U.S. patent application number 10/354754 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-21 for shooting training system with device allowing instructor to exhibit example to player in real-time.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEC Corporation. Invention is credited to Ando, Tadashi, Watanabe, Hiroshi.
Application Number | 20030157463 10/354754 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27621462 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030157463 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanabe, Hiroshi ; et
al. |
August 21, 2003 |
Shooting training system with device allowing instructor to exhibit
example to player in real-time
Abstract
A shooting training system has an external trigger switch. A
player operates a laser gun, and a coach for the player presses the
external trigger switch at the time when the player should trigger
the laser gun, while confirming the trajectory of the sight of the
laser gun which is displayed on an external PC. A timing signal
generated by the external trigger switch is transmitted via the
laser gun and a shot impact detector to the external PC, which
displays on a simulated image of a target the position of the sight
of the laser gun at the timing indicated by the timing signal. The
player adjusts the timing to pull the trigger based on the
difference between the displayed position of the sight of the laser
gun and an actual impact location of a light beam emitted from the
laser gun triggered by the player. The player can improve the
shooting skill through such timing adjustments.
Inventors: |
Watanabe, Hiroshi;
(Yamagata, JP) ; Ando, Tadashi; (Yamagata,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCULLY SCOTT MURPHY & PRESSER, PC
400 GARDEN CITY PLAZA
GARDEN CITY
NY
11530
|
Assignee: |
NEC Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
27621462 |
Appl. No.: |
10/354754 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 3/2655
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/21 |
International
Class: |
F41G 003/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 15, 2002 |
JP |
2002-039150 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A shooting training system comprising: a beam gun for emitting a
light beam from a muzzle thereof in response to an action on a
manipulating unit thereof; a target for being shot by said beam
gun; a shot impact detector for detecting an impact location of
said light beam on said target; and timing indicating means for
indicating a timing to act on said manipulating unit.
2. A shooting training system according to claim 1, further
comprising: display means for displaying the impact location of
said light beam detected by said shot impact detector.
3. A shooting training system according to claim 2, wherein said
beam gun continuously emits a second light beam after it has
emitted said light beam as a first light beam, and said display
means displays an impact location of said second light beam on said
target as it changes with respect to the impact location of said
first light beam, as a trajectory of the sight of said beam gun on
a simulated image of said target.
4. A shooting training system according to claim 2, wherein said
display means displays an impact location on said target at the
timing indicated by said timing indicating means, as an exemplary
impact location distinguished from the other impact location.
5. A shooting training system according to claim 4, wherein said
display means displays said exemplary impact location in a color
different from a color of the other impact location.
6. A shooting training system according to claim 5, wherein said
display means displays said exemplary impact location as a
displayed spot highlighted against a display spot of the other
impact location.
7. A shooting training system according to claim 4, wherein said
timing indicating means outputs a timing signal when said timing is
indicated thereby.
8. A shooting training system according to claim 7, wherein said
timing indicating means transmits said timing signal to said beam
gun.
9. A shooting training system according to claim 8, wherein said
beam gun emits a third light beam when said beam gun receives a
timing signal transmitted from said timing indicating means, and
said shot impact detector transmits an impact location of said
third light on said target as said exemplary impact location to
said display means.
10. A shooting training system according to claim 7, wherein said
timing indicating means transmits said timing signal to said shot
impact detector.
11. A shooting training system according to claim 10, wherein said
shot impact detector transmits an impact location on said target
when said timing signal is input to said shot impact detector, as
said exemplary impact location to said display means.
12. A shooting training system according to claim 7, wherein said
timing indicating means transmits said timing signal to said
display means.
13. A shooting training system according to claim 12, wherein said
display means displays an impact location on said target which is
received from said shot impact detector when said timing signal is
input to said display means, as said exemplary impact location
distinguished from the other impact location.
14. A shooting training system according to claim 8, wherein said
timing indicating means transmits said timing signal to said beam
gun through a wireless communication link.
15. A shooting training system according to claim 1, wherein said
display means displays a time at which the light beam emitted from
said beam gun when said manipulating unit is acted on hits said
target.
16. A shooting training system according to claim 1, wherein said
display means displays a time at which the timing is indicated by
said timing indicating means.
17. A shooting training system according to claim 1, wherein said
display means displays the difference between a time at which the
light beam emitted from said beam gun when said manipulating unit
is acted on hits said target and a time at which the timing is
indicated by said timing indicating means.
18. A shooting training system according to claim 1, further
comprising: timing teaching means for teaching a person who
operates said beam gun the timing indicated by said timing
indicating means.
19. A method of training a player in shooting practice in a
shooting training system having a beam gun for emitting a light
beam from a muzzle thereof in response to an action on a
manipulating unit thereof, a target for being shot by said beam
gun, a shot impact detector for detecting an impact location of
said light beam on said target, and timing indicating means for
indicating a timing to act on the manipulating unit, said method
comprising the step of: indicating the timing to act on the
manipulating unit with said timing indicating means.
20. A beam gun for emitting a light beam from a muzzle thereof in
response to an action on a manipulating unit thereof, comprising:
an interface for being supplied with a timing signal which is
generated when a timing to act on the manipulating unit is
indicated, the arrangement being such that the beam gun emits a
light beam distinguishable from said light beam when said timing
signal is input to said interface.
21. A display device for displaying an impact location on a target
of a light beam emitted from a beam gun in response to an action on
a manipulating unit thereof, comprising: an interface for being
supplied with a timing signal which is generated when a timing to
act on the manipulating unit is indicated, the arrangement being
such that the display device displays an impact location on the
target when said timing signal is input to said interface, as an
exemplary impact location distinguished from the other impact
location on said target.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a shooting training system
and method for training a player in shooting practice, and more
particularly to a shooting training system and method for training
a player for a shooting competition which determines shooting
skills based on the impact location in which a light beam ejected
from a beam gun hits a target.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Heretofore, shooting has been known as one of competition
events. In shooting competitions, it has been desired to use beam
guns in lieu of real guns which need to be handled with sufficient
care for safety. Known beam guns include beam guns which use flash
light that have been developed for competition use and beam guns,
developed for shooting practice, which are electrically connected
by wires to a computer for indicating shot impacts.
[0005] The accuracy with which an optical system detects the impact
location of a laser beam emitted from a beam gun is required to be
on a competition level. Beam guns for emitting laser beams are also
required to be safe in handling. Efforts should be made to meet the
above requirements and also to perform a shooting competition score
calculating process accurately and with an increased speed.
[0006] FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings schematically shows a
conventional electronic shooting competition system using beam guns
which can be installed in a competition field. As shown in FIG. 1,
the conventional electronic shooting competition system has a
plurality of shot impact detectors 2 positioned in alignment with
respective shooting boxes each defined between two partition panels
3.
[0007] In FIG. 1, five sets of shooting boxes and five shot impact
detectors 2 are illustrated. However, the number of these sets is
not limitative. Basically, one shooting box 1 and one shot impact
detector 2 aligned therewith correspond to each other in position
and competition. Light beam 34 is projected from one shooting box 1
toward one shot impact detector 2 aligned therewith.
[0008] Square or circular target plate 4 is fixed to a front face
of each shot impact detector 2. The front faces of all target
plates 4 jointly provide common target plane 5. The faces of all
shooting boxes which confront target plates 4 jointly provide
common shooting plane 6. Common target plane 5 and common shooting
plane 6 lie parallel to each other and extend vertically.
[0009] In FIG. 1, common target plane 5 and common shooting plane 6
are spaced from each other by 10 m or 25 m, for example, depending
on the competition event. Target plates 4 differ depending either
on 10 m target or on 25 m target.
[0010] In FIG. 1, the common shooting plane 6 across each shooting
box has a width of 1 m for one-gun to one-target, and a variable
width for one-gun to n-target. As exemplified, each shot impact
detector 2 has a width of 30 cm, and the two adjacent shot impact
detectors 2 is spaced 1 m.
[0011] Each shot impact detector 2 emits conical beam 8 from an
infrared LED. Emitted conical beam 8 reaches only the shooting box
that is positioned directly in front of the shot impact detector
from which conical beam 8 is emitted. In principle, emitted conical
beam 8 does not reach two shooting boxes at the same time.
[0012] Light beam 34 projected from laser gun 7 which is positioned
as a beam gun in each of the shooting boxes represents a signal
inherent in laser gun 7. Light beam 34 comprises a highly parallel
light beam and reaches each target plate 4 as a light spot. Each
shot impact detector 2 has an adjustment function to increase the
electrical, mechanical, and optical accuracy of a position
detecting optical element used in shot impact detector 2.
Therefore, the accuracy with which the impact location of the laser
beam emitted from each laser gun 7 is detected can be brought to a
competition level.
[0013] FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows, partly in block
form, a structural arrangement of the conventional electronic
shooting competition system. FIG. 2 illustrates laser gun 7 used by
a player, target plate 4, player PC (Personal Computer) 66, and
switching unit 96. Switching unit 96 comprises a switching hub of
10BASE-T LAN (Local Area Network) 65. Player PC 66 is electrically
connected to shot impact detector 2 through switching unit 96.
[0014] The players each operate laser gun 7 to emit laser beam 34
toward target plate 4 and compete with one another who participate
in the electronic shooting competition event according to a score
to be added based on the impact location of laser beam 34 on target
plate 4. Light beam 34 is emitted from a laser diode mounted in
laser gun 7. As with a real bullet shot from a real gun, laser beam
34 is shot from the muzzle of laser gun 7 and travels straight
parallel to the line of sight of laser gun 7.
[0015] As described above, shot impact detector 2 including target
plate 4 which is aligned with laser gun 7 of a player is
electrically connected to player PC 66. Player PC 66 displays on
its display screen the player's number, the shot number, the score
corresponding to the shot number, the total score, and the impact
location in which light beam 34 hits target plate 4, simultaneously
or at different times.
[0016] Player PC 66 or shot impact detector automatically carries
out a shooting competition score calculating process. Since the
scores of the players can thus be calculated accurately at a high
speed, the electronic shooting competition system can manage
shooting competitions smoothly.
[0017] As described above, each shot impact detector 2 emits
conical beam 8 (see FIG. 1) in the direction of the corresponding
shooting box. Laser gun 7 has a photodiode mounted thereon near its
muzzle and facing forward. Unless conical beam 8 emitted from shot
impact detector 2 is detected by the photodiode on laser gun 7,
i.e., unless laser gun 7 in the shooting box is aimed at target
plate 4, laser gun 7 is unable to emit light beam 34. Consequently,
the electronic shooting competition system provides safety in the
handling of laser guns 7 in competitions.
[0018] Inasmuch as a signal (conical beam 8) serving as one of
conditions for permitting laser gun 7 to emit light beam 34 is
generated by shot impact detector 2 combined with target plate 4,
the electronic shooting competition system is more target dominant
than gun dominant in competitions. Accordingly, the electronic
shooting competition system is a fair system where the will of the
competition sponsor (referee) is held in respect.
[0019] Laser gun 7 emits a plurality of successive light beams 34
in one triggering action. The emission of plural light beams 34
causes player PC 66 or shot impact detector 2 to calculate not only
a score for each light beam 34, but also an average of scores for
respective light beams 34. The emission of plural light beams 34
also makes it possible to give different scores due to a slight
wobbling of the hand which has triggered laser gun 7, and also to
convert body movements of the player into numerical values.
Therefore, the electronic shooting competition system can provide
novel competition patterns or modes which have not been available
in competitions in which a real bullet is shot in one triggering
action.
[0020] Light beam 34 contains a position detecting signal (second
light beam) for use in the detection of an impact location and a
light beam distinguishing signal (light beam) for distinguishing
the light beam from the other light beams. Insofar as laser gun 7
is receiving conical beam 8, the position detecting signal is
continuously emitted from laser gun 7 even when laser gun 7 is not
triggered.
[0021] When the position detecting signal hits target plate 4, shot
impact detector 2 detects the impact location of light beam 34. The
impact location is successively transmitted from shot impact
detector 2 to player PC 66, which can display a simulated image of
target plate 4.
[0022] Player PC 66 displays the impact location of light beam 34
as a succession of light spots on the simulated image, showing the
impact location as it changes as a trajectory followed by the sight
of laser gun 7.
[0023] When laser gun 7 is triggered, laser gun 7 emits from its
muzzle the position detecting signal and the light beam
distinguishing signal which are contained in light beam 34. Shot
impact detector 2 detects the position detecting signal and also
the impact location of the light beam distinguishing signal on
target plate 4, and transmits the impact location to player PC 66.
Player PC 66 displays on the simulated image of target plate the
trajectory of the position detecting signal and the impact location
of the light beam distinguishing signal as distinguished from the
trajectory of the position detecting signal.
[0024] FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows target plate 4. As
shown in FIG. 3, target plate 4 has on its surface ten annular
areas, including a central circular area just around center O,
divided by ten concentric circles around center O. These areas are
also referred to as score areas. Target plate 4 also has an outside
area around the annular areas. The player gets no score when light
beam 34 hits the outside area. A score for the outermost annular
area, i.e., the annular area marked with "1", is 1. Scores for the
other annular areas are progressively incremented by 1 toward
center O, and the score for the central circular area is 10.
[0025] As described above, when the position detecting signal from
laser gun 7 hits target plate 4, shot impact detector 2 as PSD
(Position Sensitive Detector) detects the impact location (x, y) in
a coordinate system on target plate 4. The origin of the coordinate
system is aligned with center O of target plate 4. When the impact
location (x, y) is detected, the distance from center O to the
impact location (x, y) is calculated, and one of the score areas
where the impact location (x, y) is positioned is located to
determine the score for the shot.
[0026] Shot impact detector 2 has an optical system for detecting
the impact location on target plate 4. The optical system comprises
a condenser lens and a semiconductor device. While a CCD (Charge
Coupled Device) or a PSD is available for use as the semiconductor
device, the PSD is preferable to the CCD for its cost and detecting
speed. The PSD has a two-dimensional current generating
membrane.
[0027] If a laser beam is focused by the condenser lens and applied
as a beam spot to the two-dimensional current generating membrane
at a coordinate position (x, y), then the two-dimensional current
generating membrane generates therein currents which are
two-dimensionally linearly commensurate with the coordinate
position (x, y). Specifically, the two-dimensional current
generating membrane generates two currents Ix1, Ix2 flowing in two
opposite directions along the x-axis and two currents Iy1, Iy2
flowing in two opposite directions along the y-axis. The
coordinates x, y of the coordinate position (x, y) are calculated
from the currents Ix1, Ix2, Iy1, Iy2 according to the following
equations:
x=k(Ix2-Ix1)/(Ix2+Ix1)
y=k(Iy2-Iy1)/(Iy2+Iy1)
[0028] The beam spot position where both (Ix2-Ix1), (Iy2-Iy1) are
zero is defined as the electrical and mechanical coordinate origin
(0, 0) of the PSD. Target plate 4 needs to be positioned
two-dimensionally with respect to the PSD within an allowable
accuracy range.
[0029] In the electronic shooting competition system, laser gun 7
and shot impact detector 2 should preferably operate in synchronism
with each other. In order to synchronize laser gun 7 and shot
impact detector 2, conical beam 8 emitted from shot impact detector
2 comprises a pulsed beam which varies periodically.
[0030] Laser gun 7 detects the pulsed beam emitted from shot impact
detector 2 with the photodiode and generates a synchronizing signal
based on the detected pulsed beam. Laser gun 7 emits light beam 34
in synchronism with the generated synchronizing signal.
[0031] As described above, there have recently been available
electronic shooting competition systems which are safer and more
applicable to various competition patterns than real bullet
shooting competition systems. Since it is expected that, because of
the above advantages, electronic shooting competitions will gain
more popularity as general competitions and attract a rapidly
growing population of players, it is desirable to construct a
scheme for bringing up electronic shooting players.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0032] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an electronic shooting competition system which is
effective in bringing up players for electronic shooting
competitions.
[0033] A shooting training system according to the present
invention has a timing indicating means which, when a person who
operates a beam gun, i.e., a shooting player, is trained in
shooting practice, allows an instructor or coach for the player to
indicate a timing to pull the trigger of the beam gun while
confirming the trajectory of the sight of the beam gun which is
displayed on a display means. Since the difference between the time
at which the player actually pulls the trigger of the beam gun and
the time at which the instructor decides for the player to pull the
trigger of the beam gun is known to the player, the shooting
training system is effective in bringing up the player for
electronic shooting competitions.
[0034] The display means may display an impact location on a target
at the timing indicated by the timing indicating means. The
displayed impact location allows the player to visualize the
difference between the time at which the player actually pulls the
trigger of the beam gun and the time at which the instructor
decides for the player to pull the trigger of the beam gun.
[0035] The timing indicating means may be connected to the display
means to allow the shooting training system to perform a high-speed
processing sequence, and can be simplified in arrangement.
[0036] The timing indicating means may be connected to the beam gun
through a wireless communication link to allow the player to highly
concentrate on a shooting competition.
[0037] The display means may display, in addition to the trajectory
of the sight of the beam gun and impact locations, the difference
between the time when the timing is indicated by the timing
indicating means and the time when a light beam emitted from the
beam gun hits the target. With the above information displayed, the
player and others can visually recognize any triggering timing
deviations which serve as useful information in training shooting
players.
[0038] The shooting training system may have a timing teaching
means for teaching the player the timing indicated by the timing
indicating means. The timing teaching means allows the player to
recognize the timing indicated by the instructor who operates the
timing indicating means, and to pull the trigger of the beam gun at
the recognized timing. Since the player can reduce the difference
between the indicated timing and the actual timing to emit the
light beam from the beam gun, the player can increase the shooting
skill efficiently.
[0039] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description with reference to the accompanying drawings which
illustrate examples of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional electronic
shooting competition system using beam guns;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a view, partly in block form, of a structural
arrangement of the electronic shooting competition system;
[0042] FIG. 3 is a view of a target plate used in the electronic
shooting competition system;
[0043] FIG. 4 is a view, partly in block form, of a structural
arrangement of an electronic shooting competition system according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 5 is a view of a simulated image of a target plate
which is displayed by an external PC in the electronic shooting
competition system;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram, partly in block form, of a
circuit for generating a trigger signal for a laser gun, the
diagram also showing signal waveforms generated in the circuit;
and
[0046] FIG. 7 is a view, partly in block form, of a structural
arrangement of an electronic shooting competition system according
to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] 1st Embodiment:
[0048] An electronic shooting competition system according to a
first embodiment of the present invention will first be described
below. FIG. 4 shows, partly in block form, a structural arrangement
of an electronic shooting competition system according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the
electronic shooting competition system according to the first
embodiment comprises, in addition to the elements of the
conventional electronic shooting competition system shown in FIG.
2, external PC 101 as a display means and external trigger switch
102 as a timing indicating means. Those parts shown in FIG. 4 which
are identical to those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by identical
reference numerals.
[0049] External PC 101 comprises a personal computer having a
display screen and a keyboard for entering inputs. External PC 101
is electrically connected to shot impact detector 2 through
switching unit 96. External PC 101 displays a simulated image of
target plate 4 on its display screen.
[0050] External PC 101 displays, sequentially on its display
screen, the impact locations of the position detecting signal
(second light beam) detected by shot impact detector 2, as a
trajectory followed by the sight of laser gun 7 held by the player,
and also the impact locations of the light beam distinguishing
signal (light beam) detected by shot impact detector 2. External PC
101 is placed in such a position as to allow the instructor to
confirm the display screen easily so that the instructor can
visually recognize how the player shoots.
[0051] When the player aims the muzzle of laser gun 7 at target
plate 4, the position detecting signal is emitted (transmitted)
consecutively from the muzzle of laser gun 7. The term
"consecutively" used herein means either "continuously" or
"intermittently". Shot impact detector 2 detects the impact
locations of the position detecting signal on target plate 4, and
transmits data of the impact location through switching unit 96 to
external PC 101 at all times.
[0052] When external PC 101 receives the data of the impact
location transmitted from shot impact detector 2, external PC 101
calculates a score of the player based on the received data, and
displays, sequentially on its display screen, a succession of light
spots representing the impact location received from shot impact
detector 2 as a trajectory followed by the sight of laser gun
7.
[0053] The size of the area of the trajectory, the average distance
of the trajectory from the center of trajectory plate 4, and the
angular distribution of the trajectory about the center of
trajectory plate 4 are strictly representative of relative motions
of the barrel of laser gun 7 with respect to target plate 4. The
generation and visualization of the trajectory followed by the
sight of laser gun 7 cannot be achieved in the conventional real
bullet shooting competition systems. When the instructor instructs
the player based on fluctuations of the trajectory, the player can
correct its action to trigger laser gun 7.
[0054] When the player pulls the trigger of laser gun 7, laser gun
7 generates a trigger signal therein which enables the laser diode
to generate a light beam distinguishing signal, which is emitted
from the muzzle of laser gun 7. Shot impact detector 2 then detects
the impact location of the light beam distinguishing signal on
target plate 4, and transmits data of the impact location through
switching unit 96 to external PC 101.
[0055] External PC 101 calculates a score of the player based on
the received data of the impact location, displays the calculated
score, and also displays the impact location of the light beam
distinguishing signal on the display screen which is displaying the
trajectory followed by the sight of laser gun 7, as distinguished
from another impact location that is being displayed on the display
screen. The impact location should preferably be distinguished from
the other impact location by displaying in a color different from
the color of the other impact location or highlighting only the
displayed spot of the impact location.
[0056] External trigger switch 102 serves as a timing indicating
means for indicating the timing to pull the trigger with a switch
action. External trigger switch 102 is electrically connected to
laser gun 7 by a cable. When external trigger switch 102 is
pressed, it sends a signal representing the pressing thereof, i.e.,
a timing signal, to laser gun 7.
[0057] In the present embodiment, external trigger switch 102 and
laser gun 7 are wired to each other. However, external trigger
switch 102 and laser gun 7 may be connected to each other by a
wireless communication medium, e.g., a radio communication link
according to the bluetooth protocol or an infrared communication
system. The wireless link thus established between external trigger
switch 102 and laser gun 7 can relieve the player of undesired
obstacles which would otherwise impair mental stability and
concentration of the player due to a wired connection from external
trigger switch 102 to laser gun 7.
[0058] External trigger switch 102 is operated by the instructor
for the player. While visually confirming the trajectory of the
sight of laser gun 7 which is being displayed on the display screen
of external PC 101, the instructor presses external trigger switch
102 at the time the instructor decides that the player should pull
the trigger of laser gun 7.
[0059] Then, external trigger switch 102 sends the timing signal to
laser gun 7, which emits a light beam distinguishing signal (third
light beam) from its muzzle.
[0060] When shot impact detector 2 detects the impact location of
the light beam distinguishing signal on target plate 4, shot impact
detector 2 transmits the detected impact location as an exemplary
impact location to external PC 101. External PC 101 displays the
exemplary impact location at the timing indicated by external
trigger switch 102 as distinguished from any other impact locations
displayed on the display screen.
[0061] FIG. 5 shows a simulated image of target plate 4 which is
displayed on the display screen of external PC 101. As shown in
FIG. 5, the displayed simulated image on the display screen of
external PC 101 includes a succession of light spots representing
the impact location of the position detecting signal, i.e., a
trajectory followed by the sight of laser gun 7, the impact
location (exemplary location) of the light beam distinguishing
signal which is emitted from laser gun 7 at a timing indicated by
external trigger switch 102, and the impact location of the light
beam distinguishing signal which is emitted from laser gun 7 when
the trigger of laser gun 7 is actually pulled by the player.
[0062] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the trajectory of the sight
of laser gun 7 starts from a position lower right from center O,
moves clockwise through the score areas corresponding to the scores
9, 8, 7, passes through center O to the area corresponding to the
score 7 upper right from center O, and reaches the final impact
location in the area corresponding to the score 7 upper right from
center O. The exemplary impact location of the light beam
distinguishing signal at the timing indicated by the instructor is
at center O.
[0063] The trajectory, the player's impact location, and the
instructor's exemplary impact location are displayed so as to be
distinguishable from each other. For example, the trajectory of the
sight of laser gun 7 is displayed in green, the player's impact
location in red, and the instructor's exemplary impact location in
blue. A cross sign is also displayed around the player's impact
location for emphasizing the player's impact location.
[0064] FIG. 6 shows, partly in block form, a circuit for generating
a trigger signal in laser gun 7. FIG. 6 also shows signal waveforms
generated in the circuit. As shown in FIG. 6, the circuit has shock
sensor 201, comparator 202, input terminals 203, 204, capacitor
205, Schmitt trigger 206, and synchronizing circuit 207.
[0065] Shock sensor 201 produces an output signal which is supplied
to comparator 202. An output signal from comparator 202 and an
input signal from input terminal 204 are pulled up by a power
supply voltage of 3.3 V applied to input terminal 203, and applied
to capacitor 205. While the power supply voltage of 3.3 V is
applied to input terminal 203 in the illustrated circuit, the power
supply voltage is not limited to 3.3 V, but may be of another
value.
[0066] Shock sensor 201 detects a shock produced when the trigger
of laser gun 7 is pulled, and outputs a signal representing the
detected shock. A waveform of the shock is shown by way of example
below shock sensor 201 in FIG. 6. The waveform of the shock is
illustrated as a low-level active waveform (which is active at a
low level (0 V (L)).
[0067] Comparator 202 is supplied with the waveform of the shock
output from shock sensor 201. If the value of the waveform of the
shock is higher than a given threshold value, then comparator 202
outputs a high-level signal. If the value of the waveform of the
shock is lower than the given threshold value, then comparator 202
outputs a low-level signal.
[0068] Comparator 202 thus outputs as an output signal a pulsed
waveform which is shown below comparator 202 in FIG. 6. The output
signal from comparator 202 is supplied to Schmitt trigger 206.
Schmitt trigger 206 shapes the waveform of the supplied signal, and
outputs the shaped waveform.
[0069] As described above, laser gun 7 receives conical beam 8 (see
FIG. 1) transmitted from target plate 4 by the photodiode. Conical
beam 8 is input as a pulsed wave (synchronizing signal) having a
period of 5 ms., as shown in a lower right section in FIG. 6. Laser
gun 7 generates a trigger signal based on the synchronizing signal
input to the photodiode.
[0070] Specifically, synchronizing circuit 207 is supplied with the
signal output from Schmitt trigger 206 and the synchronizing signal
from the photodiode. Synchronizing circuit 207 generates a trigger
signal at time t.sub.1 in FIG. 6 when the signal output from
Schmitt trigger 206 is low in level at a leading edge of the
synchronizing signal.
[0071] When the trigger signal is generated, laser gun 7 emits a
light beam, i.e., a light beam distinguishing signal, from a
semiconductor laser device disposed therein. Since the
synchronizing signal has a period of 5 ms., the period of time
during which the output pulse from Schmitt trigger 206 is active at
the low level needs to be at least 5 ms.
[0072] When the timing signal is output from external trigger
switch 102, the timing signal is supplied to input terminal 204 of
the circuit in laser gun 7. The supplied signal is also applied to
Schmitt trigger 206. Therefore, in response to the timing signal
from external trigger switch 102, synchronizing circuit 207
generates a trigger signal, which enables laser gun 7 to emit a
light beam distinguishing signal.
[0073] As described above, laser gun 7 emits a light beam
distinguishing signal both when the trigger of laser gun 7 is
pulled by the player and when external trigger switch 102 is
pressed by the instructor. Consequently, it is necessary for the
light beam distinguishing signal to include information indicative
of whether it has been generated when the trigger of laser gun 7 is
pulled or it has been generated when external trigger switch 102 is
pressed.
[0074] Based on such information included in the light beam
distinguishing signal, shot impact detector 2 determines whether
the light beam distinguishing signal has been generated when the
trigger of laser gun 7 is pulled or the light beam distinguishing
signal has been generated when external trigger switch 102 is
pressed. Accordingly, external PC 101 can display, on its display
screen, the exemplary impact location and the player's impact
location as distinguished from each other based on a signal from
shot impact detector 2.
[0075] 2nd Embodiment:
[0076] A shooting training system according to a second embodiment
of the present invention will be described below with reference to
FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows in block form a shooting training system
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The
shooting training system according to the second embodiment differs
from the shooting training system according to the first embodiment
shown in FIG. 4 in that it lacks external trigger switch 102 as the
timing indicating means.
[0077] In the shooting training system according to the second
embodiment, certain input key 110 on the keyboard, as an input
device, of external PC 101 serves as the timing indicating means.
According to the second embodiment, therefore, the timing
indicating means can be regarded as being directly connected to
external PC 101 as a display means, rather than laser gun 7.
[0078] The instructor for the player who operates laser gun 7
presses input key 110 of external PC 101 at the time the instructor
decides that the player should pull the trigger of laser gun 7,
while visually confirming the trajectory of the sight of laser gun
7 which is being displayed on the display screen of external PC
101.
[0079] When input key 110 is pressed, external PC 101 displays the
impact location of the position detecting signal, which is
transmitted from shot impact detector 2, as the exemplary impact
location on the simulated image.
[0080] According to the second embodiment, a scheme for indicating
the shooting timing, e.g., part of the circuit in laser gun 7 shown
in FIG. 6 which is used to indicate the shooting timing, is not
required in the shooting training system. Therefore, the system
arrangement for indicating the shooting timing may be
simplified.
[0081] In the shooting training system according to the second
embodiment, input key 110 on the keyboard of external PC 101 is
used as the timing indicating means. However, a pointing device
such as a mouse or the like may be used as the timing indicating
means. Alternatively, an external switch such as external trigger
switch 102 according to the first embodiment may be directly
connected to external PC 101, or may be directly connected to shot
impact detector 2.
[0082] The display screen external PC 101 may display, in addition
to the simulated image of target plate 4 on which the trajectory of
the sight of laser gun 7 and the impact locations are displayed, a
time at which the light beam distinguishing signal emitted when the
trigger of laser gun 7 is pulled hits target plate 4, a time at
which the shooting timing is indicated by the pressing of input key
110 on the keyboard of external PC 101, and the difference between
the time when the light beam distinguishing signal hits target
plate 4 and the time when the shooting timing is indicated. With
these times displayed, the player and others can visually recognize
any triggering timing deviations which serve as useful information
in training shooting players.
[0083] The shooting training systems according to the first and
second embodiments may additionally have a timing teaching means
for teaching the player who operates laser gun 7 the timing which
is indicated by the timing indicating means. For example, the
shooting training system may have a lighting device, such as an LED
or the like, disposed in a position that can easily be seen by the
player even when the player is aiming laser gun 7, e.g., on laser
gun 7 or near target plate 4. The timing teaching means thus
arranged can train the player to pull the trigger of laser gun 7
when the lighting device is turned on.
[0084] The above training process allows the player to make efforts
to reduce the difference between the indicated timing and the
actual timing to emit the light beam distinguishing signal, thus
increasing the skill of the player efficiently. The timing teaching
means may comprise a means for indicating the shooting timing with
sound.
[0085] In the shooting training systems according to the first and
second embodiments, the position detecting signal and the light
beam distinguishing signal may be emitted from a single light
source in laser gun 7 and travel along a single signal path, or may
be emitted from different light sources in laser gun 7 and travel
along different signal paths.
[0086] In the shooting training systems according to the first and
second embodiments, a light beam distinguishing signal is emitted
from laser gun 7 when the trigger of laser gun 7 is pulled.
However, the present invention is not limited to any particular
mechanism and operation for emitting a light beam distinguishing
signal from laser gun 7, but any of various structures may be used
to emit a light beam distinguishing signal from laser gun 7. For
example, laser gun 7 may have a manipulating unit such as a
pushbutton, for example, mounted on laser gun 7 for emitting a
light beam distinguishing signal in response to a player's action
on the manipulating unit.
[0087] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described in specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
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