Remote target control system

• US 6,975,859 B1
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Lambert, Spencer, Sovine, H. Addison
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US10/045,434
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 455/74.1, 455/558, 455/95, 455/461, 455/419, 455/420, 455/92, 379/93.05, 379/61, 379/436, 434/21, 434/16, 434/19, 434/11, 434/17, 434/20, 434/22, 434/12, 434/14, 434/15, 463/5, 463/16, 463/40, 463/52, 463/51, 445/420, 445/92, 273/313, 273/348, 273/312, 273/370, 273/372, 273/386, 35/25
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 7/06 Bobbing targets, i.e. targets intermittently or unexpectedly appearing
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 9/02 Land-based targets , e.g. inflatable targets supported by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/007 with remote control systems remote control in general G08C

Abstract

A remote target control system utilizes a telephone as an input device to enable remote control of targets. Preferably, the telephone is in the form of a cordless handset and a base unit so that the user can activate the remote control system from a substantial distance from the base unit of the telephone.

Claims

1. A remote target control system comprising:

a telephone,

an interface disposed in communication with the telephone, and

a computer disposed in communication with the interface and at least one shooting target for selectively actuating a shooting target in response to signals received from the telephone.

2. The remote target control system according to claim 1, wherein the telephone comprises a cordless handset and a base unit.

3. The remote target control system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller disposed in communication with the computer and the interface for actuating at least one target.

4. The remote control target system according to claim 1, wherein the interface communicates with the controller, and wherein the controller communicates with the computer.

5. The remote control target system according to claim 1, wherein the computer runs a predetermined program for actuating computers, and wherein the telephone is usable to override the predetermined program.

7. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising an interface disposed in communication with the cordless telephone and the target range device.

8. The remote control system according to claim 7, further comprising a controller disposed in communication with the interface and configured to send signals for actuating targets.

9. The remote control system according to claim 7, further comprising a computer disposed in communication with the interface.

10. The remote control system according to claim 7, wherein the computer is programmed to run programs for actuating targets, and wherein signals from the telephone override the computer.

6. A remote target control system comprising:

a cordless telephone and

a shooting target range device disposed in communication with the cordless telephone and responsive to signals generated by use of the cordless telephone to selectively actuate targets.

11. A remote target control system comprising:

a telephone;

a controller disposed in communication with the telephone; and

a plurality of shooting target range devices disposed in communication with the controller and responsive to signals conveyed by the controller.

12. The remote target control system of claim 11, wherein the telephone comprises a cordless telephone.

13. The remote target control system according to claim 11, wherein the controller comprises a touch tone decoder.

14. The remote target control system according to claim 11, wherein the interface comprises an analog circuit.

15. The remote target control system according to claim 12, further comprising a computer disposed in communication with the controller.

16. The remote target control system according to claim 12, further comprising an interface disposed between the telephone and the controller.

17. A method for actuating a bullet target, the method comprising;

pressing a key on a telephone to develop a signal;

conveying the signal to a controller; and

actuating a target responsive to the signal received by the controller.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the method further comprises passing the signal through an interface.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the method comprises conveying the signal to a computer.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the computer runs a target control program and wherein the signal overrides the target control program.

21. The method according to claim 17, wherein the telephone is a cordless telephone.

22. The method according to claim 17, wherein the controller has a plurality of lines disposed in communication with a plurality of targets and wherein the controller sends a signal over a specific line responsive to the signal generated by the telephone.