DE20102414U1 - Training device for shooting training and control unit therefor - Google Patents

Description

Training device for shooting training and control unit therefor

The invention relates to the field of shooting training, for example for police service. In particular, the invention relates to a training device for training the shooter's reaction to different training situations.

The high demands and risks in the police and security service require intensive training of the officers deployed. It is common practice to show the marksman being trained a series of training situations in the form of a film or slide sequence. When the marksman fires a shot, the film or slide sequence is automatically stopped and the bullet hole can be identified and evaluated on the still image that is then displayed. This procedure is intended to train the marksman to distinguish between critical and non-critical situations. The marksman should learn, on the one hand, to quickly end an actual threatening situation using firearms and, on the other hand, to only fire a shot when it is really necessary.

The importance of such training and the good results of the training method described are generally recognized. However, the devices that are currently commercially available are very expensive. This is mainly due to the fact that these devices have a relatively high proportion of specially developed components. Given the low number of units that can be sold, the development costs and the costs of complex small-scale production have a strong impact on the price. It is also a significant cost factor if specially adapted or semi-professional devices are required for purchased components (e.g. film projectors).

The invention therefore has the object of at least partially avoiding the above-mentioned problems and of providing a training device for shooting training and a control unit for such a training device.

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which can be offered as inexpensively as possible while providing a sufficient range of functions. A particular object of preferred embodiments of the invention is to enable the integration of conventional devices into the training device, so that existing equipment does not have to be purchased again.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a training device having the features of claim 1 and by a control unit having the features of claim 8. The dependent claims relate to preferred further developments of the invention.

The invention is based on the basic idea of combining an electronic video player with an acoustic bang sensor. When the bang sensor detects a noise that is interpreted as the noise of a shot being fired, it emits an electronic shot detection signal. A signal transmission path then emits a stop signal to the video player, and the video player then stops playing the video. In particular, the frame of the video at which the shot was fired can be displayed as a still image. The bullet hole is visible in the projection surface, so that the shooter's accuracy can be assessed based on the still image. The shooter can also discuss with his instructor whether he fired the shot at the right time.

The device according to the invention can be manufactured relatively inexpensively. Only a few electronic components are required for the bang sensor. A suitable video player is often already available or can be purchased inexpensively. This applies in particular if the video player is a commercially available and/or unmodified device, as is provided in preferred embodiments. For example, a device intended for private end users (so-called "consumer product") can be used. The use of an unmodified device is also particularly advantageous because intervention in the device usually invalidates the warranty.

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the manufacturer's warranty and may violate safety regulations.

While in some embodiments of the invention an analog video player (e.g. a VHS video tape player) is used, in preferred embodiments the electronic video player is a player for digitally recorded video data. This can be, for example, a digital video tape player or a player for optical digital storage media, in particular DVDs (DVD = Digital Versatile Disk). The player can be a device intended exclusively for this purpose or a standard computer with a suitable storage medium (e.g. a DVD drive). The term "player" is of course not intended to exclude the possibility that the device also has a recording function or other functions.

The signal transmission path is preferably set up for wireless signal transmission. In connection with the installation in a shooting range considered here, this feature leads to significant cost savings because complex safety regulations would have to be observed every time a cable is laid.

Particularly preferred is wireless signal transmission using infrared signals, at least in some sections. This design is particularly cost-effective in conjunction with a commercially available player, because an infrared remote control receiver already present in the player can then be used as part of the signal transmission path. In such designs of the invention, the stop signal only needs to be designed in such a way that it is recognized by the remote control receiver as a signal for activating the freeze frame function of the video player.

In other words, in the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, a remote control transmitter is provided for the video player, which responds to the shot detection signal. The remote control transmitter can, for example,

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This could be a complete, commercially available assembly (or even one included with the player) that is connected to the bang sensor in such a way that pressing a "freeze" or "pause" button is electronically simulated when a gunshot sound is detected. As a further example, the remote control transmitter can be constructed using a standard integrated component that requires only minimal external wiring. The remote control transmitter can be permanently configured for the player used, or it can be a programmable or universally pre-programmed remote control transmitter that can be set to a variety of signal protocols or individual signal sequences for different players with little effort (by the manufacturer, customer service and/or the end user).

In the control unit according to the invention, the bang sensor and the remote control transmitter are combined. Such a control unit is particularly cost-effective. The control unit is preferably further developed with features that correspond to the features already described in connection with the entire training device. In particular, preferred embodiments provide that the control unit is designed to control a commercially available and preferably unmodified video player. For this purpose, the stop signal can, for example, be a remote control signal that switches the video player to a still image mode.

Further features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments and alternative embodiments. Reference is made to the schematic drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of essential components of the training device in an embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view from above into a shooting training room in which the training device according to Fig. 1 is installed.

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The training device shown in Fig. 1 has a control unit 10 which is connected to a video player 14 via a signal transmission path 12. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the video player 14 is a commercially available DVD player with the usual functions such as a remote control function. The video player 14 is connected to a video projector 16, which is also well known as such and is commercially available. A special feature of the exemplary embodiment described here is that no modifications or special designs are required with regard to the video player 14 and the video projector 16. In alternative designs, for example, a digital video tape player or a computer with a built-in DVD drive or a large hard drive with video data can serve as the video player 14.

The control unit 10 contains a bang sensor 18, which in turn has a microphone 20 and an evaluation unit 22. The noises recorded by the microphone 20 in a shooting practice room are evaluated by the evaluation unit 22 in order to detect the sound of a shot being fired. For this purpose, the evaluation unit 22 has a threshold module that compares the microphone signal with an adjustable threshold (noise level). A sufficiently loud noise exceeds this threshold and causes a shot detection signal S1 to be output to the signal transmission path 12.

In alternative designs, the evaluation unit 22 can be designed differently. For example, a bandpass filter can be provided that is tuned to the typical frequencies of a gunshot sound. The signal recorded by the microphone 20 first passes through the bandpass filter before it is fed to the threshold module. Furthermore, a component can be inserted that analyzes the temporal progression and/or the duration of the potential gunshot sound and thus increases the detection accuracy. Overall, the structure of the bang sensor 18 is relatively uncritical because, firstly, the gunshot sound is clearly distinguishable from all other

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noises in the shooting practice room and secondly because an occasional malfunction or misdetection of the bang sensor 18 would not cause any real damage.

In further alternative embodiments, the evaluation unit 22 has a dead time function. The shot detection signal S1 is not output if an adjustable dead time has not yet elapsed since the last shot detection. The length of the dead time can be, for example, 5 seconds or 15 seconds. This measure prevents two or more consecutive shot detection signals S1 from being generated when duplicates or multiple shots are fired, which could cause the playback operation that has already been stopped to continue in some video playback devices 14.

In the embodiment described here, the signal transmission path 12 has a remote control transmitter 24 and a remote control receiver 26, which are connected to one another wirelessly, namely via infrared signals. The remote control receiver 26 is an integral part of the video playback device 14 and is permanently installed therein. The video playback device 14 can be operated with regard to all essential functions, and in particular with regard to a freeze frame function, via the remote control receiver 26.

In the embodiment described here, the remote control transmitter 24 is equipped with an integrated circuit that has a code library for a large number of different video playback devices. The code set that matches the video playback device 14 actually used is set. In alternative embodiments, the integrated circuit is designed so that a large number of signal forms can be freely programmed or "trained". In further embodiments, a circuit is used that is permanently designed for the video playback device 14 used.

In addition to the integrated circuit, the remote control transmitter 24 contains the necessary additional components, in particular one or more infrared LEDs and corresponding control elements.

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When the shot detection signal S1 is received, the remote control transmitter 24 sends a stop signal S2 to the video player. The stop signal S2 is an infrared signal coded in such a way that it is interpreted by the remote control receiver 26 as a command to activate the freeze frame mode. In alternative designs, the stop signal 26 can also trigger a slightly different function (e.g. first rewinding by 0.1 seconds and then switching to the freeze frame mode).

Both the bang sensor 18 and the remote control transmitter 24 require very little power, so that it is possible to design the entire control unit 10 as a battery-operated assembly and to install it in a compact housing. In the embodiment described here, the shot detection signal S1 activates an electronic switch (e.g. transistor) that is connected to the integrated circuit of the remote control transmitter 24 in the same way as a mechanical freeze frame button. In design variants, the remote control transmitter 24 is set so that it constantly sends out the stop signal S2 during operation. The remote control transmitter 24 is then normally disconnected from the supply voltage and is only briefly connected to the power supply of the control unit 10 when the shot detection signal S1 occurs. This design is particularly energy-saving.

Fig. 2 shows the installation of the components just described in a shooting practice room 30. The shooting practice room 30 has, as is generally the case, a projectile catching area 32 which reliably prevents an incoming bullet from bouncing back. A trainee shooter 34 fires at the projectile catching area 32, or more precisely at a projection surface 36 facing the shooter 34. The video projector 16 is arranged in a device channel 38 set into the ceiling of the shooting practice room 30 and projects the video films intended for training onto the projection surface 36 (projection cone 40). The video player 14 is also arranged in the device channel 38 and is connected to the video projector 16.

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The control unit 10 is arranged as a compact, battery-operated device on the ceiling of the shooting practice room 30 near the projection surface 36. There is a line of sight between the remote control transmitter 24 (Fig. 1) of the control unit 10 and the remote control receiver 26 (Fig. 1) of the video playback device 14, so that the stop signal S2 emitted when a shot is detected can be recognized by the video playback device 14.

For shooting training, the video player 14 contains a DVD on which a large number of different training situations are stored in the form of video film scenes. Another infrared remote control (not shown in the figures) is used to select the individual scenes and to start the playback process. The shooter 34 observes the training scene shown on the projection surface 36 and, as soon as he considers it appropriate, fires a shot. The noise caused by the shot is picked up by the microphone 20 of the bang sensor 18 and causes the bang sensor 18 to emit the shot detection signal S1. The remote control transmitter 24 then generates the stop signal S2, which is picked up by the remote control receiver 26 and puts the video player 14 into freeze frame mode.

The image in which the shooter 34 fired the shot is now displayed as a still image on the projection surface 36. Since the impact point of the fired projectile is visible on the projection surface 36, the accuracy of the shooter 34 can be checked. It can also be determined whether the shot was actually necessary in the training situation shown. The instructor then continues the projection using his own infrared remote control and/or selects a new training scene.

In further alternative embodiments of the invention, the control unit 10, the video player 14 and the video projector 16 are built into a mobile device (e.g. in a frame that can be moved on rollers). This device can then be placed in the shooting practice room 30 ("shooting cinema") if required. The signal transmission path 12 is also in this case

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The preferred embodiment is an infrared connection, because then no interventions on the video player 14 are required. However, a wired signal transmission path 12 can also be provided.

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Claims (10)

1. Training device for shooting training, with: - an electronic video player ( 14 ) for playing a video film which reproduces a training situation, - an acoustic bang sensor ( 18 ) which is designed to respond to the sound of a fired shot and to then emit an electrical shot detection signal (S1), and - a signal transmission path ( 12 ) from the bang sensor ( 18 ) to the video player ( 14 ), which is designed to output a stop signal (S2) to the video player ( 14 ) in response to the shot detection signal (S1) of the bang sensor ( 18 ), wherein - the video playback device ( 14 ) is arranged to stop the playback of the video film in response to the stop signal (S2) of the signal transmission path ( 12 ). 2. Training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic video player ( 14 ) is a player for digitally recorded video data, in particular a DVD player. 3. Training device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the electronic video player ( 14 ) is a commercially available and preferably unmodified device. 4. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the signal transmission path ( 12 ) is set up for wireless signal transmission, in particular by infrared signals. 5. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the signal transmission path ( 12 ) has a remote control transmitter ( 24 ) for the video player ( 14 ). 6. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the signal transmission path ( 12 ) has a remote control receiver ( 26 ) which is a component of the video player ( 14 ) and which responds to the stop signal (S2). 7. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the training device further comprises a video projector ( 16 ) connected to the video player ( 14 ). 8. Control unit ( 10 ) for use with a training device for shooting training, the training device comprising an electronic video player ( 14 ) for playing a video film, and the control unit ( 10 ) comprising: - an acoustic bang sensor ( 18 ) which is arranged to respond to the sound of a fired shot and thereupon to emit an electrical shot detection signal (S1), and - a remote control transmitter ( 24 ) for the video player ( 14 ), which is arranged to output a stop signal (S2) to the video player ( 14 ) in response to the shot detection signal (S1) of the bang sensor ( 18 ). 9. Control unit ( 10 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the stop signal (S2) is an infrared signal. 10. Control unit ( 10 ) according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that the stop signal (S2) is designed to control a commercially available and preferably unmodified video player ( 14 ).