Target Training System With Simulated Muzzle Flash Elements

Abstract

Target shooting systems and methods are disclosed or exposing shooters to simulated muzzle flashes and monitoring training using a computing device, software application, audio, video, an electrocardiogram (“EKG”), and wireless communications. The target shooting replicates the visual and audio experience of a muzzle flash thereby simulating live return fire as closely as possible while maintaining safety. The trainee may shoot live ammunition at a target that is simulating shooting back. The EKG is able to measure heart rates over time and transfer the data to the software application on the computing device. The video camera can transfer recorded video data to the software application. Sensors on the target can transfer impact data to the software application to calculate hit/miss ratios. Target systems can include metal targets or cardboard targets. The system may also be applicable to dry fire training there is simulated gunfire.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A target system comprising:
 a) a device for firing a projectile;   b) a computing device comprising a software application and a speaker;   c) a transceiver comprising a processor and a battery;   d) the transceiver is operatively connected to the computing device;   e) a muzzle flash simulator comprising a light source;   f) the muzzle flash simulator is operatively connected to the transceiver;   g) the software application instructs the muzzle flash simulator to flash; and   h) the software application instructs the speaker of the computing device to emit a sound of simulated gunfire.   
     
     
         2 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         3 . The target system of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver and the computing device wirelessly transmit and receive data via Bluetooth. 
     
     
         4 . The target system of  claim 1 , further comprising a holder for securing the muzzle flash simulator. 
     
     
         5 . The target system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless headset configured to communicate with the computing device. 
     
     
         6 . The target system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable for connecting the transceiver to the muzzle flash simulator. 
     
     
         7 . A target system comprising:
 a) a device for firing a projectile;   b) a computing device comprising a software application and a speaker;   c) a target comprising:
 i. a target support; 
 ii. a target impact area comprised of metal; 
   d) a transceiver comprising a processor and a battery;   e) the transceiver is operatively connected to the computing device;   f) a muzzle flash simulator comprising a light source;   g) the muzzle flash simulator is operatively connected to the transceiver;   h) a holder for securing the muzzle flash simulator;   i) wherein the holder is comprised of polystyrene and is affixed to an outer edge of the target;   j) the software application instructs the muzzle flash simulator to flash; and   k) the software application instructs the speaker of the computing device to emit a sound of simulated gunfire.   
     
     
         8 . The target system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a) a sensor device operatively connected to the target impact area, the sensor device comprising:
 i. a power supply; 
 ii. a vibration sensor for sensing an impact of the projectile; 
 iii. a second processor operatively connected to the vibration sensor; 
 iv. a communication device operatively connected to the second processor; 
 v. the communication device is configured to wirelessly receive the instruction data from the computing device; 
 vi. the vibration sensor is configured to transmit impact data to the communication device; and 
 vii. the communication device is further configured to wirelessly transmit the impact data to the computing device. 
   
     
     
         9 . The target system of  claim 7 , wherein the computing device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         10 . The target system of  claim 7 , wherein the transceiver and the computing device wirelessly transmit and receive data via Bluetooth. 
     
     
         11 . The target system of  claim 7 , further comprising a wireless headset configured to communicate with the computing device. 
     
     
         12 . The target system of  claim 7 , wherein the holder is affixed to an outer edge of the target using double-sided tape. 
     
     
         13 . A target system comprising:
 a) a device for firing a projectile;   b) a computing device comprising a software application and a speaker;   c) a target comprising:
 i. a target support; 
 ii. a target impact area comprised of cardboard; 
 iii. the target impact area includes a front side and a rear side; 
 iv. the rear side of the target impact area includes a first hole that passes through the target impact area; 
   d) a transceiver comprising a processor and a battery;   e) the transceiver is operatively connected to the computing device;   f) a muzzle flash simulator comprising a light source;   g) the muzzle flash simulator is operatively connected to the transceiver;   h) a holder for securing the muzzle flash simulator;   i) wherein the holder is comprised of polystyrene and is affixed to the rear side of the target impact area;   j) wherein the light source of the muzzle flash simulator aligns with the first hole that passes through the target impact area;   k) the software application instructs the muzzle flash simulator to flash; and   l) the software application instructs the speaker of the computing device to emit a sound of simulated gunfire.   
     
     
         14 . The target system of  claim 13 , wherein the computing device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         15 . The target system of  claim 13 , wherein the transceiver and the computing device wirelessly transmit and receive data via Bluetooth. 
     
     
         16 . The target system of  claim 13 , further comprising a wireless headset configured to communicate with the computing device. 
     
     
         17 . The target system of  claim 13 , wherein the holder is affixed to the cardboard target using double-sided tape.