Apparatus, system and method for archery equipment

• US 8,221,273 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Full Flight Technology, Llc
• Original Assignee: Full Flight Technology, Llc
• Inventors: Donahoe, Robert V.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICCI, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US12/175,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20080287229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 473/578, 473/585, 473/586
• US Class Current: 473/578
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/008 Devices for measuring or verifying ball characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 5/14 Details of bows; Accessories for arc shooting sighting devices for bows F41G1/467
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/385 Arrow or dart carrying a radio transmitter for signalling
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/04 Archery arrows F42B6/08, F41B5/06, F42B12/362 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/06 Tail ends, e.g. nocks, fletching
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 6/08 Arrow heads; Harpoon heads

Abstract

An apparatus is configured for inclusion in an arrow, where the apparatus includes a device configured to provide feedback to a user concerning the arrow shot from a bow, and a processor coupled to the device, the processor configured to control an operation of the device at least during a flight of the arrow.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured for inclusion in an arrow, the apparatus comprising:

a device configured to provide feedback to a user concerning the arrow shot from a bow;

a processor coupled to the device, the processor configured to control an operation of the device at least during a flight of the arrow; and

a microcontroller, wherein the processor is included in the microcontroller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bow is a crossbow.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device operates to provide feedback to the user during the flight of the arrow.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the device includes a sensor, and wherein at least some data provided by the sensor during the flight of the arrow is employed to provide feedback to the user after a completion of the flight of the arrow.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus generates an output that includes information that allows the apparatus to be uniquely identified relative to at least one other apparatus configured for inclusion in an arrow.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller operates in a power-saving mode until substantially a time when the arrow is shot from a bow.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes an RF transmitter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes an illuminating device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the illuminating device includes an LED.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an acceleration sensitive device coupled to the microcontroller.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the acceleration sensitive device is configured to detect multiple acceleration events including a first acceleration event when the arrow is shot from a bow and a second acceleration event when the arrow strikes a target.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes a GPS receiver.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes a tracking device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes an annuciator.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device includes at least one of a camera and a microphone.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer coupled to the microcontroller.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory included in the microcontroller, the memory coupled to the processor and configured to store at least one program that when executed by the processor controls the operation of the device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory includes at least one of a Flash memory, an EEPROM and an SRAM.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the processor; and

at least one sensor coupled to the microcontroller,

wherein the memory is configured to store at least one program that when executed by the processor controls an operation of the apparatus to collect data generated by the sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one program when executed by the processor controls the operation of the apparatus to communicate the data to a device external to the arrow.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the memory is included in the microcontroller.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory included in the microcontroller and coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store at least one program that when executed by the processor controls an operation of the apparatus in a power-saving mode.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store at least one program that when executed by the processor controls the operation of the device.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the device includes a GPS receiver.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the device includes a tracking device.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus is included in any one of an arrowtip and a nock.

27. An apparatus configured for inclusion in an arrow, the apparatus comprising:

at least one sensor;

a microcontroller coupled to the at least one sensor, the microcontroller including a processor configured to control an operation of the apparatus to collect data generated by the sensor at least during a flight of the arrow; and

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein at least some data provided by the at least one sensor during the flight of the arrow is stored in the memory and employed to provide feedback to a user after a completion of the flight of the arrow.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising an accelerometer, the accelerometer including the at least one sensor.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

a power source coupled to the microcontroller; and

a power regulator configured to regulate a voltage provided by the power source.