Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of firearms accessories and more particularly, to firearms accessories for firing management and training in live fire. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    Firearms are utilized for a variety of purposes, such as hunting, sports competition, and law enforcement. To teach accuracy and correct technique in shooting a firearm, target practice areas are utilized wherein multiple shooters shoot live ammunition at multiple targets under the supervision of an instructor. 
         [0005]    To keep track of the accuracy or shooting technique of one or more shooters, it is often necessary for an instructor or a shooter to be able to review observe specific shooting skills in real time. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a shooting range management system. One system comprises at least one shot detection transducer configured to detect the exit of a shot fired from a ballistic weapon and at least one impact detection transducer configured to detect the impact of the shot on a target. Accordingly, according to an aspect of the invention, the system further comprises a receiver connected to the at least one shot detection transducer and the at least one impact detection transducer, the receiver including a timer configured to time the firing of at least one shot and to time the impact of at least one shot and produce a data record thereof, and a display connected to the receiver, the display configured to display the data record of the receiver. Moreover, hits are recorded by an imaging device and exact location on the target is being processed. 
         [0007]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the receiver includes a memory configured to maintain a record of the data record. 
         [0008]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the display is connected to a computer, including any hardware having a processor, storage a user interface and software running thereon. 
         [0009]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the computer includes a memory configured to maintain a record of the data record. 
         [0010]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the computer includes a printer configured to print the data record of the receiver. 
         [0011]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the connection between the at least one shot detection transducer and the receiver is either wire-line or wireless 
         [0012]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the connection between the at least one impact detection transducer and the receiver is either wire-line or wireless 
         [0013]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the at least one shot detection transducer includes a transceiver and the receiver includes a transceiver and the connection therebetween is wireless, being from transceiver to transceiver. 
         [0014]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the at least one blast detection transducer includes a transceiver and the receiver includes a transceiver and the connection therebetween is wireless, being from transceiver to transceiver. 
         [0015]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the invention may include a noise filter configured to filter unwanted noise, said noise filter being operatively associated with at least one of: the shot detection transducer, the impact detection transducer, and the receiver. The noise filtered may be needed when the shot is detected by an acoustic sensor and filtering is required to avoid false alarms and/or no detection of a shot. 
         [0016]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the invention includes an external power source wired to at least one of: the shot detection transducer, the impact detection transducer, and the receiver. 
         [0017]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the invention includes an internal power source internal to at least one of: the shot detection transducer, the impact detection transducer, and the receiver. 
         [0018]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the shot detection transducer includes at least one sensor comprising at least one of: a vibration sensor, a shock sensor, a motion sensor, a sound sensor, a pressure sensor, and a trigger movement sensor. 
         [0019]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the at least one shot detection transducer additionally includes at least one analogue to digital convertor circuit. 
         [0020]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the at least one hit (the bullet hitting the target) detection transducer includes at least one sensor comprising at least one of: a vibration sensor, a shock sensor, a motion sensor, a sound sensor, a pressure sensor, and an imaging device. 
         [0021]    According to some embodiments of the invention, the at least one blast detection transducer additionally includes at least one analogue to digital convertor circuit. 
         [0022]    These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a shooting range management system, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration the components of some of the shooting range management system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows details of a graph related to the shooting range management system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic illustration of a large group embodiment of the shooting range management system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 5A  shows yet another aspect of a shooting range management system, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5B  shows details of a graph related to the shooting range management system shown in  FIG. 5A ; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 5C  shows details of yet another graph related to the shooting range management system shown in  FIG. 5A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Prior to setting forth the detailed description, it may be helpful to set forth definitions of certain terms that will be used hereinafter 
         [0032]    As used herein, the term “shooting range” encompasses firing ranges, target ranges, shooting training, smart shooting range or other weapons training or testing environments or configurations. 
         [0033]    As used herein, the phrases “multiple user shooting ranges”, “multiple user shooting areas”, or similar phrases refer to areas in which there are multiple shooters users shooting in areas in which there is firing range management. 
         [0034]    As used herein, the phrase “firing range management”; refers to, inter alia, group shooting; multi-user shooting; time-challenged shooting; smart shooting ranges; timed shooting management, and other group oriented shooting or training implementations. 
         [0035]    As used herein, the terms “ballistic weapon” or “weapon” refers to any armament that shoots projectiles after power has been cut off and includes, inter alia, any ballistic weapon that is held by one or two hands, or shoulder or torso mounted, or held away from the body. 
         [0036]    As used herein, wireless data input technologies to communicate signals or data, comprise communication technologies using LAN, WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Ethernet, USB, cables, and any other wireless technology presently existing or developed in the future. 
         [0037]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0038]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a shooting range management system  100 . A first shooter  102 , wearing a shot recorder  122 , is aiming a weapon  142  at a target  172 . A second shooter  104 , wearing a shot recorder  124  is aiming a weapon  144  at a target  174 . 
         [0039]    Shot recorders  122  and  124  are typically worn on the wrist or arm of shooters  102  and  104  respectively and record: (can also be inside the weapon and not only by wrist movement) (i) wrist movement; (ii) cocking of the trigger, rotating the barrel, or pulling the slide bar of weapon  142  or  144 ; or (iii) the exit blast as bullets  132  and  134  leave weapons  142  and  144  respectively. 
         [0040]    Shot recorders  122  and  124  contain one or more sensors, such as vibration sensors, shock sensor, motion sensor, sound sensors, pressure sensors and trigger movement sensors, or other suitable sensor for identifying movement and blasts associated with weapons  142  and  144 . 
         [0041]    Shot recorders  122  and  124  transmit data with respect to movement and exit blasts associated with weapons  142  and  144  to a time integrator  112 . 
         [0042]    Impact recorders  110  record the impact of shots  132  and  134  that hit target  172  and  174  respectively, and transmits the recorded data to time integrator  112 . Impact recorders  110  include any type of sensor, including inter alia, vibration sensors, shock sensors, motion sensors, sound sensors, an imaging device and pressure sensors; or any other suitable sensor for identifying and/or measuring a shot hitting a target. 
         [0043]    Data is transmitted wirelessly as shown, or through wires that connect shot recorders  122  and  124  and impact recorders  110  with time integrator  112 . In some embodiments of the invention, time integrator  112 , shot recorders  122  and  124  and/or impact recorders  110 , include a USB connector and are directly wired to computer  116 . ( 112  can also be inside the computer and not only wire connected) 
         [0044]    Time integrator  112  then integrates the data from shot recorders  122  and  124 , and impact recorders  110 , and produces time-based information on shots  132  and  134  that is displayed on a display  118  of computer  116 . 
         [0045]    A third shooter  160  without shot recorder  122  on his wrist has begun shooting at a target  170  and, could possibly skew the data from shot recorders  122  and  124 , impact recorders  110 , and/or time integrator  112 . As explained below, shooting range management system  100  optionally includes a filter system to filter out unwanted noise. (again noise filter) 
         [0046]    As shown, shooting range management system  100  optionally includes earphones  136  (it can also be a outside beep and not in earphones) so that each shooter  102  and  104  hears instructions, such as “begin shooting” and “cease fire” from an instructor (not shown). 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram of components of shooting range management system  100 , in which shot recorder  122  includes a vibration sensor  180  which transfers the sensed data to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  182 . A/D converter  182  converts the vibration signals into digitally transmittable signals. Shot recorder  122  additionally includes a transceiver  184  which then transfers the digital data to time integrator  112 . 
         [0048]    Shot recorder  122  additionally optionally includes an identification module  193  that allows attachment only to a specific weapon and/or use only by a specific shooter. Identification module  193  records, for example, the shooting history, being a temporal sequence of shots and hits of a particular weapon, and optionally provides a warning, for example when the weapon requires maintenance cleaning, or part replacement. 
         [0049]    When used by a specific shooter, identification module  193  optionally receives data from time integrator  112  and may be taken home by the shooter registered with identification module  193 , for example, to download information on a home computer and compare a current session with previous sessions. Deactivation and Activation of shot recorder  122  to function with the correct weapon is optionally provided by an RFID tag on the weapon and an RFID reader in identification module  193 . The data may be transferred directly to a communication device. 
         [0050]    Impact recorders  110  typically include an impact sensor  181  which senses the impact of a bullet against the target and transfers the analog data to A/D converter  182  which is then digitally transmitted to transceiver  184 . 
         [0051]    Transceiver  184  in addition to transmitting data to time integrator  112 , may also serve as a receiver of information via time integrator  112  which is optionally initiated for example by computer  116 . Such received information may be a command that is typed into computer  116  to shut down shooting range management system  100 . 
         [0052]    Time integrator  112  includes data transceiver  184  which receives data from both shot recorder  122  and impact recorders  110 . Time integrator  112  may be embedded within wear-on device such as a sport watch, or alternatively in a standalone device. 
         [0053]    In embodiments, time integrator  112  includes a filter  186  that filters out unwanted noise from shots such as a shot from shooter  160  ( FIG. 1 ) that may, for example, be interpreted as hand movement by shooters  102  and  104 . 
         [0054]    Alternatively, filter  186  filters out the impact of the shot fired from the shooter  160  ( FIG. 1 ) that could be confused with the impact information from the impact of shots  132  and  134 . 
         [0055]    After passing through filter  186 , the data is passed to a timer module  188  which assigns time variables to each dataset passed on from shot recorder  122  and impact recorders  110 . 
         [0056]    Time integrator  112  includes a digital clock that may be set at real time, for example 3:40 PM and 20 seconds. Alternatively or additionally, time integrator  112  includes a digital clock that is set at zero at the beginning of a shooting session or shooting period, by the instructor. The digital clock included in time integrator  112  optionally provides timing increments at thousandth or ten thousandth of a second in order to provide precise records of shooters  102  and  104 . Such increments of each second have application in situations wherein rapid fire, for example from multiple users armed with semi-automatic or automatic weapons, is being monitored. 
         [0057]    The data is then passed on to an integration circuit  190  which then correlates the various blasts with their appropriate impacts and transfers the information to computer  116 . 
         [0058]    Computer  116  provides the information in the above-noted visual display  118  as well as an optional audio transmittal. Time integrator  112  optionally includes a memory  192  which allows the information collected from shot recorder  122  and impact recorders or from image  110  to be stored and possibly downloaded to another computer for future reference and or comparison to other sessions utilizing a second computer. (can also be watch, PDA, cell phone). 
         [0059]    Shot recorder  122 , impact recorders  110 , and/or time integrator  112 , optionally include power supplies  183 . As noted above, in alternative embodiments, power may be supplied through wiring passing from computer  116  to all components and/or direct wiring of the various components to a separate electric connection. The many ways of providing power to the components shown are well known to those who are familiar with the art. 
         [0060]    Time integrator  112 , shot recorders  122  and  124  and other components of shooting range management system  100 , for example the safety module explained below, optionally operate using rechargeable batteries or rechargeable power units. Alternatively, power is provided by a local generator or wiring to a power supply. 
         [0061]    In some embodiments of the invention, time integrator  112 , shot recorders  122  and  124  and other components of shooting range management system  100 , are optionally contained in shock-resistant housings to prevent environmental vibrations from affecting collected data. Such environmental vibrations might include, for example, vibrations generated by overflying aircraft, or vehicles passing near shooting range management system  100 . 
         [0062]    Shooting range management system  100  provides a wide variety of technical data that is seen in the details of display  118  displayed on computer  116   FIG. 3 . 
         [0063]    Display shows data tables  162  and  164 , which illustrate, in the left column, that shooter  102  shot three shots and shooter  104  shot five shots. 
         [0064]    The middle graph section of data tables  119  and  121  shows that shooter  102  made a hand movement  150  without firing one time, executed a hit  152  of the target two times, and registered a miss  154  of the target one time. 
         [0065]    Additionally, shooter  104  hit  152  the target four times and missed  152  the target one time. 
         [0066]    In addition to determining the ability of shooters  102  and  104  to hit the target, by analyzing movement  150 , an instructor can optionally determine the movement of the hands and/or weapons of shooters  102  and  104 , thereby providing pointers for improving the handling of the respective weapons. 
         [0067]    For example, in misses  154  by both shooters  102  and  104 , movement  150  indicates excessive time in cocking the weapons and/or excessive hand movement in aiming the weapons. Movement  150  in these cases can be indicative, for example, of hand movement which caused the weapon to lose alignment with the target. 
         [0068]    Data column on the right shows the timing of each shot which hit the target. Alternatively, the shooting instructor can optionally switch the data column to show, inter alia, the amount of time spent on each cock and/or aiming and/or drawing  150  during a given shot, which can provide vital information in recommendations that improve the shooting technique of shooters  102  and  104 . 
         [0069]    While the utilization of shooting range management system  100  and the associated graphs  118  are illustrated with respect to two shooters  102  and  104 , the present invention is contemplated for use with only one shooter  102 . It is understood that embodiments of the present invention may support two or more shooters shooting a common target or alternatively—each shooter is assigned with his or her target respectively. In use with single shooter  102 , as is optionally provided with multiple shooters, graphs  118  aid shooter  102  in determining a variety of technical data. Technical data provided by graph  118 , includes, inter alia: intervals between each shot; hand and weapon movements prior to, during, and following shooting; and accuracy of hitting target  172 . 
         [0070]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , shooting range management system  100  may be utilized for many more than the illustrated multiple shooters  102  and  104 ; for example six, eight, ten, thirty, fifty or even more shooters. 
         [0071]    In embodiments of the inventions, shooting range management system  100  may include a safety module  129  that enables an instructor  137  to shut down one or more system components. 
         [0072]    Additionally or alternatively, safety module  129  provides an audio signal through a speaker  126  to indicate, for example, that a ceasefire is in effect. The use of physical signal  126  allows shooters  102  who are wearing or not wearing earphones  136 , for example, to be alerted to events. 
         [0073]    In alternative embodiments, safety module  129  provides physical signals  126 , for example, inter alia, a flag, tape or a sign. In further embodiments, safety module  129  produces automated audio commands that instruct shooters  102  to, for example, start shooting, stop shooting, change position from standing to crouching. 
         [0074]    Additionally or alternatively, safety module  129  may include a wireless command system that is transmitted wirelessly to earphones  136  so that the instructor can wirelessly instruct shooters  102  to begin, pause or stop operations. 
         [0075]    The inventor has discovered that shooting range management system  100  using a dedicated processing module (not shown) can optionally enable real time monitoring, processing, analyzing and/or viewing of a multi-user training session. 
         [0076]    Consistent with some embodiment of the invention, processing module may further be arranged to calculate at least one of: (i) a location of a hit on the target; (ii) a timing of each shot on a specified target; (iii) an association of a series of shots and a specific shooter; (iv) an association of a series of shots and a shooting history of a specific shooter; and (v) recommendations improvement of shooting skills based on the processing and further in view of a series of shots of a specific shooter. 
         [0077]    The inventors have additionally discovered that shooting range management system  100  optionally enables post session training or shooting analysis and output, for example, to facilitate group or individual training analysis, feedback and monitoring. 
         [0078]    The inventors have further discovered that shooting range management system  100  optionally enables, inter alia, real time or non real time analysis and display of target hitting percentages, accuracy in area of target hit, shooting speed, and time spent on preparation of weapons in preparation for firing. 
         [0079]      FIG. 5A  shows yet another aspect of a shooting range management system, according to some embodiments of the invention. Shooting management system  510  includes shot recorder  113  associated with a specific shooter  160 . In addition to a target  170 , there is provided an imaging device (such as a camera)  560  that faces the target. In operation, imaging device captures images (or a video sequence) of target  170 . It is understood the imaging device  560  can capture a plurality of target accommodating a plurality of shooters (not shown here). The captured images are used by embodiments of the present invention by processing them and presenting the images in conjunction with data associated with the respective shooter, the timeline and each shooter specific training scheme. 
         [0080]    Consistent with one embodiment,  FIG. 5B  shows an exemplary presented image of a target  520  showing the hits of a specified shooter indicated by  521 - 524 . Advantageously—the shot recorder and the management system may help determine which hit is associated with which shot along a time line as indicated in  FIG. 5C  showing a timeline  530  with hits of a specified shooter indicated by  521 - 524 . 
         [0081]    Moreover, the target  520  is being recorded by an image device  560 . The image is being processed to provide an accurate location of a hit on the target  520 . A tracking and location system may identify a location of a shooter in a shooting arena when the shooter is in movement, the shooter is identified by the tracking and location system. 
         [0082]    In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “some embodiments”, do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. 
         [0083]    Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment. 
         [0084]    Reference in the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, or “other embodiments”, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. 
         [0085]    It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are not to be construed as limiting, and are for descriptive purposes only. 
         [0086]    The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, Figures, and examples. 
         [0087]    It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention. 
         [0088]    Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above. 
         [0089]    It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting”, and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers; or groups thereof, and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers. 
         [0090]    If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
         [0091]    It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element. 
         [0092]    It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. 
         [0093]    Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. 
         [0094]    Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. 
         [0095]    The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques, and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs. 
         [0096]    The descriptions, examples, methods, and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only. 
         [0097]    Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. 
         [0098]    The present invention may be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein. 
         [0099]    Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles, referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. 
         [0100]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Technology Category: g