Conductive Target Circuitry to Distinguish Lead Line and Target Hits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shooting ranges lack real-time monitoring and analysis of projectile hits on targets, limiting efficient competition and performance tracking across different geographic locations, and failing to provide dynamic shooter engagement and personalized offers based on shooting range visits.
Innovation Solution
Implementing conductive targets with integrated circuitry that detect hits and connect to external devices for real-time data transmission, enabling remote monitoring and comparison of shooting performance, and location-based tracking of shooter visits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection of targets is used to determine hits, then users can assess performance, but real-time monitoring and analysis are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection of targets with an automated electronic detection system. Conductive targets with integrated circuitry automatically detect projectile hits through electrical signal changes, eliminating the need for manual collection and examination of targets. This substitution provides real-time hit detection and performance analysis, resolving the contradiction between accurate measurement and time consumption.
2Loss of information
If conventional non-conductive targets are used, then targets are simple and inexpensive, but real-time data transmission and remote monitoring are not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by integrating conductive materials (such as conductive ink or metallic traces) into the target substrate. This composite approach enables the target to simultaneously maintain its basic function as a shooting target while incorporating electrical conductivity for sensor integration. The conductive layers or traces form electrical circuits that detect hits and transmit data, enabling real-time information transmission without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive target serves multiple functions: it acts as both the traditional shooting target and an integrated sensing element. The same conductive structure that forms the target design also serves as the electrical circuit for hit detection and data transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensor components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while enabling comprehensive real-time data collection and transmission.
3Productivity
If conductive targets with integrated circuitry are implemented, then real-time monitoring is enabled, but target complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical target construction with a system that integrates electronic circuitry directly into the target material. By using conductive ink printing or metallic trace integration during the target manufacturing process, the system achieves real-time monitoring capabilities without requiring separate mechanical sensor assemblies. This substitution streamlines the manufacturing process and improves productivity through automated data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the conductive material properties to detect hits. The electrical conductivity, resistance, or capacitance of the conductive target changes when struck by a projectile, and these parameter variations are detected by integrated circuits. By monitoring electrical parameters rather than mechanical deformations, the system achieves real-time performance tracking with simplified manufacturing compared to traditional mechanical sensing approaches.
4Measurement precision
If lead line hits are not distinguished from target hits, then circuitry is simpler, but accurate performance analysis is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the target into distinct functional zones with separate conductive pathways: target hit zones and lead line zones. Each zone has its own electrical circuit configuration that independently detects hits. The target surface is segmented into multiple conductive regions, each connected to the evaluation circuitry through dedicated lead lines. This segmentation enables the system to distinguish between hits on the target surface and hits on the lead lines, achieving accurate performance analysis while maintaining relatively simple circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the target have different electrical properties and circuit configurations optimized for their specific function. Target zones have conductive patterns designed to detect projectile impacts on the target surface, while lead line regions have separate conductive pathways to detect hits on the electrical connections. This local differentiation of electrical characteristics enables precise hit location discrimination without requiring complex overall circuitry, as each local region is optimized independently.
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
Enables real-time monitoring and analysis of shooting performance, facilitates competitions between geographically separated shooters, and allows personalized engagement based on shooting range visits.
Implementation Method 1
A conductive target for selective connection to a connector containing external circuity for counting target hits may include a substrate and an electrical bus on the substrate, the electrical bus being configured for selective electrical connection to the external circuitry. The conductive target may further include at least one electrically conductive target region on the substrate and at least one conductive lead line on the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Circuitry for use in connection with a conductive target may include an interface, a conductive target zone, a plurality of conductive lead lines electrically connecting the interface to the at least one conductive target zone, and at least one processor. The at least one processor may detect via the interface, a first electrical signal representing severance of a portion of the conductive target zone by a projectile hit within the at least one conductive target zone; detect via the interface a second electrical signal, different from the first electrical signal, wherein the second electrical signal represents severance of one of the plurality of lead lines by a projectile hit on the one of the plurality of lead lines; trigger an indicator of a target hit in response to the first electrical signal; and prevent triggering of the target hit indicator in response to the second electrical signal.