U.S. patent application number 10/323597 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for ball-trapping device with electronic detection of impact on a target and detection method used therewith.
Invention is credited to Salva, Francesc Casas.
Application Number | 20030134700 10/323597 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8499795 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030134700 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salva, Francesc Casas |
July 17, 2003 |
Ball-trapping device with electronic detection of impact on a
target and detection method used therewith
Abstract
It comprises an impact resistant casing (1) having a frontal
opening and means for removably fastening a target (2) covering
such opening, the target (2) being of a sheet material through
which projectiles can go and having an external face with a
depicted motive to be shot. Electronic means are provided for
detecting the position of impact on said target (2), comprising an
electronic camera (3) arranged to obtain successive images of a
face of target (2) after each shot, an image treating unit (4) for
determining the geometric center of the projectile at each impact
from a treatment of the obtained images, and a data receiving
and/or retransmitting center (6,7) for displaying the results on a
viewing screen (13, 14) and/or for retransmit them through a
telecommunication network.
Inventors: |
Salva, Francesc Casas;
(Barcelona, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W.
SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
8499795 |
Appl. No.: |
10/323597 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/476 ;
273/371; 273/372; 273/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41J 5/10 20130101; F41J
5/14 20130101; F41J 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/476 ;
273/371; 273/372; 273/373 |
International
Class: |
A63B 063/00; F41J
005/02; F41J 005/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 19, 2001 |
ES |
P 200102834 |
Claims
1.- Ball-trapping device with electronic detection of the impact on
the target of the kind comprising a casing (1) made of a material
having impact strength and with a front face having an opening and
means for removably fastening a target (2) covering such opening,
the target (2) being in the form of a sheet material through which
the projectiles can go, on which external face a motive to be shot
is depicted, electronic means being provided for detecting the
position of at least one impact on said target (2), characterized
in that said electronic means comprise an electronic camera (3)
having a focusing lens for picking-up images, an image treating
unit (4), and a data receiving and/or retransmitting center (6,7)
susceptible to be associated with a viewing screen (13, 14), said
electronic camera (3) being arranged to encompass in its focal
field a face of the target (2) and to obtain after each shot
successive images of said face on which new holes or modifications
of previous holes produced by successive impacts appear, said image
treating unit (4) being adapted for determining the geometric
center of the projectile at each successive impact from a treatment
of the obtained images, and said data receiving and/or
retransmitting center (6,7) being adapted for displaying the
results on said viewing screen (13, 14) and/or retransmit them
through a telecommunication network.
2.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in
that said electronic camera (3) is housed in a protected chamber
(8) associated with the casing (1) and encompasses in its focal
field the internal back face of the target (2) through a
transparent wall (9).
3.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in
that said electronic camera is housed in a protected chamber
associated with the casing (1) and encompasses in its focal field
the external front face of the target (2) a support of said chamber
being stiff enough to provide stability to the image.
4.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in
that it includes a microphone (10) within the casing (1) to pick-up
a noise produced by each successive impact, said noise in
combination with the image corresponding to same shot serving to
determine when the target (2) is so damaged that it is necessary to
replace it.
5.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in
that such image treating unit (4) is integrated in a protected
chamber (8) associated with the casing (1) and comprises a digital
signal processor DSP with associated memories for storing images
and processing them based on neuronal networks.
6.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 5, characterized in
that such data receiving and/or retransmitting center (6, 7) is a
local computing center (6) having an associated viewing screen (13)
located close to a user who is shooting, means being provided for
transmitting the results of said image treatment from the image
treating unit (4) in the box (1) to said local computing center
(6).
7.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 6, characterized in
that said transmitting means comprise a connection cable (5) for
connecting to said local computing center (6), the local computing
center (6) being selected from a group including a Personal digital
assistant PDA and a personal computer PC, in each case provided
with an input port for connecting the cable.
8.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 6, characterized in
that said transmitting means comprise an infrared ray emitter to
said local computing center (6), the local computing center (6)
being selected from a group including a Personal digital assistant
PDA and a personal computer PC, in each case provided with an
infrared ray receiving port.
9.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 6, characterized in
that said transmitting means comprise a radio-frequency waves
emitter to said local computing center (6), the local computing
center (6) being selected from a group including a Personal digital
assistant PDA and a personal computer PC, in each case provided
with a radio-frequency waves receiver
10.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 1, characterized in
that said image treating unit (4) is located at a place outside the
casing (1) and comprises a digital signal processor DSP with
associated memories for storing image and treating them based on
neuronal networks, memories an external connection, such as via
cable, between the electronic camera (3) and the image treating
unit (4) being provided.
11.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 10, characterized in
that the image treating unit (4) is integrated in a personal
digital assistant PDA or personal computer PC which also acts as a
data receiving and/or retransmitting center (6, 7).
12.- Ball-trapping device according to any one of preceding claims,
characterized in that it includes one or more batteries or cells
(12) associated with said casing (1) for providing power supply to
the systems requiring it, thereby the ball-trapping device is
energetically autonomous.
13.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 7, characterized in
that said connection cable (5) includes an electric line, those
systems in the ball-trapping device requiring it being supplied
with power from the power supply of said local computing center (6)
itself.
14.- Ball-trapping device according to any of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that said casing (1) includes an input for
connection to an external power supply to supply with power the
systems of the ball-trapping device requiring it.
15.- Ball-trapping device according to any of claims 6 to 11,
characterized in that said local computing center (6) is connected
to a remote computing center (7) through a telecommunication
network.
16.- Ball-trapping device according to any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that said electronic camera is constituted
by a CCD device having MOS technology.
17.- Ball-trapping device according to claim 2, characterized in
that said sheet material of which the target (2) is made is
sufficiently opaque in order that the electronic camera (3) can
differentiate said holes or modifications thereof by the light
coming from outside, which enters through them, in contrast with
the rest of the dark sheet.
18.- Ball-trapping device according to any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that it includes an external auxiliary
illumination source which is applied on the external front face of
the target (2).
19.- Method of detection applicable to a ball-trapping device
having electronic detection of the impact on a target, the
ball-trapping device being of the type comprising a casing (1) of a
material with strength to the impacts, having a front face provided
with an opening and means for removably fastening a target (2)
covering said opening, the target (2) being in the form of a sheet
material through which the projectiles can go, on which external
face a motive to be shot is depicted, electronic means being
provided for detecting the position of at least an impact on said
target (2), characterized in that it comprises following steps: a)
obtaining, by means of an electronic camera (3) provided with a
system of focusing lens arranged within the casing (1), at least
one image of one face of the target (2) after each shot, on which
face successive new holes or modifications of previous holes
produced by successive impacts appear; b) treating, by means of an
image treating unit (4), the images obtained for improving its
definition and processing the treated images for determining the
geometric center of the projectile at each successive impact from
the obtained, handled and processed images; and c) displaying the
results in a viewing screen (13, 14).
20.- Method, according to claim 19, characterized in that it
comprises transferring, using communication means (5), the result
of said treatment carried out by said image treating unit (4),
which is located within the casing (1), to a data receiving and/or
retransmitting center, which is a local (6) or remote (7) computing
center.
21.- Method, according to claim 19, characterized in that said
processing of the treated images is carried out through image
treatment algorithms and artificial intelligence operations, and by
comparing the obtained images with images stored in a memory
associated with said image treating unit (4).
22.- Method, according to claim 21, characterized in that it
comprises a prior step of calibrating the position of the image as
a function of a parameter such as a printed mark on the target face
picked-up by the camera (3) or target control holes.
23.- Method, according to claim 19, characterized in that the
electronic camera (3) encompasses the internal back face of the
target (1) and said algorithm comprises first storing in a memory
the image obtained after a first shot; then passing the successive
obtained images to a treating unit in which comparing their
intensity in gray scale between each new in-coming image and the
last image stored in the memory; and last, storing each new image
resulting from comparison rejecting the image of the former
shot.
24.- Method, according to claim 23, characterized in that it
comprises making a projection on horizontal and vertical axes of
the image of the impact resulting from said comparison, thereby
obtaining two vectors X and Y which are filtered with a filtering
pattern depending on the kind of ammunition and shot to be
detected, with the assistance of an empiric database for retrieving
said filtering patterns and counterbalancing according to former
impacts, and in that after said filtering the central point of the
impact is determined from thresholds in the gray scale.
25.- Method, according to claim 24, characterized in that it
comprises the use of a second database to carry out a relocation of
the central point determined with techniques of artificial
intelligence based on neuronal networks of the back-propagation
kind, said point being obtained with reference to a corner of the
image.
26.- Method, according to claim 19, characterized in that the
electronic camera (3) encompasses the external front face of the
target (1) and said algorithm comprises first storing in a memory
the image obtained after a first shot; then passing the successive
obtained images to a treating unit in which black points are
compared between each in-coming image and the last image stored in
the memory; and storing each new image resulting from comparison
rejecting the image of the former shot.
27.- Method, according to claim 26, characterized in that it
comprises to make a projection on horizontal and vertical axes of
the image of the impact resulting from said comparison, thereby
obtaining two vectors X and Y which are filtered with a filtering
pattern depending on the kind of ammunition and shot to be
detected, with the assistance of an empiric database for retrieving
said filtering patterns and counterbalancing according to former
impacts, and in that after said filtering the central point of the
impact is determined from thresholds in the gray scale.
28.- Method, according to claim 27, characterized in that it
comprises the use of a second database to carry out a relocation of
the central point determined by techniques of artificial
intelligence based on neuronal networks of the back-propagation
kind, said point being obtained with reference to a corner of the
image.
29.- Method, according to claim 19, characterized in that it
includes a function for determining when the target (2) is so
damaged that it is necessary to replace it, comprising following
steps: 1) picking-up by means of a microphone (10) a noise produced
by each successive impact within the casing (1); 2) comparing the
image obtained corresponding to same shot that produced last noise
with the image stored corresponding to the former shot; and in case
that a given level of difference is not assessed between said two
consecutive images, 3) issue a warning about the convenience to
replace the target (2).
Description
[0001] The present invention refers to a ball-trapping device which
has associated electronic means for accurately detecting the
position of successive impacts on a target and for displaying the
scores on a screen. Said electronic means can be connected to one
or more remote centers for competing with other users or for
participating in shooting games. The invention also refers to a
method used for carrying out such detection.
[0002] The ball-trapping devices, also called ball-catching
devices, are well known since certain time ago and they consist in
a casing made of a material having impact strength and provided
with an open front face having means for removably fastening a
target covering such open face. The target is typically a sheet
material, such a paperboard or stiff paper, through which the
projectiles can go and on which external face a motive to be shot
is depicted, such as several concentric rings around a central
disk. Thus, the user may shoot the target and the projectiles,
generally plastic or lead balls, are collected within the casing
after crossing said sheet material. When the target is very damaged
because of a large number of impacts it is replaced by a new
one.
[0003] The utility model ES-A-1023727 is an example of one of such
ball-trapping device which, in this case is dismountable.
[0004] The holes produced by each successive shot on the target
evidence the place of the impact and the target can be visually
checked for assessing the level of aim. However, for each new shot,
it is necessary that the shooter physically goes close to the
target for performing such check and the shooter must remind the
positions of all the previous shots for discriminating the position
of the last shot. This is boring and tiresome. In addition, the
holes are not clean but show tears on their edges and often a new
shot very close to another one modifies the hole pierced by such
former shot without producing a new hole. All this makes the
reading of successive impacts on the target difficult.
[0005] It has been tried to provide ball-trapping devices having
means for helping to accurately determine the place of the impacts
on the target.
[0006] The utility model ES-A-1001945 discloses a device in which
the casing has a central face with a plurality of openings arranged
according to a geometric pattern and a slot for introducing and
withdrawing a sheet constituting a target, on which a series of
numbers, graphics or colors have been printed which coincide with
such openings and which can be seen through them. Such graphic
target further comprises a printed-circuit board connected to an
electronic panel which has built-up a high visibility scoreboard
showing the scores. The utility model does not disclose which means
are used for converting the impacts of the projectiles in
electronic signals which may be handled by such printed-circuit
board.
[0007] The patent ES-A-8305921 discloses a process and a device for
assessing the level of aim on a target. The apparatus comprises a
device to pass different printed target on a band through the open
front face of a casing and two detection systems. One of those
systems is kept in position close to the travel path of a target
and it is used for measuring the distance from an entrance hole at
the center of the target in the direction in which the target is
traveling through the apparatus. The other system is mounted on a
cross sliding element and is displaceable in straight angle in the
direction in which the target is traveling and it measures the
distance from the hole to the center of the target in such cross
direction. The two distances are vectorially added by a computer
and the result is multiplied by a calibrating factor. The end score
can be displayed on a screen or printed. Such detection systems
comprise orthogonally arranged photoelectric barriers.
[0008] This system only allows determining the position of a single
hole on the target; therefore, it is required to replace the target
after each shot. In addition, to cover the whole of the target area
with said two photoelectric barriers; a great number of sensors is
required which results in the apparatus having a high price. On the
other hand, such great number of sensors generates a relatively
high power consumption which makes unworkable to supply the device
with cells or reloadable batteries, preventing its power
autonomy.
[0009] The patent ES-A-2025007 let know a system for obtaining a
reading of the game surface of a real target, although in this case
it is an electronic machine for a darts game. The system includes
two imaging digital cameras arranged at 90.degree. from each other
and each encompassing the whole of the front surface of the target
where the darts are stuck. The signals of both cameras are treated
in a module of a CPU to provide as a result a two dimensional image
of the target with the darts stuck displayed on a viewing
screen.
[0010] Although this device uses imaging electronic cameras for
reading the target, the result obtained is a two-dimensional image
thereof but such image does not offers the calculated position on
coordinates of each successive shot.
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a
ball-trapping device having an electronic detection of the impact
on a target provided with a digital camera for taking images of the
target back face, from which electronic means are able to implement
a method for detecting the center of each successive impact.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
self-powered ball-trapping device with electronic detection of the
impact on a target and which can be connected to a local or remote
receiving and/or retransmitting center to display the scores and/or
participate in shot games competing with other local or remote
players.
[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a detection method to be used with the above ball-trapping
device.
[0014] These objects are achieved, according to the present
invention, providing a ball-trapping device of the kind which
comprises a casing, of a material having strength to the impacts,
with a front face having an opening and means for removably
fastening a target covering such opening. This target is typically
a sheet of material through which the projectiles can go and on
which external face a motive to be shot is depicted. The
ball-trapping device includes electronic means associated at least
partly to said casing, for detecting the position of at least one
impact on said target.
[0015] Such electronic means essentially comprise an electronic
camera provided with a corresponding focusing lens for taking
images, an image treating unit, and a center for data receiving
and/or retransmitting, which can be associated with a viewing
screen. Said electronic camera is arranged within the casing in a
protected chamber formed at least partly by a transparent wall,
encompassing in its focal field the back face of the target for
taking images of each of successive shots after it occurs. The
material of which the target is made is sufficiently opaque in
order to provide a dark ambience within the casing in said back
face of the target contrasting with an external natural or
artificial illumination, necessary for shooting practice. Thanks to
this, any hole in the target is obtained by the camera as a light
spot on a dark background. Thus, the impact of each successive shot
produces a new hole or a modification of a previous hole which is
obtained by the imagetaking camera.
[0016] The successive images obtained are handled by said image
treating unit to determine the projectile geometric center at each
successive impact, the scores are displayed on said viewing screen
associated with the mentioned data receiving and/or retransmitting
center and/or are retransmitted through a telecommunication network
to one or more remote centers to be shown or compared to scores
obtained by other remote users with which it is possible to
compete.
[0017] The processing of the images obtained preferably comprises a
prior step of calibrating the position of the image depending on a
parameter such as a printed mark on the back face of the target or
control holes and the processing is performed by means of image
processing algorithms and artificial intelligence operations, and
by means of comparing the images obtained with images stored in a
memory associated with said image treating unit. Said algorithm
comprises first storing in a memory the image obtained after a
first shot; then passing the successive images obtained to a
treating unit wherein a gray scale intensity comparison between
each new in-coming image and the last memory-stored image is
performed; and last, storing each new image resulting from
comparison by rejecting or replacing the image of the former shot.
From both horizontal and vertical projection of the image resulting
from comparison, two vectors X and Y are obtained which are
filtered with a filtering gauge depending on the kind of ammunition
and shot to be detected, said filtering gauge being retrieved from
an empiric database of filtering patterns. After filtering, the
impact central point is determined from thresholds in the gray
scale. Also, a second database is used to counterbalance the
central point determined with techniques of artificial intelligence
based on back-propagation neuronal networks. Such central point is
obtained with reference to a corner of the image.
[0018] As the target is being used, holes and modifications
(widening) of old holes are being accumulated, therefore at a given
moment the target is so damaged that is hard or impossible to
assess the effects of new impacts and it is necessary to replace
it. For this, the method of the present invention includes a
function which comprises to pick-up by means of a microphone a
noise produced by each successive impact within the casing, which
is an indicative that the shot did occur and that a new image of
the target back face has to be obtained. The image obtained
corresponding to the same shot which produced the last noise is
compared as explained above with the stored image corresponding to
the former shot. In the case of no difference can be seen between
such two consecutive images, the system issues a warning about the
convenience of replacing the target.
[0019] Preferably, the image treating unit is built-in within the
casing and comprise a digital signal processor DSP having
associated memories for storing images and processing them on the
base of neuronal networks while said data receiving and/or
retransmitting center is a local computing center associated with a
viewing screen located close to the place from which the user is
shooting. The result from the impact detection is transmitted
through suitable transmitting means from the image-treating unit,
within the casing, to said local computing center. Said
transmitting means can use different means such as a connecting
cable, infrared rays or radio-frequency waves. The local computing
center can be any digital computer device of those generally
available in the market, such as personal digital assistant PDA or
a personal computer PC, which is provided, according to the cases,
with a cable connecting port, an infrared receiver or a
radio-frequency wave receiver.
[0020] Alternatively it is also possible that the image-treating
unit is located at a place external from the casing. In this case,
the treating unit preferably comprises a digital signal processor
DSP having associated memories for storing images and processing
them on the basis of neuronal networks, a cable connection being
provided between the electronic camera and the image-treating unit.
Advantageously, such external image-treating unit is integrated in
a personal digital assistant PDA or personal computer PC which also
carries out the functions of the data receiving and/or
retransmitting center.
[0021] The electronic camera is constituted by a CCD device having
MOS technology and the power consumption of the camera and image
data treating unit, when included in the casing, is relatively low.
This allows to supply electric power to such systems by means of
one or more batteries or cells associated with said casing,
therefore the ball-trapping device is self-powered. However, when
said cable connection to the local computing unit is used, it is
also possible to supply such systems through an electric line
included in such cable and from the power supply of the computing
unit itself. Another variation includes an input in said casing for
connection to an external power supply to power supply those
systems that would require it.
[0022] The invention will be more apparent from following detailed
description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of the ball-trapping
device of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic scheme showing the parts and
connections of the ball-trapping device of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the method of electronic
detection used with the ball-trapping device of FIG. 2.
[0026] Referring first to FIG. 1, the ball-trapping device
according to the present invention has a part designed to support
and show the target, which is similar to that of the conventional
ball-trapping devices. This part comprises a casing 1, of a
material having impact strength, with a front face provided with an
opening and means for removably fastening a target 2 covering such
opening. Said fastening means are, in the illustrated example,
small wings 15 arranged on three edges of said opening so that they
form slots in which the target 2 can slide. The target 2 is in the
form of a sheet of a material through which the projectiles can go
and on which external face a motive to be shot, such as several
concentric rings around a central disk, is depicted.
[0027] According to FIG. 2, the ball-trapping device of the present
invention further comprises electronic means for detecting the
position of each successive impact on the target 2 and show the
scores. A part of such electronic means can be placed in a chamber
within or associated with said casing 1 and the other part is
placed outside the casing 1, at a local or remote place.
Preferably, the components associated with the casing 1 essentially
comprise an electronic camera 3 with a focusing lens 16 for
picking-up the images and an image-treating unit 4 connected to the
camera 3 for electronically processing the images obtained.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the electronic
camera 3 is arranged in a protected chamber 8 formed at least
partly by a transparent wall 9, of a material such as reinforced
glass, so that the camera 1 encompasses in its focal field the back
face of the target 2 to pick-up after each shot successive images
of said back face where new holes or modifications of previous
holes are successively appearing produced by the successive
impacts. However, the electronic camera could be arranged within a
protected housing, linked to the casing 1 through an arm or the
like, stiff enough to provide stability to the image, for
encompassing in its focal field the front external face of the
target and taking images of them. The image treating unit 4
comprises a digital signal processor DSP having associated memories
for storing images and processing them on the basis of neuronal
networks, and although it is not essential, it is advantageously
located within said protected chamber 8, a compact ball-trapping
device with a set of casing 1 including the electronic image
pick-up and treating means 3, 4 being formed. The image-treating
unit 4 is adapted to determine the geometric center of the
projectile at each successive impact from a processing of the
images obtained by the camera 3 applying the method of the present
invention, which will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.
The electronic camera is preferably constituted by a CCD device
with MOS technology.
[0028] In the illustrated example, the image treating unit 4 is
connected by suitable transmitting means, such as a connecting
cable 5, to a data receiving and/or retransmitting center 6
connected to a viewing screen 13, where are displayed the results
of the impact detection corresponding to each successive shot. Such
data receiving and/or retransmitting center is a local computing
center 6, such as a personal digital assistant PDA or a personal
computer PC, provided with an input port for cable connection and a
connection to a telecommunication network 11, such as Internet, for
retransmitting said results to a remote computing center 7
associated with a viewing screen 14, which can be, for example,
another personal digital assistant PDA or a personal computer PC to
which is connected another ball-trapping device with target impact
electronic detection used by another remote user.
[0029] It is convenient that the local computing center 6 is
located close to the user who is shooting and for this the
connecting cable 5 constitutes a cheap and reliable signal
transmitting means. However, other more sophisticated wireless
transmitting means can be used such as an infrared ray or a
radio-frequency wave emitter associated with the casing 1, for
which the personal digital assistant PDA or the personal computer
PC must be provided with an infrared ray or radio-frequency wave
receiving port.
[0030] According to another exemplary embodiment not shown, such
image treating unit 4 is located in a place external from the box
1, for example, close to the user who is hooting, and comprises a
digital signal processor DSP having associated memories for storing
the images and processing the same on the basis of neuronal
networks preferably integrated in a personal digital assistant PDA
or a personal computer PC which also has the function of the data
receiving and/or retransmitting center 6 and/or 7 of FIG. 2. In
this case, there would exist an external cable or otherwise
connection between the electronic camera 3 and the image-treating
unit 4.
[0031] Additionally, the ball-trapping device includes a microphone
10 within the casing 1 to pick-up a noise produced by each
successive impact. Such noise confirms the occurrence of each shot
on the target and, in addition, in combination with the image
corresponding to same shot it serves for determining when the
target 2 is so damaged that it is necessary to be replaced, as
described below in relation with the method of the invention.
[0032] It is desirable that the ball-trapping device, at least the
set of the casing 1 and associated electronic image pick-up and
treating means 3,4 is energetically autonomous as possible. For
this it includes one or more batteries or cells 12 associated with
said casing 1 for providing power supply to the systems requiring
it. Alternatively, when the electronic image pick-up and treating
means 3, 4 associated with the casing 1 are connected via cable 5
to a local computing center 6, said connecting cable 5 can include
an electric line for supplying the electronic means 3, 4 associated
with the box 1 with electric power coming from the power supply of
the local computing unit 6 itself. When the local computing unit 6
is a personal digital assistant PDA or portable personal computer
PC supplied by cells or batteries, the complete system is
self-powered. However, the casing 1 can include an input for a
connection to an external power supply.
[0033] When, as in the example of FIG. 2, the electronic camera 3
picks-up images from the internal back face, of the target 2, said
sheet material of which the target 2 is made is sufficiently opaque
in order to the electronic camera 3 can differentiate said holes or
modifications thereof from the light which, coming from outside,
enters through them, in contrast with the rest of the sheet which
remains dark. It is important to "read" the outlines of the holes,
which generally have tears, folds, etc which are important to
determine the shooting center. Such reading of the outline is
achieved by gray scale comparing with pre-recorded standards. To
allow shooting practice with scarce light, the ball-trapping device
includes an external auxiliary source of illumination (not shown)
which is applied on the external face of the target. This helps as
well the user's vision as the pick-up of images by the camera
3.
[0034] Thereafter, with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 3,
the detection method used according to the present invention is
described in the ball-trapping devices with the electronic
detection of the impact on the target above disclosed with relation
to FIG. 1 and 2.
[0035] The method comprises following steps:
[0036] First, obtaining (box 30) by means of said electronic camera
3 after each shot at least one image, represented by box 31, of a
face of the target 2 in which appear successive new holes or
modifications of previous holes produced by successive impacts;
[0037] then, treating (box 32) by means of such image treating unit
4, the image obtained (box 31) for improving its definition and
process (boxes 33-37) the treated image for determining the
geometric center of the projectile at each successive impact from
obtained, treated and processed images; and
[0038] last, showing (box 38) the scores in one of such viewing
screens 13, 14.
[0039] When said image-treating unit 4 is located within the casing
1, the method comprises transferring with such communication means
5 the result of treatment with such image-treating unit 4 to a data
receiving and/or retransmitting unit, which is a local 6 or remote
7 computing center.
[0040] The method comprises a step of calibrating the position of
the image as a function of a parameter such as a printed mark or
control holes on the target face picked-up by the camera.
[0041] When the electronic camera 3 encompasses the internal back
face of the target 1, such as in FIG. 2, said algorithm comprises
comparing (box 33) the obtained image (box 31), once treated, with
the former image (box 41) that is to say, the last image stored in
memory, according to their gray scale intensities. Each new image
resulting from said comparison is stored replacing the image of the
former shot.
[0042] Then, a projection (box 34) of the impact image resulting
from previous comparison on image horizontal and vertical axes is
performed, obtaining two vectors X and Y which are filtered with a
filtering pattern depending on the kind of ammunition and shot to
be detected, with the assistance of an empiric database (box 39)
for retrieving such filtering patterns and counterbalancing
according to former impacts (box 37). After such filtering the
central point of the impact is detected (box 35) or determined from
gray scale thresholds.
[0043] Last, the method comprises the use of a second database (box
40) to carry out a relocation of the central point (box 36)
determined in the former operation, using techniques of artificial
intelligence (frame 42) based on neuronal networks of
back-propagation type, said point being obtained with reference to
a corner of the image.
[0044] It must be pointed out that, although steps of boxes 34-37
are shown in FIG. 3 in a sequential manner, the operations are
carried out simultaneously and interlinked.
[0045] The method of the present invention includes a function for
determining when the target 2 is so damaged that it is necessary to
replace it. This function comprises the steps of: picking-up by
means of a microphone 10 a noise produced by each successive impact
within the casing 1; comparing (box 33 in FIG. 3) the image
obtained (box 31) corresponding to same shot that produced last
noise with the image stored corresponding to the former shot (box
40); and in case that a given level of difference is not assessed
between such two consecutive images, 3 issue a warning about the
convenience to replace the target 2.
[0046] One skilled in the art could easily devise several
variations and/or modifications without being out of the scope of
the invention as it is defined in the claims appended.
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