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US-20260126278-A1 - ARROW TRACKING SYSTEM

US20260126278A1US 20260126278 A1US20260126278 A1US 20260126278A1US-20260126278-A1

Abstract

The present invention pertains to an arrow tracking system that enables a user to locate an arrow after it has been launched. The system includes a nock with an inner housing designed to enclose a GPS module controlled by a micro-controller (MCU). The MCU is activated by a plunger sliding within the nock and also controls a light signaling GPS activation. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a two-unit configuration with a transmitter unit housed within the nock and a receiving unit carried by the user. The transmitter unit includes a nock GPS module, transceiver, and plunger-activated switch. The receiving unit includes a receiving controller coupled to a receiver GPS module and transceiver that calculates distance and directional bearing between units. The receiving unit displays real-time positioning on topographical maps via an integrated screen or mobile device, enabling efficient arrow recovery.

Inventors

  • George T. Murray
  • Brandon Davis

Assignees

  • George T. Murray
  • Brandon Davis

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251105

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . An arrow tracking system for tracking an arrow, the system comprising: a nock having an inner housing configured to enclose a global position system (“GPS”) module; a switch coupled to a micro-controller (“MCU”) wherein the MCU is coupled to the GPS; a plunger that slides within the nock wherein the plunger selectively turns on or off the GPS; a portable computing device wirelessly coupled to the GPS allowing the user to locate the arrow.
  2. 2 . The arrow tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the MCU further comprises a light.
  3. 3 . The arrow tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the GPS, MCU and light are coupled to a power source.
  4. 4 . The arrow tracking system of claim 2 , wherein the switch is engaged by the plunger when the nock is secured onto a bowstring, initiating the GPS module and light.
  5. 5 . The arrow tracking system of claim 2 , wherein the plunger can be slidably coupled to a spring that keeps the plunger in an extended position.
  6. 6 . The arrow tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the MCU controls both the GPS module and light, ensuring the components are activated only when the plunger is in a specific position upon nocking.
  7. 7 . The arrow tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the light is positioned to emit visible illumination from the nock, signaling GPS activation.
  8. 8 . The arrow tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the MCU is configured to transmit GPS data wirelessly to a paired mobile device for real-time location tracking.
  9. 9 . The arrow tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the MCU includes communication capabilities configured to transmit GPS data wirelessly paired to a user's mobile device, enabling real-time location tracking.
  10. 10 . The arrow tracking system of claim 1 , wherein the GPS is a micro-GPS.
  11. 11 . A method for tracking an arrow, comprising: installing a nock including a GPS module on the arrow; configuring a MCU to interface with the GPS Module and a switch mechanism; employing a plunger to interact with the switch mechanism and control the activation of the GPS module upon securing the nock to a bowstring; utilizing a spring load mechanism to maintain the plunger in an extended position, engaging only during the nocking process or to turn of the GPS and light; transmitting location data from the GPS module to a portable computing device via wireless communication interface within the micro-controller.
  12. 12 . The method for tracking an arrow claim 11 wherein the GPS is active until the user presses the plunger turning off the system.
  13. 13 . An arrow tracking system for tracking an arrow, the system comprising: At least one transmitter unit and at least one receiving unit; wherein the at least one transmitter unit comprises: a nock having an inner housing enclosing a micro-controller (MCU) coupled to a nock global position system (“GPS”) module, a nock transceiver, and a power source; a switch coupled to the MCU; a plunger that slides within the nock wherein the plunger selectively turns on or off the nock GPS; wherein the at least one receiving unit comprises: a receiving controller coupled to a receiver GPS module and a receiver transceiver; wherin the receiving controller receives and processes tracking data from the at least one transmitter unit to provide a distance and a directional bearing between the at least one transmitter unit and the at least one receiver unit.
  14. 14 . The arrow tracking system of claim 13 wherein the receiving unit further comprises a screen to display a transmitter position of the at least one transmitter unit and a receiver position of the at least one receiving unit relative to the at least one transmitter unit.
  15. 15 . The tracking system of claim 13 wherein the distance includes a horizontal distance and a vertical distance.
  16. 16 . The tracking system of claim 13 wherein the MCU, the nock GPS, and the nock transceiver are in an assembly having a diameter less than 5.5 mm and the inner housing has an inner housing inner diameter of approximately 5.8 to 6.5 mm.
  17. 17 . The tracking assembly of claim 13 wherein the receiving controller is a single board computer with a dedicated input/output controller.
  18. 18 . The tracking assembly of claim 13 wherein the receiving unit communicates with a user's mobile device to display tracking information on the mobile device.
  19. 19 . The tracking assembly of claim 13 wherein the receiving unit has a custom software program or mobile application that plots the position of the at least one transmitter unit and the at least one receiving unit in real time on a previously downloaded topographical map.
  20. 20 . The tracking assembly of claim 13 wherein the receiving unit receives periodic data from the transmitter unit at a predetermined periodic update rate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional Pat. App. No. 63/716,647 title ARROW TRACKING SYSTEM and filed Nov. 5, 2024, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The described technology pertains to the field of archery equipment, with a focus on an arrow tracking system that integrates a global positioning system (GPS) within the arrow's nock. It utilizes components such as a micro-controller, switch, and wireless communication interface to facilitate real-time tracking and efficient operation of GPS-enabled arrows. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of arrow tracking technology has increasingly focused on enhancing the locational awareness of arrows post-launch, particularly in activities such as archery and hunting. Archery enthusiasts, whether they are hunters or sportsmen, often encounter the problem of losing their arrows after they have been shot. This can be particularly frustrating and costly, as arrows are not always easily recoverable and may require replacement. In the case of hunting, a lost arrow can also mean a lost game, adding to the frustration. Furthermore, if an arrow is shot and wounds an animal without immediately incapacitating it, the animal may escape, leading to unnecessary suffering and the loss of meat for the hunter. Traditional methods of tracking arrows have typically relied on visual cues or manual retrieval, which can be unreliable and inefficient, especially in dense terrains or low-light environments. The integration of technology into arrow components aims to address these limitations by providing more precise and reliable tracking mechanisms. Current tracking solutions in the domain primarily involve lighted nocks, which provide a visual aid to locate arrows but are inherently limited by visibility conditions and distance. These solutions do not offer location data beyond line-of-sight observation, posing challenges when retrieving arrows in thick vegetation or over long distances where visual tracking becomes ineffective. Furthermore, batteries in existing lighted nocks can deplete rapidly, and there is often no mechanism to ensure nock activation only when necessary, leading to inefficient battery usage and increased operational costs. Efforts to integrate tracking technologies such as GPS into arrow systems have encountered several technical obstacles. Challenges include the miniaturization of components to fit within the constricted space of an arrow's nock, energy management to prolong the operation lifecycle of the GPS module and ensuring the resilience of electronic components during the release and flight of the arrow and adding unnecessary weight to the nock of the arrow which can affect the flight and trajectory of the arrow. Additionally, existing GPS systems lack a reliable method for activation control, which is crucial for conserving battery life and ensuring functionality only during arrow deployment. What is needed is an advanced system that integrates GPS technology within the nock of an arrow, enabling real-time location tracking post-launch. This system should be capable of activating the GPS module only upon proper nocking onto the bowstring to conserve battery life. Moreover, the system should facilitate seamless wireless transmission of location data to a user's mobile device, providing effective position tracking and retrieval capabilities irrespective of environmental conditions. By addressing these challenges, the technology would significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of arrow location tracking. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides among other things a nock with an inner housing that can be designed to enclose a micro-GPS module. The nock can also contain a plunger that slides within nock, wherein the plunger can selectively turn on or off the GPS module. The GPS module can be coupled to a micro-controller (MCU) which also includes a light. The MCU, GPS, and light can all be connected to a power source. The system can have a switch mechanism that can be engaged by the plunger when the nock is secured onto a bowstring, initiating the GPS module and light. The plunger can be slidably coupled to a spring that keeps the plunger in an extended position. The MCU can control both the GPS module and the light, ensuring the components are activated only when the plunger has been activated by the bow string. The light can be positioned to emit visible illumination from the nock, signaling GPS activation. The MCU can be configured to transmit GPS data wirelessly to a paired mobile device for real-time location tracking. This is achieved through the MCU's communication capabilities configured to transmit GPS data wirelessly paired to a user's mobile device. The method for tracking an arrow involves installing a nock including a GPS module on the arrow, configuring a MCU to interface with the GPS Module and a switch mechanism, employing a plunger to interact with the swit