Automated sports target system

Abstract

This present disclosure is directed to a movable target system intended for sports and activities. Two vertical support members are coupled with a target to create the system. The target is coupled to four component housings, located on the vertical support members, that contain an electric motor and processor that controls movement. Two target sensors are positioned in the system; one coupled to the target, and the other coupled to a vertical support member are used to detect movement through the target and between the two vertical support members. A database of positions loaded onto the processor that have corresponding decision weights for each position. The positions are selected by either the stationary randomizer function or the moving target randomizer function. Shooting statistics are recorded and used to update the target position database decision weights to challenge the user.

1 . A moveable target system, comprising:
 a frame including at least two vertical support members configured to be attached to a surface;   a target coupled to the at least two vertical support members, wherein the target is configured to receive light or a moving object;   a plurality of electrical motors coupled to the target;   four attachment members coupled to each corner of the target and adapted to couple the target to the plurality of motors;   a controller having a processor adapted to execute a computer-readable program encoded on the controller;   a computer-readable program encompassing:   a plurality of motors being calibrated;   a statistics sheet being initialized;   a database of potential target positions each having a corresponding decision weight;   a target receiving a movement choice; and   based on the received target movement choice and the received database of potential target positions, a target movement system being actuated to achieve a first target position according to; (i) a stationary randomizer function, or (ii) a moving target randomizer function.   
     
     
         2 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more sensors are coupled to the target and adapted to detect reception of light or the moving object through the target. 
     
     
         3 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more sensors coupled to the vertical support members and adapted to detect reception of light or the moving object through the vertical support members. 
     
     
         4 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein the target is coupled to the at least two vertical members by method of the four attachment members. 
     
     
         5 . The target system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of the attachment members are located on equidistant vertices of the target. 
     
     
         6 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrical motors are to be in constant contact with one another to execute proper movement of the target. 
     
     
         7 . The target system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of electric motors are housed individually in component housings. 
     
     
         8 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein the target, capable of movement, is a plurality of members oriented and fixed to each other to form a circular or regular polygonal shape. 
     
     
         9 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating target movement system stationary randomizer function includes:
 a plurality of target positions and corresponding decision weights received from a database;   a target position that is selected from the received plurality of target positions;   actuation vectors that are calculated for the plurality of motors; and   the plurality of motors that is actuated according to the calculated actuation vectors.   
     
     
         10 . The target system of  claim 9 , wherein the actuating target movement system stationary randomizer function includes:
 an end function choice, where the current target position decision weight is modified accordingly and the function is ended;   a vertical member sensor receiving a trigger that causes a miss to be recorded in a stat sheet; and   a vertical member and target sensor receiving a trigger that causes a goal to be recorded in the stat sheet and modifies the current target position decision weight accordingly.   
     
     
         11 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating target movement system moving target randomizer function includes:
 a plurality of target positions and corresponding decision weights received from a database;   a target position that is selected from the received plurality of target positions;   actuation vectors that are calculated for the plurality of motors;   the plurality of motors that is actuated according to the calculated actuation vectors; and   a timer.   
     
     
         12 . The target system of  claim 11 , wherein the actuating target movement system moving target randomizer function includes:
 an end function choice, where the current target position decision weight is modified accordingly and the function is ended;   a vertical member sensor receiving a trigger that causes a miss to be recorded in a stat sheet;   a vertical member and target sensor receiving a trigger before the expiration the timer that causes a goal to be recorded in the stat sheet and modifies the current target position decision weight accordingly; and   a timer expiration trigger that modifies the current target position decision weight accordingly.   
     
     
         13 . A method for moving a sports target, comprising:
 calibrating a plurality of motors;   receiving a database of potential target positions each having a corresponding decision weight;   initializing a statistics sheet;   receiving a target movement choice; and   based on the received target movement choice and the received database of potential target positions, actuating target movement system to achieve a first target position according to; (i) a stationary randomizer function until a target event has been triggered at which point the target movement system is actuated to a second target position, or (ii) a moving target randomizer function until one of a timer expiration has occurred or a target event has been triggered at which point the target movement system is actuated to a second target position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the actuating target movement system stationary randomizer function further includes:
 receiving a plurality of target positions from a database;   selecting a target position from the received plurality of target positions;   calculating actuation vectors for the plurality of motors; and   actuating the plurality of motors according to the calculated actuation vectors.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the actuating target movement system stationary randomizer function includes:
 receiving a manual ending choice that modifies the current target position decision weight accordingly and ends the function;   receiving a vertical member sensor trigger that causes a miss to be recorded in a stat sheet; and   receiving a vertical member and target sensor trigger that causes a goal to be recorded in the stat sheet and modifies the current target position decision weight accordingly.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the actuating target movement system moving target randomizer function includes:
 receiving a plurality of target positions from a database;   selecting a target position from the received plurality of target positions;   calculating actuation vectors for the plurality of motors;   actuating the plurality of motors according to the calculated actuation vectors; and   starting a timer.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the actuating target movement system moving target randomizer function includes:
 receiving a manual ending choice, that modifies the current target position decision weight accordingly, and ends the function;   receiving a vertical member sensor trigger that causes a miss to be recorded in a stat sheet;   receiving a vertical member and target sensor trigger before the expiration of a timer that causes a goal to be recorded in the stat sheet and modifies the current target position decision weight accordingly; and   receiving a timer expiration trigger and modifying the current target position decision weight accordingly.