U.S. patent application number 10/695488 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-27 for target system and method for ascertaining target impact locations of a projectile propelled from a soft air type firearm.
Invention is credited to Shechter, Motti.
Application Number | 20050017456 10/695488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32230267 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050017456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shechter, Motti |
January 27, 2005 |
Target system and method for ascertaining target impact locations
of a projectile propelled from a soft air type firearm
Abstract
A target assembly according to the present invention for use
with soft-air type guns includes an impact detection device. The
device overlays an intended target and transfers projectile impact
information to a computer system to display the projectile impact
location on an image of the target and/or interact with a gaming
application. The detection device permits the soft air firearm to
be utilized with various virtual targets (e.g., generated by
software gaming, competition or training applications, etc.) and
with a variety of paper or other targets.
Inventors: |
Shechter, Motti; (Potomac,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDELL, SHAPIRO, FINNAN & LYTLE, LLC
1901 RESEARCH BOULEVARD
SUITE 400
ROCKVILLE
MD
20850
US
|
Family ID: |
32230267 |
Appl. No.: |
10/695488 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60421768 |
Oct 29, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/371 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41J 5/056 20130101;
F41J 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/371 |
International
Class: |
F41G 003/26 |
Claims
1. A method of determining a location of an impact of a projectile
upon a target space comprising: (a) receiving projectile impacts
upon an impact device surface, wherein said impact device includes
a plurality of layers, and wherein said plurality of layers
includes an electrically conducting sensor layer with an electrical
property including one of resistance and capacitance that changes
in response to the impact from the projectile and a resilient
material layer coupled to said sensor layer and deforming in
response to said projectile impact to facilitate said electrical
property changes of said sensor layer; and (b) monitoring said
electrical property of the sensor layer of the impact device and
determining location coordinates of the projectile impact upon the
impact device surface based on changes of said sensor layer
electrical property.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further includes: (a. 1)
applying an electrical signal of known magnitude across the sensor
layer.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further includes: (b. 1)
measuring the electrical property at a plurality of measurement
locations upon the sensor layer to establish a reference
measurement for each of said plurality of measurement
locations.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein step (b) further includes: (b.2)
sampling the electrical property at said plurality of measurement
locations to obtain a sample measurement at each of said plurality
of measurement locations and comparing each of the sample
measurements to a corresponding reference measurement to determine
a deviation from the corresponding reference measurement.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein step (b) further includes: (b.3)
determining the impact location of the projectile upon the impact
device based upon the determined electrical property
deviations.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the impact device is physically
aligned with a target space corresponding to at least one of a
physical target and a generated virtual target, and step (b)
further includes: (b. 1) correlating the impact device with the
target space by associating at least one location upon the impact
device with at least one corresponding location within the target
space.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the impact device is transparent
and the impact device is aligned in front of the target space.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the impact device is opaque and
the impact device is aligned behind the target space.
9. The method of claim 1, further including: (c) displaying at
least one of a score value, an elapsed time between projectile
impacts and an impact location on a target image.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further includes: (b.
1) calibrating the determined impact location to account for
environmental conditions.
11. The method of claim 5, wherein step (b.3) further includes:
(b.3.1) processing the deviations in accordance with electronically
stored instructions.
12. The method of claim 4, wherein step (b.2) further includes:
(b.2.1) comparing the determined deviation to a pre-defined
threshold value; and (b.2.2) determining the presence of a
projectile impact in response to the determined deviation exceeding
the pre-defined threshold value.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrical property is the
resistance of the sensor layer.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein said electrical property is the
capacitance of the sensor layer.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further includes: (a.
1) calibrating the impact device by impacting the impact device
surface at a location physically adjacent to a predefined location
within the target space.
16. A target assembly for determining a location of an impact of a
projectile upon a target space, the target assembly comprising: an
impact device to receive a projectile impact upon a surface
thereof, wherein the impact device includes a plurality of layers,
and wherein said plurality of layers includes an electrically
conducting sensor layer with an electrical property including one
of resistance and capacitance that changes in response to the
impact from the projectile and a resilient material layer coupled
to said sensor layer and deforming in response to said projectile
impact to facilitate said electrical property change of said sensor
layer; and a monitoring module to monitor said electrical property
of the sensor layer of the impact device and determine location
coordinates of the projectile impact upon the impact device surface
based on changes of said sensor layer electrical property.
17. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein the monitoring module
further includes: a sensor power module to apply an electrical
signal of known magnitude across the sensor layer.
18. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein the monitoring module
further includes: a reference module to measure the electrical
property at a plurality of measurement locations upon the sensor
layer to establish a reference measurement for each of said
plurality of measurement locations.
19. The target assembly of claim 18, wherein the monitoring module
further includes: a sampling module to sample the electrical
property at said plurality of measurement locations to obtain a
sample measurement at each of said plurality of measurement
locations and to compare each of the sample measurements to a
corresponding reference measurement to determine a deviation from
the corresponding reference measurement.
20. The target assembly of claim 19, wherein the monitoring module
further includes: an assessment module to determine the location of
the projectile impact upon the impact device surface based upon the
determined electrical property deviations.
21. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein said monitoring module
includes: a controller module to receive the impact location
information from the monitoring module and determine a location of
impact upon a target space that is aligned with said impact
device.
22. The target assembly of claim 21, wherein the impact device is
physically aligned with a target space defined by at least one of a
physical target and a generated virtual target, and wherein the
controller module further includes: a correlation module to
correlate the impact device with the target space by associating at
least one location upon the impact device with at least one
corresponding location within the target space.
23. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein the impact device is
transparent.
24. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein the target assembly
further includes: a display interface to communicate with at least
one of an external display and a computer system to display at
least one of a score value, an elapsed time between projectile
impacts and an impact location on a target image.
25. The target assembly of claim 21, wherein the controller module
further includes: a calibration module to calibrate the determined
impact location to account for environmental conditions.
26. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein the target assembly
further includes: a memory module that stores electronic processing
instructions.
27. The target assembly of claim 19, wherein the monitoring module
further includes: a threshold module to compare a determined
deviation to a pre-defined threshold value to determine the
presence of a projectile impact in response to the deviation
exceeding a pre-defined threshold value.
28. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein said electrical
property is the resistance of the sensor layer.
29. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein said electrical
property is the capacitance of the sensor layer.
30. The method of claim 1, wherein the impact device is aligned
with a target space defined by at least one of a physical target
and a generated virtual target.
31. The target assembly of claim 16, wherein the impact device is
aligned with a target space defined by at least one of a physical
target and a generated virtual target.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/421,768, entitled, "Target System
and Method for Ascertaining Target Impact Locations of a Projectile
Propelled from a Soft Air Type Firearm," and filed Oct. 29, 2002.
The disclosure of the above-mentioned provisional application is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention pertains to target assemblies for
firearm simulation, training and gaming systems. In particular, the
present invention pertains to a target assembly for use with soft
air type firearms to ascertain projectile impact locations thereon
and transfer the impact information to a computer system to
visually indicate those impact locations and/or interact with a
gaming application. Alternatively, the target assembly may be
utilized with a display system to display score values for and/or
an elapsed time between projectile impacts.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Firearms are utilized for a variety of purposes, such as
hunting, sporting competition, law enforcement and military
operations. The inherent danger associated with firearms
necessitates training and practice in order to minimize the risk of
injury. However, special facilities are required to facilitate
practice of handling and shooting the firearm. These special
facilities basically confine projectiles propelled from the firearm
within a prescribed space, thereby preventing harm to the
surrounding area. Accordingly, firearm trainees are required to
travel to the special facilities in order to participate in a
training session, while the training sessions themselves may become
quite expensive since each session requires new live ammunition for
practicing handling and shooting of the firearm.
[0006] In recent years, a new class of sport/gaming firearm, known
as soft-air guns, has been added to the traditional line of spring
and air-powered BB and pellet guns. Soft-air guns are often styled
in physical appearance and operation as their lethal firearm
counterparts. However, projectiles fired from soft-air guns are
fired with insufficient force to impart significant destructive
force to a target, whether live or inanimate. Given the low energy
of the projectile fired, soft-air guns are unlikely to cause
serious injury, even if inadvertently mishandled. Furthermore,
soft-air guns are low noise and ideal for use indoors and in
residential neighborhoods in which target shooting with a
conventional firearm would be unsafe and/or prohibited. For this
reason, soft-air guns are popular for recreational target shooting
and for firearm proficiency training.
[0007] Several styles of conventional targets are currently
marketed for use with soft-air guns. One such target holds a
replaceable paper target that the soft-air projectile is capable of
penetrating. Another conventional target includes a sticky, impact
absorbing material that catches and holds a soft-air projectile on
impact. Yet another conventional target holds several plastic
and/or paper saucer style targets that react to the impact of a
fired projectile. Some conventional targets include a retrieval bin
that facilitates the collection and reuse of fired projectiles.
[0008] The above-described systems suffer from several
disadvantages. For example, conventional target systems for use
with soft-air guns provide a shooter only static targets that must
be manually reset and/or replaced to vary the target presented to
the shooter. Such conventional target systems cannot automatically
evaluate a shooter's score and/or track progress over time, cannot
interface with popular electronic gaming devices capable of
presenting a varied array of automatically changing targets in a
variety of gaming environments, and provide no manner by which
shooters can interact with and compete interactively with shooters
at remote locations.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide automated scoring for target shooting performed with
soft-air and other low force guns.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
automated scoring capability for use with traditional physical,
paper and computer generated targets.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to support
integrated use of soft air and other low force guns with electronic
gaming systems and/or devices to present a variety of automatically
changing targets under a variety of gaming scenarios.
[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to evaluate
a shooter score and track shooter progress and accuracy over
time.
[0013] A further object of the present invention is to support
networked shooting competitions between local and remote shooters
using non-penetrating projectile firing guns.
[0014] The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and/or in
combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be
construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined
unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.
[0015] According to the present invention, a target assembly for
use with soft-air or other low force firearms projecting
low-energy, non-penetrating, projectiles includes a transparent
pressure sensitive impact detection device. The detection device
typically overlays an intended target (e.g., paper or other target,
monitor for virtual targets, etc.) and determines projectile impact
locations thereon. The impact information is transferred to a
computer system to display the projectile impact location on an
image of the target and/or interact with a gaming application. The
detection device permits the soft air firearm to be utilized with
various virtual targets (e.g., generated by software gaming,
competition or training applications, etc.) and with a variety of
paper or other targets. The detection device may be employed with
computer systems connected over a network to facilitate joint
training, gaming or competition sessions. Alternatively, the target
assembly may transfer the impact information to a display system to
display score values for and/or an elapsed time between the
projectile impacts.
[0016] The above and still further objects, features and advantages
of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of
the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof,
particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are
utilized to designate like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A is a view in perspective of a target assembly for a
soft air type firearm mounted over a suspended target and coupled
to a computer system for displaying projectile impact locations on
the target.
[0018] FIG. 1B is a view in perspective of the target assembly of
FIG. 1A mounted over a display and coupled to a computer system for
enabling the firearm to be utilized with virtual targets according
to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of the target assembly of
FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a view in elevation and partial section of the
target assembly of FIG. 2 with a soft air type projectile impacting
a target assembly surface.
[0021] FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic diagram of an exemplary
control circuit for the target assembly of FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a procedural flowchart illustrating the manner in
which the target assembly determines projectile impact locations
thereon according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of the target assembly of
FIG. 1A mounted over a target and coupled to a display system
according to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] A target assembly 100 according to the present invention
coupled to a computer system is illustrated in FIG. 1A. Initially,
a projectile 103 (e.g., BB, pellet, paintball, etc.) is propelled
from a soft air type firearm 101 (e.g., a pistol, rifle, hand-gun
or other firearm employing mechanical, electrical and/or compressed
fluids to propel a projectile with significantly reduced energy
compared to that of an actual firearm) toward target assembly 100
placed proximate a target 104 (e.g., silhouette, bulls eye, etc.).
The projectile impact alters the electrical properties of the
target assembly, thereby enabling determination of the point of
impact. The impact information is transferred to a computer system
108 to facilitate display of the projectile impact on an image of
the target. Specifically, target assembly 100 includes a
transparent, pressure sensitive, impact detection device 102 and
control circuitry 118 (FIG. 2). The detection device basically
serves as a window and is preferably placed over a conventional
paper or other target 104 suspended from a supporting structure
(e.g., wall, stand, etc.) with the target visible to a user through
the detection device. However, detection device 102 may
alternatively be opaque or translucent, where paper or other target
104 is placed in front of the detection device surface for target
visibility and to enable a projectile to impart force to the
detection device upon striking the target. Detection device 102 is
connected to circuitry 118 via a cable 106, while the circuitry is
connected to computer system 108 via a connector cable 120 (FIG.
2). The control circuitry monitors the electrical properties of
detection device 102 to determine projectile impact locations
thereon for transference to the computer system as described below.
The computer system utilizes the projectile impact information for
training, gaming and/or competition applications. The soft air
firearm may be any weapon that propels a low-energy,
non-penetrating, projectile (e.g., spring, compressed-fluid,
soft-air, BB gun, pellet gun, paintball gun, etc.).
[0025] Computer system 108 is typically implemented by a
conventional IBM-compatible or other type of personal computer
(e.g., laptop, notebook, desk top, mini-tower, Apple MacIntosh,
palm pilot, etc.) preferably equipped with a monitor 112, a base
110 (e.g., including the processor, memories, and internal or
external communication devices or modems), a keyboard 114 and a
mouse 116. The mouse is preferably implemented by a conventional
desktop mouse for competition, gaming and/or training applications.
The computer system may include various software to process impact
information received from target assembly 100 for competition,
gaming and/or training applications. For example, competition
and/or training software may display projectile impact locations on
a target image and other information (e.g., scores, statistics,
groupings, etc.) related to use of firearm 101. The manner in which
computer system 108 processes the impact information and displays
impact locations and other information is substantially similar to
the manner disclosed in published U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. 2002/0012898, entitled "Firearm Simulation and
Gaming System and Method for Operatively Interconnecting a Firearm
Peripheral to a Computer System" and published Jan. 31, 2002; and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,452 (Clark et al). The disclosures of the
aforementioned patent and patent application publication are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Further,
gaming software may include any computer games, where the impact
information is applied to a computer game to enable a user to
utilize firearm 101 within that game. In other words, the target
assembly enables firearm 101 to serve as a peripheral for the
computer game.
[0026] Computer system 108 may further include networking hardware
and software to communicate with a host server and/or remote
computer systems at different locations employing a target assembly
100 to provide joint training, competition or gaming sessions as
described below. The computer system may utilize any of the major
platforms, such as Windows, Linux, Macintosh, Unix or OS2. Further,
the computer system includes components (e.g., processor, disk
storage or hard drive, etc.) having sufficient processing and
storage capabilities to effectively execute the software.
[0027] The detection device may be utilized with any type of target
illustration or object to determine projectile impact locations
thereon as described above. Alternatively, the detection device may
be utilized with a monitor to determine impact locations on virtual
targets or icons as illustrated in FIG. 1B. Specifically, computer
system 108, substantially similar to the computer system described
above, produces a virtual target 104 (e.g., bulls eye, etc.) for
display on monitor 112. The target may be generated by a training,
competition or gaming software application executing on the
computer system. The detection device is substantially transparent
and placed over monitor 112 with the virtual target visible to a
user through that device. The user fires projectile 103 from
firearm 101 toward the detection device and virtual target.
Detection device 102 determines the projectile impact location
thereon and transfers this information to computer system 108. The
computer system processes the impact information to determine an
impact location relative to the virtual target. The computer system
may display the impact locations and other information when
conducting a training or competition session as described above. In
the case of a gaming application, the software creating the gaming
scenario utilizes the impact information to adjust the scenario or
other conditions based on a target impact or miss. In other words,
the detection device enables the soft air firearm to directly
interact or interface with the gaming application. Computer system
108 may include a foot-actuated mouse (not shown) to enable a user
to control the firearm and enter data for, or navigate through, the
operating system, gaming, competition or training application
software.
[0028] The target assembly may be utilized with various virtual
targets displayed by monitor 112, such as those dynamically updated
based upon projectile impact events. Further, the target assembly
may be utilized with a wide range of electronically stored and/or
animated targets that produce various gaming or training scenarios.
For example, the targets may be associated with a dynamic
story-line that changes depending upon the accuracy of the user's
shooting (e.g., a computer game, etc.).
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, target assembly 100 includes detection
device 102 and control circuitry 118 preferably disposed within a
housing 119. Alternatively, the control circuitry may be mounted to
and/or disposed behind the detection device at any suitable
location. Detection device 102 is connected by a cable 106 to
control circuitry 118. The control circuitry monitors the
electrical characteristics of detection device 102 to determine
projectile impact locations thereon as described below. Control
circuitry 118 communicates with computer system 108 via a connector
cable 120. The connector cable typically includes a conventional
Universal Serial Bus (USB) type connector and transfers projectile
impact information to computer system 108. The connector is
typically compatible with USB Specification, Version 2.0 and/or USB
HID Specification, Version 1.1, while the connection may support
Low-Speed USB device addressing. However, any standard or
proprietary communications interface can be used (e.g., serial port
connection, parallel port connection, USB connection, etc.). For
example, connector cable 120 may include connectors for a serial
communications port, parallel communications port, game port or
other standard physical communications port. The control circuitry
may be modified to support these types of connections. The control
circuitry may alternatively be disposed on a standard computer
interface card that is inserted directly into computer system
108.
[0030] Detection device 102 includes a plurality of layers as
illustrated in FIG. 3. Specifically, the detection device includes
an impact layer 144, a cushion layer 146 and a sensor layer 148.
The impact layer forms the outer surface of the detection device
and receives the initial impact of the projectile to protect the
underlying device layers. Cushion layer 146 is disposed between the
impact and sensor layers and further absorbs the projectile impact
forces. Sensor layer 148 is constructed of a material including
electrical resistance properties that are altered in response to a
projectile impact. The detection device layers may be constructed
of any conventional or other composite and generally resilient
materials, preferably those utilized for conventional touch
sensitive products (e.g., Programmable Digital Assistants (PDA),
etc.). The layers may be of any desired thickness sufficient to
protect the sensor layer, while enabling the sensor layer to detect
soft air type projectiles (e.g., BB, pellet, paintball, etc.) of
any size or weight. By way of example only, the detection device
has a thickness of approximately 4.5 millimeters.
[0031] The control circuitry basically monitors the resistance of
the sensor layer at specific points or locations 700 (FIG. 4) to
determine the occurrence and location of a projectile impact. In
particular, a voltage is initially applied to the sensor layer to
enable measurement of resistance at those points as described
below. The resistance at each location 700 is substantially similar
with respect to a reference resistance in the absence of a
projectile impact. However, in response to a projectile impact,
each location resistance independently varies from the reference
resistance in accordance with the proximity of the projectile
impact to that location as described below. In particular, the
impact of a soft air projectile on the surface of impact layer 144
results in a sudden and temporary deformation of the impact layer
that presses the impact layer against cushion layer 146. This, in
turn, deforms and displaces the cushion layer toward sensor layer
148 (e.g., as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3). Basically, cushion
layer 146 is pressed against the sensor layer, thereby applying the
projectile impact force to the sensor layer in a reduced state to
deform the sensor layer and adjust the sensor layer electrical
resistance. The detection device layers are typically constructed
of resilient materials, thereby enabling the layers to enter a
deformed state and return to their original state after a
projectile impact. In other words, the sensor layer is constructed
of a flexible, resilient conductive material. When the sensor layer
is deformed by localized pressure (e.g., a projectile impact), the
electrical resistance of the material is altered. The changes in
the resistive properties of sensor layer 148 at the specific
locations are monitored by the control circuitry to determine
projectile impact location coordinates. In this manner, detection
device 102 controllably receives the force of impact of a
projectile fired from a soft air type firearm, while allowing
sufficient force to be conveyed to sensor layer 148 to determine
the point of impact of projectile 103. The detection device may
alternatively employ materials or target structures including any
electrical or pressure sensitive properties that are alterable in
response to a projectile impact (e.g., capacitance, magnetic field,
etc.) to determine the impact location thereon.
[0032] An exemplary control circuit for the target assembly is
illustrated in FIG. 4. Specifically, control circuitry 118 includes
a target sensor monitor 704, a target controller 706 with an
accompanying crystal 708, a memory 710 and a cable connector 712
for connection to computer system 108 via cable 120 (FIG. 2). The
target sensor monitor is preferably in the form of an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and samples the electrical
properties of sensor layer 148. The target sensor monitor is
coupled to detection device 102 and target controller 706.
Circuitry 714 provides appropriate power signals to target sensor
monitor 704 and generally includes a voltage source (e.g., Vcc) and
a series of capacitors (e.g., generally three capacitors each with
a capacitance of 0.1 microfarads) arranged in parallel between the
voltage source and ground. The voltage source is further applied to
detection device 102 to enable the device resistive properties to
be measured as described below.
[0033] The target controller is typically in the form of an
integrated circuit and controls the target sensor monitor. The
target controller is coupled to memory 710 and connector 712 and is
basically a processor with a clock derived from crystal 708. The
crystal typically provides a 6 MHz signal, but may provide any type
of signal at any desired frequency. The target controller controls
target sensor monitor 704 to sample particular detection device
points and determine impact location coordinates, and further
processes these coordinates to account for various conditions
(e.g., calibrations relating to temperature and other conditions,
etc.). The resulting coordinates are transferred to the computer
system via connector 712. Circuitry 716 provides the appropriate
power signals to target controller 706 and generally includes a
voltage source (e.g., Vcc) and a pair of capacitors (e.g., a 0.1
microfarad capacitor and a 10 microfarad capacitor) arranged in
parallel between the voltage source and ground. In addition, a
resistor (e.g., a 1.3 K Ohm resistor) is utilized to regulate
voltage along a connection between the target controller and
connector 712.
[0034] Memory 710 is preferably in the form of an electrically
erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and stores software
for the target controller. Circuitry 718 provides appropriate power
signals to memory 710 and generally includes a voltage source
(e.g., Vcc) and a capacitor (e.g., a 1.0 microfarad capacitor)
disposed between that voltage source and ground. The connector is
in the form of a conventional USB type connector and receives the
processed impact location coordinates for transference to the
computer system, preferably in accordance with the aforementioned
USB specifications. A voltage source (e.g., Vcc) is coupled to the
connector to provide appropriate power signals.
[0035] Control circuitry 118 monitors detection device 102 to
identify the occurrence and location of a projectile impact on that
device. Initially, a voltage is typically applied (e.g., from the
voltage source of circuitry 714 or from target sensor monitor 704)
across sensor layer 148 of detection device 102, while the target
sensor monitor measures current at specific points 700 of the
sensor layer (e.g., shown, by way of illustration only, as resistor
symbols in FIG. 4). A projectile impact on the detection device
results in a deformation of the sensor layer resilient conductive
material and a detectable change in sensor layer resistance at
monitored points 700. The resistance change at each point is
determined based upon the measured current.
[0036] Target controller 706 controls target sensor monitor 704 to
sample analog current values from points 700 (e.g., X+, Y+, X-,
Y-). Since the duration of a soft air projectile impact is
relatively brief, the target sensor monitor samples points 700 at a
high rate compared with traditional touch sensitive devices (e.g.,
PDA, etc.) that detect pressure originating from the touch of a
finger or stylus. The target sensor monitor digitizes the current
measurements and determines the coordinates (e.g., Cartesian (X and
Y) coordinates) of the projectile point of impact on the detection
device. These coordinates may include a resolution on the order of
twelve bits (e.g., for each of the X and Y axes). The determined
coordinates are passed to target controller 706 for further
processing to account for various conditions (e.g., calibrations
relating to temperature and other conditions, etc.). The target
controller transfers the processed projectile impact information to
computer system 108 via connector 712 and corresponding USB cable
120. The exemplary control circuitry is similar to that employed in
conventional PDAs or other touch sensitive devices, except that the
control circuitry is designed for higher response time to detect
and process the projectile impacts in a short time interval.
[0037] In order for the computer system to utilize the projectile
impact information received from control circuitry 118, the target
assembly needs to be correlated with the associated target and the
computer system. Initially, the detection device is physically
aligned with the target via placement of the detection device
proximate monitor 112 for virtual targets, or proximate a printed
target or other object. In order to correlate the detection device
coordinate space with the target space, the detection device is
calibrated by a user touching or otherwise applying pressure (e.g.,
via a projectile from firearm 101) to the detection device at a
location corresponding to the center of the target in response to a
prompt by the computer system. The computer system may initiate a
calibration prior to commencing a training, competition or gaming
session or the user may command the computer system to enter a
calibration mode at any time prior, during or after the session.
The target assembly determines the calibration location coordinates
in substantially the same manner employed for projectile impacts
for transference to the computer system. This information is
utilized by the computer system to process impact location
coordinates received from the target assembly. In other words, the
computer system adjusts the coordinates received from the target
assembly to reflect a position relative to the user-specified
target center (e.g., the target center coordinates from the
calibration may be applied in the form of an offset to impact
location coordinates).
[0038] The resulting adjusted coordinates are translated to
corresponding coordinates in the particular application space
(e.g., a target image space for displaying impact locations, a
virtual or monitor space for virtual targets, etc.). In other
words, the resulting coordinates are translated to indicate a
projectile impact location on a virtual target in the virtual
target or monitor space, or on an image of the actual target in the
image space. The calibration may alternatively utilize any quantity
of points at any desired detection device or target locations,
where the points define the target area on the detection device and
correlate the detection device with the computer system.
[0039] The manner in which the target assembly samples detection
device 102 and determines the occurrence and location of projectile
impacts is illustrated in FIG. 5. Initially, the target assembly is
positioned with respect to a target and connected to computer
system 108 (FIGS. 1A-1B). A voltage is applied across the sensor
layer of the impact detection device at step 804 to enable
measurement of sensor layer resistive properties. An initial
current measurement at each of points 700 (FIG. 4) is ascertained
and utilized to indicate a reference resistance for each point and
to detect resistance changes of those points indicating projectile
impacts. Specifically, the target sensor monitor samples analog
current signals from sensor layer locations 700 at step 806 in
response to controls from target controller 706. The sampled analog
values are digitized and processed by the target sensor monitor to
determine the occurrence of a projectile impact. This is
accomplished by processing the digitized current values to
determine the occurrence of a change in resistance at points 700
indicating a projectile impact. Basically, the control circuitry
monitors locations 700 on the sensor layer, each preferably within
a different quadrant. The target sensor monitor receives current
signals indicating the resistance of each location. A projectile
impact produces a resistance change for each location that may be
detected based on the measured current (e.g., the resistance is
proportional to the applied voltage divided by the measured
location current). The resistance at each location is compared to
the corresponding reference resistance value for that location to
determine the resistance change. The amount of change for each
individual location or combination of locations is compared to a
threshold to determine the occurrence of a projectile impact at
step 816. The threshold is basically utilized to prevent false hit
indications in response to resistance changes occurring due to
conditions other than a projectile impact (e.g., temperature,
etc.). The threshold may be set to any desired value and adjusts
the sensitivity of the target assembly to projectile impacts and
ambient conditions.
[0040] If a projectile impact occurred (e.g., the resistance change
of individual and/or a combination of locations exceeds the
threshold), the projectile impact location is determined at step
822 by the target sensor monitor. In particular, the target sensor
monitor utilizes the resistance deviation at each location 700 to
determine the projectile impact location. For example, the
resistance deviations may serve as weights and be applied to
corresponding location coordinates to produce a weighted average
indicating the coordinates of the projectile impact location.
Alternatively, ratios or differences of resistance deviations
between two or more points may be applied to corresponding
distances between the points to determine an impact location
relative to those points. Generally, a substantially equal
resistance deviation at each of the locations indicates a
projectile impact location equidistant from each of the points or
at the detection device center, while a greater deviation at one or
more locations indicates the projectile impact location to be
nearest those locations. Thus, the target sensor monitor combines
the resistance deviations of the locations with the coordinates of
or distances between those locations to determine the projectile
impact location. The determined coordinates are transferred to and
processed by the target controller to account for various
conditions (e.g., calibrations relating to temperature or other
conditions, etc.).
[0041] The processed coordinates are transmitted from the target
controller to computer system 108 at step 824. The computer system
processes the received coordinates to account for the target
assembly calibration and may translate the resulting coordinates to
corresponding coordinates within the monitor or virtual target
space for virtual targets to indicate projectile impacts on those
virtual targets. Alternatively, the computer system may translate
the resulting coordinates to corresponding coordinates within an
image of a paper or other target to display projectile impact
locations on the target image corresponding to the actual impact
locations on the target. The translations are basically
accomplished by correlating the resulting coordinate units (e.g.,
corresponding to the detection device area) with a quantity of
pixels within a given measurement unit (e.g., corresponding to the
monitor or virtual target or the target image). The translations
are typically accomplished in the manners described in the
aforementioned patent and patent application publication.
[0042] If a projectile impact has not occurred as determined at
step 816, or impact information has been transferred to the
computer system at step 824, additional samples are obtained at
step 806 and the process is repeated until the computer and/or
target assembly is powered down as determined at step 826.
[0043] The target assembly may be utilized with various systems for
training, competition and gaming applications. Several participants
can engage in a competition, training or gaming session from remote
locations, thereby eliminating the travel and arrangements normally
associated with such events. For example, one or more computer
systems 108 with target assemblies 100 may be interconnected via a
Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and/or the
Internet. Each computer system is equipped with communication
hardware (e.g., a modem or network card) and software that allow
each system to establish communications with similarly equipped
systems, either directly, or via a network host server. The manner
in which the systems may communicate and function in a networked
environment to provide joint training, gaming or competitions is
substantially similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,365
(Shechter et al), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. Further, the target assembly and/or
computer system may detect the user distance from the target
assembly via any range detection devices (e.g., ultrasound,
transmitter and receiver, etc.) coupled to the firearm, computer
system and/or target assembly in substantially the same manner
described in the aforementioned Shechter et al patent. This ensures
that a user is an appropriate distance from the target assembly for
a particular training, competition or gaming application.
[0044] A target assembly 100 coupled to a display system according
to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIG. 6. Specifically, target assembly 100 is
substantially similar to the target assembly described above,
except that the target assembly is coupled to a display system 105
including a processor 111. Projectile 103 is propelled from soft
air type firearm 101 toward target assembly 100 placed proximate a
target 104 (e.g., bulls eye, etc.) as described above. The
projectile impact alters the electrical properties of the target
assembly, thereby enabling determination of the point of impact as
described above. The impact information is transferred to the
display system processor to facilitate display of an impact score
and an elapsed time. Thus, the alternative embodiment basically
employs a display system with a processor to process the impact
location coordinates received from the target assembly and display
information to enable use of the target assembly without the
external personal or other computer system described above.
[0045] Target assembly 100 includes transparent, pressure
sensitive, impact detection device 102 and control circuitry 118
(FIG. 2), each as described above. The detection device basically
serves as a window and is preferably placed over a conventional
paper or other target 104 suspended from a supporting structure
(e.g., wall, stand, etc.) with the target visible to a user through
the detection device. However, detection device 102 may
alternatively be opaque or translucent, where paper or other target
104 is placed in front of the detection device surface for target
visibility and to enable a projectile to impart force to the
detection device upon striking the target. Detection device 102 is
connected to circuitry 118 via cable 106, while the control
circuitry is connected to display system 105 via connector cable
120 (FIG. 2). The control circuitry monitors the electrical
properties of detection device 102 to determine projectile impact
locations thereon for transference to the display system in
substantially the same manner described above. The display system
utilizes the projectile impact information to determine a score for
and an elapsed time between projectile impacts with respect to
training, gaming and/or competition applications as described
below.
[0046] Display system 105 includes a score display 107 to display a
cumulative and/or individual impact score, a time display 109 to
display an elapsed time between successive projectile impacts,
processor 111 and a reset button or switch 115. The display system
is typically suspended from a support structure (e.g., a wall,
table, stand, etc.), preferably near the detection device and
visible to a user, and may receive power (not shown) from a
conventional wall outlet jack or other power source (e.g.,
batteries, etc.). The score display is typically disposed above the
time display with the reset switch placed between those displays;
however, the displays and reset switch may be arranged in any
fashion. Displays 107, 109 may be of any shape or size, and may be
implemented by any types of conventional or other displays (e.g.,
LED, LCD, flat screen or other monitor, etc.). The displays
typically display an impact score and elapsed time, but may be
utilized to display any information.
[0047] The display system is coupled to control circuitry 118 via
connector cable 120 to enable processor 111 to receive projectile
impact information, typically in the form of impact location
coordinates as described above. The control circuitry may be
disposed at any suitable location, but is preferably mounted to or
within the detection device or display system. The communication
between the display system and control circuitry is substantially
similar to the communications described above between the control
circuitry and computer system 108. The processor is typically
implemented by a conventional or other microprocessor (e.g., those
available from Intel, Motorola, etc.) and processes the impact
information, under software control, to determine an individual or
cumulative impact score and an elapsed time between successive
projectile impacts on the detection device. The processor may
further include networking hardware and software to communicate
with a host server and/or remote processors or computer systems at
different locations to provide joint training, competition or
gaming sessions in the manner described above, while the target
assembly and/or display system may detect the user distance from
the target assembly via any range detection devices (e.g.,
ultrasound, transmitter and receiver, etc.) coupled to the firearm,
display system and/or target assembly in substantially the same
manner described above. Moreover, the processor may be implemented
by, coupled to, or include any components (e.g., processor,
memories, etc.) having sufficient processing and storage
capabilities to effectively execute the software.
[0048] The display system processor receives the impact location
coordinates from the target assembly and determines the individual
and/or total impact score and elapsed time for display. In
particular, the control circuitry determines the location or
coordinates of a projectile impact on the detection device as
described above. The processor receives the coordinates and
determines a score for the projectile impact based on the location
of that impact on the detection device. Basically, target 104
(e.g., bulls eye, silhouette, etc.) is partitioned into zones with
each zone associated with a score value. The processor includes
information relating to the score value for each target zone. When
the processor receives impact information from the control
circuitry, the location of the impact on the detection device
and/or zone containing the impact location is determined and the
appropriate score value is retrieved. The score values for each
impact may be accumulated to produce a total score. The processor
may display an individual impact and/or total score on score
display 107. For example, the processor may display the individual
score and total score in alternating fashion (e.g., display the
individual score followed by the total score on display 107, etc.).
The manner in which the processor processes the impact information
to determine individual and total impact scores may be
substantially similar to the manner disclosed in the aforementioned
Clark et al patent and patent application publication.
[0049] The processor further determines an elapsed time between
successive projectile impacts for display on time display 109. The
processor basically employs a counter to measure the elapsed time
between projectile impacts. Each counter increment corresponds to a
particular time interval (e.g., a particular quantity of processor
clocks, any desired interval, etc.), where the counter is
incremented to indicate the quantity of time intervals that have
elapsed. The count accumulated by the counter between successive
projectile impacts is determined and converted to appropriate time
units (e.g., minutes, seconds, etc.) for display on time display
109.
[0050] In order to correlate the detection device coordinate space
with the target space, the detection device is calibrated by a user
touching or otherwise applying pressure (e.g., via a projectile
from firearm 101) to the detection device at a location
corresponding to the center of the target as described above in
response to a prompt by the display system (e.g., indicator on the
display system). The calibration is typically performed after a
target assembly reset occurs (e.g., via actuation of reset switch
115) or in response to system power-up. The reset switch may be
implemented by any conventional or other switch or button and
basically facilitates a reset of the target assembly (e.g.,
processor, displays, etc.). However, the processor may initiate a
calibration prior to commencing a training, competition or gaming
session or the user may command the processor to enter a
calibration mode at any time prior, during or after the session via
the reset switch or other controls (not shown). The control
circuitry determines the calibration location coordinates in
substantially the same manner described above for transference to
the processor. This information is utilized by the processor to
process impact location coordinates received from the control
circuitry as described above. In other words, the processor adjusts
the coordinates received from the control circuitry to reflect a
position relative to the user-specified target center (e.g., the
target center coordinates from the calibration may be applied in
the form of an offset to impact location coordinates).
[0051] It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above
and illustrated in the drawings represent only a few of the many
ways of implementing a target system and method for ascertaining
target impact locations of a projectile propelled from a soft air
type firearm.
[0052] The target assembly may be of any shape or size, and may be
utilized with any type of soft air type or other reduced power mock
or actual firearm propelling non-penetrating projectiles (e.g.,
compressed fluid firearms, mechanical firearms, electrical
firearms, toy firearms, projectile propelling devices that may or
may not be in the form of a firearm, etc.) of any size, shape or
weight. The target assembly may be utilized with any type of
computer or processing system that can process the impact location
information, and may be utilized for any type of application (e.g.,
training, gaming, competition, simulation, etc.). The target
assembly may receive power from any suitable source (e.g., the
computer or display system, batteries, common wall outlet jack,
etc.). The target assembly may detect impact locations from any
types of projectiles that are of any shape, size or weight (e.g.,
BB, pellet, paintball, etc.) and constructed of any types of
materials (e.g., plastic, metal, etc.). The target assembly may be
utilized with any type of virtual or actual target (e.g., paper or
illustration, target object, monitor or other display, etc.). The
target assembly may be constructed of or include dye resistant
materials for use with dye or other material filled projectiles
(e.g., paintballs, etc.). In this case, the target assembly is
sensitive to the initial impact of the projectile, and does not
respond to the material fill of the projectile impacting the target
assembly (e.g., by setting the threshold to an appropriate value,
etc.).
[0053] The detection device may be of any shape or size and may
include any quantity of layers arranged in any fashion, constructed
of any suitable materials and having any desired thickness. The
detection device may be transparent, translucent or opaque or
include any degrees thereof. The detection device may be placed in
front of (e.g., generally when transparent) or behind the target
(e.g., when transparent, translucent or opaque) at any desired
orientation or angle. The detection device may alternatively employ
materials or target structures including any electrical or pressure
sensitive properties that are alterable in response to a projectile
impact (e.g., capacitance, magnetic field, etc.) to determine the
impact location thereon. The detection device and display system
may be mounted proximate or near the target via any conventional or
other fasteners and securing techniques (e.g., mountable frame,
brackets, hook and loop fasteners, hooks, etc.).
[0054] The control circuitry may be implemented by any conventional
or other components (e.g., circuitry, chips, processors, gates,
PGA, etc.) performing the functions described above. The target
sensor monitor and target controller may be implemented by any
conventional or other processor or circuitry. The target controller
may include any type of crystal or oscillator to provide a signal
at any desired frequency. Further, the target sensor monitor may
sample the detection device at any desired sampling rate sufficient
to detect a projectile impact. The control circuitry may be
external of the computer system or be placed on a card for
insertion into the computer system. The control circuitry,
detection device, and computer or display systems may be
interconnected via any conventional or other communications medium
(e.g., cables, wireless, etc.). The control circuitry may be
mounted to the detection device or display system or be placed at
any other location. The housing may be of any shape or size
sufficient to contain the control circuitry. The control circuitry
may communicate with the computer system or display system via any
conventional or other port or interface (e.g., serial port,
parallel port, USB port, COM port, etc.), while the connector may
be implemented by any conventional or other connector and support
any type of connection to a computer or processing system. The
memory may be implemented by any type of conventional or other
storage device and may contain any desired information.
[0055] The target assembly may sample any quantity of points on the
detection device at any desired locations. Any quantity of
resistance deviations may be combined in any manner (e.g.,
accumulated, weighted average, etc.) for comparison to the
threshold for detecting a projectile impact. The threshold may be
of any quantity (e.g., a threshold for one or more locations, etc.)
and may be set to any desired value to adjust target assembly
sensitivity. The reference values may be sampled at any time prior,
during or after a session at any desired intervals. The resistance
deviations may be measured in any desired fashion (e.g., applying
current and measuring voltage, applying voltage and measuring
current, etc.), while the impact location may be derived by
utilizing the sampled values (e.g., resistance, current or voltage)
in the manner described above. The target sensor monitor may
measure the current or other properties and provide the coordinates
with any desired resolution (e.g., in any quantity of bits). The
impact location may be derived from the resistance or other
property deviations in any conventional or other manner (e.g.,
weighted average, etc.). The resistance deviations may be weighted
in any desired fashion for application to the point coordinates or
distances. Any suitable type of voltage or voltage level may be
applied to the detection device to measure the resistance or other
properties (e.g., AC, DC, etc.). Preferably, the applied voltage is
in the range of 3-12V DC. The target controller may apply
adjustments to the impact location coordinates in any desired
fashion and for any desired conditions (e.g., temperature,
detection device configuration, etc.).
[0056] The calibration may be accomplished by a user identifying
the center of the target to the detection device in any desired
manner (e.g., touching the point, firing a projectile, etc.). The
calibration may utilize any quantity of points at any desired
locations on the detection device to define a target area or
location to the computer, processing or display system. The
calibration mode may be entered at any time prior, during or after
a session and may be initiated by a user or the computer,
processing or display system.
[0057] The computer or display system may connect to any type of
network to accommodate plural users for training, competition or
gaming activities. Plural target assemblies may be connected to a
computer system with plural monitors and/or alternative display
devices or to a display system via any connection devices (e.g.,
cables) or ports (e.g., video, etc.), where the computer or display
system serves as a host to process and accommodate plural users.
The target assembly may be utilized with one of a plurality of
monitors displaying virtual targets, while the other monitors are
utilized to display information to third parties and/or the user.
The target assembly may be employed in conjunction with any
conventional or other range detection devices to determine a user
range from the target assembly. The target assembly may be utilized
with the computer system and the display system, either
individually or in combination. The display and computer systems
may determine and/or display any desired session or other
information.
[0058] The display system may include any quantity of any type of
conventional or other displays (e.g., LED, LCD, etc.) arranged in
any fashion and displaying any desired information. The displays
may be of any size or shape. The processor may be implemented by
any conventional or other processor or circuitry to process
coordinates and display information on the displays. The processor
may utilize any quantity of any type of counters or timers, either
software or hardware, to measure elapsed or any other time interval
for a session. The scoring may be set to any desired values for any
zones within the target, where the scoring may be determined in any
conventional or other manner (e.g., sum, multiplication or
weighted, scaling factor, etc.). The display system may include any
quantity of conventional or other switches or buttons of any shape
or size, disposed at any locations and serving as various controls
(e.g., reset, user input, etc.). The computer and display systems
may receive power from any suitable source (e.g., batteries, common
wall outlet jack, etc.).
[0059] It is to be understood that the software for the target
assembly and computer and display systems may be implemented in any
desired computer language and could be developed by one of ordinary
skill in the computer arts based on the functional descriptions
contained in the specification and flow chart illustrated in the
drawings. The various functions of the target assembly can be
distributed in any manner among any quantity of software modules,
processing systems and/or circuitry. The software and/or algorithms
described above and illustrated in the flow chart may be modified
in any manner that accomplishes the functions described herein.
[0060] The target assembly is not limited to the applications
disclosed herein, but may be utilized as a peripheral to enter
information into any computer or processing system in accordance
with the location of the detection device identified by a user
(e.g., the device may be utilized for prompt or menu selections,
for identifying impact locations on a target or other object, for
entry of data based on selections displayed, etc.). In addition,
the target assembly may be configured and utilized to detect impact
locations for various objects (e.g., projectiles, coins, balls
(e.g., baseball, football, golf ball, tennis ball, etc.), weapons,
rocks, marbles, arrows, etc.) propelled in any fashion (e.g., by
hand, mock firearm, sling-shot, bow, rubber band, etc.) for use
with training, simulation, gaming or other applications.
[0061] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that
the invention makes available a novel target system and method for
ascertaining target impact locations of a projectile propelled from
a soft air type firearm, wherein a target system ascertains
projectile impact locations thereon and transfers the impact
information to a computer system to visually indicate the impact
locations and/or interact with a gaming application.
[0062] Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved
target system and method for ascertaining target impact locations
of a projectile propelled from a soft air type firearm, it is
believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be
suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set
forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such
variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within
the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *