Weapon safety system

Abstract

A weapon safety system with a target and a weapon with an automated lock. Each target is associated with an emitter which transmits a clearance signal that encodes an identifier. The encoded identifier may release the automated lock when received by a receiver attached to the weapon. In order to restrict the positions and orientations from which the weapon can fire to those surrounding the desired targets, shooting is enabled and the automated lock is released, when the following conditions are met: the clearance signal is received by the receiver, so that the receiver is within a first enablement area generated by a first aperture in the emitter; a measured optical power is above a predefined threshold; and the encoded identifier is validated.

Claims

1. A weapon safety system comprising: a target; a weapon; an emitter located in a surrounding region of the target; and a receiver attachable to the weapon; the weapon comprising an automated lock configured to prevent the weapon from being fired; wherein the emitter comprises: a light emitting diode for transmitting the clearance signal with an encoded identifier; and a first radiation-blocking element comprising a first aperture which restricts emission of the light emitting diode to a first beam; the first beam defining a first enablement area at the receiver in which the clearance signal is received in the receiver; wherein the receiver comprises: a photodetector for receiving and measuring an optical power of the clearance signal; the light emitting diode and the photodetector being aligned in an optimal shooting position in which the weapon is aiming at the target; receiver control means; wherein the receiver control means releases the automated lock and enables shooting when: the clearance signal is received by the receiver, so that the receiver is within the first enablement area; the measured optical power is above a first predefined threshold; the encoded identifier is validated; and if the measured optical power exceeds a second threshold, lower than the first threshold, and a preceding measurement of the optical power exceeds the first threshold.

2. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises a second radiation-blocking element comprising a second aperture configured to restrict reception of the photodetector to a second beam; the second beam defining a second enablement area at the target; and wherein the receiver control means releases the automated lock if the weapon is aiming at the second enablement area.

3. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the emitter is disposed facing the receiver when the weapon is in the optimal shooting position.

4. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the emitter is disposed facing a reflector, which redirects the first beam to the receiver when the weapon is in the optimal shooting position.

5. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the first aperture is disposed perpendicularly to a vertical angle formed by an imaginary line separating the emitter and the receiver when the weapon is in the optimal shooting position.

6. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises a plurality of switches where the encoded identifier can be manually introduced by a user.

7. The weapon safety system according to claim 6, wherein the safety system comprises a plurality of sequential targets, being each consecutive target associated to an emitter with a different identifier, and in that the receiver control means releases the automated lock only if the identifiers are received in a predetermined sequence.

8. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the safety system comprises a plurality of targets of a plurality of shooting lanes, being each consecutive target associated to a single emitter having an identifier or to respective emitters with a same common identifier, and in that the receiver control means of the receivers of all weapons is configured to verify the same common identifier.

9. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the safety system comprises a plurality of targets of a plurality of shooting lanes, being each target associated to a respective emitter, each emitter having a different identifier, and in that the receiver control means of the receivers of each weapon is configured to verify an identifier of a shooting lane associated to said weapon.

10. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises an accelerometer, the receiver control means releases the automated lock also as a function of an orientation of the weapon measured by the accelerometer.

11. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the first aperture is a circular-shaped aperture.

12. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the second aperture is a circular-shaped aperture.

13. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the second aperture has a shape of a circular segment having as lower boundary an arc embracing more than 200°.

14. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode is a non-visible light emitting diode.

15. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises a filter covering the first aperture, where the filter reduces radiation outside a range emitted by the light emitting diode.

16. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a filter covering the second aperture, where the filter reduces radiation outside a range emitted by the light emitting diode.

17. The weapon safety system according to claim 1, wherein the emitter further comprises emitter control means to modulate the clearance signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For the purpose of aiding the understanding of the characteristics of the disclosure, according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof and in order to complement this description, the following figures are attached as an integral part thereof, having an illustrative and non-limiting character:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically depicts a first disposition of the safety system of the disclosure where the emitter faces the receiver directly, according to a preferred embodiment thereof;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a second disposition of the safety system of the disclosure where the emitter is protected by using a reflector, according to a preferred embodiment thereof.

(4) FIG. 3 presents the main elements of the emitter, according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view that illustrates the radiation-blocking element of the emitter, according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic section view of the emitter, according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 presents the main elements of the receiver, according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic section view of the receiver, according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure;

(9) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the enablement areas generated by the emitter and the receiver;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates two different second enablement areas A2, in case of using hysteresis conditions in the algorithm deciding release of the automated lock;

(11) FIG. 10 shows another possible embodiment of the second aperture in the receiver; and

(12) FIG. 11 shows the second enablement area viewed at the target generated by the second aperture of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(13) In the following detailed description, the embodiments of the disclosure are described for the particular scenario where the emitter is located under the target, and hence the receiver is located under the weapon when attached to it. However, the emitter may be located over the target in particular embodiments of the disclosure, and the emitter be attached on top of the weapon, following the same design consideration described herein, straightforwardly adapted to said disposition. Furthermore, the emitter may be disposed in an intermediate position between the target and the weapon, instead of right below said target.

(14) FIG. 1 schematically presents a first possible disposition of the elements of the safety system of the disclosure within a shooting range comprising a target 100 and a weapon, in this case, a firearm 200. An emitter 300 transmitting a clearance signal is disposed under each target 100, whereas a receiver 400 has been attached to each firearm 200. In this first configuration, the emitter 300 is directly facing the receiver 400 when the firearm 200 is in an optimal shooting position in which the firearm 200 is aiming at the target 100.

(15) The emitter 300 and the receiver 400 are separated by a horizontal distance d and a vertical distance h, which separating distance defines a vertical angle θ. The particular values of the vertical distance h, the horizontal distance d and the vertical angle θ, may vary depending on the particular embodiment of the firearm safety system and the shooting range, or the specific area where the firearm safety system of the disclosure is used.

(16) The vertical angle θ is made different than zero. That is, the emitter 300 and the receiver 400 are not in the same horizontal plane, hence guaranteeing emitter 300 safety when shooting. Furthermore, the vertical angle θ is preferably comprised between 5° and 10°, and more preferably, between 6° and 8°.

(17) In a typical example of a shooting range, the horizontal distance d is 12.5 m, the vertical distance h is 1.5 m and the vertical angle θ is 7°. In others example of shooting ranges, the vertical distance h is also 1.5 m, the horizontal distance d can be 25 m, 50 m and also 100 m, in which cases the vertical angle θ is 3.5°, 1.75° and 0.875°.

(18) FIG. 2 schematically presents another possible disposition of the elements of the firearm safety system of the disclosure. In this example, the emitter 300 is protected in a region with a lower floor. In order to transmit the clearance signal to the receiver, the system comprises a reflector 500 installed below the target 100, that is, a substantially reflective surface in the IR range used to transmit the clearance signal, which reflects the emitter 300 emission towards the receiver 400.

(19) FIG. 3 shows the main internal elements of the emitter 300 according to a possible embodiment thereof. The emitter 300 is fed by internal and/or external power sources such as an internal battery 310 or a connector 320 to an external power source. The emitter 300 comprises emitter control means 340, implemented in a microcontroller or any other kind of programmable hardware, which generates the clearance signal—in the present example, a periodic clearance signal—that is transmitted by an infrared LED 360 controlled by an LED driver 350. An infrared LED is used in this example, but other LEDs are possible, preferably emitting non-visible light, so as not to affect the user vision when shooting. The emitter control means 340 encodes an identifier 330 in the periodic clearance signal, and said signal is modulated in an amplitude-shift keying ASK modulation, such as on-off keying OOK. This simplifies signal demodulation at the receiver 400 and improves response time. Nevertheless, other modulations known in the state of the art may be used in particular embodiments of the disclosure. The LED emission range in this example is 1150 mW, but it can also be of 1600 mW.

(20) In this embodiment, the emitter 300 always transmits the same message, and does not expect any response from the receiver 400, therefore optimizing response time. Although additional information may be encoded in the clearance signal along with the identifier 330, a simple message with said identifier 330 and minimal additional information is preferred to avoid processing delays.

(21) FIG. 4 schematically presents the external elements of the emitter 300 according to a preferred embodiment thereof. The emitter comprises a first radiation-blocking element 370, such as a lid, wall or parasol; in the illustrated embodiment, the first radiation-blocking element has a first aperture 380, in the shown example having a circular shape. That is, radiation from the LED 360 is blocked at all angles except those encompassed by the first aperture 380. Additionally, the emitter 300 may comprise a base 390 in its front end that orientates the first aperture 380 in perpendicular to the vertical angle θ, thereby connecting the emitter 300 and the receiver 400. This first aperture 380 of the emitter 300 is substantially perpendicular to the vertical angle θ, hence maximizing an optical power emission of the clearance signal transmitted by the emitter in the optimal shooting position.

(22) FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the spatial limitation applied to the LED 360 radiation of the emitter 300 according to a possible embodiment thereof. Although the LED 360 radiates in an omni-directional manner, only radiation within a first angular range α leaves the emitter 300, which generates a first enablement area A1 at the receiver 400 (cf. FIG. 8) in which the clearance signal is received at the receiver 400, thereby meeting one of the conditions for enabling shooting. The first angular range α is adjusted so as to set the desired first enablement area A1; the first angular α can be adjusted by modifying the width of the first aperture 380 and/or the distance between said first aperture 380 and the LED 360. In the case of the first aperture 380 being circular, a cone-shaped emission is achieved.

(23) In case of the horizontal distance d being 12.5 m, the first angular range α is 8°, and the first enablement area A1 defined at the receiver 400 (that is, in the area where the firearm user is located) has a circular shape centered at the receiver 400, with a diameter of 1.75 m. The width of a lane in a shooting gallery is usually 1.5 m. With this arrangement, at the border of a lanes it would be possible to receive signals from two emitters of adjacent lanes; but, since the clearance signal is coded with the encoded identifier, shooting from those border areas of adjacent lanes is prevented. Another option would be to reduce the first angular range α.

(24) FIG. 6 shows in greater detail the internal elements of the receiver 400 according to a preferred embodiment thereof. The receiver 400 comprises a photodetector 410, sensitive to IR, that detects the clearance signal sent by the emitter when the receiver 400, and thus the firearm 200, is within the first enablement area A1. The photodetector not only determines whether said clearance signal is received or not, but it also provides a measurement of the optical power of said signal, enabling this information to be used in the algorithm that decides when the automated lock 210 is released. The signal detected at the photodetector 410 is converted from optical power to voltage at a converter 420 stage, and conditioned by a passband filter 430 and an amplifier 440. Then, a demodulator 450 demodulates the amplified signal and retrieves the identifier 330 encoded in the clearance signal. The identifier 330 is validated at receiver control means 460 which decides if the automated lock 210 is released according to at least, said encoded identifier 330 and the optical power measurement of the photodetector 410.

(25) The particular design of the automated lock 210 can be selected from any known technology of the state of the art, hence falling outside the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the receiver 400 generates a control signal that determines whether the automated lock 210 is released, regardless of the particular automated lock 210 design. Furthermore, any known safety element that prevents firearms from being fired towards undesired directions, such as an accelerometer 470 may be incorporated into the receiver 400 and its measurements taken into consideration within the decision algorithm of the receiver control means 460.

(26) FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of the spatial limitation applied to the photodetector 410 detection of the receiver 400 according to a possible embodiment thereof. The receiver comprises a second radiation-blocking element 480, such as a lid, wall or parasol; in the illustrated embodiment, the second radiation-blocking element has a second aperture 490, in the shown example having a circular shape. Although the receiver 400 may receive incoming radiation from a wider range, only radiation within a second angular range arrives at the photodetector 410, therefore meeting one of the conditions for enabling shooting. This second angular range β generates a second enablement area A2 at the target 100 in which, if all the conditions are met, shooting is enabled (cf. FIG. 8). The second angular range β is adjusted so as to set the desired second enablement area A2; the second angular β can be adjusted by modifying the width of the second aperture 490, and/or by modifying the distance between said second aperture 490 and the photodetector 410. In the case of a circular second aperture 490, a cone-shaped detection region is achieved.

(27) In case of a shooting range in which the horizontal distance d being 12.5 m and the first angular range α is 8°, the second angular range β is 13° and the second enablement area A2 defined at the target 100 (that is, in the area where the firearm user is located) has a circular shape centered at the center of the target 100 with a diameter of 2.84 m. As more clearly shown in FIG. 8, with this specific configuration, firing at the emitter is prevented, since the emitter 300 is located 1.50 m below the center of the target 100, which is outside the second enablement area A2 generated by the receiver 400.

(28) If, still using a circular-shaped second aperture 490 in the receiver 400, the diameter of the second aperture 490 is doubled (or the photodetector 410 is moved outwards), then the second angular range β is 23° and the second enablement area A2 defined at the target 100 has a diameter of 4.96 m, which does not prevent the emitter 300 from being shot, since it is within the enabled range.

(29) When the firearm 200 is in its optimal position and orientation, the light emitting diode 360 and the photodetector 410 are aligned, and the firearm 200 is aiming at the target 100. Therefore, a maximum amount of radiation from the LED 360 arrives at the photodetector 410. As the weapon moves away from said position, or changes its orientation away from the target, a greater part of the radiation will fall outside the second aperture 490, or enter said second aperture 490 with an angle too large to reach the full depth until the photodetector 410. As a consequence, the measured optical power will decrease, until reaching a threshold that indicates that shooting is no longer permitted.

(30) FIG. 9 exemplifies the use of hysteresis conditions in the algorithm that determines whether the automated lock 210 should be released or not, according to a preferred embodiment thereof. The three concentric areas shown in FIG. 9 represent the second enablement areas as seen at the target 200 area, in case the algorithm deciding release of the automated lock 210 takes into account deviations from the optimal position and orientation for shooting the firearm. According to this embodiment, in a central region 610 shooting is always enabled. Then, in an outer hysteresis region 620 shooting is only enabled if the firearm 200 was previously pointing at the central region 610, but not if previously pointing outside the hysteresis region 620 and the central region 610; thus, a user can shoot at the hysteresis region 620 if the user was previously shooting at the central region. Finally, a forbidden region 630 is shown, where the automated lock 210 in never released. The second enablement area A2 is formed by the central region 610 plus the hysteresis region 620. Each region is defined by a threshold applied to the measured optical power of the clearance signal. That is, when the measured optical power exceeds a first threshold, the firearm 200 aims the central region 610 and the automated lock 210 is released (considering that the encoded identifier is validated and any other safety condition is met). When the measured optical power exceeds a second threshold, lower than the first threshold, the firearm 200 aims the hysteresis region 620, and the automated lock 210 is only released if coming from the central region 610, that is, if the previous optical power measurements exceeded the first threshold. If the measured optical power is lower than the second threshold, the automated lock 210 is not released under any circumstance.

(31) FIG. 10 is a schematic view of another possible embodiment of the second aperture 491 in the receiver. As shown, the second aperture 491 has a shape of a circular segment having as lower boundary an arc embracing around 240°. Point 495 is the point of the second aperture 491 coinciding with the center of the target 100. FIG. 11 shows the second enablement area 640 as viewed at the target 100 generated by the second aperture 491 of FIG. 10. Point 101 represents the center of the target 100.

(32) As in the previous case with the circular-shaped second aperture 490, as long as the receiver 400 (that is, the firearm 200) is within the first enablement area A1 (which is still also a disk), shooting may be enabled (if the remaining conditions thereof are met). If the receiver 400 is outside the first enablement area A1, shooting is not enabled, regardless of the angle at which the receiver is aiming at the target 100.

(33) So, considering the receiver 400 is within the first enablement area A1: shooting may be enabled (and the automated lock 210 will be released if the remaining conditions for enabling shooting are met) if the firearm 200 is aiming at the target 100 with an angle comprised within the second angular range β; and shooting is not enabled (and the automated lock 210 is not released, even if the remaining conditions are met) if the firearm 200 is aiming at the target 100 with an angle which is greater than the second angular range β, that is, it is a greater angle than allowed by the second aperture.

(34) In this case, the second angular range β is not omnidirectionally symmetrical. It has a horizontal symmetrical component of 22.5°, and a vertical component of 17.75°. The vertical component is not symmetrical, and in fact, it has a lower component V_l of 6.5° and an upper component V_u of 11.25°. This is due to the fact that when the firearm 200 is moved and/or rotated towards one side (whichever way), the opposite side is the one that shadows the photodetector 410. As shown in FIG. 11, with this specific configuration firing at the emitter is prevented: when the firearm 200 aims at the target 100 with an angle greater than the second angular range β, the emitter 300 is not within sight (the emitter is far below the horizontal lower line in FIG. 11): in the present case, if the firearm 200 aims downwardly at the target with an angle greater than 6.5°, the upper horizontal wall of the second aperture 490 will shadow the photodetector 410, and shooting is not enabled.

(35) The second aperture 491 can be implemented as a circular aperture with a sliding lid, which is vertically movable so as to cover an upper circular segment of the circular aperture.

(36) Other embodiments of the disclosure may include apertures (either the first aperture, the second aperture or both) with alternative shapes, such as ellipses, rectangles, etc., enabling to define different areas and orientations where shooting is allowed in each particular shooting range. Also, the apertures may be fully or partially covered by additional filters, substantially transparent to IR radiation, that reduce or block radiation from other frequency ranges, hence improving signal to noise ratio at the receiver 400. Any additional protective cover to prevent internal damage may also be included on the apertures, such as a methacrylate cover.

(37) In this text, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as “comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. Furthermore, In the context of the present disclosure, the term “approximately” and terms of its family (such as “approximate”, etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, design decisions not related to the disclosure, etc. The same applies to the terms “about” and “around” and “substantially”.