Shooting range simulator system and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a shooting range simulator system and method able to monitor the aiming history of a shooter. The method may include determining an aimed-at position of one or more aiming devices on a target screen by selectively illuminating positions on the screen according to a predefined scheme; detecting scattered light from the illuminated position from one or more viewing angles; and deriving coordinates of the aimed-at position based on the timing of the detection relative to the scanning scheme. The system may include a scanner to selectively illuminate screen elements and a processing center to determine an aimed-at position on the screen. Additional features are described and claimed.

1 . A method of determining an aimed-at position of one or more aiming devices on a target screen, comprising: 
 selectively illuminating positions on a target screen according to a predefined scanning scheme;    detecting from one or more viewing angles, within a narrow filed of view, scattered light from an illuminated position on said target screen; and    deriving coordinates of an aimed-at position on said target screen based on the timing, in reference to said scanning scheme, of a detection signal responsive to detection of light from one or more of said viewing angles.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising compiling a history of said aimed-at positions.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising displaying one or more values representing a history of said aimed-at positions.  
   
   
       4 . The method of any of claims  1 - 3 , comprising reproducing a desired scenario on said target screen, said scenario including one or more virtual targets.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising comparing said aimed-at position with the position of one or more of said virtual targets to determine a parameter indicative of the aiming accuracy of said aimed-at position.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising displaying a value related to the degree of accuracy of said aimed-at position relative to one or more said virtual targets.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein displaying comprises graphically displaying said aiming accuracy value on said target screen.  
   
   
       8 . The method of any of claims  1 - 7 , comprising receiving an event signal generated in response to an event related to said aiming device.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said event signal comprises a trigger depression signal generated in response to depression of a trigger of said aiming device.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising comparing said aimed-at position at the time of said trigger depression event to the position of one or more of said virtual targets to determine shooting accuracy of said aiming device relative to said one or more of said virtual targets.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising displaying a value related to the degree of said shooting accuracy.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein displaying comprises graphically displaying said shooting accuracy value on said target screen.  
   
   
       13 . The method of any of claims  1 - 12 , wherein selectively illuminating comprises scanning said target screen with an invisible light beam.  
   
   
       14 . The method of any of claims  1 - 13  wherein selectively illuminating comprises scanning said target screen with a laser beam.  
   
   
       15 . A shooting range simulator system comprising: 
 a target screen having a plurality of screen elements;    a scanner to selectively illuminate said screen elements according to a predefined scanning scheme;    one or more aiming devices having directional pickups with a narrow field of view to detect light scattered from said illuminated screen elements; and    a processing center to determine an aimed-at position on said target screen based on the timing of signals received from said aiming devices in reference to said scanning scheme.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said aiming device is able to produce a trigger depression event signal in response to depression of a trigger of said aiming device.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said processing center is able to detect shooting accuracy of said aiming device based on the timing of said trigger depression event in reference to said scanning scheme.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said scanner comprises an external scanning device, able to produce a light beam to selectively illuminate a screen element of said target screen.  
   
   
       19 . The system of any of claims  15 - 18 , comprising a scenario generator to reproduce on said screen a scenario including one or more virtual targets.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said scenario generator comprises a laser projector able to produce a plurality of laser beams to reproduce a scenario on said screen.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said laser projector is able to produce a light beam to selectively illuminate a screen element of said target screen.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said light beam is an invisible laser beam.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said light beam is a visible laser beam of a wavelength that is distinguishable from the spectra of said scenario.  
   
   
       24 . The system of any of claims  15 - 23 , wherein said target screen comprises an illuminating display, and where said scanner is able to selectively cause illumination of pixels of said illuminating display.