Method for the impact or shot evaluation in a shooting range and shooting range

• US 6,840,772 B1
• Filed: 04/22/2000
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff-und Systemtechnik
• Original Assignee: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff-und Systemtechnik
• Inventors: Pura, Rudolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US09/959,880
• Time in Patent Office: 1,725 Days
• Field of Search: 434/11, 434/12, 434 16- 23, 434/27, 434/365, 348/61, 348/363, 273/358, 273/371, 273/403, 703/7, 463/5, 345/7
• US Class Current: 434/21
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2694 for simulating a target F41G3/2627 takes precedence; moving targets per se F41J9/00
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/08 Infrared hit-indicating systems
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 9/14 Cinematographic targets, e.g. moving-picture targets F41G3/26 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for evaluating electronic impacts or shots of fired shots in a shooting range for sportsmen and for hunter training. The target to be shot at is provided as a light spot and is projected onto a target wall (1) via a light source in such a way that said target can move in all directions. An infrared camera (7) records the shooting image on the target wall (1) for evaluating the impact. The aim of the invention is to increase accuracy and reduce the evaluation time. Target co-ordinates arm detected while the target is being provided. Said target coordinates arm compared to the impact co-ordinates obtained by means of the impact evaluation. An impact is signalled when an impact falls short of a given divergence.

Claims

1. Method for electronic hit or shot evaluation of shots fired in a firing range for recreational shooting and hunt training, comprising projecting a target to be shot at on to a target wall as target output via a light source movable in all directions, conducting a hit evaluation by producing a photograph of the shot image of heat pulses generated by at least one shot particle hitting the target wall with an infrared camera, recording target coordinates at the same time as the target output, comparing the target coordinates with the hit coordinates obtained from the hit evaluation, and signaling a hit if the target coordinates and the hit coordinates are below a predetermined divergence.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the target is stored in a control device in the form of target vectors or target coordinates and the target output is controlled by this control device via the light source.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared camera is arranged on an adjustable turntable, the movement of which is controlled by the control device as a function of the target coordinates.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein, for calibrating the movement of the turntable or the hit coordinates, a video camera is additionally arranged on the turntable via which the coordinates of predetermined targets on the target wall are recorded.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein, after the shot has been fired, the infrared camera photographs the shot image to produce a digitized shot image and the digitized shot image is evaluated in an evaluation device, wherein the heat pulses generated by the heat buildup of the hits on the target wall are allocated to the hit coordinates.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the infrared camera is a line camera.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the hit coordinates are evaluated from two successive photographs of the shot image.

9. Method for electronic hit or shot evaluation of shots fired in a firing, range for recreational shooting and hunt training, comprising projecting a target to be shot at on to a target wall made of steel as target output via a light source movable in all directions, conducting a hit evaluation by producing a photograph of the shot image of heat pulses generated by at least one shot particle hitting the target wall with an infrared camera, recording target coordinates at the same time as the target output comparing the target coordinates with the hit coordinates obtained from the hit evaluation, and signaling a hit if the target coordinates and the hit coordinates are below a predetermined divergence.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one shot particle comprises small shot particles.

11. Method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one shot particle comprises an individual bullet.

12. Firing range for electronic hit or shot evaluation of shots fired, comprising:

a target wall;

a light source, movable in all directions, for generating the target to be shot at according to target coordinates;

a device for measuring heat pulses generated by the shot, with which the heat pulses generated by the heat build-up of the hits of at least one shot particle on the target wall are immediately recorded as hit coordinates; and

an evaluation device for comparing the target coordinates with the hit coordinates.

13. Firing range according to claim 12, wherein the device for measuring the heat pulses generated by the shot is an infrared camera.

14. Firing range according to claim 13, wherein the infrared camera is arranged on an adjustable turntable, the movement of which is controlled by a control device as a function of the target coordinates.

15. Firing range according to claim 14, wherein, for calibrating the movement of the turntable or the hit coordinates, a video camera by means of which the coordinates of predetermined targets on the target wall are recorded, is arranged on the turntable.

16. Firing range according to claim 13, wherein, after the shot has been fired, the infrared camera photographs the shot image to produce a digitized shot image and the digitized shot image is evaluated in the evaluation device, with the heat pulses generated by the heat buildup of the hits on the target wall being allocated to the hit coordinates.

17. Firing range according to claim 13, wherein the infrared camera records the tilt coordinates by photographing two successive shot images.

18. Firing range according to claim 12, wherein the target is stored in a control device in the form of target vectors or target coordinates and the control device controls the target via the light source.

19. Firing range according to claim 12, wherein the light source is a laser.

20. Firing range according to claim 12, wherein the infrared camera is a line camera.

21. Firing range for electronic hit or shot evaluation of shots fired, comprising:

a target wall made of steel;

a light source movable in all directions for generating the target to be shot at according to target coordinates;

a device for measuring heat pulses generated by the shot, with which the heat pulses generated by the heat build-up of the hits of at least one shot particle on the target wall are immediately recorded as hit coordinates; and

an evaluation device for comparing the target coordinates with the hit coordinates.

22. Firing range according to claim 21, wherein the at least one shot particle comprises small shot particles.

23. Firing range according to claim 21, wherein the at least one shot comprises an individual bullet.