Firearm training system

Abstract

A firearm training system, comprising a firearm and a training module mechanically coupled with the firearm that operates to train a user to accurately fire a firearm to a target. The training module includes communication circuitry and at least one of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS). The system includes a feedback unit that communicates with the training module by way of the training module communication circuitry. The feedback module is configured to receive position information from the training module and to generate feedback data and user feedback in the form of a tone or light or speech. In one embodiment, the training module generates feedback for the user. Typically, the feedback is generated to indicate movement in relation to a desired aim point.

1 . A firearm training system, comprising:
 a firearm;   a training module mechanically coupled with the firearm, wherein the training module further includes communication circuitry and at least one of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS); and   a feedback unit in communication with the training module communication circuitry wherein the feedback module is configured to receive position information from the training module and to generate feedback data.   
     
     
         2 . The firearm training system of  claim 1  wherein the training module is attached either to a rail of the firearm, a barrel of the firearm, or to a trigger guard of the firearm. 
     
     
         3 . The firearm training system of  claim 1  wherein the training module is integral to the firearm. 
     
     
         4 . The firearm training system of  claim 1  wherein the training module and the feedback unit communicate wirelessly using one of a Bluetooth communication protocol, a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication protocol, and an infrared data association (IrDA) communication protocol. 
     
     
         5 . The firearm training system of  claim 1  wherein the training module is configured to transmit at least one of position information and acceleration information to the feedback unit. 
     
     
         6 . The firearm training system of  claim 1  wherein the feedback unit comprises one of cell phone, a tablet, a personal computer or an associated hand-held controller. 
     
     
         7 . The firearm training system of  claim 1  further including a laser wherein the training module is configured to determine a desired aim based on a user generated designate indication, wherein the user generates the designate indication by at least one of:
 depressing a switch; 
 moving the firearm in a specified manner; and 
 aiming the firearm at a target immediately after or during a prompt. 
 
     
     
         8 . The firearm training system of  claim 1  wherein the training module is configured to enter into a training mode upon one of detection that a specified motion has occurred or detection that a corresponding switch has been depressed or activated. 
     
     
         9 . The firearm training system of  claim 8  wherein, upon entering the training mode, the feedback module is configured to, at least one of:
 store feedback data including positional information; 
 generate an aural or visual indication that is based upon a change in the positional information; 
 generate an aural or visual indication that is based upon a change in the positional information exceeding a specified amount; and 
 generate an aural or visual indication to indicate a mode or state of operation to instruct a user. 
 
     
     
         10 . The firearm training system of  claim 9  wherein the aural or visual indication includes audible feedback comprising at least one of a specified tone or speech. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm training system of  claim 9  wherein the aural or visual indication includes visual feedback comprising at least one of activation of a light, generating a visual display on a display element of the feedback module and generating a display on a remote monitor. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm training system of  claim 1  wherein the training system initially enters into a calibration mode to determine a desired aim and subsequently enters a training mode to generate the feedback data in relation to the desired aim. 
     
     
         13 . A method for training a firearm user, comprising:
 calibrating a firearm orientation to establish a desired aim point;   entering into a training mode;   transmitting position information from a training module attached to or integral with the firearm to a feedback device;   transmitting updated position information;   transmitting acceleration information; and   generating feedback data based upon at least one of the updated position information and the acceleration information.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further including generating an aural or visual indication that is based upon at least one of:
 a change in the positional information; and 
 a change in the positional information exceeding a threshold. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further including generating an aural or visual indication to indicate a mode or state of operation to instruct a user. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein calibrating the firearm orientation includes retrieving aim point information from a prior shooting of the firearm and updating the calibration of the firearm based upon the retrieved aim point information. 
     
     
         17 . A firearm training module, comprising:
 means for identifying position and acceleration information;   circuitry configured to calibrate a firearm position in relation to a desired aim point;   circuitry configured to support and operate in a training mode;   wireless communication circuitry operable to transmit the position and acceleration information to a feedback unit.   
     
     
         18 . The firearm training module of  claim 17  wherein the firearm-training module is configured to be attached to one of a firearm rail, a firearm butt, a firearm barrel or a trigger guard of a firearm. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm training module of  claim 17  wherein the firearm-training module is configured integral to the firearm. 
     
     
         20 . The firearm training module of  claim 17  wherein the firearm training module further includes a training feedback element that is configured to generate at least one of an aural and a visual indication to provide feedback to a user of the firearm and firearm training module.