Simulated shooting device and system

Abstract

A simulated shooting device (10) comprises a portable body (12) in the shape of a hunting rifle with a barrel (18) extending outwardly at an operatively front end (20) of the device. The device includes a digital camera unit (34) mounted on the body and activated by a trigger (50) to take a photograph of a target object at which the barrel and camera unit are pointing when the trigger is pulled, the photograph being stored in a digital memory (102) in the body for later retrieval and analysis. A recoil mechanism (52) is provided in the body to generate recoil when the trigger is pulled, and a gunshot emulator (54) generates the sound of a gunshot. A laser rangefinder (40, 42) is provided to measure the distance to the target object at the moment the trigger is pulled. Other components are also activated upon pulling of the trigger, including a GPS unit (104), receiver for a heart rate monitor (106), wind speed meter (108), digital magnetic compass (110) and temperature sensor (112), so as to store information associated with the photograph on the digital memory for later retrieval and analysis.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a simulated shooting device and system. More specifically, the invention relates to a simulated shooting device and system in which photographs of targeted objects are acquired rather than projectiles being fired.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Various devices have been proposed to recreate the experience of hunting without harming animals. Rifle-style cameras that facilitate simulated shooting have been disclosed that use mirrors to split the image received from a telescopic sight mounted on a rifle-shaped device. A photograph of the image received by the sight can be taken by pulling a trigger which, instead of causing a projectile to be fired, is connected to the camera shutter. Cross-hairs may be superimposed onto the photograph image to show the position at which the shooter was aiming when the photograph was taken. In other devices, a laser dot may be shone onto the target to indicate the position at which the shooter was ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]It is an object of this invention to provide a device and system for simulated shooting which facilitates a more realistic hunting experience than existing devices but which does not rely on the use of an actual firearm and is consequently safe to be operated by unlicensed users, in conservation areas and out of ordinary hunting season.

Problems solved by technology

A drawback of the device disclosed in WO 98 / 49514 is that it does not provide a particularly realistic hunting experience; the use of the device being more akin to use of a camera than that of a hunting rifle, since the result of pulling the trigger is simply the click of a camera shutter.

This reduces the appeal of the device for those who want to experience the thrill of hunting.

While using such a system together with blank ammunition would provide a more realistic hunting experience than the other devices mentioned, using an actual firearm has the drawback that the appropriate weapon and hunting licenses are required.

The use of such devices has therefore primarily been limited to training for military personnel.

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