Target impact sensor transmitter receiver system

Abstract

A system for sensing the impact of a bullet on a target and remotely reporting the successful impact to the shooter by means of a signal transmitted from a sensor transmitter to a receiver incorporated with headphones, ear buds or an I-phone with Bluetooth capability. The sensor includes a wireless transmitter and a impact/vibration sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor. The target impact sensors can be used with various stationary targets such as metallic or paper targets, but can also be used on movable targets such as body armor worn by players in paint ball competition.

Claims

1. A target impact sensing system consisting of: a device for shooting projectiles; a shooting target sensing an impact of a projectile selected from the group consisting of a metallic target, a paper target, a target worn on by a paint ball player, and combinations thereof with an impact sensor selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a 3 axis accelerometer, a capacitive sensor, and an inductive sensor; a wireless transmitter electrically connected to said impact sensor, said wireless transmitter transmitting a wireless message selected from the group consisting of radio frequency transmissions and infra-red transmission with impact describing data; said wireless transmitter transmitting a pre-selected sound to a receiver upon said projectile impacting said target said wireless transmitter using BLUETOOTH format and said receiver includes a radio frequency transmitter and RF receiver with application software enabling a cell phone to receive an audible transmission from said wireless transmitter; a receiver capable of receiving said wireless message with impact describing data from said wireless transmitter and capable of providing an impact describing audible message to a user, said impact describing audible message being interpreted from said impact describing data; an audible sound selected from the group of sounds consisting of a sound produced from firing a selected gun, a sound which is indicative of a distance the impact is from the center of said target, a sound which mimics an impact of a hit on a selected material comprising the target, a sound mimicking an exaggerated impact, a sound which is indicative of a distance said target is from a shooter, and combinations thereof.

2. A target impact sensing system consisting of: a laser device for projecting a laser beam; a shooting target for sensing an impact of a said laser beam on said target selected from the group consisting of a stationary target, a target worn on a player, and combinations thereof with a sensor selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a 3 axis accelerometer, a capacitive sensor, and an inductive sensor; a wireless transmitter electrically connected to said impact sensor, said wireless transmitter capable of transmitting a wireless message selected from the group consisting of radio frequency transmissions and infra-red transmission with impact describing data; said wireless transmitter transmitting a pre-selected sound to a receiver upon said projectile impacting striking said target; a receiver capable of receiving said wireless message with impact describing data from said wireless transmitter and capable of providing an audible message to a user, said audible message including data consisting of a target identification and a degree of accuracy; said receiver and said wireless transmitter use BLUETOOTH format and said receiver includes a radio frequency transmitter and RF receiver with application software enabling a smart phone to provide audible messages containing target strike data; and an audible message comprising a first pre-selected sound transmitted to said receiver upon firing a laser device projecting a laser beam and a second pre-selected sound mimicking an impact of a hit of said laser beam on a selected target.

3. A target impact sensing system consisting of: a device for shooting projectiles; a shooting target for sensing an impact of a projectile on a target worn on by a paint ball player with an impact sensor selected from the group consisting of a piezoelectric sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, a 3 axis accelerometer, a capacitive sensor, and an inductive sensor, said impact sensor attaching to a selected areas on an article of clothing worn by said paint ball player; a wireless transmitter electrically connected to said impact sensor, said wireless transmitter capable of transmitting a wireless message selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency transmissions and a infra-red transmission with impact describing data; said wireless transmitter transmitting a pre-selected sound to a receiver upon said projectile impacting said target; said receiver capable of receiving said wireless message with impact describing data from said wireless transmitter and capable of providing an impact describing audible message to a paint ball player said receiver and said wireless transmitter use BLUETOOTH format and said receiver includes a radio frequency transmitter and RF receiver with application software enabling a smart phone to provide audible messages containing target impact data; said impact of said projectile on said impact sensor transmitting a selected sound to said receiver of said paint ball player wearing said impact sensor and said paint ball player shooting said projectile; said audible message consisting of a first pre-selected sound mimicking a selected exaggerated impact sound produced from firing a selected device for shooting projectiles and a second pre-selected sound mimicking an exaggerated impact, and combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the views wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of a shooter wearing a set of receiver headphones and shooting a target with an impact sensor connected to a transmitter.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of a paint ball competitor wearing a vest containing impact sensor pads with sensors connected to a transmitter.

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of a target including three targets of different sizes, each with it's own sensor and where all the sensors are connected to a transmitter.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an impact sensor.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a one piece sensor 14 and transmitter 16.

(7) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a sensor system including sensors 16-20, a processor and transmitter unit and a receiver unit.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram for exemplary sensor conditioning circuits for three sensors.

(9) FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show circuit diagrams for exemplary sensor signal processing and transmitting.

(10) FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram for an exemplary receiver circuit.

(11) FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram for an audio amplifier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an impact sensing target system 10 which includes a impact, movement, or vibration sensor 14 such as a 3 axis accelerometer, a piezoelectric sensor, a sensor processor and transmitter 16, and a receiver 12. FIG. 1 shows a shooter 5 with a gun 22 shooting at a target 20. The target 20 has means for detecting movement and/or vibration, such as a sensor 14 attached to the front or the back of the target. The sensor 14, also shown in FIG. 4, has leads 18 connecting the sensor to a transmitter unit 16. The shooter 5 is wearing a set of headphones 12 include a receiver which receives radio frequency or infra-red transmissions from the transmitter 16.

(13) The target is connected to at least one sensor connected to a controller which transmits a message to a receiver with a speaker to inform the shooter approximately where his hit occur. Sensor amplifier circuits, and sensor processing, transmitting, and receiving circuits as are shown in the figures. Applicant provides a target sensor system in electrical or vibration communication with the target, which merely transmits a signal to a receiver which may be worn on the shooter and on others in the general vicinity to announce that the target was hit and the intensity of the impact. The same circuitry provided in FIGS. 7 through 12 may be used in the applicant's invention. A preferred embodiment uses a Bluetooth transmitter and a cell phone as a receiver.

(14) The sensor 14 includes circuitry which senses slight impact or vibrations and converts them into an electrical voltage which the transmitter converts into a message which is sent to the receiver. The message is an audible signal which may sound like projectile hitting something or the signal can be a voice explaining that a target has been hit or identifying which target has been hit in the case of multiple targets, as shown in FIG. 3.

(15) FIG. 3 shows a group of targets of varying sizes. The targets 24 each have a separate sensor 14 with leads 18 connected each sensor 14 to the transmitter 16. The transmitter 16 will relay a message to the shooter's receiver as to which target has been struck. The message may include information as to the degree of impact, in other words, a more direct or ‘centered’ hit will be reported by a louder message in the headphones or perhaps by a numerical score.

(16) In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 14 and the transmitter 16 are incorporated into one small package as shown in FIG. 5. Because the sensor/transmitter of FIG. 5 is so small and still self-contained, the sensor can be easily applied to various targets and even re-used on other targets. The sensor/transmitter is therefore easily portable as well.

(17) Other embodiments of the target sensor system 10 use Bluetooth technology, which transmits messages using a selected frequency such as 2.45 Ghz carrier with a low power signal on the order of a few milliwatts. The receiver is a Bluetooth ready I-phone or other radio frequency transmission, which may include headphones or ear buds, and includes the application software enabling the I-phone to relay target pertinent messages. Amplifiers are available to increase the range of the Bluetooth sensors, if needed.

(18) Additionally, the receiver 12 which the player who has been shot is wearing may include a small loudspeaker which gives a loud sound when that player is shot, as well.

(19) It is understood that the transmitters and receivers discussed above communicate wirelessly and are preferably powered by batteries contained in the transmitter and in the receiver. However, in some cases, power delivered by wire, such as house current, is acceptable where desired. The impact sensor 14 is a piezoelectric type sensor, but may be electromagnetic, capacitive, inductive or any other type of impact, motion or vibration sensor which will provide a detectible impact signal.

(20) Another example of use of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 is used in paint ball sports and in laser tag sports, as well. Each player wears a garment with targets on selected areas of the body such as the chest, the back, and on each side of the chest. Pads 24 on the garment have sensors 14 attached inside the pads which sense when the pad has been hit with a paint ball or pellet, or in the case of laser tag, with a laser beam. The sensors 14 are connected to the transmitter 16 on the players shoulder. The transmitter transmits a message to the shooter's receiver/headphone 12, to the headphone of the player who has been shot, and if desired, to other player's headphones as well. The message includes information identifying the player who was shot, which target on the player was hit and other data as desired.

(21) The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.