voltage during fencing and their galvanic separation from the generator 2 or 2 'only requires that an objective for the development of the hit reporting system according to the invention was to be able to continue to use the equipment previously used in fencing. This also applies to the special training of the sword 6 with the fabric arranged therein 12, 13. Only hereby, therefore historically, it was necessary to detect a hit as such by means of a DC signal, but then not compliant matches on the shell 14th the sword 6, again by using the capacitive bridge circuit, to recognize and prevent their signaling by blocking the gate 10.

In any case, however, an essential element of the proposed solution according to the invention is the use of a capacitive bridge circuit. Circuit technical modifications that make it necessary for historical reasons, especially in comparison between the sword fencing and the fencing fencing one hand, and the fencing fencing on the other hand, are easily manageable. For this purpose, at the of the fencers 1,1 'entrained devices, which accommodate the respective AC voltage generator 2, 2', the evaluation circuit 3, 3 'and the transmitters 8, 8', a Mode selector switch provided by the switching, for example, to the switch position "fencing fencing" required for the fencing additional elements such as the optocoupler 11 and the gate 10 are inserted into the corresponding signal paths.

By the FIGS. 4 and 4a the basic principle of the capacitive bridge circuit used is clarified again. The Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of essential components in the manner of a block diagram. Thereafter, each fencer 1, 1 'equipped with a device which, as already shown, an AC voltage generator 2, 2', the evaluation circuit 3, 3 'and a transmitter 8, 8' contains. In the block diagram, the evaluation circuit 3, 3 'and the transmitter 8, 8' are symbolized by a common symbol. It can be seen that the alternating voltage supplied by the generator 2, 2 'is applied to the electrically conductive fencing vest 4, 4' and the fencing mask 5, 5; is passed, and on the other hand one of the fencer 1, 1 'carried electrically conductive pants 7, 7' is supplied. As already emphasized, the fencer 1, 1 'wears these trousers 7, 7' for fencing according to the current regulations under the actual fencing trousers. Of course, the invention also detects the possibility that the fencers 1.1 ', for example, in the event of future possibly changing rules, only a conductive fencing trousers 7, 7' wear, so is dispensed with the coating of another, non-conductive pants. The resulting electrical conditions are determined by the Fig. 4a illustrated schematically. Thereafter, a first branch of the Bückenschaltung is formed by a capacitor whose one plate through the fencing vest 4, 4 'and fencing mask 5, 5' of a fencing athlete 1,1 'and the other plate are formed by the corresponding clothing parts of the other fencing athletes. The opposite branch of the bridge circuit is realized by a plate capacitor whose plates are formed by the pants 7, 7 'of the athletes. Without the occurrence of a hit exists in the bridge branch formed by the weapons 6, 6 ', which is also capacitive type, "bridge zero".

The Fig. 5 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of the arrangement according to FIGS. 4 and 4a , In this equivalent circuit diagram is also the occurrence of a rule compliant Hit, so a hit of the vest 4, 4 'or the mask 5, 5' of the opponent shown. The bridge circuit consists of a branch with the capacitor C _WW (vest 4 vest 4 '), of course, mental involvement of the masks 5, 5', and a capacitor C _HH (pants 7 pants 7 '). Both capacitors are acted upon by the alternating voltages generated by the generators 2, 2 '. In the example shown, however, meets the fencer 1 'with his saber vest 4 or mask 5 of the opponent fencer 1. As a result, the AC voltage of this fencer 1 entrained AC voltage generator 2 to the selective input amplifier 15' (selectively due to not shown Sperr- and Passage filter) of the evaluation circuit 3 '(in the figure so far only indicated by the amplifier) of the fencer 1' out. The signal is amplified here and, as already shown, the transmitter 8 ', not shown here, is driven to transmit a hit signal.

List of reference numbers used

1, 1 '

fencer

2, 2 '

(Wechseispannungs-) generator

3, 3 '

evaluation

4, 4 '

vest

5, 5 '

mask

6, 6 '

Weapon or saber, foil or sword

7, 7 '

(conductive) pants

8, 8 '

Transmission unit or transmitter

9, 9 '

(Weapon) tip or contact tip

10

gate

11

optocoupler

12, 13

covering

14

Degen cup

15, 15 '

(selective) input amplifier of the evaluation circuit 3, 3 '

Claims (16)

1. Electronic hit registering system for fencing, consisting of independently operating signalling units and of independently operating means, to be carried by each fencer (1, 1') in the form of one or a plurality of battery-operated device(s), for hit detection with a.c. voltage generators (2, 2') generating a.c. voltages of differing frequency as well as associated evaluation circuits (3, 3') and transmission units (8, 8'), wherein the evaluation circuits (3, 3') comprise an operating mode selector switch for selecting the fencing mode performed in each case as well as a band stop filter for blocking the frequency of a voltage which is generated by the associated, i.e. by the a.c. voltage generator (2, 2') carried by the same fencer (1, 1'), and a band pass filter for the frequency of a voltage which is generated by the respective other a.c. voltage generator (2, 2'), and wherein, in accordance with the fencing mode in each case set with the operating mode selector switch, either in the case of a hit directed with a weapon (6, 6') of one fencer (1, 1') against an area classified as a hit area, an a.c. voltage is present at the input of the evaluation circuit (3, 3') carried by the striking fencer (1, 1'), which voltage can be evaluated by this circuit, and an output signal of the evaluation circuit (3, 3') derived from this evaluable a.c. voltage activates the associated transmission unit (8, 8') to transmit a hit signal to one or a plurality of the signalling units carried by the fencers (1, 1') and/or a central signalling unit for optical and/or acoustic signalling, or generates a corresponding output signal through the evaluation circuit (3, 3') when an area not classified as a hit area is contacted, and by means of this the transmission of a hit signal delivered to the transmission unit (8, 8') along another signal path is blocked, characterised in that

   a. the means for hit detection comprise a capacitive bridge circuit,

   b. the capacitors of the bridge circuit are formed by parts of the clothing and the weapons (6, 6') of the fencers (1, 1') which are acted upon by the a.c. voltage provided by the a.c. voltage generators (2, 2'),

   c. irrespective of the fencing mode, one branch of the said bridge circuit is formed by electrically conductive shorts (7, 7') worn by the fencers (1, 1') under the fencing breeches and acted upon by the a.c. voltage and the capacitance existing between the conductive shorts (7, 7') of the fencers (1, 1'),

   d. the a.c. voltage in the branch of the bridge circuit which is formed by the shorts (7, 7') of the fencers (1, 1') is shifted in phase with respect to the respective other branch of the bridge circuit.
2. Hit registering system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the hit signal which is delivered to the transmission unit (8, 8') in the épée fencing operating mode is derived from a d.c. voltage signal which is generated upon connecting the wires forming the covering of the épée (6, 6') and integrated into the blade thereof through a contact tip (9, 9') of the épée (6, 6') on account of a hit, wherein the épée shells (14, 14') are acted upon by the a.c. voltage generated by the a.c. voltage generators (2, 2'), so that, in the case of a shell hit, an output signal is derived from the evaluation circuit (3, 3') from the a.c. voltage, then present at the evaluation circuit (3, 3'), from the a.c. voltage generator (2, 2') of the fencer (1, 1') hit at his épée shell (14, 14'), which signal blocks the transmission of the hit signal derived from the d.c. voltage through the transmission unit (8, 8').
3. Hit registering system according to Claim 2, characterised in that the hit signal which is derived from the d.c. voltage is delivered to the transmission unit (8, 8') via a gate circuit (10), which is blocked in the case of a shell hit through the output signal of the evaluation circuit (3, 3').
4. Hit registering system according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the d.c. voltage path via which the hit signal is delivered to the transmission unit (8, 8') is electrically isolated from the a.c. voltage signal which may block its transmission.
5. Hit registering system according to Claim 4, characterised in that the isolation of the d.c. and a.c. voltage path is implemented by means of an optocoupler (11).
6. Hit registering system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the evaluation circuit (3, 3') comprises a circuit unit by means of which an output signal of a constant shape and length is generated irrespective of the shape and duration of an input signal produced through a hit.
7. Hit registering system according to any one of Claims 1, 2 or 6, characterised in that the phase shift of the voltages in the branches of the capacitive bridge circuit is 180°, which means that the branches are in phase opposition to one another.
8. Hit registering system according to Claim 1 or 7, characterised in that the voltage which is generated by the a.c. voltage generators (2, 2') is a low voltage of ≤ 5 V of a frequency of < 100 kHz.
9. Hit registering system according to any one of Claims 1, 2 or 6, characterised in that the transmission unit (8, 8') is a short range radio transmitter through which the hit signals are wirelessly transmitted to a receiver, which is tuned with regard to its frequency, in the signalling units.
10. Hit registering system according to Claim 9, characterised in that the signal transmitted by the transmitter (8, 8') is encoded by means of an encoder.
11. Hit registering system according to Claim 10, characterised in that the type of encoding is adjustable.
12. Hit registering system according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the transmitter (8, 8') and the associated receiver in the signalling units operate at a carrier frequency in an ISM band.
13. Hit registering system according to any one of Claims 1, 2 or 9, characterised in that at least one signalling unit in each case is provided at the masks (5, 5') of the fencers (1, 1').
14. Hit registering system according to Claim 13, characterised in that a signalling unit is provided inside the mask (5, 5') of the fencers for their guidance.
15. Hit registering system according to Claim 14, characterised in that the hits are signalled by means of LEDs disposed in the mask (5, 5').
16. Hit registering system according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterised in that means against the development of electrostatic charges are provided at the electronic units carried by the fencers (1, 1').

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