U.S. patent application number 13/090551 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for marksmanship training aid.
Invention is credited to Vijay SINGH.
Application Number | 20120270186 13/090551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47021608 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120270186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SINGH; Vijay |
October 25, 2012 |
MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING AID
Abstract
An essential element of sharpshooter training is the reduction
of quivering of the firearm. Such quivering or jitter is caused by
inadvertent movement of the shooter while holding the firearm.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a motion sensing
device that is attached to the firearm to produce visual and aural
feedback to the shooter on the degree of gun shake. The shooter can
thus practice different shooting stances, muscle control, and
breathing techniques, and use the feedback from the gun shake
sensor to evaluate and adjust these parameters. This training aid
improves firearm accuracy without the need for stands, stabilizers,
or other aids. The training aid can be rapidly attached to, and
removed from any firearm.
Inventors: |
SINGH; Vijay; (Far Hills,
NJ) |
Family ID: |
47021608 |
Appl. No.: |
13/090551 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 1/467 20130101;
F41G 3/26 20130101; F41A 33/00 20130101; F41C 27/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/19 |
International
Class: |
F41G 3/28 20060101
F41G003/28 |
Claims
1. A marksmanship aid for training a user of a firearm, comprising:
means for mounting the aid to the firearm in substantial alignment
with a line of fire of the firearm; first gyroscopic means for
measuring a first rate of change about a first axis that is
perpendicular to said line of fire; second gyroscopic means for
measuring a second rate of change about a second axis that is
orthogonal to said line of fire and said first axis; means for
comparing said first and second rates of change to a first
predetermined threshold and a second predetermined threshold,
respectively; first feedback means for providing an aural feedback
to the user when said first and second rates of change exceed said
first predetermined threshold or said second predetermined
threshold, respectively; and second feedback means for providing a
visual feedback to the user when said first and second rates of
change are less than said first predetermined threshold and said
second predetermined threshold, respectively.
2. The aid according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means is
adapted to be mounted to a right side of the firearm.
3. The aid according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means is
adapted to be mounted to a left side of the firearm.
4. The aid according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means
comprises a Picatinny rail.
5. The aid according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means
comprises a Weaver rail.
6. The aid according to claim 1, further comprising: third
gyroscopic means for measuring a third rate of change about a third
axis that is substantially parallel to said line of fire and
orthogonal to said first and second axes; wherein said comparing
means is adapted to compare said first, second, and third rates of
change to said first predetermined threshold, said second
predetermined threshold, and a third predetermined threshold,
respectively; wherein said first feedback means is adapted to
provide said aural feedback to the user when said first, second,
and third rates of change exceed said first predetermined
threshold, said second predetermined threshold, or said third
predetermined threshold, respectively; and wherein said second
feedback means is adapted to provide said visual feedback to the
user when said first, second, and third rates of change are less
than said first predetermined threshold, said second predetermined
threshold, and said third predetermined threshold,
respectively.
7. The aid according to claim 1, further comprising a timer for
determining an elapsed time when said first and second rates of
change are less than said first predetermined threshold and said
second predetermined threshold, respectively.
8. The aid according to claim 7, further comprising means for
resetting said timer.
9. The aid according to claim 8, wherein said resetting means is
adapted to automatically reset said timer to zero when said first
or second rates of change exceed said first predetermined threshold
or said second predetermined threshold, respectively.
10. The aid according to claim 1, further comprising a timer for
determining an elapsed time when said first, second, and third
rates of change are less than said first predetermined threshold,
said second predetermined threshold, and said third predetermined
threshold, respectively.
11. The aid according to claim 10, further comprising means for
resetting said timer.
12. The aid according to claim 11, wherein said resetting means is
adapted to automatically reset said timer to zero when said first,
second, or third rates of change exceed said first predetermined
threshold, said second predetermined threshold, or said third
predetermined threshold, respectively.
13. A marksmanship aid for training a user, comprising: a firearm;
at least two rate detectors, each of which is mounted to said
firearm in substantial alignment with a line of fire of said
firearm and adapted to measure a rotational rate of change in two
independent axes; a first comparator for comparing said first rate
of change to a first predetermined threshold; a second comparator
for comparing said second rate of change to a second predetermined
threshold; means for providing feedback to the user, wherein said
feedback means is coupled to receive inputs from said first and
second comparators; a timer for determining an elapsed time; and
means for resetting said timer to zero.
14. The aid according to claim 13, wherein said feedback means is
adapted to provide an aural feedback to the user when said first
and second rates of change exceed said first predetermined
threshold or said second predetermined threshold, respectively.
15. The aid according to claim 13, wherein said feedback means is
adapted to provide a visual feedback to the user when said first
and second rates of change are less than said first predetermined
threshold and said second predetermined threshold,
respectively.
16. The aid according to claim 13, further comprising a voice
synthesizer which is coupled to said feedback means and said timer,
and is adapted to provide an aural feedback to the user of said
elapsed time that said first and second rates of change are less
than said first predetermined threshold or said second
predetermined threshold.
17. The aid according to claim 13, further comprising: another rate
detector which is mounted to said firearm in substantial alignment
with a line of fire of said firearm and adapted to measure a
rotational rate of change in a third independent axis which is
orthogonal to said two independent axes; a third comparator for
comparing said third rate of change to a third predetermined
threshold; and wherein said feedback means is coupled to receive
inputs from said first, second, and third comparators.
18. The aid according to claim 17, wherein said feedback means is
adapted to provide an aural feedback to the user when said first,
second, or third rates of change exceed said first predetermined
threshold, said second predetermined threshold, and third
respectively.
19. The aid according to claim 17, wherein said feedback means is
adapted to provide a visual feedback to the user when said first,
second, and third rates of change are less than said first
predetermined threshold, said second predetermined threshold, and
said third predetermined threshold, respectively.
20. The aid according to claim 13, further comprising a voice
synthesizer which is coupled to said feedback means and said timer,
and is adapted to provide an aural feedback to the user of said
elapsed time that said first, second, and third rates of change are
less than said first predetermined threshold, said second
predetermined threshold, and said third predetermined threshold,
respectively.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to weapons training
systems, and more particularly to training aids for use in the
field of firearms, archery, and related activities.
[0003] Good marksmanship is essential not only for the success of
police and military forces, but also for sport and target shooting.
A key issue in marksmanship training is the attainment of a steady
firing position. This involves many variables, including selection
of firing position, muscle tension, control of breathing, and
consciousness of heart beat. The steady position must be attained
for a period of time up to, including, and just after the discharge
of the firearm. One purpose of embodiments according to the present
invention is to provide a training aid that can rapidly improve
control of gun shake during all these three phases, thereby
improving marksmanship.
[0004] 2. Statement of the Prior Art
[0005] In the prior art, there is substantially clear evidence that
gun shake is the major cause of poor accuracy, especially in
offhand (i.e., unsupported) shooting. However, conventional
solutions to this problem often come in one of two forms. Tedious
repetitive training is one of these conventional forms. Various
aids to stabilize the gun mechanically is the other.
[0006] Several devices have been proposed in the art to actively
stabilize firearms ranging from simple slings and tripods to
gyroscopic sensors and servo mechanisms. All these aids increase
complexity and often require power sources. Other methods include
special handgrips and stabilizing aids. All these devices also
require the firearm to be significantly modified. In any event,
such devices would not be permitted in competition.
[0007] There remains a fundamental need to improve shooting
accuracy. Improving accuracy requires better control of gun shake.
Despite the advances of technology resulting in better optics,
laser aided-sights, there has been no advance in the training of
shooting techniques, both for firearms, as well as archery.
Traditional techniques used for hundreds of years are still used to
teach basic marksmanship skills. These techniques require the
shooting of thousands of practice rounds at targets in the hope
that the student will somehow develop the correct stance and
breathing control needed. The difficulty is that the shooter has no
quantifiable feedback on the jitter or shake of the gun, but
instead must resort to a "hit or miss" strategy based on evaluating
the accuracy of shots fired on a target. This repetitive, tedious,
and costly training is currently the only way to evolve better
shooting accuracy.
[0008] It is well known from numerous biofeedback studies, in
diverse areas from sleep disorders to memory improvement, that if
suitable feedback is provided, then it is possible to rapidly learn
new behaviors and correct bad habits. In the absence of feedback,
the user has no means of assessing and correcting these
deficiencies.
[0009] Thus, there exists a need for a marksmanship training aid
that can provide feedback to the shooter on the relative movement
of the firearm so that he/she can adjust their stance and control
their breathing to better stabilize the firearm, and thereby
increase their potential accuracy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] These and other objects, advantages, and novel features are
provided by embodiments of the present invention, which overcome
all these difficulties and provides all the desired features by
measuring firearm shake using gyroscopic motions sensors. These
sensors measure the rate of change about at least two orthogonal
axes. The gyroscopes quantify shaking of the weapon in up-and-down,
and side-to-side direction by using inertial measurements of a rate
of change. The rate of change signals are compared to a user set
threshold and an audio tone warns the user when the firearm is
shaking beyond the user set limit. Use of auditory feedback ensures
that the user is not visually distracted in any way from the
target.
[0011] In practice, the user attaches the training device to a
firearm and practices holding it steady in a variety of positions.
The objective is to hold the firearm steady enough that the audio
tone is no longer heard (i.e., "gun steady"), and then continue to
hold it steady for as long as possible. Once the gun shakes, the
resumption of the audio tone indicates to the user that the
exercise is over and they can now lower the firearm and examine the
displayed elapsed "steady" time. The user can then repeat the
exercise in an effort to improve the "steady time". Breathing and
heartbeat timing can be quantified and alternate positions
evaluated scientifically. Muscle tension and strength can be
studied. The user can also evaluate how steady they can hold the
weapon during all three critical phases of firearm operation--1)
acquire target; 2) aim, and 3) pull trigger and follow through.
[0012] The feedback provided by embodiments of the present
invention can rapidly improve marksmanship skills.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing and other features of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following description of
exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the marksmanship training
aid mounted on the right side of the firearm;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the orientation of the gyroscopes relative to
movement of the gun barrel; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of various components of the
marksmanship training aid according to embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Exemplary embodiments are discussed in detail below. While
specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be
understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. In
describing and illustrating the exemplary embodiments, specific
terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the
embodiments are not intended to be limited to the specific
terminology so selected. Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant
art will recognize that other components and configurations may be
used without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
embodiments. It is to be understood that each specific element
includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner
to accomplish a similar purpose. Therefore, the examples and
embodiments described herein are non-limiting examples.
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or
structurally similar elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an aiming
device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] Aiming device or marksmanship training aid 10 generally
comprises a gun shake detector suitable for installation on a
firearm, typically using a clamp around the barrel, or mounted on a
Picatinny or Weaver rail. It may also be used on a crossbow,
archery bow, or camera. It suitably comprises a gyroscopic sensor
module that detects rate of change around at least two orthogonal
axes, a module capable of generating an audio tone and visual
signal in response to the rate data, and a display module that
shows the elapsed time that the gun has successfully been held
steady.
[0020] One embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.
The marksmanship training aid 10 is mounted on the right side of
the firearm 20 in substantial alignment with the firearm barrel 18.
It could equally be mounted on the left side of the firearm 20 for
left-handed shooters.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the device comprises two gyroscopes 30,
31 to measure the rate of change in the x and y-axis. Gyroscope 30
is mounted such that it is aligned perpendicular to the axis of the
gun barrel 18 in the horizontal plane (i.e., the x-axis). Thus, it
is most sensitive to up-and-down movements of the gun barrel. The
second gyroscope 31 is mounted in an orthogonal position in the
vertical plane (i.e., the y-axis) so that it is most sensitive to
side-to-side movement of the firearm. A third gyroscope (not shown)
could be added to measure the rate of roll of the gun barrel in the
z-axis. Roll jitter is not very pronounced in a handheld firearm
and measurement about this third axis may be omitted without
departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0022] One ideal position would be to attach the marksmanship
training aid 10 at the natural fulcrum of the handheld firearm.
Referring again to FIG. 2, in the case of a rifle, this point 68,
is approximately where the non-firing (i.e., support) hand is
placed on the stock. Placing the gyroscopes at position 68 in the
orientation depicted would provide the greatest sensitivity to
detect firearm shake. However, in practice, any convenient point as
close as possible to the natural fulcrum may be used without a
significant loss in sensitivity. This allows for the training
device to be mounted on almost any firearm without any need for
modification. The natural fulcrum of a pistol or bow may also be
readily determined to provide a suitable location for use of the
marksmanship training aid 10 on such weapons.
[0023] Referring back to FIG. 1. when the firearm is held by the
user and aimed at target 40, the unavoidable jitter or shake would
cause the projected bullet trajectory to vary from the true course
26 to some arbitrary trajectories as typified by 25 and 27. This
accuracy can be related to angular movement of the firearm due to
shake and is quantified by the term "minute of arc" or MOA. As is
well known, MOA is a unit of angular measurement used in the
firearms industry on scopes or firearms to define shooting
accuracy. It is popular because 1 MOA almost equals one inch
(1.0472 inches to be more precise) at 100 yards. With a rifle
clamped to a rest so that it is completely steady, it is possible
to get an accuracy of better then 1/2 MOA. With a handheld firearm,
the typical accuracy degrades to as low as 4 MOA due to gun shake.
A well trained and skilled sharpshooter is able to get 1 MOA using
a handheld position, but this is very difficult to achieve for most
shooters using current training methods.
[0024] The marksmanship training aid 10 according to embodiments of
the present invention measures angular movement about the x- and
y-axes of the gyroscope sensing module mounted on the firearm. The
gyroscopes in this module output the rate of change about their
respective axes. If the firearm is completely steady then the
output from either gyroscope is zero. Any movement of the gun about
the x- and y-axis causes the gyroscopes to produce a voltage signal
proportional to the rate of change about the respective axes.
[0025] Referring to the schematic diagram in FIG. 3, the rate of
change output from each gyroscope 30, 31 may be fed to a window
comparator circuit. The rate of change is compared to a user set
value input using potentiometer 52. If the rate of change is
greater than the user set value, then the comparator 32 (x-axis)
and comparator 33 (y-axis) produces an output indicating that the
input from each respective gyroscope is outside the set threshold.
This error output is fed to a microprocessor 34 that produces a
tone using speaker 35 or earpiece 36. It also activates a visual
indicator by lighting LED 37. The user holds the gun steady until
the audible tone is silent. This indicates that the gun movement is
less than the user-set threshold and may be considered to be
steady. After the gun is steady for at least one second, a software
timer may count the number of seconds the gun remains steady, and
show this elapsed or "steady" time on display 12. If the gun moves
more that the rate set by the user threshold setting, then the
timer stops, and the shooter can read the elapsed seconds (shown as
"09" in FIG. 3) on display 12 to determine their performance on the
exercise. This numeric feedback is important in order for the
shooter to strive for a longer and longer "steady" time, thereby
increasing their skill level. Different firing positions, firearm
holding techniques, and muscle tension can be evaluated based on
the time the gun can be held steady. Movement due to breathing and
heartbeat may also be evaluated and suitable techniques developed
to compensate for shake due to these necessary bodily movements.
Pressing button 36 resets the timer to zero and the shooter is
ready for another exercise. Alternatively, the device may be
configured to reset itself automatically after a few seconds.
[0026] A MEMS single-chip dual-axis gyroscope (e.g., Invensense,
IDG-1123, Invensense Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif.) may be used according
to one presently preferred embodiment. Rotating this chip about the
orthogonal x and y axes results in a Coriolis force on the
corresponding x- or y-rate sensor. This gyroscope chip provides an
output of 23 mV/degree/sec on each independent axis. Various
capacitors may be used to provide low- and high-pass filters to
limit the response from 10 Hz to 200 kHz. This limits high
frequency noise, and provides an optimal range for detecting
human-induced shake.
[0027] In principle, any gyroscopic sensor may be used, the only
restriction being that it must measure at least two orthogonal axes
independently and these axes must be aligned substantially as shown
in FIG. 2. Two window comparator chips (e.g., LTC-1042, Linear
Technology Corp, Milpitas, Calif.) may be used to detect movements
outside the user set threshold. A 16PIC628 microprocessor
manufactured by Microchip Inc., Chandler, Ariz. may be used to
generate the audio tone and to time the comparator signals.
[0028] Microprocessor 34 suitably displays the elapsed time on, for
example, a 7-segment LED display. The entire device 10 may be
powered by a battery. In one alternative embodiment, the LED
display 12 may be eliminated, and the elapsed time may be spoken
through a speaker 35 or ear phone 36 using appropriate
voice-synthesis algorithms. One advantage of the foregoing
alternate embodiment is that the user does not have to take his
attention away from sighting the firearm to view the elapsed time
count, but can simply hear it.
[0029] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of embodiments of the present invention. Various
alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in
the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Even
handheld aiming of cameras would benefit from this invention.
Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *