Patents Examined by Timothy A Musselman
  • Patent number: 10288370
    Abstract: A method of supervising the safe carrying of firearms establishing rules for the situations where live ammunition is allowed to be in the chamber of the firearm. A supervisor checks that a dummy round is in the chamber of the firearm before the supervised person goes on duty outside of direct supervision. The dummy round is designed so that it records occasions when it is removed from the chamber. The recording is designed to last until checked by the supervisor. In some cases the dummy round undergoes changes that make the recording. In other cases the dummy round keeps count of the number of times it is removed from the chamber. In still other cases the dummy round communicates with a device which makes the recording. In each of these cases the system of supervision insures that live ammunition is only chambered when appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Danaher Harvey
  • Patent number: 10274287
    Abstract: A system and method for simulating lead of a target includes a network, a simulation administrator and a user device connected to the network, a database connected to the simulation administrator, and a set of position trackers positioned at a simulator site. The user device includes a virtual reality unit and a computer connected to the set of virtual reality unit and to the network. A generated target is simulated. The target and the user are tracked to generate a phantom target and a phantom halo. The phantom target and the phantom halo are displayed on the virtual reality unit at a lead distance and a drop distance from the target as viewed through the virtual reality unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Shooting Simulator, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Northrup, Robert P. Northrup, Peter F. Blakeley
  • Patent number: 10271790
    Abstract: A method and system for training proper gait of a user, the system including at least one inertial sensor, a memory, a controller, and an output interface. The memory is for storing information for an ideal walking or running gait, the information including information for an ideal bounce or acceleration over time. The method can be implemented by the controller and includes displaying an animation of an ideal walking or running gait and an actual gait of the user, both simultaneously with cadence synchronized, and also providing to the output interface a comparison of an actual bounce of the user with the ideal bounce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Dalsu Lee
  • Patent number: 10268180
    Abstract: A handheld field maintenance tool includes a training mode. The handheld field maintenance tool has a process communication module operably coupleable to a field device, a user interface, and a controller coupled to the process communication module and the user interface. The controller is configured to interact with a user through the user interface, and is configured to provide a simulation function where at least one characteristic of the field device, indicated through the user interface, is generated by the controller instead of the field device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: FISHER-ROSEMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brad N. Mathiowetz, Christopher P. Kantzes, Todd M. Toepke, Kun Yang, Adam E. Lund
  • Patent number: 10260839
    Abstract: The embodied invention features a combination display with four individual displays to facilitate handgun training with a laser firing hand weapon. The first is a target display with a skeletal hand-arm position of a trainee. The second is a side view of the skeletal hand-arm position. The third a target display to provide for viewing the shots as they hit the target. The fourth display is a side view of the trainee as seen by a video camera. All of the displays are recorded during a laser target practice and are immediately available for the trainee to view and learn about correct positioning and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: Rod Ghani
  • Patent number: 10260845
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, processes, and techniques may be used for marksmanship training. In particular implementations, motion data for a firearm may be acquired during live operation by a firearm operator using a sensor assembly coupled to a firearm. The motion data may be analyzed to detect a firing event, and the firing event may be used to pretrigger recording of the motion data. In certain implementations, the recorded motion data may be analyzed to determine inappropriate firing control actions, if any, and to provide corrective actions to a firearm operator about inappropriate firing control actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Zachary Hamilton, Susana A. Martinez, Ahmed Alshehri, William Tirado
  • Patent number: 10247506
    Abstract: An indirect fire mission training round includes a projectile training shell having an outer periphery, a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end defining an interior chamber. The projectile training shell is configured to be inserted within a cavity of a projectile firing instrument. The round includes an interlock member configured to securely receive a proximal portion of a subsequent training round within the interior chamber of the projectile training shell. The round includes a resistance brake extending outward from the outer periphery and configured to contact a wall of the cavity of the firing instrument and provide resistance that secures the projectile training shell at a position within the cavity. The resistance break is selectively disengageable such that the position of the projectile training shell is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Cubic Corporation
    Inventors: Martyn Armstrong, Neale Smiles, Alastair Parkinson, David Boissel, George Sparshatt-Potter
  • Patent number: 10249208
    Abstract: A system and method for training a pilot to operate an aircraft in sudden-onset reduced-visibility conditions is disclosed. The system includes electrooptic material having an optical transmittance that varies with an electrical signal applied to the material and a power supply to provide the electrical signal to the material. The electrooptic material is disposed to restrict the pilot's visibility outside the aircraft when the electrooptic material is in a low-optical-transmittance state. The system further includes a flight-safety sensor that sets the output of the power supply to correspond to an optical transmittance state of the electrooptic material that does not substantially restrict the pilot's visibility outside the aircraft when flight conditions are deemed unsafe. The method includes reducing the optical transmittance of the material to restrict the pilot's visibility outside the aircraft in a manner unexpected to the pilot at the time of the transmittance reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: AT Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Gilles Lavallee, Steven Tyson Phillips
  • Patent number: 10234247
    Abstract: This apparatus offers multiple training scenarios which designates the targets to be hit and evaluates response. The apparatus assists in the evaluation and training of a shooter using multiple scenarios, detection of target strikes, timing, accuracy, and threat assessment. The system may be used with unmodified weapons and may not require attachments to weapon or shooter. The light source(s) in this apparatus may include visible lasers, focused light emitters, video or image projectors. The shooter may use live ammunition, and the weapon may be fired and operated independently of the control system. Hit detection on the targets may use vibration, accelerometer, acoustic, optical or thermal sensors that respond to projectile strikes on the designated target(s). If the specific location of the strike on the target is desired, nested targets and multiple sensor triangulation calculations may be used. This system designates which targets to shoot, when to fire, and evaluates the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: LATTS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Leon Beine, Robert Barksdale Beine
  • Patent number: 10234240
    Abstract: A system and method for simulating lead of a target includes a network, a simulation administrator and a user device connected to the network, a database connected to the simulation administrator, and a set of position trackers positioned at a simulator site. The user device includes a virtual reality unit and a computer connected to the set of virtual reality unit and to the network. A generated target is simulated. The target and the user are tracked to generate a phantom target and a phantom halo. The phantom target and the phantom halo are displayed on the virtual reality unit at a lead distance and a drop distance from the target as viewed through the virtual reality unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Shooting Simulator, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Northrup, Robert P. Northrup, Peter F. Blakeley
  • Patent number: 10229607
    Abstract: Systems and methods for competency training and use authorization for dispensing an agent are described, which include: an agent-dispensing device configured to dispense one or more agents to a user, and including a controllable agent-dispensing mechanism and a receiver configured to receive a signal and to activate or deactivate a locking mechanism coupled to the controllable agent-dispensing mechanism; a computing device having a display and a user interface; and a web-based interactive tool accessible on the computing device, the web-based interactive tool including a training module to provide training to the user in proper use of the agent-dispensing device, a verification module to verify a competency of the user in the proper use of the agent-dispensing device, and an activation module responsive to the verification module and operable to provide an activation signal to deactivate the locking mechanism to allow dispensing of the one or more agents after verifying the competency of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Baym, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Philip A. Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10222176
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a transmitter unit having at least one infrared (IR) transmitter, a target screen, a plurality of photodiode sensors disposed in a spaced apart relationship about the target screen, and receiver circuitry connecting the photodiode sensors together. The transmitter unit continuously emits an IR signal, which is detected by the photodiode sensors. The receiver circuitry then triangulate the position of the transmitter unit by calculating the differential distances between each of the photodiode sensors and the transmitter unit. The receiver circuitry is able to dynamically update the position of the transmitter unit because the transmitter unit continuously emits an IR signal. The transmitter unit is able to simulate a “shot” in a number of different ways, including updating the packet update rate or altering the data packet preamble. No return signal is necessary for the transmitter unit to confirm the “shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew Lohbihler
  • Patent number: 10213679
    Abstract: An indirect fire simulation system includes a plurality of communication devices where each communication device is associated with a separate player. Each communication device includes a location services device for determining a location of the communication device which is communicated to a game server. The locations of all the communication devices are revealed to all the communication devices. Each communication device includes a directional orientation mechanism used when creating a targeting solution of a simulated indirect fire weapon. A processor is used for determining if a simulated targeting of another player by a simulated indirect fire weapon is a hit or miss based on the location indicia of a shooting communication device and the directional orientation of the shooting communication device. The targeting solution may be determined by aligning an aiming vector over the targeted communication device shown on a display of the shooting communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: George Carter
  • Patent number: 10215542
    Abstract: Systems for analyzing performance of an activity involving using an implement to strike a moving target object effectively have a first sensor attached to the implement, a second sensor attached to a launcher human or mechanically operable to launch the moving target, wherein the first sensor generates a signal associated with motion of the implement, wherein a second sensor generates a signal associated with motion of at least one of the group consisting of the launcher and the moving target being launched, a processor operably coupled to the first and second sensors to receive the signals generated by the first and second sensors, and wherein the processor analyzes the received signals to measure performance of the activity. The implement may be a firearm. The implement may be a shotgun. The launcher may be a clay pigeon trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: VIRTUAL CLAYS, LLC
    Inventors: Sarah J. Schaller, Gordon A. Schaller
  • Patent number: 10209024
    Abstract: A practice weapon, having a conventional handle piece with a lock for a drop barrel, with a trigger mechanism which optionally has a rotary bearing for a rotatable trigger, with a spring base on which the return spring is supported; and with a practice breech with a fixed practice barrel. In order to permit a conversion without the use of a tool, an adapter is inserted into the handle piece, the adapter being supported firstly above the trigger mechanism, optionally above the rotary bearing, on a brace and secondly in the upper region of the spring base of the handle piece. Furthermore, the upper region of the adapter has guides for the practice barrel, and the lock interacts with a locking carriage, which is formed in a locking slot of the adapter, in such a manner that the locking carriage secures the practice barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Glock Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Kroyer
  • Patent number: 10210768
    Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing an educational interactive multimedia presentation based on biometric sensor readings of a user. The interactive multimedia presentation may include one or more educational lessons that are presented to the user. A particular educational lesson may include content related to one or more skillsets the user is learning. By adapting the interactive multimedia presentation based on the user's biometric sensor readings, a customized learning experience may be created for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Dhiraj Jeyanandarajan
  • Patent number: 10203181
    Abstract: A video screen apparatus for hitting, including a first rotation rod on which a screen fabric is wound, and a second rotation rod having rotation rings are provided at both left and right sides, in which the first rotation rod is provided below a support in a horizontal direction, the second rotation rod is provided above the support in the horizontal direction, the screen is formed between a first support rod and a second support rod, a screen mounting board for mounting and separating the first rotation rod is provided below the support in the horizontal direction, a rotation support for mounting and separating the second rotation rod is provided above the support in the horizontal direction, and the second rotation rod provided above the support is configured by a separation and joining means configured to separate and join the second rotation rod from and to a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: Hae-Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 10204525
    Abstract: Improved methods for rehabilitation, transformation, training, and learning are provided for a person as a viewer which enable the viewer to experience a virtual session, comprised of one or more virtual scenarios intended to activate the mirror neuron system, that includes suggestion, hypnosis, hypnotic induction and/or hypnotic suggestion in verbal and/or visual forms, where said suggestion, hypnotic induction and/or hypnotic suggestion may possibly be applied to and/or utilized in relationship with the various components and/or aspects individually and/or collectively that make up a virtual session which are presented in this description of the present invention, which includes one or more virtual scenarios, a virtual character which may be created to be in the likeness of the viewer, where said virtual character and possibly additional virtual characters that are human and/or non-human may be animated to properly perform one or more acts and/or motions and/or movements and possibly express dialog and/or s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: JeffRoy H. Tillis
  • Patent number: 10182966
    Abstract: A medical device of the type used for assisting a user in manually delivering repetitive therapy to a patient (e.g., chest compressions or ventilations in cardiac resuscitation), the device comprising a feedback device configured to generate feedback cues to assist the user in timing the delivery of the repetitive therapy, at least one sensor or circuit element configured to detect actual delivery times, at which the user actually delivers the repetitive therapy, and a processor, memory, and associated circuitry configured to compare the actual delivery times to information representative of desired delivery times to determine cue times at which the feedback cues are generated by the feedback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A Freeman, Daniel M Lisogurski
  • Patent number: 10143887
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for athletic performance and technique monitoring are disclosed. In one example, a sensor output is received associated with a movement of a user torso during a running motion. The sensor output is analyzed to identify an undesirable torso motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas C. Chuang