EP3155357B1 - Methods and systems to assist with the sighting of a target for a weapon, in particular for a non-lethal hand-held weapon - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

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

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

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

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

The present invention aims at improving the aiming assistance of a target for a shooter, in particular in order to increase its probability of reaching a predetermined impact zone of the target.

In the application for a defensive launcher, the present invention thus aims to increase the probability of attacking a part of a human being during a shooting so that it is not killed or hurt heavily.

State of the art

It is well known to equip a weapon with the aid of sighting means generally consisting of a rise and a handlebar. The line of sight thus defined by the alignment between the rise and the handlebar, itself aligned with the target allows the shooter to trigger the shot.

With these usual aiming means, the probability of reaching a target is recognized as being relatively low, because it is related to several factors such as the intrinsic accuracy of the weapon, the intrinsic quality of the aiming means, the qualities specific to the shooter, the external conditions of the aim (climate, brightness, shooter stress, etc ...) and finally, the movements of the target.

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

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

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

• le système proposé ne permet pas véritablement de tir instinctif, c'est-à-dire un tir instantané, ce qui peut être préjudiciable au tir dans bon nombre de situations, notamment en cas de mouvements rapides de la cible ;
• tout comme pour le système du brevet FR2701101B1 , le risque d'atteindre une zone d'impact non souhaitée de la cible subsiste car entièrement dépendant du pointage optique fait par le tireur. Or, cela est rédhibitoire pour une application à un lanceur de défense car un pointage imparfait pourrait viser une zone vitale d'un être humain.

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

• the proposed system does not really allow instinctive shooting, that is to say an instantaneous fire, which can be detrimental to shooting in many situations, especially in case of rapid movements of the target;
• just like for the patent system FR2701101B1 , the risk of reaching an unwanted impact zone of the target remains because it is entirely dependent on the optical pointing made by the shooter. However, this is unacceptable for an application to a defensive launcher because an imperfect score could target a vital area of a human being.

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

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

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

Presentation of the invention

• a1/ visée de la cible ;
• b1/ mesure de la distance entre la cible et l'arme, par l'un des deux télémètres,
• b2/ mesure de la hauteur de l'arme par rapport au sol, par l'autre des deux télémètres,
• c1/ mesure des paramètres que sont les vitesses angulaires, les accélérations et angles de l'arme, par la centrale inertielle,
• d1/ identification d'une zone d'impact prédéterminée de la cible par calculs prédictifs de sa hauteur par rapport au sol, de l'angle de tir et d'une distance de tir minimale,
  si les paramètres mesurés selon l'étape c1/ indiquent une position stable de l'arme alors et si la distance mesurée selon l'étape b1/ et la hauteur mesurée selon l'étape b2/ sont corrélées aux calculs prédictifs selon l'étape d1/ alors
• e1/ indication sonore et/ou visuelle et/ou tactile pour le déclenchement manuel de la queue de détente de l'arme.

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

• a1 / aim of the target;
• b1 / measuring the distance between the target and the weapon, by one of the two rangefinders,
• b2 / measurement of the height of the weapon relative to the ground, by the other of the two rangefinders,
• c1 / measurement of the parameters that are the angular velocities, the accelerations and angles of the weapon, by the inertial unit,
• d1 / identification of a predetermined impact zone of the target by predictive calculations of its height with respect to the ground, the angle of fire and a minimum firing distance,
  if the parameters measured according to step c1 / indicate a stable position of the weapon then and if the distance measured according to step b1 / and the height measured according to step b2 / are correlated with the predictive calculations according to step d1 / so
• e1 / audible and / or visual and / or tactile indication for manual triggering of the trigger of the weapon.

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

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

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

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

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

A sight assisting system according to the invention is particularly suitable for defense launchers because it allows for sure to fire on an impact zone, such as the legs, which is of lesser danger for the defense. the life of the person concerned. This impact zone is particularly preferred for defense launchers. We can also determine another impact zone, such as the head for precision weapons, for snipers for example.

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

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

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

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of recording the shot from step a1 / aiming the target until after the effective trigger firing.

• deux télémètres adaptés pour être agencés sur l'arme, dont l'un pour mesurer la distance entre l'arme et la cible et l'autre pour mesurer la hauteur de l'arme par rapport au sol;
• une centrale inertielle adaptée pour être agencée sur l'arme, pour mesurer les vitesses angulaires, les accélérations et angles de l'arme,
• au moins une unité électronique de traitement du signal adaptée pour traiter les signaux délivrés respectivement par les télémètres et la centrale inertielle, l'unité électronique de traitement comprenant une unité de commande adaptée pour commander la queue de détente de l'arme en fonction des données issues de l'unité de traitement du signal.

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

• two rangefinders adapted to be arranged on the weapon, one to measure the distance between the weapon and the target and the other to measure the height of the weapon relative to the ground;
• an inertial unit adapted to be arranged on the weapon, for measuring angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon,
• at least one electronic signal processing unit adapted to process the signals delivered respectively by the rangefinders and the inertial unit, the electronic processing unit comprising a control unit adapted to control the trigger of the weapon depending on the data from the signal processing unit.

• une mémoire pour stocker des paramètres que sont au moins leur hauteur par rapport au sol, de l'angle de tir et d'une distance de tir minimale, de différentes zones d'impact prédéterminées de cibles,
• une entrée pour recevoir des télémètres la hauteur mesurée de l'arme par rapport au sol et la distance mesurée entre l'arme et la cible, et de la centrale inertielle les paramètres mesurés que sont les vitesses angulaires, les accélérations et angles de l'arme,
• un microprocesseur pour :
  • valider si les distances mesurées par les télémètres sont corrélées aux calculs prédictifs de l'angle de tir,
  • valider une position stable de l'arme en fonction des paramètres mesurés par la centrale inertielle, et
  • en cas de position stable de l'arme, et
  • en cas de corrélation avec l'angle de tir calculé,
    • ▪ déclencher une commande de tir entre l'arme et la zone d'impact de la cible,
• une sortie pour délivrer un signal d'alerte sonore et/ou visuelle et/ou tactile. comprenant une caméra adaptée pour être agencée sur l'arme pour filmer la cible, la mémoire étant adaptée pour stocker les images filmées par la caméra.

According to an advantageous variant, the electronic unit comprises:

• a memory for storing parameters that are at least their height relative to the ground, the angle of fire and a minimum firing distance, different predetermined impact zones of targets,
• an input to receive rangefinders the measured height of the weapon relative to the ground and the distance measured between the weapon and the target, and the inertial unit the measured parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the armed,
• a microprocessor for:
  • validate if the distances measured by the rangefinders are correlated with the predictive calculations of the firing angle,
  • validate a stable position of the weapon according to the parameters measured by the inertial unit, and
  • in case of a stable position of the weapon, and
  • in case of correlation with the calculated firing angle,
    • ▪ trigger a firing command between the weapon and the impact zone of the target,
• an output for delivering an audible and / or visual and / or tactile warning signal. comprising a camera adapted to be arranged on the weapon for filming the target, the memory being adapted to store the images filmed by the camera.

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

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

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

According to an alternative embodiment, the weapon comprises a manual selection button for a predetermined impact zone of a target.

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

Advantageously, the weapon comprises an electromechanical and / or electromagnetic interface between the control unit of the assistance system and the trigger tail. This interface can be integrated directly into a newly manufactured weapon or be added to an already existing weapon.

The weapon may include a Picatinny-type rail fastening device adapted to attach a telescopic sight to a rail itself attached to the top of the weapon.

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

detailed description

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un exemple de système d'assistance à la visée d'une cible à caméra à reconnaissance de formes, intégré à une arme à feu de précision dès sa conception,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique illustrant le fonctionnement du système selon la figure 1 pour une visée sur une zone impact prédéterminée d'une personne en tant que cible;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique de l'exemple de système d'assistance à la visée d'une cible selon les figures 1 et 2, mais rajouté dans une arme à feu de précision déjà existante,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique d'un exemple de système d'assistance à la visée d'une cible selon l'invention, rajouté dans un lanceur de défense déjà existant.

Other advantages and features of the invention will emerge more clearly from a reading of the detailed description of the invention, given by way of illustration and without limitation with reference to the following figures among which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic view of an example of an aiming assist system for a pattern recognition camera target integrated into a precision firearm as soon as it is designed,
• the figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the system according to the figure 1 for targeting a predetermined impact area of a person as a target;
• the figure 3 is a schematic view of the example of a target aiming assistance system according to the Figures 1 and 2 but added to an existing precision firearm,
• the figure 4 is a schematic view of an example of a target aiming assistance system according to the invention, added to an already existing defense launcher.

We have shown in Figures 1 and 2 , a precision firearm fitted as standard, that is to say incorporating from its conception a system for assisting the aiming of a pattern-recognition camera target originally developed by the inventors.

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

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

The system also includes an inertial unit for measuring angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon.

Finally, there is provided at least one electronic signal processing unit adapted to process the signals delivered respectively by the range finder, the inertial unit and the camera, the electronic processing unit comprising a control unit adapted to control the trigger tail. of the weapon based on data from the signal processing unit.

• une mémoire pour stocker des caractéristiques choisies de formes de différentes zones d'impact prédéterminées de cibles.
• une entrée pour recevoir de la caméra les données d'image filmée, du télémètre la distance mesurée entre l'arme et la cible, et de la centrale inertielle les paramètres mesurés que sont les vitesses angulaires, les accélérations et angles de l'arme,
• un microprocesseur pour :
  • rechercher, dans les données d'image filmée, des caractéristiques de formes, homologues des caractéristiques d'une zone d'impact prédéterminée d'une cible, et
  • valider une position stable de l'arme en fonction des paramètres mesurés par la centrale inertielle, et
  • en cas de position stable de l'arme, et
  • en cas d'identification, dans les données d'image filmée, de caractéristiques de formes identiques, avec une tolérance géométrique, aux caractéristiques de la zone d'impact prédéterminée de la cible:
    • ▪ décider une reconnaissance de la zone d'impact de la cible dans l'image filmée,
    • ▪ calculer un angle de tir entre l'arme et la zone d'impact de la cible,
• une sortie pour délivrer un signal de commande dont au moins un paramètre est fonction de l'angle de tir calculé.

The processing unit comprises the following elements:

• memory for storing selected features of shapes of different predetermined impact zones of targets.
• an input for receiving from the camera the filmed image data, the rangefinder the distance measured between the weapon and the target, and the inertial unit the measured parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon,
• a microprocessor for:
  • searching, in the filmed image data, shape characteristics, homologous to the characteristics of a predetermined impact area of a target, and
  • validate a stable position of the weapon according to the parameters measured by the inertial unit, and
  • in case of a stable position of the weapon, and
  • if identification, in the filmed image data, of characteristics of identical shapes, with a geometric tolerance, to the characteristics of the predetermined impact zone of the target:
    • ▪ decide on a recognition of the impact zone of the target in the filmed image,
    • ▪ calculate a firing angle between the weapon and the target's impact zone,
• an output for delivering a control signal of which at least one parameter is a function of the calculated firing angle.

The electronic processing unit can be housed in a module directly integrated into the weapon or deported thereof, in particular by being fixed on the shooter. The advantage of deporting the treatment unit is to limit the weight embedded on the weapon. This can also make it possible to have a more efficient electronic processing unit.

The power supply means of all the active components of the system according to the invention, for example a battery can be housed in the butt 5 of the weapon.

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

The operation of the sight assist system according to the Figures 1 and 2 is the next.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On this figure 3 , there are also components already represented in Figures 1 and 2 but here fixed on the existing weapon, an additional interface 6 between the trigger and control unit, the power supply battery of the system components 7 arranged near the barrel, and connection cables 8 between the various components of the system .

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

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

This is clearly a disadvantage, especially for the application to defense launchers where this intrinsic processing time of the pattern recognition can cause the shot to fail, that is to say not to touch the impact zone initially considered. by the shooter.

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

On the figure 4 , there is shown an example of target targeting assistance system according to the invention, added to an already existing defense launcher. This defensive launcher can be a bullet thrower or a shotgun in the context of neutralizing individuals or maintaining order.

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

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

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

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

• une mémoire 14 pour stocker des paramètres que sont au moins leur hauteur par rapport au sol, de l'angle de tir et d'une distance de tir minimale, de différentes zones d'impact prédéterminées de cibles,
• une entrée pour recevoir des télémètres la hauteur mesurée de l'arme par rapport au sol et la distance mesurée entre l'arme et la cible, et de la centrale inertielle les paramètres mesurés que sont les vitesses angulaires, les accélérations et angles de l'arme,
• un microprocesseur pour :
  • valider si les distances mesurées par les télémètres sont corrélées aux calculs prédictifs de l'angle de tir,
  • valider une position stable de l'arme en fonction des paramètres mesurés par la centrale inertielle, et
  • en cas de position stable de l'arme, et
  • en cas de corrélation avec l'angle de tir calculé,
  • déclencher une commande de tir entre l'arme et la zone d'impact de la cible,
• une sortie pour délivrer un signal d'alerte sonore et/ou visuelle et/ou tactile.

The treatment unit comprises:

• a memory 14 for storing parameters that are at least their height relative to the ground, the firing angle and a minimum firing distance, different predetermined impact zones of targets,
• an input to receive rangefinders the measured height of the weapon relative to the ground and the distance measured between the weapon and the target, and the inertial unit the measured parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the armed,
• a microprocessor for:
  • validate if the distances measured by the rangefinders are correlated with the predictive calculations of the firing angle,
  • validate a stable position of the weapon according to the parameters measured by the inertial unit, and
  • in case of a stable position of the weapon, and
  • in case of correlation with the calculated firing angle,
  • trigger a fire command between the weapon and the target's impact zone,
• an output for delivering an audible and / or visual and / or tactile warning signal.

The memory 14 of the processing unit can store parameters that are at least their height relative to the ground, the angle of fire and a minimum firing distance, different predetermined impact zones of targets.

The module 1 furthermore houses a camera 15 as well as the battery 7 for powering the various components, including the camera 15.

The operation of the system according to the invention is here as follows.

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

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

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

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

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

The shooter can then fire by pressing the trigger.

All shots can be recorded by the camera 15.

The invention which has just been described makes it possible to considerably increase the probability of attaining an area of precise impact of a target and by freeing itself from the parasitic movements of a shooter and allowing a shot on more instantaneous possible.

Other variants and improvements may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

Claims (14)

1. Method for assisting with the sighting of a target using a weapon, in particular using a non-lethal hand-held weapon, comprising a prior step of fitting the weapon with two rangefinders (10, 11) and an inertial measurement unit (12), the method comprising the following steps:

   a1/ sighting the target;

   b1/ measuring the distance between the target and the weapon, using one of the two rangefinders;

   b2/ measuring the height of the weapon with respect to the ground, using the other of the two rangefinders;

   c1/ measuring parameters including the angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon, using the inertial measurement unit;

   d1/ identifying a predetermined impact area (Z.I) on the target by means of predictive calculations of its height with respect to the ground, of the firing angle and of a minimum firing distance, if the parameters measured in step c1/ indicate that the weapon is positioned stably and if the distance measured in step b1/ and the height measured in step b2/ correlate with the predictive calculations in step d1/ then

   e1/ an acoustic and/or visual and/or tactile prompt to manually actuate the firing trigger of the weapon is issued.
2. Assist method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined impact area is a human body part chosen from the trunk, the legs or the head.
3. Assist method according to either of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of recording the firing sequence from step a1/ of sighting the target until after the shot has actually been fired.
4. System for assisting with the sighting of a target for a weapon, in particular for a non-lethal hand-held weapon, comprising:

   - two rangefinders (10, 11) suitable for being fitted to the weapon, one of which is for measuring the distance between the weapon and the target and the other is for measuring the height of the weapon with respect to the ground;

   - an inertial measurement unit (12) suitable for being fitted to the weapon, for measuring the angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon;

   - at least one electronic signal processing unit (13) suitable for processing the signals delivered by the rangefinders and the inertial measurement unit, respectively, the electronic processing unit comprising a control unit suitable for controlling the firing trigger of the weapon according to the data issued by the signal processing unit.
5. Assist system according to Claim 4, the electronic unit comprising:

   - a memory (14) for storing parameters including at least their height with respect to the ground, the firing angle and a minimum firing distance, for various predetermined impact areas on targets;

   - an input for receiving the measured height of the weapon with respect to the ground and the measured distance between the weapon and the target from the rangefinders, and the measured parameters including the angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon from the inertial measurement unit;

   - a microprocessor for:

   • checking whether the distances measured by the rangefinders correlate with the predictive calculations of the firing angle;

   • checking that the weapon is positioned stably according to the parameters measured by the inertial measurement unit; and

   • if the weapon is positioned stably; and

   • if there is correlation with the calculated firing angle;

   ▪ then a command to fire from the weapon to the impact area on the target is triggered;

   - an output for delivering an acoustic and/or visual and/or tactile alert signal.
6. System according to Claim 5, comprising a camera suitable for being fitted to the weapon for the purpose of filming the target, the memory being suitable for storing the footage filmed by the camera.
7. Assist system according to one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the electronic processing unit is produced in the form of a module suitable for being incorporated in or fitted to a weapon.
8. Assist system according to one of Claims 4 to 7, comprising a battery for supplying power to the various components of the assist system, the battery being produced in the form of a module suitable for being incorporated in or fitted to a weapon.
9. Firearm, or propulsion means other than an explosive charge, in particular a non-lethal hand-held weapon, comprising an assist system according to one of Claims 4 to 8 produced in the form of one or more modules.
10. Firearm according to Claim 9, comprising a button for manually selecting a predetermined impact area on a target.
11. Firearm according to Claim 9 or 10, comprising a battery for supplying power to the various components of the assist system.
12. Firearm according to one of Claims 9 to 11, comprising an electromechanical and/or electromagnetic interface between the control unit of the assist system and the firing trigger.
13. Firearm according to one of Claims 9 to 12, comprising a rail mounting device, such as a Picatinny rail, suitable for attaching a scope to a rail that is itself attached to the upper side of the weapon.
14. Firearm according to one of Claims 9 to 13, comprising an upload interface, such as a USB socket and/or a Wi-Fi interface, for uploading the filmed footage.

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