Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
  • F41G1/00—Sighting devices
  • F41G1/38—Telescopic sights specially adapted for smallarms or ordnance; Supports or mountings therefor
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
  • F41A17/00—Safety arrangements, e.g. safeties
  • F41A17/06—Electric or electromechanical safeties
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
  • F41A17/00—Safety arrangements, e.g. safeties
  • F41A17/08—Safety arrangements, e.g. safeties for inhibiting firing in a specified direction, e.g. at a friendly person or at a protected area
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41A—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS COMMON TO BOTH SMALLARMS AND ORDNANCE, e.g. CANNONS; MOUNTINGS FOR SMALLARMS OR ORDNANCE
  • F41A19/00—Firing or trigger mechanisms; Cocking mechanisms
  • F41A19/58—Electric firing mechanisms
  • F41A19/59—Electromechanical firing mechanisms, i.e. the mechanical striker element being propelled or released by electric means
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
  • F41G1/00—Sighting devices
  • F41G1/46—Sighting devices for particular applications
  • F41G1/473—Sighting devices for particular applications for lead-indicating or range-finding, e.g. for use with rifles or shotguns
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
  • F41G3/00—Aiming or laying means
  • F41G3/06—Aiming or laying means with rangefinder
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41G—WEAPON SIGHTS; AIMING
  • F41G3/00—Aiming or laying means
  • F41G3/14—Indirect aiming means
  • F41G3/16—Sighting devices adapted for indirect laying of fire

Definitions

• the present invention relates to methods and systems for assisting the aiming of a target for a weapon, in particular for 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 .
• offensive 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.
• 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 to improve the aiming assistance of a target for a shooter, in particular to increase its probability of reaching a predefined target area of impact.
• the present invention thus aims to increase the probability of reaching a part of a human being during a shot so that it is not killed or seriously injured.
• a weapon 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 ⁇ alignment between the rise and the handlebar, itself aligned with the target allows the shooter to trigger the shot.
• 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's stress, etc.) and finally, the movements of the target.
• patent FR2701101B1 which describes the integration of an infrared detector in an assault rifle for an automatic firing trigger from the signature. thermal 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.
• 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.
• the shooter must first identify his target and then aim the target with a button near the trigger.
• 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 the patent system FR2701 101B1, the risk of reaching an unwanted impact zone of the target remains as 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 sight assist systems for a firearm, 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 until not impact the zone desired impact due to this latency.
• the general object of the invention is to meet part of this need.
• 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:
• step dl / identifying 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 c 1 / indicate a stable position of the weapon then and if the distances measured according to steps d 1 / and 2 J are correlated with the predictive calculations according to step d 1 / then
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the method further comprises a firing recording step from the target aiming step a1 / / until the firing is actually fired.
• 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 tail of the weapon according to the data from the signal processing unit.
• 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 for receiving 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,
• an output for delivering a sound 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.
• 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.
• the year comprises a button for manually selecting a predetermined impact zone of a target.
• the weapon preferably comprises a battery supply of the various components of the assistance system.
• 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 fix a telescopic sight on a rail itself fixed on the top of the friend.
• the weapon comprises a download interface, USB port type and / or WIFI interface, for downloading the images filmed by the camera and stored in the memory of the assistance system.
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary system for assisting the aiming of a pattern-recognition camera target integrated into a precision firearm as soon as it is designed,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the system according to FIG. 1 for aiming at a predetermined impact zone of a person as a target;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the example of a target aiming assistance system according to FIGS. 1 and 2, but added to an already existing precision firearm,
• FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an example of a target aiming assistance system according to the invention, added to an already existing defense launcher.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show a precision firearm equipped as standard, that is to say incorporating, from its conception, a system for assisting the aiming of a camera target with pattern recognition originally developed by the inventors.
• the assistance system 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.
• an 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.
• the processing unit comprises the following elements:
• a memory for storing selected features of shapes of different predetermined impact zones of targets.
• the rangefinder measured distance between the weapon and the target
• the inertial unit the measured parameters such as angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon
• 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 stick S of the weapon.
• the shooter determines through the riflescope 2, the shooting parameters, that is to say the impact zone (Z.I) he wants to achieve.
• the impact zone may be for example the head or the trunk or the legs.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the microprocessor calculates the allowed or desired firing angle.
• 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 to provide 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.
• FIG. 3 in addition to the components already shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but here attached to the existing weapon, there is an additional interface 6 between the trigger and the control unit, the battery for powering the system components 7 arranged near the barrel, and connection cables 8 between the various components of the system.
• 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.
• the inventors have developed the target targeting 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 quasi-instantaneous time.
• FIG. 4 shows an example of a target aiming 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 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 the angular velocities, accelerations and angles of the weapon, and an electronic processing unit 13 of the signal 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.
• the treatment unit comprises:
• a memory 14 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,
• a microprocessor for:
• 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 I S and the battery 7 for powering the various components, including the camera 15.
• 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.
• the microprocessor triggers a fire command between the weapon and the impact zone of the target.
• 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 1 S.
• the invention that has just been described makes it possible to considerably increase the probability of reaching a specific impact zone of a target and by freeing itself from the parasitic movements of a shooter and by allowing a shot on more instantaneous possible.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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ID=51894116

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (2)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2014
  • 2014-06-13 FR FR1455389A patent/FR3022337B1/fr active Active
• 2015
  • 2015-06-12 EP EP15732561.4A patent/EP3155357B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2015-06-12 ES ES15732561T patent/ES2725701T3/es active Active
  • 2015-06-12 WO PCT/EP2015/063241 patent/WO2015189420A1/fr not_active Ceased

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