Shooting target system for automatic determination of the point of impact

Abstract

A shooting target system including a target including a material in which shock waves arise and propagate when hit by a projectile. A first shock sensor is arranged to detect the shock waves. At least a second shock sensor is arranged at a distance from the first shock sensor. A calculation module is configured to determine at least a first time-delay between the detections of the shock wave by the first and the at least second sensor, and to calculate information relating to the point of impact of the projectile in the target based on the at least first time-delay.

1 . A shooting target system, comprising:
 a target comprising a material in which shock waves arise and propagate when hit by a projectile,   a first shock sensor arranged to detect said shock waves,   at least a second shock sensor arranged at a distance from said first shock sensor, and   a calculation module configured to determine at least a first time-delay between the detections of the shock wave by the first and the at least second sensor, and to calculate information relating to a point of impact of the projectile in the target based on said at least first time-delay.   
   
   
       2 . The shooting target system according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 at least a third shock sensor arranged at a distance from said first sensor and said second shock sensor, wherein the calculation module is further configured to determine at least a second time-delay between the detection of the shock wave by said at least third sensor and either of the first sensor or the second sensor, and for calculating the point of impact of the projectile in the target based on said first and at least second time-delay.   
   
   
       3 . The shooting target system according to  claim 1 , wherein the target material comprises metal, plastic, ceramic or fibreglass. 
   
   
       4 . The shooting target system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an indicator configured to visually or aurally indicate a result of the calculation performed by the calculation module.   
   
   
       5 . The shooting target system according to  claim 1 , wherein the target comprises means for prolonging the shock wave propagation distance between said sensors. 
   
   
       6 . The shooting target system according to  claim 1 , wherein the target comprises at least one slit substantially dividing the target into at least two target strips held together by a connection portion, the shock sensors are disposed at the at least two target strips. 
   
   
       7 . A method for automatically retrieving information relating to the point of impact of a projectile in a target, the method comprising:
 detecting a shock wave arising and propagating in a target material upon an impact of a projectile in said target at a first and at least a second point of the target;   determining at least a first time-delay between the detections of the shock wave at the first and the at least second point of the target; and   calculating information relating to a point of impact of the projectile in said target based on said at least first time-delay.   
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 detecting said shock wave at least a third point of the target;   determining at least a second time-delay between the detections of the shock wave at the at least third point of the target and any of the first or the second point of the target;   calculating the point of impact of the projectile in the target based on the at least first and second time-delay.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 visually or aurally indicating the information related to the point of impact to the user shooting at the target.   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the points at which the shock wave is detected are located at different target strips partially separated by one or several slits and connected at the beginning of the target strips by a connection portion through which a shock wave caused by a projectile impact in one target strip can propagate to the other target strip(s).