Claims:1. A target sheet holding apparatus, said apparatus comprising :
a support frame;
a pair of rollers spaced apart and rotatively coupled to the support frame, the pair of rollers configured to hold a target sheet roll such that rotation of the pair of rollers allow movement of a sheet of the target sheet roll between the pair of rollers;
a rotary device coupled to one of the pair of rollers to enable rotation of the pair of rollers; and
one or more sensors coupled to the support frame, the one or more sensors configured to determine a hit position out of a plurality of shooting positions present on the sheet and wherein the plurality of shooting positions are spaced apart at a predetermined distance.
2. The target sheet holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein a score is determined by comparing the determined hit position with a reference shooting position out of the plurality of shooting positions.
3. The target sheet holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a first pair of vertical members and a second pair of vertical members, where the first pair and the second pair of vertical members are connected by a pair of horizontal members at a upper portion and a lower portion of the first pair and the second pair of vertical members.
4. The target sheet holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are any of an Infra-Red (IR) sensor, an image sensor, an active-pixel sensor or an infra red optical sensor.
5. The target sheet holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet is any of a paper, a cloth or a metal.
6. The target sheet holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary device includes one of a DC motor, a Brushless DC Motor (BLDC), a Synchronous Servo Motor (SSVM) or a Torque Motor (TQM).
7. The target sheet holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary device is configured to drive the rotation of the pair of rollers at different speeds.
8. The target sheet holding apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rotary device is directed with a remote control to drive the rotation of the pair of rollers at the different speeds.
9. The target sheet holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet moves in a vertical orientation between the pair of rollers.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to shooting range equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a target sheet holding apparatus that is remotely controlled to rotate a series of target sheets.

BACKGROUND
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Typically, target shooting has many applications including sighting in firearms, practicing marksmanship, police/military training, and general recreation. The target shooting often involves shooting at a target sheet. Once the targets have been shot, the target sheet need to be replaced by resetting the target sheet or setting up new target sheets. This requires shooters to walk back and forth to a target area. Further, if multiple people are practicing at one time, the shooter must wait for all other users to finish so as to replace the target sheet.
[0004] There is therefore, a need in the art for an improved target sheet holding apparatus that facilitates remote and automatic replacement of the target sheet on a target holder without having the shooter approach the target holder.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0005] The present disclosure relates to shooting range equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a target sheet holding apparatus that is remotely controlled to rotate a series of target sheets.
[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a target holder for target shooting at long-range.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a target holder that automatically changes the target sheet upon a shot being fired by the shooter.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to determine shooting scores of a shooter based on shots fired on the shooting sheet.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to facilitate calculating and summing previous and current shooting scores of a shooter to evaluate shooting performance of the shooter.

SUMMARY
[0010] The present disclosure relates to shooting range equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a target sheet holding apparatus that is remotely controlled to rotate a series of target sheets.
[0011] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a target sheet holding apparatus, said apparatus comprising : a support frame; a pair of rollers spaced apart and rotatively coupled to the support frame, the pair of rollers configured to hold a target sheet roll such that rotation of the pair of rollers allow movement of a sheet of the target sheet roll between the pair of rollers; a rotary device coupled to one of the pair of rollers to enable rotation of the pair of rollers; and one or more sensors coupled to the support frame, the one or more sensors configured to determine a hit position out of a plurality of shooting positions present on the sheet and wherein the plurality of shooting positions are spaced apart at a predetermined distance.
[0012] In an embodiment, a score is determined by comparing the determined hit position with a reference shooting position out of the plurality of shooting positions.
[0013] In an embodiment, the support frame comprises a first pair of vertical members and a second pair of vertical members, where the first pair and the second pair of vertical members are connected by a pair of horizontal members at a upper portion and a lower portion of the first pair and the second pair of vertical members.
[0014] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors are any of an Infra-Red (IR) sensor, an image sensor, an active-pixel sensor or an infra red optical sensor.
[0015] In an embodiment, the sheet is any of a paper, a cloth or a metal.
[0016] In an embodiment, the rotary device includes one of a DC motor, a Brushless DC Motor (BLDC), a Synchronous Servo Motor (SSVM) or a Torque Motor (TQM).
[0017] In an embodiment, the rotary device is configured to drive the rotation of the pair of rollers at different speeds.
[0018] In an embodiment, the rotary device is directed with a remote control to drive the rotation of the pair of rollers at the different speeds.
[0019] In an embodiment, the sheet moves in a vertical orientation between the pair of rollers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0021] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0022] FIGs. 1A-B illustrates a front view and a back view of a target sheet holding apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of the target sheet holding apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, firmware and/or by human operators.
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0027] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0028] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0029] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0030] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[0031] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.
[0032] The present disclosure relates to shooting range equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a target sheet holding apparatus that is remotely controlled to rotate a series of target sheets.
[0033] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a target sheet holding apparatus, said apparatus comprising : a support frame; a pair of rollers spaced apart and rotatively coupled to the support frame, the pair of rollers configured to hold a target sheet roll such that rotation of the pair of rollers allow movement of a sheet of the target sheet roll between the pair of rollers; a rotary device coupled to one of the pair of rollers to enable rotation of the pair of rollers; and one or more sensors coupled to the support frame, the one or more sensors configured to determine a hit position out of a plurality of shooting positions present on the sheet and wherein the plurality of shooting positions are spaced apart at a predetermined distance.
[0034] In an embodiment, a score is determined by comparing the determined hit position with a reference shooting position out of the plurality of shooting positions.
[0035] In an embodiment, the support frame comprises a first pair of vertical members and a second pair of vertical members, where the first pair and the second pair of vertical members are connected by a pair of horizontal members at a upper portion and a lower portion of the first pair and the second pair of vertical members.
[0036] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors are any of an Infra-Red (IR) sensor, an image sensor, an active-pixel sensor or an infra red optical sensor.
[0037] In an embodiment, the sheet is any of a paper, a cloth or a metal.
[0038] In an embodiment, the rotary device includes one of a DC motor, a Brushless DC Motor (BLDC), a Synchronous Servo Motor (SSVM) or a Torque Motor (TQM).
[0039] In an embodiment, the rotary device is configured to drive the rotation of the pair of rollers at different speeds.
[0040] In an embodiment, the rotary device is directed with a remote control to drive the rotation of the pair of rollers at the different speeds.
[0041] In an embodiment, the sheet moves in a vertical orientation between the pair of rollers.
[0042] FIGs. 1A-B illustrates a front view and a back view of a target sheet holding apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0043] In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGs. 1A is a front view of the target sheet holding apparatus 100 (herein also referred to as an apparatus 100). The apparatus 100 has a support frame 110. The support frame 110 may be constructed from a variety of materials, including various metals, plastics, high-density polyethylene, carbon fiber, and fiberglass. The support frame may comprise a first pair of vertical members and a second pair of vertical members. The first pair and the second pair of vertical members are connected by a pair of horizontal members at an upper portion and a lower portion of the first pair and the second pair of vertical members. As illustrated, the apparatus 100 has pair of rollers including a distributing paper roller 102-1 and a collecting paper roller 102-2. The pair of the rollers is configured with the target sheet holding apparatus. The pair of rollers may be made of plastic, wooden or metallic material. In addition a rotary device 108 is coupled to one of the pair of rollers so as to enable rotation of the pair of rollers. The rotary device 108 is configured to drive the rotation of the pair of rollers at different speeds. The rotary device may include either of a DC motor, a Brushless DC Motor (BLDC), a Synchronous Servo Motor (SSVM) or a Torque Motor (TQM). The rotary device 108 may receive command signals to power up and rotate the pair of rollers. Further, one or more sensors are coupled to the support frame, such that the one or more sensors are configured to determine a hit position out of a plurality of shooting positions present on the sheet. The plurality of shooting positions is spaced apart at a predetermined distance. The one or more sensors may be any of an Infra-Red (IR) sensor, an image sensor, an active-pixel sensor or an infra red optical sensor.
[0044] In an embodiment, the determined hit position is compared with a reference shooting position to determine a score for the shooter. As an example, upon achieving the hit position by the shooter a corresponding image and sound is produced, and upon not achieving the hit position by the shooter a varied corresponding image and sound is produced. The scores can be maintained and stored for future reference. The scores may be used to encourage or provide feedback (for example, positive or negative) to the shooter based on his performance during the shooting.
[0045] In an embodiment, the pair of rollers are configured to hold a target sheet roll such that rotation of the pair of rollers allow movement of sheet 104 of the target sheet roll between the pair of controllers. The sheet 104 moves in a vertical orientation between the pair of rollers. The sheet 104 is configured to be substantially flat along a section that extends between the pair of rollers. The sheet 104 may remain wrinkle-free when rolled onto the pair of rollers to prevent distortion of the sheet. The sheet 104 may be constructed from a variety of materials. Examples may include vinyl, re-enforced vinyl, paper, paper with plastic laminate, KEVLAR, and TYVEK. In one embodiment, the sheet 104 may be weather-proof such that it may be stored outdoors without adverse effects.
[0046] In an embodiment, the sheet 104 includes a picture target 112. The picture target 112 may be any of a shooting training image, an image of an object or an entity.
[0047] Further, the picture target 112 can include a target image (printed or otherwise) which the shooter can aim at. The picture target 112 may include a three-dimensional image, such that different portions of the target image appear at different depths. Variety of colors can provide varying levels of contrast between portions of the target image, such that portions of the target image with greater contrast can be more easily identified by the shooter than the portions of the target image with less contrast. As an example, different portions of the target image can be printed in the variety of colors, such as one of a color is used for a first portion of the target image, and another color is used for a second portion of the target image. Yet another color can provide a background or base color for a substrate. Another color can be disposed on top of the previous defined colors, such as to partially obscure the previous defined colors. Additionally, the previous defined colors can define substantially similar portions of the target image.
[0048] Further, upon a shot being activated by the shooter the target sheet roll is rolled by the pair of rollers such that a new sheet is presented for the shooter. The target sheet roll is rolled via activation of the rotary device. The rotary device is configured to drive the rotation of the pair of rollers at different speeds. In addition, the rotary device may be directed and controlled via a remote control to drive rotation of the pair of rollers at different speeds. In an embodiment, the target sheet is rolled upon the shooter pressing a button on a remote control to initiate a command signal to the rotary device.
[0049] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 1B is a back view of the target sheet holding apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view 200 of the target sheet holding apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0051] In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2 is the detailed view of the target sheet holding apparatus. The pair of rollers 102-1 and 102-2 may be including a tube and the target sheet roll containing a plurality of sheets 202. The target sheet roll may be rolled onto the tubes of the pair of the rollers. When the target sheet roll is mounted, a portion of the sheet 104 is wound around one of a roller and a second portion is wound around the other roller.
[0052] In an embodiment, shooting devices to be used here may adopt a variety of types of arms available for shooting training or game. The shooting device may have the same size and weight as a real gun, but the weight and size may be reduced so that children or women can easily use the shooting device.
[0053] In an embodiment, the shooting target 112 on the plurality of sheets 202 may include multiple ink layers. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art the ink layers may be formed using different types of inks. As an example, the inks may include water based inks, solvent based inks, web offset heatset inks, flexographic inks, sheet-fed inks UV-curable inks, web offset non-heatset inks, web offset heatset inks, quickset inks, rubber-base inks, soybean-base inks, laser inks, various types of specialty inks and so forth.
[0054] By way of example, different portions of the target image can be printed in different colors, such as a first color being used for a first portion of the target image, and a second color being used for a second portion of the target image. A third color can provide a background or base color for a substrate. A fourth color can be disposed on top of the first and second colors, such as to partially obscure the first and second colors. In some embodiments, the first and second colors can define substantially similar portions of the target image. The two substantially similar portions of the target image can be offset from each other
[0055] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented entirely hardware, entirely software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
[0056] Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named.
[0057] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.
[0058] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C …. and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0059] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0060] The present disclosure provides a target sheet holding apparatus for holding a target sheet roll to be used for target shooting at long-range.
[0061] The present disclosure provides the apparatus that remotely and automatically changes the target sheet upon a shot being fired by the shooter.
[0062] The present disclosure provides the apparatus that facilitates determining shooting scores of a shooter based on shots fired on the shooting sheet.
[0063] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for calculating and summing previous and current shooting scores of a shooter to evaluate shooting performance of the shooter.
[0064] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for teaching and training the shooter.
[0065] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for encouraging the shooter based on the determined shooting scores.