US3770981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voice controlled target release system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-29
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-04-29
Abstract
Abstract Trap system in which the release of clay targets is controlled electronically in response to the shooter''s verbal command. Means is included for distinguishing the shooter''s commands from other acoustical disturbances. The system will accommodate a number of shooters at different locations, and means is included for introducing a random 0-3 second delay for skeet shooting. The system is adapted for drawing its operating power from an existing trap machine, and it can be used as a direct substitute for the push-button used to actuate the target release mechanism in many such machines.
Inventors
- 👤 T Nelsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:23
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/28; H03K17/292; F; F41; F41J; F41J9/00; F41J9/16; F41J9/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means responsive to the electrical signal for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target, and means for delaying energization of the electrically actuated means for a predetermined time after the shooter''s command to simulate the reflex time of a human attendant operating a trap machine in response to the command of a shooter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means responsive to the electrical signal for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target, and means for delaying energization of the electrically actuated means for a predetermined time after the shooter''s command to simulate the reflex time of a human attendant operating a trap machine in response to the command of a shooter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actutated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for integrating the electrical signal to provide an output signal having a level dependent on the mAgnitude and duration of the electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target when the output signal reaches a predetermined level, additional sound responsive means disposed remotely of the first named sound responsive means, and means for preventing the electrically actuated means from being energized when sound sensed by the additional sound responsive means is above a predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actutated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for integrating the electrical signal to provide an output signal having a level dependent on the mAgnitude and duration of the electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target when the output signal reaches a predetermined level, additional sound responsive means disposed remotely of the first named sound responsive means, and means for preventing the electrically actuated means from being energized when sound sensed by the additional sound responsive means is above a predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the means for energizing the electrically actuated means includes a capacitor in which energy is stored prior to the shooter''s command and switching means responsive to the electrical signal for connecting the capacitor to the electrically actuated means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the sound responsive means includes a plurality of microphones disposed at different shooting stations, together with means at each station for conditioning the system such that the means for energizing the electrically actuated means responds only to signals from the microphone at that station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target in response to the electrical signal, means for conditioning the system to prevent further energization of the electrically actuated means when the target is released, and manually operable means for restoring the system to a ready condition in which the electrically actuated means can again be energized in response to a shooter''s command.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target in response to the electrical signal, means for conditioning the system to prevent further energization of the electrically actuated means when the target is released, and manually operable means for restoring the system to a ready condition in which the electrically actuated means can again be energized in response to a shooter''s command.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 5 further including visual means for indicating when the system is in its ready condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a voice controlled system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target at a predetermined time after the shooter''s command, and delay means and manually operable switch means for optionally delaying the energization of the electrically actuated means for a random time after the shooter''s command.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a voice controlled system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target at a predetermined time after the shooter''s command, and delay means and manually operable switch means for optionally delaying the energization of the electrically actuated means for a random time after the shooter''s command.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system as in claim 7 wherein the delay means includes gate means, oscillator means for delivering a periodic signal to the gate means, and means for applying an enabling signal to the gate means when the output signal from the integrating means reaches the predetermined level, said gate means being adapted for delivering a target release signal the first time the periodic oscillator signal reaches a predetermined level following application of the enabling signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as in claim 1 in which the electrically actuated means has an operating element which requires a predetermined minimum current for actuation and the system is connected electrically in series with the operating element to obtain operating current from the machine through the element, said operating current being less than the minimum current required to actuate the element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, microphone means for converting sound waves to an electrical input signal, means for generating a current which varies between predetermined maximum and minimum levels in accordance with the level of the input signal, manually adjustable means for setting the maximum level of the current, means for integrating the current to provide an output signal having a magnitude dependent on the magnitude and duration of the input signal, and means for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target when the output signal reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, microphone means for converting sound waves to an electrical input signal, means for generating a current which varies between predetermined maximum and minimum levels in accordance with the level of the input signal, manually adjustable means for setting the maximum level of the current, means for integrating the current to provide an output signal having a magnitude dependent on the magnitude and duration of the input signal, and means for energizing the electrically actuated means to release a target when the output signal reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, saiD electrically actuated means requiring a predetermined minimum current for actuation, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means to cause a target to be thrown in response to the electrical signal, and means for connecting the system electrically in series with the electrically actuated means so that the system receives operating current from the machine through the electrically actuated means, the operating current for the system being less than the minimum current required for actuation of the electrically actuated means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, saiD electrically actuated means requiring a predetermined minimum current for actuation, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means to cause a target to be thrown in response to the electrical signal, and means for connecting the system electrically in series with the electrically actuated means so that the system receives operating current from the machine through the electrically actuated means, the operating current for the system being less than the minimum current required for actuation of the electrically actuated means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as in claim 11 wherein the means for energizing the electrically actuated means includes a capacitor connected to be charged by the operating current supplied to the system and means responsive to the electrical signal for connecting the capacitor to the electrically actuated means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as in claim 11 further including means fro delaying energization of the electrically actuated means for a predetermined time after the shooter''s command to simulate the reflex time of a human attendant operating a trap machine in response to the command of a shooter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means in response to a control signal, and random delay means responsive to the electrical signal for delivering a control signal a random time after receipt of the electrical signal, whereby a target is released a random time after the shooter''s command.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine having electrically actuated means for releasing a target, sound responsive means for converting a shooter''s verbal command to an electrical signal, means for energizing the electrically actuated means in response to a control signal, and random delay means responsive to the electrical signal for delivering a control signal a random time after receipt of the electrical signal, whereby a target is released a random time after the shooter''s command.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as in claim 14 together with manually operable switch means for optionally conditioning the delay means to deliver the control signal a predetermined time after receipt of the electrical signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
A system as in claim 14 wherein the random delay means includes gate means for delivering a control signal upon conjoint receipt of two input signals, oscillator means for supplying a periodic input signal to the gate means, and means for applying an enabling input signal to the gate means in response to the electrical signal, whereby the time at which the control signal is delivered is determined by the timing of the shooter''s command relative to the period of the signal supplied by the oscillator means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine, sound responsive means for converting sound waves at a shooting station to an electrical signal, means responsive to the electrical signal for conditioning the machine to release a target, additional sound responsive means for detecting sound from a location remote of the shooting station, and means for preventing the machine from being conditioned to release a target when the sound detected by the additional sound responsive means is above a predetermined level.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a voice operated control system for a target throwing machine, sound responsive means for converting sound waves at a shooting station to an electrical signal, means responsive to the electrical signal for conditioning the machine to release a target, additional sound responsive means for detecting sound from a location remote of the shooting station, and means for preventing the machine from being conditioned to release a target when the sound detected by the additional sound responsive means is above a predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |