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  Shooting range simulator system and methodUSPTO Application #: 20070077539Title: Shooting range simulator system and method Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a shooting range simulator system and method able to monitor the aiming history of a shooter. The method may include determining an aimed-at position of one or more aiming devices on a target screen by selectively illuminating positions on the screen according to a predefined scheme; detecting scattered light from the illuminated position from one or more viewing angles; and deriving coordinates of the aimed-at position based on the timing of the detection relative to the scanning scheme. The system may include a scanner to selectively illuminate screen elements and a processing center to determine an aimed-at position on the screen. Additional features are described and claimed. (end of abstract) Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP - New York, NY, US Inventors: Aviv Tzidon, Dekel Tzidon USPTO Applicaton #: 20070077539 - 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 20070077539. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of Israeli application Serial No. 171263, filed on Oct. 3, 2005 and entitled "SHOOTING RANGE SIMULATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD", which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to the field of shooting range simulators and, more particularly, to systems and methods of aim detection and hit detection. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Conventional, physical, shooting ranges allow a person ("shooter") to improve their skills, especially with regards to aiming, with a firearm-type weapon though repeated practice in controlled conditions. A virtual shooting range, with the benefit of computer-simulations and other techological advancements, may have the further advantage of being able to provide sophisticated feedback for training purposes. For example, in some shooting range simulators, it may be possible to discern, not just whether a shooter hit or missed a target, or by how much, but also factors that affect the shooter's aiming accuracy. Examples of such data are grip pressure, weapon orientation, response to weapon kick-back, and aiming history. [0004] Aiming is a process that lasts for more than an instant of time and typically includes many slight adjustments by the shooter before the trigger is pressed. Additionally, there is typically a discrepancy between an aimed-at location and actual hit positions. Therefore, it may be desired to track the aimed-at position during the aiming process, e.g., continually or shortly before firing. This tracking may be used, for example, to monitor the aiming history of a shooter. [0005] Existing shooting-simulator systems may include a target screen, an aiming device, e.g., a simulated weapon, and a processing center. In some existing systems, the target screen may include an array of photo-sensors, the aiming device may include a light beam emitter, and the processing center may include algorithms or circuits for determining where an aiming device is aimed or whether a particular target is hit, based on the photo-sensors in the target screen detecting the light beam from the aiming device. Such a system may not be able to distinguish between multiple aiming devices aiming at the same position on the target screen. [0006] In other existing systems, for example, those implemented in the field of video games, a particular target on the target screen may be marked by some property such as a distinctly colored pixel; the aiming device may include a detector for that property with a narrow field of view that is able to detect a target on the screen with a desired resolution; and the processing center may include algorithms or circuits for determining whether the particular target is hit, based on the detector in the aiming device detecting the target property within the narrow field of view. Such a system may not be able to detect where an aiming device is aimed on the target screen unless it is perfectly aimed at the particular target, and thus may not be able to monitor misses or aiming in general, and will give a hit/miss indication only. [0007] Generally, existing shooting range simulator systems and methods may rely heavily on image-processing, may be costly in resources, and may be inefficient for tracking multiple aiming devices randomly firing at the same target screen. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Some exemplary embodiments of the invention may include a system for simulating a shooting range, including a target screen, one or more aiming devices, e.g. simulated weapons, and a processing center, as described in detail below. Optionally, the system may include a scenario generator to reproduce, for example, a scenario image, e.g., a static or moving image, on the target screen. [0009] Further, some exemplary embodiments of the invention may include a system and method for determining and tracking an aimed-at position of one or more aiming devices on a target screen. The system may include the target screen, a scanner to produce selective illumination of positions on the target screen according to a predetermined scanning scheme, a directional pickup attached to the aiming device for detection of illuminated elements of the target screen, and a processing center to process aiming and/or hit data, based on the scanning scheme and an input from the directional pickup. The target screen may be, for example, a flat screen, a cylindrical screen, a spherical, screen, a multi-plane screen, or any other configuration suitable for displaying the scenario image and/or video movie. Positions on the target screen may be identified with reference to the time passed from the beginning of a scan cycle. [0010] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, for example, when the optional scenario generator is included, the target screen may display a simulated scenario with, for example, dynamic targets for one or more shooters to aim and "fire" at. [0011] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the scanner may selectively illuminate the target screen according to a predefined scan sequence and at a predefined scan frequency, such that at any given moment in time one screen element is actively illuminated, as described below. Thus, it may be possible to determine aiming position as a function of time based on synchronization between the scanning scheme and time at which light from an illuminated screen element may be detected by a directional pickup device. The resolution of the scanner may effectively determine the resolution of the screen elements, i.e., the highest resolution at which positions may be discriminated on the target screen. For example, a screen element may correspond to one or more scanner pixels. Additionally, the scan frequency may determine the highest resolution in time at which an aiming event, e.g., aiming device movements while aiming, stability of aiming at a screen element, hit position, next aiming position after weapon kick-back, etc., may be measured. [0012] According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the target screen may be scanned by a light beam from a scanner, which may be embodied in a separate unit. For example, the scenario generator may be equipped with a laser projector capable of producing a plurality of laser beams, e.g., sequentially or simultaneously, to project a scenario image and/or video movie onto the scenario screen. In addition, the laser projector may be able to produce an additional laser beam, e.g., an invisible laser beam, to be used for a scanning function, as explained in detail below. In another exemplary embodiment, the target screen may include scanning functionality, e.g., in the form of selective activation of screen pixels, as explained below. [0013] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, an illuminated screen element may reflect or emit a pulse of scattered light outwards from the target screen and thus may be viewed from a wide range of viewing angles. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a target and a shooter may be essentially interchangeable for the purpose of monitoring the shooter's aim at the target. That is, if a shooter correctly aims an aiming device at a target in a particular direction and angle, then the target is likewise aimed at the shooter from the opposite direction, i.e., there is reciprocity between target and aiming device. [0014] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the directional pickup may be telescopic and may have a narrow field of view with a resolution, for example, of one or more screen element. Thus, any number of aiming devices equipped with appropriate directional pickups which are aimed at the illuminated screen element may be able to detect the same light pulse substantially simultaneously, as explained in detail below. [0015] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the processing center may include scan sequence control logic, a timing component, e.g., one or more clocks, an algorithm or circuit for determining aimed position as a function of time, and components for communicating with other parts of the system, for example, an Ethernet, as is known in the art. The processing center may be able to distinguish between different aiming devices, for example, by assigning to each aiming device a unique shooter identification tag. [0016] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the shooting range simulator system may include an event signal generator to simulate additional aspects of a shooting range, e.g. "firing" of a simulated weapon. According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, a trigger depression event signal, for example, may be generated and transmitted to the processing center in response to mechanical actions of a shooter. For example, the shooter may depress a trigger of a simulated weapon to activate a micro-switch and generate an electric signal. Further, the simulated weapon trigger may, for example, be connected to an air compressor, which may be able to physically simulate a kick-back effect. [0017] According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the processing center may be able to, for example, receive signals from the directional pickup and from the event generator, and derive an aiming device's aimed position at the time of an event. The processing center may optionally be coordinated with the scenario generator to provide appropriate feedback to the user. Additionally or alternatively, the processing center may include a data storage component to record training data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which: [0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a shooting range simulation system in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the invention; Continue reading... Full patent description for Shooting range simulator system and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Shooting range simulator system and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Shooting range simulator system and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Epoxy based oil free root canal sealer Next Patent Application: Flight training system Industry Class: Education and demonstration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Shooting range simulator system and method patent info. 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