EP3576852B1 - Equipment for detecting hits - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is in the field of combat sports such as taekwondo, karate or boxing. It relates more particularly to blow detection equipment.

The present invention relates to sports such as taekwondo, karate, boxing, but is not limited to these examples and applies to any combat sport which can benefit from blow detection equipment. In such sports, determining the number of valid hits to the opponent may be a criterion of judgment in determining the winner of a bout. In order for a shot to be valid, several rules may apply depending on the sport concerned.

The blow may have to be landed on a so-called valid surface of the opponent's body. The valid areas can be delimited by accessories or clearly defined areas, for example a chest protector or a colored taekwondo helmet.

Only certain clearly delimited surfaces can be authorized to strike a valid blow. This could be, for example, the end of the gloves, the fists or the feet.

Two conditions must then be verified for a move to be declared valid. The first condition is the contact between a surface qualified to strike a blow and a surface known as valid of the adversary. The second condition is sufficient intensity of the blow. So a simple contact may not be enough to award a point.

A hit detection system must therefore take these two factors into account and be able to detect contact, as well as the intensity of the hit.

Finally, the blows detected must then be signaled, either directly on the combatants, or on a display.

Detection systems exist, in particular for taekwondo. In order to detect contact, some systems use a breastplate lined with Hall effect sensors capable of detecting the proximity of magnets placed in the opponent's shoes and gloves. Other systems use RFID sensors. A Rigid plastron whose interior is lined with piezoelectric sensors is used to measure the intensity of the blows.

But these systems do not provide sufficiently reliable detection. Indeed, Hall effect contact is not always well detected, while the use of RFID chips is very random. Piezoelectric sensors on the faceplate are unreliable after repeated hits on the same surface, and inactive areas quickly appear. According to Olympic Games statistics, the combination of these technologies leads to detection devices that do not detect up to 30% of hits.

In addition, such a rigid plastron hinders the movements of the fighter by its heaviness and rigidity.

These systems are also very expensive, which prevents a significant diffusion among the practitioners of the sports concerned. Finally, the information concerning the hits detected is sent by radio waves in order to be displayed on a screen located near the combat area. These waves, usually sent over standardized public frequency bands, for example 430 MHz, 860 MHz, 2.4 GHz or 5.6 GHz in Europe, are easily interfered with, further reducing the efficiency of the detection system.

In addition, some martial arts have rules relating to hit discrimination. In karate for example, a valid stroke results in the impossibility of a valid opponent's stroke during a specific time interval. The lack of stability of the radio waves makes it difficult to correctly apply this type of rule by existing detection systems.

The document JP2000042162 offers a blow detection equipment comprising a plastron or a helmet provided with two electrodes, and a glove or a sock provided with a conductive surface. When the glove hits the plastron, the conductive surface comes into contact with the electrodes and causes a short circuit which is detected. The two electrodes are arranged in the form of overlapping combs, so that the blow can be detected over the entire surface of the breastplate or helmet. Deformable protruding elements can be arranged between the two electrodes. A blow must then be struck hard enough to deform the protruding parts and cause the short-circuit, and too low intensity strokes are not detected. Detection information is transmitted by radio for display on a screen.

However, with such a solution, the equipment detects the blows carried by the adversary and the blows carried by the fighter himself indifferently. In addition, the plastron is always rigid and hinders the movements of the fighter. The document WO2010041304 provides similar hit detection equipment with a pair of electrodes on the hit surface as well as on the hit surface. Such electrodes do not constitute a surface, but rather wires, laid in series and / or in parallel. It may happen during a hit that each electrode on the hit surface comes in contact with one of the hit surface electrodes, and so the hit will not be detected.

The object of the present invention is to alleviate at least in part these drawbacks. To this end, it proposes a blow detection equipment, usable by a fighter and an opponent for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, comprising the characteristics of claim 1. The equipment comprises a central device, a surface valid, for example a jersey and / or a helmet, and at least one qualified surface, for example a glove and / or a liner. This hit detection equipment is particular in that said valid surface comprises at least one conductive surface and in that said empowered surface comprises two conductive structures isolated from one another, nested one inside the other on the surface. 'whole of said empowered surface, and each connected to an electrical terminal, and configured so that a contact of said empowered surface on a conductive surface creates a short circuit between the two conductive structures.

By virtue of these arrangements, reliable hit detection can be obtained by means of simple, inexpensive and lightweight detection equipment, which makes it more comfortable and more practical for practicing sports. By virtue of its surface area, the presence of a conductive surface allows detection reliability that is much greater than the presence of wires, even nested, but separated by an insulator, of the state of the art.

According to the invention, said central apparatus comprises a transmitter of signals capable of being transmitted between a fighter and his opponent by means of the contact. between said empowered surface of said fighter and said conductive surface of said opponent. Thus, the hit detection information can be exchanged in a simple and reliable manner between the fighter's and his opponent's hit detection equipment, without vulnerability to jamming.

• lesdits signaux peuvent être des signaux basse fréquence, typiquement de l'ordre de 100 kHz, ce qui permet le transfert par contact,
• lesdites structures conductrices peuvent être disposées sous la forme de deux peignes ou deux spirales, imbriqués l'un dans l'autre, ces modes de réalisation simples rendant possible la détection d'un coup sur l'ensemble des surfaces habilitées par court-circuit entre les structures conductrices,
• ladite surface conductrice peut comporter des fils conducteurs tissés ou tricotés, en particulier des fils conducteurs en polyamide enduit d'argent, ou en inox, ce qui permet d'obtenir des surfaces conductrices efficaces, à l'aspect et au confort équivalant aux textiles habituellement utilisés pour la pratique du sport,
• l'équipement de détection de coups peut comprendre en outre au moins un capteur de choc, de préférence un accéléromètre, permettant de mesurer l'impact des coups et de dissocier par exemple les coups d'intensité insuffisante des coups valables,
• l'équipement de détection de coups peut comprendre en outre un gyroscope, apte à détecter une rotation de 180°, ceci permettant dans certains sports de détecter des coups spéciaux, par exemple les coups de pied en rotation au taekwondo,
• l'équipement de détection de coups peut comprendre en outre au moins un émetteur visuel, tel qu'une led, apte à recevoir un ordre d'allumage venant dudit appareil central, ceci permettant d'afficher en temps réel sur les combattants les informations de coups donnés et/ou reçus, une pluralité d'émetteurs pouvant permettre de distinguer différents types de coups ; ces dispositions permettent aux arbitres de comptabiliser les coups de façon fiable sans avoir à compter sur une transmission d'information entre les équipements de détection et un système de comptage de points situé hors de l'aire de combat.

According to other characteristics:

• said signals can be low frequency signals, typically of the order of 100 kHz, which allows transfer by contact,
• said conductive structures can be arranged in the form of two combs or two spirals, nested one in the other, these simple embodiments making possible the detection of a blow on all the surfaces enabled by short-circuiting between conductive structures,
• said conductive surface may comprise woven or knitted conductive yarns, in particular conductive yarns of polyamide coated with silver, or of stainless steel, which makes it possible to obtain effective conductive surfaces, with an appearance and comfort equivalent to textiles usually used for sports,
• the impact detection equipment may further comprise at least one shock sensor, preferably an accelerometer, making it possible to measure the impact of the blows and to separate, for example, blows of insufficient intensity from valid blows,
• the hit detection equipment may further comprise a gyroscope, capable of detecting a 180 ° rotation, this making it possible in certain sports to detect special hits, for example rotating kicks in taekwondo,
• the shot detection equipment may further comprise at least one visual transmitter, such as an LED, capable of receiving an ignition order from said central device, this making it possible to display in real time on the combatants the information of blows given and / or received, a plurality of transmitters being able to distinguish different types of blows; these provisions allow the referees to count the shots reliably without having to rely on a transmission of information between the detection equipment and a point counting system located outside the combat area.

• établissement d'un contact entre une surface habilitée dudit combattant et une surface valable dudit adversaire,
• détection d'un court circuit entre les deux structures conductrices de ladite surface habilitée,
• création au niveau de l'équipement dudit combattant d'un signal basse fréquence caractéristique du coup porté,
• envoi, pendant ledit contact, dudit signal basse fréquence vers l'appareil central de l'adversaire, par le moyen du contact entre la surface habilitée dudit combattant et la surface valable dudit adversaire,
• envoi le cas échéant d'un ordre d'allumage vers des émetteurs visuels tels que des leds de l'équipement de l'adversaire.

The present invention also relates to a method for detecting a blow struck by a fighter on an opponent, for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, each equipped with equipment according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps following:

• establishment of contact between an authorized surface of said fighter and a valid surface of said opponent,
• detection of a short circuit between the two conductive structures of said empowered surface,
• creation at the level of the equipment of said fighter of a low frequency signal characteristic of the hit,
• sending, during said contact, of said low frequency signal to the opponent's central apparatus, by means of contact between the qualified surface of said fighter and the valid surface of said opponent,
• if necessary sending of an ignition order to visual transmitters such as leds of the opponent's equipment.

By virtue of these arrangements, reliable hit detection can be obtained by means of simple, inexpensive and lightweight detection equipment, which makes it more comfortable and more practical for practicing sports. In addition, the signaling of hits provided by visual means can allow reliable counting of points without having to rely on a transmission of information between the detection equipment and a point counting system located outside the combat area.

• ledit procédé peut comprendre en plus au niveau de l'équipement de l'adversaire au moment de la réception d'un signal, et en fonction de la nature du signal reçu, la neutralisation de la création de signaux pendant une durée prédéterminée, ceci permettant d'appliquer une discrimination des coups dans les sports concernés par de telles règles, c'est-à-dire de ne pas comptabiliser les coups donnés dans un certain intervalle de temps après un coup reçu.

According to other characteristics:

• said method may further comprise at the level of the equipment of the adversary at the time of reception of a signal, and depending on the nature of the received signal, the neutralization of the creation of signals for a predetermined period, this allowing to apply a stroke discrimination in the sports concerned by such rules, that is to say not to count the strokes given in a certain time interval after a hit received.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un combattant pratiquant le taekwondo, doté d'un équipement de détection de coups selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique d'un combattant pratiquant la boxe, doté d'un équipement de détection de coups selon l'invention.
• La figure 3 est une vue d'un détail du chausson de la fig. 1, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 4 est une vue d'un détail du chausson de la fig. 1, selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 5 est une vue du dessus du gant de la fig. 2, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 6 est une vue de profil du gant de la fig. 5.
• La figure 7 est une vue schématique d'un coup détecté avec l'équipement de détection de coups selon l'invention.
• La figure 8 est une vue schématique de la communication entre un appareil central et un récepteur selon l'invention.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended figures in which:

• The figure 1 is a schematic view of a fighter practicing taekwondo, equipped with a blow detection equipment according to the invention.
• The figure 2 is a schematic view of a fighter practicing boxing, equipped with a blow detection equipment according to the invention.
• The figure 3 is a view of a detail of the slipper of the fig. 1 , according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 4 is a view of a detail of the slipper of the fig. 1 , according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 5 is a top view of the glove of the fig. 2 , according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 6 is a side view of the glove from the fig. 5 .
• The figure 7 is a schematic view of a hit detected with the hit detection equipment according to the invention.
• The figure 8 is a schematic view of the communication between a central device and a receiver according to the invention.

The blow detection equipment according to the invention, as illustrated in fig. 1 to 8 , is intended to be worn by a fighter practicing a martial art such as for example taekwondo, karate or boxing. The detection equipment comprises valid surfaces, for example a jersey 1 and / or a helmet 2 provided with a conductive surface 3 as a valid surface, a glove 4 and / or a liner 5 provided with two conductive structures 6, and a central unit 7.

The conductive structures 6 are nested one inside the other on the whole of the qualified surface 8 of the glove 4 and / or of the liner 5. The qualified surface 8 is the set of surfaces authorized to strike blows according to the rules. of the sport practiced. The authorized surface 8 is not necessarily limited to gloves 4 and slippers 5. If, for example, the knee or the elbow were authorized to carry blows, then the knee, respectively the elbow, would also be equipped with two conductive structures 6. The structures conductors 6 can for example be arranged in the form of interlocking combs, as illustrated in fig. 3 , or in the form of nested spirals, as illustrated in fig. 4 . Other arrangements allowing the nesting of the two conductive structures 6 on all of the authorized surfaces 8 are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The two conductive structures 6 are isolated from each other, so that direct contact between them is impossible. On the other hand, if the two conductive structures 6 touch the same conductive body, this establishes a short-circuit between them, which can be detected by the central apparatus 7.

The conductive structures 6 may consist of conductive wires, made for example of silver or stainless steel. These conductive threads can be embroidered on the surface of the glove 4, the liner 5 or any other qualified surface 8.

The conductive surface 3 can extend over all the surfaces on which a hit is valid according to the rules of the sport practiced, for example the helmet 2 and / or the jersey 1. The distribution of the conductive surfaces 3 on the fighter n 'is not necessarily limited to the helmet 2 and to the jersey 1. The conductive surface 3 can be produced by conductive textiles, for example a woven with lines at regular intervals in chain and / or weft, made of polyamide coated with silver , or stainless steel wire. It is also possible to produce the conductive surface 3 by a knitting made with conductive threads. The conductive surfaces 3 can also be covered with a conductive material or molded from conductive rubber. Such an embodiment may in particular be suitable for a helmet 2 made of a rigid material. In particular, provision can be made to produce a helmet 2 molded from polyurethane, then to overmold it with a thin layer of conductive rubber.

In the present application, the conductive surface 3 designates a set of points defining a geometric shape which extends significantly in two dimensions. The conductive surface 3 cannot therefore be constituted by a set of two mainly one-dimensional elements separated by an insulator, such as that of the state of the art described in the introduction, and one of the dimensions of which is much smaller than 1. 'other, so that we cannot be sure to detect the hits. It suffices, for example, for one of the electrodes of the empowered surface 8 to touch an insulating part between the two electrodes, so that the blow is not detected.

The hit detection is much more reliable with a conductive surface 3 in the sense of the present invention.

Furthermore, the conductive surface 3 is a conductive surface in the sense that it is conductive over its entire surface. It is therefore at the same electric potential over its entire surface, we can say that it is a single potential conductive surface. This is what allows the reliability of the detection; when an empowered surface 8 comes into contact with such a conductive surface, the two electrodes of said empowered surface are necessarily connected electrically, regardless of the places on the surface where each electrode has touched, and the blow is detected.

The conductive surface 3 can be connected by wire to the central device 7, for example by a simple electric wire terminated by a crocodile-type plug, in order to transmit to it information received for example on the occasion of a blow. .

As illustrated in fig. 5 and 6 , each conductive structure 6 of a nested pair of conductive structures 6 of an empowered surface 8 is connected to an electrical terminal 9. During contact between two nested conductive structures 6 and a conductive surface 3, the electrical terminals 9 are therefore in contact. short circuit. To do this, the distance between the conductive structures 6 must be small enough so that a blow of an empowered surface 8 on a valid surface inevitably causes a short circuit, while ensuring that the two conductive structures 6 are well insulated from each other. .

The two electrical terminals 9 form part of an end sensor 10, for example a foot end sensor or a glove end sensor. The end sensor 10 can be connected by wire to the central apparatus 7 in order to be supplied with electrical energy, and to exchange information with said central apparatus 7.

• enfilage des gants 4 et/ou chaussons 5 et/ou autres équipements comportant des surfaces habilitées,
• fixation de l'appareil central 7 et des différents circuits électriques sur les combattants,
• connexion des surfaces habilitées 8 aux circuits électriques correspondants au niveau des capteurs d'extrémité 10.

The central device 7 can be attached to the back of the jersey 1. The end sensor 10 can include a wired interface for connection to the central device 7. The end sensor can also include a mechanical and electrical attachment. easily removable from the empowered surface 8. This attachment may for example be a conductive Velcro (registered trademark) type attachment. There can thus be two fixings of this type, materializing the electrical terminals 9. This arrangement makes it possible to easily remove the gloves 4 and / or slippers 5 at the end of a fight, without them always being connected. to the end sensor 10. In this embodiment, prior to a fight, the preparation of fighters is simplified and can include the following steps:

• putting on gloves 4 and / or slippers 5 and / or other equipment comprising qualified surfaces,
• fixing of the central apparatus 7 and the various electrical circuits on the combatants,
• connection of the authorized surfaces 8 to the corresponding electrical circuits at the level of the end sensors 10.

The end sensor 10 continuously monitors the short-circuit state between the two electrical terminals 9. Upon detection of a short-circuit at an enabled surface 8, the end sensor 10 sends a signal, preferably a low frequency signal, directly from said empowered surface 8 to the opponent's touched valid surface. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said signal has a frequency of between 50 and 300 kHz, typically of the order of 100 kHz. The signal is then transmitted using the wire connecting the conductive surface 3 to the central apparatus 7, to finally be detected by the central apparatus 7.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the impact detection equipment comprises a shock sensor 14, which may be placed at the level of the forearm and / or the heel, and capable of determining the intensity of a shock. stroke. The shock sensor can be an accelerometer, and can be connected to the end sensor 10. When detecting a contact by short circuit between the electrical terminals 9, the shock sensor makes it possible to determine whether the intensity of the blow is sufficient for the blow to be valid. The transmitted signal can then have a different frequency depending on whether the blow is valid or not.

Provision can also be made for the detection of contact by short-circuiting an enabled surface, as well as the information on the intensity of the blow, to be transmitted to the central device 7. This then determines the type of blow struck. : for example a kick, if the information for detecting contact by short-circuit comes from a surface equipped with a liner 5, of sufficient or insufficient intensity depending on the value measured by the impact sensor. Depending on the type of blow struck, the central apparatus 7 determines the frequency of the signal to be transmitted. This signal is transmitted during the contact of the blow, directly to the valid area of the opponent, from where it is transmitted to the central apparatus 7 of the opponent.

The impact detection equipment can also include a gyroscope, capable of detecting a rotation of for example 180 ° or 360 °. Such an arrangement can be used in some sports, for example in taekwondo extra points are awarded for a rotating kick. The information transmitted by the signal, in particular the choice of its frequency, to the opponent's central apparatus 7 can then include these additional details required for the calculation of the points.

The signal sent by the conductive structures 6 to the central apparatus 7 of the adversary can then carry different information, distinguished for example by the use of different frequencies. The opponent's central apparatus 7 can be informed of a valid move, of a stroke of insufficient intensity, of a special move yielding more points according to the data of the gyroscope. The opponent's central apparatus 7 can also be informed whether the hit is a kick or a punch. He can himself determine on which area of the body it has been worn, for example on the head or on the chest, depending on the authorized surface from which the information reaches him.

As shown in fig. 8 , the shot detection equipment can also include a visual transmitter 11, consisting for example of one or more LEDs. The visual transmitter 11 can for example be placed on the helmet 2 and / or the fighter's outfit, and connected by wire to the central apparatus 7. When the central apparatus 7 is informed of a hit received, it can command to the visual transmitter 11 associated with the valid surface having received the blow, a certain display. One can imagine that the central device 7 commands the visual transmitter 11 to a different display, for example by activating LEDs of different colors, when a contact of insufficient intensity is detected. The display can also differentiate between kicks and punches, and special hits like a spinning kick. We can predict that if the blow was received at the level of helmet 2, it is the led of the helmet 2 which lights up, whereas if the blow was struck at the level of the chest, it is a led at the level of the breast that lights up; depending on the importance of the location of the shot, and of its precision, the conductive surfaces 3 can be subdivided in order to detect the location of the shots with more or less precision. This can be used for counting points if a regulation so stipulates, but also for training aid, indicating to the fighter that he is more vulnerable in certain areas, and thus encouraging him to train more his defense in this area.

As shown in fig. 8 , the information relating to the hits received can also be sent by the central apparatus 7 to a screen 12 outside the combat era, for example by sending a radio wave. The screen 12 can be visible to the referees and the public and allow them to follow the evolution of the score. In the event of a radio problem, the presence of the visual transmitter 11 makes it possible to ensure that the shots will be correctly counted by the referees.

• coup porté par un combattant à son adversaire, par contact d'une surface habilitée dudit combattant et d'une surface valable dudit adversaire
• court-circuit entre les deux structures conductrices 6 de ladite surface habilitée dudit combattant, par exemple d'un gant 4 ou d'un chausson 5, par contact avec la surface conductrice 3 d'une surface valable de l'équipement de l'adversaire,
• création au niveau dudit combattant, par exemple dans son appareil central 7, d'un signal basse fréquence caractéristique du coup porté,
• envoi dudit signal basse fréquence vers l'appareil central 7 de l'adversaire, par l'intermédiaire de la surface habilitée du combattant vers la surface valable de l'adversaire pendant le contact,
• envoi le cas échéant d'un ordre d'allumage vers un émetteur visuel 11 tels que des leds disposé sur ledit combattant.

The blow detection equipment makes it possible to implement a detection method comprising the following steps:

• blow struck by a fighter to his opponent, by contact of an authorized surface of said fighter and a valid surface of said opponent
• short-circuit between the two conductive structures 6 of said empowered surface of said fighter, for example of a glove 4 or of a slipper 5, by contact with the conductive surface 3 of a valid surface of the opponent's equipment ,
• creation at the level of said fighter, for example in his central apparatus 7, of a low frequency signal characteristic of the hit,
• sending said low-frequency signal to the opponent's central apparatus 7, via the fighter's enabled area to the opponent's valid area during contact,
• sending, where appropriate, of an ignition order to a visual transmitter 11 such as leds placed on said fighter.

As shown in fig. 8 , the shot detection equipment can also include a display 13 making it possible to display on each fighter the points he has acquired. This allows an additional check of the score at the end of the fight.

The central unit can store the recorded data for use in targeted training. We can for example learn from these data that the fighter is more efficient with the right foot, or with the left fist, or more vulnerable in certain areas, and therefore provide targeted training to reduce weaknesses and / or accentuate strengths.

The power supply necessary for the operation of the strike detection equipment can be included in the central apparatus 7. For example, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery can be placed there.

The invention allows the discrimination of keys in real time. Indeed, the central apparatus 7 can centralize at any time the information of hits received and landed, and order not to detect hits within a specific time interval after having received a hit. It suffices to neutralize the creation of signals within a time interval of predetermined duration after the reception of a signal from the adversary, indicating a received blow of sufficient intensity.

The sending of signals by contact, allows a reliable transmission of information and a precise application of the rules of discrimination of touches present in certain martial arts.

Since the hit detection surfaces and in particular the conductive surface 3 u jersey 1 can be made from textile materials, the invention makes it possible for combatants to avoid having to wear a breastplate lined with sensors. Such a breastplate is heavy, rigid and expensive. Traditional outfits can be used as long as they are made at least partly in conductive materials, with the possible addition of protections under the outfit.

Although the above description is based on particular embodiments, it is in no way limiting the scope of the invention, and modifications can be made. The scope of protection is defined by the claims.

Claims (9)

1. Hit detection equipment, usable by a fighter and an opponent for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, comprising a central device, a valid surface, for example a jersey and/or a helmet, and at least one authorized surface, for example a glove and/or a shoe, characterized in that:

   - said valid surface comprises at least one conductive surface,

   - and in that said authorized surface comprises two conductive structures insulated from each other, intertwined with each other over the entirety of said authorized surface, and each connected to an electrical terminal, and configured so that a contact of said authorized surface on a conductive surface creates a short circuit between the two conductive structures,

   - and said central device comprises a transmitter of signals capable of being transmitted between a fighter and his opponent by means of contact between said authorized surface of said fighter and said conductive surface of said opponent.
2. Equipment according to the previous claim, wherein said signals are low frequency signals, typically in the order of 100 kHz.
3. Equipment according to one of the previous claims, in which said conductive structures are arranged in the form of two combs or two spirals, intertwined within each other.
4. Equipment according to one of the previous claims, wherein said conductive surface comprises woven or knitted conductive yarns, in particular silver-coated polyamide or stainless steel conductive yarns.
5. Equipment according to one of the previous claims, further comprising at least one impact sensor, preferably an accelerometer.
6. Equipment according to one of the previous claims, further comprising a gyroscope, capable of detecting a 180° rotation.
7. Equipment according to one of the previous claims, further comprising at least one visual transmitter, such as a LED, capable of receiving a lighting command from said central device.
8. Method for detecting a hit struck by a fighter to an opponent, for martial arts such as taekwondo, karate or boxing, each equipped with an equipment according to one of the previous claims, comprising the following steps:

   - establishment of a contact between an authorized surface of said fighter and a valid surface of said opponent,

   - detection of a short circuit between the two conductive structures of said authorized surface,

   - creation at the level of the equipment of said fighter of a low frequency signal characteristic of the hit,

   - sending, during said contact, said low frequency signal to the opponent's central device, by means of the contact between the authorized surface of said fighter and the valid surface of said opponent,

   - sending, if necessary, a lighting command to visual transmitters such as LEDs of the opponent's equipment.
9. Method according to the previous claim, further comprising, at the opponent's equipment at the time of reception of a signal, and depending on the nature of the received signal, neutralizing the creation of signals for a predetermined period of time.

Images