Abstract: A trigger assembly for a paintball gun preferably includes a trigger arranged to move between a forward and a rearward position. A position transducer is preferably arranged in communication with the trigger to detect an amount of movement of the trigger. The position transducer preferably generates a signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the trigger. A control circuit preferably receives the signal from the position transducer and initiates a firing operation of a firing device when the output signal characteristics satisfy certain predetermined parameters. In one embodiment, the control circuit initiates a firing operation when a change in the output signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value. A change in the output signal can be determined by comparing a present output signal value with a reference signal value. The reference signal value can be set when the trigger is at rest or when the trigger transitions from a forward movement to a rearward movement.

Abstract: An acceleration-sensing loader activation system can include an acceleration sensor configured to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the magnitude and periodicity of movement of a marker or loader body or a marker or loader component. A signal filter circuit can be arranged in communication with the acceleration sensor to receive and filter the electrical signal. A signal amplifier circuit can be arranged in communication with the signal filter circuit to amplify a signal from the signal filter circuit and transmit the amplified signal to a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit can be programmed to evaluate the incoming signal and determine whether it corresponds to a desired actuation event (such as a firing event). If the signal processing circuit determines that a desired actuation event has occurred, it can then send a control signal to a control circuit to activate a feed device of the loader.