Digital pistol

• US 20040123508A1
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Watanabe, Hiroshi, Gouko, Junichi
• Granted Patent: US 6,890,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 42/1.01
• 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: F41A 33/06 Recoil simulators
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target

Abstract

A gun suitable for games is disclosed for permitting an operator to recognize when a trigger is pulled. A target signal receiver receives a target signal sent from a target for causing the gun to recognize that the gun is opposite the target, and notifies a controller that the target signal receiver has received the target signal. Upon detection of a manipulation by the operator, the controller a forces shooting device to perform a shooting operation, and instructs an information generator to generate recognition information. The shooting device emits an optical bullet formed of a light ray. The recognition information generator drives a solenoid to bring associated members into impact against each other to permit the operator to recognize that the operation has been performed.

Claims

1. A gun comprising:

manipulating means operated by an operator;

shooting means for performing a shooting operation in response to the operation of said manipulating means;

recognition information generating means for generating recognition information for permitting the operator to recognize that the manipulation of said manipulating means has been performed; and

control means configured to detect the operation performed made by the operator on said manipulating means, and in response to the detected operation, to control said recognition information generating means whereby it generates said recognition information.

2. The gun according to claim 1, wherein said recognition information generating means comprises a solenoid, said recognition information generating means being responsive to a control signal from said control means to drive said solenoid to bring associated members into impact against each other, thereby generating said recognition information.

3. The gun according to claim 2, wherein said solenoid is in the shape of a cylinder which has a diameter larger than a length of a shaft in an operational direction.

4. The gun according to claim 3, wherein said solenoid is disposed such that the operational direction of the shaft is perpendicular to a gun barrel.

5. The gun according to claim 4, wherein:

said recognition information generating means is disposed at least partially in close contact with a housing of said gun; and

said housing comprises a recess for preventing said shaft from colliding with said housing by the action of said shaft.

6. The gun according to claim 5, wherein said housing further comprises a groove for receiving a wire therethrough to said recognition information generating means, said housing being in close contact with said recognition information generating means except for said recess and said groove.

7. The gun according to claim 1, wherein said shooting means emits an optical bullet formed of a light ray in response to a shooting operation.

8. The gun according to claim 7, wherein said control means, upon detection of the operation performed by the operator on said manipulating means, forces said shooting means to perform a shooting operation, and subsequently forces said recognition information generating means to generate said recognition information.

9. The gun according to claim 7, further comprising:

target signal receiving means for receiving a target signal sent from a target and notifying said control means that said target signal is received so as to permit said gun to recognize that said gun is opposite said target,

wherein;

prohibited said shooting means is from emitting a light ray and said recognition information generating means generates said recognition information upon detection of the operation of said manipulating means by said control means while said target signal receiving means has not received said target signal; and

said shooting means emits a light ray and said recognition information generating means generates said recognition information upon detection of the operation of said manipulating means by said control means while said target signal receiving means has received said target signal.

10. The gun according to claim 1, wherein said recognition information is sound or vibrations.