Target actuator system

Abstract

A target carrier system and a method of use are disclosed for controlling the presentation of a target during firearms training. The system and method may be used to improve decision making on whether or not to discharge a weapon when exposed to a potential threat.

1 . A target carrier system comprising:
 a target actuator having a clamping mechanism for holding a target, the target actuator being configured to rotate the clamping mechanism at least 360 degrees; and   a plurality of contacts disposed to engage a target and to obtain signals from   the target indicative of the target being hit by a bullet.   
     
     
         2 . The target carrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contacts is disposed on the clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The target carrier system of  claim 1 , further comprising a slip ring attached to the clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The target carrier system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of contact is electrically connected to the slip ring. 
     
     
         5 . The target carrier system of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of brush contacts disposed in communication with the slip ring. 
     
     
         6 . The target carrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation of the clamping mechanism is determined by the target carrier system. 
     
     
         7 . A target system comprising the target carrier system of  claim 1 , and further comprising a target held by the clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The target system of  claim 7 , wherein the target carrier system supplies electrical current to the target and receives signals back from the target indicative of puncturing of the target. 
     
     
         9 . The target system of  claim 7 , wherein the target has a first side having an image disposed thereon and a second side having an image disposed thereon and wherein the images on the first side is different from the image on the second side. 
     
     
         10 . The target system of  claim 7 , wherein the orientation of the clamping mechanism is determined by the target carrier system. 
     
     
         11 . The target system of  claim 7 , wherein the target carrier system is programmed to determine which side of the target is being presented to a person disposed in front of the target carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The target carrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contacts is contained in a clip. 
     
     
         13 . The target carrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the clip is electrically connected to a plug. 
     
     
         14 . The target carrier system of  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a transmitter. 
     
     
         15 . A method of presenting a target, the method comprising:
 rotating a target to present the target;   receiving data from the target indicative of whether the target has been struck by one or more bullets while presented;   rotating the target so the target is no longer presented; and   rotating the target to present the target based on data received from the target;   
     
     
         16 . The method of presenting a target of  claim 15 , wherein the target has a first side and a second side and wherein the first side has an image thereon indicative of a threat sufficient to justify the shooting of a gun and wherein the second side has an image thereon which is not indicative of a threat sufficient to justify the shooting of a gun. 
     
     
         17 . The method of presenting a target of  claim 16 , wherein the method includes knowing which side of the image is being presented and determining if the target has properly been struck by a bullet while being presented. 
     
     
         18 . The method of presenting a target of  claim 17 , wherein an actuator rotates the target in response to instructions from a processor and wherein the processor receiving signals from the target indicating if the target has been hit by a bullet. 
     
     
         19 . The method for presenting a target of  claim 15 , wherein electrical signals are passed between the target ad the target carrier via a slip ring. 
     
     
         20 . The method for presenting a target of  claim 15 , wherein a clip is placed on the target, the clip having a plurality of conductors. 
     
     
         21 . A target carrier system comprising:
 a target;   a processor disposed in communication with the target, the processor being programmed to present an image on the target to a person being trained with the target, the processor being programmed to change the image visible to the user in response to whether or nor the person being trained fires a projectile through the target.   
     
     
         22 . The target carrier system of  claim 21 , wherein the target has a plurality of conductive lines disposed thereon or therein and wherein a bullet passing through the target provides feedback to the processor: 
     
     
         23 . The target carrier system of  claim 21 , wherein target carrier system includes a motor unit which rotates a target and wherein the processor is disposed in communication with the motor unit which rotates the target. 
     
     
         24 . The target carrier system of  claim 22 , wherein the processor is programmed to rotate the target in response to the occurrence or absence of a projectile passing through the target within a given amount of time. 
     
     
         25 . The target carrier system of  claim 21 , wherein the target carrier system further comprises a projector for projecting an image onto the target and wherein the processor is programmed to change the image the projector projects onto the target in response to the occurrence or absence of a projectile passing through the target within a given amount of time. 
     
     
         26 . The target carrier system of  claim 21 , wherein the target carrier system further comprises a projector for projecting an image onto the target and wherein the processor is programmed to change the image the projector projects onto the target in response to a certain number of projectiles passing through the target within a given amount of time. 
     
     
         27 . A method for training a person when to discharge a firearm, the method comprising:
 presenting a target having a first image disposed thereon indicative of a shoot or no shoot situation;   detecting whether a projectile has passed through the target or a specific portion thereof after the image was presented; and   providing a second image to the shooter in response to whether or not a projectile was fired through the target while the first image was presented to the person.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the method comprises rotating the target to present the second image to the person. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the first image is projected onto the target and wherein presenting the second image comprises projecting a second image onto the target.