Automated Shooting Sports Scoring via Image and Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In shooting sports, it is challenging to isolate shooter proficiency from equipment and environmental variables, leading to difficulties in skill improvement and fair competition, as specialized equipment and ammunition can create uneven playing fields, discouraging participation and increasing costs for shooters.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mobile device attached to an optical device, a wearable computer, and sensors on the weapon, which uses image processing, accelerometers, and sound detection to score and analyze shots, distinguish between shooters and weapons, and provide real-time feedback, allowing for standardized scoring across different types of projectiles and ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shooters use specialized equipment and ammunition to improve performance, then shooting performance may be enhanced, but equipment costs increase and accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scoring function from human judges and implements it in an automated system using image processing and sensors. This removes the need for specialized equipment to achieve accurate scoring, allowing standard equipment to be used while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual scoring methods with an automated electronic scoring system that uses image processing, accelerometers, and sound detection. This substitution eliminates the need for shooters to invest in specialized equipment for competitive scoring, as the system objectively measures performance using standard tools.
2Measurement precision
If automated scoring systems are implemented to isolate shooter skill from equipment variables, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scoring system into multiple independent components: image processing for target analysis, accelerometers for recoil detection, sound sensors for shot timing, and computational algorithms for score calculation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional scoring system that can handle different weapon types, target configurations, and shooting disciplines through a unified platform. The system uses universal sensors and image processing techniques that work across various shooting scenarios, reducing the need for specialized equipment for each discipline.
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
This system effectively isolates equipment and environmental variables, enabling accurate assessment of shooter skill, facilitating fair competition and skill acquisition by providing detailed feedback and coaching, and allowing shooters to practice with their standard tools regardless of range or target type.
Implementation Method 1
uses image processing, accelerometers, and sound detection to score and analyze shots
Implementation Method 2
uses image processing, accelerometers, and sound detection to score and analyze shots
Implementation Method 3
uses image processing, accelerometers, and sound detection to score and analyze shots
Data Source
AI summary
A system for scoring shooting sports includes an adapter that attaches an optical device to a mobile computer programmed to support scoring, analysis, and coaching. The mobile computer includes an image detector to sample images of a target, the images including pre-launch image data sampled before a projectile is launched at the target and post-launch image data sampled after the projectile is launched at the target. The system includes an accelerometer to detect projectile launches and thus distinguish pre-launch and post-launch image data. The mobile computer compares the pre-launch image data and the post-launch image data to locate a point of impact of the projectile on the target. A user interface on the mobile computer indicates the point of impact to the shooter.