Target Shooting System

Abstract

The target shooting system provides a target shooter with immediate feedback, both visual and auditory, on the shooter's performance. The system comprises a real-time imaging feed of a target being shot at by a target shooter; wherein the image is submitted to a computing device running a software program. The program processes the images in such a manner as to be able to present the shooter with both audio and visual feedback of where the shooter's shots are hitting the target. The audio feedback comprises real-time announcement of a hit location relative to a pre-set bullseye (for example: “Hit one inch high, point five inch right.”). The visual feedback comprises a real-time image of the target with any hits on the target highlighted by an indicator, such as an outline of concentric, colored circles, or any other suitable indicator.

1 . A target shooting system comprising:
 a. A target; wherein the target is viewed by;   b. A scope; wherein the scope is interfaced with;   c. A camera; wherein the camera is interfaced with;   d. A computer; and   e. A program executed by the computer; wherein the program determines a location of a hit on the target as a change between a baseline value and a new hit value.   
     
     
         2 . The target shooting system of  claim 1 , further wherein the scope is integral with the camera as a unitary device. 
     
     
         3 . The target shooting system of  claim 1 , further wherein the scope is a separate device interfaced with the camera. 
     
     
         4 . The target shooting system of  claim 1 , further wherein the system is calibrated and a baseline value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Capturing an image of the target by means of the camera;   b. Displaying the image of the target by means of the computer;   c. Selecting within the program a caliber of ammunition;   d. Determining by means of the program a measurement value;   e. Using the measurement value to create by means of the program a map of the target;   f. Storing within the program the map of the target as a baseline value; and   g. Activating by means of the program a calibration feature.   
     
     
         5 . The target shooting system of  claim 4 , further wherein by means of the program a user selects an area of the target to be monitored by the system. 
     
     
         6 . The target shooting system of  claim 5 , further wherein by means of the program a user selects a bullseye within the target area. 
     
     
         7 . The target shooting system of  claim 4 , further wherein the new hit value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Obtaining an image of the target from the camera;   b. Mapping all detectable contours on the target as line segments and bounds boxes;   c. Analyzing each detected contour-bounds box to determine if the contour-bounds box is within a specified range;   d. Comparing each detected contour-bounds box to existing contour-bounds boxes compiled during calibration of the program; and   e. Determining whether each detected contour-bounds box is a new hit value.   
     
     
         8 . The target shooting system of  claim 4 , further wherein the new hit value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Obtaining an image of the target from the camera;   b. Mapping all detectable contours on the target as line segments;   c. Analyzing each detected line segment to determine if the line segment is part of a baseline value;   d. Aligning the baseline value with the image; and   e. Determining whether each detected line segment is a new hit value.   
     
     
         9 . The target shooting system of  claim 4 , further wherein the new hit value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Obtaining an image of the target from the camera;   b. Filtering the image;   c. Detecting any new contour on the target; and   d. Determining whether each new contour is a new hit value.   
     
     
         10 . The target shooting system of  claim 4 , further wherein the new hit value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Obtaining an image of the target from the camera;   b. Filtering the image;   c. Detecting any new contour on the target;   d. Analyzing each detected contour to determine if the detected contour is part of a baseline value;   e. Aligning the baseline value with the image; and   f. Determining whether each detected contour is a new hit value.   
     
     
         11 . A target shooting system comprising:
 a. A target; wherein the target is viewed by;   b. A scope; wherein the scope is interfaced with;   c. A camera; wherein the camera is interfaced with;   d. A computer; and   e. A program executed by the computer; wherein the program determines a location of a hit on the target as a change between a baseline value and a new hit value; and   further wherein the system is calibrated and a baseline value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 i. Capturing an image of the target by means of the camera; 
 ii. Displaying the image of the target by means of the computer; 
 iii. Selecting an area of the target to be monitored by the system; 
 iv. Selecting a bullseye within the target area; 
 v. Selecting within the program a caliber of ammunition; 
 vi. Determining by means of the program a measurement value; 
 vii. Using the measurement value to create by means of the program a map of the target; 
 viii. Storing within the program the map of the target as a baseline value; and 
 ix. Activating by means of the program a calibration feature. 
   
     
     
         12 . The target shooting system of  claim 11 , further wherein the new hit value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Obtaining an image of the target from the camera;   b. Mapping all detectable contours on the target as line segments and bounds boxes;   c. Analyzing each detected contour-bounds box to determine if the contour-bounds box is within a specified range;   d. Comparing each detected contour-bounds box to existing contour-bounds boxes compiled during calibration of the program; and   e. Determining whether each detected contour-bounds box is a new hit value.   
     
     
         13 . The target shooting system of  claim 11 , further wherein the new hit value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Obtaining an image of the target from the camera;   b. Mapping all detectable contours on the target as line segments;   c. Analyzing each detected line segment to determine if the line segment is part of a baseline value;   d. Aligning the baseline value with the image; and   e. Determining whether each detected line segment is a new hit value.   
     
     
         14 . The target shooting system of  claim 11 , further wherein the new hit value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Obtaining an image of the target from the camera;   b. Filtering the image;   c. Detecting any new contour on the target; and   d. Determining whether each new contour is a new hit value.   
     
     
         15 . The target shooting system of  claim 11 , further wherein the new hit value is determined by means of the program comprising the steps of:
 a. Obtaining an image of the target from the camera;   b. Filtering the image;   c. Detecting any new contour on the target;   d. Analyzing each detected contour to determine if the detected contour is part of a baseline value;   e. Aligning the baseline value with the image; and   f. Determining whether each detected contour is a new hit value.