Ammunition counter

The bullet counter uses vibration and pressure detection to accurately count fired bullets and detect magazine emptiness, addressing inaccuracies in existing systems by considering firearm-specific vibrations and pressures, ensuring precise and user-friendly operation.

JP7832660B2Active Publication Date: 2026-03-18IT COSMOS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-03-25
Publication Date
2026-03-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing automatic counting devices for fired bullets in small firearms inaccurately count the number of shots due to processing vibration and sound signals without considering firearm mechanisms and other shooting sounds, leading to inaccurate counts.

Method used

A bullet counter that uses a vibration detection unit to detect vibrations exceeding a predetermined threshold at specific time intervals, optionally combined with a pressure detection unit, to accurately count fired bullets, and determine if the magazine is empty.

Benefits of technology

Accurately counts fired bullets and determines magazine status, providing a user-friendly, lightweight, and easy-to-attach counter with a simple structure that is not affected by nearby firearm vibrations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a gunshot bullet number counter which is small-sized and in a simple structure and is easily fitted to a gun or handled.SOLUTION: In a gunshot bullet number counter, a vibration sensor fitted to an automatic rifle detects a vibration occurring in the automatic rifle, a count part counts a number of fired bullets in one shot when a group of continuous vibrations in a predetermined vibration threshold value or more detected by the vibration sensor occurs twice in a prescribed time interval, it determines that bullets remain in a magazine of the automatic rifle when a third group of vibrations occurs in a predetermined time from the second group of vibrations and continues to count the number of fired bullets, and determines that the magazine is empty when the third group of vibrations does not occur in the predetermined time and stops counting the number of fired bullets. In addition, a display part displays the number of fired bullets counted at the count part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shooting bullet count device that can accurately count the number of fired bullets when a small firearm or the like is fired.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in shooting drills of small firearms such as guns, especially when a shooter repeats shooting while moving, there is an automatic counting device for the number of fired bullets that can grasp the actual number of fired bullets. In this device, based on detection signals from an acceleration sensor and a sound wave sensor attached to a small firearm, whether a bullet has been fired is determined by a logic circuit built into a monitor. When it is determined that a bullet has been fired, a counter circuit built into the monitor automatically counts the number of fired bullets, and this count value is displayed on a display (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above automatic counting device for the number of fired bullets, when processing the vibration detected by the vibration sensor and the shooting sound signal detected by the acoustic sensor, it simply counts when both the vibration level and the acoustic level exceed the threshold value as if a bullet has been fired, without considering the mechanism of the small firearm and the shooting sounds of other small firearms, so there is a problem that the count is not accurate.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a shooting bullet count device that is small and has a simple structure, is easy to attach to and handle a gun, and can accurately count the number of fired bullets.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be realized in the following examples of applications. The reference numerals and supplementary explanations in parentheses in this section are provided to aid in understanding the present invention and indicate its correspondence with the embodiments described later; they do not limit the present invention in any way.

[0007] [Application Example 1] The invention described in Application Example 1 is, A bullet counter (1) that counts the number of bullets (5) fired from a gun (3), A vibration detection unit (10) is attached to the gun (3) and detects vibrations generated by the gun (3), The vibration detection unit (10) detects a series of vibrations exceeding a predetermined vibration threshold, and when these vibrations occur multiple times at predetermined time intervals, the counting unit (20) counts this as one shot fired. The gist of this is that it is equipped with the following features.

[0008] In such a firing counter (1), a vibration detection unit (10) attached to the gun (3) detects vibrations generated in the gun (3). When the gun (3) is fired, vibrations exceeding a predetermined vibration threshold occur continuously in a short period of time, and these continuous vibrations exceeding the threshold are called a vibration group.

[0009] Here, the inventor conducted various experiments and discovered that when a bullet (5) is fired from a gun (3), not just a single wave of vibrations occurs, but multiple waves of vibrations occur at predetermined time intervals.

[0010] Therefore, by counting the occurrence of multiple vibrations detected by the vibration detection unit (10) at predetermined time intervals as one firing event, or in other words, as one bullet (5) being fired from the gun (3), it became possible to accurately count the number of bullets fired.

[0011] In other words, a small and simple structure using only a vibration detection unit (10) enables accurate counting of the number of rounds fired. Furthermore, since the level of vibration during firing is very high, the vibration detection unit (10) that detects it does not need to be very sensitive and can be small, resulting in a lightweight, easy-to-attach, and easy-to-handle round counter (1) that can be mounted on a gun (3).

[0012] [Application Example 2] The ammunition counter (2) described in Application Example 2 is the same as the ammunition counter (1) described in Application Example 1, The gun (3) is equipped with a pressure detection unit (50) that detects the air pressure generated when the gun (3) is fired, The counting unit (20) is, The gist of this system is that if the first group of vibrations exceeding a predetermined vibration threshold detected by the vibration detection unit (10) is detected, and then within the first hour the pressure detection unit (50) detects a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold, or if, after the pressure detection unit (50) detects a pressure exceeding the pressure threshold, the second group of vibrations detected by the vibration detection unit (10) occurs within the second hour, it is counted as one fired projectile.

[0013] When a bullet (5) is fired from the gun (3), in addition to the vibrations that can be detected by the vibration detection unit (10), an air pressure wave is generated from the muzzle. Therefore, as in this bullet count counter (2), by adding the air pressure detected by the pressure detection unit (50) that is above a predetermined pressure threshold to the vibrations that occur when the gun (3) is fired, the number of bullets fired from the gun (3) can be counted more accurately.

[0014] [Application Example 3] The ammunition counter (1,2) described in Application Example 3 is the same as the ammunition counter (1,2) described in Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, The counting unit (20) is, When a continuous vibration group above a predetermined vibration threshold detected by the vibration detection unit (10) occurs twice at a predetermined time interval, it is counted as the number of fired bullets per shot. When a third vibration group occurs within a predetermined time from the vibration group that occurred the second time, it is determined that the bullet (5) remains in the magazine (40) of the gun (3), and the counting of the number of fired bullets is continued. When the third vibration group does not occur within the predetermined time, it is determined that the bullet (5) does not remain in the magazine (40) of the gun (3), and the counting of the number of fired bullets is stopped.

[0015] Here, there is a gun (3) that is automatically fed from the magazine (40) while the trigger is being pulled, like a semi-automatic pistol, and continuous firing is performed. In contrast, the shooting bullet count counter (1, 2) described in Application Example 2 can not only count the number of fired bullets from the gun (3) but also determine whether there are bullets (5) remaining in the magazine (40), making it a user-friendly shooting bullet count counter (1, 2).

[0016] [Application Example 4] The shooting bullet count counter (1, 2) described in Application Example 4 is the shooting bullet count counter (1, 2) described in any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, and is characterized by including a display unit (30) that displays the number of fired bullets counted by the counting unit (20).

[0017] In such a shooting bullet count counter (1, 2), since the counted number of shooting bullets is displayed, it becomes a user-friendly shooting bullet count counter (1, 2).

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a shooting bullet count counter. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a shooting bullet count counter. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a state where a shooting bullet count counter is attached to a gun. [Figure 4]It is a diagram showing the vibration pattern at the time of firing of a semi-automatic pistol detected by a vibration sensor. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining how bullets are loaded, fired, and the next bullet is loaded in a semi-automatic pistol. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining how bullets are loaded, fired, and the next bullet is loaded in a semi-automatic pistol. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the counting process. [Figure 8] It is a block diagram showing the functional schematic configuration of the fired bullet count counter in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the patterns of vibration waves and pressure waves at the time of firing of a semi-automatic pistol detected by a vibration sensor and a pressure sensor. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the counting process in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the flow of the counting process in the second embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0020] [First Embodiment] (Configuration of the Fired Bullet Count Counter 1) Based on FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the fired bullet count counter 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional schematic configuration of the fired bullet count counter 1, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the fired bullet count counter 1 (FIG. 2(a) is an external view, and FIG. 2(b) is an internal structure diagram). Note that in FIG. 2, the configuration also includes components of the fired bullet count counter 2 of the second embodiment described later.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the fired bullet count counter 1 includes a vibration sensor 10, a count unit 20, and a display unit 30. The vibration sensor 10 is attached to the automatic rifle 3 and is an acceleration-detection type vibration sensor that detects vibrations such as those generated in the automatic rifle 3 during firing.

[0022] The counting unit 20 is responsible for counting the number of bullets 5 fired by the automatic rifle 3 based on the vibration pattern detected by the vibration sensor 10, and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, timer, and I / O (not shown). The counting process in the counting unit 20 is executed by a program stored in the ROM when the power is turned on and terminates when the power is turned off.

[0023] Furthermore, the components of the firing count counter 1 are housed inside the cylindrical cover 60 shown in Figure 2(a), as shown in Figure 2(b). As shown in Figure 2(a), the cover 60 has a cylindrical, so-called scope-like shape, where the diameter of the ends is larger than the diameter of the central part in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] Furthermore, on the left end face in Figure 2(a), there is a hole with a screw formed on its inner surface for inserting a battery 70, which serves as the power source, and a cap 61 on its outer surface with a screw that fits into the hole and secures the battery 70 from the outside. In addition, a hole 62 is provided above the position of the cap 61 for detecting pressure with a pressure sensor 50, which will be described later.

[0025] In Figure 2(a), the right end face is provided with the power switch 21 and operation buttons 22 of the counting unit 20, and the liquid crystal display 31, which is a component of the display unit 30. As shown in Figure 2(b), the cover 60 houses a printed circuit board 80 on which a vibration sensor 10, a counting unit 20, and a display unit 30 are mounted, as well as a pressure sensor 50 and a battery 70.

[0026] (Status of ammunition counter) Next, we will explain the state in which the ammunition counter 1 is attached to the automatic rifle 3, based on Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the state in which the ammunition counter 1 is attached to the automatic rifle 3.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the ammunition counter 1 is attached to the rear of the flash suppressor 3b at the tip of the barrel 43 of the automatic rifle 3, with the barrel 43 sandwiched between the flange 90 and secured with a screw 91.

[0028] (Operation during firing) Figure 4 shows the vibration pattern detected by the vibration sensor 10 when a bullet 5 is fired from the automatic rifle 3.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, vibrations occur when a bullet 5 is fired from the automatic rifle 3. When a predetermined vibration threshold is set, the resulting vibrations alternate between areas where vibration waves exceeding the threshold are continuously generated and areas where vibration waves below the threshold are generated. The area where vibration waves exceeding the predetermined vibration threshold are continuously generated is called a vibration group.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, when bullet 5 is fired, three vibration groups appear, labeled "A," "B," and "C" in Figure 4. Therefore, by counting the number of bullets fired based on these three vibration groups, it is possible to accurately count the number of bullets fired and to determine whether or not bullet 5 remains in the magazine 40.

[0031] Here, based on Figures 5 and 6, we will explain the mechanism by which three vibration groups occur when bullet 5 is fired. Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating how bullet 5 is loaded, fired, and then the next bullet is loaded in the automatic rifle 3.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5(a), a bullet 5 is loaded from the magazine 40 into the chamber 41, and the bolt 42 closes the chamber 41. When the trigger (not shown) is pulled in this state, the firing pin (not shown) strikes the primer of bullet 5, and as indicated by the arrow in Figure 5(b), the propellant inside the cartridge case 5a of bullet 5 burns, generating gas and pushing the bullet 5b into the barrel 43. At this time, vibration occurs, which becomes the first vibration group indicated by "A" in Figure 4.

[0033] Next, as shown in Figure 5(c), as the bullet 5b moves through the barrel 43, the gas inside the barrel 43 fills the gas chamber 45 through the gas port 44. Then, as indicated by the arrow, the piston tube 46 is pushed by the gas, and its tip presses against the bolt 42, causing the bolt 42 to retract.

[0034] Then, as shown by the rightward arrow in Figure 6(a), the bolt 42 is pushed down, and the cartridge case 5a from which the bullet 5b has been removed is ejected from the chamber 41. At this time, the recoil spring 48 is compressed, and vibration occurs when the bolt 42 bottoms out, resulting in the second vibration group indicated by "B" in Figure 6(a).

[0035] Subsequently, as shown by the upward arrow in Figure 6(b), the next bullet 5 is loaded from the magazine 40. Then, as shown in Figure 6(c), the return spring 48 pushes the bolt 42, pushing the bullet 5 into the chamber 41 and closing the chamber 41. At this time, vibration occurs when the cartridge case 5a of the bullet 5 collides with the bolt 42, resulting in the third vibration group indicated by "C" in Figure 4.

[0036] As described above, it was found that the loading, firing, and loading cycle of the bullet 5 shown in Figure 5 coincides with the occurrence of the vibration group shown in Figure 4. This clearly demonstrates that the number of times the bullet 5 is fired can be accurately counted by detecting the vibrations generated during firing of the automatic rifle 3 with the vibration sensor 10.

[0037] The display unit 30 is a small liquid crystal display device, and it displays the number of rounds fired, counted by the counting unit 20, as numbers on the liquid crystal display 31.

[0038] (Counting process) Next, the counting process performed by the counting unit 20 will be explained based on Figure 7. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the counting process.

[0039] When the counting process begins, the CPU performs initial settings in S100. In the initial settings, the count value of the number of shots fired is set to 0, the timer value (timer value) is set to 0, the count value of the display unit 30 is set to 0, and the vibration threshold values ​​(first vibration threshold, second vibration threshold, and third vibration threshold) are obtained.

[0040] In the following step S105, a vibration value is acquired from the vibration sensor 10, and in the subsequent step S110, it is determined whether the vibration value acquired in S105 is equal to or greater than the first vibration threshold. If it is determined that the vibration value is equal to or greater than the first vibration threshold (S110: Yes), the process proceeds to S115. If it is determined that the vibration value is less than the first vibration threshold (S110: No), the process returns to S105, and the acquisition of the vibration value from the vibration sensor 10 is repeated. In this embodiment, the first vibration threshold is set to 30G.

[0041] In S115, the device waits for "a" mS, and in the subsequent S120, it acquires the vibration value from the vibration sensor 10 and the timer value. In this embodiment, "a" mS is set to 15 mS.

[0042] In the subsequent S125, it is determined whether the vibration value obtained in S120 is equal to or greater than the second vibration threshold. If it is determined that the vibration value is equal to or greater than the second vibration threshold (S125: Yes), the process proceeds to S130. If it is determined that the vibration value is less than the second vibration threshold (S125: No), the process proceeds to S135. In this embodiment, the second vibration threshold is set to 30G.

[0043] In S130, the timer value is acquired, and it is determined whether the elapsed time since the vibration value was acquired in S120 is less than or equal to "b" mS. If it is determined that the elapsed time is less than or equal to "b" mS (S130: Yes), the process returns to S105. If the elapsed time is greater than "b" mS (S130: No), the process proceeds to S140. In this embodiment, "b" mS is set to 10 mS.

[0044] In S135, the timer value is acquired, and it is determined whether the elapsed time since the vibration value was acquired in S120 is greater than or equal to "c" mS. If it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to "c" mS (S135: Yes), the process returns to S105. If the elapsed time is less than "c" mS (S135: No), the process returns to S120, and the acquisition of the vibration value is repeated. In this embodiment, "c" mS is set to 30 mS.

[0045] In S140, the elapsed time is determined from the timer value obtained in S130 to be less than or equal to "d" mS. If it is determined that the elapsed time is less than or equal to "d" mS (S140: Yes), the process proceeds to S145. If the elapsed time is greater than "d" mS (S140: No), the process returns to S105. In this embodiment, "d" mS is set to 20 mS.

[0046] In S145, the count value of the number of shots fired is incremented (+1), and in the following S150, the count value is displayed on the display unit 30. Furthermore, in the following S155, the vibration value is obtained from the vibration sensor 10, and the timer value is also obtained.

[0047] In the subsequent S160, it is determined whether the vibration value obtained in S155 is equal to or greater than the third vibration threshold. If it is determined that the vibration value is equal to or greater than the third vibration threshold (S160: Yes), the process proceeds to S165. If it is determined that the vibration value is less than the third vibration threshold (S160: No), the process proceeds to S170. In this embodiment, the third vibration threshold is set to 30G.

[0048] In S165, it is determined whether the elapsed time since the vibration value was acquired in S120 is between "e" mS and "f" mS. If it is determined that the elapsed time is between "e" mS and "f" mS (S165: Yes), it is determined that there is ammunition remaining in the magazine 40 of the automatic rifle 3, and the process proceeds to S175. If the elapsed time is less than "e" mS or greater than "f" mS (S165: No), it is determined that there is no ammunition remaining in the magazine 40 of the automatic rifle 3, and the process proceeds to S180. In this embodiment, "e" mS is 40 mS and "f" is 60 mS.

[0049] In S170, it is determined whether the elapsed time since the vibration value was obtained in S120 is greater than or equal to mS. If it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to gmS (S170: Yes), it is determined that there is no remaining ammunition in the magazine 40 of the automatic rifle 3, and the process proceeds to S180. If the elapsed time is less than gms (S175: No), the process returns to S155. In this embodiment, "g"mS is set to 70mS.

[0050] In S175, the display unit 30 displays that there are remaining rounds in the magazine 40, then the process returns to S105, and in S180, the display unit 30 displays that there are no remaining rounds in the magazine 40, and then the process stops.

[0051] Note that if the result is NO in S110, S135, and S170 of this counting process, the process returns to S105, S120, and S155 respectively, but the timeout period check in this case is omitted. If the timeout period has elapsed, the process returns to S105.

[0052] (Features of the Firing Ammunition Counter 1) As described above, the ammunition counter 1 accurately counts the number of rounds fired by counting when a group of vibrations detected by the vibration sensor 10 occurs multiple times at predetermined time intervals, or in other words, when one bullet 5 is fired from the automatic rifle 3.

[0053] In other words, a small and simple structure using only the vibration sensor 10 enables accurate counting of the number of rounds fired. Furthermore, since the level of vibration during firing is very high, the vibration sensor 10 that detects it does not need to be very sensitive and can be small, resulting in a lightweight, easy-to-attach, and easy-to-handle rounds counter 1 for automatic rifles 3.

[0054] Furthermore, with automatic rifle 3, ammunition is automatically fed and continuous firing occurs as long as the trigger is held down. However, with ammunition counter 1, not only can the number of rounds fired from automatic rifle 3 be counted, but it can also determine whether or not there is ammunition remaining in the magazine of 40 rounds, making ammunition counter 1 easy to use.

[0055] Furthermore, the ammunition counter 1 is user-friendly because it displays the number of rounds fired and whether there are any rounds remaining in the 40-round magazine. Furthermore, the detection of vibration groups with multiple peaks in vibration waveforms can be performed using a simple process that only employs a vibration threshold and time progression. Therefore, even for different types of guns, accurate counting of the number of rounds fired can be performed simply by changing the vibration threshold and time progression criteria.

[0056] [Second Embodiment] Next, the ammunition counter 2 in the second embodiment will be described. Since the ammunition counter 2 in the second embodiment has many components similar to the ammunition counter 1 in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components and their descriptions are omitted.

[0057] (Configuration of ammunition counter 2) The configuration of the ammunition counter 2 will be explained based on Figure 8. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the functional schematic configuration of the ammunition counter 2. Note that the structure of the ammunition counter 2 and how it is mounted on the automatic rifle 3 are the same as the ammunition counter 1 in the first embodiment, and were explained in the first embodiment, so the explanation is omitted here.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the ammunition counter 2 is an ammunition counter 1 with a pressure sensor 50 (pressure detection unit 50) added to it. The pressure sensor 50 is attached to the automatic rifle 3 together with the vibration sensor 10 and detects the pressure value of the air pressure wave generated from the muzzle when the automatic rifle 3 is fired. The configuration other than the pressure sensor 50 is the same as that of the ammunition counter 1 in the first embodiment.

[0059] (Operation during firing) Figure 9 shows the vibration wave and pressure wave patterns detected by the vibration sensor 10 and pressure sensor 50 when a bullet 5 is fired from the automatic rifle 3. In Figure 9, vibration waves are indicated by "Q" and pressure waves by "P".

[0060] As explained with reference to Figure 4 in the first embodiment, vibration occurs when a bullet 5 is fired from the automatic rifle 3. In addition, as shown in Figure 9, pressure waves are generated in addition to vibration when the automatic rifle 3 is fired.

[0061] In Figure 9, the vibration group consists of a first vibration group indicated as "A" and a second vibration group indicated as "B" in Figure 9, just as in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 4). In addition, a pressure wave (indicated as "D" in Figure 9) is generated for approximately the same period as the first vibration group A, or in other words, overlapping with vibration group A.

[0062] Therefore, if the pressure sensor 50 detects a pressure wave at a predetermined pressure threshold within one hour after detecting the first group of vibrations, or if the second group of vibrations occurs within two hours after the pressure sensor 50 detects a pressure wave above a predetermined pressure threshold, it is possible to count the number of fired projectiles by counting them as one projectile.

[0063] (Counting process in the counting unit 20) Next, the counting process performed by the counting unit 20 of the second embodiment will be described based on Figures 10 and 11. Figures 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of the counting process in the second embodiment.

[0064] When the counting process begins, the CPU performs initial settings in S200. In the initial settings, the count value of the number of shots fired is set to 0, the timer value (timer value) is set to 0, the count value of the display unit 30 is set to 0, and the vibration thresholds (first vibration threshold, second vibration threshold, and third vibration threshold), pressure threshold, first time, and second time are acquired.

[0065] In the subsequent S205, vibration values ​​are obtained from the vibration sensor 10, pressure values ​​are obtained from the pressure sensor 50, and timer values ​​are obtained from the timer. In the subsequent S210, it is determined whether the vibration value obtained in S205 is equal to or greater than the first vibration threshold. If it is determined that the vibration value is equal to or greater than the first vibration threshold (S210: Yes), the process proceeds to S215. If it is determined that the vibration value is less than the first vibration threshold (S210: No), the process proceeds to S230. In this embodiment, the first vibration threshold is set to 30G.

[0066] In S215, the pressure value is obtained from the pressure sensor 50, and the timer value is obtained from the timer. In the subsequent S220, it is determined whether the pressure value obtained in S215 is equal to or greater than the pressure threshold. If it is determined that the pressure value is equal to or greater than the pressure threshold (S220: Yes), the process proceeds to S225. If it is determined that the pressure value is less than the pressure threshold (S220: No), the process returns to S215.

[0067] In S225, it is determined whether the difference between the timer value obtained in S215 and the timer value obtained in S205 (hereinafter referred to as "first elapsed time") is within the first elapsed time. If it is determined that the first elapsed time is within the first elapsed time (S225: Yes), the process proceeds to S250; if it is determined that it is not within the first elapsed time (S225: No), the process returns to S205.

[0068] In S230, it is determined whether the pressure value obtained in S205 is equal to or greater than the pressure threshold. If it is determined that the pressure value is equal to or greater than the pressure threshold (S230: Yes), the process proceeds to S235. If it is determined that the pressure value is less than the pressure threshold (S230: No), the process returns to S205.

[0069] In S235, vibration values ​​are obtained from the vibration sensor 10, and timer values ​​are obtained from the timer. In the subsequent S240, it is determined whether the vibration value obtained in S235 is equal to or greater than the second vibration threshold. If it is determined that the vibration value is equal to or greater than the second vibration threshold (S240: Yes), the process proceeds to S250. If it is determined that the vibration value is less than the second vibration threshold (S240: No), the process proceeds to S255. In this embodiment, the second vibration threshold is set to 30G.

[0070] In S240, it is determined whether the difference between the timer value obtained in S230 and the timer value obtained in S215 (hereinafter referred to as "second elapsed time") is within the second elapsed time. If it is determined that the second elapsed time is within the second elapsed time (S240: Yes), the process proceeds to S245; if it is determined that it is not within the second elapsed time (S240: No), the process returns to S235.

[0071] In S250, the count value of the number of shots fired is incremented (+1), and in the following S255, the count value is displayed on the display unit 30. Furthermore, in the following S260, the vibration value is obtained from the vibration sensor 10 and the timer value is obtained from the timer.

[0072] In the subsequent S265, it is determined whether the vibration value obtained in S260 is equal to or greater than the third vibration threshold. If it is determined that the vibration value is equal to or greater than the third vibration threshold (S265: Yes), the process proceeds to S270. If it is determined that the vibration value is less than the third vibration threshold (S265: No), the process proceeds to S280. In this embodiment, the third vibration threshold is set to 30G.

[0073] In S270, it is determined whether the elapsed time since the vibration value was acquired in S205 is between "e" mS and "f" mS. If it is determined that the elapsed time is between "e" mS and "f" mS (S270: Yes), it is determined that there is ammunition remaining in the magazine 40 of the automatic rifle 3, and the process proceeds to S275. If the elapsed time is less than "e" mS or greater than "f" mS (S270: No), the process returns to 205. In this embodiment, "e" mS is 40 mS and "f" is 60 mS.

[0074] In S280, it is determined whether the elapsed time since the vibration value was acquired in S205 is greater than or equal to gmS. If it is determined that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to gmS (S280: Yes), it is determined that there is no remaining ammunition in the magazine 40 of the automatic rifle 3, and the process proceeds to S285. If the elapsed time is less than gmS (S280: No), the process returns to S260. In this embodiment, "g"mS is set to 70mS.

[0075] In S275, the display unit 30 displays that there are remaining rounds in the magazine 40, then the process returns to S205, and in S285, the display unit 30 displays that there are no remaining rounds in the magazine 40, then the process stops.

[0076] Additionally, timeout periods are set in S220, S230, and S240. If the timeout period is exceeded, the process returns to S205 and the counting process is repeated.

[0077] In this type of ammunition counter 2, the number of rounds fired is counted by taking into account not only the vibrations generated when a bullet 5 is fired from the automatic rifle 3, but also the air pressure waves generated from the muzzle during firing, which are detected by the pressure sensor 50.

[0078] In other words, if the number of rounds fired is counted solely by the vibrations generated when the automatic rifle 3 is fired, vibrations from nearby automatic rifles 3 may also be counted. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, by taking the detected air pressure into consideration, the difference between the vibration transmission speed and the vibration speed of the air pressure wave allows for the counting of rounds fired only by the automatic rifle 3 to which the round count counter 2 is attached, without being affected by vibrations from nearby automatic rifles 3 firing, thus enabling accurate counting of the number of rounds fired.

[0079] [Other embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the rounds counter was attached to the automatic rifle 3, but it may also be attached to a pistol or a bolt-action rifle.

[0080] (2) In the above embodiment, the vibration thresholds (first vibration threshold, second vibration threshold, third vibration threshold) and predetermined intervals (in other words, the values ​​of a, b, c, d, e, f, and g) can be changed depending on the type of automatic rifle 3 to which the ammunition counter 1 is attached. Furthermore, since the characteristics of guns such as automatic rifles 3 may change due to wear and tear from firing, the vibration thresholds and predetermined intervals may be changed depending on the period of use and the number of rounds fired.

[0081] (3) In the above embodiment, the display unit 30 was attached to the case and integrated with the vibration sensor 10 and the counting unit 20. However, the display unit 30 may be a separate unit and electrically connected to the counting unit 20 by wired or wireless means, so that the display unit 30 is not attached to the automatic rifle 3 and is placed separately.

[0082] (4) In the above embodiment, the presence or absence of ammunition remaining in the magazine 40 of the automatic rifle 3 was determined and displayed, but if there is ammunition remaining, it may be determined that firing is being carried out continuously and a message indicating "continuous firing" may be displayed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1… Ammunition counter 3… Automatic rifle (gun) 3a… Barrel 3b… Flash suppressor 5… Ammunition 5a… Cartridge case 5b… Bullet 10… Vibration sensor (vibration detection unit) 20… Counting unit 21… Power switch 22… Operation buttons 30… Display unit 31… LCD display 40… Magazine 41… Chamber 42… Bolt 43… Barrel 44… Gas port 45… Gas chamber 46… Piston tube 47… Regulator 48… Return spring 50… Pressure sensor (pressure detection unit) 60… Cover 61… Cap 62… Hole 70… Battery 80… Printed circuit board 90… Flange 91… Screw.

Claims

1. A bullet counter that counts the number of bullets fired from a gun, A vibration detection unit attached to the aforementioned gun for detecting vibrations generated by the gun, A counting unit that counts a group of consecutive vibrations exceeding a predetermined vibration threshold, detected by the vibration detection unit, as one fired projectile when they occur multiple times at predetermined time intervals, The gun is equipped with a pressure detection unit that detects the air pressure generated when the gun is fired, The counting unit is A firing count counter characterized in that, after detecting the first group of vibrations exceeding a predetermined vibration threshold detected by the vibration detection unit, if the pressure detection unit detects a pressure exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold within a first time, or after detecting a pressure exceeding the pressure threshold by the pressure detection unit, if the second group of vibrations exceeding the predetermined vibration threshold detected by the vibration detection unit occurs within a second time, it counts as one fired round.

2. In the ammunition counter according to claim 1, The counting unit is A firing count counter characterized in that, when two consecutive vibration groups exceeding a predetermined vibration threshold, detected by the vibration detection unit, occur at predetermined time intervals, it is counted as one firing count; if a third vibration group occurs within a predetermined time interval from the second vibration group, it is determined that there are bullets remaining in the magazine of the gun, and the count of firing counts continues; and if the third vibration group does not occur within the predetermined time interval, it is determined that there are no bullets remaining in the magazine of the gun, and the count of firing counts stops.

3. A bullet counter that counts the number of bullets fired from a gun, A vibration detection unit attached to the aforementioned gun for detecting vibrations generated by the gun, A counting unit that counts a group of consecutive vibrations exceeding a predetermined vibration threshold, detected by the vibration detection unit, as one fired projectile when they occur multiple times at predetermined time intervals, The counting unit is A firing count counter characterized in that, when two consecutive vibration groups exceeding a predetermined vibration threshold, detected by the vibration detection unit, occur at predetermined time intervals, it is counted as one firing count; if a third vibration group occurs within a predetermined time interval from the second vibration group, it is determined that there are bullets remaining in the magazine of the gun, and the count of firing counts continues; and if the third vibration group does not occur within the predetermined time interval, it is determined that there are no bullets remaining in the magazine of the gun, and the count of firing counts stops.

4. In the ammunition counter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A firing rounds counter characterized by having a display unit that displays the number of rounds fired counted by the counting unit.

Citation Information

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