Archery laser training system and method of simulating weapon operation

Abstract

A laser transmitter attaches to an arrow emulator secured to a bow and emits a laser pulse in response to bow actuation according to the present invention. The training system further includes a laser-detecting target having a planar array of laser light detectors which detect the location and timing of laser pulses received at the target. Alternatively, the detector may be utilized to detect laser signals impacting a target object, such as a bottle. The laser-detecting target may be connected to a computer which analyzes the target hit information and displays feedback or scoring information. The computer can be connected via a communications network to similar systems so that competitions or training exercises can be conducted across plural geographic locations. The competitions or exercises can be controlled from a central system or unit which may be accessible to individual shooters via an Internet web site.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An archery simulation system for competition or training, wherein an archery bow is actuated without use of projectiles to simulate shooting toward a target, said system comprising: 
 a transmitter module to detect actuation of said bow and transmit energy signals in response to said detection; and    a mounting device to secure said transmitter module to said bow.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said transmitter module includes a laser module to transmit a laser signal in response to said detection.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said system further includes said bow.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said bow includes a simulator secured thereto to simulate bow operation and said laser module is secured to said simulator.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said simulator includes an arrow emulator and said laser module is secured to said emulator.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said mounting device includes: 
 a module engagement member to receive and secure said laser module thereto; and    a simulator engagement member to engage said simulator and secure said mounting device and laser module thereto.    
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said simulator engagement member includes a plurality of clamp members configured for positioning about an external surface of a simulator section, wherein said clamp members are coupled to each other to receive said simulator therebetween and engage said simulator section.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said module engagement member is coupled to one of said clamp members and includes an opening with a spacer member disposed therein, and wherein a fastener is disposed through said spacer member to secure said laser module to said module engagement member.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said laser module includes a wave sensor to detect an energy wave generated by actuation of said bow.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said energy wave is a mechanical wave generated by actuation of said bow.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said energy wave is an acoustical wave generated by actuation of said bow.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2  further including: 
 a target device adapted to detect the laser signal and produce a laser detection signal; and  
 a processor responsive to the laser detection signal for generating information indicating a hit location of the laser signal on said target device.  
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said target device includes an array of laser light detectors adapted to detect the laser signal and to produce the laser detection signal.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said laser module emits a modulated laser signal and said array of detectors is configured to detect only laser signals modulated in the manner of said modulated laser signal.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , further including: 
 an ultrasonic transmitter coupled to said bow and adapted to transmit an ultrasonic signal simultaneously with the laser signal;    an ultrasonic detector coupled to said target device and adapted to detect an arrival time of the ultrasonic signal at said target device; 
 wherein said processor determines a distance between said bow and said target device based on the arrival time of the ultrasonic signal.  
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said processor includes: 
 a communication module to establish communications with at least one other of said archery simulation system via a communication network.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said communication network includes a server linked to each said archery simulation system.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said communication network is a global communication network.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 each said archery simulation system is located at a different corresponding site; and    said communication network includes a user interface permitting users at each site to communicate with users at one or more other sites.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said user interface permits coordination of competition between users at two or more sites.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said user interface permits viewing at each site of target detection results from at least one other site.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said user interface includes a web site.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1  further including a target motion mechanism comprising: 
 a target object to receive said energy signal from said transmitter module;  
 a sensing device to detect said energy signal impacting said target object;  
 an actuator to control motion of said target object to simulate impact by a projectile; and  
 a controller coupled to said sensing device to control said actuator to impart motion to said target object in response to detection of said energy signal by said sensing device.  
 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said controller includes: 
 a relay to energize said actuator to impart motion to said target object; and    an interface to condition a signal received from said sensing device indicating detection of said energy signal and actuate said relay.    
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said actuator is coupled to and suspends said target object proximate said sensing device.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein a rod extends from said actuator proximate said target object to enable said target object to perform a predetermined motion in response to actuation by said actuator.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said target object includes a bottle.  
     
     
         28 . A method of simulating operation of an archery bow for competition or training via an archery simulation system, wherein said archery bow is actuated without use of projectiles to simulate shooting toward a target, said method comprising: 
 (a) detecting actuation of said bow and transmitting energy signals from said bow in response to said detection.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein step (a) further includes: 
 (a.1) transmitting a laser signal from said bow in response to said detection.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said bow includes a simulator secured thereto to simulate bow operation, and step (a.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1) transmitting said laser signal from said simulator in response to said detection.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said simulator includes an arrow emulator, and step (a.1.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1.1) transmitting said laser signal from said arrow emulator.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein step (a.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1) transmitting said laser signal in response to detection of an energy wave generated by actuation of said bow.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein step (a.1.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1.1) transmitting a laser signal in response to detection of a mechanical wave generated by actuation of said bow.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein step (a.1.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1.1) transmitting a laser signal in response to detection of an acoustical wave generated by actuation of said bow.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29  further including: 
 (b) detecting the laser signal on a target and producing a laser detection signal; and  
 (c) generating information indicating a hit location of the laser signal on said target via a processor responsive to the laser detection signal.  
 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein step (a.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1) transmitting a modulated laser signal in response to said detection; and step (b) further includes: 
 (b.1) detecting only laser signals modulated in the manner of said modulated laser signal.  
   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein step (a) further includes: 
 (a.2) transmitting an ultrasonic signal from said bow simultaneously with the laser signal;    step (b) further includes: 
 (b.1) detecting an arrival time of the ultrasonic signal at said target; and  
   step (c) further includes: 
 (c.1) determining, via said processor, a distance between said bow and said target based on the arrival time of the ultrasonic signal.  
   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein step (c) further includes: 
 (c.1) establishing communications with at least one other archery simulation system via a communication network.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said communication network includes a server linked to each said archery simulation system.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said communication network is a global communication network.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein each said archery simulation system is located at a different corresponding site and said communication network includes a user interface, and step (c.1) further includes: 
 (c.1.1) enabling users at a site to communicate with users at one or more other sites via said user interface.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein step (c.1.1) further includes: 
 (c.1.1.1) coordinating competition between users at two or more sites via said user interface.    
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein step (c.1.1) further includes: 
 (c.1.1.1) viewing at a site target detection results from at least one other site via said user interface.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said user interface includes a web site.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said energy signals are transmitted from said bow toward a target object and said method further includes: 
 (b) detecting said energy signal impacting said target object and imparting motion to said target object in response to said detection to indicate said energy signal impact.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said target object includes a bottle.  
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said arrow emulator includes a piston and a rod in sliding relation with said piston and serving as a projectile, said rod being propelled at least partially into said piston during bow actuation, and wherein said transmitter module includes: 
 a trigger assembly to detect emulator actuation and produce a trigger signal to enable said laser module to transmit said laser signal.    
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein said emulator rod includes at least one recess and said trigger assembly includes: 
 a housing;    a contact member to contact and traverse said emulator rod and engage said at least one recess; and    an arm coupled to said housing and said contact member to bias said contact member toward said emulator rod; 
 wherein said trigger assembly generates said trigger signal in response to said contact member engaging said at least one recess.  
   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein said trigger signal includes an energy wave and said laser module includes a wave sensor to detect said energy wave generated by said trigger assembly.  
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein said housing includes a switch that is actuated in response to said contact member engaging said at least one recess to generate said trigger signal.  
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein said arrow emulator produces an air stream in response to emulator actuation and said trigger assembly includes: 
 a contact member disposed in a path of said air stream between said laser module and said emulator, wherein said contact member is driven by said air stream to impact said laser module to produce said trigger signal.    
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said arrow emulator includes a piston and a rod in sliding relation with said piston and serving as a projectile, said rod being propelled at least partially into said piston during bow actuation, and wherein step (a.1.1.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1.1.1) detecting emulator actuation and transmitting said laser signal from said emulator.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said emulator rod includes at least one recess and step (a.1.1.1.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1.1.1.1) transmitting said laser signal in response to detecting said at least one recess within said emulator rod.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said arrow emulator produces an air stream in response to emulator actuation and step (a.1.1.1.1) further includes: 
 (a.1.1.1.1.1) transmitting said laser signal in response to detecting said air stream produced by said emulator actuation.    
     
     
         55 . A target motion device for a weapon simulation system, wherein said weapon emits an energy signal in response to weapon actuation, said device comprising: 
 a target object to receive said energy signal from said weapon;    a sensing device to detect said energy signal impacting said target object;    an actuator to control motion of said target object to simulate impact by a projectile; and    a controller coupled to said sensing device to control said actuator to impart motion to said target object in response to detection of said energy signal by said sensing device.    
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein said controller includes: 
 a relay to energize said actuator to impart motion to said target object; and    an interface to condition a signal received from said sensing device indicating detection of said energy signal and actuate said relay.    
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein said actuator is coupled to and suspends said target object proximate said sensing device.  
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein a rod extends from said actuator proximate said target object to enable said target object to perform a predetermined motion in response to actuation by said actuator.  
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein said target object includes a bottle.  
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein said energy signal includes a laser signal.  
     
     
         61 . A method of moving a target in a weapon simulation system in a manner simulating a projectile impact, wherein said weapon emits an energy signal in response to weapon actuation, said method comprising: 
 (a) detecting said energy signal transmitted from said weapon at a target object; and    (b) controlling motion of said target object to simulate impact by a projectile in response to detection of said energy signal.    
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said target object includes a bottle.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said energy signal includes a laser signal.