Training Aid for Devices Requiring Line-of-Sight Devices

• US 20120251982A1
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Henry L. Jones II, Jason S. Hester
• Original Assignee: Henry L. Jones II, Jason S. Hester
• Inventors: Hester, Jason S., Jones, Henry L. II
• Granted Patent: US 9,366,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/19
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2694 for simulating a target F41G3/2627 takes precedence; moving targets per se F41J9/00

Abstract

The present invention is a novel apparatus for use as a training aid for devices that are aimed using line-of-sight methods, such as firearms and telescopes. A need exists for a removable aid that will improve the various aspects of targeting and device handling by the trainee. The present invention satisfies this need by placing a small, high-resolution electronic display within the line-of-sight of a device and adding other electronics to drive the display. The display and the additional electronics are used to provide many functions that are useful in training.

Claims

1. A training aid for aiming a device, comprising

a. a microprocessor communicating with

i. data storage,

ii. a set of software instructions,

iii. an electronic display, and

iv. a user interface control,

b. a power supply, and

c. a mounting mechanism,

whereby, when the training aid is mounted on the device, a trainee can aim the device in a manner consistent with proper usage of said device and the training aid will present at least one electronic image to said trainee.

2. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising all the electrical components in 1a. and 1b. being contained within a single enclosure.

3. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the device utilizing an iron sight.

4. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the device utilizing an optical sight.

5. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the device being a firearm, archery bow, telescope, or binoculars.

9. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the electronic display being a liquid crystal display or a light emitting diode.

10. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the electronic display having a wavelength range of at least 80 nanometers.

11. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the data storage being a removable memory card.

12. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the data storage being a plurality of data storage devices.

13. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the power supply being a battery or power cord.

14. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the mounting mechanism constructed such that said training aid may be used without any modification to the device.

15. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the mounting mechanism containing a magnet for attachment to the device.

16. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the mounting mechanism utilizing friction between the training aid and the device by means of an element being selected from the group consisting of a hook-and-loop fastener, and a band comprised of elastic, plastic or metal.

17. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the mounting mechanism containing a cylinder or cone that is inserted into the bore of a firearm.

18. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the electronic image being a still photo or a movie.

19. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a set of optical components between the electronic display and the trainee'"'"'s eye.

20. The training aid as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the set of optical components being capable of adjustment.

21. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a means of wired or wireless communication with an external device.

22. The training aid as set forth in claim 21, further comprising means for wired communication being selected from the group consisting of an Ethernet port, a Firewire port, a parallel port, a hardware interrupt mechanism, and an input pin.

23. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a sensor which communicates with the microprocessor.

24. The training aid as set forth in claim 23, further comprising the sensor being capable of measuring acceleration or velocity of the training aid.

25. The training aid as set forth in claim 23, further comprising a plurality of the sensors.

26. The training aid as set forth in claim 23, further comprising the set of software instructions utilizing information from the sensor to move the electronic image such that it appears to move in a reference frame independent of the training aid.

27. The training aid as set forth in claim 26, further comprising the set of software instructions collecting information about the motion of the training aid from the sensor and storing this information in the data storage.

28. The training aid as set forth in claim 26, further comprising the set of software instructions collecting information about the motion of the training aid from the sensor and communicating this information to an external computer.

29. The training aid as set forth in claim 1, further comprising software instructions being selected from a plurality of sets of instructions installed on the training aid.