초록 ▼

Device for detecting and counting shots fired by an automatic or semi-automatic fire arm with a barrel and moving parts to recock the fire arm, sliding in the axial direction (Y-Y′) of the barrel between a front position and a rear position, whereby the fire arm undergoes accelerations in the

Device for detecting and counting shots fired by an automatic or semi-automatic fire arm with a barrel and moving parts to recock the fire arm, sliding in the axial direction (Y-Y′) of the barrel between a front position and a rear position, whereby the fire arm undergoes accelerations in the axial direction (Y-Y′) of the barrel for every fired shot, caused by a succession of shocks due to the shot being fired and to the movements of the moving parts, whereby the progression in time of the accelerations is typical for a fire arm and for the type of ammunition used, thus forming a typical signature for the fire arm and for the type of ammunition, characterized in that it comprises an accelerometer (2) with a pass band which is sensitive to shocks in the axial direction (Y-Y′) of the barrel and a microprocessor (3) for analyzing the signal (S) of the accelerometer (2) while firing, whereby the microprocessor (3) is equipped with an algorithm to count the number of shots fired, based on the discernment and recording of a shot being fired on the basis of the detection, in the signal of the accelerometer, of all or part of the characteristic elements of the acceleration signature which is typical of the type of fire arm and of the different types of ammunition used, whereby these characteristic elements are recorded beforehand in a memory (4) of the device.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. Device for detecting and counting shots fired by an automatic or semi-automatic firearm, comprising: a barrel and moving parts to recock the firearm, sliding in the axial direction of the barrel between a front position and a rear position, wherein the firearm undergoes

The invention claimed is: 1. Device for detecting and counting shots fired by an automatic or semi-automatic firearm, comprising: a barrel and moving parts to recock the firearm, sliding in the axial direction of the barrel between a front position and a rear position, wherein the firearm undergoes accelerations in the axial direction of the barrel for every fired shot, caused by a succession of shocks due to the shot being fired and to the movements of the moving parts, wherein the progression in time of the accelerations is typical for a firearm and for the type of ammunition used, thus forming a typical acceleration signature for the firearm and for the type of ammunition, and including an accelerometer with a pass band which is sensitive to shocks in the axial direction of the barrel and a microprocessor for analyzing the signal of the accelerometer while firing, wherein the microprocessor is equipped with an algorithm to count the number of shots fired, based on the discernment and recording of a shot being fired on the basis of the detection, in the signal of the accelerometer, of characteristic elements of the acceleration signature which is typical of the type of firearm and of the different types of ammunition used, said characteristic elements of said acceleration signature comprising acceleration pulses, acceleration variations and calm zones during which the level of the signal of the accelerometer is practically zero, wherein the characteristic elements are defined at least by a duration, a direction, an absolute or relative amplitude, and time intervals therebetween and wherein these characteristic elements are stored beforehand in a memory of the device. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the algorithm to determine whether a shot has been fired is based on the occurrence of at least two shocks within an expected amplitude range and an expected direction within pre-determined time ranges which are characteristic of this type of firearm. 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the algorithm to determine whether a shot has been fired is based on the occurrence of at least three successive shocks within an expected amplitude range and an expected direction within pre-determined time ranges separated by calm zones of pre-determined time durations which are characteristic for the respective type of firearm and during which the level of the signal of the accelerometer is practically zero, and on the fact that one of the shocks goes in the opposite direction of the other shocks. 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein if there have been three shocks, the algorithm makes it possible to measure and to memorize the time interval between the first shock and the second shock, wherein said interval corresponds to the recoil time of the moving parts of the firearm so as to allow for the diagnosis and/or the adjustment of the firearm. 5. Device according to claim 1, wherein, if there have been three shocks, the algorithm makes it possible to measure and to memorize the maximum level of the signal produced by the second shock so as to allow for the diagnosis and/or the adjustment of the firearm. 6. Device according to claim 1, wherein, if there have been three shocks, the algorithm makes it possible to calculate and to memorize the relationship between the maximum level of the signal produced by the second shock and the maximum level of the initial shock and/or the maximum level of the third closing shock so as to allow for the diagnosis and/or the adjustment of the firearm. 7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the algorithm is programmed for detecting and memorizing the absence of a part or of certain characteristic elements of the acceleration signature for one type or different types of ammunition used to indicate the malfunctioning of the firearm. 8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the algorithm makes it possible to discern the type of ammunition used, depending on whether at least a part of or certain characteristic elements of the acceleration signature correspond to the signature of the type of ammunition used. 9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the algorithm takes the direction of the first initial shock of the signature into account to make a distinction between blank and live cartridges being fired. 10. Device according to claim 1, wherein the pass band of the accelerometer is in the order of 400 Hz. 11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the algorithm makes it possible to measure the interval between the shots fired, such that the firing conditions and the rate of fire can be identified. 12. Device according to claim 11, a display indicating the programmed marginal or excessive firing conditions. 13. Device according to claim 11, including a mechanical actuator which can act on a mechanism of the firearm and which is controlled by the microprocessor so as to act on the firing mode of the firearm. 14. Device according to claim 1, including a real-time clock which enables the microprocessor to register the date of every fired shot in the memory. 15. Device according to claim 1, including a localization system enabling the microprocessor to register the position of the firearm for every fired shot in the memory. 16. Device according to claim 1 including a power supply and a switch to turn on the device or to activate a wake-up signal of the microprocessor that has a standby mode. 17. Device according to claim 16, wherein the switch is a switch that is activated by pressing a trigger of the firearm. 18. Device according to claim 16, wherein the switch is a sensor that detects when a grip is taken in hand. 19. Device according to claim 16, wherein the switch is a shock sensor which is activated as soon as a pre-determined shock level is reached. 20. Device according to claim 16, including two unidirectional shock sensors connected in parallel and placed head to tail so as to memorize the direction of the shock which has turned on the device or has put the microprocessor out of standby mode. 21. Automatic or semi-automatic firearm comprising a device according to claim 1.