Multichannel controller for target shooting range

• US 9,726,463 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2014
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robotzone, LLC
• Original Assignee: Robtozone LLC
• Inventors: Pettey, Brian T., Holt, Christopher L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liddle, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US14/332,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20160018198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 9/02 Land-based targets , e.g. inflatable targets supported by fluid pressure

Abstract

An aspect of the disclosure relates to a multichannel controller for controlling a target in a target system. In one embodiment, a multichannel controller is configured to control a target system and includes a user input interface that receives a user input for the multichannel controller, wherein the user input is a command to control one or more targets in the target system and a processor that generates the command to send to the one or more targets in the target system and a command translation unit that relays the command to the one or more targets, wherein the command comprises a motion sequence.

Claims

1. A multichannel controller configured to control an at least one target in a target system, the multichannel controller comprising:

a touchscreen display interface configured to receive a user input for the multichannel controller, wherein the user input comprises a command to control the at least one target in the target system, wherein the at least one target is configured to receive a projectile from a shooter at a first position;

a processor configured to generate a signal indicative of the received command for the at least one target in the target system;

a communication interlace coupled to the processor and configured to communicate the generated signal to the at least one target in the target system, wherein the communication interface is further configured to receive feedback from the at least one target in the target system and display an indication of the received feedback on the touchscreen display interface, wherein the feedback is received at the multichannel controller, located at a second position; and

wherein the command comprises a first retrieved motion sequence and a second retrieved motion sequence for the at least one target in the target system, wherein the first and the second retrieved motion sequences comprise a user-selected preprogrammed motion sequence input through the touchscreen display interface, and wherein the first retrieved motion sequence is different than the second retrieved motion sequence, and wherein the second retrieved motion sequence is configured to be completed based on an indication of whether the at least one target received the projectile from the shooter at the first position.

2. The multichannel controller of claim 1, wherein the user input further comprises a control mode, and wherein the control mode generates the first retrieved motion sequence and the second retrieved motion sequence.

3. The multichannel controller of claim 2, wherein the control mode includes a user input in the form of at least one of:

a touchpad;

a joystick;

a trackball;

a touchpad and slider bars;

a joystick and wheels; and

a slider bar.

4. The multichannel controller of claim 1, wherein the communications interface is further configured to interact with an external database, wherein the external database comprises at least a plurality of downloadable control modes and a plurality of downloadable motion sequences.

5. The multichannel controller of claim 4, wherein the communications interface communicates with the external database over a wireless network.

6. The multichannel controller of claim 1, wherein the communication interface communicates with the at least one target in the target system using a WiFi communication protocol.

7. The multichannel controller of claim 1, wherein the communication interface communicates with the at least one target in the target system using an RFID communication protocol.

8. The multichannel controller of claim 1, wherein the communication interface communicates with the at least one target in the target system using an NFC communication protocol.

9. The multichannel controller of claim 1, wherein received feedback comprises hit feedback, wherein hit feedback comprises at least an accuracy indication.

10. A method for controlling multiple targets in a target system using a multichannel controller, the method comprising:

receiving an indication of a selection of a first target in the target system, wherein the indication of the selection of the first target is received through a touchscreen interface of the multichannel controller;

receiving an indication of a first selected preprogrammed motion control sequence for the first selected target through the touchscreen interface, wherein the first preprogrammed motion control sequence is selected from a set of available motion control sequences;

communicating the first selected preprogrammed motion control sequence to the first selected target, causing the first selected target to complete the first selected preprogrammed motion control sequence;

receiving a first indication of hit feedback from the first selected target, and, based on the first indication of hit feedback, communicating a second preprogrammed motion control sequence to a second target, causing the second target to complete the second preprogrammed motion control sequence; and

receiving a second indication of hit feedback from the second target, wherein the second indication of hit feedback is provided on the touchscreen interface of the multichannel controller. feedback comprises hit feedback, wherein hit feedback comprises at least an accuracy indication.

11. The method of claim 10, and further comprising:

receiving a user indication comprising a user-indicated change to the first selected preprogrammed motion control sequence, wherein the user-indication comprises adjusting one of;

a left-to-right axis of movement;

a front-to-back axis of movement;

or

an up/down axis of movement.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first selected preprogrammed motion control sequence comprises a first motion control sequence, and further comprises:

selecting a second motion control sequence for the first selected target, wherein the second motion control sequence is configured to be executed after the completion of the first motion control sequence; and

repeatedly selecting additional motion control sequences until a desired final motion sequence is generated.

13. The method of claim 10, and further comprising:

selecting, using a user interface of the multichannel controller, the second target in the target system;

selecting the second preprogrammed motion control sequence for the selected second target; and

repeated the process of selecting targets and motion control sequences until each of the targets has a motion control sequence command.

14. A multichannel controller comprising:

a memory component configured to store;

a plurality of control modes, wherein each of the control modes is configured to control motion of a target in a target system, wherein the target is a shooting range target; and

a plurality of pre-programmed motion sequences, wherein each of the plurality of pre-programmed motion sequences are customizable, wherein each of the plurality of pre-programmed motion sequences comprises a sequence causing the target to physically move between a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is distinct from the first position;

a user interface component configured to display, in a control selection mode, one of the plurality of control modes and, in a target mode, an indication of the target, wherein in the control mode, the user interface component is configured to allow a user to select a control mode and a pre-programmed motion for the target in the target system;

a processor configured to generate a control signal based on the selected motion, and wherein the processor, in the target mode, is further configured to provide, on the user interface component, a hit feedback comprising a display of an at least one target representation and a hit indication; and

a communications interface configured to communicate with an external database over a wireless network, wherein the external database comprises a plurality of downloadable control modes and a plurality of downloadable motion sequences, and wherein at least one of the plurality of downloadable control modes is created by a manufacturer of the target system.

15. The multichannel controller of claim 14, wherein the plurality of control modes comprise:

a touchpad;

a joystick;

a trackball;

a touchpad and slider bars;

a joystick and wheels; and

a and slider bars.

16. The multichannel controller of claim 14, wherein the user interface component further comprises a touchscreen component.

17. The multichannel controller of claim 14, and further comprising:

an editing component configured to adjust the selected preprogrammed motion in response to a user indication comprises a selected adjustment of one of;

a left-to-right axis of movement;

a front-to-back axis of movement;

or

an up/down axis of movement.

18. The multichannel controller of claim 14, wherein the multichannel controller is further configured to control the motion of the target in the target system and wherein the target in the target system is controlled by a control mode.

19. The multichannel controller of claim 14, wherein the multichannel controller is further configured to control the motion of the target in the target system and wherein the target in the target system is controlled by a pre-programmed motion sequence.

20. The multichannel controller of claim 18, and further comprising:

a recording component configured to record the motion of the target in the target system controlled by a control mode.

21. The multichannel controller of claim 14, wherein the hit indication comprises a color change of the at least one target representation.

22. The multichannel controller of claim 14, wherein the hit indication comprises an area struck on the target in the target system.

23. The multichannel controller of claim 14, wherein the hit feedback comprises a flashing light.

24. The multichannel controller of claim 14, wherein the hit feedback comprises an indication of time it took for a user to hit the at least one target.