Methods and systems for simulated target practice

Abstract

A shooting training apparatus. The shooting training apparatus includes a screen configured to display a virtual range. The shooting training apparatus further includes a footing surface configured to dynamically reorient during a shooting session, wherein the footing surface dynamically reorients independent of what is displayed in the virtual range.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shooting training apparatus comprising:
 a screen configured to display a virtual range; and   a footing surface configured to dynamically reorient during a shooting session, wherein the footing surface dynamically reorients independent of what is displayed in the virtual range.   
     
     
         2 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a projector configured to project the virtual range onto the screen. 
     
     
         3 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a detector configured to detect laser strikes from a weapon used by a shooter using the training apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the screen comprises light emitters in the screen to display the virtual range, and detectors interspersed with the light emitters, the detectors configured to detect laser strikes from a weapon used by a shooter using the training apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a computing processor configured to model at least one of range or weapon characteristics. 
     
     
         6 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the computing processor is configured to model long-distance rifle shots by introducing delay and bullet drop. 
     
     
         7 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the computing processor is configured to determine what targets bullets from a live-fire weapon would have struck. 
     
     
         8 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the computing processor is configured to calibrate the shooting training apparatus by observing where laser strikes occur when a shooter shoots calibration shots from different locations on the footing surface. 
     
     
         9 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the computing processor is configured to control at least one of visual, tactile, or audio prompts for the shooting training apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a detector configured to detect laser strikes from a weapon used by a shooter using the training apparatus, the detector having a resolution of at least 1/16 th  of an inch or smaller when a shooter shoots 10 feet from the virtual range. 
     
     
         11 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a detector configured to detect laser strikes from a weapon used by a shooter using the training apparatus, the detector having a resolution of at least 1/32 nd  of an inch or smaller when a shooter shoots 10 feet from the virtual range. 
     
     
         12 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a prompt array coupled to the footing surface, the prompt array configured to direct a shooter's movements on the footing surface. 
     
     
         13 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a weapon, the weapon being configured to emit a plurality of laser pulses per primer strike. 
     
     
         14 . The shooting training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the footing surface comprises a reorientable treadmill that can reorient along at least two center line axis of the portion of the footing surface. 
     
     
         15 . A method of performing shooting training, the method comprising:
 dynamically reorienting a footing surface during a shooting session, wherein the footing surface dynamically reorients independent of what is occurring downrange from the footing surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising displaying a virtual range downrange from the footing surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising detecting laser strikes from a weapon fired by a shooter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein detecting laser strikes comprises detecting laser strikes at a resolution of 1/16 th  of an inch or less on a virtual range when a shooter is shooting 10 feet from the virtual range. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein detecting laser strikes comprises detecting laser strikes at a resolution of 1/32 nd  of an inch or less on a virtual range when a shooter is shooting 10 feet from the virtual range. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising detecting laser strikes from a weapon fired by a shooter.