# US 11,029,134 B2 · Target carrier system having advanced functionality > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,134 B2 - Document ID: US11029134B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/237,394 - Filed: 2018-12-31 - Published: 2019-07-11 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-01-06 - Assignees: Action Target Inc. - Applicants: Action Target Inc. - Inventors: David Sharp; Todd Rupper - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029134B2 ## CPC - F41J 9/02: Land-based targets {, e.g. inflatable targets supported by fluid pressure} - F41J 5/04: Electric hit-indicating systems; Detecting hits by actuation of electric contacts or switches - F41J 7/00: Movable targets which are stationary when fired at - F41J 11/00: Target ranges {(timetables, lists or forms for shooter enlistment B42D15/0066)} - F41J: TARGETS; TARGET RANGES; BULLET CATCHERS {(targets for shooting or hurling games A63F9/0204)} ## Abstract A system and method for detecting hits to a target carrier and taking corrective measures and/or for detecting hits to a target carried by the target carrier may include one or more sensors or cameras disposed in conjunction with the target carrier. The target carrier may be provided with a processor in communication with a sensor, and the processor may also be in communication with a motor and/or actuator of the target carrier. The sensor may be able to sense hits to the target carrier and send a strike signal to the processor in response to such hits. The processor may then take corrective action, such as causing the target carrier to return to a home position, cause the target actuator to turn or edge the target, and/or send a signal to the range operators that the target carrier has been hit. The target carrier may also be provided with a camera for visualizing a target carried by the target carrier. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for detecting hits to a target carrier comprising: a target carrier, the target carrier comprising a sensor which detects a strike to the target carrier by a projectile and sends a strike signal to a controller in response to a detected strike; and a controller in communication with the sensor and the target carrier, the controller being configured to receive the strike signal from the sensor and programed to generate a corrective measure when the strike signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein controller is disposed in communication with a target actuator and wherein the controller is programmed to send a signal to the target actuator to turn a target attached to the target actuator on edge relative to a shooter when the controller receives one or more strike signals from the sensor which exceed the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the target actuator is disposed on the target carrier and wherein target carrier comprises a motor and wherein the motor moves the carrier to a home position when the controller receives from the sensor one or more strike signals which exceed the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a target controlled by the target actuator, wherein the target has a first, presented position and a second, non-presented position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the target actuator is configured to move the target from the first, presented position to the second, non-presented position when the controller receives strike signals from the sensor which exceed the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor and a second sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one of an accelerometer, a piezo electric sensor, a microphone, a thermocouple, and a strain gauge sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a shooter interface in communication with the controller, wherein the corrective measure comprises the controller sending a warning message to the shooter interface when the controller receives one or more strike signals from the sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the warning message comprises one or more of an audible sound and a visual alert. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a range server in communication with the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to send a warning message to the range server when the controller receives the strike signal from the sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the carrier further comprises a camera, the camera in communication with the controller. ### Claim 12 A method for protecting a target carrier from hits to the target carrier, the method comprising: selecting a carrier, the carrier having a strike sensor located thereon; providing a controller in communication with the carrier and the strike sensor, sensing a strike to the target carrier with the strike sensor, and sending a strike signal to the controller; the controller generating at least one corrective measure in response to one or more strike signals exceeding a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the step of selecting the carrier comprises selecting a carrier having a target actuator for turning a target between a first, presented position and a second, non-presented position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the step of generating at least one corrective measure when the controller receives at least one strike which exceeds a predetermined threshold from the strike sensor comprises actuating the target actuator to turn the target from a first, presented position to a second, non-presented position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of incrementing the number of strike signals by one for each strike signal received by the controller. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising comparing the number of strike signals to a predetermined number of strike signals. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating at least one corrective measure comprises the step of sending a warning message to a range server when the controller receives at least one strike signal from the strike sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the step of generating at least one corrective measure comprises comprising the step of sending a warning message to a user interface when the controller receives at least one strike signal from the strike sensor which exceeds the predetermined threshold. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the step of selecting the carrier comprises selecting a carrier having a motor and wherein the step of generating at least one corrective measure when the controller receives at least strike signal exceeding a predetermined threshold comprises actuating the motor to move the carrier to a home position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of providing at least one light for a lane of the carrier and controlling the at least one light with the controller, and further comprising the step of the controller making a change to the at least one light of the lane of the carrier when the controller receives the strike signal from the strike sensor. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined threshold for number of strike signals from the strike sensor is zero. ### Claim 22 A kit for adapting a target carrier to detect hits to the target carrier, the kit comprising: a sensor configured to be connected to a controller of the target carrier, computer readable storage medium comprising instructions to be carried out by a processor in communication with the sensor and the target carrier, said instructions comprising: the sensor sending a strike signal to the controller when the sensor detects a hit to the target carrier; and the processor sending a signal to take at least one corrective measure when the controller receives one or more strike signals exceeding a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, further comprising a camera configured to be connected to the controller of the target carrier.