US5577733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Targeting system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-10-06
•
Granted: 1996-11-26
•
Expires: 2014-10-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention, in one embodiment, is a targeting system for a shooter of a gun, the system having a target image created by a projector and projected on a target screen or, in one embodiment, a pre-printed target. A light panel is disposed between the target and the gun so that a bullet from the gun passes through the light panel which sends signals indicative of the bullet's location and velocity to a computer in which the signals are stored and, in one aspect, analyzed and compared with additional data such as previous bullet locations, velocity, and ballistic parameters for such a bullet. In one embodiment a light panel has one or more light emitters which emit a fan-shaped beam of light in a plane and spaced apart from the emitter(s) one or more light detectors. In one aspect such a panel has on-board electronics for calculating: object (e.g. bullet) velocity; and/or object (e.g. bullet) size. Methods are described for using such systems and such panels.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis L. Downing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:17
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J1/00; F41J1/10; F41J5/00; F41J5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam, across the frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, and at least one light detector on the second side of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam, across the frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, and at least one light detector on the second side of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light panel of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitter is two light emitters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The light panel of claim 1 further comprising electronic sensing apparatus associated with the frame for detecting interruption of the light beams by an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The light panel of claim 1 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus connected to the frame for calculating location coordinates of an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The light panel of claim 1 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus connected to the frame for calculating size of an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light panel of claim 1 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus connected to the frame for calculating velocity of an object passing through the light panel frame space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light panel of claim 6 further comprising the electronic calculating apparatus also for transmitting data regarding the object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light panel of claim 1 wherein the object is a bullet fired from a gun.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light panel of claim 8 wherein the at least one light emitter is a laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The light panel of claim 9 further comprising lens means adjacent the laser, the laser for providing a laser light beam to the lens means, and wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
170 words
A light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, and at least one light emitter on the bottom, the light emitters each for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam in a plane across the frame through which an object may pass, the light beams crossing each other in the frame space, at least one light detector on the second side of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter on the first side, and at least one light detector on the top of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter on the bottom of the frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
170 words
A light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, and at least one light emitter on the bottom, the light emitters each for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam in a plane across the frame through which an object may pass, the light beams crossing each other in the frame space, at least one light detector on the second side of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter on the first side, and at least one light detector on the top of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter on the bottom of the frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light panel of claim 11 further comprising electronic sensing apparatus the frame for detecting interruption of the light beams by an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The light panel of claim 11 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus the frame for calculating size and location coordinates of an object passing through the frame space, and for calculating velocity of an object passing the light panel frame space and through, and for transmitting data regarding the velocity, size, and location coordinates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light panel of claim 11 wherein the at least one light emitter on the first side is a laser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The light panel of claim 14 further comprising lens means adjacent the laser, the laser for providing a laser light beam to the lens means, and wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light panel of claim 11 wherein the at least one light emitter on the bottom is a laser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The light panel of claim 16 further comprising lens means adjacent the laser, the laser for providing a laser light beam to the lens means, and wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
159 words
A light panel comprising a frame with a top and a bottom spaced apart from the top, the frame defining a frame space between its top and bottom, at least one light emitting fiber optic on the frame with lens means for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam across the frame through which an object may pass and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, at least one light receiving fiber optic on the frame disposed opposite from the at least one light emitting fiber optic with lens means and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, a light emitter adjacent the second end of the at least one light emitting fiber optic for continuously emitting light into the light emitting fiber optic, and a light detector adjacent the second end of the at least one light receiving fiber optic for continuously receiving light therefrom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
159 words
A light panel comprising a frame with a top and a bottom spaced apart from the top, the frame defining a frame space between its top and bottom, at least one light emitting fiber optic on the frame with lens means for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam across the frame through which an object may pass and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, at least one light receiving fiber optic on the frame disposed opposite from the at least one light emitting fiber optic with lens means and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, a light emitter adjacent the second end of the at least one light emitting fiber optic for continuously emitting light into the light emitting fiber optic, and a light detector adjacent the second end of the at least one light receiving fiber optic for continuously receiving light therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light panel of claim 18 further comprising electronic sensing apparatus the frame for detecting interruption of the light beams by an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The light panel of claim 18 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus the frame for calculating size and location coordinates of an object passing through the frame space, and for calculating velocity of an object passing through the light panel frame space, and for transmitting data regarding the velocity, size, and location coordinates.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light panel of claim 18 wherein the object is a bullet fired from a gun.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The light panel of claim 18 wherein the light emitter adjacent the second end of the at least one light emitting fiber optic is a laser.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light panel of claim 18 wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
212 words
A targeting system for sensing a bullet fired from a gun at a target, the system comprising a computer, a light panel disposed adjacent the target and between the gun and the target, a bullet fired from the gun passing through at least one light beam of the light panel before contacting the target material, and the light panel producing a bullet signal in response to passage of the bullet therethrough, and the light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam across the frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, at least one light detector on the second side of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter, and panel connection apparatus interconnecting the light panel and the computer, the bullet signal transmitted to the computer through the panel connection apparatus.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
212 words
A targeting system for sensing a bullet fired from a gun at a target, the system comprising a computer, a light panel disposed adjacent the target and between the gun and the target, a bullet fired from the gun passing through at least one light beam of the light panel before contacting the target material, and the light panel producing a bullet signal in response to passage of the bullet therethrough, and the light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam across the frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, at least one light detector on the second side of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter, and panel connection apparatus interconnecting the light panel and the computer, the bullet signal transmitted to the computer through the panel connection apparatus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The targeting system of claim 24 wherein the at least one light emitter is two light emitters.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The targeting system of claim 24 further comprising electronic sensing apparatus connected to the frame for detecting interruption of light beams by an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The targeting system of claim 24 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus connected to the frame for calculating location coordinates of an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The targeting system of claim 24 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus connected to the frame for calculating size of an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The targeting system of claim 24, the light panel further comprising electronic calculating apparatus the frame for calculating velocity of an object passing through the light panel frame.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The targeting system of claim 29 further comprising the electronic calculating apparatus also for transmitting data regarding velocity, size and location coordinates of the object.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
228 words
A targeting system for sensing a bullet fired from a gun at a target, the system comprising a light panel disposed adjacent the target and between the gun and the target, a bullet fired from the gun passing through at least one light beam of the light panel before contacting the target, and the light panel producing a bullet signal in response to passage of the bullet therethrough, and the light panel comprising a frame with a top and a bottom spaced apart from the top, the frame defining a frame space between its top and bottom, at least one light emitting fiber optic on the frame with lens means for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam across the frame through which the bullet may pass and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, at least one light receiving fiber optic on the frame disposed opposite from the at least one light emitting fiber optic with lens means and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, a light emitter adjacent the second end of the at least one light emitting fiber optic for continuously emitting light into the light emitting fiber optic, and a light detector adjacent the second end of the at least one light receiving fiber optic for continuously receiving light therefrom.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
228 words
A targeting system for sensing a bullet fired from a gun at a target, the system comprising a light panel disposed adjacent the target and between the gun and the target, a bullet fired from the gun passing through at least one light beam of the light panel before contacting the target, and the light panel producing a bullet signal in response to passage of the bullet therethrough, and the light panel comprising a frame with a top and a bottom spaced apart from the top, the frame defining a frame space between its top and bottom, at least one light emitting fiber optic on the frame with lens means for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam across the frame through which the bullet may pass and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, at least one light receiving fiber optic on the frame disposed opposite from the at least one light emitting fiber optic with lens means and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, a light emitter adjacent the second end of the at least one light emitting fiber optic for continuously emitting light into the light emitting fiber optic, and a light detector adjacent the second end of the at least one light receiving fiber optic for continuously receiving light therefrom.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The targeting system of claim 31 further comprising a computer, and panel connection apparatus interconnecting the light panel and the computer, the bullet signal transmitted to the computer through the panel connection apparatus.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The targeting system of claim 31 wherein the light emitter adjacent the second end of the at least one light emitting fiber optic is a laser.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The targeting system of claim 31 wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The targeting system of claim 31 wherein the at least one light emitter is two light emitters.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The targeting system of claim 31 further comprising electronic sensing apparatus connected to the frame for detecting interruption of the light beams by an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The targeting system of claim 31 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus connected to the frame for calculating location coordinates of an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The targeting system of claim 31 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus connected to the frame for calculating size of an object passing through the frame space.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The targeting system of claim 31 further comprising electronic calculating apparatus associated with the frame for calculating velocity of an object passing through the light panel frame space.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The targeting system of claim 31 further comprising the electronic calculating apparatus also for transmitting data regarding the object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-26 | 2000-05-27 | 2000-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-26 | 2004-05-27 | 2004-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-26 | 2008-05-27 | 2008-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |