Patent Application
20130040268
This invention relates to a simulated shooting device and system. More specifically, the invention relates to a simulated shooting device and system in which photographs of targeted objects are acquired rather than projectiles being fired.
Various devices have been proposed to recreate the experience of hunting without harming animals. Rifle-style cameras that facilitate simulated shooting have been disclosed that use mirrors to split the image received from a telescopic sight mounted on a rifle-shaped device. A photograph of the image received by the sight can be taken by pulling a trigger which, instead of causing a projectile to be fired, is connected to the camera shutter. Cross-hairs may be superimposed onto the photograph image to show the position at which the shooter was aiming when the photograph was taken. In other devices, a laser dot may be shone onto the target to indicate the position at which the shooter was aiming when the photograph was taken. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,124, U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,165 and UK patent publication number GB 2323912.
Devices also exist in which simulated shooting can be conducted in a firing-range type environment, where images are generated on screens and firearm-like devices are used to fire at the images. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,812 and UK patent publication GB 2268252.
Devices which include rangefinders for determining the distance to a target so as to calculate the likely impact point of a virtual projectile have also been described. An example of such a device is disclosed in PCT publication WO 98/49514. A drawback of the device disclosed in WO 98/49514 is that it does not provide a particularly realistic hunting experience; the use of the device being more akin to use of a camera than that of a hunting rifle, since the result of pulling the trigger is simply the click of a camera shutter. This reduces the appeal of the device for those who want to experience the thrill of hunting.
Devices have been proposed that include cameras fitted onto actual firearms for taking an image of a shot, where the firearm is fired either with live or blank ammunition. An example of such as device is disclosed in European Patent publication EP 0330886A1. While using such a system together with blank ammunition would provide a more realistic hunting experience than the other devices mentioned, using an actual firearm has the drawback that the appropriate weapon and hunting licenses are required. The use of such devices has therefore primarily been limited to training for military personnel.
It is an object of this invention to provide a device and system for simulated shooting which facilitates a more realistic hunting experience than existing devices but which does not rely on the use of an actual firearm and is consequently safe to be operated by unlicensed users, in conservation areas and out of ordinary hunting season.
In this specification, the term “trigger” includes any form of mechanical or electronic activation means, including push-buttons.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a simulated shooting device comprising a portable body in the shape of a firearm with a barrel extending outwardly at an operatively front end of the device, the device including a digital camera unit mounted on the body and activated by a trigger to take a photograph of a target object at which the barrel and camera unit are pointing when the trigger is pulled, the photograph being stored in a digital memory in the body for later retrieval and analysis, wherein a recoil mechanism is provided in the body to generate recoil when the trigger is pulled.
Further features of the invention provide for the device to be in the shape of a hunting rifle with a shoulder stock at an operatively back end of the device and an intermediate portion connecting the shoulder stock and barrel.
Still further features of the invention provide for the device to include a laser rangefinder mounted on the body or provided integral with the camera unit for measuring the distance to the target object when the trigger is pulled; the measured distance being stored in the digital memory in association with the photograph.
Yet further features of the invention provide for the body to include a gunshot emulator operable to create a sound similar to a gunshot when the trigger is pulled; for the gunshot emulator to include a pin that strikes a firing cap; and for the pin to be actuated by one of an electric solenoid, a compressed gas canister, or a spring mechanism; alternatively or in addition, for the gunshot emulator to include a speaker or headphone port for playing a pre-recorded sound of a gunshot.
Further features of the invention provide for the device to include a telescopic sight for aiming at the target object and with which the camera unit is integrated, the telescopic sight including an image-splitter for splitting the image received by the sight between an eyepiece of the sight and the camera unit so that the camera unit field of view is the same as the field of view seen by a user through the eyepiece of the telescopic sight.
Still further features of the invention provides for the recoil mechanism to include a compressed gas canister and a movable piston connected to an abutment head at the operatively back end of the device, the mechanism being operable to exhaust an amount of gas from the canister so as to move the piston and drive the abutment head against a user's shoulder.
Yet further features of the invention provide for the device to include a GPS unit; and for the GPS unit to record the position of the device onto the digital memory when the trigger is pulled; and for the GPS unit to record the movement of the device over a selected time.
Further features of the invention provide for the device to include a receiver for receiving signals from a heart rate monitor worn by a user; and for the heart rate of the user at the instant the trigger is pulled to be stored on the digital memory.
Still further features of the invention provide for a wind speed meter to be built into the device; and for the wind speed and direction to be recorded onto the digital memory at the moment at which the trigger is pulled.
Yet further features of the invention provide for a digital magnetic compass to be built into the device; and for the direction in which the barrel and camera unit are pointing to be recorded onto the digital memory at the moment at which the trigger is pulled.
Further features of the invention provides for a digital temperature sensor to be built into the device; and for the ambient temperature to be recorded onto the digital memory at the moment at which the trigger is pulled.
Still further features of the invention provide for an interface to be provided on the device which permits one of a number of predefined weapon calibres to be selected by a user.
Yet further features of the invention provide for the body to include a processor and for the interface to include a digital display and associated buttons by means of which the photographs can be viewed and options can be selected; and for the body to include a data transfer port or digital memory slot by means of which the digital photographs and other data can be downloaded onto a computer for further processing by a software program.
Further features of the invention provide for the data downloaded onto a computer to include one or more photographs and, associated with each photograph, a digital file with data representing one or more of: the distance to the target object, the selected weapon calibre, the heart rate, wind speed, GPS position, compass direction and temperature.
Still further features of the invention provide for the software program to be configured to use the photograph, distance to the target object, selected weapon calibre and pre-programmed bullet trajectory data associated with the selected weapon calibre to compute the drop of a bullet and to indicate the point of impact that an actual bullet would have had on the target object.
Yet further features of the invention provide for the software program to be configured to identify the targeted animal through image recognition (e.g. of the outline of the animal or its distinguishing coat or horns); and after identification to display the point of impact on a skeletal and muscular view of the animal, and then to grade the shot by indicating, for example, whether the shot would have been a kill shot, a miss, a limb shot or the like.
The invention extends to a system for simulated shooting comprising a simulated shooting device and an associated software program to be operated on a computer connectable to the device, the device including a body in the shape of a firearm with a barrel extending outwardly at an operatively front end of the device, a digital camera unit mounted on the body and activated by a trigger to take a photograph of a target object at which the barrel and camera unit are pointing when the trigger is pulled and to store the photograph on a digital memory in the body, a laser rangefinder mounted on the body or integral with the camera unit for measuring the distance to the target object when the trigger is pulled and storing the measured distance on the digital memory, a recoil mechanism in the body operable to generate recoil when the trigger is pulled, and a gunshot emulator in the body operable to create a sound similar to a gunshot when the trigger is pulled, the software program being configured to use the photograph and the distance to the target object to compute the expected drop of a bullet and to indicate the point of impact that an actual bullet would have had on the target object.
Further features of the invention provide for the software to indicate the point of impact by overlaying a dot or cross at the appropriate point on the particular photograph; for the software to be configured to identify an animal displayed as the target object, either through a manual identification by the user, or through automatic image recognition which could be based on the outline of the targeted animal or distinguishing features of its coat, horns etc; for the software program to be operable to display the point of impact on a skeletal or muscular two or three-dimensional view of the animal so as to indicate where the point of impact would have been in relation to the animal's vital organs; and for the software to rank the shot as a kill shot, a miss shot, limb shot or the like.
Still further of the invention provide for the software program to include a portal which allows the details of the hunter to be selected and historical details displayed, including the heart rate per shot (average, maximum, minimum), walking distance per shot, time of day vs. accuracy, preferred calibre weapon, percentage of kill shots as well as information on the location of those shots, percentage of miss shots, and percentage of wounding shots.
In the drawings:—
A telescopic sight (24) is mounted on the intermediate portion and is used for aiming at a target object. In one embodiment, the telescopic sight provides optical zoom of between 4 and 12 times.
In this embodiment, the telescopic sight (24) includes a second image splitter (38) which splits the light received by the sight to a laser rangefinder detector (40) which is provided integral with the sight. The laser rangefinder detector (40) works together with a laser rangefinder transmitter (42) which is mounted adjacent to the sight, so as to measure the distance between the sight and a target object at which the telescopic sight is pointing.
The telescopic sight is made from coated aluminium to high durability and low weight, and is pressure sealed with nitrogen so as to keep dust and moisture from interfering with the lenses, camera unit or rangefinder detector.
Referring back to
A gunshot emulator (54) is also provided and is operable to create a sound similar to a gunshot when the trigger is pulled. In one embodiment, the gunshot emulator is provided in the barrel of the device and includes a pin (not shown) that strikes a firing cap (not shown) containing explosive powder. The cartridge may be inserted into the barrel through an opening covered by a sliding hatch, and the pin may be actuated by various means, including by an electric solenoid, compressed gas or a spring mechanism. In an alternative embodiment, the gunshot emulator includes a speaker or headphone port for playing a pre-recorded sound of a gunshot that a user can listen to and optionally switch off. It is specifically envisioned that the user may wish to wear headphones so as to prevent the device from making a loud noise which could frighten an animal, but which nevertheless provides a more realistic hunting experience by including a the sound of a gunshot. A switch could then be provided on the body by means of which the gunshot emulator could be turned on or off. A switch could also be provided for switching the recoil mechanism on or off.
Built into the shoulder stock of the device is an electronic processor and digital memory mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown in
The processor communicates with the camera and the rangefinder to store the photograph and the measured distance on the digital memory for later retrieval and analysis, as will be further described below. The electronic components of the device are powered by a rechargeable battery pack which is also housed in the shoulder stock (14). The body includes a data transfer port or digital memory slot (56), such as a USB port or SD card slot, by means of which the digital photographs and other associated data can be downloaded on to a computer for further processing by a software program.
In use, as soon as the trigger is pulled, a photograph of a target object (typically an animal) at which the telescopic sight is pointed is taken and stored on the digital memory, the distance to the target object is measured by the laser rangefinder and stored on the digital memory, the recoil mechanism generates a recoil and the gunshot emulator is actuated to create a sound similar to a gunshot. This provides the user of the device with an experience closely akin to that of shooting an actual rifle.
The device also includes various other sensor components. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a GPS unit (104) which communicates with the processor so that the position of the device at the moment the trigger is pulled is recorded onto the digital memory. The processor may also continually obtain information from the GPS unit so that the movement of the device over a selected time can be recorded on the digital memory, so to be able to map a particular hunt. The GPS unit may be an off-the-shelf GPS device built into the shoulder stock, the GPS device also obtaining date and time information to permit the photographs to be time-stamped by the processor.
The simulated hunting device may also include a heart rate monitor receiver (106) which is able to receive signals from a heart rate monitor worn by a user. In an alternative embodiment, the device may include a heart rate monitor that has contact surfaces where the user holds the device, which obviates the need for the user to wear a separate heart rate monitor. The processor receives these signals and records the user's heart rate on the digital memory at the instant the trigger is pulled.
The device may still further include a wind speed meter (108) for measuring the wind speed and direction, the device being configured to store the instantaneous wind speed and direction onto the digital memory at the instant the trigger is pulled. The wind speed meter will be built onto an exposed upper surface of the device.
A digital magnetic compass (110) is also preferably mounted in the body to determine the direction in which the barrel and camera unit are pointing. Upon actuation of the trigger, the processor stores the signal received from the compass so as to record the direction in which the barrel and camera unit were pointing on the digital memory.
A digital temperature sensor (112) is also preferably built into the device and positioned so as to measure the ambient temperature. The processor is able to record the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor onto the digital memory at the moment when the trigger is pulled. The device also preferably includes a display (114), such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), by means of which photographs can be previewed and other settings can be displayed. An interface (116) is also provided by means of which a user can input information. The interface could be one or more buttons or a touch screen interface. The interface may permit the user to select from one of a number of preselected weapon types or calibres to be used for the next “shot”. In addition to storing the weapon calibre for later processing in association with each shot, the weapon calibre can also be used to adjust the recoil mechanism strength to be consistent with the selected calibre.
It is envisaged that many individual “shots” may be taken on a particular hunt, each shot being associated with a particular photograph, GPS time and position stamp, rangefinder distance stamp, heart rate, wind speed, compass direction, temperature and selected weapon calibre stored on the memory. After a hunt, the digital data is downloaded from the device onto a computer by means of the data transfer port, such as by plugging in a USB cable or transferring an SD card. The software program on the computer is configured to use the photograph, distance to the target object and selected weapon calibre to compute, based on pre-programmed bullet trajectory data associated with the selected weapon calibre, the drop of a bullet and to indicate the point of impact that an actual bullet would have had on the target object.
The point of impact can be indicated by overlaying a dot or cross at the appropriate point on the particular digital photograph. The software program may be configured to determine an animal displayed as the target object, either through a manual identification by the user, or through automatic image recognition which could be based on the outline of the targeted animal or distinguishing features of its coat, horns etc. After identification of the animal, the software program may be operable to display the point of impact on a skeletal or muscular two or three-dimensional view of the animal so as to indicate where the point of impact would have been in relation to the animal's vital organs. If the point of impact intersects a vital organ, the shot can be ranked by the software as a “kill” shot, or if not, a miss, a limb shot or the like.
Many other possibilities can easily be envisioned.
Various other information in relation to the particular shot can be displayed. This information can also be uploaded to a website or other centrally accessible server, to enable users to share their hunts with their friends, or enable users to identify where certain animals were located.
The software program may also include a section devoted to information on various animals, as shown in the screenshots of
This section may be related to a specific country or region, in that it contains information on the animals of a specific country or region, together with the locations at which they may be found.
The software program provides a means for the user to extract the maximum benefit from the simulated hunts, as well as to share information with friends and preserve evidence and memories of hunts.
It will be appreciated that many variations may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the body of the simulated hunting device may include a tilt meter to enable more accurate estimations of the expected bullet trajectory to be determined in instances where the barrel was not level, and other enhancements could be provided such as night vision scopes or a secondary button adjacent the trigger to activate the rangefinder so that the distance to a target object can be displayed on the digital display prior to the trigger being pulled. Many other variations are possible.
The invention accordingly provides a device and a system for simulated shooting which facilitates a more realistic hunting experience than existing devices but which does not rely on the use of an actual firearm and is consequently safe to be operated by unlicensed users, users of any age, in conservation areas and out of ordinary hunting season. The device can also be used for training and skills development purposes, as inexperienced hunters do not have to worry about the problems that arise in actual hunts when animals are wounded or the wrong animals are accidentally shot. The device can even be used for simulated hunting of animals for which actual hunting is prohibited, such as endangered species. The applicant envisions that the invention will lead to increased awareness of the need to conserve wildlife.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/02867 | Apr 2010 | ZA | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2011/000875 | 4/21/2011 | WO | 00 | 10/23/2012 |
