Bow Targeting System with Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional projectile weapons, such as bows, face challenges in accurately targeting due to user instability and canting, leading to misalignment and errant shots, as existing sights do not effectively indicate steadiness and level.
Innovation Solution
A targeting system integrated with a bow that uses accelerometers and attitude sensors to provide real-time feedback on steadiness and level through a display, using circular segments for unsteadiness and canted triangles/horizontal lines for roll, aiding the user in adjusting the bow's orientation for accurate targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sights are used to indicate target orientation, then basic aiming guidance is provided, but user instability and canting cause misalignment and errant shots
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors bow orientation using accelerometers and attitude sensors, providing real-time feedback through visual indicators (circular segments for steadiness, canted triangles for roll angle). This feedback loop enables users to adjust their aim dynamically, compensating for instability and canting to achieve consistent accurate shots
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical sights with an electronic sensing and display system. Accelerometers and attitude sensors detect bow orientation and movement, while electronic displays provide visual guidance, substituting purely mechanical aiming mechanisms with sensor-based detection and electronic visualization
2Ease of operation
If no steadiness indication is provided, then the device remains simple, but users cannot detect and correct instability during aiming
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visual indicators that change appearance based on bow steadiness - circular segments are displayed when instability is detected, and these indicators can change size or intensity to communicate the degree of unsteadiness to the user
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces display indicators as an intermediary between the physical bow state and user perception. The accelerometers and sensors detect subtle movements and orientations, translating them into visual representations that users can easily interpret to adjust their aiming stability
3Measurement precision
If roll angle is not monitored, then the system remains simple, but canted bows lead to horizontal misalignment and missed targets
Solution Approach 1:
The attitude sensor continuously measures roll angle and provides real-time feedback through canted triangle indicators on the display. Users can see their current roll angle and adjust accordingly, creating a feedback loop that enables precise horizontal alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual level-checking mechanisms with electronic attitude sensors that automatically detect roll angle. The sensor system substitutes for traditional bubble levels or mechanical alignment tools, providing continuous digital measurement of bow orientation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly improves shot accuracy by enabling users to adjust for steadiness and level, reducing the likelihood of missed targets by providing clear visual cues for alignment and stability.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer configured to generate acceleration data
Implementation Method 2
an attitude sensor configured to generate attitude data
Data Source
AI summary
A targeting system operable to be used with a bow to assist an operator with striking a target with a projectile. The targeting system comprising an accelerometer configured to generate acceleration data, an attitude sensor configured to generate attitude data, a display, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to profile steadiness using the acceleration data, profile roll using the attitude data, present on the display based on the steadiness profile one of an indication of unsteadiness represented by circular segments of relatively greater diameter with relatively greater unsteadiness, and an indication of steadiness represented by absence of the circular segments, and present on the display based on the roll profile one of an indication of level represented by at least one horizontal line and an indication of roll represented by at least one canted triangle and absence of the at least one horizontal line.