Patent Publication Number: US-2016231087-A1

Title: System, device and method for firearms training

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to firearms dry-fire practice and other related muscle memory, hand eye coordination and reaction training More particularly, the present invention is directed to a shooting practice system comprising a camera, a projector for projecting an image, and a response device for indicating that the virtual target image has been “hit”. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Target, skeet, sporting clay, and clay pigeon shooting all enable a person to practice their shooting skills and train using firearms. Dry-fire practice and training is static at low cost and can be restrictive in terms of operating space at high cost due to the use of video projectors and externally mounted cameras. Skeet, sporting clay and clay pigeon shooting while providing a moving target, however, require costly live ammunition. Additionally, these methods generally require a large area to train. Dry-firing and electronic firearms training systems do not require live ammunition. However, freedom of movement comes at a cost. High end systems with more area for movement add cost, while less expensive systems are restrictive in terms of practice area. For such systems an image projector, such as a laser light source is often mounted to the firearm. Additionally, often the participant cannot use their actual firearm and instead must use training accessory or training firearm. Consequently, these systems cannot provide a realistic environment or feel for firearms practice. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system, device and method for firearms training comprises one or more projectors that project an image such as a clay target, or other target to a backdrop. A user tracks and/or aims for the projected target using a firearm comprising a camera and a camera activation device. When the target reaches a desirable location and the proper alignment of the firearm takes place, the user presses a trigger of the firearm in order to take an image and establish a recording time mark of the area in view of the camera as the camera sees at the moment in time. The camera can take a single image at the time the trigger is activated, such as for target practice. Alternatively, the camera can take a continuous video and demarcate the time when the trigger is activated, such as for determining whether a moving target is hit. The camera comprises a preprogrammed template of the expected target, and the captured image is processed in order to determine whether the captured image matches all of the projected image or a part of the projected image. A response is activated to indicate that the target has been struck or missed. 
     In one aspect, a system for firearms training comprises one or more projectors for projecting an image. A camera comprises an activation device for capturing an image for establishing a time mark. A processing device processes the captured image and sends a signal to a response device based upon the captured image. The response device activates a response based upon the captured image. In some embodiments, the one or more projectors comprise one or more programmable laser projectors. The projected image can move across a projected area. Preferably, the camera is coupled to a firearm. In some embodiments, the firearm is operable. The camera can couple to a shotgun barrel and is preferably mounted inside the shotgun barrel. Alternatively, the camera replaces a handgun barrel. In some embodiments, the camera couples to an exterior of the firearm. In some embodiments, the response device activates a response to indicate that the captured image matches the projected image in a predetermined way. In some embodiments, the response device activates a response to indicate that the captured image does not match the projected image. The response device activates one of an auditory response, a visual response, and both an auditory and visual response. 
     In another aspect, a firearms training device comprises a firearm body. A camera is coupled to the firearm body. A camera activation device activates the camera in order to capture an image time mark. A processing unit processes a captured image time mark indicating a location of the firearm before the trigger is depressed, a captured time mark indicating a location of the firearm when the trigger is depressed, and a captured time mark indicating a location of the firearm after the trigger is depressed. In some embodiments, the firearm is operable. The camera can couple inside a shotgun barrel. Alternatively, the camera replaces a handgun barrel. In some embodiments, the camera couples to an exterior of the firearm. In some embodiments, the camera activation device comprises a simulated cartridge that activates the camera when a trigger of the firearm is depressed. In some embodiments, the camera activation device wirelessly communicates with the camera. 
     In a further aspect, a firearms training method comprises projecting an image onto a backdrop, activating a camera in order to capture an image and processing the captured image and activating a response based upon the processed image. In some embodiments, capturing the image preferably comprises capturing a time mark indicating a location of the firearm before the trigger is depressed, capturing a time mark indicating a location of the firearm when the trigger is depressed, and capturing a time mark indicating a location of the firearm after the trigger is depressed. The projected image can move across a projected area. In some embodiments, the response device activates a response to indicate that the captured image matches the projected image. Alternatively, the response device activates a response to indicate that the captured image does not match the projected image. The response can be one of an auditory response, a visual response, and an auditory and visual response. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Several example embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like components are provided with like reference numerals. The example embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. The drawings include the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a firearms training system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view showing the components of a firearms training system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate the components of a firearms training device some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate the components of a firearms training device some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a firearms training method in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, a method and a device for dry-fire training A projector unit is configured to project a target onto a surface of a backdrop such as a screen, ceiling, floors and/or wall of a room. The target can be a stationary target but is preferably configured to track and mimic the flight path and/or trajectory of a real object such as a clay target. A camera is removably coupled to a firearm such as a shotgun, a rifle and a pistol. Upon activation, the projector unit projects the target onto the surface. When the target reaches a desirable location and the proper alignment of the firearm and eyes takes place, the user presses a trigger of the firearm in order to take an image and establish a recording time mark of the area in view of the camera as the camera sees at the moment in time. The camera can take a single image at the time the trigger is activated, such as for target practice. Alternatively, the camera can take a continuous video and demarcate the time when the trigger is activated, such as for determining whether a moving target is hit. The captured image is processed in order to determine whether the captured image matches all of the projected image or a part of the projected image. Based upon the composition of the processed image, a response is generated. The camera captures a recording of a user&#39;s activity and can determine variations in movement of the firearm and simulated projectile path to determine whether the captured image matches all of the projected image or a part of the projected image. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of a dry-fire training device, method and system. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions can be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application and business related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a firearms training system is depicted therein. The firearms training system  100  comprises one or more projector units  102 , a camera  104 , and a response device  106 . The one or more projectors  102  project an image to a back drop and the camera  104  is activated in order to take a picture of the projected image. After the picture is taken, the captured image is processed and the response device  106  activates a response based upon the processed image. Although, the response device  106  is shown as separate from the one or more projectors  102  and the camera  104 , the response device  106  can be located within the one or more projectors  102  and/or the camera  104 . 
     The one or more projector units  102  are configured to project a still and/or a moving image of a target on a backdrop such as a screen or a wall of a room. In some embodiments, the one or more projectors  102  comprise one or more preprogrammed laser projectors. For example, in some instances a still image is dynamically static and is projected to randomly appear and disappear. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the one or more projector units  102  projects an image of a moving target as it moves throughout its flight path. In some embodiments, the projected target is voice, button, and/or pedal activated. Particularly, a user activates the one or more projector units  102  in order to “release” the target across the backdrop or other surface. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the one or more projector units  102  are activated by a trainer, or person other than the shooter in order to “release” the target across the backdrop or other surface. 
     The camera  104  is configured to removably couple with a firearm such as a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. However, the camera  104  can couple with an appropriate firearm as desired. For example, in some embodiments, the camera  104  is coupled to an interior of a barrel of the firearm. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the camera  104  is configured to replace a barrel of the firearm. In further embodiments, the camera  104  couples to an exterior of the firearm, such as a picatinny rail or other exterior portion of the firearm. For example, in some embodiments, the camera  104  comprises a sighting build, a barrel mount or other exterior mount. 
     As shown within  FIG. 1 , the camera  104  comprises an activation device  108  and a processor  110 . The activation device  108  activates the camera  104  to capture an image and the captured image is processed by the processor  110 . In some embodiments, the camera activation device  108  activates the camera  104  when a trigger of the firearm is depressed. In some embodiments, the activation device  108  can be located within a simulated cartridge which is loaded into a firing chamber of the firearm. When the trigger of the firearm is depressed, the firing pin contacts the simulated cartridge and activation device  108  sends a signal to the camera  104 , and a picture is taken. Particularly, when the target reaches a desirable location and the proper alignment of the firearm takes place, the user presses the trigger of the firearm in order to take an image and establish a recording time mark of the area in view of the camera  104  as the camera  104  sees at the moment in time. The camera  104  comprises a preprogrammed template of the expected target, and the captured image is processed in order to determine whether the captured image matches all of the projected image or a part of the projected image. The camera  104  captures a recording of a user&#39;s activity and can determine variations in movement of the firearm and simulated projectile flight path to determine whether the captured image matches all of the projected image or a part of the projected image. The dynamics of firearm handling, including the location of the firearm before the trigger is depressed, when the trigger is depressed, and after the trigger is depressed are analyzed to determine how a simulated projectile would have excited the firearm barrel and whether the target would have been hit. 
     In some embodiments, the movement of the firearm as determined by the camera  104  can be reviewed later to review handling of the firearm and sighting throughout a training session. Particularly, the camera  104  can record throughout a training session, including before the trigger is depressed and after the trigger is depressed. 
     In some embodiments, the activation device  108  is configured as an attachment to the trigger. In some embodiments, the activation device  108  is configured as a dummy round w hich activates the camera upon impingement of the firing pin of the firearm onto the activation device. 
     The activation device  108  is configured to send one of a wireless and a wired signal to the camera  104 . For example, in some embodiments, the wireless signal comprises a bluetooth® signal, a radio frequency signal, a WiFi signal, or an infrared signal. In some embodiments, a blank round activated the camera  104  by the shock and/or sound of the round when the trigger of the firearm is depressed. In some embodiments, the training system  100  also comprises a laser calibration device for calibrating the camera  104  of the system. 
     Based upon the upon the processed image a signal is sent to the response device  106  which activates a response. For example, in some embodiments, if the processed image matches the projected image, a response is activated indicating that the firearm has hit the target. The response can be an audible and/or a visual response. In some embodiments, if the response is a visual response, a signal is sent to the one or more projector units  102  and a projector activation circuit  114  projects a visual signal indicating that the target has been hit. Alternatively, the response can be generated and the response can also be recorded and stored as digital data in a memory. For example, in some embodiments, the projector is able to project an image of an exploding/breaking target in order to indicate that the target has been hit. Conversely, in some embodiments, if the processed image does not match the projected image then an audible and/or a visual response is activated in order to indicate that the target has not been hit. In some embodiments, each shot and the overall accuracy is recorded to a memory device  116  of the camera  104 . The user can download the recorded data after each training session in order to track progress and accuracy rates. 
     In some embodiments, the target image and the target background are customizable. For example, the target is able to move at a trajectory and a speed identical to a real clay target released from a trap house. Alternatively, the target may move in a trajectory in order to simulate the flight plan of a sporting bird such as a duck, goose, a quail, a dove, and a pheasant. Particularly, the target can be programmed to move in any appropriately desired fashion. For example, in some embodiments, the one or more projector units  102  can be programmed in order to project multiple targets in succession and at multiple locations in order to simulate a swat or combat environment. The simulation of the targets can be used to train and/or train muscle memory in handling a firearm and for improved reaction. The targets need not be realistic in actual combat or other appearance, however the targets will create the proper environment to train muscle memory. The speed of the targets can be gradually increased or otherwise manipulated to train muscle memory. Additionally, in some embodiments, the flight of the target can be programmed to simulate the effect of weather conditions such as rain, snow, and wind on the projected targets and/or the simulated projectiles. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view showing the components of a firearms training system in accordance with some embodiments. The training system  200  is similar to the training system  100  as described above and comprises one or more projector units, a camera, and a response device. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the activation device  208  sends a signal to the camera and the camera  204  sends a signal to a response device operation circuit  212  to activate a response. As described above, when the target reaches a desirable location and the proper alignment of the firearm and eyes takes place, the user presses the trigger of the firearm the activation device  208  sends a signal to take an image and establish a recording time mark of the area in view of the camera  204  as the camera  204  sees at the moment in time. The camera  204  comprises a preprogrammed template of the expected target, and the captured image is processed in order to determine whether the captured image matches all of the projected image or a part of the projected image. The camera  204  captures a recording of a user&#39;s activity and can determine variations in movement of the firearm and simulated projectile path to determine whether the captured image matches all of the projected image or apart of the projected image. Based upon the upon the processed image a signal is sent to the response device  206  which activates a response. Particularly, the camera  204  can be active prior to pressing the trigger and after pressing the trigger, and the moments in time are a mark which allows the effectiveness of the shot to be judged. 
     If the processed image matches the projected image, a response is activated indicating that the target has been hit. The response can be an audible and/or a visual response. For example, in some embodiments, a projector can to project an image of an exploding/breaking clay target in order to indicate that the target has been hit. The projector can simultaneously project a target and non-target image. The non-target image can be differentiated from the target image by color, shape, size projection intensity or other visual cues. If the processed image does not match the projected image then an audible and/or a visual response is activated in order to indicate that the target has not been hit. In some embodiments, the each shot and the overall accuracy is recorded to a memory device  216  of the camera  204 . In this manner, the user can download the recorded data after each training session in order to track their progress and accuracy rates. 
     As described above, in some embodiments the camera is configured to removably couple with a firearm such as a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol.  FIG. 3A  illustrates a shotgun  310 , a camera housing  320  comprising a camera  304  and lens  318 , and a simulated cartridge  330  comprising an activation device which is configured to activate the camera  320 . As described above, the simulated cartridge  330  is inserted in the shotgun shell chamber in place of a live round. When the trigger of the shotgun  310  is depressed, the firing pin contacts the simulated cartridge  310  and camera activation device  308  sends a signal to the camera  304 , which establishes a time mark in a video recording. As shown within  FIG. 3B , the camera  304  is configured to couple with a barrel  315  of the shotgun  310 . In some embodiments, the camera  304  comprises a housing  320  that is installed in the place of a barrel choke of the barrel  315 . However, the camera  320  can couple any appropriate position of the shotgun  310 . Particularly, the camera housing  320  and the simulated cartridge  330  are easily installed and can turn an operating shotgun or other firearm into a dry-fire practice tool. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a handgun  440 , and a camera housing  450 , and a simulated cartridge  460  comprising an activation device which is configured to activate the camera  404  and lens  418  located within a camera housing  450 . As described above, the simulated cartridge  460  is inserted into the handgun  430  in place of a live round. When the trigger of the handgun  430  is depressed, the firing pin contacts the simulated cartridge  460  and camera activation device sends a signal to the camera  404  and a time mark is established. As shown within  FIG. 4B , the camera housing  450  is configured to replace the barrel of the handgun  430 . The handgun  430  is easily disassembled such as for cleaning purposes and the camera  450  replace the conventional barrel when the handgun  430  is reassembled. Consequently, the camera housing  450  and the simulated cartridge  460  are easily installed and can turn an operable handgun or other firearm into a dry-fire practice tool. 
     As shown within  FIGS. 3A-4B , an operable shotgun and handgun are easily turned into a dry-fire practice tool using a camera and simulated cartridge. However, the camera and simulated cartridge can be used with any other appropriately desired firearm. Additionally, in some embodiments, the camera is installed externally using a barrel mount, picatinny rail, or other exterior mount. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a firearms training method in accordance with some embodiments. The method begins in the step  510 . In the step  520 , an image is projected to a backdrop. In some embodiments, the image is projected when the user issues a verbal command or presses a button and/or pedal. The image can comprise an image of a target or other object as it moves throughout a flight path. The user holds a firearm which is modified to comprise a camera and camera activation device. As described above, the camera can be coupled to an operable firearm which has been converted to dry-fire practice tool. In some embodiments, the camera is activated after the image is projected. The user tracks the image using the firearm and when the image reaches a desirable location the user activates the camera in the step  530  in order to take an image of the projected area that the camera sees at that moment in time. As described above, in some embodiments, the camera is activated by pressing a trigger of the firearm. In some embodiments, the camera captures a time mark indicating a location of the firearm before the trigger is depressed, when the trigger is depressed, and after the trigger is depressed. In the step  540 , the captured image is processed in order to determine whether the captured time marks match all of the projected image or a part of the projected image. In the step  550  a response is activated based upon the processed time marks. For example, in some embodiments, if the processed image matches the projected image, a response is activated indicating that the firearm has hit the target. The response is can be an audible and/or a visual response. In some embodiments, the camera is then deactivated. In some embodiments, the method further comprises recording the overall accuracy of each shot so that the data can be downloaded later. 
     In operation, one or more projectors project an image such as a clay target, or other target to a backdrop. A user tracks and/or aims for the projected target using a firearm comprising a camera and camera activation device. When the image reaches a desirable location relative to the firearm the user presses a trigger of the firearm in order to take an image of the projected area as the camera sees at that moment in time. A processor processes the captured image and activates a response depending whether the target has been struck or missed. 
     Specifically, a camera comprising a processor and an activation device can be coupled to firearm in order to turn the firearm into a dry-fire training tool. With the transformed training tool, the user can then track targets in a realistic flight path and trajectory. When the user fires upon the target it is determined whether the target has been struck and a response is activated. This data can be recorded and downloaded in order to track progress and improvement. The data can also be used to analyze the dynamics of firearm handling, including where the firearm was prior to the point at which the trigger is depressed, and after the trigger was depressed in order to record the time it takes for a projectile to leave the barrel of the firearm. This enables the user to solidify hand-eye coordination, reduce reaction time, and gain muscle memory while operating their weapon. Particularly, the training can be accomplished using the shooter&#39;s actual firearm and within an enclosed and/or non-reinforced location. Accordingly, the system, device and method for firearms training as described herein has many advantages. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such references, herein, to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically it will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is able to be used with an appropriate firearm. Additionally, is will also be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art that the system and one or more projectors can be utilized to simulate any appropriate training scenario.