Electronic detection of shot placement in a target area

Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems are provided that determine shot placement in a target area without requiring visual detection. Shots are detected via an electronic detection circuit associated with a target. The electronic detection circuit can include a number of discrete circuit portions arranged in zones of the target area that are configured to identify a shot within each zone. The target is electrically connected to a target attachment device that is in communication with a controller and a user interface. Shots are detected in the target area by the controller receiving information through the electronic detection circuit and are reported to the user through the user interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic shot placement detection system, comprising:
 a target attachment device configured to receive a target having at least one zone and an electrical circuit portion associated with the at least one zone, wherein the target attachment device is configured to electrically connect to the electrical circuit portion of the target;   a controller in communication with the target attachment device and the electrical circuit portion of the target, wherein the controller is configured to determine, at a first time, first electrical characteristics of the electrical circuit portion, detect, at a second time, a change to the first electrical characteristics of the electrical circuit portion, wherein the changed electrical characteristics indicate a disturbance in the at least one zone of the target, and record the change in the first electrical characteristics in a memory; and   a user interface in communication with the controller and configured to present information relating to the recorded change in the first electrical characteristics to a user.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit portion associated with the at least one zone of the target passes through the at least one zone of the target. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the disturbance in the at least one zone includes a penetration of the target by a projectile. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit portion includes a continuity-type circuit, such that a break in an electrical continuity associated with the electrical circuit portion results in the disturbance in the at least one zone. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit portion includes an impedance-type circuit, such that a change in an impedance associated with the electrical circuit portion results in the disturbance in the at least one zone. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the target includes two or more zones, wherein a first zone of the two or more zones includes a first electrical circuit portion and a second zone of the two or more zones includes a second electrical circuit portion, and wherein the controller is further configured to independently detect a change in electrical characteristics between the first electrical circuit portion and the second electrical circuit portion. 
     
     
         7 . A target, comprising:
 a substrate material defining an area and at least one target zone of the area;   at least one electrical circuit portion disposed on the substrate material and associated with the at least one target zone of the area;   a first electrical contact point in communication with the at least one electrical circuit portion;   a second electrical contact point in communication with the at least one electrical circuit portion, wherein an electrical path is provided between the first and second electrical contact points via the at least one electrical circuit portion.   
     
     
         8 . The target of  claim 7 , wherein the electrical path includes electrical characteristics of the electrical circuit portion, and wherein the electrical characteristics change when the electrical path is altered. 
     
     
         9 . The target of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrical circuit portion is printed with an electrically conductive medium onto the substrate material. 
     
     
         10 . The target of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrical circuit portion is deposited onto the substrate material, and wherein the at least one electrical circuit portion includes an electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         11 . A method of detecting a shot placement in a target, comprising:
 providing a target attachment device configured to receive a target having at least one zone and an electrical circuit portion associated with the at least one zone, wherein the target attachment device is configured to electrically connect to the electrical circuit portion of the target;   determining, via a controller in communication with the target attachment device and the electrical circuit portion of the target, at a first time, first electrical characteristics of the electrical circuit portion;   detecting, at a second time via the controller, a change to the first electrical characteristics of the electrical circuit portion, wherein the changed electrical characteristics indicate a disturbance in the at least one zone of the target;   recording, via the controller, the change in the first electrical characteristics in a memory; and   presenting, via a user interface in communication with the controller, information relating to the recorded change in the first electrical characteristics to a user.