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  Sensing device for firearm laser training system and method of simulating firearm operation with various training scenariosUSPTO Application #: 20070190495Title: Sensing device for firearm laser training system and method of simulating firearm operation with various training scenarios Abstract: A firearm laser training system according to the present invention accommodates various types of targets for facilitating a variety of firearm training activities. The system employs an image sensing device to detect laser beam impacts on a target, where the laser beam is projected from an actual or simulated user firearm with a laser transmitter. The image sensing device compensates for image distortions and the sensing device viewing angle with respect to the intended target, and enables detection of laser beam impacts on various types of targets (e.g., paper targets, projected targets, videos, still or moving images, etc.) to provide firearm training with varying scenarios. The image sensing device provides impact location information to a computer system to graphically display the impact locations and provide information pertaining to user performance of the training activity. (end of abstract) Agent: Edell, Shapiro & Finnan, LLC - Rockville, MD, US Inventors: O. Tansel Kendir, Rifat Tolga Yildirim USPTO Applicaton #: 20070190495 - Class: 434021000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Education And Demonstration, Organized Armed Or Unarmed Conflict Or Shooting, Gunnery, Gun Aiming, Training Apparatus Using Beam Of Infrared, Visible Light, Or Ultraviolet Radiation The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070190495. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/752,586, entitled "Sensing Device For Firearm Laser Training System and Method of Simulating Firearm Operation With Various Training Scenarios" and filed Dec. 22, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present invention pertains to firearm training systems, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,365 (Shechter et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,452 (Clark et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,966,775 (Kendir et al.) and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2002/0197584 (Kendir et al.) and 2005/0153262 (Kendir), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In particular, the present invention pertains to a firearm laser training system that accommodates various types of targets for facilitating a variety of firearm training activities. [0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art [0005] Firearms are utilized for a variety of purposes, such as hunting, sporting competition, law enforcement and military operations. The inherent danger associated with firearms necessitates training and practice in order to minimize the risk of injury. However, special facilities are required to facilitate practice of handling and shooting the firearm. These special facilities tend to provide a sufficiently sized area for firearm training and/or confine projectiles propelled from the firearm within a prescribed space, thereby preventing harm to the surrounding environment. Accordingly, firearm trainees are required to travel to the special facilities in order to participate in a training session, while the training sessions themselves may become quite expensive since each session requires new ammunition for practicing handling and shooting of the firearm. [0006] In addition, firearm training is generally conducted by several organizations (e.g., military, law enforcement, firing ranges or clubs, etc.). Each of these organizations may have specific techniques or manners in which to conduct firearm training and/or qualify trainees. Accordingly, these organizations tend to utilize different types of targets, or may utilize a common target, but with different scoring criteria. Further, different targets may be employed by users for firearm training or qualification to simulate particular conditions or provide a specific type of training (e.g., grouping shots, hunting, clay pigeons, etc.). [0007] The related art has attempted to overcome the above-mentioned problems by utilizing laser or light energy with firearms to simulate firearm operation and indicate simulated projectile impact locations on targets. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,081 (Berke) discloses a marksman training system including a translucent diffuser target screen adapted for producing a bright spot on the rear surface of the target screen in response to receiving a laser light beam from a laser rifle on the target screen front surface. A television camera scans the rear side of the target screen and provides a composite signal representing the position of the light spot on the target screen rear surface. The composite signal is decomposed into X and Y Cartesian component signals and a video signal by a conventional television signal processor. The X and Y signals are processed and converted to a pair of proportional analog voltage signals. A target recorder reads out the pair of analog voltage signals as a point, the location of which is comparable to the location on the target screen that was hit by the laser beam. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,142 (Zaenglein, Jr.) discloses a shooting simulation training device including a target projector for projecting a target image in motion across a screen, a weapon having a light projector for projecting a spot of light on the screen, a television camera and a microprocessor. An internal device lens projects the spot onto a small internal device screen that is scanned by the camera. The microprocessor receives various information to determine the location of the spot of light with respect to the target image. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,229 (Suzuki) discloses a shooting game machine including a projector for projecting a video image that includes a target onto a screen. A player may fire a laser gun to emit a light beam toward the target on the screen. A video camera photographs the screen and provides a picture signal to coordinate computing means for computing the X and Y coordinates of the beam point on the screen. [0010] International Publication No. WO 92/08093 (Kunnecke et al.) discloses a small arms target practice monitoring system including a weapon, a target, a light-beam projector mounted on the weapon and sighted to point at the target and a processor. An evaluating unit is connected to the camera to determine the coordinates of the spot of light on the target. A processor is connected to the evaluating unit and receives the coordinate information. The processor further displays the spot on a target image on a display screen. [0011] The systems described above suffer from several disadvantages. In particular, the Berke, Zaenglein, Jr. and Suzuki systems employ particular targets or target scenarios, thereby limiting the types of firearm training activities and simulated conditions provided by those systems. Further, the Berke system utilizes both front and rear target surfaces during operation. Thus, placement of the target is restricted to areas having sufficient space for exposure of those surfaces to a user and the system. In addition, the Berke and Kunnecke et al. systems merely display impact locations to a user, thereby requiring a user to interpret the display to assess user performance during an activity. The user assessment is typically limited to the information (impact locations) provided on the display, thereby restricting feedback of valuable training information to the user and limiting the training potential of the system. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to accommodate various types of targets within a firearm laser training system to conduct varying types of training, qualification and/or entertainment activities. [0013] It is another object of the present invention to employ an image sensing device with a firearm laser training system that detects beam impact locations on a target and compensates for various orientations and viewing angles of the device relative to the target. [0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to employ user-specified targets within a firearm laser training system to conduct desired training procedures. [0015] A further object of the present invention is to assess user performance within a firearm laser training system by determining scoring and/or other performance information based on detected impact locations of simulated projectiles on a target. [0016] The aforesaid objects may be achieved individually and/or in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto. [0017] According to the present invention, a firearm laser training system accommodates various types of targets for facilitating a variety of firearm training activities. The system employs an image sensing device to detect laser beam impacts on a target, where the laser beam is projected from an actual or simulated user firearm equipped with a laser transmitter. The image sensing device compensates for image distortions and the sensing device viewing angle with respect to the intended target, and enables detection of laser beam impacts on various types of targets (e.g., paper targets, projected targets, videos, still or moving images, etc.) to provide firearm training with varying scenarios. The image sensing device provides impact location information to a computer system to graphically display the impact locations and provide information pertaining to user performance of the training activity. [0018] The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a firearm laser training system with a laser beam directed from a firearm onto an intended target according to the present invention. [0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective and partial section of a laser transmitter assembly of the system of FIG. 1 fastened to a firearm barrel. Continue reading... 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