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.

Description

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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

Thus, placement of the target is restricted to areas having sufficient space for exposure of those surfaces to a user and the system.

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.

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