Target shooting scoring and timing system

• US 20030195046A1
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Friedrich Karl John Bartsch
• Original Assignee: Friedrich Karl John Bartsch
• Inventors: Bartsch, Friedrich Karl John
• Application Number:
  US10/296,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195046A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/49
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2683 with reflection of the beam on the target back to the weapon
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a target shooting system for use in an event, such as Biathlon. The target shooting system includes shooting components that simulate shots by emitting radiation having a predetermined frequency, and target systems that detect if the radiation impinges on the target. In addition to this, a controller is provided which is capable of communicating with the target systems. The controller is adapted to receive data from the target systems including timing data representing the time taken by each individual in shooting and/or traversing a course, and score data representing the shooting score. From this the controller can determine results of the event. This allows events such as Biathlon to be co-ordinated using target shooting system that integrates the scoring and timing features normally performed by individuals at the events.

Claims

1. ) A controller adapted to control a target shooting system for use in an event, the target shooting system including shooting components adapted to simulate shots by emitting radiation having a predetermined frequency, and one or more target systems, each target system being adapted to determine a hit if the radiation impinges on the detector, and determine score data based on the number of hits for a predetermined number of shots, the controller including:

a) A communications port for communication with the target system(s) via a communications network;

b) A display;

c) A processor, the processor being adapted to;

i) Receive identity data representing the identity of individuals competing in the event;

ii) Receive timing data representing the time taken by each individual in shooting and/or traversing a course including one or more circuits.

iii) Obtain at least the score data from the targets,

iv) Determine results of the event based on the score data, the timing data and the identity data; and

,

v) Display the results on the display;

2. ) A controller according to claim 1, the processor being further adapted to generate a starting sequence, the starting sequence being used by the user to start the event.

3. ) A controller according to claim 1 or claim 2, the controller further including an input for manually inputting data.

4. ) A controller according to claim 3, the processor being further adapted to operate in a manual mode in which the identity data and the timing data is received via the input.

5. ) A controller according to claim 4, when the controller is coupled to more than one target system, the processor being adapted to receive target data via the input, the target data representing the target system used by each individual, the processor being adapted to determine the results based on the target data.

6. ) A controller according to claim 3, the controller being coupled to a number of sensors for detecting the individuals as they shoot or traverse the course, the processor being adapted to receive the identity data and the timing data via the sensors.

7. ) A controller according to claim 6, wherein in use, each individual is associated with an identifier having an identifier store storing the identity data for the individual, the sensors being adapted to communicate wirelessly with the identifier to obtain the identity data.

8. ) A controller according to claim 6 or claim 7, when the controller is coupled to more than one target system a respective sensor is associated with each target system, the processor being further adapted to receive target data representing the target system used by each individual, the processor being adapted to determine the result based on the target data.

9. ) A controller according to any of claims 3 to 8, wherein event data indicating a number of laps is received via the input, and wherein the score data indicates the number of hits and misses by each individual, the processor being further adapted to generate an event sequence for controlling the event in accordance with the event data and the score data.

49. ) A target shooting system according to claim 47 or claim 48, the target shooting system including a controller according to any of claims 1 to 10.

10. ) A controller adapted to control a target shooting system for use in an event, the target shooting system including shooting components adapted to simulate shots by emitting radiation having a predetermined frequency, and one or more target systems, each target system being adapted to determine a hit if the radiation impinges on the detector, and determine score data based on the number of hits for a predetermined number of shots, the controller being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

17. ) A computer program product according to any of claims 10 to 16, the score data further indicating the number of hits and misses by each individual, the computer program product input causing the processor to receive event data indicating the number of laps via the input, and to generate an event sequence for controlling the event in accordance with the event data and the score data.

11. ) A computer program product adapted to control a target shooting system for use in an event, the target shooting system including shooting components adapted to simulate shots by emitting radiation having a predetermined frequency, and one or more target systems, each target system being adapted to determine a hit if the radiation impinges on the detector, and determine score data based on the number of hits for a predetermined number of shots, the computer program product including computer executable code which when run on a processor causes the processor to:

a) Receive identity data representing the identity of individuals competing in the event;

b) Receive timing data representing the time taken by each individual in shooting and/or traversing a course including one or more circuits.

c) Obtain at least the score data from the targets,

d) Determine results of the event based on the score data, the timing data and the identity data; and

,

e) Display the results on the display;

12. ) A computer program product according to claim 11, the computer program being further adapted to generate a starting sequence, the starting sequence being used by the user to start the event.

13. ) A computer program product according to claim 12, the computer program product being further adapted to cause the processor to operate in a manual mode in which the identity data and the timing data is received via a manual input.

14. ) A computer program product according to claim 13, when the processor is coupled to more than one target system, the computer program product being adapted to cause the processor to receive target data via the input, the target data representing the target system used by each individual, the processor being adapted to determine the result based on the target data.

15. ) A computer program product according to claim 12, the processor being coupled to a number of sensors for detecting the individuals as they shoot or traverse the course, the computer program product causing the processor to receive the identity data and the timing data via the sensors.

16. ) A computer program product according to claim 13, wherein, when the processor controller is coupled to more than one target system, a respective sensor is associated with each target system, the computer program product causing the processor to receive target data representing the target system used by each individual, the processor being adapted to determine the result based on the target data.

18. ) A computer program product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

19. ) A shooting component for use in a target shooting system, the target shooting system including at least one target for detecting radiation emitted by the shooting component, the shooting component including:

a) A housing;

b) A trigger mounted to the housing;

c) A radiation source for generating collimated radiation having a predetermined frequency;

d) A store for storing shot data indicating a number of shots available;

e) A processing system coupled to the trigger, the processing system being adapted to;

i) Determine the number of shots available from the shot data;

ii) If one or more shots are available, monitor the trigger;

iii) In response to operation of the trigger, cause the radiation source to generate at least a pulse of radiation; and

,

iv) Modify the shot data to reduce the number of shots available.

20. ) A shooting component according to claim 19, the radiation source being adapted to generate visible radiation.

21. ) A shooting component according to claim 19 or claim 20, the shooting component further including a trigger detector, the trigger detector being mounted to the housing to detect movement of the trigger and the processing system being coupled to the trigger detector to detect operation of the trigger.

22. ) A shooting component according to any of claims 19 to 21, the shooting component further including an action mounted to the housing to simulate the loading of a firearm, the processing system being further adapted to:

i) If one or more shots are available, monitor the action; and

,

ii) In response to operation of the action, monitor the trigger.

23. ) A shooting component according to claim 22, the shooting component further including an action detector, the action detector being mounted to the housing to detect movement of the action and the processing system being coupled to the action detector to detect operation of the action.

24. ) A shooting component according to any of claims 19 to 24, the housing including:

a) A stock adapted to be held by the user in use, the trigger being coupled to the stock;

b) A tubular barrel defining a barrel axis, the barrel having a first end mounted to the stock, the radiation source being mounted in the first end of the barrel so as to emit radiation pulses from a second end of the barrel in a direction substantially parallel to the barrel axis;

c) Sights mounted to the barrel to align the barrel with the target; and

,

d) A chassis coupled to the stock, the processing system being mounted on the chassis

25. ) A shooting component according to claim 24, the stock including:

a) A cheek piece;

b) A butt piece;

c) A fore hand grip; and

,

d) A trigger grip.

26. ) A shooting component according to any of claims 19 to 25, the store being adapted to store identity data, the identity data representing the respective shooting component or the individual using the shooting component, the shooting component being adapted to transmit the identity data to the target.

27. ) A shooting component in accordance with claim 26, the processing system being adapted to pulse modulate the radiation in accordance with the identity data, thereby transmitting the identity data to the target.

28. ) A shooting component according to any of claims 19 to 27, the shooting component further including a display coupled to the processing system, the display being adapted to display the shot data.

29. ) A shooting component according to any of claims 19 to 28, the shooting component further including a magazine adapted to couple to the housing in use, the magazine including the store and a connector for coupling the store to the processing system.

30. ) A shooting component according to any of claims 19 to 29, the shooting component including a second radiation source coupled to the processing system, the second radiation source being adapted to generate divergent radiation having a second predetermined frequency, the target being adapted to detect the divergent radiation to determine when a shot has been fired.

31. ) A shooting component according to claim 30, the second radiation source generating non-visible radiation.

32. ) A shooting component according to claim 30 or claim 31, when dependent on at least claim 26, the processing system being adapted to pulse modulate the divergent radiation in accordance with the identity data, thereby transmitting the identity data to the target.

48. ) A target shooting system according to claim 47, the target shooting system including a shooting component according to any of claims 19 to 33.

33. ) A shooting component for use in a target shooting system, the target shooting system including at least one target for detecting radiation emitted by the shooting component, the shooting component being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. ) A target system for use in a target shooting system, the target shooting system including a shooting component adapted to simulate shots by emitting of radiation having a predetermined frequency, the target including:

a) A target housing;

b) One or more targets, each target including at least one detector;

c) One or more filters for filtering radiation impinging on each detector, each filter being adapted to transmit radiation having the predetermined frequency and each filter including;

i) A geometrical filter; and

ii) An optical filter; and

,

d) A detection system adapted to;

i) Determine a hit to occur by detecting radiation impinging on a detector; and

,

ii) Determine a score based on the number of hits for a predetermined number of shots.

35. ) A target system according to claim 34, each geometrical filter including a cavity, the cavity having an aperture defining an aperture plane mounted at a first end of the cavity, the detector being mounted at a second opposing end of the cavity such that only radiation entering the aperture substantially perpendicular to the plane impinges on the detector.

36. ) A target system according to claim 35, the inner surface of the cavity being coated with a radiation absorbing surface.

37. ) A target system according to claim 35 or claim 36, the cavity including a number of tubes, each of which extends from the aperture to the detector, the inner surface of each tube being coated with a radiation absorbing surface.

38. ) A target system according to claim 35 or claim 36, the cavity including a number of micro louvres extending from the aperture to the detector.

39. ) A target system according to any of claims 34 to 38, the optical filter including a band pass filter, the band pass filter being adapted to transmit radiation having the predetermined frequency.

40. ) A target system according to any of claims 34 to 39, the shooting component being adapted to pulse modulate the radiation in accordance with identity data, the identity data representing the respective shooting component or the individual using the shooting component, the detection system being adapted to detect the pulse modulation of the radiation to determine the identity data.

41. ) A target system according to any of claims 34 to 40, the shooting component being adapted to generate divergent radiation, the target system including at least one second detector coupled to the detection system, the second detector being positioned remotely to the target housing to allow the detection system to detect the divergent radiation to determine when a shot has been fired.

42. ) A target system according to claim 41, the shooting component being adapted to pulse modulate the divergent radiation in accordance with identity data, the identity data representing the respective shooting component or the individual using the shooting component, the detection system being adapted to detect the pulse modulation of the divergent radiation to determine the identity data.

43. ) A target system according to claim 41 or claim 42, the second detector being adapted to detect non-visible radiation.

44. ) A target system according to any of claims 34 to 43, at least one detector being divided into a number of zone, the detection system being adapted to determine a score in use, the score indicating the number of times the radiation has impinged on different detector zones, each zone being assigned a respective score.

45. ) A target system according to claim 44, the target system further including a target display, the target display being adapted to display an indication of the current score in use.

50. ) A target shooting system according to any of claims 47 to 49, the target shooting system including a target system according to any of claims 34 to 46.

52. ) A target shooting system according to claim 51, when dependent on claims 50 and 41, each second detector being associated with a respective sensor, the sensor and the second detector being positioned remotely to the target housing near the shooting component in use.

53. ) A target system according to claim 52, each second detector being a respective sensor.

46. ) A target system for use in a target shooting system, the target shooting system including a shooting component for emitting radiation having a predetermined frequency, the target system being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

47. ) A target shooting system adapted for use in an event, including:

a) One or more shooting components adapted to simulate shots by emitting radiation having a predetermined frequency;

b) One or more target systems, each target system being adapted to determine a hit if the radiation impinges on a detector, and determine score data based on the number of hits for a predetermined number of shots; and

,

c) A communications network; and

,

d) A controller adapted to;

i) Receive identity data representing the identity of individuals competing in the event;

ii) Receive timing data representing the time taken by each individual in shooting and/or traversing a course including one or more circuits.

iii) Obtain at least the score data from the targets; and

,

iv) Generate results of the event based on the score data, the timing data and the identity data.

51. ) A target shooting system according to any of claims 47 to 50, the target shooting system further including:

a) An identifier associated with each individual, the identifier including a store for storing the identity data of the individual; and

,

b) A number of sensors, at least one sensor being associated with each target system, the sensors being adapted to;

i) Detect the individuals as they shoot or traverse the course;

ii) Communicate wirelessly with the identifiers to obtain the identity data; and

,

iii) Generate the timing data, the timing data being transferred to the controller.

54. ) A target shooting system according to any of claims 47 to 53, the target shooting system being adapted for use in a biathlon event.

55. ) A target shooting system adapted for use in an event substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.